MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Buddo]

What has been your biggest MIAC surprise of the season so far?

[piperinsider]

Gustavus   69   Bethany Lutheran   40
Concordia   74   Hamline   61 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKTb5Nfyh1o&feature=related
go to 35 seconds in and Sir Charles will tell you what I think of the Vipers
Carleton   92   St. Scholastica   62
Bethel   90   Martin Luther   58

Pretty ho hum afternoon...

[huhoops]

Sounds like HU struggled again yesterday to get the shots they wanted. This team has averaged 19.5 three point shots per game and just over 20 per game in conference. As a team, they are connecting on an average of 6 of those threes and just over 5 of them in conference. Although I do think they are a better shooting team than 30% from three, I still believe this is way too many perimeter shots for a team this young to be taking, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ATHLETES THEY HAVE!!! This is a group that should be abusing teams at the free throw line and allowing that to open up the perimeter game. Example: Hamline takes 17 more field goals than Concordia yesterday (16 more threes). Concordia takes 20 more free throws and wins the game. Virtually every other statistical category is even.

This is just a team who needs some seasoning. Still confident they will be in that top 6 come late Feb.

[Gacman]

Does anyone know anything about Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii- Pacific?

A couple things come to mind Buddo that have surprised me this year.

I think St. Mary's emergence as a true contender for a playoff spot has caught my attention. With the addition of Palmer to their team they now have 3 horses that can keep them in and win games.

I think Hamline's struggles early in the conference season has been a surprise. For all the hype they were receiving earlier in the year to now when most of the crazy HU supporters won't post anymore except for PI and HUHOOPs, things sure have quieted down on their front. Until Hamline stops taking so many three's and finds a consistent 3rd scorer, the silence will continue.

From a personal perspective, the Gustie bench continues to amaze me. Made up of 4 sophomores and 2 freshmen, this young gustie bench is producing GAC's leading 3pt. shooter, leading rebounder, leader in blocks, and collectively scoring over 30 points a game which is almost half of GAC's scoring.

Enough of my bias for my gusties, a couple things I'm keeping an eye on.
1) Can Augsburg get back on track and restore their presence to the top four where they should be?
2) Can Hamline beat a quality conference opponent?
3) Will both UST and GAC be undefeated in conference play when they meet in St. Peter on Jan. 13th?
    UST faces Bethel, St. Mary's, Macalaster, and Carleton. GAC faces Macalaster, St. Olaf, and Hamline.  Bothe schedules
    on paper point to this happening, which woud put both teams at 8-0 in the conference. Needless to say this would be
    huge game. Now granted Hamline and St. Olaf will be tough games for the gusties, but they should win, and                 
    St. Thomas shouldn't have any trouble with any of the teams they face.

[Drake Palmer]

Gacman – Check with Coach Griess from Augsburg. He coached against those teams when he was at Chaminade in Hawaii.    I'm guessing you might have already done this but here's a little more information on the Pacific West Conference that the two Hawaii schools Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii–Pacific belong to.  Although these games against D-2 schools don't count in the official D3 strength of schedule, or OOWP, OWP, these trips to sunnier climes are great recruiting tools to mention to prospective student athletes.  I offer a tip of the cap to Gustavus, Carleton, UST & some of the other MIAC schools for scheduling these games.

It seems Carleton schedules a trip to Hawaii in alternating years & then plays other West & Midwest region opponents in the off year. GAC played in California last year, Massachusetts two years ago & so on, while UST alternates between trips to Ohio & California.  All the other MIAC schools travel somewhat during the NC portion of their schedule with one notable exception that shall remain nameless.  

A very unofficial MIAC power ranking might look like this:

School         Conference record

UST                         3-0
GAC                         4-0
SMU                         2-1

SJU                         2-1
AUG                        1-2
CORD                     2-2

STO                       2-1
BET                       1-2
CARL                    1-3

HAM                    1-3
MAC                    0-4

[Gacman]

Gacman – Check with Coach Griess from Augsburg. He coached against those teams when he was at Chaminade in Hawaii.    I’m guessing you might have already done this but here’s a little more information on the Pacific West Conference that the two Hawaii schools Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii–Pacific belong to.  Although these games against D-2 schools don’t count in the official D3 strength of schedule, or OOWP, OWP, these trips to sunnier climes are great recruiting tools to mention to prospective student athletes.  I offer a tip of the cap to Gustavus, Carleton, UST & some of the other MIAC schools for scheduling these games.

It seems Carleton schedules a trip to Hawaii in alternating years & then plays other West & Midwest region opponents in the off year. GAC played in California last year, Massachusetts two years ago & so on, while UST alternates between trips to Ohio & California.  All the other MIAC schools travel somewhat during the NC portion of their schedule with one notable exception that shall remain nameless. 

A very unofficial MIAC power ranking might look like this:

School         Conference record

UST                         3-0
GAC                         4-0
SMU                         2-1

SJU                         2-1
AUG                        1-2
CORD                     2-2

STO                       2-1
BET                       1-2
CARL                    1-3

HAM                    1-3
MAC                    0-4

Thanks DP for the link. I also looked at the schools websites to see who they've faced, but it is always challenging trying to determine how good teams like this are when there isn't common opponents. I like the power rankings, it's hard for me to rank SMU that high without a little more evidence to suggest that they have turned the corner, although it is looking more and more like they have.

[Drake Palmer]

Here's something else that UST will have to guard against when they play UW-Stevens Point in a couple of weeks.

CHECK THIS OUT!!

Pretty nice dunk. Dribble 3/4 of the court, a crossover, take off from the FT line & then posterize a dude?    Gulp - dang!! Call me impressed.  That dunk is easily the equal of the breakaway, 2-handed reverse dunk Joe Scott threw down in last year's tourney game against Stevens Point. I'd give the slight overall edge to Scott since the playoff game had quite a bit more at stake.
 

[Drake Palmer]

I have SMU ranked that high primarily because they played your guys tough, & it seems like SJU has won, but struggled a bit since Thanksgiving. 

At the beginning of the year, personally I had SJU, AUGs & GAC all rated fairly close to each other. But as we all know, the season is really young.  SMU might slide into a playoff spot but I doubt they'll finish in the top 4.

[carletonsid]

Gacman – Check with Coach Griess from Augsburg. He coached against those teams when he was at Chaminade in Hawaii.    I'm guessing you might have already done this but here's a little more information on the Pacific West Conference that the two Hawaii schools Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii–Pacific belong to.  Although these games against D-2 schools don't count in the official D3 strength of schedule, or OOWP, OWP, these trips to sunnier climes are great recruiting tools to mention to prospective student athletes.  I offer a tip of the cap to Gustavus, Carleton, UST & some of the other MIAC schools for scheduling these games.

It seems Carleton schedules a trip to Hawaii in alternating years & then plays other West & Midwest region opponents in the off year. GAC played in California last year, Massachusetts two years ago & so on, while UST alternates between trips to Ohio & California.  All the other MIAC schools travel somewhat during the NC portion of their schedule with one notable exception that shall remain nameless. 

A very unofficial MIAC power ranking might look like this:

School         Conference record

UST                         3-0
GAC                         4-0
SMU                         2-1

SJU                         2-1
AUG                        1-2
CORD                     2-2

STO                       2-1
BET                       1-2
CARL                    1-3

HAM                    1-3
MAC                    0-4

Thanks DP for the link. I also looked at the schools websites to see who they've faced, but it is always challenging trying to determine how good teams like this are when there isn't common opponents. I like the power rankings, it's hard for me to rank SMU that high without a little more evidence to suggest that they have turned the corner, although it is looking more and more like they have.

Gacman - I was fortunate enough to make the trip with the Knights last year--totally awesome experience. Went to Maui first and watched the Maui Invite (I'm a huge UNC fan, so it worked out great) and then hopped over to watch the Knights play Western New Mexico (at HPU) and Chaminade. I know traditionally Hilo has been very good, and Carleton should have beaten HPU in 2006 (you get some interesting calls down the stretch if the game is close), but I see HPU has beaten Hilo already, so who knows. Those rosters tend to have a lot of turnover each year with transfers and such, but both teams will be very talented.

Carleton actually won both games last year, a first in its 11 trips to the islands. Chaminade had almost beaten Indiana in the Maui Invite (and, at least to me, was the better team), so it was a huge win for the Knights. I hope GAC can get at least one win, but even if they don't, they're in Hawaii!!!

[Willy Wonka]

If someone dunks in a deserted forest, does anyone notice? Let's see how many of you have actually seen this highlight yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcqJ_TyGOHg&feature=player_embedded

[VOJ]

If someone dunks in a deserted forest, does anyone notice? Let's see how many of you have actually seen this highlight yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcqJ_TyGOHg&feature=player_embedded

That was sweet WW, thanks for sharing...Js had a couple of dunks in their last game vs MAC, one by Hudurovich on the break and the other by Burtzel to end the game...I wish the conference had a full schedule this last Saturday and started on the 4th rather than the second of the new year.

Interesting turn of events for Hamline...the pieces are there, could be very interesting when or maybe a better term would be "if" they come together...

I like the power rankings Drake...I might flip St. Olaf and CC based on each teams showing against the Tommies...

[Nites]

Anyone taking bets on the only game on the schedule tonight - MAC vs. Martin Luther?

Can this year's MIAC dominance against the vaunted UMAC (sorry AO) continue?   

Can MAC double last year's win total before Christmas?

[Buddo]

Nice rankings... I'd flip SMU and SJU and CC and Olaf...

[miacsuperfan]

If someone dunks in a deserted forest, does anyone notice? Let's see how many of you have actually seen this highlight yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcqJ_TyGOHg&feature=player_embedded

saw it and it WAS awesome!  and fortunately it was not at the target center, or nobody would have seen it.

[miacsuperfan]

Here's something else that UST will have to guard against when they play UW-Stevens Point in a couple of weeks.

CHECK THIS OUT!!

Pretty nice dunk. Dribble 3/4 of the court, a crossover, take off from the FT line & then posterize a dude?    Gulp - dang!! Call me impressed.  That dunk is easily the equal of the breakaway, 2-handed reverse dunk Joe Scott threw down in last year's tourney game against Stevens Point. I'd give the slight overall edge to Scott since the playoff game had quite a bit more at stake.
 

pretty sweet flush, drake, though i think the best part of the clip is watching the official trying to restore order on the nearby bench!