MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[larry_u]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

UPS won't be easy, but it's probably a better matchup than playing wash U or wheaton in the sweet sixteen.  Puget travels farther and will probably be bringing fewer fans than wash u.  After watching the video of wheaton beating platteville despite Skemp being unstoppable, it is perhaps right that Wheaton is hosting.  They've got a bigger gym and they are PC's pick to win it all.

I was really impressed with Wheaton's program when they came to play at Northwestern back in 03-04.  Classy, hard-working program.  It also doesn't hurt that they are institutionally set up much like Northwestern.

I was always a fan of the cult like institutions that took away all your freedoms...

[AO]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

UPS won't be easy, but it's probably a better matchup than playing wash U or wheaton in the sweet sixteen.  Puget travels farther and will probably be bringing fewer fans than wash u.  After watching the video of wheaton beating platteville despite Skemp being unstoppable, it is perhaps right that Wheaton is hosting.  They've got a bigger gym and they are PC's pick to win it all.

I was really impressed with Wheaton's program when they came to play at Northwestern back in 03-04.  Classy, hard-working program.  It also doesn't hurt that they are institutionally set up much like Northwestern.

I was always a fan of the cult like institutions that took away all your freedoms...

Are conservative christians also strikingly similar to muslim terrorists to you?

[usee]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

UPS won't be easy, but it's probably a better matchup than playing wash U or wheaton in the sweet sixteen.  Puget travels farther and will probably be bringing fewer fans than wash u.  After watching the video of wheaton beating platteville despite Skemp being unstoppable, it is perhaps right that Wheaton is hosting.  They've got a bigger gym and they are PC's pick to win it all.

I was really impressed with Wheaton's program when they came to play at Northwestern back in 03-04.  Classy, hard-working program.  It also doesn't hurt that they are institutionally set up much like Northwestern.

I was always a fan of the cult like institutions that took away all your freedoms...

including the freedom to go to a different school?? 

[larry_u]

Interesting to note that several of the players from C-StP were sitting behind the end of the UST bench and talking trash.  Talk about comical-- you're  D-II "scholly", already eliminated form postseason and talking smack about an unbeaten D3 team that beat you in your own house. Need a life C-StP?

Well, last night was the final night of the Shoe.  What a way to say goodbye to a great venue. The only better way would have been to host and win the next two rounds.

THE most amazing thing in last night's box was the fact that UST committed ONE turnover in the entire 2nd half.
Scott did a fantastic job defending Rortvedt, holding him scoreless.

UPS wont be easy, but the NCAAs aren't supposed to be easy.

UPS won't be easy, but it's probably a better matchup than playing wash U or wheaton in the sweet sixteen.  Puget travels farther and will probably be bringing fewer fans than wash u.  After watching the video of wheaton beating platteville despite Skemp being unstoppable, it is perhaps right that Wheaton is hosting.  They've got a bigger gym and they are PC's pick to win it all.

I was really impressed with Wheaton's program when they came to play at Northwestern back in 03-04.  Classy, hard-working program.  It also doesn't hurt that they are institutionally set up much like Northwestern.

I was always a fan of the cult like institutions that took away all your freedoms...

Are conservative christians also strikingly similar to muslim terrorists to you?

And you wonder why nobody likes you....
I'm just saying, college is supposted to be fun, and it was for me.   Those schools that restrict your entire life both on and off-campus seem a bit rediculous to me.  Myabe its for some, but I know I actually enjoyed the random party that had both alcohol and dancing and didn't have to worry about being expelled the next day for what someone might have seen through a curtained window and told the dean...

[larry_u]

Anyways...to take this back on topic,

I think UST will have a decent chance against UPS Friday night.  Their styles of play are remotely similar, and frankly it will probably come down to who takes care of the ball better.  UST was a little sloppy and careless with the ball Friday night,  but that also could be chalked up to trying to make it pretty with a decent sized lead. 

Saturday night they only had 1 to in the second half, which showed me that they were really gettign good posessions when they were needed down the stretch.  if they can be that careful with the ball this Friday I think they will win.  UPS will put a lot more prssure on the ball then Point did though, so its going to be up to Nikloi, Scott, Robinson and Vieu to protect while bringing it across half court.

I think Wheaton will have a small advantage over Wash U, and that will set up the game everyone wanted for Saturday.  Right now I'd give the slight advantage to Wheaton, but mainly because they are on thier home floor.  Either way it should be a fun weekend of basketball, and the Wheaton people do a really nice webcast for those of us who will be watching from home and not travelling to Chicagoland.

[Pat Coleman]

The NCAA is setting up to do its own webcast of the entire sectional. Waiting on the final details before we announce what other sectionals will be covered.

[LogShow]

It's going to be interesting...UPS have never really played a team that pressed them back for the entire game.  I really wish I could make it out to Wheaton to watch.  I would have to slightly disagree about the 7 seconds or less.  Yes UPS tries to push the ball and get easy transition shots, but I don't think they are just hoisting shots up.  Someone had asked about an achillies heel for UPS earlier.  I would say they might have two:  First, they have had trouble rebounding this year...especially against physical, tall, big men.  This may not be as big of a factor if UST is a bit shorter in the frontcourt.  The second would be falling in love with the 3-pointer.  Sometimes it seems UPS gets a bit "3 happy" and if they are missing...well its kind of the live and die by the 3 for parts of the game.

That being said, UPS is a very solid team.  They will get after you for all 40 mins.  They press the entire game, but have done a very good job of getting back and setting up their half court D without giving up easy buckets.  I will make another post talking about their personel later. 

Really looking forward to the game!

[LogShow]

The NCAA is setting up to do its own webcast of the entire sectional. Waiting on the final details before we announce what other sectionals will be covered.

Pat, I am assuming you would linked from the front page?   Thanks for making it easy on us, so we dont have to search around to try to find coverage.

[Pat Coleman]

You bet, absolutely. Also it will be on our broadcast page (Broadcast link, upper right of any news page) and on the schedule page and on the Live Games box on the front page.

[Pugetsoundfan]

Logshow is right--nobody has pressed "back" against UPS in any way this year, except for maybe Whitman.  (For you MIAC types, the old UPS coach who installed the highly successful system here went D1 as an assistant, then returned to NWC this year and installed the system at Whitman.)   I wouldn't attach much to the results of either of those games, coming when they did in the schedule (right after BIG wins against Whitworth).  UPS has an excellent backcourt including one of the niftiest players you'll see, and the top three frontline guys can handle the ball under pressure...and everybody on the frontline can shoot the 3 and is quick to the basket.  It's going to be fun....

[Russian Mig AK47]

Jimmy Chitwood! - Look who just jumps in for the first time, after the 2nd round of the natty, and starts throwing around analytical gold.  Great breakdown.

Carletonsid - I see that you subsided a bit on your initial criticism of the court storming.  I have to admit, at first I was a bit befuddle by it as well.  I mean they were the higher seed, expected to win, and undefeated...  But then I realized we are talking about UST fans!  I mean even in that game I had guy and girl Tommie fans spending the entire game on their cell phones, or going out to the bathroom... I will take absolutely any enthusiasm they are willing to give us.  In fact, I would not be disappointed if they stormed the court after every single win.  I know the players would appreciate that more than the indifferent response they have received over the last 6 years during the regular season. (note, they seem to be mildy interested by the time the postseason rolls around).

Joe Scott - you have extremely large cajones!  Having once doinked a slamma jamma off the back iron in a game on a 1 on 0 fast break, I might be a bit more sensitive toward this than others, but in a 4 point game with that much on the line... you would have seen me do a textbook "Hoosiers layup".  Although the crowd would probably not have been that animated by a textbook layup, I suspect.  I quickly glanced over to the Big Man, and I don't think I have ever seen his face that beet red.  He was smiling at that point, probably grateful that it went in.  But I'm guessing Mr. Scott nearly gave him an aneurism.  Did anyone else get flash backs to Toby Bailey in the '95 national championship game?  Wait... what the hell happened to Toby Bailey?

UWSP Male Cheerleader - Wow.  I don't often admire another teams cheer squad.  But, seriously?  Breakdancing (followed by a hillarious 'dance off'), flips all over the place, and hoisting collegiate girlies all over the place.  Put it simply, I was extremely impressed.  Perhaps UST can throw some cash at him to get him to cheer for us going forward?  Everyone has a price...

Lil' recap - All in all, that was quite an exciting game.  Whether it was great defense, poor offense, or something else.  It was a close game and that is what people want to see.  I think there were some jingled nerves in the game (as there should be when the #1 and #4 teams are matching up in the 2nd round... that game probably should have been the matchup next Saturday.  It was a big match up), which resulted in the missed bunnies around the hoop and probably sent a few bombs wayward as well.  The win should help get the monkey off their back of previous tourney shortcomings.  I anticipate they will move forward with more calmed nerves.

UPS - Sounds like it will be a great game.  I am totally bias but IMO the Tommies should have home court all the way to the Final Four (my real motive is that I want to see the game live).  Although based on my logic they also should have had a first round bye.  It's tough to argue with dollars and cents, especially in this economy.  Que sera sera...  Looks like I will be huddling up with a case of beer around the computer on Friday night.  So really, not much different than any other Friday night... hahaha!  Maybe I will trick Jimmy Chitwood or USTBumkneez into joining me.


p.s. Sorry for the novel.  I am all jacked up on coffee.

[larry_u]

Just a warning to the UST fans planning on going to Wheaton this weekend.  Apparently there is no reserved visitor seating, and the Fontbonne fans had a bit of a problem with it last weekend, and it sounds like there is no plan to change anything this weekend.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4409.6795

But yeah, any UST fans planning on going should make sure they get there real early to get the seats they want.

[TommieHoops4Life]

WW,

Did you catch the Illinois game earlier this year where they scored 38 and won? You would've loved that battle.

It's nice to see that the Tommies can still find a way to win even when they're not as efficient offensively as they have been all season. The doubters out there, myself included, can now lay to rest the factor that UST hasn't won a lot of big games this year. Sounds like it was a classic, too bad I was in Rochester covering girls section hoops where a player missed free throws with 1.9 seconds left that could've won the game, instead it was a 1-point loss.

It's an absolute joke and a sign of the economic times when the undefeated and No. 1-ranked team in Division III has to travel after the first weekend of the NCAAs. Seriously, reward a team for its amazing season and keep them on their home court, assuming they win, until the final four. I hope UST gets to the title game so I can finally watch them. It's also completely absurd that they're the only undefeated team in the bracket and they didn't get a first-round bye. Ludicrous.

The MIAC made a huge mistake in not giving Johnson the MVP honor. Scott is a great player, but Johnson was without a doubt the best player in the conference this year. It's unfortunate. The guy leads the conference in scoring, becomes the new all-time leading scorer at Carleton, but he's not the MIAC MVP? Wake up.

Looking forward to see how the Tommies do against Puget Sound. It has the makings of a high-scoring affair if both teams press and get out in transition. Does the first team to 90 win?

[Willy Wonka]

WW,

Did you catch the Illinois game earlier this year where they scored 38 and won? You would've loved that battle.

It's an absolute joke and a sign of the economic times when the undefeated and No. 1-ranked team in Division III has to travel after the first weekend of the NCAAs. Seriously, reward a team for its amazing season and keep them on their home court, assuming they win, until the final four. I hope UST gets to the title game so I can finally watch them. It's also completely absurd that they're the only undefeated team in the bracket and they didn't get a first-round bye. Ludicrous.

Why limit yourself to the Illinois game? The Big 10 was ugly most of the year. You can still win games playing ugly (RE: 90s Knicks), but I'm going to call it what it is.

I'm not sure I understand the logic behind thinking UST was the obvious #1 overall seed with home court throughout. The Tommies clearly had a great season, but who did they beat (before Saturday)? Wheaton was something like 7-1 against tournament teams and ranked #3 in the nation. UST was 0-0 and ranked #1. Throw in the seating difference and the money saved by less flights...would you really have made a different decision, if you were the NCAA?

I'm not saying you have to like it — I don't either — but I can definitely understand the reasoning.

To answer CarletonSID's question...I always preferred playing at home. Opposing coaches often remarked about how great our fans were so it created an obvious advantage. That said, I don't mind going on the road if I'm the Tommies. Like my old teams, they are good enough to win anywhere against anyone.

It's just a bummer that they are playing so far away and neither UST nor PS is likely to have many fans make the trip. GAC always had a great following throughout the national tourney...but games were never THAT far away. It could be a pretty dead atmosphere, especially compared to the other game.

[carletonsid]

To answer CarletonSID's question...I always preferred playing at home. Opposing coaches often remarked about how great our fans were so it created an obvious advantage. That said, I don't mind going on the road if I'm the Tommies. Like my old teams, they are good enough to win anywhere against anyone.

It's just a bummer that they are playing so far away and neither UST nor PS is likely to have many fans make the trip. GAC always had a great following throughout the national tourney...but games were never THAT far away. It could be a pretty dead atmosphere, especially compared to the other game.

Willy - Thanks for 'dropping the knowledge.

Carletonsid - I see that you subsided a bit on your initial criticism of the court storming.  I have to admit, at first I was a bit befuddle by it as well.  I mean they were the higher seed, expected to win, and undefeated...  But then I realized we are talking about UST fans!  I mean even in that game I had guy and girl Tommie fans spending the entire game on their cell phones, or going out to the bathroom... I will take absolutely any enthusiasm they are willing to give us.  In fact, I would not be disappointed if they stormed the court after every single win.  I know the players would appreciate that more than the indifferent response they have received over the last 6 years during the regular season. (note, they seem to be mildy interested by the time the postseason rolls around).
p.s. Sorry for the novel.  I am all jacked up on coffee.

Thanks for the laugh. That would be cool if they stormed after every win. Maybe we can get CMob to lead the effort on this one. I'm sure he'd have no problems getting a bunch of young Tommie ladies to follow him right onto Anderson Court or whatever it will be called in 2010-11. 8)