MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[D3BBALLFAN]

No question that Carleton has 3 solid players returning. The loss of Beste and Baquaro, however,  represents a lot of missing offensive firepower. Can Carleton put enough offensive weapons on the court to keep teams from focusing on Forkrud and Drake? I believe this will be the key to there success. Health will also be a big factor for Carleton given their lack of upperclassmen depth. Although there are questions, if things fall into place, they can compete with anyone except St. Thomas. The league is so balanced that picking spots 2-8 in the league this year is a crap shoot.

[tjones33]

Its gonna be fun to join this site.  Ive always read the posts but never posted anything myself.  I think many of you are underestimating Bethel this year.  Many of you have them at the bottom this year.  I think they have a good shot to sneak into the 5 or 6 spot this year.  It seems like whenever a team loses some players, another player steps up to fit the bill.  They just need one or 2 guys to step up this year and take the leadership role.  I think I read a post a couple pages ago by Bethel Guy asking if we got any recruits this year...Bethel had one of its best recruiting classes in many years this past off-season.  Maybe a couple impact freshman but we will just have to wait and see.  A point gaurd and a center that should see some time this year.(Trying not to say names.)  I have to spill the beans about Tim Madson this year though.  He is going to be a shophmore this year and was hurt all of his freshman year.  He is going to be one of Bethels best players, the kid can just flat our score.  I dont know if anyone of you remember Joe Madson a few years back, but this is his younger brother.  There isnt anything this kid cant do.  Look for Madson, Steve Strom, and Matt Fredrickson to do the bulk of Bethels scoring while Trent Perry will be gaurding the apponents best player.  If Bethel can hold teams to one shot this year, I think we will be okay.

[columbianmaffia]

tommy drake is money...i dont expect CAR to be able to shoot as well as they did from the outside last year but they should still have some solid shooters...i think this year we will see phillips true ability to shoot the 3 ball...hes pretty good...lot will depend on how much the freshmen can improve from their summer leauge play to either step in the starting line up or make the bench solid

[Drake Palmer]

You know the season is getting close when you have to scroll through two pages of posts from the same day to get to the most current message.

Welcome aboard TJones33.  If the FY pg I believe you're referring to is Corey Laugen from Monticello, I think the Royals may have picked up a potential 4 year starter.  If he can successfully handle the transition from high school to college, I think he could have a nice career ahead of him.  IMO, Bethel will be competitive, & have some quality guard-wing combo players, but they aren't going to have the size to handle the league's better inside players.  Strom, Fredrickson, Perry et al all seem to go about 6-1 to 6-3 or so.  Without their MIAC's 2 time All MIAC defensive team selection patrolling the middle, Bethel's post defense is going to be suspect.    Meadowcroft at 6-5 has decent size but he's about it.  The Cook brothers have got the size, but appear to be a bit slow afoot to handle some of the more athletic players they'll have to guard.

At Carleton, I believe their challenge is just the opposite.  They've got top notch post players with the likes of Forkrud, Drake, & FY player Zach Johnson, but not enough firepower out on the perimeter.   Drake can be a combo inside-outside threat player ala Espo from Gustavus, but what I've seen of Johnson's game tells me his best scoring options are going to come from inside.  On the wing, both Phillips & Kootsikas are PG type players & are not dangerous perimeter threats.  FY Jay Melson from Park will bring some bounce in his step & alot of athleticism to the wing spot, but he's not a real outside threat at this time either, & is more of a slasher.  

IMO, if you could merge Bethel & Carleton's squads you would have a real serious contender to the throne.  So like everyone else my pre-season pick is on UST, but it should be very interesting to see which schools will step up & give them a run for the money.  You know GAC will be there, & Carleton & Cord should also be in the playoff picture, but then everything else will get real topsy turvy.  The entire conference race will be fun to watch unfold, but of special interest for me will be:

SJU - has Coach Smith been drinking from the Gagliardi & Joe Paterno fountain of youth & returned to the days of yesteryear? Sounds like he's got a rat pack load of talent coming in.

Hamline - Does all the new (mostly perimeter) talent along with returnees translate into a winning season for the Pipers? Or do they become Augsburg East?

Augsburg - What's going to be Coach Griess's stamp on the program?

SMU - Supposedly upgraded talent all around, yet rebuilding year #?

[localcoach]

Wow, there is alot of discussion on a number of topics today.

I wanted to comment on a couple of things.  tjones, I believe that while the Royals are capable of finishing in the MIAC's top six, I think it will be tough, as they lost over 40% of their offensive output in Gilbert and Jones.  Not to mention that those two also were the team's two leading rebounders.  They will be very tough to replace, and as Drake said they will have issues on the interior.

The other issue I wanted to bring to the table and get other people's feedback on concerns posters saying that it will be a shock if UST loses one or more conference games this year.  I had some time this morning and I looked up a couple of statistics.  Last year the Tommies lost 4 conferences games (to GAC, Concordia, Carleton, and Hamline) They lost their leading scorer in Neal Anderson, who was also one of the team's best shooters from 3-point range.  I know they added Mr. Keating and just for argument's sake I looked up his statistics from last year at St. Michael's.  He averaged the same ppg that Anderson did and his shooting percentages were much lower.  However he will be a better rebounder, that much I remember about him.

My point is this.  If the Tommies lost 4 conference games last season and are essentially the same team, why is it that many of the posters on this board believe they will go undefeated?  Just curious?

I also noticed that on the St. Michael's athletic website is said that Keating was a junior last year.  Does that mean he has only one year at UST?  Anyone?

Drake - I know that everyone has said Hamline only brought in perimeter help, but I did see David Johnson play once last year in an all-star game and he sure looked like someone who will play inside for the Pipers.  According to their press release, David was an all-state player who averaged over 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game.  When you add him in with Charley Good, who will be a senior and has some things to prove this season and Kyle Foster I think the Pipers will be better inside then some are giving them credit for. 

[Drake Palmer]

LC - I for one would seriously doubt that UST goes undefeated.  Good question about the Keating eligibility issue though.  Technically, he's a senior, but I know he did use a medical redshirt one year.  I haven't been to enough Cretin/UST football games this year to get the scoop on what he has decided to do both athletically & academically.

No offense to Neal Anderson, but Mike Keating is a stud. He boards, shoots, plays defense, finds the open man, & has a great passion for the game.  He's an Espenson type player, he makes his teammates better. If he's fully recovered from his injuries look out.

LC - Note I did say "mostly perimeter talent" in my comment about Hamline.  My reports I've heard about Johnson from New London Spicer is that yes he is a very tough post player, & DeRock is going to be a strong, quick, physical 2G.  However, the other recruits like Nate Heussner are noted more for their ability to fill it up from the outside.  And Hamline certainly did need to improve this dimension of their game.

As far as Hamline's returning post players, I really like Charlie Goode's game a lot. He's got good moves in the post & seems to be a more than adequate defender. Foster's athletic, but less polished than Goode, & he appears to be a bit of a hot head.

I realize last year everyone was becoming familiar with each other & a new coaching staff, but I never got a sense of any lineup consistency.  From game to game throughout the season you would never know which players would show up on the floor for the Pipers.  I know injuries played a part in the various line up changes, but it seemed the coaches didn't allow the players to get too comfortable, or know their roles on the team.  Just my outsider's opinion, take it for what it's worth.

[tjones33]

Yes I realize that Tim and I did do a lot of the scoring and rebounding but I think a lot of the points and boards can be made up elsewhere.  The scoring will be more spread out this year.  What Bethel really needs is someone who can create shots for other people this year.  That is a big part of what Bethel lost last year.  Bethel has a lot of good shooters, but someone has to be able to get them the ball.  If a couple people develop and fill that role, it will be a big part of BC's success.  You make a good point about the interior defence hurting though.  The exterior defence took a pop in the mouth as well, Tim was a very underrated defender.  Another large part of their success will depend on thier ability to keep the ball in their own hands.  Eliminating turnovers might be an issue for Bethel this year considering Gilbert did such a great job handling the ball last year.  If Corey does get a chance this year(which I think he will) he will need to slow down the game in his mind because the pace of the game is so much faster in college.  Wade B. has some sticky fingers though so I am not too worried about him turning the ball over.  I personally am pumped for the season because i have NO IDEA whats gonna happen.  Other than St. Thomas and maybe GAC, things are wide open.

[localcoach]

Welcome Travis Jones!    It's great to now have two former MIAC standouts contributing to the board.

Drake - I enjoy our back and forth conversations.   

I don't know about the whole redshirt rule.  I would think Mr. Keating would have only one year remaining?  Where are you when we need your expertise TH4LIFE?

As far as Hamline goes, I hear what you're saying and I cannot argue with many of the points that you made.  Like I said, it sounds like David Johnson and Jon DeRock will have the biggest chance of the freshmen to make an impact for the Pipers.  I can tell you that the coaches talked about possibly playing DeRock and Sam Wiener together.  You also made an excellent point about Mr. Foster.  Kyle will need to keep his emotions in check if he's going to be a big factor for Hamline.  I think the talent is there, but it doesn't do much good if you are on the bench.  I can't speak much to your comments about the rotation.  I agree that Coach Wohler started a lot of different combinations last season.  Hopefully that will change this year because you are right when you say it affects team continuity.

[Willy Wonka]

TH4L is taking pictures for me tonight in the classic battle betwixt Northfield and Red Wing. He will then be taking pictures for me at the True Team Section swim meet on Saturday. Obviously, he is too busy to answer any of our questions

LMNC - Hmmm...let's look at some clues. A new poster starts talking about Bethel. He posts as tjones33. His email is jontra@bethel.edu...did you really need him to tell you who he was?  Anyway, welcome aboard TJ.

As a continuation of the fundraising event...apparently it was a OT/double OT (?) affair won by the alums/semi-pros. They raised nearly 3k to send down south. Perhaps the MIAC should consider hosting a fundraising all-conference game at the end of the season to raise more money? Hold it in the cities and I bet you might draw a decent crowd. Koz and Wohler can coach and it will be the first time they can't play 15 guys a night

[D3BBALLFAN]

LC, I'll take a stab at responding to you concerning STU's strength. They can put 5 legitimate scoring threats on the floor at one time. All five of their starters are legitimate potential all conference candidates. No other MIAC team has anywhere near that kind of talent. While most other MIAC teams are relying on some first year players to contribute, the best freshmen will be lucky to make the roster or get a few minutes this year at STU. Although 1 loss may a bit optimistic, if I was their coach I would be disappointed in more than 2 losses with the talent and experience on that squad. If they share the ball and play defense, they will be very difficult to beat.

[crazy_carl]

Willy, if there are two former MIAC standouts contributing to the board, what does that make us? 

[Drake Palmer]

Willy, if there are two former MIAC standouts contributing to the board, what does that make us?

I don't know about anyone else, but in my book you two are "solid", the "salt of the earth", the "cream of the crop" & the "backbone of this board".  Besides, you two both love the alliterative screen names -  W.W. & C.C.   Willy's parents went for the same effect with his real name too I guess.   Hard to beat that winning combination!

 

[TommieHoops4Life]

LC,

As Willy said, I'm a little busy running a newspaper here. I'll be at the Northfield/Red Wing football game in less than an hour and swimming tomorrow. So in advance, I apologize if I don't appear often, work keeps me busy. As far as Keating goes, I would have to say that if he got a medical redshirt, then he should have two years of eligibility, but like another poster noted, that depends on his academic intentions also. If he pulls another Anderson and picks up more classes, then he'll get more eligibility. I just don't know right now what he has left, but my guess would be two years. WW, I'll email you the RW football photo tonight when I get back from the game, and your swimming photo sometime Sunday afternoon/evening.

[columbianmaffia]

sorry but this is just way too tempting


kyle foster = not good at basketball

i believe last season one of the reasons we said hamline was not good and wont be was because they get players like foster

[megalomaniac]

Keating has two years of eligibility left, and intends on being fully enrolled for both years. No question, nothing is up in the air there. So, to answer the question, Mike Keating will be wearing purple next year as well, helping the Tommies take back to back crowns in the MIAC (bold 2006 prediction  ).

UST might not lose 4 games this ENTIRE year, let alone 4 in the conference. For Local Coach to allude to the fact that this year's team is essentially the same as last year's is laughable. Statistically speaking, Anderson and Keating might be close in PPG but that is the end of their similarities. Keating brings the total package to the table, and is a matchup problem for everyone in the conference with the possible exception of Tommy Drake. Rosefelt and Shimek will dominate the post all season long, Schnettler will be leading the country in 3 PT %, and Sweeney will keep the ship steady with veteran savvy at the point. Toss in strong bench play, and youre looking at a team that will be making noise on the NATIONAL scene-forget just the MIAC.

P.S. Keating isnt the only transfer at UST this year. You all will be interested to hear about the latest addition to the Tommie crew when rosters come out later this month. Im sure this one will cause a bit of a stir.