MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[miacwatchmen]

jdowney-  Eckoff is a good player but there is no way he would start for most D-I teams. HE is a little undersized. If he is so good why isnt he playing there now. D-III is for people that are undersized. Most of them have talent but not enough to go D-I. In rare cases there are people playing D-III athletics that could or should play up one if not two levels. Keith is a solid player and i think he could make an impact at a D-II college for sure but D-I might be stretching it

[miacwatchmen]

Eckoff at 6'3'' and 185 could give up 2''to 4'' and at least 20 lbs. He is a great shooter and a great all around player but that is why they are playing D-I and he is playing D-III size is key

[D3BBALLFAN]

Wow. Just noticed the national D3 pre-season coaches poll and see Gusties ranked in Top 20 receiving 160+ votes versus 1 vote for the Tommies. I know Gustavus has a national reputation based on recent performance, but this  pre-season poll voting differential is rediculous.

[crazy_carl]

D3BBALLFAN- I agree with you that St. Thomas is deserving of more recognition, but I think that is part of why it is the pre-season poll.  At the D3 level (and with the lack of coverage of D3 basketball aside from this site), it is hard for any one person or small group (25) of people to have a grasp of more than a fraction of all the programs.  Because of that, the thought process of most observers may revert back to what specific teams did in 2004-2005.  Pat Coleman (and others) made great observations about the nature of a pre-season poll here: http://www.d3hoops.com/dailydose/?p=66

[D3BBALLFAN]

Thanks for the feedback and the link CC. It was nice to see the faverable comments made concerning the quality of this MIAC board by Mr. Sager in response to Coleman's D3 poll comments.

[SPLASH]

jdowney- I 2nd miacwatchmen and have to disagree with the idea that BVT, Nelson, Espenson, Eckhoff and myself would be a tough D1 team. Personally, I am very confident in my basketball ability, but realistically I would not have been a good D1 player. I am not tall enough or strong enough to do the things I did playing d3 at the D1 level. In general I believe that the best d3 players are as skilled as most d1 players but being a few inches shorter, 15 pounds lighter, and a step slower makes a big difference.

Good link by CC. Obviously pre-season polls are not very accurate and who cares anyway?

Mac will definitely lose its first game of the season. I'm not talking about the game against Furman, but the Mac alumni game in two weeks. It is going to be a slaughter!

[miacsuperfan]

Splash's comments are right on.   BVT was likely the only kid I have seen in this league in recent memory (George and Joldersma go back too far) that was a good D1 calibre player (potentially.)    Jackson, Espenson, T. Jones, Eckhoff, were all nice players and made their teams much better---but D1?   No.     D2?   Absolutely.
If you look at the teams that have done well in the MIAC over the last 10 years, it has always been those teams that have had 1 (or sometimes 2) players on the roster that could have played and in many cases  could have played well at the D2 level.   Along with a supporting cast of good D3 players, that seems to be the formula for success.    And of course getting player's styles to mesh is the ultimate challenge.

[SofaKing]

well guys I really do see your point and I also understand that you obviously dont see D1 guys everyday and are still in awe by them. I happen to live with Blake Stepp and Cory Violette, so I get to see NBA potential guys. There really is not that much difference. You would all be suprised. I play with the team and my roomates all the time and I am no longer in shape and I can still hang wiht them and hav enever felt like I am in over my head. I am telling you that aside from a big inside, the team I listed would compete in most D1 conferences. I would say they would be a solid mid major. I bet Keith would start for us. I cannot say my reasonings so that I dont get in trouble but he would.

Enough of that though. It is an ongoing argument. 

[Russian Mig AK47]

Miacsuperfan- you saved yourself by saying "likely" the only D1 caliber athlete in referring to BVT.  Mark Buri is the best player to play in the MIAC since George left.  Perhaps he is also too distant, but at 4 years removed and having played 2 years against BVT I would doubt it.  He would have been a big time player at a big time program, enough said.

[miacsuperfan]

AK47
mark buri's omission from my last  post was irresponsible and inexcusable.     not only do i agree with you about him being the best player since d. george, but he was also my favorite player to watch--and i was no st. thomas fan.  he could flat out play, and had moves that i have not seen in this league ever since.   he also got every call in the book; i think the officials liked him too.

[columbianmaffia]

i see the end of the gophers mens practice just about every day...i agree with splash...they are a half step quicker and can take off a running step farther out and put it home nasty style they dont need to lay it in like in D3 not to mention when they are in the open court their speed is amazing...i think that D3 players are technically more sound but the athleticism and strength is too much...plus many times in basketball you play down to the level of your opponent which may be why jdowny can "hang" with the big boys...i dont know how good he is though and i have never watched him play so i cant comment on his game really...but really would you rather "hang" with a team or win....thats my 6.38  cents

[big_shocker]

Just a quick reminder from the pre-season rankings:

The season after GAC went to the national championship game, they started the season ranked #2. They then proceeded to lose the season opener at home to Luther, hardly supporting their ranking of second best in the land.

My point is that much of the rankings is based off of last season, and that it only comes down to what happens in the actual season.

[funbballer]

What updates are people hearing on the tryouts at SJU, Bethel, HU? Are most rosters set?

[localcoach]

I spoke with one of the Hamline coaches yesterday about their scrimmage with Minnesota-State Mankato and for the most part he was excited about what they were able to accomplish.  He said that Kyle Foster is setting himself up for a big season and that Sam Wiener and freshman Jon DeRock are going to make up quite an impressive backcourt.

He also said that Mankato should be very good this year.  Junior college point guard Paris Kyles looked very good as did the other star guard for the Mavericks, Luke Anderson.

[miacwatchmen]

Sounds like the SJU starting lineup is close to set...... only one maybe two positions are still up in the air.