MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[South Dakota Gusties]

Speaking of attendance, SMU drew a whopping 92 people to the GAC/SMU game.      I know that SMU doesn't draw a lot of people, but 92...WOW.

[SJU09]

As far as the UST/SJU rivalry, at least in football, everyone is so drunk at the game that you're lucky if half the students know what's going on. The Tommies have been a mediocre program in recent history, and you go to St. John's to play for John Gagliardi. At basketball, at least from my experience, a majority of UST students are there to be seen and don't even pay attention to the game. Some don't even know what's going on during the game. I looked intoxicated because I was the only one it seemed that wanted to get into the game and knew the game enough to realize the situations and what was going on.

Contrast the above to the 1980's when St. John's used to take 3-5 fan buses to St Thomas for the Basketball games and tickets were being scalped outside.  The gym was loaded with cops and security and you had to get padded down before you walked into the gym.  The hardest part was walking into the gym directly past the pulled out St. Thomas section under the basket  (which was usually full of football players) without getting into a fight.  The Rat Pack was under the basket on the other side of the gym which was sold out and packed during the JV game.    The chants, fights, cutting off the tail of the St. Thomas mascot, .....oh the days. This was just for regular season games and it didn't matter what the records were.   I'm waxing nostalgic again, sorry   

[miacwatchmen]

A few thoughts regarding some posts:

Joey Shimek is an all-conference player, he's just had a different role on this year's team. I talked with him after the win at MAC, and his exact words were "I love playing in this offense because I don't have to score a lot." The Tommies have other guys that can put the ball in the basket, so he can focus on shutting down the inside, grabbing rebounds and getting a basket every now and then. He's a solid player, but what he does on the court often times is never seen in a boxscore.

Shimek had 10 points and 5 boards last night against SJU. I think despite the fact that Ike sucks up alot of boards if Shimek was an all conference player he would get more than 5 rebounds.  Shimek also had a block and an assist while shooting 50% from the free throw line and 3-7 from the field in 25 minutes of play. I don't think those are all conference numbers. Last night watching the game i thought Shimek looked like a thug!! He isn't an offensive threat at all. I also don't remember him "shutting down the inside" last night either. I dont even know who he guarded.

[miacwatchmen]

watchman-- I didn't think it could possibly be as bad as last year, certainly not worse. I was wrong. Do I need to bring a gas mask Feb 4?   

No Miacmaniac, I hope no gas mask will be needed on Feb. 4th. I think the Johnnies may have been alittle to tan from their trip to Hawaii last week. They will fix a few things and hopefully UST won't shoot 51% compared to under 30% for the Johnnies...
....
....
hopefully......

[pacific rim]

joe shimek was an all-conference player last year. an all-conference nod doesn't simply come because one is good at basketball.  similar to the mvp votes, it is based on the necessity of that player for the team's success.  the combination of general basketball talent and the necessity of a player's presence is what makes a player all-conference.  if joe shimkek is good but st. thomas don't really need him to do much other than play defense, he is a miac all-defensive team candidate.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

The coaches look at more than stats when voting for all--conference. They definitely take into account defensive skills, leadership and other intangibles that don't show up in the stats.

Watchman-- Shimek guarded "Mr Automatic" (Westman) aa good portion of the night (Schnettler had him at times) and pretty much turned him into "Mr Invisible"

Hopefully, Mr A and gang shake off Hawaii before the annual trip to SMU, where SJU traditionally has trouble.

[funbballer]

funbballer,

Geez, you just can't seem to catch a break! You hyped up Keating, he hadn't done much scoring early in the season. You then retract the statement recently, and he goes for 18 points against the Johnnies. I feel for ya partner

LOL...thanks for the love!

Well, personally, I'm still a huge Keating guy because I know what he's capable of doing. But, the results are what they are, and he has been very inconsistent so I understand where Wonka and others get their undies in a bundle when people rave about Mike.

He'll do whatever it takes for the Tommies to win and right now that mission would seem to make sure the entire team plays consistently game in and game out.

[miacwatchmen]

The coaches look at more than stats when voting for all--conference. They definitely take into account defensive skills, leadership and other intangibles that don't show up in the stats.

Watchman-- Shimek guarded "Mr Automatic" (Westman) aa good portion of the night (Schnettler had him at times) and pretty much turned him into "Mr Invisible"

Hopefully, Mr A and gang shake off Hawaii before the annual trip to SMU, where SJU traditionally has trouble.

Shimek is not a leader. I think of Sweeney as their leader and Ike who leads by example. Mr. Automatic was very invisible which happens alot when players try and carry the team on their shoulders when they are already down by 20 or 30. Westman hit open looks. He was 2-3 on threes and 3-8 from the field. He didn't shoot as much as Ike or Keating and if he would have maybe he would have more than 8 points. Overall not a good night for the Johnnies from any stand point.

[sumander]

My first opportunity to post some thoughts on the UST-SJU game. My first thought on UST is, how have they lost 3 games? The comment about them driving Fritz crazy has got to be true.

Rosefelt is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor. He clearly intimidated the Johnnies with his shot blocking abilities. Not only did he make the Johnnies alter their shots they even passed up what appeared to be open shots with him in the neighborhood.

Keating is a horse! From the sound of things he has been inconsistent this year. The Johnnies caught him on the wrong day. He shot the ball well, which opened things up for Ike.

Sweeney was quicker than anybody SJU put on him.

Schnettler  has range that is unconscious. He hit some threes that were deep. Does he always shoot that well?

Overall UST was much more physical than the Johnnies. The officials let the game go so this played into UST's favor. UST on Wednesday was at a very different level than SJU.

[miacwatchmen]

Huh sumander....it really sounds like Shimek was a force. I remember Shimek was in when SJU had their second stringers in. He scored a couple buckets when he was in near the end or he would have had an invisible night.

[localcoach]

It's time to look ahead to tomorrow's MIAC match-ups.  Here are my thoughts.

Carleton @ Macalester - If there's going to be an "upset" tomorrow, I think it's this game.  MAC almost beat Hamline earlier this week despite being down double digits at one point.  If Bosman and Conboy can both go for 20 points and a handful of rebounds, I like the Scots in a close one.  However at some point their guards will have to make some perimeter shots.  Plus the game is at MAC, and that's not a fun place to play. (Oops...now OAS will come for me)

Saint John's @ Saint Mary's - This is another interesting game.  Is SJU completely dejected from the UST game or can they bounce back on the road?  I have to think the Johnnies will get back on the winning track. 

St. Thomas @ St. Olaf - Tommies by double-digits. 

Bethel @ Gustavus - Gusties by double-digits.

Hamline @ Augsburg - Hamline looks to make it three in a row this year and Augsburg is coming off the biggest win of the season (vs. UST).  On paper the Pipers have more talent, and if the balanced scoring can continue, I have to think they will get another "w."  The key will be their ability or inability to rebound at the defensive end of the floor.  If they give up another 15-20 offensive rebounds I don't like their chances.

SD Gusties - That whopping 92 fans at SMU isn't all that surprising as the Cardinals normally don't draw huge numbers anyways, and the school is on j-term. 

[BETHEL34]

Cook is out due to a Snowboarding accident.  Don't know how long or how severe?

[sportsguy]

Do not be surprised if UST goes down to St Olaf and comes out with a loss. UST does not play well down there. But I am picking UST

[onearmedscot]

34--

Was it snowboarding or snow tubing.  I think I found a clip of his accident.

Local:  You're right.  MAC isn't a fun place to play, unless you play for MAC.  Also, are your picks better than those of everyone else?  Why don't you post them on the Pick'em page like the rest of us?? 

oAs

[bchoops]

OAS...what exactly does a news clip about right whales off the coast of Florida have to do with snow tubing?