MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

More off season news:

UST's Johnny "James" Tauer Raids Northfield!! 

[hazzben]

You make a good point about other recruits choosing another MIAC institution over UST despite a generous financial aid package from the Tommies.  I will however bet the farm that that number is quite low if you actually graphed it out.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. UST has a very attractive thing going, no question. But at the DIII level things like academics (does a kid want to study a certain subject that another school excels in) and ethos can play a part in this stuff. There are a ton of variables. $$ and winning are two biggies that UST has in spades, but they certainly aren't the only two and I know of quite a few guys in several sports who have walked away from better aid packages to play at places they favored for one reason or another (myself included).

[hoopathon]

Hey All-

I have never posted on here, but wanted to throw out an upcoming basketball fundraising event that some former Tommie bball guys and myself are working on.  The Twin Cities Hoopathon is in its 14th year and is coming to the U of M Field House on August 20.  We have a day full of activities including a individual free throw shooting competition and a team free throw shooting competition.  I encourage you all to come out, bring your familes, friends, sign up a team or come as an indivual shooter and help raise some money while having a good time for Huntington's Disease!

Info on the event and cause:  www.hoopathon.com

Info on the Individual Shooting Competition: www.hoopathon.com/free-throw-contest/

Info on the Team Shooting Competition:  www.hoopathon.com/team-competition/
                            Check out the video of the St. Thomas guys demonstrating how the comp. works.

Info on the After Party:  http://www.hoopathon.com/after-party/

Any questions, email me at hoopathon@yahoo.com

Take Care-   
B.J.  Viau
UST 09'

[jquentint]

From UST website
Mike Keating joins Toms' men's basketball staff

August 04, 2011

Former Tommie standout Mike Keating will join John Tauer's men's basketball coaching staff at St. Thomas for 2011-12.

Keating coached last season as an assistant at Rosemount High on the staff of head coach Bryan Schnettler, a former Tommie teammate. He's also worked at Tauer's youth camps the last 10 summers.

"We're thrilled to have Mike Keating join the UST coaching staff," Tauer said. "Mike was an outstanding player in high school at Cretin-Derham Hall, at the Division II level at St. Michael's College, and finally as a captain at the University of St. Thomas. As a player Mike was noted for his all-around abilities and his stellar basketball IQ. His understanding of and passion for the game of basketball will serve him well in coaching college basketball. Mike's recent experience playing in college and coaching at the high school level will be a perfect complement to the rest of our staff. Mike will focus his work on skill development with our players, offense, scouting, and recruiting."

A St. Paul native who grew up 15 blocks from UST, Keating was an all-stater and Minnesota Mr. Basketball finalist at Cretin-Derham Hall, were a basketball teammate was Joe Mauer.

He scored 1,470 points in his college career, which included two seasons at Division II St. Michael's (Vt.) and his final two at St. Thomas. With the Tommies, he was an All-Region and All-MIAC forward who helped UST win back-to-back conference titles and compile a 47-10 record. As a senior he averaged 15.3 points and 9.1 rebounds and converted 82% at the foul line. As a junior, he led MIAC players in 3-point shooting in conference games (50%).

Tauer, an assistant coach for the Tommies the last 11 seasons, was named in May to replace retiring coach Steve Fritz. His coaching staff now consists of returning assistants Jon Hughes, Don Johnson and Tommy Fritz, plus Keating and former Carleton assistant Jim Hayes.

St. Thomas won its final 12 games last winter to finish 30-3 and claim the MIAC's first national championship in Division III men's hoops. The Tommies graduated starters Tyler Nicolai, Alex Healy, Anders Halvorsen and Teddy Archer, plus versatile contributor Brady Ervin. They return at least eight key players, though, and have attracted a promising recruiting class of 2011-12 freshmen.

[Drake Palmer]

Sheesh you have to go to other boards to get news about the MIAC. 

Former MIAC Star Transfers to UW-River Falls

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

At long long long last, I've finally received my copy of the UST Champioship 3-disc set  (thank you, NCAA, for taking dang near an eternity to get it out)

I'm sure WW and Poppa will want to join me in watching it over and over and over 

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

practices start this weekend!!!!!!!!!  The 2011-12 season will soon be underway.......am I the only one pumped about this??

[carletonsid]

practices start this weekend!!!!!!!!!  The 2011-12 season will soon be underway.......am I the only one pumped about this??

Nope, you're not alone. Very excited to get the season underway and know that the first games (for the Knights, at least) are only a month away. Think, even with UST's losses, they have to be the fave, with St. Olaf right behind, and I think the Knights will be in the mix for a top-4 finish as well.

[papahoops]

Time for Papa to end the off season break and get back in action on the board. As a current Gopher football season ticketholder, the football season is already over and I can thankfully shift my attention to hoops. Drake. thanks for the scoop on Palmer's transfer to UWRF. I'm pleased that with UWRF on UST's non-conference schedule, MiacManiac will still be able to see his favorite "physical" player in action. 
I agree with CarletonSID's comments on pre-season favorites UST,STO, and CAR being the teams to watch. Although UST may be able to "reload" with new talent, Nicolai and Ervin's ability to come through in clutch situations will not be easy for UST to replace. These two players tipped the scales in UST's favor in many tight situations last year and others will need to fill this void. Another aspect of the league of obvious interest to me is whether MAC can take a another step forward this year in terms of being a competitive factor.

[Buddo]

You have to like St. Olaf with that great recruiting class reaching senior status. Gunderson will improve as well.

[Drake Palmer]

Well, I guess it's time for old Rip Van Drake to wake up from his off season snooze too & get ready for another season of fun filled action in the MIAC.   During the basketball off-season, I had a chance to experience one of my own personal sports highlights.  Earlier this month I travelled west to chase a fuzzy, yellow ball at a national tournament for old duffs.

While I was out in sunny California, I had a chance to eat at the legendary fast food restaurant – The In-n-Out Burger. The hype is well deserved. For a fast food restaurant -they make a mighty tasty burger!  In fact we had to stop twice -once on the way to the tourney & then on the way back to the airport.  We stopped over the noon hour & it was almost comical the length of the line at the In-N-Out versus the nearly deserted McDonalds which was right across the street.

Coincidentally, after our group got off the rental car shuttle van at the terminal I noticed a taller, familiar looking guy getting off the van as well. As he graciously passed my suitcase to me I asked him, "hey are you Jim Peterson?"  Sure enough it was. The MN Lynx assistant coach & Timberwolves game announcer was there with his family as they were heading out on vacation for a few days. So for a few minutes, a group of MN sports fans & strangers shot the breeze at the LAX terminal & talked about what's bad & good about MN sports. Thank God for Seimone Augustus, Lindsey Whalen & the MN Lynx. Fun, chance encounter. 

But I digress, back to MIAC hoops. Some of the schools' basketball rosters have been posted - the two JR Ivy League schools in the MIAC – Carleton & Macalester, along with St. Olaf.  I've not had a chance to analyze the rosters or do any research, but interesting to note that none of the incoming freshmen class at Macalester are in-state kids.  On the other hand, Carleton continues to recruit both in-state and out state players.  As a follow up to the excellent recruiting class the Oles had in 2010, Coach Koz reverts back to recruiting 0-2 freshmen for this year.

Carleton

Macalester

St. Olaf

[Drake Palmer]

Follow up to earlier post. Two interesting transfers

1)  SO Forward Taylor Hanson to Carleton after a FY year at Connecticut College.  Hanson is a fellow Minnehaha Academy Redhawk as is So PG Parker Hines at Augsburg.  Hanson should make an immediate impact at Carleton & is a likely starter before the New Year.  He's very strong, athletic, quick, has good scoring touch around the basket & has a nice little mean streak. Excellent pick up for Carleton.

2) So W Josh Pratt transfers from Hamline to St. Olaf.  Interesting transfer. With as many Ole freshmen who saw playing time last year, I wonder where Pratt will fit into the rotation. Mebbe Coach Koz promised Pratt that he can take over Bobby Fong's spot after Fong graduates next year. 

Also makes a person wonder what else is going on at Hamline? This is what, the  8-10th transfer in the last couple of years.

[miacsuperfan]

Sheesh you have to go to other boards to get news about the MIAC. 

Former MIAC Star Transfers to UW-River Falls

I thought I heard some chatter on this board last year that Palmer was headed to a MIAC school, possibly Hamline or Bethel.  Drake, do you (or anyone else) know what happened that he wound up at UW-RF?   
Also, I would be interested in hearing Carletonsid's reasons for optimism despite heavy graduation losses from last year.

[aero75]

Carletonsid's reasons for optimism despite heavy graduation losses from last year = Taylor Hanson

[Drake Palmer]

Carletonsid's reasons for optimism despite heavy graduation losses from last year = Taylor Hanson

If I'm Carleton's Guy Kalland – I'm drooling at the prospect of unleashing Taylor Hanson on the rest of the league. Without the benefit of seeing the rest of the rosters from around the league – I'd say Hanson would be the early front runner for the "Newcomer of the Year" award if the MIAC offered one.

For a Connecticut College team that plays in the NESCAC league back east – Hanson put up some impressive numbers as a freshman on a team that finished 12-13.

For his team Hanson was 3rd in scoring at 9.2ppg,  2nd in rebounding 5.4rpg,  2nd in assists 2.2 apg, led the team in steals .092 spg, & was first in blocks at just under one block per game .68 blocks per game. Not much of an outside shooter, but he's got a serious motor & will probably remind people of Chris Palmer in his approach to the game.  Terrific competitor.

***
Speaking of Palmer – the unofficial story I heard was that he moved to the metro area – River Falls, WI to be closer to his love interest/girl friend. Someone else can confirm or deny this.

Plus, Palmer transferred from one "bird" school, SMU Cardinals – to the UWRF-Falcons.  If UWRF's Wade Guerin can successfully return from his back injury –the Falcons could have a killer front court.  They would have 6-4/6-5 Chris Palmer, 6-9 Wade Guerin, & D3Hoops 2011 Preseason Honorable Mention All American 6-6 Shane Manor.  Some of you may recall a video I posted last winter which showed Manor posterizing Hamline's Andy Voigt in a non-conference game. Nasty dunk!  If UWRF can find strong PG play to replace Jontae Kooenkaew & another outside marksman to take some of the outside pressure off Aaron Anderson, the Falcons could be in the hunt for the WIAC title, or at least the WIAC playoffs.

My guess is that Palmer wanted to go to a school that wasn't rebuilding. Hamline seems to be in a bit of turmoil with graduation losses & a steady stream of transfers. Bethel seems to be in a rebuilding mode.