MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[huhoops]

Very good "speculation" HU.  As Sherlock Holmes would say " Watson, I think you may have it"  The players you noted from last years's squad are in fact the key factor in the drop off in assists this year that WW accurately noted. I did not realize there had been THAT big of a drop off. The are "intangibles" that I felt UST has been missing with the loss of these players but a statistical analysis of assist numbers supports this. It is interesting to note that Viau (2.8), McCoy (2.3), Robinson (2.7), and Tuma (2.0) were the 4 LEADERS in assists/game for UST last year. Healy (2.5) and Archer (2.2) are the only players this year with 2 or more assist/game. It is interesting to note that the starting front court of Pedretti and Halvosen are averaging 1.6 assists/game COMBINED versus the McCoy/Viau combined total of 5/game last year.  This is a very significant drop off.  Without looking at the stats, I had sensed UST has really missed Tuma's floor leadership with the second unit this year. The stats support this, as he was 4th in assists last year despite ranking 8th in minutes played for UST. Their defense has allowed them to still remain a leading force in the league with a national ranking, but the drop off in assists, particularly in the front court, shows why last year's squad seemed to have better offensive flow than this year's team to date.

HUHoops & Pops - now I realize that sometimes I post drivel along with the occasional shard of truth, but I posted much of this UST information last month. Read the posts.

Last night must have been the prelude to the blue moon that's taking place on New Year's Eve. ... Numbers 1, 2 & 3, Washington, UST, & UW-Whitewater get knocked off. And the Pipes knock off #8 Wheaton 69-68.

In the matchup of #s 2 & 4, all of the factors pointed in Stevens' Point favor against UST last night - Home court game, the revenge factor for the loss to the Tommies last spring in the tourney etc.  I think VOJ & I are the only posters who have seen this year's version of the Pointers, & I knew this was going to be a tall order.  They've got strong, quick, guards, physical posts, very disciplined & are a talented team. So the Tommie loss in & of itself, came as no huge surprise, but the way they lost was very disappointing.

I still contend the Tommies need to get Tyler Nicolai to spread the floor more & distribute the ball which would make his offensive game that much more effective & dangerous.  He's easily the best ball handler on the team. Compare this to last year when he could rely on Robinson, Viau, Tuma & even McCoy to handle the ball, & help create easier looks for teammates cutting to the basket.  This year's team is still way too perimeter oriented, don't move the ball as well, & those assist numbers for the Tommies don't lie.  At this point they don't have a single player listed in the top 15 in assists or assist turnover ratio categories.  Some Tommie backers may claim it's because of their substitution style & no one is clocking enough minutes. Not true. Both Nicolai & Scott are averaging close to 30 minutes per game.

Look at these numbers from last year:

UST lead the league in assists & averaged 18.97 apg.
Individually, BJ Viau was # 7 & averaged 2.81 apg, Robinson was #10 & averaged 2.71 apg.  

Then when you look at the Assist Turnover Ratio category you had 5 Tommies ranked in the top 10:
1) McCoy 3) Brett Tuma 6) Brett Ervin 9) Robinson & 10) Nicolai.

Obviously they had a pretty special season last year, but certainly one of the keys to success that this year's team could emulate  – move the ball. Part 2 for another rant – go knock some heads around.

************************
Looks like Jekyll, of Jekyll & Hyde (Hamline) showed up last night....

Drake... I should have realized that I couldn't have come up with that on my own . Honest mistake, my friend.

[Gacman]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

[Nites]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

Gacman,

What's with the Gusties' bogus stat keeping?  Is there some rule that says if you have jet leg or sea sickness and you play a bad game that you don't have to count the stats?  Since their high scorers in the University of Hawaii at Hilo game only had 6 points, the Gusties apparently decided to exclude the game from the season stats.  That means my man Ty Moore gets his 2 treys and team high 6 points erased from the books???

[Gacman]

That's a good one.  I'm sure it will be corrected.

[Drake Palmer]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

Gman – is that limb strong enough?  We might have to build a treehouse on that branch. I just might join you on this one.  

[MiacLostProphet]

AO- Brown is a scorer, and as Gman pointed out, Brown will get his shots regardless who you put on him because of his size and athleticism.  Hipp had a bad game on the road, just like up in Cobberville.  Maybe away games at the 3:00 p.m. game time is messing with the pipes team on Saturdays.  They lost to the Cobbs, Gusties, and struggled with MAC.

I don't know which game i wanna go to on wednesday.....The gustie/tommie match up, or the Pipes vs Johnnies, I'm excited to watch the Johnnies team this year and how they will handle Hipp inside and who will be able to match up with Brown outside.

[Mr. Ypsi]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

Gman – is that limb strong enough?  We might have to build a treehouse on that branch. I just might join you on this one.  

Hope it's a strong limb - I might be there too!

After the Woo game, I was all-on-board.  After a one-point win over RF, I wavered.  After the spanking by SP, I bailed.  These are not last year's Tommies.

On the other hand, I haven't felt any compelling reason to join the GAC express, either.  Call me irresponsible ..., but it's undeniably true ... I can't decide.

[papahoops]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

Gman – is that limb strong enough?  We might have to build a treehouse on that branch. I just might join you on this one.  

DP, If you are climbing out on Gacman's limb, we need to talk, as I think a discussion involving the burger of choice at the Blue Door may be in order

[sumander]

DP, If you are climbing out on Gacman's limb, we need to talk, as I think a discussion involving the burger of choice at the Blue Door may be in order

Damn, If you boys are going to the Blue Door I'm all over that!

[miacsuperfan]

It's a couple days before the game and I am going to go out on a limb and say GAC beats UST 61-58. Van Sickle gets hot and Paulson gives UST a little payback.

Gman – is that limb strong enough?  We might have to build a treehouse on that branch. I just might join you on this one. 

and if i was guaranteed  that gac could get a couple of doses of the somnabulism inducing drug that carleton slipped into tommies water for the first seventeen minutes of last saturday's game, i might be jumping on that limb with the rest of you guys.   

man, i watched the first half of that game on archive today, and ust was brutal--but they must have managed to spin out of their funk and finish the game pretty strong.  should be a good one on wednesday; if gusties can avoid the deer in the headlights effect and not get behind early, i DO like their chances---with or without help from the gatorade bucket.

[Buddo]

Halftime: 37-35 UST leads

As I listen: 43-42 SMU... early in the 2nd

[Buddo]

Final score 77-68, UST... SMU stayed in it until the last 5 minutes.

For SMU, Wright with 16, Freeman with 15, Palmer for 13 and 11 (second double-double) and Sims with 12.

For UST, Nicolai had 16, Scott had 13 (3-5 from three point land) and Healy had 11. Halvorson had a nice night with 9 and 7 having only played in half the game.

Looks like Cardinals have made a step towards breaking their losing streak, I see them beating Olaf on Wednesday. I am looking forward very much to seeing GAC/UST! Is anyone attending?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

SMU looked solid tonight. MUCH improved over 2+ years ago to say the least. They had trouble with UST's press/defense, but were lights out on offense , hitting 8 threes in a row (inlcuding the last 6 of the first half). They were perrfect in 18 FTAs... a sign of a disciplined club, something not usually associated with SMU pre-Landrum. They WILL be a playoff team if not a top 4 team in 2010-11 and if they play like they did tonight, they will make the playoffs this year, too.

Wright gave everyone a good scare in the final seconds. He raced at literally full speed and crashed into a perfect pick set by Brady Ervin. WW learned firsthand why Ervin is All-American in football. Ervin didnt flnch or even blink, but there were 2 sounds- a loud crack when Wright's face flattened against BE's shoulder/chest and an even louder crack when he hit the floor. Looked kinda scary for a few minutes, but he seemed OK after the game.

Halverson must have read Popsie's post about assists as he dished out 5 tonight. And Nicolai must have been reading NItes comments, as he too put up 5 assists. UST defense looked to be warming up nicely for GAC & the Boys from the Woods.

[Buddo]

SMU looked solid tonight. MUCH improved over 2+ years ago to say the least. They had trouble with UST's press/defense, but were lights out on offense , hitting 8 threes in a row (inlcuding the last 6 of the first half). They were perrfect in 18 FTAs... a sign of a disciplined club, something not usually associated with SMU pre-Landrum. They WILL be a playoff team if not a top 4 team in 2010-11 and if they play like they did tonight, they will make the playoffs this year, too.

I was thinking the same thing after their performances against Gustavus, Bethel, Winona State... but their problem is consistency. They couldn't close SJU, and Carleton and Hamline were just plain ugly. The story of SMU the last two years has been Wright/Holland carrying the team on their backs, now they finally have some kids stepping up and becoming scoring options. I think if they can pick up 2-3 solid freshmen, maybe one of them being a stud they can make a splash next year. I see them settling around .500 this year.

[VOJ]

SMU looked solid tonight. MUCH improved over 2+ years ago to say the least. They had trouble with UST's press/defense, but were lights out on offense , hitting 8 threes in a row (inlcuding the last 6 of the first half). They were perrfect in 18 FTAs... a sign of a disciplined club, something not usually associated with SMU pre-Landrum. They WILL be a playoff team if not a top 4 team in 2010-11 and if they play like they did tonight, they will make the playoffs this year, too.

Wright gave everyone a good scare in the final seconds. He raced at literally full speed and crashed into a perfect pick set by Brady Ervin. WW learned firsthand why Ervin is All-American in football. Ervin didnt flnch or even blink, but there were 2 sounds- a loud crack when Wright's face flattened against BE's shoulder/chest and an even louder crack when he hit the floor. Looked kinda scary for a few minutes, but he seemed OK after the game.

Halverson must have read Popsie's post about assists as he dished out 5 tonight. And Nicolai must have been reading NItes comments, as he too put up 5 assists. UST defense looked to be warming up nicely for GAC & the Boys from the Woods.

Nice showing by the Cards last night...that game and the Knights staying close over the weekend give hope to rest of the conference that there is a "possibility" of a victory in a matchup with the Tommies this year, but they are still the King of the Hill and until someone knocks them off they can stand atop the MIAC and pound their chest or have Maniac, TH4L and DP do it for them  

Just kidding fellas...especially to DP who has given great analysis as to why this year's edition is not as dominant as last year's crew.  I can see why some are calling for a Tommies loss tomorrow night, however after the scare against the Cards on Monday night, that could be wishful thinking as it MIGHT refocus the Tommies on the task at hand.

Toughest stretch of the season for the Johnnies starts tomorrow night at Hutton Arena against the Pipers as the Js play 4 of 5 away from the friendly confines of Sexton Arena...@ Hamline tomorrow, @ UST on Saturday, home vs GAC next Monday night...followed by roadies to Bethel and Carleton next Wed and Saturday.