MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

An Open Air Response to Mr. OAS -

Overall – nicely done. Kudos & Karma, but in keeping with the alliterative theme, one small Kaveat. 

The MIAC's good name and integrity will not be cheapened & sullied like a collegiate version of the NBA!  The MIAC shall not, must not, and will not expand to eight playoff teams.  If so, what is the point in playing what would become meaningless, conference games?!?

And might I add - if this proposal is even half-heartedly considered, it would be this governing board's recommendation that the following steps be immediately acted upon: 

1)  Said athletic representative (OAS) and school would be banished from the  conference and forced to join in an unholy alliance with the UMAC conference.

2)  In addition, if there are any conference records that may be held by this athletic representative, they shall be removed from the conference record books as a nurse removes lice from the head of a 3rd world baby!

With regard to early first round playoff dismissals, once again only two thoughts that this brain can simultaneously retain:

1)  Witness Gustavus's playoff success in 2003
2)  I've visited our sister D3 colleges to the east – it is imperative that our  member schools implement some type of semi official weight training program i.e. BFS – "Bigger, Faster, Stronger".  (Ike are you reading?)

Otherwise our collective post season playoff hopes will be broken & dashed to the shore like some piece of worn out, sorry a$$ flotsam. 

[Willy Wonka]

gusties - Early reports seem to suggest a torn miniscus with surgery in the coming days. However, in stealing a page from BBelichek, Hanson hasn't ruled him out of tonight's game in hopes of keeping Guy on his toes.

Isn't that what Amare Stoudamire hurt/had surgery on and has kept him out all year? It looks like AO will be in street clothes until next fall 

[localcoach]

willy - One of my former players tore his meniscus and after surgery was out 3-4 months.  To my knowledge you have to be on crutches for several weeks and then do all kinds of therapy to build the knee back up.  I'm sure each case is different, but I thought I would offer what I could on this topic.  That's a shame for the Gusties.  Olson is a key ingredient to their offense and he will be missed.  I would assume that means more minutes for the freshman, Mr. DesLauries 

th4life - I agree with everything you said regarding playing in a large arena such as the metrodome.  It will be a tough adjustment for both teams.  Having said that, I think the keys will be: (Hamline - controlling the tempo and getting up and down the floor quickly, thus tiring the Oles out) and (St. Olaf - Rebounding the ball well; scoring in the paint with their big men who like to bang; and getting Mr. Foster and company in foul trouble)

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

My fellow MIAC fans:

May I echo my esteemed colleague, Mr. OAS, in his mention of the walking wounded, those brave foot-soldiers who have played so well, but whose seasons ended, not with a title but with a tear or a break. In addition to Mssrs. Eckhoff and Liddell, I remind you as well of the glorious seasons of Andrew Olson and Luke Linz snuffed short due to injury, as well as the many others who have required the use of miles of tape and tons of ice to bring to us a season replete with excitement, entertainment and hoops hysteria.

I am grateful for the opportunity two and even three times a week, to bask in the joyous experience we all share, as we watch and witness yet another of the storied seasons our beloved MIAC has presented to us.

We are witnessing one of the most promising first year classes in years - maybe even decades- not at just one or two schools, but all over our Glorious MIAC.

The league has remained scandal and chemical free, yet full of energy, drive and desire to succeed that instills in us fans hope and happiness.

We are fortunate and have been blessed with new innovations like massive line changes, as employed by our Olaf brethren.

We are blessed to be able to say we are seeing the resurrection of Saint Mary's, returning to their glorious days last experienced when they were the Redmen, not the Cardinals.

Our eyes have been blurred by the energy and hustle that can be seen in Hutton Arena as a groundswell towards the rejuvenation of the Hutton era is underway.

We have been moved by the sorrow of injury upon injury heaped on our northern-most member, yet still see the joy and determination of those remaining healthy in Cobber-ville.

We continue to be blessed by the grace and presence of one of the game's all-time truly coaches and innovators, the Sultan of SJU himself, Jim Smith.

Our faith in the underdog was renewed as we heard of Augsburg's win over St Thomas and we see the beginnings of change and improved play along Riverside Avenue.

We cringe at the thought of the impending demolition of The Cage, but are eager to see what wondrous new home awaits the Snelling Avenue Scots.

Many bemoaned the end of an era at Bethel, as the Last of the Gilberts graduated. In his stead rises the Era of Meadowcroft, whose deft touch and athleticism give rebirth to hope in Arden Hills.

Our hearts are moved to sadness, knowing the end of the TeBrake Dynasty is near, but we are overwhelmed by the talent and drive of Wittwer, assuring us that GAC will remain at or near the top.

We have seen the Lazarus-like resurrection from early season failures at Carleton, where the Knights rewrite school history as they streak onward and upward.

On Cretin, we have seen the half-fro, the alley-oop, the Schnettler long bomb, and the awe-filled play of the Toms. We have been brought down to earth by the occasional awful play there, too, reminding us that the basketball gods smile equally on all.

Rather than bemoan the tragic events of last March, I say onto you: Look forward, ever forward. Look with joy to this coming March as one, two and possibly three of our members represent us all. May they go deep—yea even as deep as 2003. Do we not dare dream that can be done again? We can look confidently to future Marches, filled with victories and honors.

We hold this truth self-evident: The MIAC is a conference of brothers, united in of life, liberty and pursuit of hoops heaven.

I have a dream that one day Johnnies & Tommies will cheer together as one, and that Gusties, Oles and Knights will join hands together. I have a dream that all along Snelling Avenue, the cheerful chorus will be raised, singing the praise of our conference.

Our past is filled with great memories, and our present is exciting. Our future lays before us, filled with promise of even greater glories.

[Drake Palmer]

Ahem - With all the dreck that's being slung around the board today, everyone might want to stop by the MIAC's own, local ...



and pick up your choice of ...



to wade through all the bull.   

[onearmedscot]

The league has remained scandal and chemical free

Nice but you obviously haven't seen the Hamline student section.  No way that crew is chemical free!!

...oh, you probably just meant the players.  Gotcha

oAs.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

oAs-
yeah, the players...I'm sure you follow my train of thought 
(oh and the coaches....long-time fans will follow that one)

The HU fans remind of the glory-days of SJU's Rat Pack, except there were 100s of them (literally) not two dozen.

[Flip the Red Bird]

On the playoff note.  Doesn't make much sense to go to 8 teams, would make more sense to go to two: and just have GAC and Thomas play every year.  One of them seems to always win it anyway, right?

Even if we go to 8 teams it doesn't seem to likely to see SMU vs. Olaf for the title.  It might be nice for some teams to actually get in the playoffs, but is that really what your playing for is to get in.  Of course if you are Carleton, I guess that IS what you are playing for: when is the last time they won a playoff game?

GO SMU, Beat the Royals!!  (1 win on the road would be nice)

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Flip-
Carleton last won a playoff game last year, beating Mac 81-77 at home in the quarterfnals.

Their last semifinal win was 1996-97, when it was a 4-team field. They beat UST 70-67 at home.

Interestingly, they have never won a road playoff game. With their last conference title comiing back in 1922-23, it looks like they either break that 80+ year streak or hope UST gets knocked off in the semis.

Question for you--- when did SMU last win a playoff game?

[onearmedscot]

I hear that MAC CAR playoff game was pretty sweet last year!!!  Good crowd participation!

Let me clarify.  I was just having fun with the State of the Conference thing.  I am not a proponent of expanding to 8 teams.  I might be more for shortening to 4 teams.

oAs

[Willy Wonka]

Drake - And it's even their 100th (or 150th, I forget) anniversary! Seeing as I took a tour (not of my free will) of their facilities, I can assure you they are top quality goods. I may even be able to swing you a discount if this stuff keeps piling up and you're forced to make a purchase

[columbianmaffia]

I hear that MAC CAR playoff game was pretty sweet last year!!!  Good crowd participation!

speakin of that what happend to all the people that suddenly started posting after that...that was fun for a while when everyone was riled up

[miacwatchmen]

Inside boards killing Cobbs early.....yes oAs i am listening to the game. Cobbers also have fouled Conboy darn near every time he touched it. Cobbs by 3 with 4 minutes gone by.

[miacwatchmen]

HAM over STO 46-34 at half.

MAC up 30-26 at the half over CON. Cobbers don't have an answer for Conboy inside. Cobbs actually hung tough early in the half and actually held a lead. Dyshaw leading Cobbs with a couple three's off the bench. Citterman is playing for the Cobbs but he's been a non factor.

[Willy Wonka]

Gusties tied with Carls at the half 34-34, but the Carlies scored the first 6 of the second half to force a GAC timeout. 40-34 with just under 18 to play.

Off to work now. Keep posting updates people.