MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[larry_u]

I'd work very hard on beating North Central beause there is no way UST will come into Alexander Gym and beat the Vikings at home...I'm sorry.  UST gotbeat by several WIAC teams who were worse then first place UW-Whitewater, who Carroll beat, who Lawrence beat three times....

I'll be in attendance Thursday night to see which team gets to be th e Vikings's sacreficial lambs in the second round.  Should be a good game no matter who comes out on top, but If i were St. Thomas I really wouldn;t be planning on hosting the sweet 16 sectional at home quite yet...

[Willy Wonka]

That being said, they've got to get past North Central (as DP points out NC looks to be a very stiff opponent) and then Larry U, the last unbeaten college team-- men's or women's at any level-- in the country. Those are two mega-tough games.

Really? Last time I checked North Dakota's womens team was 30-0 and ranked second - behind another undefeated team. I'd stick to pimping Keating and Shimek for All Conference if I were you 

Also, Lawrence is TOUGH! I saw them hand it to my Gusties last year @GAC. The only one who could do ANYTHING against its defense was Espo and I think it's safe to say the Tommies don't have anyone of that caliber on the squad this season.

larry_u - Is your hot trainer still there? They should work on getting her on staff. If they are going to continue hurting feelings around the nation, they could at least do that for the rest of us...

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Sorry, Willy, I made the mistake of relying on what I read on ESPN or CBS (I forget which, and like you, I'm too lazy to look it up ). My apologies. Obviously I don't follow the women's game close enough. Any time there are what seem like 100 jump balls called in a game, it get boring fast. I'm sure if there wasn't a "connection" you'd not know UND had a team   

larry_u-- no one is denying Lawrence will be a very tough game. but your logic reminds me of the one a few years back when Mac beat Yale who beat someone who beat someone else....carried out long enough, Mac would have been the D-I champs.

Assuming UST beats NC, do you advise they simply forfeit and save the NCAA gas & hotel expense?

[ustbumkneez]

Bummed that the Carleton/Stout game isnt at Menominee. Was looking forward to catching the MIAC on consecutive nights. Alas, post game posts from Mafia will have to do. Being that I have seen both sides on multiple occasions, I thought I would offer some thoughts on the mathup:
It will be interesting to see how Carleton handles Terry Farmer, a tough, physical, athletic guy who, in my opinion, is one of the most dynamic players in the WIAC. To me, he is the key to Stouts success. Hes adept at attacking the rim from the wing and equally effective hunkering down in the post. Drake would be the best matchup for the Knights, and while he will give away a considerable amount of quicks, if he can corral Farmer and force him to shoot from 15+, Carleton will be in pretty good shape. Phillips and Chandler are a wash at the point. While Phillips is the better outside shooter, Chandler is very tough on penetration, and each is a servicable defender. Chandler is streaky, however, and can catch fire. Forcing Chaisson to be more than a complimentary scorer, e.g. make him create his own shot, will bey key. Stangl, their 2 guard, can beat a team by himself when he gets hot, though he tends to push when hes not hitting from outside. I think they need to start Kootsikas so he can pester Stangl up and down the court; they dont need much offensive production out of that spot, just someone who can lock Stangl up and force him to take bad shots-which he will do when frustrated. Forkrud will give up 7" to Nonemacher, but will be able to hold his own because of his strength. Nonemacher is relatively basic in the post, and is not overly physical, but keeping him off the offensive glass is paramount. Thats where he gets his buckets, off tip ins and put backs. If forced to beat a guy in the post, he plays more like hes 6'5. Stout is plus 8 in rebound margin, while Carleton is minus 2, so the Knights will have to really hit the glass like they did against UST.
The starting lineup the Blue Devils put on the floor is essentially a 4 guard set, and, naturally, they look to push the ball and score in transition whenever possible. While the guards may look small (5'9, 6'0, 6'1, 6'3), Chaisson and Farmer are physical and very tough. Johnson or Drake may have an opportunity to exploit a height mismatch on Chaisson (6'1), but Stout is exceptional at swarming the ball and recovering off their line. Theyre long and quick, so the doubles in the post are highly effective. If Forkrud can step outside and knock a few down, Nonemacher will have to leave the blocks, and the mismatch for Johnson or Drake will be much more effective. Without that, Nonemacher almost eliminates the notion of posting up due to his shot blocking abilities both on the ball and from the weakside. Carletons offensive patience will serve them well against the kind of defense Stout likes to play, and they will have to dictate the pace when they have the ball. Its a classic 'clash of styles' kind of game. Put up or shut up time in the MIAC/WIAC debate.

[ustbumkneez]

MM
Stout does have a third 7 footer, Jesse Piehl, though he does not play much at all. In fact, hes only seen action in 4 games this year.

[NorfField Mafia]

Would someone in the St Paul area check the UST lost and found for my voice?  I lost it Thursday down here against the Gusties, but found it under my bed in time for Saturday (k)nights game.  This time I can't find it anywhere: I looked in the car, in my desk, in empty beer cans...I have no idea where it is!  I really need it by Wednesday because I have a presentation.

Thanks and remember to GOOSE NECK

[NorfField Mafia]

CMob-

If you skate by NorfField on your way down and are willing to pull me in my red wagon I'd be more than happy to pay for the tolls.

[larry_u]

Willy...
Yep she's a senior this year....so make the trip to Appleton Saturday for the eye candy if not the game...

MIAC..

I would suggest they come, and try thier best, but If I were a higher up in the UST athletic department, I might wanna wait a bit on filling out that sectional hosting paperwork with the NCAA...at least until after Thursday night.  It should be a good game..looks like to evenly matched teams, so I can't wait to see it.  

[finsleft]

Finsleft-
My sources say Alpers is one of three leading finalsits for the AD job....perhaps he stepped down from hoops anticipating getting the post?

You have your ear to the ground 'maniac. I heard he was one of four finalists but also he was thinking of withdrawing.
Who's the heir apparent?

[piperinsider]

MM-
Spuds McKenzie?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Congrat to Bryan Schnettler on being named Player of the Week for the 3rd time this season. he joins Espenson as the only player to win it 3 times in a season (not even the Great Deavan George could do that)... I'll have to get the ole abacus out and see who has won it most times in their career

[TommieHoops4Life]

PI,

I too have to cover state wrestling, but it's only one kid and he wrestles Thursday morning. I plan on showing up to Schoenecker for Thursday night's game. I might even stay overnight since I have to be at the U Friday morning. Definitely up for a bevy or two at the Mill.

MM,

Good seeing you on Saturday and I expect to see you Thursday as well. I tried to make the pitch to go cover Carleton, but management didn't take long to say no. Hopefully we get a UST/CAR rematch, that would be an awesome game.

[Nites]

Being that I have seen both sides on multiple occasions, I thought I would offer some thoughts on the mathup:

Nice analysis.  Thanks, ustbumkneez.

[SofaKing]

Here is a fun fact about those 7 foot twins from Stout. They are from Kalispell, Montana which is about 10 minutes from my hometown. Both were cut from the Flathead High School team and did not play basketball. At some point, they signed at Wisconsin-Green Bay and then transfered to Stout.

About that team they were cut from. I thought that Flathead High School could have picked a better team from the guys that were cut, than from the ones that played. The center on that team however was Dylan McFarland, who went on to play O-Line for the Montana Grizzlies and then drafted in the 7th round by the Buffalo Bills. He is currently still on the Bills. 

[Kilted Rat]

MM
Stout does have a third 7 footer, Jesse Piehl, though he does not play much at all. In fact, hes only seen action in 4 games this year.

Much like 6'5 300lb linemen in the WIAC and at MUC(k), there is usually a good reason a 7 footer isn't playing DI or D II ball.