MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[shocker]

I guess BS and I are nearing mainstream acceptance:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep09.html

[kel_varnsen]

This afternoon's Gustie Alumni game reminded me of how much I love Gustie hoops. For me, there were as many new faces on the current team as the alumni. I'd never seen Luke Schmidt play before, and I now know completely why I'd heard his name before. Wow! Adam Thorson had me thinking he was finally ready to compete at the varsity level until a lackluster second half proved that he's still Adam Thorson. Wahlberg can still score, but unforunately, he can no longer dunk at will on an entire defense. Chad Henke. Need I say more? CHENKE!!!

Who new that a mild-mannered small-town sports writer is also an MVP-caliber basketball player? The man, myth, and legend displayed several of his trademark plays today. On his first play in the game, he intercepted a pass. Later, his hustle prevented an errant pass from going out of bounds. As he was falling over the line, he fired a perfect pass to a teammate cutting to the basket for a lay-up. Later, he threw a touchdown pass to break the press.

All around, it was great fun to watch every one of these guys play again.

[pacific rim]

How did the current gusties look.  who looked like the most valid second option offensively?

[megalomaniac]

PR
In regards to your question about what other tough non conference games there are this season, you allude to the fact that UST is playing a couple WIAC schools. Aside from the Wooster Tournament (UW-Stout) and UWRF Tournament (UW-River Falls), the Tommies have a Dec 21st contest against UW-La Crosse. Should be a very interesting matchup, and a good game. UWL has a very solid squad, led by first team All-WIAC Joe Werner (athletic 6'7"). Their style of play is like a hybrid of Bethel and St Johns-full defensive pressure and lots of 3 pt attempts, but doing slow in a slow paced, screen heavy offense focused on a strong post presence. Good defensive test for UST. As a fan of both leagues, Id like to see more MIAC-WIAC matchups, though I know travel cost makes them rather hard to do. At the end of the season, I think youll see Stout and UWL in the top 4 in their conference. Big fan of the Tommies eliminating Northwestern and the likes from their schedule, and scheduling quality opponents-especially later in December like this. Will be good to step outside the conference for a bit.

[funbballer]

I see Hanson at GAC loaded up on a couple of dandies with games against those hated rivals Bethany Lutheran and UM-Morris!

BV & Carthage are good opponents...Luther is not highly rated, but Bethany Lutheran & Morris??? Hanson must feel a little shaky without Espo to carry him anymore!!!! 

[big_shocker]

I love going mainstream...

Just looking at the roster, I don't know if GAC needs to have a designated #2 scorer. Seems to me like they have three or four guys who can get hot and be a leading scorer (Sowden, Olson, Wittwer just to name a few).

[funbballer]

Wittwer a leading scorer? The game I saw him last year, whenever he got a pass he squeezed the ball like he was trying to get juice out of a grapefruit and then did the "gustie 27 pass-pump fakes" before he got rid of it! Maybe he can score.......oh thats right, he' going to dunk over more than one opponent this year, I forgot about that.

What about the kid from St. James? Isn't he supposed to be some kind of scoring phenom also or won't Hanson turn him loose and let him play?

Ease up now GAC lovers....I say some of this in a bit of jest;    I'm sure they will be good again this year, maybe 15-5 in the conference?

[Pipes]

The Mac alums took on the current team this weekend and came out victorious by about 10 points.  Sloppy game all around with turnovers and plenty of missed shots, which are to be expected from an out of shape alumni team and a Mac team still struggling to grasp its offensive system.  The current team was without 2 key players as well, helping the alums to victory. 

Looks like Nate Assel has drawn starting point guard duties so far as Lars Johnson has been out with mono.  Assel will be a solid player, but will likely take some lumps learning the PG position.  He made several shots but had some trouble initiating the offense which should improve in time. 

Look for Mac to continually pound the ball inside as predicted.

Stat line for Mig:
5-5 fg, 10pts, a few boards, an assist or 2, 2-3 TOs coming at the very beginning.  Although I must admit 3 or 4 of the baskets were layups coming off either cheap putbacks or assists.

[pacific rim]

the maelstrom of posts has subsided some recently.  with hopes of stirring the waters anew, i submit this call to action: share with us your preseason awards. we came close when we were guessing at team rankings.  have opinions changed on this front?

i would be interested to hear people's newest prognostications on team rankings, all-conference, poy, all-fy, and all-defensive.  have i missed anything? if you want to include some honorable mentions, or rather, players to watch, feel free.

[Willy Wonka]

Kel - Thanks, you pointed out my highlights quite well. Notice he avoided saying anything about my shooting I was on the floor twice and hurt today a good amount. Little reminders that I am growing old

funbb - GAC has typically scheduled Bethany for a preseason scrimmage. I think they simply turned that into a game this season. Not sure how Morris got into the mix though.

GAC has had two scrimmages to date (I think). They pounded Central, where Boschee is now coaching, on Friday. I heard the first 20 minute period was 52-19. The scrimmage was tough on them - Hollerich sat out on Sunday and Sowden and Tebrake were both nursing nagging injuries. Scoring inside remains a concern, though a 6-8 former all-american post blocking their first 3-4 attempts may have had something to do with that.

As for who will be the second option...that's Phil. Why was there a question about that? I believe he's averaged double figures both seasons thus far. I think Olson and Hollerich will both be solid offensively, averaging right around 10 apiece. Without Hollerich in there, it was hard to tell which way they are leaning towards the 5th starter - Wittwer or Delauiers (sp?) - but both will be very solid.

I will get some picks in later, but I gotta get back to work now.

[localcoach]

funballer - A conference record of 15-5 for the Gusties sounds about right.  Sowden should play a big role for Coach Hanson's team this season.  I love his toughness.

Macalester is using a freshmen point guard?  Interesting news.

megalomaniac - The WIAC will be a tough conference this season.  Top to bottom it might even be the best Division III league in the country.  I'm looking forward to seeing River Falls and Stout play at some point.

Still no word from Augsburg I see. 

Games start on Friday.  I can't wait. 

[miacwatchmen]

Localcoach- Who is this Mac point guard that you speak of and where is he from??

[localcoach]

miacwatchmen - I'm just going off "Pipes" recent post, in which he said that freshman Nate Assel is likely to start at the point guard position this season for Macalester. 

Is anyone planning to head out of town to catch any of the opening weekend MIAC games?

[big_shocker]

I know that some people mightbe thinking that I was not saying Sowden will be the #2 scorer this upcoming season for the Gusties, or even a big scorer. I don't think this. Phil is one of the best posts in the conference. There isn't a guy he can't go head to head with, even though he may be giving up a few inches. His post moves, toughness, and grit are what make him a success, as decided by his All-Conference last season.

What I meant was that Phil has a chance of going off any night, like lots of guys on GAC. I believe, though, that Phil is more of a solid contributer, rather than an inconsistant one. He will be a force in the post, score in double digits every game, and give you everything you need from a post player. It's pretty rare that he will explode for 35 on some nights, because he's not an outside shooter who can get hot (although, having had to guard him a few times in pick-up ball, I always became annoyed when he took me outside and started draining threes on me).

And a major characteristic of the GAC system is consistancy. 

[funbballer]

LC....you are right on about Sowden. He's tough as nails, excellent player.

Anyone know who's playing the guard postions/rotation for GAC?

Anyone seen Augsburg scrimmage?  How about Hamline? STO? UST? SJU?

WW: you played in the GAC scrimmage? Did you make it through without any injuries? Heard Henke ate 'em up inside. Did anyone break for a sandwich waiting for Whippler to get a shot off??!!!