MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[basketballlover]

[/quote]

I can't think of 1 player on SMU or Concordia who is a flopper or Gustavus or St. Olaf or MAC and I am sure there are other teams, but I am not going to go through each one...I admit I have only seen those teams twice this year, but I have also never heard any player from those teams discussed that way on this board.

[/quote]

He is known as a flopper, yes, but he makes it an art and can get the call. So why do you have to be critical of him? Shouldn't you be critical of the refs giving him the call instead?
Yes, he was theatrical on the 3 and got T'd up, but he had a case before the shot because McCoy was all over him. But like Johnson getting flopping calls, McCoy gets no calls with all the arm pushing he does. It is how your known and respected to get the calls or no calls (just look at the NBA, lol).

[localcoach]

Another crazy weekend in the MIAC, or so it would appear

- I had to call some friends over at Snelling and Hewitt yesterday and ask about the power of the manifesto.  They denied any knowledge of such a document within the men's basketball program, but acknowledged that things are changing.  In all seriousness from what I have heard the biggest keys to the Pipers recent run are A) healthy team B) More consistent play from Carl Hipp and Eric Clute and C) changing defenses.  That is all I can offer at this time.

- A tough schedule to finish out the season for the Tommies (@ CAR, vs. BETH, @GAC, vs. SJU, vs. HU).  Still I have to believe that this is a special team and staying undefeated is a definite possibility.

- A three-way tie for second place.  Who will win it?  And are St. John's and Gustavus even in the discussion, having only one additional loss to those clubs?  Regardless it appears that the playoff teams are set unless the Pipers can end on one heck of a run.  The schedules (See below) have me doing some pondering:

BU - @ UST, @AUG, vs. GAC, vs. CAR - 2-2 would be great, but 0-4 is not out of the question
CAR - @GAC, vs. MAC, @AUG, @BU - Again, 2-2 would be good, but.....
AUG - @SJU, vs. BU, vs. CAR, @SMU - Again, is 0-4 a possibility??

SJU - vs. AUG, @HU, @UST, vs. GAC - I have to believe 1-3 is a likely finish
GAC - vs. CAR, vs. STO, vs. UST, @BU, @SJU - 2-3 is a realistic finish....?

So what have we learned??? Not much it would appear.  I do believe though that Bethel and Carleton have the best chance to fight it out for the second position. 

- MVP Watch -
Top 5 frontrunners (in no particular order) appear to be the following: Zach Johnson (CAR); Mike Moberg (BU); Nate Alm (AUG); Aaron Burtzel (SJU); and John Fraase (CON)?

[papahoops]

I'm with VOJ on this one, as I think Zorro is in a class by himself relative to the rest of the league.

Bballlover
I sense that you took my comments on flopping as being critical of Johnsons' overall game. Let me make it clear I do not question his status as likely the the most outstanding player in the league. He is a talented all round player and any team would want him on their squad. I think one of the reasons his antics (flopping, leaving his shooting hand extended after 3's etc.) tend to alienate people is that fans in general typically prefer to see good players play quality basketball and leave antics to role players with less skill that need something other than their talent to gain an edge over opponents. There is no question he is the kind of player that draws strong reactions from fans, both positive and negative, and I think think he uses this to fuel his competitive drive.  Despite any fan criticism about his style, he has been an impact player for 4 years and has had a very positive influence on the quality of play in the league during his career.

[basketballlover]

Papahoops
I knew you didn't mean his overall game cause there is more to the game then that. I agree with you on the rest. Johnson is a player that feeds off of fans and loves to get them rattled (opposing fans) and fired up (Carleton fans) to get him and the team going and in my opinion it is more that reason for it than trying to "show off".

[Drake Palmer]

Looks like others have posted since the comment I was going to post was interrupted by work.  But I'll add my 2 bits worth anyway.

Valentino – you might want to consider lightening up.  These are "love taps" from everyone.  Now, I can't speak for everyone else but the Goose will be missed after he graduates.  I can still remember back in '06 when he was flying up & down the down the court at Hamline with the "Goose neck" fully extended after he made shot after shot. What made it so maddening was that he was flashing the Goose neck after his little patented, reverse pivot, baseline layup, & not just a trey. And then for good measure he was chatting it up with the Hamline fans that of course were nearly beside themselves with frustration.   I was cracking up!  I've loved- hated him ever since. 

I really do love the humble, unassuming, modest, terrifically talented ball player types like Keith Eckhoff, Mark Buri etc.  But it's the Zach Johnsons, Sean Sweeneys, Doug Espensons, the Nebraska twins, etc. that break up the blandness of the league & help to bring excitement, color, & dare I say a skosh of controversy to the league.  Long may they run!

I'm putting my money on SJU's Andy Burns for being next in line for the TI et al "Swagger like Us" mantle.
****************
LC- good to see you stop in & post. It looks like you may been sitting on that post for the last couple of days.  The Tommies already downed the Carlies on Saturday.

I'd add Tim Madson to your list of MVP candidates. And to be politically correct you have to add a Tommie, so I would include Joe Scott. Unless the Cobbs make the playoffs which they won't,  I think you can forget about John Fraase.  The MVP always goes to a player who's team makes the playoffs.  At this point my money is on Zorro or Madson.

[columbianmaffia]

Zoro for MVP

flopping needs to stop on all levels...if people want to act go to hollywood and make out some superstar actor or actress depending on your sexual prefrence...speaking of hollywood maybe that is why Big Shot Bob Horry went to LA...so he could pull off the biggest flop of all time to get KG to foul out of the playoff game against the lakers...luckly anthony peeler played the best 5 minutes of basketball he has ever played to lift the t-pups in OT

[concordia of the north]

Fraase has no chance...this year.

Concordia loses one senior, and they bring back Mr. Double-Double Fraase, Darrin Olmscheid (who put 30+ on GAC), Karl Olson/John Molina at PG, and skilled Eric hartmann (along with a couple nice bruisers 'n' bangers)...

I liked them too early.  This was a paying dues kind of year.  But once those sophomores figure a couple things out, I feel optimistic.

And, if Concordia wins 12 conf games next year, Fraase is a realistic candidate.

[Willy Wonka]

- A tough schedule to finish out the season for the Tommies (@ CAR, vs. BETH, @GAC, vs. SJU, vs. HU).  Still I have to believe that this is a special team and staying undefeated is a definite possibility.

Ummmm...welcome to the 2008-09 season? Are you going to finally go out on a limb and call the Tommies a solid team when they finished 20-0, too? 

A couple interesting notes up on my blog, including some sad news about the poster formerly known as the oAs.

[piperinsider]

Your blog is turning into "what I can find on Facebook today."  Here's a bit for tomorrow's entry: I went scoreless at open gym yesterday in three pick-up games. Or, you can wait for my next status update: three years already, wow.

[Willy Wonka]

Your blog is turning into "what I can find on Facebook today."  Here's a bit for tomorrow's entry: I went scoreless at open gym yesterday in three pick-up games. Or, you can wait for my next status update: three years already, wow.

If you were a part of MIAC lore, I might consider it. But you're not.

[Drake Palmer]

Will the real Gus Davis please stand up.

GAC 59 - CARL 53.

Anybody at the game - wha, wha, happened?? 

Based on stat tracker there were only 103 fans in the stands.  Oldjammer, I hope you were there to fill the rest of us in.

Edit: The Gusties now have a partial story & boxscore up, & apparently there were 843 fans in attendance, not the 103 that stat tracker is still showing.

[oldjammer]

Wish I had a fantastic story to tell, but not.

Really was just a case of really solid defense by GAC, mediocre play by Zorro, and a solidly balanced offense by GAC.  Paulson actually did a good job on Johnson--they pretty much took away his little baseline moves forcing him to shoot from the outside.  Of course on a bad night he still had 16.

GAC had no one in double figures--but 4 or 5 with 8 or 9.

No theatricals involved to speak of by anyone. 

All in all a solid gustie performance (I heard from one player parent that they had a little 'come to Jesus' meeting on Sunday) and in the post game radio interview Coach sounded much better than on Saturday when he was no doubt somewhat embarrased.

[basketballlover]

GAC-Carleton game was nothing exciting to watch. Carleton played probably their worst game of the year.
No theatricals by anyone, but it was probably the worse reffed game I have watched in years. One ref won't blow his whistle and just told players not to do things and the other two were off in their own land. It didn't affect the outcome of the game, but was hard to watch.
The worst no call was an intentional elbow thrown by Mychal Crowder at a Carleton player, with 20 or so seconds left after a whistle for a foul, if front of everyone in the place, didn't draw a technical or a toss from the game, even the NBA doesn't allow it and players get tossed, even suspended for it the day after. It was a very cheap shot and to make it even worse the coaches and players all gave him high fives when he went to the bench after missing the free throw. Very poor sportsmanship.

On a side note, thought the Wolves would make it to 25 wins this year, but with Jefferson out for the year, it is going to be an even longer end to the season. Have to go for a good draft pick now, lol.

[HoopPHD]

Another crazy weekend in the MIAC, or so it would appear

- I had to call some friends over at Snelling and Hewitt yesterday and ask about the power of the manifesto.  They denied any knowledge of such a document within the men's basketball program, but acknowledged that things are changing.  In all seriousness from what I have heard the biggest keys to the Pipers recent run are A) healthy team B) More consistent play from Carl Hipp and Eric Clute and C) changing defenses.  That is all I can offer at this time.

- A tough schedule to finish out the season for the Tommies (@ CAR, vs. BETH, @GAC, vs. SJU, vs. HU).  Still I have to believe that this is a special team and staying undefeated is a definite possibility.

- A three-way tie for second place.  Who will win it?  And are St. John's and Gustavus even in the discussion, having only one additional loss to those clubs?  Regardless it appears that the playoff teams are set unless the Pipers can end on one heck of a run.  The schedules (See below) have me doing some pondering:

BU - @ UST, @AUG, vs. GAC, vs. CAR - 2-2 would be great, but 0-4 is not out of the question
CAR - @GAC, vs. MAC, @AUG, @BU - Again, 2-2 would be good, but.....
AUG - @SJU, vs. BU, vs. CAR, @SMU - Again, is 0-4 a possibility??

SJU - vs. AUG, @HU, @UST, vs. GAC - I have to believe 1-3 is a likely finish
GAC - vs. CAR, vs. STO, vs. UST, @BU, @SJU - 2-3 is a realistic finish....?

So what have we learned??? Not much it would appear.  I do believe though that Bethel and Carleton have the best chance to fight it out for the second position. 

- MVP Watch -
Top 5 frontrunners (in no particular order) appear to be the following: Zach Johnson (CAR); Mike Moberg (BU); Nate Alm (AUG); Aaron Burtzel (SJU); and John Fraase (CON)?

The doc is in ---

The Pipes have shown that they can play
Their wins are coming day by day
The goal to make the playoff berth
Proves PHD wisdom has some worth

From what you know and what I see
The Pipers five should change by three
I write a riddle to make them best
This short poem - a Piper test

Change the starters and they may reign
The best five together will inflict more pain
This change should come to pass the test
Of seven straight wins and hope for the best

The biggest loser on D3Boards page 829
Should be one of five on the starting line
Speed, rebounds, and scoring plus experience
Will help the Pipes get to the dance...

The second change to make today
Initials start with D and A
His shot and control will help the five
To keep the Piper dream alive

The third of all to make the grade
Was called "The Flute" when he was played
The team has never lost a game
When 20+ come behind his name

Change is good when becoming great
Thus far what's done has helped Piper fate
Four games to win and none to lose
It's time to add nitro to the Piper cruise

A riddle is fun and is a guess
Yet it seems intuition has passed the test
So hope all D3 folks enjoy my jest
Here's hoping the Pipes can win the rest.....

[HUMBLE PIE]

GAC-Carleton game was nothing exciting to watch. Carleton played probably their worst game of the year.
No theatricals by anyone, but it was probably the worse reffed game I have watched in years. One ref won't blow his whistle and just told players not to do things and the other two were off in their own land. It didn't affect the outcome of the game, but was hard to watch.
The worst no call was an intentional elbow thrown by Mychal Crowder at a Carleton player, with 20 or so seconds left after a whistle for a foul, if front of everyone in the place, didn't draw a technical or a toss from the game, even the NBA doesn't allow it and players get tossed, even suspended for it the day after. It was a very cheap shot and to make it even worse the coaches and players all gave him high fives when he went to the bench after missing the free throw. Very poor sportsmanship.

On a side note, thought the Wolves would make it to 25 wins this year, but with Jefferson out for the year, it is going to be an even longer end to the season. Have to go for a good draft pick now, lol.

I can agree with you, the reffing was below average... BUT the crowder play you speak of, I think was very misinterpreted

crowder did  give him a little look and a small gesture like an elbow... but jonker was no where near him and flopping ... definatly should not have been a tech... thats why all 3 refs did not call anything..

As far as you throwing the gustavus bench under the bus (including a coach like hanson)... you are VERY wrong

crowder went out there are showed something this gustie team really needed... and that was heart

they were happy thier team mate went out there and gave a great effort and some fire, which is something they were lacking in their past 5 or so games