MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[carletonsid]

What a night for the Knights. UST definitely missed some shots, but I thought Carleton did a great job of contesting shots, played solid on the defensive glass and shot the ball well (obviously) in a very effective offensive performance. What a game by Blaise Davis--zero turnovers against that pressure in 30 minutes of action. Yes, only had three assists, but if it was like hockey or soccer where two assists are allowed on a score, he'd racked up 10-12. His passes over the top of the UST pressure often led to a second pass and open shot for a teammate. He also did a great job on Scott, really limiting his open looks.

Carleton's work against the press turned that pressure into a positive for the Knights--they actually held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Great game plan by the Carleton staff to not only beat the press, but make UST pay.

If you want to watch video of the two dunks, the Real CarletonSID has thrown up a clip of just the dunks. He'll have a full video recap later today.

I've wanted to say this the last two weeks, but if I had an MVP vote it would go to Jeremy Sutherland.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Maniac jumped off the bandwagon tonight as well.

Maniac no longer on the purple bandwagon???  The world will end shortly   

TH4L, I believe your lifetime membership has expired. As VOJ points out, the world will end before I lose my passion for the purple. There is a huge difference between expressing doubt of an NCAA berth and/or a likely unfavorable seed.  Perhaps you've been covering too many 6th grade baton twirling contests to be the savvy observer you once were   

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

An impressive win by Carleton last night. They did it by beating UST at its own game, namely via an amazing defensive effort. Nicolai/Healy/Scott were unable to get an uncontested, halfway open shot all night.  Carleton handled UST's press better than anyone I've seen do in 2 seasons (Wash U had a ton of trouble with it in the first half last year but made adjustments, whereas Carlie only had 5-6 possessions where they truly struggled with it). Jonker was all he was advertised and then some. Biewen hit a couple of threes that knocked the wind out of UST rallies-in-the-making. More than anything, the win was a tribute to the coaching excellence of Kalland.  Any time you shoot 60% for the game, the odds of winning increase dramaticly.

[OldUMACFAN]

What a night for the Knights. UST definitely missed some shots, but I thought Carleton did a great job of contesting shots, played solid on the defensive glass and shot the ball well (obviously) in a very effective offensive performance. What a game by Blaise Davis--zero turnovers against that pressure in 30 minutes of action. Yes, only had three assists, but if it was like hockey or soccer where two assists are allowed on a score, he'd racked up 10-12. His passes over the top of the UST pressure often led to a second pass and open shot for a teammate. He also did a great job on Scott, really limiting his open looks.

Carleton's work against the press turned that pressure into a positive for the Knights--they actually held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Great game plan by the Carleton staff to not only beat the press, but make UST pay.

If you want to watch video of the two dunks, the Real CarletonSID has thrown up a clip of just the dunks. He'll have a full video recap later today.

I've wanted to say this the last two weeks, but if I had an MVP vote it would go to Jeremy Sutherland.

Yea I would have taken out Nicolai and replaced him with Sutherland in the MVP talks.  Sutherland, Burtzel, and Brown. 

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

What a night for the Knights. UST definitely missed some shots, but I thought Carleton did a great job of contesting shots, played solid on the defensive glass and shot the ball well (obviously) in a very effective offensive performance. What a game by Blaise Davis--zero turnovers against that pressure in 30 minutes of action. Yes, only had three assists, but if it was like hockey or soccer where two assists are allowed on a score, he'd racked up 10-12. His passes over the top of the UST pressure often led to a second pass and open shot for a teammate. He also did a great job on Scott, really limiting his open looks.

Carleton's work against the press turned that pressure into a positive for the Knights--they actually held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Great game plan by the Carleton staff to not only beat the press, but make UST pay.

If you want to watch video of the two dunks, the Real CarletonSID has thrown up a clip of just the dunks. He'll have a full video recap later today.

I've wanted to say this the last two weeks, but if I had an MVP vote it would go to Jeremy Sutherland.

Yea I would have taken out Nicolai and replaced him with Sutherland in the MVP talks.  Sutherland, Burtzel, and Brown. 

it would be interesting IF the league had an MVP award 

[TommieHoops4Life]

TH4L, I believe your lifetime membership has expired. As VOJ points out, the world will end before I lose my passion for the purple. There is a huge difference between expressing doubt of an NCAA berth and/or a likely unfavorable seed.  Perhaps you've been covering too many 6th grade baton twirling contests to be the savvy observer you once were.

Maniac, the first two things you said to me after the game were as follows... "It's over... this team is going nowhere." Can we say knee-jerk reaction? I realize you've been following them since before I was born, and it's okay to jump off the bandwagon every once in a while. Heck, I do it every other week with the Twins and Gophers, but I still watch as much as I can.

Although it's the first time I've seen UST this year, I can say that they are extremely vulnerable if they're forced into a half-court game. Carleton played very good defense and contested shots. Every 3 the Knights hit in the second half seemed like a dagger, and they hit 6 of them.

I would love to see the Jonker/Paulson match-up Saturday night. If Jonker keeps up what he's doing, he's going to eat Paulson for lunch.

And Maniac, you should know this as well as anyone, what I cover these days isn't much my call anymore. That's why we have bosses If I didn't have a prior commitment, I would bring the wife to St. Peter with me tomorrow.

[wabbit]

What a night for the Knights. UST definitely missed some shots, but I thought Carleton did a great job of contesting shots, played solid on the defensive glass and shot the ball well (obviously) in a very effective offensive performance. What a game by Blaise Davis--zero turnovers against that pressure in 30 minutes of action. Yes, only had three assists, but if it was like hockey or soccer where two assists are allowed on a score, he'd racked up 10-12. His passes over the top of the UST pressure often led to a second pass and open shot for a teammate. He also did a great job on Scott, really limiting his open looks.

Carleton's work against the press turned that pressure into a positive for the Knights--they actually held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Great game plan by the Carleton staff to not only beat the press, but make UST pay.

If you want to watch video of the two dunks, the Real CarletonSID has thrown up a clip of just the dunks. He'll have a full video recap later today.

I've wanted to say this the last two weeks, but if I had an MVP vote it would go to Jeremy Sutherland.

I totally agree! It is nice to see Davis get recognition for the way he handles the press. It looked like he called Sutherland out one time for not being where he should be. Davis ended up calling a timeout. He is really growing with his leadership.

Most of what transpired during the game has already been discussed. But what about that technical on Sutherland for the dunk. He held onto the rim but it looked like he would come down on Rosett. Isn't that legal? What is the rule?

Congrats to all. A big win!

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

TH4L-- I should have made it more clear that I was being sarcastic in my earlier post. I've been (wisely) off all Gopher bandwagons for a few decades     

Playoff history trivia--- This is the first time in the 10 years since the playoffs were expanded to 6 teams that the #1 seed did not reach the final. In fact, it is the first time since 1998 that the #1 is not in the title game (that was Augs with D George, who was shut down in the semis by Tommy Fritz & UST who hen lost to GAC). That UST team was the last #4  to make the final. The other 2 times a #4 made the final were GAC in 1989 and SJU in the very first Playoff back in 1985. Both of those #4s won the tourney. (Possible good omen for Carleton??)

The last time a #2 seed won it was GAC in 2003 (possible good omen for GAC?)

(yes, it is an extremely slow day at the office for me )   

[carletonsid]

What a night for the Knights. UST definitely missed some shots, but I thought Carleton did a great job of contesting shots, played solid on the defensive glass and shot the ball well (obviously) in a very effective offensive performance. What a game by Blaise Davis--zero turnovers against that pressure in 30 minutes of action. Yes, only had three assists, but if it was like hockey or soccer where two assists are allowed on a score, he'd racked up 10-12. His passes over the top of the UST pressure often led to a second pass and open shot for a teammate. He also did a great job on Scott, really limiting his open looks.

Carleton's work against the press turned that pressure into a positive for the Knights--they actually held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers. Great game plan by the Carleton staff to not only beat the press, but make UST pay.

If you want to watch video of the two dunks, the Real CarletonSID has thrown up a clip of just the dunks. He'll have a full video recap later today.

I've wanted to say this the last two weeks, but if I had an MVP vote it would go to Jeremy Sutherland.

Yea I would have taken out Nicolai and replaced him with Sutherland in the MVP talks.  Sutherland, Burtzel, and Brown. 

it would be interesting IF the league had an MVP award 

MM, you know what I mean. MVP, Player of the Year, whatever. Doesn't matter since the award lost all credibility last year when Zach Johnson wasn't selected and Joe Scott was. The 2008-09 POY last night needed 13 shots to score 15 points and grabbed ZERO rebounds--matter of fact, had as many fouls (2) as he did rebounds (0), assists (1), steals (1) and blocks (0) combined.

[Gacman]

I think you were going to do a recap WW so I won't talk about last night's game, but there are a couple things I noticed for Saturday's championship tilt.

Keep in mind that Carleton is a totally different team now than when they played the first time. GAC played almost an identical game both regular season games. They scored the same number of points, made the same number of shots, and dominated the boards on both ends. The thing that stood out to me was that in the second game GAC went 2-16 from the 3 point line.

Last night GAC shot 6 3's which is closer to the number they prefer to shoot when they are playing well. Falling in love with the 3 is clearly not there game. Give credit to Carleton in that second game because they executed their D perfectly by packing it in daring you to shoot the 3 but still getting a good contest on the attempt.

If GAC wants to win tomorrow, they cannot fall in love with three. They have an advantage inside with their size and need to make the most of it.

As for Carleton, besides executing their defense better in the second game, they took care of the ball much better and attempted 14 more freethows in the second game. If they can repeat this they should be in good shape to win.

The one area that killed them was rebounding. They gave up 27 offensive rebounds in the two games combined. If Carleton can't limit GAC in this area it could be tough sledding for them.

This is also the 4th time in 5 years GAC has played Carleton in the playoffs. The home team has won the previous three meetings in the playoffs.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

CSID- sounds like you (and you are not alone on this) have a gripe with the coaches.  I know of at least place that called Z Johnson MVP AND POY in 2008-09.

It would be nice if there was some kind of publicized criteria for the coaches' POY award, but thats just my $0.02 on it. 

[Willy Wonka]

I'll get my recap in shortly — it's hard to think after a 4-hour nap, so cut me some slack here — but this video is an instant classic. I'd be surprised if some MIAC schools didn't have some people capable of creating something similar...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V6FCitvRUM

[miacsuperfan]

MM, you know what I mean. MVP, Player of the Year, whatever. Doesn't matter since the award lost all credibility last year when Zach Johnson wasn't selected and Joe Scott was. The 2008-09 POY last night needed 13 shots to score 15 points and grabbed ZERO rebounds--matter of fact, had as many fouls (2) as he did rebounds (0), assists (1), steals (1) and blocks (0) combined.

but how interesting that non-mvp johnson is gone and carleton has it's finest playoff showing in the last four years. with essentially the remainder of their team from last year. 
after watching the carlie's take down the toms last night, i still can't get over the impressive manner in which they did it.  the final score was not really an indication of the decisiveness of the win.  i was disappointed in the number of people in the crowd, but not the enthusiasm of the carelton faithful.  pretty sweet.   tommies have to be happy that their exile to concordia's ganglehoff is nearly over.  that place does not begin to compare to schoenecker. 

jeremy sutherland is clearly an mvp candidate this year, and i would be not at all surprised if he won it.  oh wait, i guess i would be.   

save me a seat in st. peter on saturday.  i look for that place to be rockin'!!

[wabbit]

but how interesting that non-mvp johnson is gone and carleton has it's finest playoff showing in the last four years. with essentially the remainder of their team from last year.  
after watching the carlie's take down the toms last night, i still can't get over the impressive manner in which they did it.  the final score was not really an indication of the decisiveness of the win.  i was disappointed in the number of people in the crowd, but not the enthusiasm of the carelton faithful.  pretty sweet.   tommies have to be happy that their exile to concordia's ganglehoff is nearly over.  that place does not begin to compare to schoenecker. 

jeremy sutherland is clearly an mvp candidate this year, and i would be not at all surprised if he won it.  oh wait, i guess i would be.   

save me a seat in st. peter on saturday.  i look for that place to be rockin'!!

Sutherland was out last year with a shoulder injury. A pretty important piece to this years run.

[kel_varnsen]

I would love to see the Jonker/Paulson match-up Saturday night. If Jonker keeps up what he's doing, he's going to eat Paulson for lunch.

POY Sam Paulson will tear down one backboard tomorrow night and MVP Jesse Van Sickle will cut the net off of the other.