MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

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.

It seems this year's version of the Tommies is trying to give o'l Mose some acid reflux to go along with some cardio concerns. 
Tough loss for the Dawgs as they shot 66.7% from the field only to fall 82-70 to UST.   Career scoring night from Eric Tengwall, 25 pts, saves the Tommies hide.

[Drake Palmer]

Palmer Half Yearly All Conference Team

Dan Kornbaum – Augsburg
Noah Veach – Augsburg

Brycen Wojta – Bethel
Taylor Hanson – Carleton

Dior Ford – Hamline
Patrick Butcher – St. Johns

Connor Gunderson – St. Olaf
Sterling Nielsen – St. Olaf

Zach Riedeman – St. Thomas
Eric Tengwall –St. Thomas 

[Kilroy]

Caught Bethel/SMU last night. First time I had ever been to Bethel... it's a nice campus. Buttenhoff was unstoppable for the Royals, shooting 14-18 (!!!) for 30 points. Big, 6-foot-3 kid who is a classic MIAC undersized bruiser like Polka (AUG) and Jonker (CAR). Crazy efficiency. Wojta continues to impress, I have to admit that I never predicted this kind of production when he was at Maple Grove. There was a young 6-9 post and an athletic 6-5 forward who both stole the show at MG when I saw them last year. Wojta looks very confident with the ball and can play in a league normally known for its upperclassmen. Shout out to NHR intern/Bethel guard Jared Nelson.

SMU has a nice young group. Ortiz provides a spark, Ferron is strong and skilled and Bakari Collins came off the bench to cash 4 from deep. Soph Will Swiggum is athletic and has lots of potential. Tough to win games with zero seniors and four juniors.

In the recruiting world SMU was runner-up in the Nick Shanks sweepstakes (eventually accepted a scholarship from Winona St.), TC Robinson (Spring Lake Park) is considered a heavy Hamline lean, Jake Maiers (Shakopee) is still deciding between Gustavus and SW State, and Augsburg, St. Olaf and Carleton all have a shot at stud forward Jacob Schaefer (Roch Lourdes). Some highly ranked kids considering joining the Tommies include Michael Gorder (Eagan), Charlie Koontz (Holy Angels) and Riley Sharbono (Marshall).

[GoldandBlueBU]

Palmer Half Yearly All Conference Team

Dan Kornbaum – Augsburg

The only time that I've watched him play was in their game against BU, so my sample size is limited, but he was very impressive in that game.  A lot of times big guys will struggle to get going against a zone defense, but he was dominant, particularly in the second half.  Probably credit to his teammates as well for getting him the ball where he could be successful, but he was extremely effective in breaking BU's interior defense down.

Caught Bethel/SMU last night. First time I had ever been to Bethel... it's a nice campus. Buttenhoff was unstoppable for the Royals, shooting 14-18 (!!!) for 30 points. Big, 6-foot-3 kid who is a classic MIAC undersized bruiser like Polka (AUG) and Jonker (CAR). Crazy efficiency.

Efficiency is a great way to describe Butenhoff's game.  I love the way he goes so hard, and never quits on anything.  For a 6'3 post player, he gets everything he can out of his 255 lb. frame.  Against a team like SMU, who didn't have any size inside, he's virtually unstoppable if he gets the ball around the hoop, because he's able to simply muscle his way to the bucket.  Different story vs. teams with height, like the Auggies.

[Kilroy]

Is Butenhoff a football guy? Looks like he would be an ideal size for several positions.

Side note, what's the story with those Bethel fans? They did a good job of irritating me wished I had headphones or something.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Is Butenhoff a football guy? Looks like he would be an ideal size for several positions.

Side note, what's the story with those Bethel fans? They did a good job of irritating me wished I had headphones or something.

Butenhoff was an all conference first team d-lineman for the Royals.  Better football player than a basketball player, IMO, simply because his all out effort lends itself to his position in football more than it does to the basketball court.

[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?   

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.

That is pretty ridiculous.   At some point this has to come to a stop, don't you think?   Even Boston in the NBA eventually stopped winning every year.   

I agree with the Butenoff comments today, he is a beast.  Doesn't really look like a baller, but he can play. 

Drake, your mid-season team looks good.  My boy Connor Gunderson has had a couple of decent outings lately.  I look for him to continue clipping along at that 17-18 ppg clip than his earlier 12-13.   

[jimhoops1234]

Kilroy - isn't it just tough to win at SMU in general? And GAC isn't much older yet are competing quite well.

Also, in recruiting is it really something to get excited about when finishing a supposed second for a player? Like Ricky Bobby said "second place is first loser". Second or tenth you're in the same spot. I bet no team was excited and tweeting about finishing second in the Tyus or Reid Travis sweepstakes.

Drake - thanks for filling in the gaps and keeping the board alive.

Also - Carleton has the fewest fouls in d3 this year.  Next closest team has 12 more fouls...and has played four fewer games.  Next closest team with the same # of games played has 32 more fouls.

[carletonsid]

Kilroy - isn't it just tough to win at SMU in general? And GAC isn't much older yet are competing quite well.

Also, in recruiting is it really something to get excited about when finishing a supposed second for a player? Like Ricky Bobby said "second place is first loser". Second or tenth you're in the same spot. I bet no team was excited and tweeting about finishing second in the Tyus or Reid Travis sweepstakes.

Drake - thanks for filling in the gaps and keeping the board alive.

Also - Carleton has the fewest fouls in d3 this year.  Next closest team has 12 more fouls...and has played four fewer games.  Next closest team with the same # of games played has 32 more fouls.

As someone who recruits (women's golf) I agree you don't really finish second - there's one winner and just a bunch of "non-winners." A kid likely tells many coaches "I chose X, but you were my second choice." 

If you watched any of the Carleton-St. Olaf game, I thought the Knights did an excellent job on the defensive interior of making St. Olaf try to finish over the top of defenders without fouling. The Knights stress this and with as much dribble penetration that takes place in offenses these days, being able to make offensive players convert those layups against solid defense is a great tactic. Carleton has ranked at the top of D3 in least fouls per game many times over the last 10 years, and they typically rank as one of the better defensive units in the conference. If you're into the Four Factors, St. Olaf's FT rate was 5.5% on Wednesday. It really kept the Knights in the game because the Knights' turnover rate was about 30%.

[Drake Palmer]

In non-basketball related news, a special shout out to former Gustavus tennis great, Eric Butorac.

The unseeded team of Butorac and doubles partner Raven Klaasen lost in the Australian Open doubles finals to Robert Lindstedt and Lukasz Kubot, 6-3, 6-3.  On the way to the final they knocked off the legendary, #1 ranked Bryan brothers team, as well as the Patrick Rafter & Lleyton Hewitt doubles team.  It would have been great to see him win it, but this was no small feat he & his partner accomplished.

Now back to MIAC hoops.  I wasn't up for a frigid drive down to N-field today, so I'm curling up on the recliner with a bowl of popcorn, Dawgie Kool-aid, & Ole lemonade to watch the Dawgs & Oles square off this afternoon. 

[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?   

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.

That is pretty ridiculous.   At some point this has to come to a stop, don't you think?   Even Boston in the NBA eventually stopped winning every year.   

I agree with the Butenoff comments today, he is a beast.  Doesn't really look like a baller, but he can play. 

Drake, your mid-season team looks good.  My boy Connor Gunderson has had a couple of decent outings lately.  I look for him to continue clipping along at that 17-18 ppg clip than his earlier 12-13.   

Connor Gunderson has been reading this board.....12 of 13 from the field  9 rebounds 6 assists  26 points  29 minutes.
Not a bad day at the office for my boy   The Oles KICK the always tough Dawgs 83-63. 

[Kilroy]

Kilroy - isn't it just tough to win at SMU in general? And GAC isn't much older yet are competing quite well.

Definitely. The hoops team has taken a lot of bruises over the years. I'm not sure they've made the playoffs since I've been alive.

Edit: It's worth noting that they have had some talented teams. The squad from 2010-2011 started the season 8-1 and had a fantastic trio in Will Wright/Lukas Holland/Chris Palmer. I know recruiting extraordinaire Bob Biebel had a good team around 1999-2000 as well. I truly believe it can be done!

Saw Carleton assistant Ryan Kershaw at Armstrong/Champlin on Friday, probably checking in on commit Ryan Casperson. 6-4 bruiser, a lot of MIACs wanted him.

St. Thomas spoke with Champlin PF Brennan Witt after the game. Witt is now widely considered a D2 prospect after a big stock-raising summer.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Kilroy - isn't it just tough to win at SMU in general? And GAC isn't much older yet are competing quite well.

Definitely. The hoops team has taken a lot of bruises over the years. I'm not sure they've made the playoffs since I've been alive.

Saw Carleton assistant Ryan Kershaw at Armstrong/Champlin on Friday, probably checking in on commit Ryan Casperson. 6-4 bruiser, a lot of MIACs wanted him.

St. Thomas spoke with Champlin PF Brennan Witt after the game. Witt is now widely considered a D2 prospect after a big stock-raising summer.

SMU made the Playoffs in the inaugural season (1985) as the 3-seed and haven't made it since then. Their streak of 28 is the longest, followed by Mac's 8-year absence. ALL of the other 9 schools have made the Playoffs at least once in the past 3 seasons. How's that for parity? 

additional useless and meaningless MIAC Playoff trivia: Augsburg, Hamline, SMU, Mac  and St Olaf have never won the playoffs and Concordia and Bethel have not won it in the current 6-team format. Olaf and SMU have never reached the title game; Hamline played in the first title game (none since), Mac finished 2nd in 2004, and Auggie has runner-up finishes in 1999 & 2013.

This could be the year the Oles get the playoff monkey off their backs. They impressed me greatly when they nearly knocked off UST at the Shoe II and impressed me even more yesterday as they hammered Augsburg. They shot extremely well throughout the game, battled well on the boards holding their own and committed only 4 turnovers. They have a nicely balanced attack and a deep rotation. They have my Inner Tommie VERY nervous and concerned.

[Drake Palmer]

Interesting developments in MIAC land over the last few days.  I think the clear powers of the league appear to be St. Thomas & St. Olaf.  Breathing right down their necks are Augsburg & St. Johns. At this time I would give Augsburg a slight advantage over the Jays based on winning the first game of the season against SJU 75-71.

But the injury plagued Johnnies finally seem to be on the mend & are currently riding a 4 game win streak. I could see them extending their streak for 2 or 3 more games.  The Jays have games at Bethel, @ Gustavus, & home to Augsburg.  I would not be surprised to see the Johnnies win those games to set up the big game on Saturday 2/8 against the hottest team in the league - St. Olaf. 

The Oles, Jays, & Tommies are the deepest teams in the league, & their depth & talent is starting to create some separation from the rest of the league.

My guess is that UST, STO, AUG, & SJU will comprise the top four finishers in the final league standings, with Bethel, Gustavus, Carleton fighting it out for the last two playoff spots. 

Gustavus looks to be a bit young with not enough skilled playmakers to make a difference. They seemed to have floundered with the loss of Isaac Tapp who might have been the most athletic player on the team.

In spite of Brycen Wojta's talent, Bethel is too young & short.

Carleton has a very short bench without consistent outside shooting & a star type player to carry them – Scott Theisen, Jeremy Sutherland, Dan Forkrud etc.

The Cobbs & Pipes have outside shots at the playoffs but it's going to be a steep climb.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

http://www.miacathletics.com/news_links/features/2013-14/013114_kornbaum_poe