MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[columbianmaffia]

2) Owatonna senior big man Taylor Steinbauer visited Bemidji State That One School this weekend and may decide to try his hand with the Beavers UMAC instead of with the Gusties or Johnnies. 

[Drake Palmer]

Odds & Ends

**New Macalester coach Tim Whittle is going to have his work cut out for him.  Best of luck to him and the team. Kyle Hamblett, Colin Keeley & Paul Richie are a decent nucleus, but at this point I really only see one of those players possibly starting at another MIAC school.  Let's hope the MAC administration gives him the tools to successfully recruit.  If the recent past is any indication, I have my reservations.

**Dang Supe – you're gonna give David Letterman a run for the money with your Top Ten list!  Nice job.  +k for the next few days or until we turn the page from 931 to 932. 

Your post triggered a couple of new monikers – Sam "The Sheepdog" Paulson & the new, lean mean Viper Pipers machine. 

Speaking of Pipes, I heard an unfounded rumor that there's a lot of movement afoot (underfoot) at the Vipers nest.

**By the way, is the potential UST D2 transfer -  Taylor Hall?  I mentioned him in my  last HS recruit post a few weeks back - March 30.  Based on comments since that time it seems the transfer destination is a moving target.

Transfers
Taylor Hall, (6-7 Forward) Spring Park HS (08), Bemidji State – (UST?)

[TearDrop]

DANG!!! I thought I actually knew something that had not been posted yet but of course the great Drake had to beat me to it!! Oh well and yes, that is the kid that I have heard is almost certain that he will attend UST next year. Have also heard that the Josh Pedretti kid from Maple Grove is being recruited but UST pretty heavily.

[localcoach]

superfan - "Relieved" wasn't the word I expected to hear.  I would think both coaches would be a little frustrated, however no one can question Coach Whittle's pedigree. 

Drake - You are correct sir!  However a "little birdie" has told me that Mr. Hall might not end up in the MIAC at all.  In fact his potential destination would be a little bit of a surprise to many.  (Let's see what you can dig up on this one my friend )

Regarding movement at Snelling and Hewitt, all I can add is that there will be a number of new faces on the Pipers roster this fall and some surprising omissions, one of whom quite possibly could be transferring for the second time in less then a year.

TearDrop - I watched Mr. Pedretti a few times this winter.  He would be a very nice addition to any MIAC program.  A strong forward with many skills.

[piperinsider]

We did have a few transfers, but I assume Local means Barnhill. I believe I said "what?" when I found out he was going to Hamline. I didn't think he fit in.

New players sounds good to me.

[columbianmaffia]

yesterday was hump day!!

[miacsuperfan]

good news for bethel university fans.  the word on the streets of braham (i believe pretty reliable word at that) is that chris vavra will return to play next year, using his last year of eligibility as a fifth year senior.  coaches westlund and perrell have to be pleased with that news!   

[Drake Palmer]

Off-season news -- Nice column in today's Pioneer Press about retiring Gustie tennis coach Steve Wilkinson.  In national tennis circles he's respected every bit as much as UST's Steve Fritz, or SJU's John Gagliardi.  Wilkinson going out on top

[Drake Palmer]

Random sighting of the week:

a punkish rock band was playing at the venerable (not) Uptown Bar earlier this week with the double entendre rift name - The Whore Moans.  For those so inclined, here'a little more info on this group - Hmmpph   As my grandfather used to say - "what's the world & these youngsters going to think of next?"

[papahoops]

It is old news by now, but I had not checked in on the MAC hiring. On paper, the hiring of Coach Whittle certainly seems to be a excellent hire. In all honesty, his credentials are beyond what I thought the school could attract given the recent history of the program. I was pleasantly surprised to see the athletic department step up on this, and hope an improved relationship between the MAC basketball coach and the MAC admissions department will result from this new hire, allowing for an improved level of recruited talent. I definitely felt MAC's priority in the hiring process was to find someone with the ability to recruit on BOTH a national and local basis. Carleton has demonstrated a school with high academic standards can recruit in MN, but no school in the MIAC has demonstratd the ability to recruit national talent the likes of which were on the Wash U national championship roster this year. In checking out this year's Wash U. roster, no player from Missouri is listed on their 20 man roster and only 6 of the 20 came from neighboring Illinois. If Coach Whittle is able to transfer his proven national recruiting skills to the MAC environment, the new gym could be a much more interesting place to visit in future years.

[sumander]

From the Forum this morning:

Pelican Rapids standout Tydan Storrusten has committed to play his college basketball at Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D.

The three-sport star for the Vikings was a finalist for senior athlete of the year in both football and basketball this season, and he's also a star baseball player.

He helped lead the Vikings to a perfect 33-0 record in basketball this season and the Class 2A state title. It was Pelican Rapids' first state hoops title since 1984.

[TearDrop]

Not sure if anyone has posted this or not but I see that Hamlin has tapped into the Illinois talent and will have Jordan Schmidt playing for them next season. Schmidt is a 6'1'' guard that played his high school ball for Glenbrook North. His team went 23-5.

[localcoach]

Nice find TearDrop!  I know the Piper coaches were excited about this young man and really coveted him.

A few other recruiting tidbits that may or may not be newsworthy:

-Josh Pedretti, 6-6 from Maple Grove has decided to attend St. Thomas

-Chris Neumann, 6-3 from Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity has decided to attend St. John's

-Taylor Steinbauer, 6-8 from Owatonna has chosen Concordia-St. Paul

-Josh Bennett, 6-3 guard from North St. Paul has chosen St. Mary's

[sumander]

The second player off the 2A champs commits:

Pelican Rapids Eric Shulstad has committed to play college basketball at Jamestown College. Shulstad is second on the school 's all-time scoring list behind teammate Tydan Storrusten and is the top rebounder in ...He was also the team 's defensive MVP the last three years. Shulstad helped the Vikings to a 33 0 record this season and the Class 2A state championship. It was Pelican Rapids first state hoops title since 1984 ...

[Willy Wonka]

Nice find TearDrop!  I know the Piper coaches were excited about this young man and really coveted him.

A few other recruiting tidbits that may or may not be newsworthy:

-Josh Pedretti, 6-6 from Maple Grove has decided to attend St. Thomas

-Chris Neumann, 6-3 from Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity has decided to attend St. John's

-Taylor Steinbauer, 6-8 from Owatonna has chosen Concordia-St. Paul

-Josh Bennett, 6-3 guard from North St. Paul has chosen St. Mary's

If that's true, that's a significant loss for the Gusties. I watched Steinbauer play in Rochester this winter and he had the skills to be a nice MIAC post. Apparently he played too well against Northfield's D1 post for that to happen, though