MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TheSuperfan]

So is this Piper team better without R. Brown?

Yes and no.

Yes because they are much more balanced this year than they were last year. There's more shots to go around I think the one downfall of the Pipers last year was their outside shooting. They didn't have any dead eyes except for Dan Andersen and Brown. Only those two had more than 16 3-pointers. This year six players have 12 or more 3-pointers with at least four games remaining. And we all know how big the 3-ball can be in the game right now.

No because the Pipers don't have that one person to turn to when trailing by a basket in the end. Do they throw down low to Hipp? Let Campbell penetrate and try to create something. Have Pannell jack up a three? Or maybe Aguirre? Sure, Brown made horrible decisions in the final seconds in a couple of contests last season, but he also won them a few games because he wasn't afraid to take the big shot.

A couple of weeks ago, Levi Wenrich takes the final shot down three against Carleton. Weinrich is 0-for-6 on the season from behind the arc.

I know for sure that Weinrich was not supposed to take that final shot against Carleton just to clarify.

Obviously he wasn't. But he did. Is that because Carleton played great defense on the player that Hamline wanted to have the ball, or because they didn't have a player out there that wanted to shoot the final shot?

There was plenty of time left on the clock for a play to develop yet, I just think Weinrich just got an open look and didn't remember he isn't supposed to shoot  . IMO, it was a horrible mistake from a player that shouldn't even have been in that situation. However, after 4 years I still have not been able to figure out what Whitmore is thinking half the time.

[Drake Palmer]

From the Rumors too good to be true dept...

I've heard that our own Drake Palmer will finally reveal his/her true identity this Saturday at Collegeville. The story Ive heard is he/she will be born into the arena a la Lady Gaga, in an egg. Said egg will be deposited in front of VOJ. One of the guys (possibly Papa hoops?) carying the egg will give VOJ a key to unlock the egg, and DP will step out, in a ref's uniform and will give Smitty and Fritz each a "T"

LOL- someone must have been watching the Grammys.    If  things work out this week, next Saturday I'll be at the spotlight game of the day - St. Olaf @ Carleton.     

So is this Piper team better without R. Brown?

Yes and no.

Yes because they are much more balanced this year than they were last year. There's more shots to go around I think the one downfall of the Pipers last year was their outside shooting. They didn't have any dead eyes except for Dan Andersen and Brown. Only those two had more than 16 3-pointers. This year six players have 12 or more 3-pointers with at least four games remaining. And we all know how big the 3-ball can be in the game right now.

No because the Pipers don't have that one person to turn to when trailing by a basket in the end. Do they throw down low to Hipp? Let Campbell penetrate and try to create something. Have Pannell jack up a three? Or maybe Aguirre? Sure, Brown made horrible decisions in the final seconds in a couple of contests last season, but he also won them a few games because he wasn't afraid to take the big shot.

A couple of weeks ago, Levi Wenrich takes the final shot down three against Carleton. Weinrich is 0-for-6 on the season from behind the arc.

I know for sure that Weinrich was not supposed to take that final shot against Carleton just to clarify.

Obviously he wasn't. But he did. Is that because Carleton played great defense on the player that Hamline wanted to have the ball, or because they didn't have a player out there that wanted to shoot the final shot?

There was plenty of time left on the clock for a play to develop yet, I just think Weinrich just got an open look and didn't remember he isn't supposed to shoot  . IMO, it was a horrible mistake from a player that shouldn't even have been in that situation. However, after 4 years I still have not been able to figure out what Whitmore is thinking half the time.

Carleton can make teams force the wrong players to shoot. In the game against UST on Wednesday, the Carlies left UST's John Nance open to fire up a couple of ill-advised treys in the closing minutes of the  game. Anyone who has watched the Tommies knows that Nance's strong suit is his ability to get to the rack, & play tough defense, not shoot the trey.

***

Stirring up the pot:

Here's what SMU's Coach Landrum had to say about Carleton after their game against the Knights on Saturday.  "(Carleton) is the best team in the conference, and they are the best team as far as executing,"   What?    Mose or any other Tommie backer. TH4L?  

Speaking of Carleton - I've heard the injury bug seems to have hit the Carlies again.  Csid, Buddo or anyone at the SMU-CARL game yesterday have any information on this?  I noticed Carter Biewen was back in the lineup for Carleton.  Was it Caleb Rosenow or Jeremy Sutherland?  Several weeks ago I know Rosenow had the trainer put tape on his shoulder when they played against Augsburg.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

From the Rumors too good to be true dept...

I've heard that our own Drake Palmer will finally reveal his/her true identity this Saturday at Collegeville. The story Ive heard is he/she will be born into the arena a la Lady Gaga, in an egg. Said egg will be deposited in front of VOJ. One of the guys (possibly Papa hoops?) carying the egg will give VOJ a key to unlock the egg, and DP will step out, in a ref's uniform and will give Smitty and Fritz each a "T"

LOL- someone must have been watching the Grammys.    If  things work out this week, next Saturday I'll be at the spotlight game of the day - St. Olaf @ Carleton.     

So is this Piper team better without R. Brown?

Yes and no.

Yes because they are much more balanced this year than they were last year. There's more shots to go around I think the one downfall of the Pipers last year was their outside shooting. They didn't have any dead eyes except for Dan Andersen and Brown. Only those two had more than 16 3-pointers. This year six players have 12 or more 3-pointers with at least four games remaining. And we all know how big the 3-ball can be in the game right now.

No because the Pipers don't have that one person to turn to when trailing by a basket in the end. Do they throw down low to Hipp? Let Campbell penetrate and try to create something. Have Pannell jack up a three? Or maybe Aguirre? Sure, Brown made horrible decisions in the final seconds in a couple of contests last season, but he also won them a few games because he wasn't afraid to take the big shot.

A couple of weeks ago, Levi Wenrich takes the final shot down three against Carleton. Weinrich is 0-for-6 on the season from behind the arc.

I know for sure that Weinrich was not supposed to take that final shot against Carleton just to clarify.

Obviously he wasn't. But he did. Is that because Carleton played great defense on the player that Hamline wanted to have the ball, or because they didn't have a player out there that wanted to shoot the final shot?

There was plenty of time left on the clock for a play to develop yet, I just think Weinrich just got an open look and didn't remember he isn't supposed to shoot  . IMO, it was a horrible mistake from a player that shouldn't even have been in that situation. However, after 4 years I still have not been able to figure out what Whitmore is thinking half the time.

Carleton can make teams force the wrong players to shoot. In the game against UST on Wednesday, the Carlies left UST's John Nance open to fire up a couple of ill-advised treys in the closing minutes of the  game. Anyone who has watched the Tommies knows that Nance's strong suit is his ability to get to the rack, & play tough defense, not shoot the trey.

***

Stirring up the pot:

Here's what SMU's Coach Landrum had to say about Carleton after their game against the Knights on Saturday.  "(Carleton) is the best team in the conference, and they are the best team as far as executing,"   What?    Mose or any other Tommie backer. TH4L?  

Speaking of Carleton - I've heard the injury bug seems to have hit the Carlies again.  Csid, Buddo or anyone at the SMU-CARL game yesterday have any information on this?  I noticed Carter Biewen was back in the lineup for Carleton.  Was it Caleb Rosenow or Jeremy Sutherland?  Several weeks ago I know Rosenow had the trainer put tape on his shoulder when they played against Augsburg.

I'll take the bait....yes, Carleton has been executing as good or better than anyone in the league right now.  They showed as much last Wednesday in beating UST.

The key will be how the execute in a potential rematch w/ UST, assuming the Knights and Tommies advance to the title game. How you play that night determines the victor, not who executes best over the last 2-3 weeks. That said, I wouldnt be stunned if either UST or CAR got upended in the semifinals.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I gotta run, but someone run some calculations.  The way I see it, the Cobbs, Dawgs, & Johnnies all could end up tied for 6th at 9-11.  Who gets in?

CORD (9-9): @ UST, @ HAM
SJU (8-9): @ GAC, @ SMU, UST
AUG (8-10): MAC, GAC


GAC at 10-7 is hanging on by a thread.  They've got games against 2.5 desperate teams:  SJU, @ AUG, SMU.  I'm assuming the Jays & Dawgs will come out kicking & scratching, not quite sure how the Birds will respond.

I believe my math is correct and in the event of a 3-way tie for 6th between USJ, Cord and Auggie, the Cobbers get the spot on the basis of head-to-head-to-head record (3-1).

If its just USJ and Cord (assuming USJ loses to UST & GAC and Cord loses its 2 games), the 3rd tie-breaker determines the winner. (1) is head to head and they split. (2) is recrod vs teams above and both would be 2-8. #3 says record vs teams above in descending order. both are 0-2 vs UST and Car. USJ swept Hamline but was swept by olaf; Cord swept the Oles but was swept by Ham ... SO if Ham finishes 3rd, the SJU is the 6th seed and if Olaf is 3rd, the last spot goes to Concordia.

IF Ole & Ham somehow tie for 3rd, then (4) comes into play-- and Cord would win by having swept Augs while USJ split with the Auggies.

(I think I have all that right....)

[Drake Palmer]

I gotta run, but someone run some calculations.  The way I see it, the Cobbs, Dawgs, & Johnnies all could end up tied for 6th at 9-11.  Who gets in?

CORD (9-9): @ UST, @ HAM
SJU (8-9): @ GAC, @ SMU, UST
AUG (8-10): MAC, GAC


GAC at 10-7 is hanging on by a thread.  They've got games against 2.5 desperate teams:  SJU, @ AUG, SMU.  I'm assuming the Jays & Dawgs will come out kicking & scratching, not quite sure how the Birds will respond.

I believe my math is correct and in the event of a 3-way tie for 6th between USJ, Cord and Auggie, the Cobbers get the spot on the basis of head-to-head-to-head record (3-1).

If its just USJ and Cord (assuming USJ loses to UST & GAC and Cord loses its 2 games), the 3rd tie-breaker determines the winner. (1) is head to head and they split. (2) is recrod vs teams above and both would be 2-8. #3 says record vs teams above in descending order. both are 0-2 vs UST and Car. USJ swept Hamline but was swept by olaf; Cord swept the Oles but was swept by Ham ... SO if Ham finishes 3rd, the SJU is the 6th seed and if Olaf is 3rd, the last spot goes to Concordia.

IF Ole & Ham somehow tie for 3rd, then (4) comes into play-- and Cord would win by having swept Augs while USJ split with the Auggies.

(I think I have all that right....)

Nice work Mose!  +k when the karma gods permit.

If the Tommies can go undefeated this week and lose in the playoff semis, they should be ok in terms of receiving an at large bid/ Pool C berth to the NCAA.  However, if they stumble in any of their 3 remaining regular season games, & then lose in the league semis, things look a lot less promising.

Speaking of promising, a little birdie (Charley Walters - not  ) tells me that the Gusties are suffering their own injuries.  James Hill has missed the last couple of games – Carleton, UST, with some type of foot injury? He was the 3rd leading scorer for the Gusties.  Toss in the shooting slump Phil Wirtjes has been in & the playoff picture looks even tougher for the Gusties. On the other hand, this should  slightly improve things for the Jays.

[gacbacker]

Johnnies just came back from down 23 at the half to send the game against Gustavus to overtime on an Andy Burns three at the buzzer.

[gacbacker]

Johnnies complete the comeback and win 96-88 in overtime. A devastating loss for the Gusties as they drop their 5th straight after leading by 20+ in the first half.

[Drake Palmer]

Gutsy 2nd half comeback by the Pipes over the Oles 79-76 in OT.  STO's Stuart Neville basically took Carl Hipp out of the ball game until nearly the end of the ball game.  Small lineup of Jordan Schmidt, Mike Campbell, Christian Taber, Noah Aguirre & Victor Easter make the critical stops for Hamline. Jordan Schmidt makes a big defensive difference for the Pipers.

Two very formidable ball clubs.  Oles are going to be a very tough out.  Hamline lucky to win this ball game, without Hipp having a strong performance.   
****
Major deflating loss for the Gusties, semi miraculous comeback by the Jays?

[carletonsid]

Gutsy 2nd half comeback by the Pipes over the Oles 79-76 in OT.  STO's Stuart Neville basically took Carl Hipp out of the ball game until nearly the end of the ball game.  Small lineup of Jordan Schmidt, Mike Campbell, Christian Taber, Noah Aguirre & Victor Easter make the critical stops for Hamline. Jordan Schmidt makes a big defensive difference for the Pipers.

Two very formidable ball clubs.  Oles are going to be a very tough out.  Hamline lucky to win this ball game, without Hipp having a strong performance.   
****
Major deflating loss for the Gusties, semi miraculous comeback by the Jays?

Crazy night. And now KU about to go down in flames in first day as #1.

We watched end of GAC-SJU as Burns hit off-balance 3 at horn right in front of SJU bench and then the J's dominated OT. Will have to go back sometime and listen to VOJ's call on that. All of a sudden, the J's look pretty good for a playoff spot.

Oles led by 10 with five minutes to go but couldn't close the deal.

My Knights hold BU at bay and earn a top-two seed in the MIAC Playoffs. Sutherland with a good night and Jonkey-Kong moves 25 away from 1,000 points. This senior class has 70 wins, most in Carleton history--congrats!

[VOJ]

I gotta run, but someone run some calculations.  The way I see it, the Cobbs, Dawgs, & Johnnies all could end up tied for 6th at 9-11.  Who gets in?

CORD (9-9): @ UST, @ HAM
SJU (8-9): @ GAC, @ SMU, UST
AUG (8-10): MAC, GAC


GAC at 10-7 is hanging on by a thread.  They've got games against 2.5 desperate teams:  SJU, @ AUG, SMU.  I'm assuming the Jays & Dawgs will come out kicking & scratching, not quite sure how the Birds will respond.

I believe my math is correct and in the event of a 3-way tie for 6th between USJ, Cord and Auggie, the Cobbers get the spot on the basis of head-to-head-to-head record (3-1).

If its just USJ and Cord (assuming USJ loses to UST & GAC and Cord loses its 2 games), the 3rd tie-breaker determines the winner. (1) is head to head and they split. (2) is recrod vs teams above and both would be 2-8. #3 says record vs teams above in descending order. both are 0-2 vs UST and Car. USJ swept Hamline but was swept by olaf; Cord swept the Oles but was swept by Ham ... SO if Ham finishes 3rd, the SJU is the 6th seed and if Olaf is 3rd, the last spot goes to Concordia.

IF Ole & Ham somehow tie for 3rd, then (4) comes into play-- and Cord would win by having swept Augs while USJ split with the Auggies.

(I think I have all that right....)

Nice work Mose!  +k when the karma gods permit.ay and trailed by 10 with 3:10 left.  Gusties 5 of 13 at the line...

If the Tommies can go undefeated this week and lose in the playoff semis, they should be ok in terms of receiving an at large bid/ Pool C berth to the NCAA.  However, if they stumble in any of their 3 remaining regular season games, & then lose in the league semis, things look a lot less promising.

Speaking of promising, a little birdie (Charley Walters - not  ) tells me that the Gusties are suffering their own injuries.  James Hill has missed the last couple of games – Carleton, UST, with some type of foot injury? He was the 3rd leading scorer for the Gusties.  Toss in the shooting slump Phil Wirtjes has been in & the playoff picture looks even tougher for the Gusties. On the other hand, this should  slightly improve things for the Jays.

Hill is done for the year with a  broken foot for GAC.

Js were down 25 with 18:47 to play and down 10 with 3 and change left...gac went 5 of 13 at the line

Not sure I would know Lady Gaga if she or Drake impersonating her came into Sexton and sat on my lap....

[piperinsider]

Although STO hasn't clinched yet, they look pretty good only needing a win over Bethel Wednesday.

Looking at the next four for two spots:
Gustavus 10-8 (@ AUG, vs SMU)
Saint John's 9-9 (@ SMU, vs UST)
Augsburg 9-10 (vs GAC, bye)
Concordia 9-10 (bye, @ HAM)

Looking at the schedules, the Gusties are in with just one win over the Auggies or the Marys (who have lost five straight). I would say their playoff chances are 96.7 percent.

St. John's also looks good in my mind unless the Pipers go with the "let's not get anyone hurt" motto against the Cobbers. And even if they do that, SJU gets in over the Cobbers on the third tie-breaker rule. Despite the long drive, the Johnnies smell a playoff spot after a solid second-half run. I see 10-10 getting SJU in. Playoff chances: 71.6 percent

Cobbers need some help. They'll be cheering for SMU tonight and Saturday as well as GAC tonight and UST Saturday. Playoff chances: 19.4 percent

Auggie is on life support. Playoff chances: 12.3

[carletonsid]

Although STO hasn't clinched yet, they look pretty good only needing a win over Bethel Wednesday.

Looking at the next four for two spots:
Gustavus 10-8 (@ AUG, vs SMU)
Saint John's 9-9 (@ SMU, vs UST)
Augsburg 9-10 (vs GAC, bye)
Concordia 9-10 (bye, @ HAM)

Looking at the schedules, the Gusties are in with just one win over the Auggies or the Marys (who have lost five straight). I would say their playoff chances are 96.7 percent.

St. John's also looks good in my mind unless the Pipers go with the "let's not get anyone hurt" motto against the Cobbers. And even if they do that, SJU gets in over the Cobbers on the third tie-breaker rule. Despite the long drive, the Johnnies smell a playoff spot after a solid second-half run. I see 10-10 getting SJU in. Playoff chances: 71.6 percent

Cobbers need some help. They'll be cheering for SMU tonight and Saturday as well as GAC tonight and UST Saturday. Playoff chances: 19.4 percent

Auggie is on life support. Playoff chances: 12.3

Thanks for not putting in the long calculations and complex explanations behind these numbers and keeping things short.  Since I read it on the internet, it must be true!

So it looks like, if we use the above, the semis would be:
SJU @ Hamline
GAC @ St. Olaf

Those would be two pretty good match-ups. Obviously Hamline and St. Olaf are playing some of the best ball in the conference right now, but SJU is on a roll and you have to think that GAC's funk can't last much longer.

[papahoops]

So it looks like, if we use the above, the semis would be:
SJU @ Hamline
GAC @ St. Olaf

Those would be two pretty good match-ups. Obviously Hamline and St. Olaf are playing some of the best ball in the conference right now, but SJU is on a roll and you have to think that GAC's funk can't last much longer.

The J's resurgence will certainly make a potential playoff game involving them more interesting, but I am a firm believer that Hamline and the Oles will rule the day to take on Carleton and UST in the semis. I will admit that of the lower potential seeds, based on their recent play, the Johnnies would have the best chance of pulling off a playoff upset. If Gusties were going to come out of their funk, they would have done it by now. I could be wrong, but IMO you can stick a fork in them as far as winning a playoff game goes.

The person who is probably most pleased by the J's hot streak is Miacmaniac, who no doubt is happy that the upcoming Tommie/Johnnie contest in Collegeville this weekend could be much more competitive and interesting than we would have thought a few weeks ago:)

[oldtimefan]

The sun came up in St. Peter today, but GAC sure knows how to ruin a guy's Valentine's Day. With a 23 point halftime lead, I felt safe making plans to cut out early to meet my secret valentine.  The J's spoiled the evening as GAC could not get a defensive stop in the second half. Gusties helped out the comeback with some ill advised shots early in the 2nd half that allowed SJU to get quickly within striking range. The current lack of depth at the post also caused problems when Johnson got in foul trouble.
Then a miraculous 3 at the buzzer to send the game to OT and the party was over for both GAC and me. 
On the positive side, the game was great entertainment value and there's always next year for my Valentine.
This is the 3rd OT conference loss for the Gusties. Flip those around as well as the MAC mistake and they would be right in the hunt for the title. Don't count out these guys in the playoffs.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Although STO hasn't clinched yet, they look pretty good only needing a win over Bethel Wednesday.

Looking at the next four for two spots:
Gustavus 10-8 (@ AUG, vs SMU)
Saint John's 9-9 (@ SMU, vs UST)
Augsburg 9-10 (vs GAC, bye)
Concordia 9-10 (bye, @ HAM)

Looking at the schedules, the Gusties are in with just one win over the Auggies or the Marys (who have lost five straight). I would say their playoff chances are 96.7 percent.

St. John's also looks good in my mind unless the Pipers go with the "let's not get anyone hurt" motto against the Cobbers. And even if they do that, SJU gets in over the Cobbers on the third tie-breaker rule. Despite the long drive, the Johnnies smell a playoff spot after a solid second-half run. I see 10-10 getting SJU in. Playoff chances: 71.6 percent

Cobbers need some help. They'll be cheering for SMU tonight and Saturday as well as GAC tonight and UST Saturday. Playoff chances: 19.4 percent

Auggie is on life support. Playoff chances: 12.3

The MIAC site says Oles and Ga(g)C have clinched....must be the tiebreakers