MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[carletonsid]

Great game today, the Gusties did not look very good the first 10 minutes of the game, but they got it together thanks to the play of Grey and Anderson.

I thought three key factors made the difference: offensive rebounds for the Tommies, turnovers at inopportune times for the Gusties, and the play of Zach Riedeman.

Riedeman made some big shots, none bigger than the three pointer with two minutes left in overtime which cut the Gusties lead from 5 to 2. That shot was the biggest shot of the afternoon in my opinion.

I'm hoping that the non-conference wins over Transylvania and Hardin-Simmons might give the Gusties a shot at a Pool C bid, but I wouldn't bet on it.

I really hope you guys get in, too. I know the committee and others say "conference affiliation doesn't matter" but after my Knights were left out last year, the rationale we were given sure smacked of bias against the MIAC. I think you guys would be a tough match-up for an out-of-conference foe.

[AO]

Maybe it's a little bit of Minnesota bias to counter the east-coast bias, but PC selected the Gusties with the 9th pool C spot after the other bracketologists did not, likely fearing the relatively lower winning pct.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2012/02/27/our-2012-mens-projections/

Transylvania dropping into the at-large pool actually helps Gustavus Adolphus. It's a non-regional result, but Gustavus defeated Transylvania at the D3hoops.com Classic, and by the time we get this deep into the selection process, we have to consider the NCAA's secondary criteria. [\quote]

[tommiegun]

Definitely hope the GAC attack can get in... I mean, I know its not part of the "criteria," but losing to the defending national champions in the conference championship in overtime has gotta count for something...

[carletonsid]

Maybe it's a little bit of Minnesota bias to counter the east-coast bias, but PC selected the Gusties with the 9th pool C spot after the other bracketologists did not, likely fearing the relatively lower winning pct.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2012/02/27/our-2012-mens-projections/

Transylvania dropping into the at-large pool actually helps Gustavus Adolphus. It's a non-regional result, but Gustavus defeated Transylvania at the D3hoops.com Classic, and by the time we get this deep into the selection process, we have to consider the NCAA's secondary criteria.

Well, Pat picked us last year and we didn't get in. 

The hard part about predicting the field for Pat and others is that the committee sometimes interprets the criteria differently. And I'm being nice in saying it that way.

This is hindsight, but last year Carleton was dinged for "not good enough wins over regionally-ranked foes" (not amount, but quality, which the criteria doesn't address). Of course, one of those wins ended up being over the eventual national champs. Also, never mind that Carleton had more wins over regionally-ranked teams than others selected in front of them, better SOS than some other teams, or better winning percentage than another set. That's why predicting what the committee does is very tricky.

[stormyfuture]

GAC deserves to get in this year, Carleton did last year as well

[Drake Palmer]

Well, it looks like I missed a doozy of a ball game yesterday!  I did catch most of the 2nd half on a balky webcast. Boo to UST's webcast provider MSBN –for the message "we apologize for the technical problems" Great job by the MIAC for providing a live blog outlet and the mostly Gusties students who provided a running commentary.

Great comeback by the Gusties, when it appeared they were going to get blown out. Early on, Tyler Grey kept Gustavus in the game while Seth Anderson was trying to find his shot and was in foul trouble. But then like the MVP type player that he is, Anderson and his late game heroics almost pulled this championship game out. According to one of the Gusties fans, Anderson's huge trey that put that Gusties up by 5 points in OT, 62-57 was only his 5th three pointer of the year.  Great season, hope you guys make the dance. 

And then St. Thomas, what can you say? Their calling card in recent years has been a deep rotation, as they roll the dice until they find someone to get hot, and stellar defense. On Friday night it was Will DeBerg & Connor Nord with the hot hand on offense. Yesterday it was Deberg early, & then Zach Riedemann who rediscovered his shooting touch.  As Gbacker said – the three Riedemann hit right after Anderson nailed his trey, delivered an emphatic reply, and reminded the Gusties that St. Thomas wasn't going away. After an empty Gustie possession, Riedemann followed the trey with 2 clutch FTs to tie it up, & then the Tommies' ace in the hole – their defense, sprang into action. Huge steal of the inbounds pass by Eric Tengwall and bucket to give the lead back to UST.

As I projected on Saturday, the turnover battle was going to be critical.  Three turnovers in the closing minutes seemed to be the tipping point. Wow!

There's gotta be euphoria at Summit & Cleveland, and the pits at St. Peter.  Let's just hope the NCAA D3 basketball gods sees fit to let both of these champions into the dance.

[AO]

They're dancing in St. Peter!

[Drake Palmer]

They're dancing in St. Peter!

I can't find it. What you got?  All i get is the rifle selection show.   

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Sunday- WOW! Talk about a dramatic game!! It totally epitomized the rivalry between UST & GAC and was showcased on the big stage of the MAC title game. You couldnt ask for a more fitting wrapup to the season (some might want a different result). What an atmosphere! As expected, the GAC students turned out in numbers and volumne.

The game itself was a war. The battles in the paint were physical, intense and unrelenting. Teh Gusties refused to collapse when they fell behind by double digits and kept scrapping as is to be expected from the black & gold. Gray and Anderson lifted GAC back into the game with some precision shooting, only to be rebutted by DeBerg and Riederman. The Steal, as it will long be called at UST, was probably the biggest play in Tengwall's career to date and gave me goosebumps. The clutch rebounding and free throw shooting by Pella was crucial. 

I only hope that the Gusties get a Pool C nod....they are more than deserving.  I looked at d3hoop's projected bracket and I pray they have things nailed right...if so, Round IV of the UST/GAC battle can take place-- in Salem for ALL the marbles.

[AO]

They're dancing in St. Peter!

I can't find it. What you got?

http://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2012-02-27/diii-mens-basketball-selection-show

Last 8 team bracket in the bottom right, going to River Falls to face Wheaton.

[tommiegun]

Yikes! Last pod! Do the MIAC proud in Wisconsin Gusties and Tommies!

[Drake Palmer]

Go get em Gusties, Tommies, & the orphan UMAC cousins - Northwestern!    Good luck AO.  You guys get another team in purple.

Are the printable brackets up yet?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Go get em Gusties, Tommies, & the orphan UMAC cousins - Northwestern!    Good luck AO.  You guys get another team in purple.

Are the printable brackets up yet?

They must be as I printed some off 10 minutes ago 

[Drake Palmer]

Tough draw for the Gusties - Wheaton will be tough. Tim McCrary for Wheaton is suppose to be a stud. 1-2 time All American.

I think STO, Hamline or UST has played Claremont in their trips out to California. Similar style to the Gusties?

[Drake Palmer]

Go get em Gusties, Tommies, & the orphan UMAC cousins - Northwestern!    Good luck AO.  You guys get another team in purple.

Are the printable brackets up yet?

They must be as I printed some off 10 minutes ago 

Some print & post snarky remarks, some post valuable information.