MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

The one player who has shown himself to be immune to the curse is DP favorite Seth Jonker, who has continued outstanding consistent play after my endorsement of his "game". The ability of Jonker Kong to overcome the power of the paphoops curse is truly impressive

While Jonkey Kong's (It is Jonkey with a "y". I know because I stole it from those clever Carleton students) ability to circumvent the curse is impressive, has anyone noticed what Sutherland has been doing? His points the last 8 games:

16
13
20
16
30
16
14
22


Last night against the Scots, he had 10 assists and two dunks. He has been guarding the best perimeter player (Brown, Nicoli, etc.) and he and Davis are developing a rapport. Davis fed him on the dunks. They pounded Mac and the Mac players started to get pretty chippy. They undercut Sutherland and fouled Davis hard on a steal and a breakaway for a layup; a flagrant was called. I suppose when the reality of another o'fer season is dawning you might get a little chippy.

Anyone...anyone...DP, Papahoops any other sane poster is welcome to comment...

Sutherland is certainly in the running & I would think virtually assured of an All-MIAC spot.  There would probably be more talk about Sutherland if he & the Carlies wouldn't have gotten off to such a slow start during conference play.  Sutherland has always been a tremendous athlete and a great defensive specialist, plus he's done a more than credible job of running the point when called upon (Wabbit - see assists stats line   ).  However, his offensive development seems to have been hampered by some of the injuries he's sustained over the past couple of years.

Now that he's had a healthy off-season to train, work on his jumper, & a relatively pain free JR campaign, Sutherland is showing the rest of the league what he's capable of doing. It would be interesting to see how much higher he could kick it up if Coach Kalland loosened up the offensive reins a bit more.

[Drake Palmer]

PI  - I would tend to agree with your assessment of SJU's chances in St. Peter tomorrow. I think the SJU-GAC game will be extremely tough. The game is going to be close (toss up either way), or the Gusties in a rout.

Tonight's game featuring SMU & the Dawgs should be outstanding.  Quick vs. quick, & will Augsburg's beef (Cory Polta) & the human pogo stick (AGG) control the paint against the most posessed man in the league- Chris Palmer? This game could be real close, but I'm taking the Dawgs by 7 points.

Hamline could be staring at a 3 game losing streak going into the playoffs if they lose to UST on Saturday. Will the Tomcast be full of themselves after their payback win on Wednesday?

Will the Cobbs attack the suspect Oles' interior with Neville missing? Or do the Oles spread the floor & attack, attack, attack? Molina vs. Jaryan? Open post offense is fun to watch. I'll put my money on Jaryan for the individual stats, & a couple of ears of corn  on the Cobbers to finish the season 9-11.

And will Carleton continue their triumphant return to the playoffs with a commanding performance against the game, but overmatched Bethel Royals?  Or will the Royals prove whats really up in Arden Hills? 

PS. I forgot to mention this the other day. But were my bleary eyes correct in thinking that I saw the Gusties run a zone defense for about 2 possesions in the 2nd half in the game against UST the other night?  Was I seeing clearly, or do I need to get my eyes checked?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Hamline could be staring at a 3 game losing streak going into the playoffs if they lose to UST on Saturday. Will the Tomcast be full of themselves after their payback win on Wednesday?

I highly doubt UST has forgotten the foul-fest in their first matchup with HU nor have they forgotten the absurd use of timeouts in the final minutes. HU could pull off the upset, but the antics from last meeting are akin to kicking a wasp's nest. File that game under "Not smart"

PS. I forgot to mention this the other day. But were my bleary eyes correct in thinking that I saw the Gusties run a zone defense for about 2 possesions in the 2nd half in the game against UST the other night?  Was I seeing clearly, or do I need to get my eyes checked?

I thought I saw a zone for a while too, but figured since m2m wasnt working, GAC might as well try something. But you DO still need your eyes checked, as well as what's behind them 

I'm assuming you will spend tonight & tomorrow at the Art Institute and/or the symphony

[piperinsider]

That's a tough decision, but I have to say Holland is better, or at least more valuable. He makes a huge impact with less resources than Nicolai and UST. Holland has to have the smoothest jump shot in the league... don't get me wrong, I love Nicolai's game and he is very good, but Holland is just too smooth.

As far as Ray liking Coach Whitmore because he doesn't get in his face.  I also heard the opposite about Coach Whitmore's style but  I don't know too many coaches who would get in the face of an impact player such as Ray.   There would be a different kind of conversation about Hamline if Ray weren't there.  I think Coach Whitmore knows how important Ray is to his program.  With that said there isn't a coach who treats all of his/her players the same.
[/quote]

Whitty came to talk with Ray Ray just about every time he was taken out/took himself out during Wednesday's game. Not in his face, but definitely was talking about his performance/behavior.

[Drake Palmer]

The Dawgs win in a close game 76-72 over SMU. I think there was one tie in the 2nd half, & Augsburg once got the lead up to as high as 11 pts, otherwise the Dawgs kept a nerve wracking, sweaty, close 4-9 point lead most of the 2nd half.  The Dawgs close out the conference schedule with a 13-7 record which may or may not be good for 2nd place by themselves, or they might have to share it with the Gusties. If they & GAC both end up 13-7, would that be a tie for 3rd?

The Birds make good strides this season with the addition of Chris Palmer & some other talented underclassmen. They close out the year 9-16, 7-13 in conference play.  With any luck on the recruiting trail this spring, the Birds should be a team to be reckoned with next season. I spotted Coach Landrum at a HS game in St. Paul the other night.

(Here's a trick I learned from Willy Wonka.)  If I wasn't too lazy to do it myself I'd look it up.  

So here's a  question for all you accounting & stats type of guys (where's Snow when  you need him?) -  G-Man, Avon Barksdale, Mose, etc. How do the tiebreaker scenarios play out if GAC, CARL, HAM, & SJO all end up with 12-8 records? If you look at their records & the pairings, there's a possibility this could happen tomorrow.



P.S. I'm kicking myself because I didn't think of this line myself:

"Will the Little Admiral get a chance to right his ship on Saturday?"  (Thank you poster   )

The Vipership is ready to sail into playoff waters full mast ahead, or with bullet torn sails & canon shot riddled hull?  

[huhoops]

The Dawgs win in a close game 76-72 over SMU. I think there was one tie in the 2nd half, & Augsburg once got the lead up to as high as 11 pts, otherwise the Dawgs kept a nerve wracking, sweaty, close 4-9 point lead most of the 2nd half.  The Dawgs close out the conference schedule with a 13-7 record which may or may not be good for 2nd place by themselves, or they might have to share it with the Gusties. If they & GAC both end up 13-7, would that be a tie for 3rd?

The Birds make good strides this season with the addition of Chris Palmer & some other talented underclassmen. They close out the year 9-16, 7-13 in conference play.  With any luck on the recruiting trail this spring, the Birds should be a team to be reckoned with next season. I spotted Coach Landrum at a HS game in St. Paul the other night.

(Here's a trick I learned from Willy Wonka.)  If I wasn't too lazy to do it myself I'd look it up. 

So here's a  question for all you accounting & stats type of guys (where's Snow when  you need him?) -  G-Man, Avon Barksdale, Mose, etc. How do the tiebreaker scenarios play out if GAC, CARL, HAM, & SJO all end up with 12-8 records? If you look at their records & the pairings, there's a possibility this could happen tomorrow.

I believe it would go:

#1 UST
#2 AUG
#3 CAR (wins tie breaker in head to head because of SJU sweep)
#4 GAC (wins over SJU because they beat UST and wins over HU because they swept CON-- HU went 1-1)
#5 HU (wins over SJU because they will have beaten UST)
#6 SJU

Someone more seasoned in these tight playoff races, feel free to correct me.

If the same scenario happens but GAC beats SJU, I believe it would go like this:

#1 UST
#2 GAC (wins over AUG because they beat UST)
#3 AUG
#4 HU (wins over CAR because they will have beaten UST)
#5 CAR
#6 SJU

If HU loses and SJU wins:

#1 UST
#2 AUG
#3 GAC (wins because they beat UST)
#4 CAR (wins because they swept SJU)
#5 SJU
#6 HU

If HU loses and GAC wins:

#1 UST
#2 GAC (wins because they beat UST)
#3 AUG
#4 CAR
#5 HU (wins because they beat CAR once and SJU did not)
#6 SJU

** All of these scenarios are barring a CAR win

[Drake Palmer]

HU - based on what you've listed, the best case scenario for the Pipes would be for them to beat UST, & for GAC to beat the Johnnies. The Pipes would get the 4th seed & would play the Carlies at home.  Nobody wants Carleton at their place right now.

The other situations would put them playing at GAC or Carleton.  Not very good environments for a team that seems to be averse to travel.  

Based on what I've seen from the playoff teams, right now I would rate them as

1) UST
2) CARL
3) AUGS

4) GAC

5) HAM/SJU

Aside from UST, Hamline & SJU have the scariest upside & the potential to run a team out of the gym. The Pipes seem to have tapped into that offensive potential a bit more than the Johnnies this season.

[piperinsider]

If GAC lost to SJU, HAM beat UST and CAR lost to BET, throw out head-to-head. It would be record against teams above them (UST AND AUG).

HAM 2-2
GAC 2-2
CAR 1-3
SJU 1-3

CAR swept SJU so they would be 5 and SJU would be 6. Since GAC/HAM were 1-1, and both would be 1-1 against UST and AUG, it would come down to record against CAR and SJU...oh wait, both teams were 1-1 against them.

If so, it would come down to who finished seventh (tie-breaker No. 4)...if STO wins over CON, Ham would get No. 3. If CON wins, GAC would get o. 3.

Lots of ifs.....

It will be:
1 UST  2 GAC  3 AUG  4 CAR  5 HAM  6 SJU

Beat the ranch again Drake

[wabbit]

Note: The last time the Knights beat Bethel was Rosetts 1st game of his freshman year. Today is his last regular season game. Something, symetrical about this...Go Knights, we need a win!

[Drake Palmer]

Back to the to the Auggie/ Bird game -

"Despite significantly outshooting the Cardinals (56.3 percent-to-38.1 percent), the Auggies found themselves in a tight contest for the majority of the night."

SMU

*The Birds out rebounded the taller Dawgs 37-31.

*Chris Palmer has double-double with 10 points (3-10 fga, 4-6 fta) & 15 rebounds

*Lukas Holland passes the scoring baton to Will Wright who knocks down 30 pts on 10-19 fga, 7-7 fta.

Augsburg

*Jon Cassens apparently in foul trouble for Augsburg as he had 4 fouls in 21 minutes. Usually he's around the 32-35 minute mark for minutes played. He still ended up with 8 pts & 4 assists.

*Backcourt mate Ben Flavin scores 9 & also 4 assists.

*David Olson & Cory Polta are the 2 starter who do the most scoring damage with 17 & 14 pts.

*Non starter Matthew Quammen provides s big scoring lift off he bench  as he scores 13 pts, 4-6 fga,  & 4-4 fta.

*Looks like SJU's Sam Blank & Quammen might be front runners in the race for the various awards for 6th man of the year.
*****
P.S. If the rest of the "known" front-runners for the MVP & other awards play like Jon Cassens did last night it could be really tough for the coaches & media to make their various selections.

P.S.S. PI- I'm a simple man, a few crushed grapes, cheese, a little pasta, family & loved ones, hoops & I'm happy. I can't bet the ranch/villa on this complex algorithm that you devilish accountant & stats guys schemed up.  Hamline  over UST - YES or NO. Capesh?  

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Back to the to the Auggie/ Bird game -
P.S.S. PI- I'm a simple man, a few crushed grapes, cheese, a little pasta, family & loved ones, hoops & I'm happy. I can't bet the ranch/villa on this complex algorithm that you devilish accountant & stats guys schemed up.  Hamline  over UST - YES or NO. Capesh?  

I looked out the window and didnt see any donkeys flying by, so UST by 8-10, unless the Pipers send UST to the FT line 500 times again, then it gets lopsided.

Congrats to Augs on sewing up at least a share of second place and no lower than 3rd seed. Four years in a row, they have improved in standings, MIAC record & overall record...impressive run for their class of 2010!

Playoff seeding will be
1)UST 19-1
2)AUG 13-7
3)CAR  12-8 (they win the 3-way tie-breaker with GAC & USJ)
4)GAC 12-8 (they win the subsequent tie-breaker over USJ)
5)USJ 12-8
6)HAM 11-9

[papahoops]

*Looks like SJU's Sam Blank & Quammen might be front runners in the race for the various awards for 6th man of the year.*****

DP, I think you are forgetting a few people in 6th man discussions. First of all, Quammen may not be best overall bench player on  the Auggies, let alone the league. One could argue that other than 3 point threat, Brumm brings more to the table consistently for the Auggies. Aside from these three, I believe Seth Anderson, Tommy Hannon, and Scott Theisen deserve consideration. Colin Keeley also has nice numbers off the bench for MAC, but most view him as a real "starter" (has anyone else wondered why MAC has chosen to bring one of their best players off the bench all year )

[Chocolate Factory]

Gonna make my way over to Hutton and see what WW and his active imagination are talking about. Wasn't able to make the UST-GAC game but from what I'd seen all year our favorite #5 has been an angel. I had commented to many people how it looked like he finally got the message. Playing under control and keeping his emotions in check.

Can anyone verify that he was a naughty boy? Maniac?

Of course we all know how WW gets on someone and there is no way out for that poor guy! His flopping can't even come close to one of the better players in the MIAC the last few years. Dan Forkrud. A real nice player but a fly would send that big strong man  falling violently to the floor like he was shot.

It's all about perceptions.

My great basketball mind sees Ust by 9 over a frustrated RayRay and the Pipes.

[papahoops]

Have an hour until I leave for Hutten, so previously analyzing 6th man selections got me thinking about FY players. At this point my all FY team would be:
Chris Palmer
Pierce Peters
Seth Anderson
Marcus Brumm
Scott Theisen
Noah Aguire/Jordan Schmidt

Nana-Kwesan also did some good things for Concordia
Am I missing anyone

[Drake Palmer]

*Looks like SJU's Sam Blank & Quammen might be front runners in the race for the various awards for 6th man of the year.*****

DP, I think you are forgetting a few people in 6th man discussions. First of all, Quammen may not be best overall bench player on  the Auggies, let alone the league. One could argue that other than 3 point threat, Brumm brings more to the table consistently for the Auggies. Aside from these three, I believe Seth Anderson, Tommy Hannon, and Scott Theisen deserve consideration. Colin Keeley also has nice numbers off the bench for MAC, but most view him as a real "starter" (has anyone else wondered why MAC has chosen to bring one of their best players off the bench all year )

Are you questioning me?

Just getting a little convo started Pops.     Personally I like a 6th man who does a little more than just score which is primarily Quammen & Blank's job.  So guys like Seth Anderson, Tommy Hannon, Marcus Brumm (my personal favorite), might do more than the their high flying & high scoring 6th man counterparts.  (Besides, I thought you were going to lay aside the Phoops jinx?  Stay clear of your boy Scott Theissen.   )

If you look at last year's coaches' selection they went with Bethel's Chris Vavra.  Primary role - a relief scorer for Tim Madsen.  Then look at the previous year, the 07-08 season - you'll see my kinda of 6th man. To tell you more about that player we'll let Will Wonka take over...

PS. you'd better revise your list. Seth Anderson is a soph. And definitely add Greg Meyer from Bethel.