MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TommieHoops4Life]

Good to have D-3 hoops back underway this year, I'm curious to see how things shake out in the MIAC. While I think UST is the favorite to win the league, I see it being a much closer race this year.

I'm told Schved's younger brother expressed interest in trying out, they brought him in and he was "nothing special" and didn't stand out from anyone they already have. He was offered a spot on the JV team and turned it down.

UST split its opening weekend, losing to Pomona-Pitzer 80-77. They had a game-tying 3 miss in the closing seconds. Responded nicely with an 82-65 win at Occidental. I watched the first half of the Pomona-Pitzer game online and the Tommies looked like a team playing their first game, a bit sluggish and the shots weren't falling. They used spurts to stay in it and twice had the chance to take a lead in the second half. Alipate led UST in its first win.

Seems like a team that could have a different leading scorer every night depending on the match-up.

[Kilroy]

I'm told Schved's younger brother expressed interest in trying out, they brought him in and he was "nothing special" and didn't stand out from anyone they already have. He was offered a spot on the JV team and turned it down.

He's very much a system guy. Spent time in the Russian developmental youth programs, actually plays closer to Kirilenko than Shved. While Shved is a scorer/shooter, Dima is well-rounded. Good kid and solid player, but I was afraid that he wouldn't make UST varsity.

And with Shved reportedly on the trading block, who knows how much longer he'll be living here, anyways.

[Drake Palmer]

Nice to see more new & old-timers creep out of the woodwork.  Although it's great to have a coach's perspective, I'm not so sure this might be the right forum for a coach?  More props if you can successfully pull it off.   Read the D3 MIAC football board and see what posters had to say about SJU's Coach Fasching and his dealings with some of the misguided SJU faithful in the St. Cloud online newspaper website. 

Supe – I think I might wait until the non-conference season is over before I list my list league predictions.   Based on a very small sample size – last weekend's opening games, things could be real topsy turvy this year.

Like others, I do think the margin between UST & the rest of the league might have narrowed this season.  I hope to get a chance to watch them this weekend, but I think the loss of Tommy Hannon, Noah Kaiser, & John Nance will be a significant loss.  I believe Connor Nord is going to really shine this year, but he's going to need some defensive help.  This is where those three I mentioned were an integral part of the UST defensive pressure the past 3-4 years.   UST guards will be fine.

Regarding Augsburg,  I would be a little concerned about Augsburg finishing in 2nd place without starting PG Parker Hines.  Does anyone have any word on where he might be or why he was not in the lineup or on the bench? Fortunately, SR back up PG Dave Weber provided last minute heroics in both games last weekend which helped the Dawgs get off to a 2-0 start on the season. 

I watched a portion of the Augsburg & Gustavus games via webcast last weekend and right now, I would say the Gustavus offense looks a heck of a lot smoother than Augsburg's offense.  The Gusties had pretty good flow with their ball movement, and relied less on athletic one–on-one moves to create openings for themselves or their teammates.  Gustavus & Augsburg both played the same opponents last weekend, Buena Vista & Simpson.   The Gusties decisively beat both teams while the Dawgs need career nights from Noah Veach & last minute heroics from Dave Weber & Andy Seidlitz to win both games. 

Gustavus 83-68 Simpson
Gustavus 82-69 uena Vista

Augsburg 97-95 (OT) Buena Vista
Augsburg 79-77 Simpson

Having said that, little 5-7 Richie Perea at Augsburg is a nice looking PG, and led the Dawgs in assists both games.  6 assists no TOs vs Buena Vista, & 6 assists 1TO vs. Simpson. Peter Kruize at Gustavus looks like he might be the real real. Albeit a lopsided win over Simpson, 83-68, Kruize came off the bench to score 16 pts on 6-7 FGA, 4-7 FTA, 8 rebs, & 3 assists.

Speaking of freshmen, when all is said and done, this might be the "Year of the Freshmen" in the MIAC this season.  As mentioned, Perez and Kruize are getting nice clock at their respective schools. Over at Macalester, two Palmer All-Name freshmen, Sager Moritsky and Kareem Ismail were in the starting lineups and had an immediate impact in a losing effort against Northwestern, 83-64. "Sensei" Moritsky was 3-4 from 3FGA for 9 pts, along with 4 rebs, & 3 assists.  Ismail, a 6-7 post player from California had 7 points & 7 rebs in his debut.

At Bethel, two more FY led the way in a 72-55 loss to UW- Stout. Guard Brycen Wojta played 38 minutes and was the Bethel leading scorer as he recorded 21 pts on 7-13 FGA, 2 assists, 4 steals, & 3 TOs. Fellow FY, Edward Scott was the 2nd leading scorer as he had 12 pts on 2-7 FTA, 7-8 FTA, & 3 steals.

[Kilroy]

Hamline/MPLS Lakers legend Verne Mikkelsen passes away

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-release-statement-passing-vern-mikkelsen

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/233011381.html

[AO]

Hamline/MPLS Lakers legend Verne Mikkelsen passes away

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-release-statement-passing-vern-mikkelsen

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/233011381.html

The greatest pro to come out of the MIAC?

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Hamline/MPLS Lakers legend Verne Mikkelsen passes away

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-release-statement-passing-vern-mikkelsen

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/233011381.html

The greatest pro to come out of the MIAC?

yup, in any sport

[aero75]

Heard yesterday that Parker Hines will be out for the year, unconfirmed so far from any other source.

[Drake Palmer]

Heard yesterday that Parker Hines will be out for the year, unconfirmed so far from any other source.

Ok I'll bite. Unconfirmed or not, can you share with the board the reason/s why Hines is out for the year?  I can't recall the specifics, but several years ago he was out for an extended time due to a fairly serious health condition.

If Hines is not available, Augsburg chances of dethroning UST become a little slimmer this year. The Dawgs did defeat UW-Superior 80-73 last night & are now 3-0 on the season.  I expect the Gusties will defeat Um-Morris this afternoon & will also be 3-0. Cord got smoked by UM-Moorhead 102 -55 last night.  Several bright spots was SO forward Jordan Bolger -  16 pts  on 7-10 FGA, 2-4 FTA, 4 rebs, and FY Austin Hawkins had another solid showing as he scored 8 pts 4-8 FGA, 5 rebs.

I also read in Thursday night's SJU UM-Morris game summary (Morris won 96-87)that Seth Marx and Mitchell Kuck are out with injuries and are not expected to join the team until after the Christmas break. Fortunately for the Jays, they'll still have a chance to work those two players back into the lineup for the bulk of the conference schedule.

I'm thinking there's not going to be a lot of separation between the top 6 finishers this year.

Can somebody give the scoop on Brycen Wojta from Bethel?  As a FY, he's led the Royals in scoring in their first two games of the season.  He scored   21 points for the 2nd time this season as Bethel defeated UW-Eau Claire 74-67. Also, is 5-10 FY Trevor Hall from Blaine the much shorter, younger brother of former Bethel star Taylor Hall?  Hall had 14 points last night. 

[AO]

  I expect the Gusties will defeat Um-Morris this afternoon & will also be 3-0.

Not so fast.  Never underestimate the power of the UMAC.

[Drake Palmer]

  I expect the Gusties will defeat Um-Morris this afternoon & will also be 3-0.

Not so fast.  Never underestimate the power of the UMAC.

I know you loved typing that line.  Too bad the same couldn't be said for your UMAC representative in football – St. Scholastica.  They got drilled by Bethel in the first round of the NCAA football playoffs – 70-13.

I will admit the UM-Morrs win over the Gusties surprised me. After getting thumped by the Cobbs in their first game 63-39, they've bounced back to beat SJU 96-87 & now the Gusties 68-64.  Ouch!  For followers of the Gustie black & gold, this quote from the Cougar website stings:

Dean hit a jumper with 6:41 left to bring the Cougars within five at 61-56. It became a one possession game after a layup by Reller with 4:48 left but Gustavus converted a three point play to take a 64-58 lead with 4:17 left. It would be the last point the Gusties would score in the game.  Ouch

[aero75]

Heard yesterday that Parker Hines will be out for the year, unconfirmed so far from any other source.

Ok I'll bite. Unconfirmed or not, can you share with the board the reason/s why Hines is out for the year?  I can't recall the specifics, but several years ago he was out for an extended time due to a fairly serious health condition.

If Hines is not available, Augsburg chances of dethroning UST become a little slimmer this year. The Dawgs did defeat UW-Superior 80-73 last night & are now 3-0 on the season.  I expect the Gusties will defeat Um-Morris this afternoon & will also be 3-0. Cord got smoked by UM-Moorhead 102 -55 last night.  Several bright spots was SO forward Jordan Bolger -  16 pts  on 7-10 FGA, 2-4 FTA, 4 rebs, and FY Austin Hawkins had another solid showing as he scored 8 pts 4-8 FGA, 5 rebs.

I also read in Thursday night's SJU UM-Morris game summary (Morris won 96-87)that Seth Marx and Mitchell Kuck are out with injuries and are not expected to join the team until after the Christmas break. Fortunately for the Jays, they'll still have a chance to work those two players back into the lineup for the bulk of the conference schedule.

I'm thinking there's not going to be a lot of separation between the top 6 finishers this year.

Can somebody give the scoop on Brycen Wojta from Bethel?  As a FY, he's led the Royals in scoring in their first two games of the season.  He scored   21 points for the 2nd time this season as Bethel defeated UW-Eau Claire 74-67. Also, is 5-10 FY Trevor Hall from Blaine the much shorter, younger brother of former Bethel star Taylor Hall?  Hall had 14 points last night.

Medical issue is what I heard.

[Kilroy]

Can somebody give the scoop on Brycen Wojta from Bethel?  As a FY, he's led the Royals in scoring in their first two games of the season.  He scored   21 points for the 2nd time this season as Bethel defeated UW-Eau Claire 74-67.

6-foot shooter from Maple Grove who RJ had ranked around the 80-100 range for last year's class. Also played football. I saw him play against Rashad Vaughn and crew near the end of the season, they had a nice team with a stud young big man (Reed Nikko, who will go D1.) I know a lot of MIACs liked Wojta (pronounced "white-ah"), I'm not sure that I saw him having this big of an impact right away, though. Impressive!

[AO]

  I expect the Gusties will defeat Um-Morris this afternoon & will also be 3-0.

Not so fast.  Never underestimate the power of the UMAC.

I know you loved typing that line.  Too bad the same couldn't be said for your UMAC representative in football – St. Scholastica.  They got drilled by Bethel in the first round of the NCAA football playoffs – 70-13.

I will admit the UM-Morrs win over the Gusties surprised me. After getting thumped by the Cobbs in their first game 63-39, they've bounced back to beat SJU 96-87 & now the Gusties 68-64.  Ouch!  For followers of the Gustie black & gold, this quote from the Cougar website stings:

Dean hit a jumper with 6:41 left to bring the Cougars within five at 61-56. It became a one possession game after a layup by Reller with 4:48 left but Gustavus converted a three point play to take a 64-58 lead with 4:17 left. It would be the last point the Gusties would score in the game.  Ouch

Not much shame in losing to Bethel football this year, they look capable of winning it all.  Pretty hard to compare scores in Basketball this year.  Consider Loras who has beaten two top 5 teams and lost to two teams who went 8-17 last year.

[Drake Palmer]

Partial Weekend Wrap Up...

On Sunday Mac lost to Lakeland 102-82.  Macalester may not win a bunch of games this year, but it looks like they might have some decent offensive firepower.  Dylan Kilgour 20pts, Sensei Moritsky 17pts, Hans Erickson 16 pts, Griffin Glatt 16 pts.

In a medium/major surprise, Oles knocked off the UW-Platteville 68-62.  Platteville was picked to finish 3rd in the mighty WIAC this season. Josh Pratt, Sterling Nielsen, & Matthew Hultgren all scored 13 pts to lead the way.  Let's see how the Oles do when they travel to take on UW-Stevens Point on yuck, Thanksgiving Eve night - Wednesday.

I did a webcast doubleheader on Saturday night & the Tomcats were lucky to escape with their lives in a win over UW-River Falls 75-69.  The Tommies better not be looking over their shoulder.   

Tommies Lite (Bethel Royals) pulled out a dramatic last second win over Luther 64-63. 

Brycen Wojta had 12 points in Saturday evening's championship game of the Bethel University Tip-Off Tournament, but no point was bigger than his final two. With 1.9 seconds Wojta's fadeaway jumper gave the Royals (2-1, 0-0 MIAC) a come-from-behind 64-63 victory over Luther College.

BU trailed the Norse (2-1, 0-0 IIAC) by eight points with 53 seconds remaining in the game, but Bethel's full court press led to two quick steals and two layups as well as a blocked shot and 3-point play by Kyle Zimmerman. Then trailing 62-63 with less than 10 seconds, Wojta and the Royals electrified the Robertson Center Gym with the shot of season so far.

I jumped out of my chair on his game winning shot! I've watched bits & pieces of 2 Bethel games, & right now this kid would be a lock for the All-MIAC Freshman team.  Smooth pass first type PG.

If what's happening at the state & regional level is any indication, this has the makings of a wild & woolly season.

***
The first MIAC Player of the Week award was released today & Augsburg's Noah Veach garnered the first award.  Veach put up some stellar numbers last week as he averaged 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game to help the Dawgs get out to a 3-0 start on the season.  I'm wondering if in addition to his skills, his hair may have something to do with his game.  The photo of him on file at the MIAC league office is not how  he currently looks.   Once I get a chance to see all of the league teams play, I'll have to dust off the occasional "All-MIAC Hair Team." 

http://www.miacathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/aotw/veach_noah

[bball1122]

With the MIAC schedule starting soon, I thought I'd post some thoughts on each team:

AUG:  3-0 thus far, but without knowing the status of Hines, hard to know what their ceiling is. Even without him, they are a top 4 team.  Still a very talented starting five (maybe even better once Sonnenfeld gets his basketball legs under him).  Scoring a ton of points thus far (85/game).  Tough pre-break MIAC schedule (UST, STO, @GAC, @CORD).

BET:  3-1, a bit surprising thus far.  FY Wojta has been very good.  Getting pounded on the glass  (-9 rebound margin per game), but only allowing opponents to shoot 42% from the field along with forcing 14 TO's a game.  Can they continue to defend like that?  Pretty tame schedule until January.

GAC:  3-1 with a road loss to UM Morris (picked preseason as UMAC favorite).  In typical GAC fashion, they've had four different leading scorers in four games.  Feddersen averaging over 7 assists/game.  Shooting 57% as a team!  1st 4 MIAC games (@HAM, CORD, AUG, @SJU) will tell us if they are a solid playoff team or a league title contender.

HAM:  2-1 with a nice win over Northwestern.  Shooting over 52% from the field as a team, pounding opponents on the glass (+11 rebound margin) but turning it over a ton (17/game) Front line of Ford, A. Johnson, and 7 foot transfer Kreuser has been very productive.  Five league games before break, three on the road.

UST:  2-1, road loss to Pomona and a close win over a UW River Falls team picked near the bottom of the WIAC.  Lots of guys in new roles and it has shown so far.  Who is the go to guy?  Still very talented, still the favorite until a league opponent knocks them off.  Only three league games before break, but 12/4 @AUG will be a big test, as will 12/21 @UW Stevens Point.   PS – to whomever runs their website: purple on purple is almost unreadable.

CORD: 1-1 with a dominant win over UM Morris and a blowout loss to D2 MSU Moorhead.  Hard to come to any firm conclusions about what to expect - two games this weekend in Superior should give us a better idea about them.  Five league games before the break, with the first three on the road.  Tough way to start.

SJU:  2-2 with close losses at D2 St. Cloud St. and UM Morris.   Played all four games without leading returning scorer Seth Marx, the last 2 games without Mitchell Kuck, and no Nick Latzke (D1 transfer from Tulane last year, sat out with injury) thus far.  Scoring a ton of points (85/game), shooting 55% from the field,  45% from three.  Looks like the dribble drive offense is working for the Johnnies. However,  opponents are SHOOTING 30 FT's A GAME!   It's early, but I think they are a very dangerous team when everyone gets healthy.  Three league games before break (12/11 against GAC in Collegeville should be fun) and then UW Stevens Point at home on the 14th.

SMU:  1-1 thus far with an OT win vs. Crown last weekend.  Two games this weekend in WA should reveal a bit more about them.  Lots of young guys playing – Wiley Ferron looks the part as a solid freshman, but interesting that Pedersen and Swiggum came off the bench last game.  22 TO'S a game is a red flag.  Only three league games before break – 12/4 game at home against Bethel should tell us more about both teams.

STO:  2-2 thus far, but they've played a brutal schedule (UW Platteville, Augustana (Ill.), and UW Stevens Point.  Yikes.)  Playing a ton of guys (11 averaging at least 9 min/game).  Forcing 15 TO's a game.  Their depth will be a problem for a lot of teams.  Looks like a top 4 team on paper.  Only three league games before break, with the game 12/7@ AUG being a very intriguing matchup.

MAC:  1-3 with a 3OT win on the road at Lake Forest.  Dylan Kilgour has been fantastic thus far, including a 40 point game against Lake Forest.  FY Sager Moritzky and Kareem Ismail look like upgrades for the Scots.  They shoot a ton of 3s (25/game), foul a ton (27/game), and  turn it over 19 times a game. Still hard to see them above 9th in the league. Only three league games before the break.   

CAR:  0-1 with a home loss to Wartburg.  Hard to draw many conclusions from one game, but they seemingly have no depth.  Starters all played 33 plus minutes, two of whom are freshman.  Two games in CO this weekend, then three league games before the break. 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  Now the grind of the MIAC season starts.