MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[funbballer]

MAC loses to Northwestern 75-61

[pacific rim]

you're at work at this hour? unbelievable.  Willy, what can you say about Gustavus' practices.  how do they achieve this organized style that they achieve year in and year out?

[Willy Wonka]

Unfortunately, I work late hours. Currently I'm waiting on two coaches to call in scores. Since it's well past 11, I'm about ready to call it a night.

You are asking me about practice? Anyone who was at GAC while I was there likely just fell off their chair laughing. I really didn't do much practicing either of my last two years there because of injury (sidenote: my sister is following me lead - coach already told her she isn't going to practice tomorrow because she's as beat up as Nate B. right now). I honestly practiced about once a week as a senior...we did a lot of pool conditioning because of me. I'd wager it's also why relative unknowns are able to step in for the program and they barely miss a beat (Hollerich, Stein).

Hanson runs a tight ship. The philosophies are difficult to pick up as a freshman - especially one who's used to a cock-n-fire type offense, which is why so many struggle to contribute right away. By their sophomore season, players seem to take a quantum leap (Oh boy!) - especially defensively. Olson and Kaus were both a wreck defensively when they first arrived, but they both stepped it up in the next season to the point where they were/are able to contribute meaningful minutes.

He rarely yells. Instead, he'll stop and ask why you did something and you better be able to explain yourself. Some players, despite all the athletic ability in the world (A.Thorson) never quite grasp what he's teaching. It's an old-school type of mentality I supposed, but I enjoyed it very much. A thinking-mans game, if you will (not to insinuate other schools' players don't think, but it really is a foreign concept to many at the start).

[pacific rim]

i'm in love with the program you've just described.

[localcoach]

Drake - As you get older you have more family obilgations to attend.  Hence why my postings have been a little on the light side lately.  I wasn't able to get to any games last night, but I'll likely find some time this weekend to attend one or two. 

One of my good friends who attended last night's Hamline games called me with a recap.  He said that Hamline had many open looks in the first half and the shots just weren't falling.  It wasn't until about mid-way through the second half that the Pipers really got things going offensively. 

I'm not sure why Sam Wiener was listed as a forward in the North Dakota State game.  I didn't even know this occurred? As for Jon DeRock, what a great start to his college career he's having. I've heard nothing but great things about him from people who have attended the first two games.

I checked out the stats online at the HU website and noticed a few things to comment on.  Jon DeRock is averaging 36 minutes a game as a freshman and has an impressive stat-line of 17ppg 7.5apg 7.5rpg  Not bad if you ask me.  It sounds like he and Wiener are playing together and according to those at the game last night, DeRock is much more aggressive then Wiener.  Hence he gets more opportunities to score. 

I also wanted to make note of Bethel's 3-0 start.  No one has mentioned it.  Does anyone have an explanation for the Royals?

And can anyone confirm how long the Macalester players will be out of action?  I see that Coach Kietzer has used a 7-man rotation through the first couple of games. 

[BETHEL34]

Bethel is off to a great start!  I was only able to make it to their first game against Finlandia.  Finlandia had some shooters, but wasn't the greatest team i had ever seen.  It was a good first game for these guys to gel a little bit.  Vertibo gave them a tight game just like Finlandia did, but in both occasions Bethel was able to pull it out by 10ish.  Then taking it to UM Morris last night winning at there place by 14pts is a great win.  Five players were in double figures for Bethel. 

Trent Perry has started off really well, went for 20 pts his first two games only ave 21 mins a game.  Then he added 13 last night on 6-12 shooting.  If he can be a consistent scoring threat for Bethel this year, that would be huge.  So far he is shooting 17/31 on the season, and being able to get to the line where he is 14-15.  Tyson bjorklund has also started off pretty well.  Shooting 19/27 and right around 16 pts per game.  Granted, non-MIAC teams don't know to just not help off of him, so he normally scores more pts against teams that don't know him.  But, he is probably one of the best in the MIAC at moving with out the ball.  The kid has a motor on offense where he will just run around off of pick after pick and then can shoot very well comming off picks.  So, it will be interesting to see how miac teams play him this year. 

As you said Local Coach, i am very supprised to see Andy Cook only playing the little mins he has been playing so far this year.  Playing with him a bunch this summer and then just before the season started.  He has gotten so much better.  His first 3 games went like this, Gmae 1) 11 mins/2pts/2 rbs/1 blck,  Game 2) 9 mins/8pts 4-6 shooting/ 4rebs/1 blck, Game 3) 11mins/9pts 4-6 shooting/ 2 rebs/1 blck.   I just don't get it, he is 6-10 and obviously has some post moves now that are affective, but yet he is still seeing only 10 min's a game.  I just think with his 6-10, 250lbs frame, he brings so much to the defensive side, but pluss now he can score and be an actual threat on both sides of the ball.  In my mind there is no way he shouldn't be playing 20 mins a game. 

Anyways, there's a little update from Bethel land.  I still think it is going to be a better year then everybody else expects.  Who knows, they could be fighting for that 4th spot.   They have the shooters to find one night at Home where they just get Blazen Hot and nock off the gusties or st thomas at home.  No doubt in my mind that we will split with Carlton this year.  We always play them very well, especially at home.   Next wednesday is going to be a great test for them.  Starting off the miac season at Mac, man i hate that place.  Worse place in the Miac to Play!!!  That would be a huge way to start off the miac season by getting a win at Mac. 

[tjones33]

Good update Timmy.  I was just about to write something about Bethel but you beat me to it.  I couldn't agree more about Andy Cook.  He needs to be on the floor atleast 20 minutes a game. 

[columbianmaffia]

Carleton at Aurora tonight at 730...anybody want to rollerskate to chicago and check out the game??

[KnightsArmor]

Hey all--

Yeah yeah yeah i still follow hoops.  Must say with last years graduating class i don't feel as close to the program as before but trying to get back into it as football slowly comes to a close.  

Here's something to chew on.  Conboy leads the league in scoring.  Also, MAC will struggle until Liddell and Johnson return to the lineup from injury.

OneArmedScot

You got that right!  

[Willy Wonka]

34 and tjones - What are your thoughts on BU consistently playing a terrible nonconference schedule? It seems every year they enter league play either undefeated or with one loss. Last season the team was good enough to compete with upper echelon squads, while this team isn't expected to be. That makes the schedule this season more reasonable, but I'm curious to hear your opinions on the BU schedule from the past. We've ripped it pretty good on here in the past.

[bchoops]

Tjones and Bethel34...

How has Meadowcroft looked?  I'm surprised by his lack of productivity thus far.  I thought that with his athleticism and skills that he would be more of a force this season.  In fact, I thought that he would be leading them in scoring this year.  He seemed to be set to have a break out year, at least from what I saw being around the little bit I was this summer.  Just wondering how he has looked to you who have seen him play.

Also, Strom looked real good this summer as well, and I'm surprised that he has not had more minutes so far.  Any thoughts?

I agree Willy.  BU has played a relatively weaker non-conference schedule, and is something I wish were not the case.  I think that with our relatively recent consistency as one of the top 5 teams in the MIAC we could schedule some better competition in non-conference in preparation for the conference season.

[kel_varnsen]

how do they achieve this organized style that they achieve year in and year out?

Coach Hanson.

[gusties]

Another question for TJones and Bethel34.. 

It can't be much easier playing at Gustavus than Mac is it? Gus Young Court gets pretty loud and pretty mean, especially when talented players like you guys step on our court.....any thoughts?

[Willy Wonka]

Gusties - What? Where did that come from?

Some food for the thought while we await the BU poster's response.

Preseason Coaches Poll
1. St. Thomas (8)
2. Gustavus (3)
3. Carleton
4. Concordia
5. Saint John's
6. Bethel
7. Hamline
8. Macalester
9. Saint Mary's
10. St. Olaf
11. Augsburg

[localcoach]

bethel34 - Thanks for the thoughts on Bethel.  I always liked Meadowcroft's game, but I think he can't do it alone inside.

willy - That's an interesting coaches poll.  Based on the early games you would have to flip flop Bethel and Concordia. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!