MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Russian Mig AK47]

Willy -
The mere fact that you had to qualify your source by labeling him a "multi-year starter," and then regurgitate his slanderous remarks speaks volumes to the fact that this is simply player-bashing rubbish that is somehow going to vidicate your inaccurate stance on a player that is three-fold your superior.  In addition, any player that could come up with that b.s. based on a limited view from the few games we have had this season in a team setting that possess an extreme amount of talent is ludicrous.  I could be wrong, however, maybe your "deepthroat" source has played with him through his days at Cretin, St. Michaels, and is a current member of UST that sees him play on a daily basis.. but I seriously doubt it.  On the other hand, I can sit here and defend him 'til I am blue in the face saying he doesn't need to step up when they have so many weapons, but I think we can all agree that the game against AUG was a game that they needed him to step up in and he did not.  But, to be so negative toward a player that can accumulate 20+ points in any given game, or 9 assists in a game (from the forward position) is a proclamation of ignorance.  In the wise words of Kip Sparby, you and your source can always play him in one-on-one!

[localcoach]

Looks like there's some interesting chatter on the board. 

bethelguy - Thanks for echoing my sentiments about Eric Meichsner.  I just thought he would be a better player for the Cobbers this season then he's shown.  Speaking of your Royals, when will they get their first conference win?  Tonight against the Oles? 

I ask again, is it possible to keep the St. Thomas starting five happy?  Rosefelt has been playing out of this world, yet I hear rumblings about his teammates calling him selfish.  True, or not true?  Willy, I have to agree with sju4life, I think that 17-3 or 16-4 is more likely for the Tommies.  Having said that, I still think that record will win the MIAC.  As for your comments about SMU, you're correct, however in the Cardinals defense, they've won the games that they should win, which is more then some other MIAC teams can say right now.  I'm beginning to think that Coach Trewick's team can grab that sixth and final playoff spot.  Still I will have to check out SMU in person before I commit to such a statement.

sju4life - A karma point for you, as you have been right on with many of your early season predictions.

Here's my take on tonight's round of MIAC matchups.

Macalester @ Hamline - I checked out the pick'em board and everyone says the Scots will earn the "w."  If the game was at MAC I would probably give them the edge, but if the Pipers can score 95 on St. Olaf, what will they score tonight?  The key will be stopping Mr. Conboy.  I say the Pipers win their second in a row, although it will be a grind it out game.

Saint John's @ St. Thomas - My gut says St. Thomas finds a way to bounce back tonight at home and win this one.  I think it will be a heck of a game, and I might have to make the trip to UST.

Gustavus @ Saint Mary's - Gusties lose two in a row?  Not likely.  TeBrake and company get it done in Winona.

Concordia @ Carleton - This is a tough one to pick.  On paper the Knights have the edge, plus they have confidence after taking down Gustavus on Monday.  Still, I feel like Concordia knows they were robbed at MAC, and will be ready to play.  I'll take the minor upset and pick the Cobbers.

St. Olaf @ Bethel - The Oles are a nice team and I think they will bounce back after the Hamline loss and get a good win.  That means the Royals would move to 0-5 in the MIAC.  What a difference a year makes.

[sumander]

I have to make a trip to the Metro area for business this PM. looking forward to taking in the SJU-UST tilt. Should be a great measuring stick for the Johnnies.

[columbianmaffia]

AK47 IS ON FIRE...karma for you sir

[Willy Wonka]

Miggy - Through 10 games...Keating has as many 2 point performances as he does 20+ (one). He has as many games under 5 points as he does in double digits (four). And when did nine assists become the measuring stick for a good player? Even I did that and I was hardly a guard (or a decent player, apparently).

I'm going to go out on a limb here to say, at this point in the year, Keating would not even make the all conference list (9ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.5 apg) If that's not enough to warrant mentioning on this board from a former D2 standout who was hyped as an MVP candidate, I don't know what is.

[bchoops]

While I'm generally not one to stick my nose into other's conversations, I have to side with Willy on this whole Keating argument.  While I may not put things as forcefully as Willy, nor have I seen any MIAC team play this year, still until Keating does step up and perform like you all say he is capable of, then he is, in my opinion, over-hyped.  The question is this: if he has the capability to go for 20 in any given game, to get 9 assists on any given night, then why does he not do it, in any given game?  The reality is, he has done it this year in one game, which is not the same as any given game.  Like Willy said, his name was being tossed around as an MVP possibility at the beginning of the season, but as of yet, whether his team is or is not loaded with talent, he has not performed even close to an MVP caliber.  What I am not saying, because I have not seen him play, is that he does not have these capabilities.  But, what I am saying is that UST backers, and Keating backers in particular, ought to quit defending him on what he has the capability to do, and rather admit that he has under-performed (at least statistically) this season.  He has not been the player that some of you trumpeted him to be thus far, and until he actually begins to go for 20 on any given night (i.e. when his team needs him to in order to win) or get those 9 assists on a similar basis, I think some of the criticism (though perhaps not as derogatory as it has been) is deserved.  Just my thoughts from afar.

[funbballer]

Well, I've been a Keating backer and I will go on record and say, at least up to this point, I over-extended my assessment and have been very wrong. I'll admit that. I was certainly expecting more. I don't know what the problems might be/are, but either he's not comfortable in his role or his surgery has set him back too much or he's regressed in his ability or that he just flat isn't good enough any more.

I don't know what the answer is, but am stepping forward to say I was wrong on this one. He's certainly not the player he was before coming back to UST but have talked to people that saw him play at St. Michael's and stated he was very good.

So, Wonka and the rest of you, count me as one that errored on assessing his potential.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

The "Keating Debate" has basically consisted of one poster ragging on him and one defending hi. I haven't read anyone touting him as MVP (that will be Ike).

Mike's a good player, playing through a tough injury, something I'd imagine WW should be able to relate to. He's not All-American caliber, something MIG shuold be able to relate to. He does serve a vital role of floor leader for UST, healthy or injured, and that is an intangible that doesn't find its way into the box score, just like many of the things a certain frizzy (and receding) haired player for GAC a few yars back.

While the season is 40% over (where did the time go?), he still has plenty of time to prove or disprove his capabilites between the remaining games and has next season as well.

With all the focus on this board on Keating, it seems like certain posters aren't even noticing some guy named "Rosefet", who made his first 13 shots Monday-- utterly phenomenal. He is on pace for one of the most dominating years in the MIAC since Frankie Alphabet (I know, references to players pre-1997 fall on deaf ears here, but Frankie & Fritz were probably the two most dominating players in MIAC history thus far, in my opinion...maybe throw in Karnell James as 3rd place. Don't even think of mentioning D George in the top ten. if you saw him play, you'd agree with that...he has undergone a transformation since leaving Augsburg, but by no means was he the dominant player of his era).


Local-- not everyone on the pick 'em is pcking Mac over Hamline tonight. Read more carefully or clean your glassess more frequently 

Watchman-- I agree-- there will be no "pollution" tonight....just an incredible UST/SJU game...hoep its not as wild as the 3 OT heart stopper of the early 90s, or as wacky as the Tauer-mauling-to-"steal" the ball for a "W" in the 93 title game.

[SofaKing]

Does anyone know what was said from coach Siverson that caused him to receive the T's?

From what I hear from former players in the MIAC is that the conference is pretty down this year. This seems to be said all the time from former players year in and year out. Does it happen to be true this year.

I would think that on paper, St. Thomas has one of the best teams the MIAC has ever seen. What is with all the close games and loses. Is there any insight or coaching adjustments that should be made for this team. Are they playing like a bunch of individuals or what is the deal?

Side Note: We are making strides in practice right now. Look for the Zags to win out and recieve a #1 seed in the tourney.

[Drake Palmer]

Does anyone know what was said from coach Siverson that caused him to receive the T's?

Apparently, he had an ongoing conversation with that particular ref all night about the style of play of the Mac post players.  And I think the Cord radio announcer said that ref had called the last 3-4 fouls in the game.  So when the blocking call was called on Dixon, Siverson snapped.

You know Coach S. better than the rest of us & he's not usually the type of coach to ride the referees.  So I've gotta believe he had pretty good cause for being upset with the officiating or at least that one official.

[onearmedscot]

He said, "That call was Sofa King bad!!"

It was an offensive foul call on Dixon on the drive.  Whatever Siverson said it was nowhere near as loud as his initial two foot stomp that got him the first T.  I think he just kept the discussion going and the Asain Sensation wanted nothing to do with it.

Unfortunately the final two shots that CON got off were right in front of said official and he swallowed his whistle.

oAs

[SofaKing]

OAS - What is your opinion to my other questions?

[onearmedscot]

I would say the league is younger this year.  Most of the talent is in the freshman and sophomore classes so they are growing up and not as strong and consistent as some earlier years.  There are no Josh Downey type shooters, that's for sure .

As for UST, I can't figure them out.  Barely beat MAC and HAM on the road then wax GAC by 36 then lose to AUG by 3.  It must be driving Fritz nuts not to know what team he is going to have show up.   I think they are much better when they spread the ball around.  Seems if Ike gets hot early the rest of the squad is standing and watching.

Just my two cents.

oAs

[piperinsider]

HAM 35, MAC 21 2:30 to play in half

Thrasher and Viemiester are the top two scorers for HAM; Assel has 8.

Half: 37-28 HAM

MAC goes on 10-2 run in last three minutes.

[onearmedscot]

37-28 Pipes at half.

This announcer is awful.  Mispronouncing darn near every MAC players name.  Alternates calling Terrence Robinson-Wilson Robinson on some series and Wilson on others.

Tommies comfortable at the half up double digits.

oAs