MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

ustbumkneez · May 04, 2006, 06:22:44 PM

Local, Sumander reciprocity is in effect for the state schools, so the tuition cost for an entire year is right around $5800 at River Falls. UWRF did win the league title three years ago (granted it was with DIII Player of the Year Rich Melzer), and has been just as successful as most of the programs in the WIAC over the last 5 years. In fact, outside of Point and Whitewater, the Falcons average finish is right in line, if not better, than the rest of the WIAC. Its much like saying teams in the MIAC other than UST and GAC are unsuccessful (because theyve won multiple titles over the last decade, and no one else has-other than Auggie, which doesnt count

). The fact that River Falls is only 25 minutes from the Metro is a big pull for a lot of city kids whod like to go to a small campus but stay close to home, as it affords them the opportunity to do so. The education at the Wisconsin state schools is well respected, and the competition/level of play in the WIAC is one of the best in the nation at the DIII level. Essentially, its choosing to go a more affordable, public MIAC school when youre an athlete. Educationally there are some slight differences, but athletically speaking, the two conferences are much the same.
Im guessing Robertson is going to UWRF, as I saw Falcon head coach Jeff Berkhof in passing today, he mentioned that it was a big day for him, because he landed a pretty important recruit he had been working on for quite some time. Didnt have enough time to get a name, but my presumption is it was Robertson.

Touchdown Tommy · May 04, 2006, 09:27:00 PM

Very interesting Willy. Is OAS still working for pennies?

Hope Pedro, Juan, and Julio don't beat up on him too bad in Noonball.

sumander · May 05, 2006, 09:11:37 AM

Willy, So is the rumor true that your sister got all of the BB talent in your family? Second year in a row she is named UND female athlete of the year! Quite an honor,congrats.

http://fightingsioux.com/sports/news/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=4888

Willy Wonka · May 05, 2006, 11:47:44 AM

Sumander - Watching her play at UND was like watching Juwana Man (I mean that in the nicest possible way). She did whatever she wanted and is always seemed to work. Hopefully the little sister can pick it up next year to follow our lead.

Drake - The following link might be of some interest to you. I'm going to post the whole thing so you can't make a string of bitter posts about not being able to understand me

http://www.gustavus.edu/oncampus/athletics/news/2247

miacwatchmen · May 05, 2006, 01:53:28 PM

Quote from: columbianmaffia on May 04, 2006, 02:32:10 PM
my rollerskate wheels are very rusty right now...i forgot them outside one night only to wake up the next morning and there were 3 dogs peeing on my wheel barings...i think someone is out to sabotage me

CM- You amaze me again......never thought you could out due yourself but you have. Congrats.

Drake Palmer · May 06, 2006, 04:40:54 PM

Quote from: Willy Wonka on May 05, 2006, 11:47:44 AM

Drake - The following link might be of some interest to you. I'm going to post the whole thing so you can't make a string of bitter posts about not being able to understand me

http://www.gustavus.edu/oncampus/athletics/news/2247

Hunh?!? I don't understand what you're trying to convey.

Actually, I've understood the posts of the award winning journalist; I've not understood the source of some of his deep seated resentments.

It's nice to see Hokenson doing well for himself. Based on his success in the decathalon, one would think coaches Hanson or Schoenebeck woud be drooling to get that type of athleticism into their respective sports.

funbballer · May 07, 2006, 02:18:25 PM

....won't happen with Hokenson as I'm told he's transferring to Dakota Weslaysen (sp?) so he can play basketball.

localcoach · May 08, 2006, 08:31:01 AM

Good for Mr. Hokenson. I wish him all the best.

I learned of yet another commitment this past weekend for the Hamline Pipers. I ran into a number of MIAC assistants at a local tournament and I was informed that Chad Rich from The Blake School in Minneapolis will be a Piper next season.

By surfing the web, I was able to discover that the 6-5 forward averaged about 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season.

I also was told that it's a done deal that Mr. Moberg will be staying at Bethel for the next 3 years. That's a great pick-up for Coach Westy and the Royals.

miacwatchmen · May 08, 2006, 01:39:32 PM

Quote from: localcoach on May 08, 2006, 08:31:01 AM
Good for Mr. Hokenson. I wish him all the best.

I learned of yet another commitment this past weekend for the Hamline Pipers. I ran into a number of MIAC assistants at a local tournament and I was informed that Chad Rich from The Blake School in Minneapolis will be a Piper next season.

By surfing the web, I was able to discover that the 6-5 forward averaged about 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season.

I also was told that it's a done deal that Mr. Moberg will be staying at Bethel for the next 3 years. That's a great pick-up for Coach Westy and the Royals.

Hmmmmm perhaps BU for the title next year. i have said it before but it appears that the Royals are getting the ponies to make a legitimate run at the title. My question is who will play at a guard spot for them? I doubt that Cory Laugen will be able to replace Bjorklund or Perry. I only got a chance to see them them once and nobody really impressed me. I guess we will see what happens in the fall.

funbballer · May 08, 2006, 04:54:05 PM

Look for Tim Madsen (Redwood Valley HS) to be a major part of the Royals offense at the guard spot. I think he's better than Bjorklund or Perry.

miacwatchmen · May 08, 2006, 08:06:03 PM

Quote from: funbballer on May 08, 2006, 04:54:05 PM
Look for Tim Madsen (Redwood Valley HS) to be a major part of the Royals offense at the guard spot. I think he's better than Bjorklund or Perry.

I hope this kid is a shooter because Bjorklund really impressed me with his shooting last year. The few shots he did hit in the game i watched were pretty tough looks. How old is this Madsen kid?? Will he be able to step in and score right away.

localcoach · May 09, 2006, 08:36:43 AM

funballer - Tim Madsen is a nice player and I expect him to take on a larger role for Bethel next year. I think the Royals will really miss Matt Fredrickson and his versatility. Moberg has size and skills around the basket, but Fredrickson had range on his jumper and could put it on the floor and score. Bethel will be a different team next year in my opinion. They also will lack depth at the guard position, and as the miacwatchmen said, I really think the biggest issue they have is at the point guard. I'm not sure Laugen is ready to fill that role yet.

Drake Palmer · May 09, 2006, 11:27:56 AM

I agree with Local that Tim Madsen will be an integral part of the Bethel scheme next season. However, to be counted among the league's elite guards over the next couple of years, he will need to add some consistency to his perimeter game. He's a very streaky shooter & I think his shooting numbers reflect this:

Overall FG % of 37.7%, a respectable 35% from behind the arc, & a very average 68% from the FT line. Right now I think he's getting by with his athleticism, strength & quickness. However, he's certainly got the potential to become one of the premier guards in the league.

It will be fun to watch the development of him & DeRock down the road at Hamline the next 3 years. DeRock has the height advantage, & IMO has better handles, is more explosive, has a better jumper & is a better defender. At first glance one would think DeRock is every bit as streaky since he had an overall FGA of 44%, & shot 36% from deep, but the key statistic for me is that he shot 80% from the charity stripe. IMO the FT % is indicative of several key factors, one of which is a player's shooting mechanics. At this point, DeRock has a more fundamentally sound shot. That being said, I still don't think anyone is ready to mention DeRock & Madson in the same sentence as the Big E or UST's Bryan Schnettler.

As someone else mentioned, one of my concerns if I'm a Bethel supporter is the depth & size they'll have at the guard spot next year. Madson is a muscular 6-1 2G, but Corey Laugen is generously listed as 6 foot in the Bethel roster & has a slight build. That's a small tandem of guards. Obviously they'll miss all the graduating seniors – Fredrickson, Bjorklund, Hinrichs, but I think the one person they'll miss the most was their underrated & unselfish PG, Trent Perry. He was the glue that held them together & allowed them to push the ball, & play that mini-Phoenix Suns type of offense they love.

funbballer · May 09, 2006, 11:56:32 AM

Drake & Local.....you both make excellent assessments and comments. Laugen, at least up to this point, has not possessed the consistency....shooting-wise or from a floor general standpoint....to even be considered as an effective PG. He's a gutsy kid who plays hard, but has a long way to go.

Madsen, and am not sure if he'll be a soph or JR next year as he was hurt his entire freshman year, has great potential. I'm not sure if Westy will play him at the 1 or 2 spot. But I do believe he can be very, very good in the MIAC.

What WILL be interesting is to see if BU will actually figure out if and HOW to use their big men. They've always lived and died with the 3 pointer and in my opinion, that has to change if they intend to be a serious challenger/contender for MIAC championships.

Drake Palmer · May 09, 2006, 12:32:51 PM

Quote from: funbballer on May 09, 2006, 11:56:32 AM

...Madsen, and am not sure if he'll be a soph or JR next year as he was hurt his entire freshman year, has great potential. I'm not sure if Westy will play him at the 1 or 2 spot. But I do believe he can be very, very good in the MIAC...

According to the Bethel website they have Madson listed as a FY & I believe last fall BET34 said he received a medical redshirt the previous year. So eligibility wise, I think he should have 3 years remaining.