MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Smitty Oom]

I have to give a shoutout to All-Star, who posts these brackets in the NE and East region conferences. But here is the MIAC bracket! Click to enlarge...

[Drake Palmer]

So, even though UST beat SMU by 13 it was 4 points with 5 minutes left. UST just had too much and SMU was both gassed [a few guys played 37+minutes] and youth and inexperience hurt SMU.

After seeing UST in person 3 times this year I would have to say that lack of size will hurt them. Bair hurt SMU in the paint [SMU is young and skinny] but I feel like unless UST shoots lights out and turn over SJU with their press, SJU has a leg up.

I'm biased but SMU will not only make playoffs next year they will win a game in said playoffs.

SMU will compete for 3rd in two seasons.

I'm thinking Bethel has a bit of momentum. Augsburg is struggling. I feel that if Bethel was playing UST they would have a chance to play SJU in the 'ship. Just don't think they can beat SJU. [If I am reading the bracket correctly].

Bethel & SJU
Augsburg & UST

UST & SJU

SJU.

Cav, whatever happened to Kareem Anthony Bello? He was a very promising Soph this year and disappeared after the first semester.  Injured, transferred, etc.?

[Cav-J]

So, even though UST beat SMU by 13 it was 4 points with 5 minutes left. UST just had too much and SMU was both gassed [a few guys played 37+minutes] and youth and inexperience hurt SMU.

After seeing UST in person 3 times this year I would have to say that lack of size will hurt them. Bair hurt SMU in the paint [SMU is young and skinny] but I feel like unless UST shoots lights out and turn over SJU with their press, SJU has a leg up.

I'm biased but SMU will not only make playoffs next year they will win a game in said playoffs.

SMU will compete for 3rd in two seasons.

I'm thinking Bethel has a bit of momentum. Augsburg is struggling. I feel that if Bethel was playing UST they would have a chance to play SJU in the 'ship. Just don't think they can beat SJU. [If I am reading the bracket correctly].

Bethel & SJU
Augsburg & UST

UST & SJU

SJU.

Cav, whatever happened to Kareem Anthony Bello? He was a very promising Soph this year and disappeared after the first semester.  Injured, transferred, etc.?

SMU lost two starters at semester [Anthony-Bello & Bailey] for non-injury reasons, but both are expected to be back and playing next season.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I feel that if Bethel was playing UST they would have a chance to play SJU in the 'ship. Just don't think they can beat SJU. [If I am reading the bracket correctly].

You are.  I like Bethel's chances vs SJU more than UST, but given that the game would be @ SJU, it'll be a tough road.  Bethel really controlled the game pretty well vs SJU in the victory at home earlier this year, but I don't like their chances on the road, playoffs, Stokman senior year....

SJU / UST championship should be a great atmosphere.

[Smitty Oom]

So, even though UST beat SMU by 13 it was 4 points with 5 minutes left. UST just had too much and SMU was both gassed [a few guys played 37+minutes] and youth and inexperience hurt SMU.

After seeing UST in person 3 times this year I would have to say that lack of size will hurt them. Bair hurt SMU in the paint [SMU is young and skinny] but I feel like unless UST shoots lights out and turn over SJU with their press, SJU has a leg up.

I'm biased but SMU will not only make playoffs next year they will win a game in said playoffs.

SMU will compete for 3rd in two seasons.

I'm thinking Bethel has a bit of momentum. Augsburg is struggling. I feel that if Bethel was playing UST they would have a chance to play SJU in the 'ship. Just don't think they can beat SJU. [If I am reading the bracket correctly].

Bethel & SJU
Augsburg & UST

UST & SJU

SJU.

Cav, whatever happened to Kareem Anthony Bello? He was a very promising Soph this year and disappeared after the first semester.  Injured, transferred, etc.?

SMU lost two starters at semester [Anthony-Bello & Bailey] for non-injury reasons, but both are expected to be back and playing next season.

Bailey also seemed to be talented and athletic with some potential. Those two back with Eli cave and the Cards might be on the rise. With that said, and the history of the program, it's always a maybe until they show up for practice next October. Maybe the new coaching staff will do a better job at retaining their good young players. Good prediction bball1122 and good info Cavs-J. .

[bball1122]

I believe the webcast said Carik was sick for Augsburg.  If that's the case, I'd assume he'll be back tonight.

While I'm bullish on the Cards next year, I'd be surprised by the return of both Bailey and KAB.  I feel like the percentage of guys that return from "leaving the team for non-injury reasons", whether it's academic, financial, or personal, is pretty low.  I wish them both the best, but I'm not sure I'd count on them being back.   Getting one back would be fantastic, both seems almost too good to hope for.   

Anyone with insider knowledge as to why the MIAC went away from staggering the men's and women's playoff games?   The past few years the women played Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, with the men playing Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, or vice versa.   Why play on the same nights?  It seems like doubleheaders would be a logistical nightmare for host schools and potentially to the visiting team of the nightcap.   Not sure I like the change.

[Pat Coleman]

Lots of conferences deal with the logistical challenges. Playing on Sunday can be a detriment to the team which loses the conference final, because in most cases the committee has already done its first draft of the bracket. A team which loses on Sunday doesn't always get the very best and fullest consideration of the committee.

[Smitty Oom]

Lots of conferences deal with the logistical challenges. Playing on Sunday can be a detriment to the team which loses the conference final, because in most cases the committee has already done its first draft of the bracket. A team which loses on Sunday doesn't always get the very best and fullest consideration of the committee.

Do you think/know that the MIAC made this change due to what you laid out above? Or is it just a positive side effect and the conference changed for other reasons?

[bball1122]

Lots of conferences deal with the logistical challenges. Playing on Sunday can be a detriment to the team which loses the conference final, because in most cases the committee has already done its first draft of the bracket. A team which loses on Sunday doesn't always get the very best and fullest consideration of the committee.

Not to be difficult, but isn't it the committee's job to give every team the fullest?   I get that it's a time crunch, but can't they have a few scenarios prepared?  Seems unfair to potentially deserving teams that have no control over scheduling.  I guess if this is the reasoning for the change by the MIAC, I find it disappointing and, frankly, lazy by the committee. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not sure why they don't just put a time limit on it.  Pool A bids must be submitted by conferences by 2pm eastern on the final Sunday - something like that.  It's not just one, there's something like 12 conferences with Sunday finals.  That's an awful lot of moving parts.

[Pat Coleman]

Lots of conferences deal with the logistical challenges. Playing on Sunday can be a detriment to the team which loses the conference final, because in most cases the committee has already done its first draft of the bracket. A team which loses on Sunday doesn't always get the very best and fullest consideration of the committee.

Not to be difficult, but isn't it the committee's job to give every team the fullest?   I get that it's a time crunch, but can't they have a few scenarios prepared?  Seems unfair to potentially deserving teams that have no control over scheduling.  I guess if this is the reasoning for the change by the MIAC, I find it disappointing and, frankly, lazy by the committee.

Sure, it's their job, but most jobs are done better when given more time. With a dozen title games on Sunday, "a few scenarios" doesn't even come close to covering it.

[bball1122]

Apparently one negative comment about the committee and the -K comes out.    Yikes.   I guess I just don't feel like asking them to give each team still playing on Sunday a fair, thorough look is too much. 

[SaintPaulite]

Lots of conferences deal with the logistical challenges. Playing on Sunday can be a detriment to the team which loses the conference final, because in most cases the committee has already done its first draft of the bracket. A team which loses on Sunday doesn't always get the very best and fullest consideration of the committee.

Not to be difficult, but isn't it the committee's job to give every team the fullest?   I get that it's a time crunch, but can't they have a few scenarios prepared?  Seems unfair to potentially deserving teams that have no control over scheduling.  I guess if this is the reasoning for the change by the MIAC, I find it disappointing and, frankly, lazy by the committee.

Totally agree with this, and not sure I agree that it matters.

You've got a whole day. The selection show isn't until Monday noon. If the committee does something like what I've done in the Pool C thread, it shouldn't be that tough to adjust.

Given that they have months to figure this out and NCAA basketball is literally their job, I think they probably have less trouble in this regard than people that do a bracket in their spare time on a Sunday night on youtube.

And if that's not the case, then yes, it's lazy and poor organization. I'd be happy to provide some scenario planning consulting services if that's the case.

[Smitty Oom]

Booker Collins last couple of 3s... wow.

Also, bball1122, gave you a +k, think they are good questions and you asked very much in an inquisitive way, not condescending.

[bball1122]

Korba answers with one of his own!   This is fun!