MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I couldn't understand how Bethel was receiving votes in the national poll and Carleton was not, so I'm not all that disappointed with BU's performance. They have some very talented parts, but I'm not so sure those parts fit together consistently.

If ever a team was flying under the radar both nationally and on this board, it is this year's Knights. I see them as a top 2 or 3 team if not a strong contender for the conference title.. They are a nice balance of a strong presence in the paint, patience to get the good shot,and solid defensive play, as well as being very well coached, yet it seems like there is very little attention being paid to them. I for one would not be shocked if they made a nice run should they get into the NCAA field.

Another unsung squad is GAC. After a disastrous debacle of a season last year, I was wondering if it was time to lump the Gusties with the has-been and never-was programs. So far, I've been impressed with the turnaround in St Pete, and would be stunned if they do not return to the MIAC Playoffs, and even host a playoff game.

This week is "make or break" for Augsburg. If they go 3-0, I will join you on their bandwagon. if they go 0-3. would ya turn out the lights please?  I don't see either of those happening, but figure they will go 1-2 on the week and remain in the thick of the fight for the 5/6 seed in the playoffs.

Any "disappointment" with UST needs to be coupled with a grain of salt. They've had more injuries to key players this season than in the past 15 years combined. Finally got Michael Hannon back in limited action Saturday. Connor Bair is looking nearly fully recovered, and there is hope that Ryan Lindberg and Tommy Anderson could return this week.Sure, I'm biased, but UST with a fully healthy roster can hold its own with anyone in the MIAC, no matter what Massey's Index might say.

My fearless prediction for Monday-- Carleton 72 SJU 65.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I'm slightly disappointed by BU's showing too, but not terribly surprised.

For whatever reason, Dearring isn't getting many minutes (usually only 12-14 per game), which confuses me.  If you look at the box scores from their last two games in December, it looks like Kingland got hurt in the first of the two, as he only logged 1 minute.  In the following game, Dearring subsequently got big minutes and scored like 24 points with Kingland not playing.

Kingland was back vs. Olaf, and Dearring's minutes went back down.  Not sure what to make of it.

Wojta and Hall were both 4 year starters who did a ton for the team, so to lose them and expect to not miss a beat would have been foolish.  Tusler seems less productive this year as well, and they're largely relying on two sophmores in Kingland and Jenson for most of their production.

Hoping they can get things clicking and make a run in the latter half of the season.

[Smitty Oom]

Kingland did tweak his ankle very early in the game in Moorhead against the Cobbs. But they don't play many guys as it is so it is a little interesting that Dearring is only logging minimal minutes. Makes me wonder if there is something else going on there.

MIACmaniac, I am with you that Carleton is kinda flying under the radar. Their two front court players in Hanson and Grow are great, but their lack of consistent guard play is a little troublesome for me. That is why I like Augsburg a bit more right now, they have solid players all the way around. But, having Coach Kalland and the way Carleton plays always makes them tough to play. I like your bold prediction for the big game tonight against the Johnnies!

[txg]

MIACmaniac, I am with you that Carleton is kinda flying under the radar. Their two front court players in Hanson and Grow are great, but their lack of consistent guard play is a little troublesome for me. That is why I like Augsburg a bit more right now, they have solid players all the way around. But, having Coach Kalland and the way Carleton plays always makes them tough to play. I like your bold prediction for the big game tonight against the Johnnies!

This is where I am also.  I was carrying the Carleton banner earlier in the season, but losses to Eau Clair and especially Bethany Lutheran are troubling.  I was very impressed with Augsburg Saturday.  They got open looks out of their offense in the first half and made most of them.  Oles really sold out in the second half to stop Olmscheid, and played them about even in that stanza, but could never make a run.  Whenever the Auggies needed a basket they got it.

[Smitty Oom]

MIACmaniac, I am with you that Carleton is kinda flying under the radar. Their two front court players in Hanson and Grow are great, but their lack of consistent guard play is a little troublesome for me. That is why I like Augsburg a bit more right now, they have solid players all the way around. But, having Coach Kalland and the way Carleton plays always makes them tough to play. I like your bold prediction for the big game tonight against the Johnnies!

This is where I am also.  I was carrying the Carleton banner earlier in the season, but losses to Eau Clair and especially Bethany Lutheran are troubling.  I was very impressed with Augsburg Saturday.  They got open looks out of their offense in the first half and made most of them.  Oles really sold out in the second half to stop Olmscheid, and played them about even in that stanza, but could never make a run.  Whenever the Auggies needed a basket they got it.

Collin Olmsheid is unguardable. For a 6'7" forward to shoot over 50% while attempting roughly 3 3ptFG a game and shooting almost 60% from the field... They do run great sets to get him open looks. They put the defense in tough spots, either you have a 4-man chasing him around picks on the arc, which most 4 men cant keep with him, or you are going to have a guard switched onto Collin and he will be able to take the guard in the post.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Collin Olmsheid is unguardable. For a 6'7" forward to shoot over 50% while attempting roughly 3 3ptFG a game and shooting almost 60% from the field... They do run great sets to get him open looks. They put the defense in tough spots, either you have a 4-man chasing him around picks on the arc, which most 4 men cant keep with him, or you are going to have a guard switched onto Collin and he will be able to take the guard in the post.

We shall see tonight when Boll defends him. And my money says that in your playing prime Smitty, you would have shut him down (maybe) 

[Drake Palmer]

Great to see the small flurry of posting activity! If the Dawgs go 2-0 in their first two games this week, I might have to skip the Tommie Ole yawner on Saturday to take in the battle of the unbeatens! SJU at Augsburg! 😎

[bball1122]

Three huge games tonight:

1.  Augsburg at St. Thomas.   UST has been "down" to the tune of a 4-2 conference record at this point, and are just starting to get everybody healthy.  Meanwhile, the Auggies are out to a hot start and with a win could separate themselves with the top tier.  Can UST slow Olmscheid?   Who will be healthy and in the rotation for UST?  I think UST slows (not stops) Olmscheid, but Booker Coplin goes for 20+ in an Augsburg W.

2.  Bethel at Hamline.  Bethel hasn't lived up to preseason expectations and still seems to be figuring out how to blend all their talent together.  However, they are very talented and Novak is a great coach, so I'd be shocked if they weren't in the playoff mix come the end of the season.  Hamline also has stumbled, and really needs to at least split the next two (Bethel today, Carleton at home Wednesday) to keep themselves in striking distance of a playoff spot.  Zach Smith is coming off an incredible performance against Mac, going 11 of 11 from the field (4-4 from 3), 8 of 8 from the FT line, for 34 points in only 21 minutes.  I take the Pipers defending their home court in a close, high scoring matchup.

3.  Finally, the big one of the night, SJU at Carleton.  The Johnnies are rolling right now and look to be the cream of the crop in the MIAC.  No Jubie Alade last game (injured?), and his absence would be felt.  Awesome matchup of two dominant frontcourts with Weiss/Walford going up against Grow/Hanson.   Carleton has been great, but has lost 3 of 4, which is a bit surprising.  I think the Knights control the tempo, but the Johnnies have too much talent.   

Fun Monday night in the MIAC!

[Smitty Oom]

Collin Olmsheid is unguardable. For a 6'7" forward to shoot over 50% while attempting roughly 3 3ptFG a game and shooting almost 60% from the field... They do run great sets to get him open looks. They put the defense in tough spots, either you have a 4-man chasing him around picks on the arc, which most 4 men cant keep with him, or you are going to have a guard switched onto Collin and he will be able to take the guard in the post.

We shall see tonight when Boll defends him. And my money says that in your playing prime Smitty, you would have shut him down (maybe) 

I got a good chuckle at this one... defense wasn't my strong suit Maniac 

Great to see the small flurry of posting activity! If the Dawgs go 2-0 in their first two games this week, I might have to skip the Tommie Ole yawner on Saturday to take in the battle of the unbeatens! SJU at Augsburg! 😎

Now that one would be a fun game, I would probably be there for that one!

Three huge games tonight:

1.  Augsburg at St. Thomas.   UST has been "down" to the tune of a 4-2 conference record at this point, and are just starting to get everybody healthy.  Meanwhile, the Auggies are out to a hot start and with a win could separate themselves with the top tier.  Can UST slow Olmscheid?   Who will be healthy and in the rotation for UST?  I think UST slows (not stops) Olmscheid, but Booker Coplin goes for 20+ in an Augsburg W.

2.  Bethel at Hamline.  Bethel hasn't lived up to preseason expectations and still seems to be figuring out how to blend all their talent together.  However, they are very talented and Novak is a great coach, so I'd be shocked if they weren't in the playoff mix come the end of the season.  Hamline also has stumbled, and really needs to at least split the next two (Bethel today, Carleton at home Wednesday) to keep themselves in striking distance of a playoff spot.  Zach Smith is coming off an incredible performance against Mac, going 11 of 11 from the field (4-4 from 3), 8 of 8 from the FT line, for 34 points in only 21 minutes.  I take the Pipers defending their home court in a close, high scoring matchup.

3.  Finally, the big one of the night, SJU at Carleton.  The Johnnies are rolling right now and look to be the cream of the crop in the MIAC.  No Jubie Alade last game (injured?), and his absence would be felt.  Awesome matchup of two dominant frontcourts with Weiss/Walford going up against Grow/Hanson.   Carleton has been great, but has lost 3 of 4, which is a bit surprising.  I think the Knights control the tempo, but the Johnnies have too much talent.   

Fun Monday night in the MIAC!

Loved the preview bball, +k!

Personally, I will be keeping my eye on the Cobber Mary's game (how did that game get left out of the "Huge" games list  ) and the Johns Carlies game. I thought you nailed it with that last sentence, that is how I see the game in Northfield playing out as well. Good catch on Alade, I didn't notice that. Hopefully it is not a serious injury, he has been very solid in his sophomore campaign so far.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Collin Olmsheid is unguardable. For a 6'7" forward to shoot over 50% while attempting roughly 3 3ptFG a game and shooting almost 60% from the field... They do run great sets to get him open looks. They put the defense in tough spots, either you have a 4-man chasing him around picks on the arc, which most 4 men cant keep with him, or you are going to have a guard switched onto Collin and he will be able to take the guard in the post.

We shall see tonight when Boll defends him. And my money says that in your playing prime Smitty, you would have shut him down (maybe) 

I got a good chuckle at this one... defense wasn't my strong suit Maniac 

good..I was going for a side-splitting guffaw but will settle for a chuckle

Great to see the small flurry of posting activity! If the Dawgs go 2-0 in their first two games this week, I might have to skip the Tommie Ole yawner on Saturday to take in the battle of the unbeatens! SJU at Augsburg! 😎

Drake-  even in the extremely unlikely event that Augsburg starts the week 2-0, they hardly qualify as "unbeaten" considering they already had two conference losses in December (conference standings did not reset on Jan 1)... and no one will be yawning at halftime at UST Saturday 

[txg]

I might have to skip the Tommie Ole yawner on Saturday

Yawner!  Nah, I think the Tommies will keep it close.  Who knows, they might even threaten the Oles 3 game winning streak in the series.   

[GoldandBlueBU]

I'm slightly disappointed by BU's showing too, but not terribly surprised.

For whatever reason, Dearring isn't getting many minutes (usually only 12-14 per game), which confuses me.  If you look at the box scores from their last two games in December, it looks like Kingland got hurt in the first of the two, as he only logged 1 minute.  In the following game, Dearring subsequently got big minutes and scored like 24 points with Kingland not playing.

Kingland was back vs. Olaf, and Dearring's minutes went back down.  Not sure what to make of it.

Wojta and Hall were both 4 year starters who did a ton for the team, so to lose them and expect to not miss a beat would have been foolish.  Tusler seems less productive this year as well, and they're largely relying on two sophmores in Kingland and Jenson for most of their production.

Hoping they can get things clicking and make a run in the latter half of the season.

Well, road wins against Hamline and Augsburg have things looking up!

[txg]

The less said about the Mac Olaf game the better.  I think the Oles had two more turnovers in the time it took me to type this sentence.

Carleton has lost 5 of 6, amazing.

Gustavus is 7-2.  Next 7 games though:  @Bethel, Aug, @SJU, Tommies, @Oles, @Carleton, @Hamline.  Brutal stretch.

[GoldandBlueBU]

The less said about the Mac Olaf game the better.  I think the Oles had two more turnovers in the time it took me to type this sentence.

Carleton has lost 5 of 6, amazing.

Gustavus is 7-2.  Next 7 games though:  @Bethel, Aug, @SJU, Tommies, @Oles, @Carleton, @Hamline.  Brutal stretch.

The Carleton string is ugly.  Really surprises me to see them do so poorly.  The Bethany loss is inexcusable, a close loss to SJU is understandable, but combined with losses to UST and Hamline?

The game against SJU shows that they've got the ability to be right there with one of the better D3 teams in the country, which makes some of the other losses all the more confusing.

[AO]

MIACmaniac, I am with you that Carleton is kinda flying under the radar. Their two front court players in Hanson and Grow are great, but their lack of consistent guard play is a little troublesome for me. That is why I like Augsburg a bit more right now, they have solid players all the way around. But, having Coach Kalland and the way Carleton plays always makes them tough to play. I like your bold prediction for the big game tonight against the Johnnies!

This is where I am also.  I was carrying the Carleton banner earlier in the season, but losses to Eau Claire and especially Bethany Lutheran are troubling. 

Bethany is pretty talented this year.  Massey only predicted a 4 point win for the Carls.  Morris was a bigger underdog before their win against the Gusties.   What I'm trying to say is:  UMAC > MIAC