MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ustbumkneez]

As a few people (Early & Larry U) are finding it necessary to evaluate players and teams based on their high school encounters and summer pickup ball exchanges, I thought I could maybe get into the mix. I went to high school with 2004 DIII Player of The Year Rich Melzer, currently playing with the NBLs New Zealand Breakers. One time, in a captains practice, I blocked his shot, and, another time, I scored against him. And then, in a REAL college game, I stole the ball from him. So, considering he plays in one the best professional leagues in the world, and has spent time with 3 NBA teams during the summer circuit, I know that, had it not been for my knee injuries, I would be basking in the glow of the NBA-because I totally was better than him on those seperate occasions. Isnt that how it works, E & LU? Seriously, no one is interested in your duels with any of these guys or teams unless it take place on the hardwood in a legit college game.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Early-- the MWC is a weak conference in every sport and has been for years. Its nice that Lawrence rolled thru their MWC-filled schedule unbeaten, but that streak ends Sat. Need I remind you what happened to the unbeaten "national powerhouse" football team from Norbie-ville when they ran into a MIAC team on a mission? Flatened like a pancake. Comapring teams (well, partial teams) that you played SUMMER ball against isn't exactly a way to get a handle on how good a team or conference in. SUmmer ball is a whole 'nother game from the real deal.


KR-- wow, that took a lot for you to post, and it means tons coming from you. It would be like Willy saying Keating played a great game (WW-- notice I called you after each and every one of his dunks? )

Drake- excellent analysis of the game and an even better rebuttal to Early. Nicely done!

Larry_U--- you played against Rosie & you played against Keating....but apparently you didnt play against Sweeney. and you certainly didn't play against them as a unit. Braier may not embarrass the MWC like "Flipper" Schuster did, but he, LU & the MWC are in for a dose of defeat.


One question-- can anyone form NCC explain what that goofy chick with the batons was supposed to do? inspire the team? provide comic relief? bore UST to tears?  But it was nice to see NCC brought a band and some fans.

Finally--- UST by 10-12 over Larry U, bringing the Sweet 16 to Schoenecker.

[Early]

Drake,

Nicely done.  I see where it came from and I agree that AK47's rebuttal was excessive, but Larry U came in and "tracked mud on your nice carpet" (no pun intended).

I do not intend to trash the level of play in the MIAC.
The summer league was the MIAC schools St. Thomas, Augsburg, Hamline, Macalester, St. John's, UWRF, Concordia-St. Paul, and some random players on teams.  So I played against almost have of the teams in the MIAC.  
I may have been excessive in my post also, especially since I didn't read LarryU's posts.  

ustbumkneez,
I played against Rich Melzer in high school.  And I played against Rich in that same summer league and at River Falls' open gyms in college.  I even played with Rich in 3-on3 tournaments in the summer......Big deal. 

miacmaniac, the only quality statement you made in your last post was that Drake had an excellent rebuttal to my post. 

Also, Drake was the only person here to act with class.......including myself.

The MIAC is a good conference, and so is the MWC.  But by no means does one dominate over the other.

[ustbumkneez]

ustbumkneez,
I played against Rich Melzer in high school.  And I played against Rich in that same summer league and at River Falls' open gyms in college.  I even played with Rich in 3-on3 tournaments in the summer......Big deal. 

Early
thats exactly my point! BIG DEAL.

[LU 05]

Why do you bring up football in validating one conference over another.  LU has one of the worst football teams in the nation, how does that affect the status of their basketball team?  I also find it amuzing that you claim that the MWC is an inferior conference.  What did LU do to Gustavus on their home court last year?  The score of that game ended up being closer than the game acyually was. 

[miacsuperfan]

nobody is talking about carleton.   can that five man wrecking crew do some damage tonight?   can the goose-tool rule?   who has the call on that one?

[ustbumkneez]

Stout is gonig to take it to them. Carelton would have to play a mistake free, almost perfect game to take out the Blue Devils, and after finding out the Knights are a little dinged up (Forkruds bum hand, Kootsikas with the flu, Drake with a hip pointer), their margin for error shrinks to basically zero. Carleton has no bench, and they are gonig to need one with the mix of a hurting crew and Stouts fast paced style of play. Prediction: Stout by 15. Sorry Knights, prove me wrong.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

LU5-- why do you bring in last year (against a different team, no less)?

The LU hoops fans seem to be just like the "mighty" Norbies went to SJU crowing about being unbeaten and a national power. They left chastized and beaten. I see the same thing happening to the Larrys tomorrow, except on their home court.

[miacwatchmen]

LU fans are coming out in droves. I wonder if this is what its was like on the MWC board all year.

MM- I think UST can will if they play like they did last night. 

LU Fans- You need to play a pretty good game to beat these Tommies. They are big, fast and they can SHOOT. 3 of their starters can step out and shoot the three (Shimek might be able to but i don't know) and Ike inside is a force. If you double down on him then he will burn you on a pass out to Keating or Schnettler. If you try and face guard those two and make Ike beat you HE WILL. People say he's soft but one on one his moves are darn good and very tough to defend.

This will be a great game and I can't wait to see what happens.

[Nites]

Stout is gonig to take it to them. Carelton would have to play a mistake free, almost perfect game to take out the Blue Devils, and after finding out the Knights are a little dinged up (Forkruds bum hand, Kootsikas with the flu, Drake with a hip pointer), their margin for error shrinks to basically zero. Carleton has no bench, and they are gonig to need one with the mix of a hurting crew and Stouts fast paced style of play. Prediction: Stout by 15. Sorry Knights, prove me wrong.

Unfortunately, I have to concur.  I foresee tournament jitters and Carlton going down 74-63.

[LU2000]

LU5-- why do you bring in last year (against a different team, no less)?

This is a great argument since you are saying the MCW is a week conference.

[oldtimefan]

Why do you bring up 3 years ago,( in a different sport no less.)
I am a die hard MIAC fan but I can't help but cheer for Lawrence after seeing them last year. They are old school team basketball. Tough man to man defense and motion offense (just like GAC, only better execution)
Tommies can stop Briaer if they choose, but LU has other offensive options, and Tommies will also find they are being pushed out of their comfort zone defensively. Add in home court and crazy fans and you've got a Lawrence victory. But go Carleton.

[Nites]

MM,

Will the Tommies have enough spring in their step physically after playing a tough game last night?  I have to believe that Lawrence will have plenty of bounce in their legs after having a week off?

[Willy Wonka]

MM - I don't.

If the Tommies have been anything this year, it's been inconsistent. We all know who the leader of the pack has been. Let's take a closer look.

3/2 15 and 3
2/25 3 and 2
2/23 18 and 1
2/18 0 and 0 (Ok, it's a bye but I need it to make my pattern work)
2/15 15 and 5
2/11 10 and 5
2/8 20 and 10
2/6 8 and 2
2/4 12 and 4 (in OT)
2/1 2 and 3

I quit looking after the Augsburg game, but I think it's clear my good game-bad game theory is more than just blowing smoke. Given this trend, Keating is due for a letdown Saturday...I'm sure The Big Bopper will be more than happy to lend a hand.

HOWEVER

It'd be great if somehow MM's pipedream comes true and the Tommies somehow end up hosting next weekend. I might have to make my way up...though my sister's regional in Grand Forks will likely bump them down on my priority list

[TNF2]

Reportedly adding "I don't care if gas is $2.25!"

I'm guessing the fair weather Tommie fans will hop off the bandwagon when they sober up, realize the trip is nearly 6 hours and against the top ranked team. For those that DO make the trip, reports/chants/signs about the hot trainer are encouraged  

 
Flattering, truly, but I think the fans should worry more about how long of a drive home it's going to be.