MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[miacwatchmen]

GAC not in the top 6? I think PI started celebrating his Irish heritage a little early.

I think you may be right there Willy    I think Wittwer will be able to carry GAC next year and they will make the playoffs.

[localcoach]

piperinsider - I agree with four of your picks, although it would be in a different order.  The two that I question are Bethel and St. Olaf. 

I think the Oles have enough talent to get there, but they never seem to develop that chemistry and consistency and that has hurt them late in the season recently.  And as Willy said, I think Gustavus has to be considered a strong playoff contender.

Bethel on the other hand raises a number of red flags.  This is a team that went 10-10 in the MIAC this year and had to fight their way into the playoffs late in the season.  They now graduate 3 of their top 4 scorers in Fredrickson, Perry, and Bjorklund; and their leading rebounder in Hinrichs.  On top of that, Fredrickson was also the Royals top 3-point shooter and they have a new coach, although I know Westy has been around the program for years.

Even if Moberg does transfer to Bethel, someone has to get him the basketball, and when he has off nights or struggles who will their go to guys be?  Granted Westy is a heck of a coach and I respect him alot, but there's just too many questions surrounding that team right now to say they will not only make the playoffs next season, but they will actually finish higher than they did this year.

[sumander]

Biggest upset of the first round #15 Winthrop over #2 Tenn! Take it to the Bank!

But for a tough, last second shot this one almost came to pass! I know, If, if's and but's were candy and nuts....."

Friday's upset special is George Mason(11) over Michigan St. (6).

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Loco- Bethel, like Hamline, is very deep at guard, so getting the ball to him will be no problem. Unlike your beloved Pipers, they have a good frontline, and with Mobreg, it will be on par with UST and SJU. You also seem to forget that Meadowcroft retuns, and if memory serves me right, he was a very strong soring threat for them. Of course, I base that on games I saw them play rather than box scores I read on my sofa.   But I do seem to remember seeing Meadowcroft's name up there as POW and on the all-conference team, and I assume you read those things. Moberg & Meadowcroft is a very nice one-two punch.

There's no question in my mind that the five teams that do not make the playoffs in 06-07 are all stronger or as strong as this past season's HAM & BU teams. The Auggies, Oles, Mary's and Mac will be improved-- but will it be enough to make the playoffs? Probably not.

MW-- I agree with your comment about Wittwer being capable of carrying the team for GAC, but I think a healthy Linz will carry the Cobbers as far or farther. Word is his foot is healed nicely and he'll be back 100% by fall. Plus if his sister's team wins State, he'll have some motivation to match that!

Sumander-- thanks for the tip-- I'll call my off-shore bookie and bet the farm on MSU   (kidding....I loathe MSU)

[sumander]

MM, Have you heard if Eckhoff is still considering a medical redshirt? My concern with CORD, if Eckhoff odes not come back would be their perimeter scoring ability. Granted, teams are going to have to guard Linz, which might free up open shots on the perimeter.

[piperinsider]

I only had one. Ok, so maybe swap STO for GAC, but I like STO's youth. They could be the sleeper next year.

[miacwatchmen]

I only picked two higher seeds to win today win today. My upsets if you could call them that Bucknell over Arkansas and NC St. over Cal.    I didn't get rewarded for my excellent pick over SDSU over Indianda because of some stupid move by a SDSU player!! Syracuse choked big time! oh well still 3 days left in the weekend.

[localcoach]

miacmaniac - I would agree that Bethel has a number of talented guards, but who will be their scorers from those positions?  Laugen?  Blazejak?  That remains to be seen.  BTW - I think that Meadowcroft is good enough to challenge for conference player of the year next season.  And for the record I saw every MIAC team play at least one time last season.  I just didn't see as many games down the stretch as I would have liked.

Regarding Hamline, why is everyone saying they have no front court players returning?  Granted there is no true post player on their roster, but what about Foster and Thrasher?  Both played either the forward or post positions last season.  And both were All-Conference HM selections.  Plus, I've heard some good things about their recruiting efforts for next season, specifically about the big men they're hoping to bring in. 

The biggest issue that the Pipers will face in 2006-07, in my humble opinion, is their defensive effort.  They have to limit teams to less points and lower shooting percentages if they're going to be one of those top tier programs. 

piperinsider - I'm with you in reference to the Ole youth movement.  I really like their young players, however as we all know it takes a lot more than talent to win ball games.  The potential is there.  We will see if it's realized next year.

[sumander]

oh well still 3 days left in the weekend.

Must be nice to have 3 day weekends!  

[miacsuperfan]

ust, sju, gac.  1,2,3.  if moberg is at bethel, (and word is that he IS attending classes there) then bu gets  3 or 4.   if hamline can find someone decent inside and keep the "human turnover'' (loco's nephew) from self destructing, they could go 5 or 6.   and you are right, loco, you should be concerned about ham' s "defense."  it amused many of us to see one of "your players" on the all defensive team this year.      that is kind of like irony, you know?   as for the big guys that they are after, word is that one of them is a borderline high school player!   the forkless knights (6) will struggle without their leader.  if one of their top guns (are you listenening goose?) develops some actual maturity and leadership qualities, however,  this team could elevate to the top 3.   oles will fight it out with mac and con for the bridesmaid spots.
go northern iowa.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

oh well still 3 days left in the weekend.

Must be nice to have 3 day weekends!  

not to mention 3-month vacations, right Sumander? Soudns like MW needs a summer job involving physical labor  

no definite word on Eckhoff, but i'd say he's leaning towards graduating and moving on with his life beyond hoops.... but Cord has some marksmen in his mold on their JV and will challenge.

Loco- Thrasher's good, but he's hardly a 'front line' player. He's a much more effective from the perimeter. And Foster? The same Foster who Ike, Sowden & Schafer all ate for lunch? the eye-gouger? Saints be praised, methinks you've been a-nippin in the good Irish whiskey, m'boy. Maybe a wee bit too much    (OK thats as irish as this Stearns County Kraut gets )

Without a legitmate center (an Ike/Sowden/(gulp) Schafer/Moberg type, Ham's not going to break the top 3-4.

[miacwatchmen]

oh well still 3 days left in the weekend.

Must be nice to have 3 day weekends!  

not to mention 3-month vacations, right Sumander? Soudns like MW needs a summer job involving physical labor  

no definite word on Eckhoff, but i'd say he's leaning towards graduating and moving on with his life beyond hoops.... but Cord has some marksmen in his mold on their JV and will challenge.

Loco- Thrasher's good, but he's hardly a 'front line' player. He's a much more effective from the perimeter. And Foster? The same Foster who Ike, Sowden & Schafer all ate for lunch? the eye-gouger? Saints be praised, methinks you've been a-nippin in the good Irish whiskey, m'boy. Maybe a wee bit too much    (OK thats as irish as this Stearns County Kraut gets )

Without a legitmate center (an Ike/Sowden/(gulp) Schafer/Moberg type, Ham's not going to break the top 3-4.

Labor is in the cards for this summer. I think its gonna be nice at SJU next fall. I may be drinking the Greygoose Vodka just because I can!!

MM do my eyes deceive me!! Are you giving props to Schafer. Did you call him a "legitimate center" !! WOw that must have been hard for you to say. I don't know a whole lot about the MOberg kid but is he strong and physical or is he a tall lanky kid that wants to sit outside and shoot jumpers.  Ike isn't really a banger so if Moberg can bang he may prove to be a challenge to Ike in their games. I still think Meadowcroft is gonna have to carry BET next year though.

[sumander]

Wisconsin is about to go down to Lute and AZ! Ohio State struggles with Davidson. Looks like the Big Ten is up to it's usual tricks.


Iowa loses on a last second shot!!

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

MW--- you have no idea how much that pained me to type but even as ungainly as e is, Schafer (Craig only....his bro is another story) is a better presence in the paint than what most of the MIAC has to offer (Ike & Sowden being the two biggest forces inside).

What I SAW (not read about) of Moberg playng in HS, he was a bute force inside, not afraid to bang it up...which is a nice compliment to Meadowcroft's deft touch & 3-pt ability

Gotta love the Big 11-- they can't count very well (still calling themselves Big 10) and could be done by Sunday night. But I got Bucknell right 

[miacwatchmen]

I got UW-Milwaukee, Montana, and Bucknell right so far but SCSU failed me as most people know.

Good to hear that Schafer is a force in you mind MM     I think Moberg will add a little bit the MIAC has been missing...height. You don't see a huge guy right now. I think next year will be fun to watch if Moberg is as MM says a banger.

Big Ten sucks this year......Wisconsin played absolutely great....oh wait they lost by 20 !!! OSU nearly loses to DAVIDSON!!! Looks like Illinois is our only chance again.   

Final comment is .....go HEELS !! Defending champs will make the elite 8 as a underated 3 seed.