MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

My top 5, in order, for MVP as of Weds' games:
1. Keating-- takes control of the game, offensively, defensively, and off the boards. He is the straw that stirs the UST cocktail.
2. Madson-- incredible offensive performer, vastly underrated defender.  Steady hand that has sparked red hot Royals.
3. Schnettler-- merely the best 3 point shooter I've ever seen in the MIAC. Can singlehandedly turn a 7 point hole to a 2 pt lead in a minute
4. Lieser-- tough to pick a Johnnie, because their top 5 are not, on their own, dominating players...but together, they form a formidable team/unit. Lieser gets the nod based on defense & consistent shooting.
5. Meadowcroft -- a less aggressive version of Keating. Super sweet outisde shot, unafraid to mix it up in the paint, good of the boards.  Hasnt displayed as much on-court leadership as Keating  in  the 5 games Ive seen BU play

6. Ike
7. Ohme
8. Wittwer
9. Conboy
10. Z Johnson
11. Linz

The last three need their team to make a serious move towards the top 4 to improve their chances.

[bethelguy]

SHOOT, I was hoping for the "Back from the Dead" award this week, it has to go to MM!

Now with this recent talk of Dwyer I have greater anticipation to watch the PG matchup on Saturday.  Laugen has really improved and is quietly becoming one of the best PGs in the conference.

[miacwatchmen]

Preach on, brotha! I just got the infamous -5 smite for criticizing Pat on the women's board 

Don't worry Willy we'll bring ya back!

[sumander]

I think Dwyer has been playing extremely well.  He is drastically underrated as a PG, particularly on the defensive end.  He's been getting a ton of steals and putting big time pressure on the guy bringing the ball up the court.

I would put him on the defensive team, but he won't get it because he doesn't get any publicity.  He will be a key on Saturday.

dead on abut Dwyer's defense... holding Phillips to 5 pts and only 6 shots is testimony of that.

After seeing both UST & BU play Weds, I'd say it will be as thrilling of a game as the first time  around. The big question in my mind is will BU be suffering from a mild letdown after the big win or will they be riding it even higher?  If BU plays like they did the 2nd half Weds, they will leave Schoenecker with a "W"... if UST plays like they did Wed, I will leave at half.

The prediction here is UST 75, BU 74, OT possible

Quote of the day MM +k.

(when time allows)

[sumander]

Speaking of Luke Linz nice story in the Fool Em this morning on him.

[d3bballfollower]

Schnettler is behind Keating and Madson for sure...there is no doubting that Schnettler is the best shooter in the league, but the things that Keating does night in and night out can't go unnoticed

1. Keating
2. Madson
3. Rosefelt
4. Linz
5. Schnettler

the way Keating has been playing he should be considered as an all-region player and potentially an all-american slot

[miacwatchmen]

Asian Assassin calls a travel on the Warriors guy.

[BETHEL34]

Laugen has really been developing as a top PG in the league this year, but in their prior meeting with STU Dwyer owned him on the offensive side.  Meaning, on 5 or 6 occasions Dwyer would burn past Laugen and kick it out to wide open Tommies for threes.  I can remember three times off the top of my head where he burned Laugen and chuck had to help off and Keating would hit a wide open jumper.  Laugen is told to pressure so much, that Dwyer pretty much on command could burn right passed him.  I remembered getting so frustrated with this last game.  I think that will be a huge factor in this game, Laugen being able to contain Dwyer and not let him dish out for wide open jumpers.

Strommy will shut down Schnettler again.  Sure Schnettler had 18 pts last time, but almost all of his pts came when stromy was out of the game.  If I am Westy, even though Strommy is a little bit of an offense of liability, I would never have him out if Schnettler is in the game.  Nobody on BU's bench can guard Schnettler.  Period!

Can Bethel win??  I think so, but they have to put 2 perfect halves together in order to do so.  If they have a half like they did the first half against SJU, they will be down 15pts at half and not have a chance.  They need to play like the T-wolves against suns last week.  we need a 95 to 93 pt win.  Heck, that is my prediction, 95 BU 93 STU!  Madson hits a 3 at the buzzer to further his MVP run.  

Top five MVP's
1. Rosefelt - Numbers are a little down compared to last year, but he is still the man for that team.  He is the biggest impact player on this team.

2. Keating - If Keating is out, opposing teams don't have to change their strategy that much, but if Ike is out, there whole game plan would change.  Keating is the man, but Ike in my eyes is more valuable.

3. Madson - He is the man for Bethel.  Hits tougher shots than anybody in this league (Schnettler is right there too).    Leading scorer in MIAC play, and does it all on both sides of the ball.

4. Schnettler - 3 Tommies in the top 4...I think I am smoking something.  He is that good.  If people don't stay glued to him and help off, automatic 30 point game.

5. Lieser - Only seen him play once, but he is tough and has a very quick shot.  Nice player and very crafty.  

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Asian Assassin calls a travel on the Warriors guy.

That could be the caption of the year....but mauer and panning would call it "charging"

did i see you at the ust./car game MW? if not, it was someone who looked a lot like you!

[Drake Palmer]

Today's good question with WCCO TV's Ben Tracy.  Whoops, wrong board.    By the way is he a Tommie? Two different times I've seen him interview UST assistant coach John Tauer for a news segment on the 10:00 news.

This is a good question regarding the possible league MVP.  The MVP choice could be realized on the final weekend of conference play.  IMO, this year there really isn't a clear cut choice.  Assuming the coaches make their selections based on regular conference play only, & not the playoffs, the next 3 weekends could be real interesting!  And, depending on how the final standings shakeout, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a co-MVP.

My top 5 picks in rank order

Keating/Rosefelt
Lieser
Madson
Schnettler

[miacwatchmen]

did i see you at the ust./car game MW? if not, it was someone who looked a lot like you!

I took in parts of a few games on Wednesday actually and yes you might have seen me at the UST/CAR matchup.

[UST_LBOW]

Keating is the straw that sturs the UST cocktail! Outstanding quote and you know it's true if you're from UST. 

Tough call on the vote for MVP.  I think it's too early still to see a definite choice.  There are a lot of good players, these big games down the stretch is where MVP's are made.  I'd definitely have to go with one of the Big 3, which one though.....

[Pat Coleman]

It strikes me that a person in your position should criticize his customers less.

You've made this pretty clear in the past. I just don't feel the same way. You tend to inhabit boards that need a lot of critiquing. I've made, what, 16,000 posts? I actually do not criticize "customers" (non-paying customers, of course) as much as you probably think I do.

[Willy Wonka]

GAC up 64-44 on SMU. The defense seems to have reappeared. We'll see how long it decides to stick around...

Any other scores?

[TommieHoops4Life]

Tommies are absolutely spanking Bethel 52-25 at half according to UST's website.