MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[big_shocker]

Gusties hold on 70-65. Witwer fouls out (really?) and scores 22, 10 boards. Pretty solid game. DesLauries (?) has 9 assists. Gusties made 50% (10-20) of their threes (I think that was what CAR's site claimed), which is surprising because when I saw them against UST, they did not look to shoot from deep until Kaus went unconscious.

CAR only had five guys score (one was a bench guy who had 3)- what's with that? Didn't they try this a few years ago by having the best starting line-up in the MIAC with absolutely zero bench?

CAR came back to make it close. SOunds like it would have been a good game to see live.

Is it safe to assume that the UST game was closer than the final score indicated?

[Drake Palmer]

Wow- Dawgs win 75-63 & apparently lead from start to finish!!

...Is it safe to assume that the UST game was closer than the final score indicated?

First half was squeaky tight. Once the Tommies got out in front in the 2nd half, there was never much doubt .  The Jays didn't muster anything close to a comeback as I kept expecting them to do.

[TommieHoops4Life]

WW,

I was at the Carleton/GAC match-up, and the two away from the ball calls were actually good calls. Paulson was trying to post up, but hooked his defender pretty blatantly both times trying to get position. Your boy made the 3rd straight call like that a Carleton player on a similar play the next time down.

The Knights need to get a point guard who can score and need a post presence. Johnson had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation, but back-rimmed a 3. I've been hearing a lot about Paulson on here, and he was virtually non-existent tonight. He had one nice pass for an easy lay-up and made one decent post move for a score, but that was it. Overall, I wasn't impressed at all with him. He looks lost on the floor at times and knows he's not a weapon in their offense. He needs to be more assertive in posting up and want the ball. The one time he actually got a good entry feed, he made a nice move and scored.

Gusties looked god awful very early. The only reason they were in the game in the first 10 mins was because they were hitting 3 after 3. They regrouped and played a great second half. Wittwer is a player, but his role has changed. I remember him being the guy that would flat out take over a game a few years ago and score at will. He gets 22 and 10 tonight and hit the big shots when they were needed, but he seems willing to not be the only one to take the shot. I guess I can't hate him for that. I also love his aggressiveness on the glass. He committed a rather dumb foul 35 feet from the basket trying to get a steal, and that fouled him out.

DesLauriers runs the game well at the point and rarely makes a mistake, but I'd like to see him look to score more. Sivesind is a player and other than Wittwer was the difference tonight. Overall, Gustavus was who I thought they would be, another patient team that just doesn't make a lot of mistakes. You have to play a very good game to beat them.

Kuhl is done and was sporting a DeMarcus Nelson jersey tonight. Also reffed a half-time gradeschool game. Biewen is going to be a solid MIAC guard. I'll call him a Neal Anderson who isn't as great a shooter but he can rebound. Now that I've opened those floodgates, I'm out.

Congrats to Fritz on winning No. 500 against the arch-rival!

[gacbacker]

Well I was at the GAC/Carleton game as well and I have to say I don't agree with much that TommieHoops just said.

The calls away from the ball were horrible and Hanson pretty much said as much on the radio interview afterwards. The referees took over the game in the last five minutes and made several phantom calls both ways. After letting a lot of contact go for the first 35 minutes, all of the sudden every little touch foul was called.

As far as the Gusties looking god awful very early, I would say that is the biggest overstatement of the year on the MIAC board. Biewen hit a couple of early threes and the Gusties missed a few quality looks early which gave the Knights a 6-10 point lead. Heck, the Gusties led at halftime, they couldn't have been god awful early on.

As far as Paulson goes, the Knights were giving the Gusties open looks on the perimeter and so Paulson didn't get as many touches. To say you're not impressed with somebody when they don't get many opportunities with the basketball seems pretty odd.

As far as DesLauriers needing to look to score more, Wittwer was getting his, and Van Sickle and Sivesind were lighting it up from the outside, so DesLauriers was content with playing his role and did so to the tune of 9 assists. I think Hanson would take his game tonight every night out.

[piperinsider]

Prophet - you were in attendance? Cripes. I thought I knew what you looked like. Guess not.

+k for me driving two hours to St. Paul to watch a very entertaining game at Hutton. Not a bad first game of the year.

OK, my initial thoughts. I'm in love with Clute the Flute (well, not really, but...). For those who have seen him play, would you agree that he has one of the softest touches in the league. 8-of-14 (rarely missed from 10 feet and I) and 9-of-9 from the line. This kid can create some easy shots for himself. How sweet is Abe? That guy is the smoothest player I've seen in a while. WOW! 34 points and he hit some big ones to force overtime.

The GOOSE was loose tonight. He went from mid bench to playing some huge minutes as Hipp was in foul trouble. It was like he was playing for the state title at Richfield again. Some nice off. rebounds for points and some big minutes down low. I really like Hipp, but he could have hit 30 tonight if not for missing 6 or 7 layups.

Maybe it was one game, but I would never vote for Conboy for MVP for two reasons: 1. He lacks any desire on defense (Gusaas and Hipp combined for 23) 2. Despite being guarded by forwards, he never fought for position in the post. Many of the free throws he hit came off fouls called on entry passes. He was, however, frustrated all night from constant pressure from numerous guys most notably Tanner Anderson and Thrasher.

I was really impressed with a lot of guys tonight for Hamline: Thrasher (17 pts, but sometimes gets lost in the mix), Tanner Anderson (8-11 for 16 pts and some huge minutes harrassing Conboy) and Brandon Hayes, who had 10 assists while MAC had 12 as a team.

I was less impressed with a few other guys, and at times the rotation of 10 to 12 guys. There were two or three players that didn't do anything for HAM tonight that got in.

All-in-all, well worth the drive to see a fun game, in a nice arena, and most importantly a win.

Start the wagon up, Prophet! You got your passenger again.

[Sparticus-dttyd]

Couldn't have said it much better myself. The only thing i did notice was that after the first ten minutes or so, carelton wasn't getting anymore open looks. It seemed that the gustie D took it up another notch just like they did against the Tommies. When they play D like that it will be hard for anyone to beat them.

[concordia of the north]

gac backer: you always give the most passionately partisan answers of anyone on this board.  i can almost hear your tone of voice through the text.  this is fine because this is obviously a fan site, and die-hard loyalty is a wonderful tenet of d3 basketball.  still, i hope you realize that the game summary-style posts you submit are actually well-crafted gustavus propaganda, suitable for any institution interested in brainwashing.

[PTPer35]

I think I fall somewhere between TH4L and GacBacker. Although GacBacker is a little Biased, so am I. TH4L is more on the Switzerland side of things. Good assessments of the game though...would've been nice to see OT but Zorro's 3 wouldn't drop. GAC is a very solid and balanced team and CAR could not withstand the depth of the Gusties. (Sounds like a science fiction movie; Depth of the Gusties) I think the officiating was decent but at times I have no idea what the officials were watching. However, they were consistently inconsistent so its alright. Kuhl on the other hand was horrendous.  Some referees might metaphorically put the ball in the basket, but Kuhl literally scored one for the white team at halftime when a ball got stuck in the crotch of the hoop. (Announcer's call)

I can't speak for c-mob, but I'm getting a little confused again about the Geese. I was under the impression the Goose was not loose tonight since Zorro missed the game tying 3-pointer, but then I noticed the added Snelling Ave Goose. Now I understand. There is a Northfield Goose just as there is a Hamline Goose. Its all coming together...

Also, congrats to Fritz. It was nice to see the MIAC on the homepage for once. 

[gacbacker]

gac backer: you always give the most passionately partisan answers of anyone on this board.  i can almost hear your tone of voice through the text.  this is fine because this is obviously a fan site, and die-hard loyalty is a wonderful tenet of d3 basketball.  still, i hope you realize that the game summary-style posts you submit are actually well-crafted gustavus propaganda, suitable for any institution interested in brainwashing.

I actually think there might be more evidence of TH4L being the biased one given that his post contained about 4 or 5 negative statements about Gustavus about an hour after the Gusties -- who are tied for first place in the conference by the way  -- picked up a nice road victory over one of the conference's better teams.

What exactly about my post was biased? I said that bad calls were made both ways. Personally I wouldn't have been happy with the officiating if I were Kalland or Hanson. I defended Paulson, a sophomore who played only jv last year who has done a pretty nice job inside the paint this year, not all-conference material by any means, but solid. And I defended a point guard in Deslauriers who just posted a season-high 9 assists.

[sumander]

  The Jays didn't muster anything close to a comeback as I kept expecting them to do.

That would be at least 4 games in a row at the Schoe that the J's rolled over and played dead after a big UST run!

Nice column from Ruesse on Fritz getting #500

[Drake Palmer]

gac backer: you always give the most passionately partisan answers of anyone on this board.  i can almost hear your tone of voice through the text.  this is fine because this is obviously a fan site, and die-hard loyalty is a wonderful tenet of d3 basketball.  still, i hope you realize that the game summary-style posts you submit are actually well-crafted gustavus propaganda, suitable for any institution interested in brainwashing.

Post of the Week!   Nice job CON!  I'll have to quote you in my new tagline.

Gacbacker – I hope you realize this was a good-natured dig by CON & now myself.  I thought your posts were well written, & I believe there was more than a shard of truth in your posts, as well as TH4L's.

Personally, I think TH4L's 2nd favorite MIAC team is St. Olaf which is why there was also a slightly negative slant on the Carlies.  He writes "...Carlies need a post presence" yet Bryan Rosett scores 11 points on 5-10 shooting, 1-2 FTs, 8 rebs, 3 assists, 1 steal in 35 minutes of play?  Sounds decent to me, especially when you consider Carleton's go-to guys are Drake & Johnson.  They both knock down 17 points each.  However, TH4L is absolutely right - after the rash of Carleton injuries, the Knights do need to find or develop a suitable makeshift PG this season.

[big_shocker]

Just looking at the CAR box scores, if they lose one of their starters, they are going to be hurting. WHoever said they needed to be the Ironmen of the MIAC wasn't kidding.

As for GAC, they can have so many different people score. I know Paulson might not have had a great game, but he's been off and on all year points-wise. It just might not have been his night to be the scorer. I do know that GAC needs a post scorer. It has always been a big part of the GAC offense.

[bleednavyblue_GoBU]

Congratulations to Coach Fritz on #500...Nice picture of him on the D3hoops homepage. 

BET @ Augsburg (I was not in attendance, but I have seen Bethel play three times recently...so I thought I would post some thoughts on the box score). 

Madson for MVP...without him this team would be 3-7 at best. 

Moberg gets 10 shots, but shoots no free throws...he must go stronger to the rim.  However, Bethel has done a much better job of making sure that he gets more touches as of late.  He needs 15 shots a game and at least 6 Free Throw Attempts a game.  Moberg will be the KEY to how deep Bethel goes in the playoffs.   

Bethel needs to learn to shoot better on the road...they struggle away from the friendly Robertson Center (which is a shooter friendly gym with soft rims!)

Augsburg shoots 24 free throws to Bethel's 10...the Dawgs must have been more aggresive. 

Bethel has a +2 rebounding edge...should have been +10 against a much smaller team. 

Laugen only plays 20 minutes...he needs to play 30+ (along with Moberg & Madson). 

Bethel will finish 12-8 in the conference at worst (they get GAC, UST, CARL, & CORD all at home the second time through!).  They will be playing at UST in the "Shoe" for the conference championship...Mark it down.   

[sumander]

Bethel will finish 12-8 in the conference at worst (they get GAC, UST, CARL, & CORD all at home the second time through!).  They will be playing at UST in the "Shoe" for the conference championship...Mark it down.   

BNB, the Royals are the only playoff contending team (top 7 teams) with 6 home games in the second half of the year. I still can't see them going 7-3 in the second half, given their inconsistent play thus far. Saturday will be a big test for them as the play 1 of their 4 "road" games @ HAM.

[piperinsider]

I still see a three-team race between Hamline, Macalester and Concordia for the final spot in the playoffs.

Tommies and Gusties are a cinch; Johnnies and Carlies have enough for 3 and 4; and Bethel has too much talent to not finish fifth.