MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SagatagSam]

The Johnnies dominate the second half en route to the win, a trip MIAC Championship Game, and a shot at their third consecutive MIAC Tournament Championship. This is the most successful period for SJU basketball since appearing in four consecutive MIAC Tournament Championship Games and winning three from the inception of the Tournament in 1985 through 1988.

Macalester becomes the first #6 seed to appear in the MIAC Championship Game in the history of the Tournament. Heretofore, the closest any #6 seed had come to the Championship game was Gustavus in 2015, who lost to St. Thomas, 83-79. All other #6 seeds lost to their semifinal opponents by double digits.

[SagatagSam]

I'll re-post my sentiments expressed on the football board here:

Macalester had the hot hand early and had some momentum in the first half.

Hats off to the Scots on making this an exciting game! Also, Macalester brought a solid following of fans to Collegeville. The place looked quite full, which was surprising given how Covid has towered over the season and, in my perception, suppressed attendance.

[SagatagSam]

The Johnnies join elite company with three consecutive MIAC Tournament Championships. SJU became the first team since St. Thomas from 2011-2013 to win three consecutive MIAC Tournament Championships. The Tommies hold the all-time record with four consecutive (2006-2009).

Gustavus won three consecutive MIAC Tournament Championships from 2003-2005, and from 1997-1999.

Total three-peats:
St. Thomas 2
Gustavus 2
Saint John's 1

[SagatagSam]

So.... selection show pushed to 12:45 p.m. ET, now?

[SagatagSam]

Johnnies headed to Platteville to play Calvin. SJU and Calvin have some common opponents in Hope College, and UW-Oshkosh.

Calvin was swept by Hope, 78-65 at home, 93-81 at Hope, and 76-68 at Hope in the MIAA Tournament Final.
The Johnnies lost to Hope, 62-58, at a neutral site (Bloomington, Illinois) all the way back in mid-November.

Calvin lost at UW-Oshkosh in the BSN Classic in Oshkosh at the end of December, 78-56.
The Johnnies lost to UW-Oshkosh at a neutral site (Bloomington, Illinois) in mid-November, 89-55.

Looking forward to the Tournament!

[Retired Old Rat]

Tough draw for the Johnnies.  If they get by Calvin, they likely face number 5 UW-Platteville.  They will definitely need to play better than they did against Mac.

Bo Ryan, former UW Madison coach, coached UW–Platteville to four national championships (1991, 1995, 1998 and 1999).

[SagatagSam]

Also, while we were focused on the brackets, SJU snuck into the D3hoops.com Top 25 at #24. That was nice to see.

[faunch]

Officials calling a lot of touchy fouls in the Calvin / SJU game.

[faunch]

The officials in the Johnnie game are a joke!

[faunch]

Johnnies struggled to shoot in the second half and too many touchy foul calls was the story of the game. Game had no flow. The refs wouldn't survive a season in the MIAC. I never thought breathing on an opponent was a foul.

[palum]

The officials in game 2 at Platteville let them play.  Which crew will show up tomorrow for the Platteville-St. John's game.

[faunch]

The officials in game 2 at Platteville let them play.  Which crew will show up tomorrow for the Platteville-St. John's game.

St. John's lost today.

[SagatagSam]

That was a tough game. I'm with you on the fouls, faunch. Let 'em play.

Looking ahead, the Johnnies presumably lose Binley, Codute, Hanson, and Rasmussen. I say presumably because they are all seniors this year, but I think all have extra eligibility because of COVID. Its hard for guys to come back for basketball because it requires two extra semesters (whereas football players only have to commit to an extra semester).

It's always tough to lose good guys like this.

But, I like what Pat McKenzie is doing. He's got this program in the best place it has been in a long time:
*3 consecutive MIAC Tournament Titles
*3 of the last four MIAC Regular Season Championships
*4 consecutive 20-win seasons
*4 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
*1 Sweet Sixteen

While I would have loved to see the Johnnies go further in the NCAA Tournament, this was a great season and things are trending upward. Go Johnnies!

[SagatagSam]

Here's a little side-by-side comparison of Pat McKenzie vs. Jim Smith through their first seven seasons:

Pat McKenzie (2015-2022)
Record: 137-37 (.787)
3 Regular Season MIAC Titles
Four National Tournament Appearances

Jim Smith (1964-1971)
Record: 93-80 (.538)
1 Regular Season MIAC Title
1 National Tournament Appearance

It's not fair to include MIAC Tournament titles because the conference didn't start an end-of-season tournament until 1985.

[Retired Old Rat]

This was Hanson's 5th year.


When Jim Smith started out at St. John's there were far fewer national tournament slots. 32 at most. And it was only NAIA, which I think included all teams that would be D2 and D3.


I do think McKenzie has done an outstanding job. NCAA tournament excluded.