MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

Wow, pretty dead board.  No mention of the All-MIAC hoops honors which were released on Wednesday, & no chatter regarding the upcoming tourney games by Tommie or Ole fans. I half expected some Ole come lately to jump on the board/bandwagon and start spouting off about their optimism and hope for this team. Heck, the Ole website barely even makes note of this hoops milestone. Thppt.

* I think the Oles will beat Central. 7-9 pts
* UST will lose to Augustana if Erik Tengwall doesn't play.  Tough to pick this one not knowing the status of Tengwall.   
* Northwestern will have a respectable loss to UW-Whitewater (Less than 15 pts).

AO – what are you setting for lines in these games?

[AO]

Wow, pretty dead board.  No mention of the All-MIAC hoops honors which were released on Wednesday, & no chatter regarding the upcoming tourney games by Tommie or Ole fans. I half expected some Ole come lately to jump on the board/bandwagon and start spouting off about their optimism and hope for this team. Heck, the Ole website barely even makes note of this hoops milestone. Thppt.

* I think the Oles will beat Central. 7-9 pts
* UST will lose to Augustana if Erik Tengwall doesn't play.  Tough to pick this one not knowing the status of Tengwall.   
* Northwestern will have a respectable loss to UW-Whitewater (Less than 15 pts).

AO – what are you setting for lines in these games?

I was scared to check what the Massey data says about Whitewater.  We've been respectable in our games vs. Whitewater the last couple years, but this year the Warhawks are 31 point favorites with a 99% win probability.

I agree that Olaf should be 8 point favorites.  They've been very efficient lately and should be able to use their length against the Dutch.

St. Thomas has a much tougher test.  Augustana would be 3 point favorites even if it was known that Tengwall was good to go.  I'd still pick the Tommies to find a way to win as they've done so often in recent post-seasons.

[Gregory Sager]

Augustana 88
St. Thomas 77

[AO]

Augustana 88
St. Thomas 77

The live stats had Augustana shooting close to 70%  unbelievable

[Gregory Sager]

Augustana 88
St. Thomas 77

The live stats had Augustana shooting close to 70%  unbelievable

Augie wasn't taking a lot of jump shots. The Rock Islanders went right at the rim on most of their possessions, attempting only seven treys on the evening; they didn't take a lot of mid-rangers, either. The thing that Augie did better than anything else, aside from rebounding, was breaking the UST press and then finishing after breaking it. Diminutive Hunter Hill (16 pts, 6-6 from the field -- all of those attempts being layups) was the star of the game.

I thought that the Tommies were gamers. They picked a lot of pockets and made Augie work for everything, until the Minnesotans ran out of gas a little towards the end. However, Augie was clearly the better team. This was my first look at UST this year, and, based upon what I saw in this game, I'd say that the general consensus of the MIAC board that the Tommies were not quite up to the level of recent seasons seems to be an accurate assessment.

[Drake Palmer]

Tough losses by the Oles & Tommies last night.

I've not gone back to check, but has Central shot the deep ball like that all season?  They were red hot from the floor in the first half and shot a blistering 65% & were 6-10 from downtown for 60% 3FGA.  They cooled off in the 2nd half but dominated the Oles on the boards, 43-29 & made timely shots when the St. Olaf got within 4 points at 55-59.  Nice run by the St. Olaf seniors.

A painful loss for the men in purple.  As they have in the other games they lost this season, the UST perimeter defenders were not able to slow down the opposing team's guards. For the game Augustana shot 68.6%FGA.  That's incredible.

...Augie wasn't taking a lot of jump shots. The Rock Islanders went right at the rim on most of their possessions, attempting only seven treys on the evening; they didn't take a lot of mid-rangers, either. The thing that Augie did better than anything else, aside from rebounding, was breaking the UST press and then finishing after breaking it. Diminutive Hunter Hill (16 pts, 6-6 from the field -- all of those attempts being layups) was the star of the game.

I thought that the Tommies were gamers. They picked a lot of pockets and made Augie work for everything, until the Minnesotans ran out of gas a little towards the end. However, Augie was clearly the better team. This was my first look at UST this year, and, based upon what I saw in this game, I'd say that the general consensus of the MIAC board that the Tommies were not quite up to the level of recent seasons seems to be an accurate assessment.

Greg – although I agree with your overall assessment of the game, I would like to point out the Hunter Hill did not score just off layups. He had two treys to go along with his perfect night shooting layups.  (This is what you call salvaging a little respect    )

http://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2013-14/box_scores/20140307_sses.xml

Pretty amazing 4 year streak by this class of UST seniors.  Four NCAA playoff appearances, along with a final four, and one national championship.  Keep your heads up fellows – well done.

Now about that chicken dinner...

[OldAuggie]

http://d3hoops.com/notables/2014/03/kornbaum-gries-win-nabc-all-star-vote

Congrats to Dan Kornbaum!

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Anyone with thoughts on the Hopkins/Shakopee game last night?

I've read/heard a lot of people ripping Novak for the way the Royals refused to attack the zone.... it was rather boring for fans (OK, that's an understatement) but is the object to win the game or provide enjoyment to the fans?  Shakopee's zone was extremely effective, and Hopkins was having a lot of trouble with it all night. Why not sit on the ball till you take the final shot or get the defense to come out at you?  No one is faulting Shakopee for refusing to budge from its zone (nor am I...it was higly effective and as their coach was quoted "we played it all night. why should we play man to man for the last minute?") The zone contributed as much to the "boring" game as Hopkins' refusal to attack it.  Suddenly there is a clamor for a shot clock in HS (which isnt a bad idea) but why is there no clamor saying outlaw zones (like the NBA)? Then again, I'm old school enough to enjoy a well-executed 4-corners as done by El Deano at UNC for years and years...and an opponent of a badly run one, ala the Feeley era Tommies

Also, talk about an exiciting 1A game--- Fon du Lac &Canby put on a classic....not to mention the battle between Lakeville North & Cretin (aka UST's pre-JV) and it coming down to an all-ice in veins three by Macura

But perhaps the highlight of the day to me was seeing Erv Inniger back in the coaching box. He ha such a nice run @ Augsburg and then at NDSU. Esily one of the most basketball savvy coaches to ever grace the MIAC

[AO]

Anyone with thoughts on the Hopkins/Shakopee game last night?

I've read/heard a lot of people ripping Novak for the way the Royals refused to attack the zone.... it was rather boring for fans (OK, that's an understatement) but is the object to win the game or provide enjoyment to the fans?  Shakopee's zone was extremely effective, and Hopkins was having a lot of trouble with it all night. Why not sit on the ball till you take the final shot or get the defense to come out at you?  No one is faulting Shakopee for refusing to budge from its zone (nor am I...it was higly effective and as their coach was quoted "we played it all night. why should we play man to man for the last minute?") The zone contributed as much to the "boring" game as Hopkins' refusal to attack it.  Suddenly there is a clamor for a shot clock in HS (which isnt a bad idea) but why is there no clamor saying outlaw zones (like the NBA)? Then again, I'm old school enough to enjoy a well-executed 4-corners as done by El Deano at UNC for years and years...and an opponent of a badly run one, ala the Feeley era Tommies

Also, talk about an exiciting 1A game--- Fon du Lac &Canby put on a classic....not to mention the battle between Lakeville North & Cretin (aka UST's pre-JV) and it coming down to an all-ice in veins three by Macura

But perhaps the highlight of the day to me was seeing Erv Inniger back in the coaching box. He ha such a nice run @ Augsburg and then at NDSU. Esily one of the most basketball savvy coaches to ever grace the MIAC

Shot clocks make the game much better but if it was Shakopee stalling, there would be no big controversy.   

I was more bored during the 3rd non-stalling overtime when they called 4 timeouts.  Add a shot clock, let teams decline free throws and heavily reduce timeouts.

Also, go back to the sweet 16.   Check out the atmosphere from the section final up in Cobberland to get to state back in '95.  http://t.co/dZrQxE3MhE  The Morris kids had a much better experience despite not making it to State than the small schools do today when they make it to the State A or AA tournament.

[Drake Palmer]

Glad to see a few of us are still following the game.  I didn't have a problem with either team last night – Hopkins or Shakopee.  Dance with the lady that brung ya.  Hopkins was either going to force Shakopee to come out & play them, or take the last shot. Sound strategy to me. Shakopee said this is "what we do - I dare you to beat us." Aside from a great, lucky shot of a lifetime, Shakopee nearly made their strategy work.  But a shot clock would be nice.    

I think you're right AO, but MSHSL ain't putting that genie back in the bottle. We're stuck with the class format we have or they'll probably add another ridiculous class level.  However, getting to state is still pretty awesome, but the noise and fan participation at any of the sectional finals around the state trumps playing in the cavernous bowels of the Target Center. The fans & noise gets swallowed up by all the open seats. However from a player's perspective it's exciting to play on the big court the T-wolves play or over at Williams Arena where the Gophers play.  I was at a Maranatha sectional finals game a few years ago at Holy Angels and I thought I should have brought ear plugs along - it was that loud!

Now ahem - about that chicken dinner.

[Retired Old Rat]

Ken Novak did say he thought there should be a shot clock.  But he'll play by the rules as they are written.

I didn't watch a lot last night, who is Erv Inninger coaching for?  We really hate that guy in the late '70s.  Great coach.

A little trivia for my fellow oldtimers.  Erv played for the Minnesota Muskies  (great name) and then the Miami Floridians (weak name) when the Muskies took their talents to South Beach.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

ROR- Erv coached Park Christian, Class 1A

Drake- Where would you like me to leave a prepaid dining card for that chicken dinner?

[faunch]

It's getting really tiresome hearing about all of the recruiting we do at Hopkins.   Kenny Novak is a really good basketball coach and kids want to play for a winning program.  They come on their own.  Ever heard of Riley Dearring?  Played at Hopkins in 9th grade, then left for De La Salle and finished at Minnetonka.  Three high schools in four years...pretty impressive.  In addition to losing basketball players to other school Hopkins has lost a number of  football players to the likes of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka over the years.  I'm told that one year about 11 or 12 "Hopkins" kids were playing the state hockey tournament even though our own team barely won a game that season. 

Kenny is in favor of a shot clock...truth is it would benefit his team.  Imagine if Hopkins and Shakopee had played the entire game with a shot clock.  I don't think Shakopee could have controlled the tempo as well as they did. 
Imagine if they would add a shot clock and eliminate zone defense? 
Better yet....no shot clock, allow zones but require defenses to come out an guard w/ in six feet if they score is tied or they are behind?

[faunch]

It's getting really tiresome hearing about all of the recruiting we do at Hopkins.   Kenny Novak is a really good basketball coach and kids want to play for a winning program.  They come on their own.  Ever heard of Riley Dearring?  Played at Hopkins in 9th grade, then left for De La Salle and finished at Minnetonka.  Three high schools in four years...pretty impressive.  In addition to losing basketball players to other school Hopkins has lost a number of  football players to the likes of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka over the years.  I'm told that one year about 11 or 12 "Hopkins" kids were playing the state hockey tournament even though our own team barely won a game that season. 

Kenny is in favor of a shot clock...truth is it would benefit his team.  Imagine if Hopkins and Shakopee had played the entire game with a shot clock.  I don't think Shakopee could have controlled the tempo as well as they did. 
Imagine if they would add a shot clock and eliminate zone defense? 
Better yet....no shot clock, allow zones but require defenses to come out an guard w/ in six feet if they score is tied or they are behind?

Check out the comments from the Shakopee head coach in the comments section of this article.
http://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/363403

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

It's getting really tiresome hearing about all of the recruiting we do at Hopkins.   Kenny Novak is a really good basketball coach and kids want to play for a winning program.  They come on their own.  Ever heard of Riley Dearring?  Played at Hopkins in 9th grade, then left for De La Salle and finished at Minnetonka.  Three high schools in four years...pretty impressive.  In addition to losing basketball players to other school Hopkins has lost a number of  football players to the likes of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka over the years.  I'm told that one year about 11 or 12 "Hopkins" kids were playing the state hockey tournament even though our own team barely won a game that season. 

Kenny is in favor of a shot clock...truth is it would benefit his team.  Imagine if Hopkins and Shakopee had played the entire game with a shot clock.  I don't think Shakopee could have controlled the tempo as well as they did. 
Imagine if they would add a shot clock and eliminate zone defense? 
Better yet....no shot clock, allow zones but require defenses to come out an guard w/ in six feet if they score is tied or they are behind?

omg.....I swore this day would never come....but I agree with faunch. this should make Sports Illustrated's Sign of the Apocalypse!

With a shot clock, Shakopee had no chance vs HHS. However, over the course of Saturday's championship game, I became a HUGE fan of JP Macura....the kid is so good its frightening. IF HHS recruited, they woulda landed him