MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

Another good possible game of the week could be Hamline @ Augsburg on Saturday.  At 5-7, Hamline's playoff hopes are fading fast, and Hope could be ready to board the Greyhound bus for warmer climes after their game with UST on Wednesday night.  The 4-8 Dawgs have Wednesday night off & will be well-rested for their Saturday game with the Pipes.  I'm not sure which game will be uglier on Saturday, the UST–Carleton game, or the AUGS-Hambone game.  I'd love to be able to clone myself.

I don't think it will happen, but it would be fun to see Augsburg, Hamline, or one of the other sub .500 teams like the 5-7 Oles, or 3-8 Mac make an improbable run through the 2nd half of the season, & slide into the playoffs.  Or, just be involved in enough close game to make the Big Dogs of the conference sweat it out a little bit.  It would also help me get back in the pick-ems hunt when I start trying to pick the nightly upset winner.   You just never know. 

[abominable_snowman]

Here's the recent history of UST @ CAR. Beginning with perhaps the most appropriate indicator of the way these games go.

01/02:  UST 59 CAR 57 AFTER OVERTIME!
02/03:  UST 66 CAR 56
03/04:  UST 63 CAR 61
04/05:  UST 67 CAR 66
05/06:  UST 45 CAR 75
06/07:  UST 64 CAR 62

[sumander]

Or, just be involved in enough close game to make the Big Dogs of the conference sweat it out a little bit. 

If the J's don't get Lieser back for an extended period of time I would think they might be sweating it a bit. They stand at 7-5 in the conference. 5 of their last 8 games are on the road. They have STOLAF, BET & UST at home. Of the home games the only "sure" W is STOLAF (I am not so sure that that is a sure thing either)!

They travel to CAR, GAC,AUG, MAC, & HAM. Historically, they do not play well at AUG and MAC.

You tell me where they can come up with 3 more wins to get to 10-10?

[Drake Palmer]

Or, just be involved in enough close game to make the Big Dogs of the conference sweat it out a little bit. 

If the J's don't get Lieser back for an extended period of time I would think they might be sweating it a bit. They stand at 7-5 in the conference. 5 of their last 8 games are on the road. They have STOLAF, BET & UST at home. Of the home games the only "sure" W is STOLAF (I am not so sure that that is a sure thing either)!

They travel to CAR, GAC,AUG, MAC, & HAM. Historically, they do not play well at AUG and MAC.

You tell me where they can come up with 3 more wins to get to 10-10?

You're right Sum. Lieser is a streaky shooter, but at least he was another option you had to honestly defend. If he doesn't return, it could look like an old-fashioned Finnish or Lake Street sauna (take your pick) up in C-ville with all the heavy sweating going on. 

If the Johnnies do go into a slow tailspin,  it could potentially open up the door for one of the current "have-nots" to come busting through the door.

[sju4life]

I am certainly glad some word of leiser has come out.  Now personally I would have to say that the blog and newspaper article are a little vague on all the truth behind this but...we wont go there.  On a basketball topic, although ryan is not playing all that well or consistent this year, he is still there best and pretty much only option at the 2 guard.  The Johnnies bench is very weak and lacks any scoring at all.  Ive seen Cole play for two years and I think he has what it takes to be a solic 10-12 points a game player, coaches do not like him much and he lacks desire to play hard consistently.  With that being said Jim Smith better be pulling some strings with his seniority to get leiser back on the floor if they want a chance at making the play-offs!!!

[sumander]

SJU4Life Not all that familiar with the in's and out's of the administration at SJU, but I would be seriously surprised if Coach Smith could wield his influence in an academic situation such as this. Would seem to me that he might be opening the program up to some scrutiny if he did some arm twisting!

Isett's is a nice player on the offensive half of the court. I have heard the knock on him was, he often rested on the "other" end of the court!

[sju4life]

I agree that he lacks the drive to play defense at all times.  I have seen him play some very good defense at times but may "rest" at other times which is very unfortunate because he is surprisngly athletic with a long wingspan.  Hopefully getting more playing time will add to his motivation.

I am not saying Smith can get anything changed or even if he would try, I am saying with his lengthy term as coach along with always being in good standing with everyone this would be the time to use that card.  Lets be honest coach's at any level including d3 can still pull some strings for athletes when situations arrive.  Again though the newspaper does not shed much light on the whole situation    so it will be interesting to see if any more "reports" come out!!!

[sumander]

  Again though the newspaper does not shed much light on the whole situation    so it will be interesting to see if any more "reports" come out!!!

Hinting at something Please tell!

[Willy Wonka]

I'd be surprised if that's the whole truth in the Lieser situation. VOJ appeared to know the whole deal before he sat, but couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't post any details when pressed for details. Then, he seemed to jump on the "easy" explanation very quick, as if to push it under the rug as a done deal.

Makes me almost wish I had Pat "T-shirt!" McKenzie on speed dial

Isetts and I have cleaned house at Y noonball, but I can't comment on his defensive skills — I've never seen him in live action. I *do* know PMac put him on a strenuous workout over the summer and he was often in the gym doing various drills by himself. Whether that didn't pay off or the coaches simply don't like his game, I can't say. I do think he can help SJU score some points, at the very least.

As for pushing papers...if Gags can routinely get his stars 5th/6th/7th years of eligibilty, I've got to think Smith should thinking about expanding his coaching staff if he can't do it himself

[abominable_snowman]

Or, just be involved in enough close game to make the Big Dogs of the conference sweat it out a little bit. 

If the J's don't get Lieser back for an extended period of time I would think they might be sweating it a bit. They stand at 7-5 in the conference. 5 of their last 8 games are on the road. They have STOLAF, BET & UST at home. Of the home games the only "sure" W is STOLAF (I am not so sure that that is a sure thing either)!

They travel to CAR, GAC,AUG, MAC, & HAM. Historically, they do not play well at AUG and MAC.

You tell me where they can come up with 3 more wins to get to 10-10?

I think they have a reasonable chance @ AUG, MAC, CAR, HAM...CAR has proven they can hang in there with a lean squad...and MAC has shown that only couple won't get it done...SJU is somewhere in the middle

[TheInsider02]

Insert Quote 
I'd be surprised if that's the whole truth in the Lieser situation. VOJ appeared to know the whole deal before he sat, but couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't post any details when pressed for details. Then, he seemed to jump on the "easy" explanation very quick, as if to push it under the rug as a done deal.




I hope the truth does come out I also hope the SJU admin doesnt just sweep it under the rug. The kid thinks he can get away with anything. He ignored the issue and its his fault it has come to a head.

[Pat Coleman]

The SMU situation is bad.  I have had selfish coaches before and no one enjoys playing for them.  Throwing your players under the bus is unforgivable. 

Who said Trewick was a selfish coach?? And who did he throw under the bus? Did I miss something here?



Pat Coleman-  You've been hanging around here an aweful lot lately. You aren't starting to like us are you!! 

Well, still preparing for the eventual return to the homeland.

Willy -- I never got the court docs.

[sju4life]

I am hinting I guess and like VOJ i know and have known everything for about 2 weeks now but not at liberty to say anything for many reasons.  I would assume that is why VOJ is keeping hush hush as well.  I am interested in who the insider 2 is because he seems to know some gossip as well!!!

I have recently been told the coaches are not fond of Cole Issets defense but now that he may be forced into the lime light with the leiser deal maybe he will come to play!!!

SJU coaching staff and adding more??  Even if they do not add more..there are a few they should let go i can surely say that much!!!

[miacwatchmen]

I am hinting I guess and like VOJ i know and have known everything for about 2 weeks now but not at liberty to say anything for many reasons.  I would assume that is why VOJ is keeping hush hush as well.  I am interested in who the insider 2 is because he seems to know some gossip as well!!!

I have recently been told the coaches are not fond of Cole Issets defense but now that he may be forced into the lime light with the leiser deal maybe he will come to play!!!

SJU coaching staff and adding more??  Even if they do not add more..there are a few they should let go i can surely say that much!!!

If the situation is nothing more than a simple mistake in credits than those around the team wouldn't be so "hush hush" about the whole situation. Something stinks to me    I'm not sure what is going on but the longer Lieser is out the harder it will be for the J's. Especially vs. the top teams in the conference this year.

As for the SJU coaching staff. I won't attack anyone or call for anyone's head but I think we will be seeing a coaching change within a couple of years. Smith is getting to that point where he could call it a career at any point. It would be nice to see him go out with a conference championship of some sort but it doesn't look like its going to happen in the next couple years. I'll keep my fingers crossed !! 

[TheInsider02]

Well SJU4Life all im gonna say is we have crossed paths...and yes the coaches arent high on cole but he is a good player and its about time we get to see what he can do...I have faith he will excel....On the whole issue with Leis I could break the silence and say it but i kinda want to see if it comes out in the paper or any releases because it will be big news and if nothing comes out the SJU coaches did a wonderfull job of keeping it under the rug....yet i really dont think from all i know that he wil be back....more to come ....