MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SofaKing]

In most cases on most teams losing players like Dixon and especially Eckhoff would really hurt the team and probably put them in a lock for last place. Losing 2 starters and 1 pre season all-american for the Cobbs isnt that bad. This is where that super structured offense is needed. When you dont utilize your players full ability in a free motion offense and you use a structure than almost any player can be substituted into the mix and be a decent team with great execution. The team obviously wont be as good but for the first time I can agree to the offense that they run because of the available players.

Soren Nelson would have averaged 20 and even at the DIII level Adam Morrison probably would not average what he does for us in that offense. 

[Drake Palmer]

Cmob - it's a good thing it's a slow day on the board.. I might have been called out for the typo in my headline much sooner!  Surprised my editor Mr. Wonka didn't single it out.   Sheesh  

Speaking of typos I came across this on another board where they were knocking GAC - ...two years ago they had to go BV (Buena Vista) when BV had not played anybody.  Last year was absolutely a travesty.....why would you send them to a soft Augustavas team and have them play away 18 hours later at the best team in the country

I had to re-read the post before I realized the poster was referring to the Gusties.  I thought he was referring to some obscure school in the Ozarks or someplace. 

Willy- somewhere back in the archives, I thought I 'd read where Local said he was from southern MN & his wife was from up north?  Sumthin along those lines.

You're probably right about the actual place in the standings the teams are currently in.  In my flawed way of thinking, it looks better.

[sumander]

Awfully quite on the board lately!

Looks to me like the Johnnies might have some issues matching up with the Gusties tonight. Will they put Henrichs on TeBrake? If that is the case you probably have Westman on Sowden. He will be giving up a couple of inches there. I think a better match up might be Brink on Sowden and Westman on Hollerich. This leaves Ohme the odd man out of the Johnnie line up.


Thoughts?

[localcoach]

Drake - Are you doing a background check on me now?   I wish I had that much free time. 

sumander - To me the key for your Johnnies will be their bench, much like it was in their recent victories.  Can players like Brink and Veurink come in and hit some shots, and then secondly, can the Schafer's & Henrichs control the glass and prevent second shots.

jdowney - I agree that Concordia runs a very structured offense, however any time you lose an All-American at any level it hurts.  You might see that in crunch time, or at a key point in the game when you need a basket.  Having a go-to-guy that you know will score or draw a foul is important in my mind.  The loss of Dixon is also tough because he is an excellent passer and a big man with range on his jumper. 

Now, on to this evening's MIAC match-ups:

Macalester @ Augsburg - The battle between a pair of 2-7 teams should be interesting.  Augsburg's guards will be their key, while inside Mr. Conboy and Mr. Bosman should be able to control the paint.  I think Macalester finds a way to win on the road.

Saint John's @ Gustavus - This is the "game of the night," and for second place for that matter.  The Gusties are 1-1 at home this year and their one victory was a 10-pointer over the Oles.  The past couple of games the Gusties have received very little production from their bench, and I think that will be key, unless Mr. TeBrake can go for 30+.  I'm going to go out on a small limb and pick the Johnnies to win. Their confidence is high with three wins in a row.

Concordia @ Hamline - The loss of Dixon hurts the Cobbers, expecially because they're on the road.  However, as jdowney mentioned that offense for CC is so structured that it's just a matter of executing for Concordia.  Having said that, Hamline needs to get good shots and not quick ones, which in talking with people who were at the Bethel game, is what they didn't do.  They also need to take care of the basketball as they lead the MIAC in turnovers.  Homecourt advantage wins out so I'll take the Pipers.

Saint Mary's @ St. Olaf - St. Olaf is playing a little better, but eight losses in a row is hard to swallow so I'll take an improved St. Mary's team to win.

Bethel @ Carleton - The other hot team in the MIAC, besides St. Thomas is the Knights.  They haven't lost at home since Dec. 3 against Hamline, and I think that streak continues as Carleton wins by a handful.

[Willy Wonka]

Yes! I love reading 5 game predictions on the wrong board! 

[miacwatchmen]

sumander - To me the key for your Johnnies will be their bench, much like it was in their recent victories.  Can players like Brink and Veurink come in and hit some shots, and then secondly, can the Schafer's & Henrichs control the glass and prevent second shots.


Saint John's @ Gustavus - This is the "game of the night," and for second place for that matter.  The Gusties are 1-1 at home this year and their one victory was a 10-pointer over the Oles.  The past couple of games the Gusties have received very little production from their bench, and I think that will be key, unless Mr. TeBrake can go for 30+.  I'm going to go out on a small limb and pick the Johnnies to win. Their confidence is high with three wins in a row.

I think that Henrichs is the best defensive rebounder in the league. He has a nose for the ball and i think C. Schafer will do well tonight. If they Johnnies shoot the ball well it could be more lopsided than people think but if they don't GAC may take them to the woodshed.  I will guess SJU by 10 or 12.

[miacwatchmen]

Willy- Why can't you post your opinions on this board. It is board to to talk about games. I agree there is also a board to write predictions but not everyone looks at that one and no one replies to it so.............

[Pipes]

With regards to the previous post about MAC and its recruiting, I'd just like to say that there were/are several players with a 28 or below on the ACT - Its not always the academics that are a hindrance, but sometimes finances too.  MAC is a little more expensive than several other MIAC schools and doesn't carry quite the same prestige as say a Carleton, so many kids who can get in don't do so since they don't want such big loans.  Those who can afford it sometimes can't get in due to academics, so its a tough job recruiting for Coach Kietzer.  He always works hard at recruiting, but most of the players he goes after just don't pan out. 

[SofaKing]

I definitely was not trying to take anything away from those two and they know that if they are reading this. But it doesnt hurt a team that has tat kind of structure as much.

Can anyone else comment on the fact that Mark Dixon smells like bananas though. I know Nate Ohme has thought that for years.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Yes! I love reading 5 game predictions on the wrong board! 

me too....notice how he never misses a game day with them?

[miacwatchmen]

20-12 Johnnies with 9 minutes to play if i heard right. Veurink has 5 off the bench again. Sounds like the Johnnies are winning the rebounding battle so far. All good signs......but its early.

[onearmedscot]

Pipers up 13-12 early.

Painful sounding backcourt of Weiner Thrasher doing well.

The Asian Sensation looks good on webcast!

oAs

[miacwatchmen]

Johnnies up 40-31 in St. Peter. Veurink hits a big three at the buzzer to lead the Johnnies. Ohme sparks the Johnnies with some highly missed offense. Schafers and Henrichs are owning the boards inside.

[sumander]

MW - appreciate the updates. I can't get the game via any media.

[miacwatchmen]

Henrichs picks up foul number 4 with 12 to go. Johnnies by 4.