MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

And Alex Foley doesn't fall for the banana in the tailpipe either.

[Greek Tragedy]

Drake,

I'm not playing possum.  Possibly against the MIAC, we have bigger guys. I don't see many MIAC games.  But, when it comes to the WIAC, it seems like Point is one of the smaller teams.  Some fans are always curious when Point will get another "big man" in the middle that will actually be a true post player.  Krull and Hoelzel don't fit that bill.  We tend to get outrebounded a lot and last year's final, we got killed by Troy Whittington.  It possible that Semling doesn't want a true post player.

[John Gleich]

Drake,

I'm not playing possum.  Possibly against the MIAC, we have bigger guys. I don't see many MIAC games.  But, when it comes to the WIAC, it seems like Point is one of the smaller teams.  Some fans are always curious when Point will get another "big man" in the middle that will actually be a true post player.  Krull and Hoelzel don't fit that bill.  We tend to get outrebounded a lot and last year's final, we got killed by Troy Whittington.  It possible that Semling doesn't want a true post player.

Point actually outrebounded opponents (on average) last year by about 6 boards per game.  They made marked improvement over the previous several years in that regard (played essentially even since the first two championship seasons).

And Semling absolutely would love a (or several) true big men... but other schools recruit against the success Point has had with so many great perimeter players.  It's become sort of the M.O. that if a big guy comes to Point, all he's going to do is screen.

I think that part of Point's success last year that allowed them to get beyond the 2nd round of the tournament was a more balanced attack.  It was partially based off of more dribble penetration and dishes to big guys like Krull and Hoelzel than straight post-ups, but when you have great penetrators like Harris, both Tillemas and Matt Moses, it's more effective to beat your man and then dish than to make a post pass (which is quickly becoming a lost art in the game of basketball) and have the big uglies battle down low.

I think Point showed how they were able to take away a good big guy by how they defended against guys like Ruchs at Elmhurst a few years ago and Jeff Skemp at Platteville.  A good TEAM defensive effort can negate a big man much easier than they can negate a guard with a hot hand who pulls up before the defense can really engage him.

And yes, Point did get killed by Whittington last year... for the first 30 minutes.  Whittington scored 15 points in the first 29 minutes.  He had 9 at the half and 6 in the first 9 minutes of the second half and was really coming on strong when Williams' lead grew to 10, but whether Williams went away from him, Point switched things up, or whether the Ephs just couldn't get the ball to him (which is really what I think happened... Point turned up the defense on the perimeter), he was less effective offensively.

Now, he was just a beast that game... Point kept challenging him and he kept meeting the challenge, with 5 blocks (4 in the second half).  I don't know if it would have mattered if Point had a true big man or not... Whittington was just in the zone.


I just think that, in general, compared to the previous 5 seasons (since the first two championships) Point really got away from any type of a post presence in part because they were so skilled at the perimeter, but also in part because they didn't have the personnel to compete inside.  After Kalsow, the only really effective guy in the post was Jon Krull and that didn't last... when teams realized what he was able to do in the post, they put much bigger guys on him (like Gibson from Oshkosh or one of the Nonemachers) and negated his post-up abilities.


I think you discount the type of post players that Point has right now, OS.  Having guys who are more mobile can absolutely be an asset as opposed to a weak spot, especially if you have guys who can get them the ball where they can be most effective.  Especially if those guys are good defenders (like Krull and Hoelzel at least sometimes) they can cause matchup problems on the other end that can either get the tough posts in foul trouble or force the opposing team to sub that guy out because he can't stay with the guy he's defending when he's on defense.

And, all-in-all, I think that Point took strides in the right direction last year and are still moving in the right direction.  I wish Brezinski was a bigger part of everything but I think he's been hurt... hopefully he can come around next year. 


And yes, having Jenkins would help.  But I'm wondering if not having him is going to hurt as much as it would seem...  I think that Point is still poised to make a strong run back to Salem with or without him.

[Drake Palmer]

Drake,

I'm not playing possum. Possibly against the MIAC, we have bigger guys. I don't see many MIAC games.  But, when it comes to the WIAC, it seems like Point is one of the smaller teams.   Some fans are always curious when Point will get another "big man" in the middle that will actually be a true post player.  Krull and Hoelzel don't fit that bill.  We tend to get outrebounded a lot and last year's final, we got killed by Troy Whittington.  It possible that Semling doesn't want a true post player.

Alright we're both going to play the under talented, small & slow card hunh? 

Tell me this, which team do you think is larger - River Falls, Stout, or Point?  I'll go with Point.  The Tommies match up size wise with River Falls & Stout.

Yes I agree, if we're talking about teams with traditional, big post players, Point doesn't have a huge post player, but you've got a big front line.   Maybe your perspective is distorted somewhat as over the last  4-5 years the WIAC was fortunate to have talented bigs like the 6-10 twins at Stout, 6-9 Dustin Mitchell UW-Whitewater, & Platteville's  talented All American post, 6-10 Jeff Skemp.  But from what I could see, the rest of their respective teams had decent D3 size, not great size.

I liken Point to a D3 version of Michigan State, a bunch of interchangeable, athletic, physical forwards, a roly-poly type Draymond Green type player– Bryan Beamish from yester year, Lou Hurd as his successor, & a quick, little PG, Kalin Lucas – Jarrell Harris. 

So now we'll turn this back into a MIAC board & we can resume this discussion when y'all return on or around December 22, 2010 when the Pointers come to town. 

[Drake Palmer]

How bout them Cobbs? They knocked off Moorhead State last night 83-78.

The MIAC is now 3-0 in "official" non-conference games against the NSIC.

[OldUMACFAN]

How bout them Cobbs? They knocked off Moorhead State last night 83-78.

The MIAC is now 3-0 in "official" non-conference games against the NSIC.

Did not see that coming, considering they were losing by 17 points to St. Scholastica in the 2nd half and were beat by a Dalbey-less Morris team out of the UMAC.  Moorhead must be really bad this year!

[TommieHoops4Life]

First post of the season... Glad to see many of the regular posters back for more MIAC action this winter.

I only caught a few minutes of the MSBN broadcast of last night's game, and it was hardly anything to build an opinion off of. What I will say is that when a team plays in a new building for the first time, there is an enormous amount of pressure to start with a win. Look at the Gophers when they hosted Air Force last year. Wasn't a pretty game by any means but they got the win.

It's early and looks like UST hasn't totally figured out its identity yet. They also don't have a clear-cut star, but there are candidates between Nicolai, Healy and Halvorson. They look to be very athletic, which makes up for what they might lack in bulk. They should be a fun team to watch when things are clicking on all cylinders.

With that said, they're 4-0 with a win over a D-2 school, so it's a good start for the Tommies. But they can't be satisfied and need a good start to the MIAC season next week.

[Drake Palmer]

How bout them Cobbs? They knocked off Moorhead State last night 83-78.

The MIAC is now 3-0 in "official" non-conference games against the NSIC.

Did not see that coming, considering they were losing by 17 points to St. Scholastica in the 2nd half and were beat by a Dalbey-less Morris team out of the UMAC.  Moorhead must be really bad this year!

Conversely, Concordia might have simply got off to a really poor start on the season & they're finally starting to find their form.  

I'm starting to get the sense they're not as bad as they seemed to be in their loss against Morris & the first half of the St. Scholastica.  On the other hand, they're probably not as good as they appeared to be in their victory over Moorhead. Still big ups to the Cobbs, but they made their comeback when MSU's Dennis "Beast" Williamson fouled out of the game with just over 5 minutes in the game.   He had a double –double with 18 pts & 11 rebs.  

We'll find out a little bit more about the Cobbs, MN –Moorhead & Gustavus on Sunday.  The Gusties are traveling up to Moorhead on Sunday to play the Dragons.  In addition, Central College of the IIAC who just lost by two at home to Augsburg 62-60, will play at Concordia on Saturday.  Both Central & Augsburg are picked to finish in the bottom half of their leagues, while many "experts" are thinking Concordia will be a league playoff caliber team.  We'll know more after this weekend.

[columbianmaffia]

saw some post about a banana in something or another...but im just happy to see you

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE~

happy turkey day...

off to chicago for me...

[papahoops]

I figured it was time to get back in action on the board. I noticed the Knights from Northfield take on Chaminade this weekend, who just upset D1 Oklahoma in the Maui tournament. I hope for the Knight's sake that Chaminade has a bit of a letdown Also noticed the Oles have started their season 3-0....haven't seen that in a while.

I caught the UST-CSP game with Mose and was impressed with UST's ball movement and balance. They will have a solid squad as usual...  Looking forward to the start of the conference schedule!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my board favorites. You too Drake

[Drake Palmer]

In between noshing on turkey leftovers, happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Good to see you back on the board Pops.  It would be interesting to get your take on Tommie ball movement after the UST-UWRF game the other night.  Granted I've only seen one game this year, but IMO they're struggling getting the ball into the post to create good inside-outside movement.  They also had this problem last year which is one reason I point this out. Whatever happened to the pick & roll offense they used to run when they had Sean Sweeney, Tommy Shimek & Isaac Rosefelt? I would think that could be an effective way of getting Hannon & Halvorsen the ball on the block, or get it out to Hondo for the pick & pop & shoot the jumper, or do some hi-low action. 

I also noticed that about Chaminade's upset.  If Carleton doesn't have Sutherland & Blaise Davis it could get real ugly.

[VOJ]

If 6-4 210lbs Jared Jenkins comes back for you guys lookout. He's the WIAC's version of a bigger, more talented Carleton's Jeremy Sutherland.  And for MIAC followers who've not seen them play,  Dan Tillema & Jared Jenkins are some pretty rare athletes at D3.  Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf_hFco376o

Go to YouTube if you want to see the more colorful version of this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K5Oui2d9E8

From what I was told when I visited the Q...Jenkins will not play this year because he wants to try to get ready for a potential career in football.  

The Pointers were pound for pound thicker and more solid than the Huskies, in my opinion.  They are a very physical team with some very good shooters and chemistry.  

[Drake Palmer]

Hey guys – I don't know how many of you read or follow the MIAC football message board, but last Sunday Mose posted that his 79 year old father slipped & broke several ribs in the snow ice storm that came through the area.

Unfortunately it was reported on the board tonight that his father passed away earlier today.  My deepest sympathies, prayers and best wishes go out to him and his family at this time.

[Drake Palmer]

In Friday night action...

Augsburg improved their record to 3-0 as they beat Westminster of the SLIAC (St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) 74-60.  The Dawgs are playing the Nebraska Wesleyan tournament in Lincoln Ne, & will play their host Saturday night in the tourney final.

http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2010/11/26/mbb112610.aspx

Carleton lost to Hawaii Pacific 66-60 out in Hawaii.  Good news - Jeremy Sutherland was back on the floor, bad news - Sutherland shot 3-13 from the floor. And in an interesting twist, 2 year starter Baby Kong doesn't start, but still plays 16 minutes.  And of course,  no word on Blaise Davis & he's still listed on the Carleton roster. Where's Wabbit to explain or deny things?

http://www.goseawarriors.com/documents/2010/11/26/hpumbb5.htm

Saturday afternoon...

Concordia at home win big over Central College from the IIAC 80-53.  Five Cobbers in double figures Karl Olson lead the way with 13 pts, Johnathan Molina 12 pts, John Fraase 11pts, & Erik Lien & Ryan Hagemeyer 10 pts each.  MIAC is currently 5-1 over the IIAC.

Johnnies win in overtime 81-75 over Aurora College of the NATHCON in the Chicago area.  Sam Blank lead the Jays with25 pts & Aaron Burtzel chipped in 15 pts, 5 board, 5 assists & 2 steals.  SJU finishes up in Chi-town with a Sunday matinee game against Univ. of Chicago.  Head home for a couple of days & then end this brutal part of their schedule with a road game at Martin Luther on Wednesday night.

Auggies in action tonight against Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln Ne, Oles play Loras at UW-Platteville tourney, & the Gusties play at Bethany Lutheran.

[Gacman]

Gusties win 90-68 over Bethany tonight. No stats up yet.