MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

I think that's right except for the Point/Whitewater case... if Whitewater had beaten Point, then WW would have hosted, though that would have had more to do with head 2 head and winning percentage, rather than the specific fact that they had won the tournament.

[VOJ]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

Knights will have their hands full with UWSP but as well as they have been playing and the confidence they have right now, a win is not impossible, especially with the way the Pointers finished the regular season.

Not sure how tape exchange goes for the hoops tourney but Carleton will have a couple additional films to look at, SJU opener and the shellacking UST took late in December.  Intriguing matchup...Moses or Jenkins vs Sutherland...Jenkins athletic ability could pose some problems for him.

Not much is known about Anderson but from the poll on the front of DIII hoops they were not a shoo-in got get in the dance, could see the Tommies get a re-match with Wash U in the sweet 16, that could be interesting. 

Good luck to both teams but no home court could spell short runs.

[John Gleich]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

Knights will have their hands full with UWSP but as well as they have been playing and the confidence they have right now, a win is not impossible, especially with the way the Pointers finished the regular season.

Not sure how tape exchange goes for the hoops tourney but Carleton will have a couple additional films to look at, SJU opener and the shellacking UST took late in December.  Intriguing matchup...Moses or Jenkins vs Sutherland...Jenkins athletic ability could pose some problems for him.

Not much is known about Anderson but from the poll on the front of DIII hoops they were not a shoo-in got get in the dance, could see the Tommies get a re-match with Wash U in the sweet 16, that could be interesting. 

Good luck to both teams but no home court could spell short runs.

I think the potential UST/Carthage match up in the second round could be one of the best second round games. 

Can somebody give a synopsis of what we'll see of Carleton?  They look to be on quite a roll, winning 12 of their last 13, and though they've lost quite a few, they've all been under 10 except for one.

[Pat Coleman]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point? 

When you're 19-9, absolutely.

[buf]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

Knights will have their hands full with UWSP but as well as they have been playing and the confidence they have right now, a win is not impossible, especially with the way the Pointers finished the regular season.

I agree. Carleton is a hot team right now.  Also, to me Point is not playing as well as they were back in December.  I expect Point to win, but wouldn't be surprised if Carleton happened to pull it out.

[buf]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

Knights will have their hands full with UWSP but as well as they have been playing and the confidence they have right now, a win is not impossible, especially with the way the Pointers finished the regular season.

Not sure how tape exchange goes for the hoops tourney but Carleton will have a couple additional films to look at, SJU opener and the shellacking UST took late in December.  Intriguing matchup...Moses or Jenkins vs Sutherland...Jenkins athletic ability could pose some problems for him.

Not much is known about Anderson but from the poll on the front of DIII hoops they were not a shoo-in got get in the dance, could see the Tommies get a re-match with Wash U in the sweet 16, that could be interesting. 

Good luck to both teams but no home court could spell short runs.

I think the potential UST/Carthage match up in the second round could be one of the best second round games. 

Can somebody give a synopsis of what we'll see of Carleton?  They look to be on quite a roll, winning 12 of their last 13, and though they've lost quite a few, they've all been under 10 except for one.

I don't know much about them.  I caught a little bit of the video from the GAC game.  From watching that game and reading the posts in here, it looks like Sutherland and Jonker are their 2 best players.  I am sure that the regulars in here can give you more info.

[John Gleich]

Carleton got hosed, IMO. Win a tough conference and be rewarded by being send to Point?  But it makes $en$e in the NCAA's mindset.

I completely expected Carleton to play one of the tougher teams.  Just look at their record...one of the worst in the tourney.  As a result it is only natural that they play one of the so called "higher seeded teams."  I believe winning a conference tourney does not matter to the committee.  But I guess it does lead to better regional winning percentage and most likely a better SOS.

Knights will have their hands full with UWSP but as well as they have been playing and the confidence they have right now, a win is not impossible, especially with the way the Pointers finished the regular season.

I agree. Carleton is a hot team right now.  Also, to me Point is not playing as well as they were back in December.  I expect Point to win, but wouldn't be surprised if Carleton happened to pull it out.

I'm not sure if it will be able to continue... but the second half of the Stout game and the Whitewater game were three of Point's best halves of the year, I think.  They did falter in February, which isn't typical of Point, but it looks like they may have turned it around.

[tommiegun]

Do we know what night the Tommie game will be...? (It's "eat week" in Minneapolis - my reservations will be highly influenced by the night of the game, hopefully, she won't suspect my motivation...)

[Drake Palmer]

Its' dancing time – Congratulations to Carleton & UST!

Of bigger concern to the Carlies, what's the injury status of Carter Biewen & Jeremy Sutherland?  The last time I saw Biewen, he had sprained an ankle & Sutherland cut his finger (?).  CSID - any updates?

The Carlies will have their hands full with UWSP- big, tall, rangy, well disciplined team.  UWSP is similar to Carleton, but with more depth, & with a little more athleticism up & down the line. They like the 3-ball – Matt Moses, Ross Foreman etc. but are content running clock & working the ball inside to one of their bigs - Scott Hoelzel.

Sutherland will meet his athletic equal when he goes up against Jared Jenkins. Jenkins is a 2-sport athlete & plays WR for the Pointers. He's 6-4 200 lbs, quick, & strong. Very nice player.  

PS- I don't believe I'm giving away league secrets when I say the primary point production will come from the "Big 3" – Seth Jonker, Bryan Rosett, & Jeremy Sutherland. They're capable of stepping outside & taking the three (as are the other Knights), or they're fine grinding with you & playing a low-scoring game in the 50-60s.

According to Carlies backers they're always quick to point out how they're one of the NCAA national leaders as a team having the fewest fouls called on them per game.  They play excellent defense & typically keep their turnovers to a minimum.  Could be a close game, hope it's a close game, & hope for a Carlie win, but I'm thinking UWSP just might have too much firepower.

****
Don't know much, if anything about the Anderson College Ravens out of Indiana. They won their regular season conference title & lost in their conference tourney final.  

Going to their website here's an interesting quote from their head coach Tom Slyder in an article announcing their selection for the tourney:

No. 3 St. Thomas is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and will be making their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance and 14th overall. The Tommies are 123-19 over the last five years – the best record in NCAA Div. III.

"They have a history of being good," said Slyder. 'They have been really good and they are in a league that has produced two NBA players in the last 10 years."

I see he's trying to get his players attention. Coach - you let us know who those 2 players might be.  Devean George and ?  

I did a little more digging & realize that we in the MIAC are fortunate to have some of the statistical data we have at our disposal.  Anderson College plays in the HCAC, & the league seems to do a mediocre job of recording the stats that we take for granted in the MIAC.

Anyway, here's what limited information I could find this morning.  The Ravens are young, & play mostly underclassmen. Here are some of their top players:

Brock Morrison SO 6-3 220, 15.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3apg
Ty Riddle JR 5-11 200, 13.7 ppg, one of the top 3pt threats
Gabe Miller  JR 6-3 185, 13.5ppg, 3.62 apg, 3,3 rpg, the other leading 3-pt threat
Andrew Jones JR 6-6 215, 12.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Andrew Bowman SO 6-7 180, 11.2 4.6rpg.

Somehow, I've got this vision of Hoosiers running through my head & an Indiana version of the Gustie motion offense circulating.

[tommiegun]

Somehow, I've got this vision of Hoosiers running through my head & an Indiana version of the Gustie motion offense circulating.

Cripes, I haven't looked yet, but I hope their colors aren't maroon and gold.

[columbianmaffia]

if you want to be the best you have to beat the best...i have no issues with CARs draw...hopefully they can pull an upset...i think they will be able to keep the game close

[Willy Wonka]

Going to their website here's an interesting quote from their head coach Tom Slyder in an article announcing their selection for the tourney:

No. 3 St. Thomas is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and will be making their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance and 14th overall. The Tommies are 123-19 over the last five years – the best record in NCAA Div. III.

"They have a history of being good," said Slyder. 'They have been really good and they are in a league that has produced two NBA players in the last 10 years."

I see he's trying to get his players attention. Coach - you let us know who those 2 players might be.  Devean George and ?  

Technically, he's wrong on both counts. George played his final season in '98-99, which is 11 seasons ago. And I'd be curious to hear him expand on the other player the MIAC sent to the League. I mean, Adam Denny didn't sneak in there somehow, did he? 

buf - Touche! I'm still a little surprised/disappointed the guy with the GAC flag didn't get decked on his way by your student section in 2003...

[John Gleich]

I can do a more detailed analysis of this later... but this year's UWSP team is different than last year's.  Last year the team jacked a TON of 3's...  They averaged shooting just over 20 per game and 37% of their shots were 3's.

This year, Point is shooting 6 fewer 3's per game but still making them at basically the same percentage, and they're getting almost the identical number of shots per game (56.4).  This means Point is making 2.5 fewer 3's per game... but they're making more 2's, which means their overall shooting percentage has gone up from 48.3% to 50.3%.

This may seem minor... but it's added an additional point (75.5 vs 74.3) per game to SP's average.

Point is also better defensively this year.  They're a percentage point better on their defensive shooting percentage against 2 pointers (3's are pretty much the same) and that's equated to a 3 ppg improvement defensively as well (60.0 vs 62.9).

That 4 ppg can be key in the playoffs when these games really become possession-by-possession battles.

In my initial look at Carleton, they seem to rely more on the 3.  In fact, they have a higher percentage of their shots than Point did last year (37.5% for Carleton to 36.9% for SP in 08-09), and Point jacked it up a ton.  Car shoots a better 3 point percentage (39.4% for CAR vs. 37.4% for SP) than Point did last year too.

A big difference is that SP last year had more attempts per game (56.4 for 08-09 SP vs. 53.2).  That equated to 74.3 ppg for Point last year vs. 68.9 for Car this year.  Carleton thus likes to slow it down, which can certainly account for the fact that they weren't blown out at all this year and kept games that they lost close.  Of course, they were considerably better than some of the teams they played, so they were able to score earlier and to get a stop earlier, and thus THEY had some blowouts but that's the nature of the game for good teams.

Two potentially key points for the game could be free throw shooting and rebounding.

Carleton averages 1 rebound less than their opponents, while Point is +6.  Also, Car shoots free throws at a 61.3% clip.  SP has struggled down the stretch from the line, but their season average is 74.8%.  It will be interesting to see how this factors in... it may have a lot to do with where the officials are from and if they call the game tight or let the teams play.  By their averages, SP makes 13.49/18.04 of their FT's and Car makes 9.67/15.86, so SP gets there more and makes more of their points from the charity stripe.

SP basically has two speeds on offense, hyperspeed and methodical.  If they get a steal, they can get it and go but if they don't have something early, they'll work the defense until there is a breakdown.  That looks to me the same way Carleton runs their offense.

It gets very interesting when I look at attempts per game... Carleton allows 3 more attempts per game than they shoot themselves, while Point shoots 4 more attempts per game than their opponents. 


Essentially, I was trying to manually create a metric based on possessions per game... because it appeared that SP got more of them.

But there's a metric that's used to approximate Possessions per Game:

FGA-Off Reb + TO. + .475 x FTA

When you run that, SP comes out with 65.03 poss per game and Carleton with 65.00

So then, you can figure out points per 100 possessions and can do it offensively and defensively:

(Points/Possessions) x 100

SP comes out with 116.04 Points per 100 possessions on the offensive end
SP holds their opponents to 92.61 points per 100 possessions on the defensive end.

Car is 106.05/93.74.

Now, these are just approximations and they're averages of past results... they don't necessarily have any bearing on the future... but they can point to trends that very well could continue.

buf - Touche! I'm still a little surprised/disappointed the guy with the GAC flag didn't get decked on his way by your student section in 2003...

If I recall correctly, he didn't make it to the student section... though it may have been the second trip where he got decked by the guy who looked like Coach Bennett (and for good reason, it was his eldest son who did it!)

[sumander]

Tough to imagine a more difficult place to play than UW-SP for the Carlies. Huge gym, quality opponent...but the fans tend to be on the quiet side. Keeping them quiet is fun  

WW, I would agree with your first statement and respectfully disagree with your second statement. I was on hand at the Quandt for the Pointers beat down of the J's in March of 07. The place was anything but quiet. I believe VOJ will back me on this one. Pointer's broke open a reasonably tight game with about 5 minutes left in the first half. I remember the crowd being pretty boisterous!

Culinary tip for any of the CAR faithful making the trip. Try the burgers at the Hilltop Pub. It is East of the campus a couple of miles. Also enjoy some Point Cascade Pale Ale. 

[Gregory Sager]

Going to their website here's an interesting quote from their head coach Tom Slyder in an article announcing their selection for the tourney:

No. 3 St. Thomas is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and will be making their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance and 14th overall. The Tommies are 123-19 over the last five years – the best record in NCAA Div. III.

"They have a history of being good," said Slyder. 'They have been really good and they are in a league that has produced two NBA players in the last 10 years."

I see he's trying to get his players attention. Coach - you let us know who those 2 players might be.  Devean George and ?  

Technically, he's wrong on both counts. George played his final season in '98-99, which is 11 seasons ago. And I'd be curious to hear him expand on the other player the MIAC sent to the League. I mean, Adam Denny didn't sneak in there somehow, did he? 

No, Coach Slyder was obviously referring to Eric Joldersma.