MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Rivalry week-- Johnnie/Tommie tonight, Gopher/Badger on Weds and Wild/Hawks on Thursday. Life don't get much better!

[carletonsid]

Rivalry week-- Johnnie/Tommie tonight, Gopher/Badger on Weds and Wild/Hawks on Thursday. Life don't get much better!

Add Carleton-St. Olaf to the docket - Wednesday night at West.

Tough week for my Knights, going without Chen and McSparron on Wednesday but still nearly upsetting Augsburg, and then staying close to SJU in Collegeville without McSparron again on Saturday. Still like where the Knights sit at the almost halfway point - they will be in the mix for a playoff spot if they can get and stay healthy.

[miacsuperfan]

After watching all but the early minutes of the Augie BU game this weekend, I believe I have taken a sip from the Auggie Doggie Kool Aid.

Augsburg patiently and systematically tore apart Bethel's confusing 2-3 zone in a very workmanlike way.  The three headed scoring monster of Kornbaum, Seidlitz and Veach did a number on the undermanned Royals, in spite of a great effort by freshman of the year Brycen Wojto. 

It appears that that the return of Parker Hines HAS been the spark that the Dawgs need to recover from earlier unexplainable losses to GAC and CON.  Hines consistently makes good decisions and gets the ball in the hands of scorers. The game vs. UST on Wednesday could be interesting.  Augburg's lack of depth could be a problem against the bench-deep Tommies, but first group v. first group should be a great battle.

I will be in St. Paul all week, so with no Gopher/Badger tickets in my pocket will be making my maiden voyage to a MIAC arena this year.  With the Badgers in town and the game televised, I suspect I will have no trouble finding a seat. 

[faunch]

Anybody else have trouble watching the Tommie / Johnnie game online tonight?

[miacsuperfan]

Yeah Faunch, terrible.  Fortunately VOJ was keeping up with the audio or it would have been a total joke.  (Good to hear you, Mark!!)   UST and SJU continue to have the worst video feeds in the league.  St. Olaf's, which is normally very good, was also very poor tonight.   Was best to mute the announcer as he struggled to make sense.   

The SJU score surprised, but didn't shock me.  SJU has some players, and Tommies though good are mere mortals.  And I doubt whether they were looking past the Johnnies.  But I'm not going to lie, it is great to see someone in the league take down the Tommies....especially this early in the year.  More coming?   

Looks like Olaf absolutely pummeled the Royals in Northfield.  With Wojta being held to nothing, Bethel will struggle mightily.   

[faunch]

Yeah Faunch, terrible.  Fortunately VOJ was keeping up with the audio or it would have been a total joke.  (Good to hear you, Mark!!)   UST and SJU continue to have the worst video feeds in the league.  St. Olaf's, which is normally very good, was also very poor tonight.   Was best to mute the announcer as he struggled to make sense.   

The SJU score surprised, but didn't shock me.  SJU has some players, and Tommies though good are mere mortals.  And I doubt whether they were looking past the Johnnies.  But I'm not going to lie, it is great to see someone in the league take down the Tommies....especially this early in the year.  More coming?   

Looks like Olaf absolutely pummeled the Royals in Northfield.  With Wojta being held to nothing, Bethel will struggle mightily.   

Here is video of the closing seconds in Collegeville.
http://instagram.com/p/jaokXSkjRf/

[Retired Old Rat]

After checking all of the hospitals and county morgues in the area, I was finally able to make contact with Maniac this morning.  I'm pleased to report that he has not taken any drastic actions as a result of last night's outcome in Collegeville.  All sharp objects have been removed from his home and workplace as a safeguard.  He is getting the help he so desperately needs at a time like this. 

Claims he's been in contact with the spirit of Tom Feely, so there is further concern about his mental well being.

[Drake Palmer]

Well, well, well.  Nice win by the Jays in C-ville over UST last night 77-69.   

I was not able to watch or listen to the game, but after looking at the box score it appears that the Johnnies handled in the Tomcats in three key areas.  Shooting, defense, & rebounding.  SJU shot a red shot 57.4% from the floor, while UST shot a season low (?) 39.3%.  Was this a case of bad shooting by the Tomcats, good D by the Jays or both?  Johnnies & good defense in the same sentence?  Surprisingly, the vaunted Tommie defense has been getting lit up on the perimeter in big games the last couple of weeks (almost all season long). On Saturday, the Cobbs' Brandon Giese torched UST in the first half with 15 pts in the first half alone.  Giese would end up with 18 pts in the game.  A week earlier, Brycen Wojta from Bethel knocked down 20 pts. In the game against the Oles, Sterling Nielsen went off for 18 pts, a bunch of assists, & steals against UST.

Last night, Patrick Butcher scored 18 points in the first half, & ended up with 20 pts in the game.  In the 2nd half Seth Marx took over as he scored 11 of his 16 pts & grabbed 7 rebs. 

On the boards, the Jays dominated as they grabbed 36 rebs to 26 caroms by UST.  Gritty performance by SJU's Blake Maslonkowski as he finished with 7 rebs, 10 pts, & 2 assists.  Apparently, the short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela hurt UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered. *

Nice win by the Jays, as they look to turn their season around & get back into the playoff hunt.  They have a winnable game on the road at SMU on Saturday, & then look for pay back against Hamline next week.

The Tommies still might be the class of the league, but there are sizable chinks in their armor this year. The loss to the Jays just might be the wake up call some of the younger Tommies need to double up their efforts on the defensive end. Tommies will need to regroup & get ready for a red hot Augsburg club on Wednesday night.  I think Supe might be right when he says the Augsburg top 5 might be the equal to the UST top 5.  Although, there might be some tongues clucking on the Northfield campus and behind the Pine Curtain.

Gird your loins all, we might be in for a red-hot conference race over the next 6 weeks. 

P.S. New chicken recipe or not, Mose better get back to his pre-game superstitious meal at Kim's Chow Mein. Some of the after effects of his meal on Saturday might have helped out his beloved Tomcats last night. 

*Edit provided by a peevish, bitter Mose

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

No worries people. It takes a lot more than a loss to SJU to send me over the edge.... btw, thanks for the bouquet of crabgrass & stink weed, ROR....the sentiment was appreciated 

On the boards, the Jays dominated as they grabbed 36 rebs to 26 caroms by UST.  Gritty performance by SJU's Blake Maslonkowski as he finished with 7 rebs, 10 pts, & 2 assists. The short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela might have helped the UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered.

I'd say the absence of Saarela HURT UST's defense in the paint. Drake must be taking a Logic class from Richard Sherman...or sipping red Kool-Aid with VOJ. I don't follow how does losing a big-bodies shot blocker HELP your defense?

[Drake Palmer]

On the boards, the Jays dominated as they grabbed 36 rebs to 26 caroms by UST.  Gritty performance by SJU's Blake Maslonkowski as he finished with 7 rebs, 10 pts, & 2 assists. The short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela might have helped the UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered.

I'd say the absence of Saarela HURT UST's defense in the paint. Drake must be taking a Logic class from Richard Sherman...or sipping red Kool-Aid with VOJ. I don't follow how does losing a big-bodies shot blocker HELP your defense?

Duh, oops my bad, typo. 

Let's try this: " Apparently, the short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela hurt UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered."

Now if your beloved Tommies could fix their perimeter defense.    

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

On the boards, the Jays dominated as they grabbed 36 rebs to 26 caroms by UST.  Gritty performance by SJU's Blake Maslonkowski as he finished with 7 rebs, 10 pts, & 2 assists. The short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela might have helped the UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered.

I'd say the absence of Saarela HURT UST's defense in the paint. Drake must be taking a Logic class from Richard Sherman...or sipping red Kool-Aid with VOJ. I don't follow how does losing a big-bodies shot blocker HELP your defense?

Duh, oops my bad, typo. 

Let's try this: " Apparently, the short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela hurt UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered."

Now if your beloved Tommies could fix their perimeter defense.    

That perimeter defense you mention is why I will never forget Nicolai

It should be an intriguing matchup @ The Shoe II tonight. I'm sure DP will be curled up by the fireplace in his jammies, washing down cold popcorn with his red Kool-Aid... I may stop by Kim's for a panic-induced plate of chicken

[Drake Palmer]

On the boards, the Jays dominated as they grabbed 36 rebs to 26 caroms by UST.  Gritty performance by SJU's Blake Maslonkowski as he finished with 7 rebs, 10 pts, & 2 assists. The short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela might have helped the UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered.

I'd say the absence of Saarela HURT UST's defense in the paint. Drake must be taking a Logic class from Richard Sherman...or sipping red Kool-Aid with VOJ. I don't follow how does losing a big-bodies shot blocker HELP your defense?

Duh, oops my bad, typo. 

Let's try this: " Apparently, the short term injury loss (?) of UST's Ryan Saarela hurt UST defensive rotations in the post, but the Tommie perimeter defense has some questions that need to be answered."

Now if your beloved Tommies could fix their perimeter defense.    

That perimeter defense you mention is why I will never forget Nicolai

It should be an intriguing matchup @ The Shoe II tonight. I'm sure DP will be curled up by the fireplace in his jammies, washing down cold popcorn with his red Kool-Aid... I may stop by Kim's for a panic-induced plate of chicken

Sheesh, pay a compliment to a deserving team, & now I'm drinking red kool-aid.  Be careful what you wish for.  Supe & I may end up drinking that Auggie Dawgie maroon kool-aid, or the Ole Lemonade after all.   

You bring up an interesting point about Nicolai & his defense. How much do you think the new rules have impeded the Tommies from playing that aggressive, clawing, hand checking (some opponents would call it "mugging") defense they played in the past?  I recall a skinny Tyler Nicolai, helping out on the post, reaching in and stripping the ball from an unsuspecting post player. Or picking someone's pocket out on the wing.

IMO, the Tomcats are still quick enough to play that type of defense, but now must rely more on their quickness, athleticism, and defensive fundamentals, without as much hand checking.  Also, the young guns don't seem to have as much appetite for the big defensive stops.  A lot of the current Tommies have the ability to score, but who's going to be the next Brady Ervin, Noah Kaiser, Lonny Robinson, the Big Man (Al McCoy) & others when you need them?  Those dudes played some serious defense.  Dang near brought a tear to my eyes reminiscing about those days.   

Tonight's dilemma, a predicted low of -15.  Trudge over to the Shoe in the bitter wind & cold to watch the UST- AUG game, or, stay inside with the comforts of home, & watch the Gopher–Badger game on big screen TV, & watch the Dawgs & Cats on the webcast? 

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Awesome come-from-behind win tonight for the Tommies! They were trailing by 15 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first half and looking disoriented if not lost on the court. Then Erik Tengwall stepped up his game, dropping in 10 of his career-best 25 points in the closing minutes of the half to pull UST out of its daze and within five at the break. The team came out of the intermission on fire and inspired and their confidence seemed to grow with each tick of the clock....they stormed into the lead with Tengwall dropping in a trey with 17:18 left lifting them into the lead. From there, they kept the pressure on the Auggies, who sent UST to the free throw line far too often. The Toms took advantage of this, dropping in 25 FTs to cruise to an 82-70 win.

[miacsuperfan]

Two late WILL CALL Gopher tickets kept me from UST last night.  Too cold for Mom and Dad so junior got the tix.  Can't say I was disappointed as the game in the barn was pretty awesome.  The U will be tough to beat at home!

Looks like UST depth and second half pressure (and some nifty career scoring from Tengwall) made the difference. Not suprising that the Toms did not allow a second consecutive league loss.  When is the last time that happened, MM?   

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Two late WILL CALL Gopher tickets kept me from UST last night.  Too cold for Mom and Dad so junior got the tix.  Can't say I was disappointed as the game in the barn was pretty awesome.  The U will be tough to beat at home!

Looks like UST depth and second half pressure (and some nifty career scoring from Tengwall) made the difference. Not suprising that the Toms did not allow a second consecutive league loss.  When is the last time that happened, MM?   

In the 2004-05 season, UST lost four conference games including back-to-back losses ...Jan 28 2005 (91-93 @ Hamline) and Jan 31, 20015 (80-90 @ GAC).

UST finished 2nd (16-4), two games behinid GAC (18-2), and was also runner-up to GAC in th MIAC Playoffs.

2004-05 was the last season UST did not win the MIAC regular season title and also the last time they missed the NCAA.