MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TommieHoops4Life]

I think we all know it doesn't take the perfect shooting form to score in the MIAC. I have yet to notice what people are talking about with Conboy, but I ragged BVT at Mac on this board for years, as OAS knows, because he had probably the ugliest shot I've ever witnessed, just an absolutely atrocious hitch in his form, yet he filled it up and was an absolutely amazing player. I still to this day can't get over how ugly it was, I remember almost puking when I first saw it, but it obviously didn't affect his ability to score. He was virtually unstoppable despite the hitch.

[localcoach]

If the ball goes in the basket, that's all that matters.  Keep in mind that Conboy is also 6 foot 8 and weighs about 230 pounds.

I'm not really sure what this Hamline and Kyle Foster rant is all about so I'll just leave that topic alone.

No offense OAS, but I would rather play in a facility like Hopkins H.S. than at Macalester, but then again I'm a little old to be playing any more.  It's small, dark, and there's a track around the top of it.  It's nothing personal but I just don't think it's a great college facility.

Willy - I will try and keep up with the board a little closer.   

[bchoops]

I wish I was around more to see some MIAC action, but from the sounds of it BU will struggle this year until they find some sort of inside presence.  The coaches in this league are, for the most part, to good to not notice that against a zone Bethel let the defense extend and did not do anything to get the ball inside to exploit that.  My guess is, if it was as bad as Bethel34 and Jones imply, that more teams will attempt to do this against us.  I'm sure though this will be addressed in film and practice this week.  I'm surprise Hinrichs wasn't able to establish a bit of a presence inside.  Was it an issue of guys not getting him the ball in the post, or did he not present the option?

Also, how did Laugen look against the zone?  Did he attempt to penetrate and kick at all?  That seems to be a strength of his game, finding cracks to penetrate into and then spray the ball to open shooters, and BU's zone offense can allow for that, so I'm curious if he attempted to do that at all? 

[crazy_carl]

Wow, the board has exploded the past couple days.  A few notes:

Tough road trip for KNights basketball last night.  St. Thomas thoroughly dominated both teams.  I think the Knights will be alright because, and many have alluded to this, they are playing four frosh with regularity, and it takes some time to gel in that situation.  Hopefully the Hamline game saturday will serve as a good chance for the Knights to get back on track.

OAS- While the crowd may have been decent with 35 football team members there, the gym still looked empty, even if they were making (inebriation induced) noise.

CM- Losing Kootsikas will be tough for the Knights.  Undoubtedly the best defender off their bench, and probably one of the best on the team, they will need to work harder and look to other guys for greater tenacity.  If you happen to talk to him   , tell him I wish him a speedy and full recovery.  

Funbb- I realize the Carleton crowd tendencies are the exception to the rule, and completely agree with your point.  I was further delving into the nature of the crowds at the games, and what you would see if you were there.  

With a 1-4 start to pick-em, I can only move up!

I hear you BCHoops, it's tough not being around!!

[columbianmaffia]

funball
maybe you should change your name to grumpyball

OAS
kyle foster is only good at waving a towle as he cheers his team on from the end of the bench thats what it should really say in his bio

CC
big pimpin son big pimpin

anyone have a link to the MAC BU stats from last nights game?

[columbianmaffia]

on a side note....I HAVE A NEW PICTURE ON THE SIDE OF MY POSTS!!!!!!!!!

[Drake Palmer]

Alright back in the saddle after faulty mechanical crap at home & a long day at work.

From my experience, very few teams can enjoy sustained success living & dying by the three, repeated 1x1 forays to the basket, or no  points in the paint, without some type of motion offense.  On the defensive side of the ball, you can't use a full court press, or mug someone to hide your half court inadequacies.

What I heard last night on the radio, & from reading the board & boxscores, it appears this is what the losing teams did with the possible exception of Carleton.

Cobbs & Johnnies - Cobbs keep running that Princeton style offense, & getting backdoor cuts etc.   I like Luke Linz a lot but I'm surprised he went off for 20 points against the vaunted, new & improved, bigger Johnnies squad.  What are the Johnnies going to do when they go up against the bigger, stronger post players in the league?  Westman's going to be a big help when he returns, but he's a 3.

UST – CARL - This sounds like it was the best game of the night.  If I'm Fritz or Tauer, I keep pumping Joey Shimek up & telling him he's doing a great job defensively, which I believe he is.  They're going to need his physical, defensive presence when they knock heads with Carleton part 2, MAC, & GACs of the conference.   Carleton is just going to get steadily better as the season progresses.  Mark my words, FY Zach Johnson from Carleton is going to be one of those players like Sean Sweeney –you either love or hate him.

CMOB – you're right about the Tommies' fans.  If the basketball team had the Gusties' fan support, they would have tremendous home court advantage!  As it is, the Tommy fans are not unlike the LA Lakers' fans - good looking females, arrive late, preen a bit & know nothing about the game.

MAC & Royals- You gotta love the coaching adjustments Coach Kietzer makes in this game/season.  Until his guards returns he realizes, "I've got Clydesdales, let's get busy & go to work."  So the Bruise Brothers of Conboy, Bosman & Stein go out & bust heads, grab some boards, score some points & in exchange he lets them pretend they're Kobe & shoot a few threes.  I had to quit reading the play by play when I saw the first shot attempt by the Scots was a three by Bosman!    Bethel – live by the 3 die by the 3!  There are going to be nights when they'll look absolutely untouchable, & then there will be nights like last night.

Oles & Auggies – For the time being (until Saturday or next Wednesday), The Koz detractors will have to keep their mouths shut.  It appears through some defections & perhaps injuries (?), Coach K is settling in on a roster size that's somewhat smaller than Hamline's.    Any Oles out there know where the other TW is – sophomore Tucker Weisman?  He started a few games last year & I noticed he's on the roster but it doesn't seem he's played at all this season.  The Auggies have Grant Hemmingsen back in their lineup after sitting out last year with a knee injury, but it appears it could be a long season for the team from Riverside Avenue.

Gusties & Pipes -  Kel - Great story about Wittwer & Olson on their fast break dunk.   I listened to the post game interview with Coach Hanson & he appeared to be the – "suffer no fools kindly" type of guy that his court demeanor would seem to suggest.  You could tell he was definitely put off by the type of D Hamline played & said something to the effect of – "people don't come to games to watch players shoot an excessive # of FTs."   IMO, Hamline seems to think their best offense is the press & try to generate point off turnovers.  I don't recognize much of an offense other than the 1x1 stuff, or let's jack up a three.  Another telling stat from last night: GAC 13 TOs 18 assists, Hamline 7 assists 20 TOs.

[Drake Palmer]

My B... Just was addressing some Q's that have been put out there for response. You don't have to read it if you don't want. Would you rather have me spread them out over 2 or 3 pages next time??

I say negative 2 Karma for FB!!

B34 - Don't let the bast*rds get you down.  In my book I think you post with refreshing candor & insight, without the proverbial blinders on.

[columbianmaffia]

drake
haha i mentioned UST playin a lil like the showtime lakers last night...i didnt put 2 and 2 together to make 4 and realize the part about the crowd that u mentioned...good stuff...gotta love the ladies in that student section...the guys are prolly too busy tryin to get some evening sugar to cheer on the best team in the conference this year in my opinion


dont worry bethal34 we heart your posts


funball
u going to the ranch anytime soon...if ya do let me know if ya see any nice plump steaks

[onearmedscot]

Drake,

You're giving Mies a run for his money...

Link to MAC's whomping of Bwho

When is Bethel gonna schedule some quality season opening opponents?  Finlandia and Viterbo are pretty weak warmups for MIAC action as last night showed.

Was praying last night that our announcer wouldn't keel over of a heart attack because I knew if he did the BU announcer was in the house and would probably offer to step in and cover...man would that have sucked.  He is the worst in the conference.

What happened to Kootsikas?

Anybody know why Keating, a starter at D2, transfered to D3 St. Thomas?

oAs

[onearmedscot]

Let's quit kidding ourselves.  We love this guy!!

oAs

[crazy_carl]

OAS- Per CM, Kootsikas broke his hand in Monday's exhibition game and is out 4-6.   Luckily the Knights have a 2-2.5 week hiatus in there, but it still doesn't help matters. 

CM- Way to keep the ladies hot, even if it's cold in MN.

[funbballer]

maffia.....If I do hit the ranch, I may go it alone now that you're calling me names (grumpyball???). But if I do, I'll find you a big 'ol hefer that'll dazzle and feed you for a week or two.   

So what's with the UST fans? Too hoity-toity? (geez, not sure that's even English is it?!!) 

Coach Hanson whining about getting bumped around again?  LOL....wish I could have heard that. Seems to me that's part of the reason why the Gusties lost to Lawrence and Point....they got outmuscled.  Wonder what Hanson will say after the Tommies go down there next Wed. and put a spankin' on his gusties??!!! Too bad I'll be out of town...that should be a good one! (wait til the Gustie fans see Sweeney and his new "look." Hope he can handle the verbal abuse they'll lay on him!!!

Bethel34....hey you're all right; guess I just thought the "review" was a bit lengthy.   But speaking of Bethel, why don't they ever SERIOUSLY try and pound the ball inside? Don't the coaches know how to teach post play?

[columbianmaffia]

funball
you know i get grumpy and call people names when i dont get my quota of tripple burgers for a week

right now im relaxing having a brew and watchin the MAC championship football game on espn and happy that i know my weekend started today

[Willy Wonka]

OAS - Had you not been so busy writing that terrible d3football.com preview and ignoring these boards, you may have picked up on the Keating story. I believe he's actually a D1 transfer and came back to play with some buddies at UST. I'm not sure if there's any more to it than that.

Who's going to start the Sapp for MVP bandwagon? I'm ready to hop on!

OAS, Westie, BS, etc - Pattys on Wednesday? It will have to be at about 5ish for me, since I need to watch the sister (assuming I can even get off work).

funbb - Playing hard, physical and within the rules (RE: Point, Lawrence, GAC) and playing filthy with lots of grabbing (RE: Hamline, SMU, Dixon) are completely different things.

Drake - 7 assists? Are you saying DeRock didn't pass the ball?

UST fans will be good once the team reaches the conference tournament games. Or the title game maybe. At least when GAC fans start arriving 4 hours before tip off to tailgate in the parking lot and steal all the prime seats in Schoenecker Arena like they did 3 years ago anyway