MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MiacLostProphet]

Buddo, It seems wonka is too busy to sport his list, so i will take my best crack at what his picks would be.....

1. Gustavus
2. Doesn't matter
3. Doesn't matter
4. Doesn't matter
5. Doesn't matter
6. Doesn't matter
7. Doesn't matter
8. Doesn't matter
9. Doesn't matter
10. Doesn't matter
11. Doesn't matter

Midseason award projections:

MVP - The whole GAC team for their team-ness
Sixth man - GAC bench
Defensive player of the year - GAC team D

First team all-conference:

G Dan Schmidtknecht GAC
G Jesse Van Sickle GAC
F Phil Wirtjes GAC
F Ryan McPartland GAC
C Sam Paulson GAC

Second team:

G Tyler Grey GAC
G Seth Anderson GAC
G  Ben BeiwenGAC
F Paul Blacklock GAC
F Mychal Crowder GAC

Honorable mention (in no order):

Ty Moore GAC
Peder Beckstrand GAC
Mathew Doble GAC
Adam Michel GAC
James Hill GAC
Reed Sallstrom GAC
Blake Shay GAC

Well, that just my guess anyway...

[VOJ]

nice recovery by golden gusties in c-ville following their saturday afternoon stinkbomb in arden hills.  mr. hanson undoubtedly had everyone's attention at monday's walk-through?

no surprise at ganglehoff; sounds like cooler heads belonged to tommies---with ust alum yorky working the vipes over pretty good to the tune of 34 fouls.

voj, nice job as usual calling the oft-delayed sju game last night.  the old guys at the bench must have been asleep at the switch again?  or were the switches asleep? 

either way, the johnnies better beware tomorrow----i think the royals have healed a bit and are starting to figure a few things out.  their sixth straight win over the knights has to have coach kalland scratching his head.   

you guys keep trying to get the rest of us excited about smu, but for some reason i am having a hard time buying in.  improved yes, but how much?

the second half of this year could see some interesting twists and turns.  i certainly wouldn't rule ANYBODY out at this point, 'cept of course for the scots.  should be fun.   

First of all thanks for the kind words...second there were numerous power outages which took us off the air each time, it got very frustrating to do the game when you have to worry about equipment, there are some power issues at SJU I guess they are trying to work through, OR there is a breaker issue at the scorers table, its one, both or a combo issue.

Second...I hate to see it but Yorky on a Tommies game is not a good thing, if I were Steve Fritz I would light the victory cigar as soon as he walked on the floor for warm ups, he has reffed numerous SJU-UST games in the past and I have always thought it was a conflict of interest, I understand his own children have gone there as well.  If you disagree with "conflict of interest", then just agree it looks bad, Yorky is a talented official, he works DI games in different conferences, but to have him on games involving UST taints the game.

[Nites]

Honorable mention (in no order):

Ty Moore GAC
Peder Beckstrand GAC
Mathew Doble GAC
Adam Michel GAC
James Hill GAC
Reed Sallstrom GAC
Blake Shay GAC

Well, that just my guess anyway...

One correction.  I think WW would put Moore on the first or second team because GAC FINALLY manned up, fessed up, got a conscience or something and decided to include the stats from the Hawaii-Hilo game, and Moore  is officially 2-2 from the field (both treys) on the year.

[sumander]

WW  you should eventually post your own picks, I'd be interested to see you or Drake take a shot at it.

Buddo, +K for a nice post! Stick around, DP will have his posted as work permits him. He has never been one to shy away from making his feelings known.

[Gacman]

Royce White praticed for the first time with the gophers today.

[Drake Palmer]

WW  you should eventually post your own picks, I'd be interested to see you or Drake take a shot at it.

Buddo, +K for a nice post! Stick around, DP will have his posted as work permits him. He has never been one to shy away from making his feelings known.

Sum – you're absolutely right about this work thing.  It's killing me, but it's better than the alternative!

Like Wonka - I don't have time right now to do a list, but Buddo's put together a pretty nice list. IMO only a couple of oversights/ omissions.  At the halfway point of the season, I would drop Cord's John Fraase & Nate Robertson from Bethel, and replace them with GAC's Ryan McPartland & Phil Wirtjes.  McPartland is averaging 12.4 ppg, 5.7rpg & Wirtjes is scoring 9.9ppg, 2.6apg, averages 1.2 steals per game, & is deadly behind the 3-pt line - 50% for the year.

I would also make a case for Carleton's Bryan Rosett who is currently averaging 11.6 ppg & 8.5 rpg.  In fact, I would say the duo of Rosett & Seth Jonker are the best pair of post players in the league – offense, defense, they're tough. SJU's Andy Burns should get consideration as well.  

If I'm making an All Defense Team I would list Hamline's Carl Hipp, on his rebounding & shot blocking abilities, Rosett, Phil Wirtjes, UST's Teddy Archer, & GAC's Seth Anderson. Interesting that two of the guys players probably love to hate are on this list- Wirtjes & Archer. They're capable of playing  awfully good D though.

Miscellaneous Mid-Season Awards:

Best slasher:  HAM - Ray Brown
Best looking three & quickest release:  UST - Tyler Nicolai
Best midrange game: GAC - Seth Anderson

Best handles:  Nicolai
Best shot blocker: HAM- Hipp
Al McCoy award: CARL - Seth Jonker
Best hooper turned rugby player: SJU – Sam Blank

Quickest wing: SMU – Will Wright
Quickest post: Aaron Burtzel
Sweetest dime dropper:- HAM – Nick Carroll
Man on a Mission: SMU – Chris Palmer

[huhoops]

huhoops- back to the drawing board? Thats a little harsh don't you think.  I think they have also shown their resilience in having a conference record of 1-3 to start (with the win over lowly MAC) and finishing the last six games going 4-2 against the better half of the league, (which one game was a close one at GAC) which i will go ahead and say they beat GAC at home next time around.  HU always seems to split the season series with GAC as of late.  I think HU just got a taste of a very physical defense in STU, and with such a young team there will be a learning curve.  5-5 at the break, which PI called, and the dud abides.

By back to the drawing board, I meant time to refocus. I actually believe they will go 8-2 or better over the second half of the conference schedule. By resilience, I meant the way they will respond to their first "blowout" loss. I agree completely that they have been a different team since the California trip and have done a nice job bouncing back from a rough conference start.

That's a bold prediction in saying that they will go 8-2 the second time around. The absolute best they are going to do is go 7-3 which is still very good, but that is the best I see them doing. As formidable as they have become they live and die with two players, consistency will still be their nemesis.

Very bold  . I'm basing most of this prediction on the fact that they have done extremely well at home this year (6-2, 4-1 conference) and have both the UST and GAC game in Hutton during the second stretch of the conference schedule. Secondly, I am of the belief that they have gotten their bad losses out of their system. As prophet stated, they are 4-2 over the last 6 with losses only to GAC and UST. My guess is that they will lose in Collegeville and drop one to either UST or GAC (but not both). Tonight's game is one of the "wild card" games that could make or break my prediction.

Potential "hiccups" for HU second time around: @ SMU, @ CAR, and @ AUG.

Drake...

Best dual sport athlete: Brumm or Ervin  

[Willy Wonka]

Buddo, It seems wonka is too busy to sport his list, so i will take my best crack at what his picks would be.....

1. Gustavus
2. Doesn't matter
3. Doesn't matter
4. Doesn't matter
5. Doesn't matter
6. Doesn't matter
7. Doesn't matter
8. Doesn't matter
9. Doesn't matter
10. Doesn't matter
11. Doesn't matter

Midseason award projections:

MVP - The whole GAC team for their team-ness
Sixth man - GAC bench
Defensive player of the year - GAC team D

First team all-conference:

G Dan Schmidtknecht GAC
G Jesse Van Sickle GAC
F Phil Wirtjes GAC
F Ryan McPartland GAC
C Sam Paulson GAC

Second team:

G Tyler Grey GAC
G Seth Anderson GAC
G  Ben BeiwenGAC
F Paul Blacklock GAC
F Mychal Crowder GAC

Honorable mention (in no order):

Ty Moore GAC
Peder Beckstrand GAC
Mathew Doble GAC
Adam Michel GAC
James Hill GAC
Reed Sallstrom GAC
Blake Shay GAC

Well, that just my guess anyway...

Hmmm...I advocate an Augsburg player as the best guard in the league and suggest one GAC post as a potential second-team all-conference player, along with about five non-Gusties, and that was enough to prompt accusations of an all-out GACfest? You might want to look in the mirror before suggesting I'm the one who's going overboard...

BTW - You did forget my selection for Coach of the Year 

And if you were referring to my shot at the current bigs...anyone who saw the league 10-15 years ago knows how poor the current crop of posts are, GAC included. Heck, even five years ago with Ike. There's no way Fritz even considers starting Archer (or Scott) as a post in past years, but it makes perfect sense in 2009-10.

[carletonsid]

Hmmm...I advocate an Augsburg player as the best guard in the league and suggest one GAC post as a potential second-team all-conference player, along with about five non-Gusties, and that was enough to prompt accusations of an all-out GACfest? You might want to look in the mirror before suggesting I'm the one who's going overboard...

BTW - You did forget my selection for Coach of the Year 

And if you were referring to my shot at the current bigs...anyone who saw the league 10-15 years ago knows how poor the current crop of posts are, GAC included. Heck, even five years ago with Ike. There's no way Fritz even considers starting Archer (or Scott) as a post in past years, but it makes perfect sense in 2009-10.

I have to back Willy on this one. I like to call the late 90s the "Golden Age of MIAC Basketball." You had Wilhelm here at Carleton, Schmidt at Carleton in 95-96 before he went to GAC, Joldersma at Bethel and of course George at Augsburg. Of those four, Schmidt was the only guy who primarily stayed in the post. The rest were 6-6 or bigger, very athletic, could step out and hit the three or put it on the deck and finish. There's just no one around like that right now. Robertson is solid, and as well as he played in Monday's win over the 3-happy Knights, he missed three shots from point-blank that any of those four I mentioned would have hammered down.

Also side with Willy on Cassans. Best player on his team. Could score more if he wanted, but gets everyone involved, very good defender and is not a scorer only. Nicolai and Wright are both very good, but IMO Cassans is the most complete perimeter player in the league. Not saying 'best' or most valuable because you can define that however you wish, but most complete.

[Drake Palmer]

And if you were referring to my shot at the current bigs...anyone who saw the league 10-15 years ago knows how poor the current crop of posts are, GAC included. Heck, even five years ago with Ike. There's no way Fritz even considers starting Archer (or Scott) as a post in past years, but it makes perfect sense in 2009-10.

Regarding the biggs – I have nothing factual to base this on, simply anecdotal conversations I've had with players, parents, & coaches, & my own opinions I've developed over the past few years.  I think there might be two factors at play in the recent shortage of quality big men in the MIAC.

1) New DI Schools:  The upward movement of some of the regional DII schools to D-I status has siphoned off some of those players who might have normally considered a DII or DIII type of school.  As the former DII schools such as NDSU, UND, SDSU etc. went through the process of becoming DI,  they recruited as many capable bodies as possible until they could start recruiting a few more quality DI type of players.  Also, coaches & schools are more willing to take a chance on a big body in the hopes that he might develop. 

As a result some of these kids were recruited out of level.   Once they got to their respective school, the players realized that sitting on the pine for 4 years, being owned 24-7, & seeing very limited playing time was not what they had bargained for. So some of these kids transferred to a DII or DIII school, or became disenchanted with basketball & gave it up altogether. 

2) AAU: The increasing popularity of AAU has been both a boon and hindrance for the development of high school players.  Kids get out on the spring, summer basketball circuit & start seeing & hearing all the talk how "so& so" is being recruited by XYZ Colleges.  Or AAU coaches who want to sell their program boast how they've developed "X number of kids who went on to play at DI or DII programs.  So the reasonably talented, impressionable HS kid & family hear about this & want to get his scholie too. I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but AAU participation has mushroomed over the past 10 years.

Certainly, kids have tried to play up a level before AAU, but AAU has made it a whole lot easier for kids to get college exposure & attempt to play DI or DII.  And in several years, many of those same kids will transfer to a D3 school. 

Just my 2 cents.

[Drake Palmer]

Drake...

Best dual sport athlete: Brumm or Ervin 

Good question & I'll raise you one. Right now I would go with Ervin.  Although if Brumm continues to play both sports he could eventually surpass Ervin. 

I also forgot to add...

Best FY to SR Hair Grooming Makeover: GAC – Sam Paulson 

[papahoops]

And if you were referring to my shot at the current bigs...anyone who saw the league 10-15 years ago knows how poor the current crop of posts are, GAC included. Heck, even five years ago with Ike. There's no way Fritz even considers starting Archer (or Scott) as a post in past years, but it makes perfect sense in 2009-10.

Regarding the biggs – I have nothing factual to base this on, simply anecdotal conversations I've had with players, parents, & coaches, & my own opinions I've developed over the past few years.  I think there might be two factors at play in the recent shortage of quality big men in the MIAC.

1) New DI Schools:  The upward movement of some of the regional DII schools to D-I status has siphoned off some of those players who might have normally considered a DII or DIII type of school.  As the former DII schools such as NDSU, UND, SDSU etc. went through the process of becoming DI,  they recruited as many capable bodies as possible until they could start recruiting a few more quality DI type of players.  Also, coaches & schools are more willing to take a chance on a big body in the hopes that he might develop. 

As a result some of these kids were recruited out of level.   Once they got to their respective school, the players realized that sitting on the pine for 4 years, being owned 24-7, & seeing very limited playing time was not what they had bargained for. So some of these kids transferred to a DII or DIII school, or became disenchanted with basketball & gave it up altogether. 

2) AAU: The increasing popularity of AAU has been both a boon and hindrance for the development of high school players.  Kids get out on the spring, summer basketball circuit & start seeing & hearing all the talk how "so& so" is being recruited by XYZ Colleges.  Or AAU coaches who want to sell their program boast how they've developed "X number of kids who went on to play at DI or DII programs.  So the reasonably talented, impressionable HS kid & family hear about this & want to get his scholie too. I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but AAU participation has mushroomed over the past 10 years.

Certainly, kids have tried to play up a level before AAU, but AAU has made it a whole lot easier for kids to get college exposure & attempt to play DI or DII.  And in several years, many of those same kids will transfer to a D3 school. 

Just my 2 cents.

As usual, very good analysis DP. Any high school player 6'9" or more that can walk and chew gum at the same time will likely get a schollie offer from a lower D1 program (like Cal Poly) these days. Most of the better 6'7-6'8 guys not getting D1 offers will go DII for a partial schollie/lower cost education option unless their parents are willing to make a higher financial investment to reap the benefits of the education advantages many D3 schools may offer. Because of this, most quality players in D3 these days seem to be 6'5" or smaller. They also have very limited post skills, since 6"5" isn't even big enough to play post at most larger HIGH SCHOOLS in MN. The net result is an overall decline in skilled D3 post players in the MIAC, and is the reason an undersized post like Burtzell can be very effective and be an MVP candidate.

By the way, Willy mentioned Ike, but forgot a few other quality post players in recent years. I'm sure it was just an oversight

Last point on another topic, IMO Cassens hands down first team selection at this point (we agree on this one WW). If Augsburg could sneak into top 3 by season end, I would consider him not just a first teamer, but an MVP candidate as well.

[John Gleich]

And if you were referring to my shot at the current bigs...anyone who saw the league 10-15 years ago knows how poor the current crop of posts are, GAC included. Heck, even five years ago with Ike. There's no way Fritz even considers starting Archer (or Scott) as a post in past years, but it makes perfect sense in 2009-10.

Regarding the biggs – I have nothing factual to base this on, simply anecdotal conversations I've had with players, parents, & coaches, & my own opinions I've developed over the past few years.  I think there might be two factors at play in the recent shortage of quality big men in the MIAC.

1) New DI Schools:  The upward movement of some of the regional DII schools to D-I status has siphoned off some of those players who might have normally considered a DII or DIII type of school.  As the former DII schools such as NDSU, UND, SDSU etc. went through the process of becoming DI,  they recruited as many capable bodies as possible until they could start recruiting a few more quality DI type of players.  Also, coaches & schools are more willing to take a chance on a big body in the hopes that he might develop. 

As a result some of these kids were recruited out of level.   Once they got to their respective school, the players realized that sitting on the pine for 4 years, being owned 24-7, & seeing very limited playing time was not what they had bargained for. So some of these kids transferred to a DII or DIII school, or became disenchanted with basketball & gave it up altogether. 

2) AAU: The increasing popularity of AAU has been both a boon and hindrance for the development of high school players.  Kids get out on the spring, summer basketball circuit & start seeing & hearing all the talk how "so& so" is being recruited by XYZ Colleges.  Or AAU coaches who want to sell their program boast how they've developed "X number of kids who went on to play at DI or DII programs.  So the reasonably talented, impressionable HS kid & family hear about this & want to get his scholie too. I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but AAU participation has mushroomed over the past 10 years.

Certainly, kids have tried to play up a level before AAU, but AAU has made it a whole lot easier for kids to get college exposure & attempt to play DI or DII.  And in several years, many of those same kids will transfer to a D3 school. 

Just my 2 cents.

I would add that the expansion of the internet and networks like ESPN help exposure.

Also, I'm not sure about other places, but I know in suburban Chicago, other sports like volleyball are drawing big guys away.  I can specifically think of two guys (6'9" and 6'11"), and there are definitely more I don't know about that ended up being college volleyball players.  These two from the Wheaton area were college All-Americans, as a matter of fact.  If volleyball wasn't around, then those guys likely would be playing basketball (and thus the 6'8" or 6'7" guys who went to D-I's might filter down).

Just another thought.

Oh... And another one is that true big guys are really hard to come by these days.  More high school teams are getting away from having a true post, so there are fewer to go around.

[Drake Palmer]

HAM 72-52 AUGS
SMU 78-60 MAC
UST 71-63 CORD
CARL 60-55 GAC

I don't have a final but SJU was up by 12-13 points over Bethel with 4-5 minutes left in the 2nd half?
Edit: It's final SJU 80-67 BET

[Drake Palmer]

Csid - While checking the Carlie Gustie boxscore I noticed Kellan McLemore's name in the boxscore for the first time since the start of the season.  Has he been injured? He might be able to provide some defensive  help on the perimeter, & give them someone who might be able to take the ball to the basket.