MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[funbballer]

C...boy, either you're on something...or you're on to something; but I think it's a mighty stretch if you think your boy will win POY; so he had good numbers against GAC in one game and they still lost by a ton...what did he do "consistently" the rest of the time? No doubt Coach Trewick is working very hard to upgrade the program, but it's going to take a couple of very good recruiting classes to see the improvement.

Good luck!

(I think "you're on something!!")

[columbianmaffia]

everyone please take a moment and send mr. paulson an email or give him a phone call at rep.erik.paulsen@house.mn    651-296-7449. we need an on campus football stadium at the U of M and he says he doesnt want this to happen because there is not enough interest. i dont care if you watch football or not, or even if you like the U of M or not...please just take 2 minutes and write or call and leave a message that the gophers need to no longer in the embarrassment of college football aka the metrodome...please pass this on

[Cardinalboy]

Funballer..remember he is just a soph and he had to get his feet wet as a fresh. The one game was an example... but your right, I might be smokin something..But this is what I mean..first of all I need to correct my self on the previous stats..he only had 5 reb..but there was a 5 game span late in the year (at CC, at AU, Mac, BU, GAC) where he avg 15pts 4rebs. Obviously he must be more consistant and that could happen because of SMU guard play...The transfers that entered this year will make it easier for him because you won't be able to help off them as in years past..also lets face it..post players in this league is used for screen and sometimes rebounding thats it...It will be interesting to see how it all works out but....must continue to keep smokin 

[Willy Wonka]

MIACsuperfan - Hanson is friends with the coaching staff down at Luther, thus they play every year regardless of the talent level each team has. As much as 4-5 years ago, they were a legit IIAC conference contender with some VERY solid guards.

I was referring to GAC willingness to play Bueva Vista - the cream of the IIAC crop - each of the last 3-4 years, traveling to Carthage this winter break and then taking on top competition out in California and Hawaii. Year in and year out, GAC plays the top non-conference schedule in the league. Excluding Bethel of course 

[sju4life]

I still have to think that SJU has the toughest non-conference sschedule this year.  We have 4 div 2 schools on the schedule and a very good wisconsin river falls team from what ive been told.
On the note about SMu being a contender, i honestly feel that is a legit opinion.  Watching them play last year was very impressive, they were very young, tall and athletic.  I think they started 4 guys over the height of 6'3 and all were decent shooters and could get to the hoop.  i know they still have some work to do but they play hard and i think they are going to surprise a lot fo teams this year as will hamline.  I think its going to be a tough battle between the third through 6 place finishers this year!

[crazy_carl]

MIACsuperfan - Hanson is friends with the coaching staff down at Luther, thus they play every year regardless of the talent level each team has. As much as 4-5 years ago, they were a legit IIAC conference contender with some VERY solid guards.

I was referring to GAC willingness to play Bueva Vista - the cream of the IIAC crop - each of the last 3-4 years, traveling to Carthage this winter break and then taking on top competition out in California and Hawaii. Year in and year out, GAC plays the top non-conference schedule in the league. Excluding Bethel of course 

WW- I completely agree about Luther.  We scrimmaged them every year, and they were always a good preseason barometer for us. 

I would challenge you that Carleton plays a pretty formidable non-conference schedule year in and year out that could rival any in the MIAC (esp. Bethel).  Every other year the Knights face three D2 teams in Hawaii, and then on the off years, like this one, very formidable opponents like Aurora, U Chicago, and Lake Forest (always on the road). 

[funbballer]

C...boy, you're right in that he could become a very good post player in the MIAC. They just didn't have much to go with him last year, but if SMU is getting the good players as you described, maybe they'll be ready to make that big leap sooner than people think. 

[localcoach]

The posts are more frequent.  That can only mean we are days away from the start of another season of great MIAC basketball. 

There's a lot of talk about St. Mary's being much improved.  I can't help but agree, especially if the junior college recruits that were previously mentioned pan out.  I would think some of those players should be able to contribute at SMU right away. 

I talked to one of the Hamline coaches earlier this week and they are really excited about this year's team.  He told me that their goal is to finish in the top four of the MIAC. 

maffia - I would love to see an on-campus stadium at U of M, but I just can't see the right people at the high levels going for it. 

Which of you will be the first to post their revised pre-season rankings? 

[D3BBALLFAN]

LC, I keep hearing about Hamline bringing in a lot of recruits, but unless I am mistaken, they are all perimeter players.  Did they bring in an impact front court player that I am unaware of? They did not match up well in the front court with top teams last year and will need to address that to move up the ladder significantly. Perhaps they can challenge for a playoff spot, but I think top 4 is probably a reach.l

[SPLASH]

My Pre-season predictions

Standings

1. St. Thomas
2. GAC
3. Carleton
4. St. John's
5. Hamline
6. Macalester
7. Concordia
8. St. Mary's
9. Bethel
10. Augsburg
11. St. Olaf

By the way Macalester will beat Carleton in the first round of the playoffs this year.

POY - Somebody on St. Thomas
Actual best player in the league- Keith Eckhoff

[miacsuperfan]

hey, sju non-conference schedule actually does look pretty tough, although river falls will not be amongst the "tough" opponents.   i have heard that they will be below average at best.   gac's non-con schedule with morris, luther and bethany will be their weakest in recent memory.   bethel's with morris, martin luther, and finlandia will be weak as usual.   but will someone tell me what hamline is doing sheduling ndsu?   their point guard will have 30 turnovers! that could be a very demoralizing night for the pipes.   maybe tim miles and company will have mercy and hold down the carnage.   

[columbianmaffia]

im predicting an 11 way tie for first place all teams with a 10-10 record im so funny

just to show how much the school of carleton cares about their sports check this out...just a couple days before the season starts and they still have last years stuff up for key returning players and stuff on their website http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/?sport=252&module=content&id=313

[localcoach]

maffia - I did check out the Carleton site earlier this fall and they do have some new names on their roster.  I assume that the S.I.D. will update the team preview once the season begins.

superfan - You are right about UW-River Falls being down again this year.  A friend of mine coaches in that league and he told me last month that in his opinion, they will be near the bottom of the conference. 

I think that Bethel has a weaker non-conference schedule because they are in what some would term a rebuilding process this year. 

Regarding Hamline playing North Dakota State, why wouldn't you want to play a Division I school if you were an MIAC player?  I would think that the Hamline players are excited for the opportunity.  Plus, most of the NDSU roster is former Minnesota high school players, many of whom are either red-shirt freshmen or true freshmen.  I do however find it funny that people still get on Sam Wiener for what you term sloppy play.  While I agree that he struggled at points last season, we're talking about a player who finished second in the MIAC in assists and first in steals.  I would think that most coaches would take a few turnovers here or there if he makes up for them in other ways.

splash - I think it's appropriate that a former and recent MIAC player and graduate is first to post his pre-season predictions.  I think that SMU is the one team I would move up a little higher based on what I saw last season and what I have heard about their new players.

[crazy_carl]

My pre-season predictions:

1. St. Thomas (17-3) (wins tiebreak)
1. GAC (17-3)
3. Carleton (13-7)
4. Concordia (12-8)
5. Macalester (11-9)
6. St. John's (10-10) (wins tiebreak)
6. Hamline (10-10)
8. Bethel (9-11)
9. St. Mary's (6-14)
10. Augsburg (3-17)
11. St. Olaf (2-18)

This way, Splash, Carleton won't lost to Macalester in the first round.   

The key word this year is parity.  GAC and St. Thomas will probably build up a pretty significant lead over the rest of the conference, but I wouldn't be surprised if only four games end up separating teams 3-8.

I think it makes sense that Carleton hasn't updated the site yet.  It's hard to develop a season preview without knowing what you have with the incoming frosh.  It may be even more difficult as many of them are football players too, and will not be joining the team until that season ends.     

[localcoach]

I will follow the model used by carl.  Here are my pre-season predictions:

1) St. Thomas (17-3)
2) Gustavus (15-5)
3) Carleton (13-7)
4) Hamline (12-8)
5) St. John's (11-9)
6) Concordia (10-10)
7) Macalester (8-12)
    St. Mary's (8-12)
9) Bethel (7-13)
10) St. Olaf (5-15)
11) Augsburg (4-16)