MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sumander]

A story from the St Cloud Times on the J's latest recruit, Brian Hosfield from Armstrong.

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060513/SPORTS/105130005/1002

Any one seen him play?

[miacwatchmen]

Johnnies are still pulling in kids despite only losing 2 players from last year!! I doubt the lineup will change much from last year.

[Drake Palmer]

Sumander – I saw Brian Hosfield from Armstrong play once this season.  He was the tallest of three seemingly interchangeable talented forwards for Armstrong – 6-5 Hosfield, fellow senior 6-4 Mark Torell, & 6-4 junior Carter Biewen.  I'd heard UST was after both Hosfield & Mark Torell, & I still haven't heard what's happened with Torell.  Armstrong is a very well coached team & all of those kids play real nicely off each other.  Of the 3 forwards, Hosfield was the player who played the most with his back to the basket, although Armstrong ran a ton of motion offense, & everyone ran in & out of the lane.  The three forwards all scored between  12 - 13 ppg, & Hosfield was the leading rebounder at approximately 6 boards per game.  Arguably, I would say that Torell was the best of the three, with Biewen & Hosfield closely behind. 

I was somewhat surprised to read Brian Hosfield's quote where he indicated that he saw himself playing more of a combo wing/forward.  I really didn't see much of a perimeter game from him.  From looking at their team stats it seemed that Torell & Biewen took more perimeter shots.  Keep in mind though, I only saw him play once.  However, I would add that it appears the Johnnies picked up a quality player who could be a nice contributor in the future.  Like their football counterparts, the Johnnies basketball program never seem to have a problem recruiting talent.  It's getting all of that talent to gel & buy into "biding their time" before they step onto the varsity floor when they're sophs or juniors.
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On another note – Willy, you gonna keep us hanging on that ominous note you laid on the board last night??  Somewhat knowing your background, I've got to believe you don't make those comments if there wasn't a shard or two of truths in the smoldering fire you just kicked up.

Local – is there a response forthcoming?? Depending on one's perspective, it might be a good thing Willy's comments were made during the off season where the story could possibly die a quiet death. .  Funbb - any idea what Wonka's alluding to?

[sumander]

Drake, Thanks for the update. Sounds like it might be a coup for the J's picking up Hosfield. The coaching staff there must be experts at juggling/balancing  egos and playing time. Although, with the graduation of the upcoming years senior class a number of positions would appear to be wide open. Perhaps that is how they are keeping the underclassmen motivated.

[funbballer]

Funbb - any idea what Wonka's alluding to?


Drake....currently not sure what Wonka is alluding to, but I'll some digging. You're right tho, he ought to share his info, but I think he enjoys dangling the carrot out there a little bit thinking we're all going to squirm! He's a bit of a rascal that way.....

[miacwatchmen]

Watch - I wouldn't get too concerned about this Archer kid yet.  If the Tommies go this route I'd put my money on Robinson stepping in & taking over the Weaver like minutes, if not more.

Off the top of my head I would think an initial Tommy lineup for next year would look like the following -

Pg - Andy Dwyer - Brian Sames
SG - Brian Schnettler - Robinson
SF - Mike Keating 
C - Ike
PF - Al McCoy??

And you know Fritzie, don't make him go more than 6-7 deep.   

Drake- You really think McCoy is going to start. I believe that is the young man that played JV last year for the Tommies if I am correct....he was the slightly larger with dred locks. If I'm right about who he is then I would have to think the Tommies would have a better option to go to for the PF spot. McCoy was a big kid that used his body well but he isn't that tall. However, he was very quick for his size. I don't know how well he can shoot because I don't remember him shooting anything other than a layup in a game. I could be wrong but I gotta think the Tommies will find someone somewhere to be the PF other than this guy......maybe in a year or two though. Maybe MM would prove me wrong though....... (Just a thought)

[Drake Palmer]

Watch – you're describing the right guy. Do note I did place a couple of question marks after his name.  After reviewing the list of UST returnees for next season, he appears to be the most likely candidate.  And might I add, don't sleep on McCoy.  He doesn't look like your prototypical power forward, but he's got the heart of a warrior, is a fearless rebounder & defender.

Its kids like him & your former nuisance of a pg, the diminutive Pat McKenzie, who are what D3 athletics are about - too slow, too small, too large, too skinny, "it don't matter".    They love to play & use their god-given talent to the best of their abilities.   And sometimes, that ability, heart, determination & hustle is not only good enough to start, but to excel.  In McCoy's case I wouldn't bet against him.  I understand he led the Tommie JV in scoring last season but yeah you're right, he doesn't shoot much outside of the lane.  His J needs a major overhaul.

[miacwatchmen]

McCoy did get alot of stuff inside when I watched and you are right Drake, he did rebound like an animal. I guess from what I saw on their JV they had a couple other players that were larger that would maybe get a look as well. McCoy at 6'4'' and 250 lbs seems to have a similar body to Terrance Smith of SMU but with better skills. I don't know enough about who UST to fill Shimek's spot so I will have to trust you that McCoy will be playing 

[columbianmaffia]

you silly rascals 

[Willy Wonka]

Awful quiet on Hewitt these days...does someone need a reminder to pull them out of the McGwire-like funk ("I'm not here to talk about the past.")? Or perhaps your afternoons are now spent napping to recover from aiding and abetting those illegal early-morning offseason practices. I've assumed plurality, though the rumormill says Hambone only admitted to holding one before realizing it was against the rules — just like Moss may have smoked "once in a blue moon."

I guess the self-styled "best ****ing coaches in the MIAC" are looking for a leg up so they can shout it from atop of the scorers table like Khalid El-Amin rather than from the tabletops of a local establishment.

Maybe that will kickstart some activity on these boards again

[piperinsider]

Cheat to win!

Can't blame Foster and Weiner though, they have been still participating in baseball. A run short of Hamline's first MIAC baseball championship.

"I just wanna win, man."

[Drake Palmer]

Aww Willy – I thought you were on to sumthing.

And to paraphrase the words of the 21st century NBA anti-hero Allen Iverson—

"We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. "


What's wrong with a little extra practice? 

[localcoach]

willy - I've been out of town visiting with family, so no I'm not avoiding your questions about Hambone, as you put it.  This is the first I've heard of any sort of illegal practices.  Don't the players have classes in the morning?  You know how rumors get started.

Sorry, but I have nothing else to offer in the way of MIAC recruiting scuttlebutt at this time.

[funbballer]

Awful quiet on Hewitt these days...does someone need a reminder to pull them out of the McGwire-like funk ("I'm not here to talk about the past.")? Or perhaps your afternoons are now spent napping to recover from aiding and abetting those illegal early-morning offseason practices. I've assumed plurality, though the rumormill says Hambone only admitted to holding one before realizing it was against the rules — just like Moss may have smoked "once in a blue moon."

I guess the self-styled "best ****ing coaches in the MIAC" are looking for a leg up so they can shout it from atop of the scorers table like Khalid El-Amin rather than from the tabletops of a local establishment.

Maybe that will kickstart some activity on these boards again

Willy....that's the BEST juice you can come up with?!!!

Am I beginning to think that with Wohler out hustling and out recruiting your boy Hanson, that you're a little worried the Pipers will be getting the best of the GAC boys over the next few years??

[Willy Wonka]

funbb - If the juice is true, I don't want to taint it to make it seem worse. Are you trying to say the story isn't ridiculous enough the way it is?

Can you imagine seeing Hanson, Fritz or Kalland on the sauce at a local pub proclaiming themselves "the best ****ing coaches in the MIAC" for all to hear while wobbling atop a chair? Personally, I can't imagine any of those three making such a claim while alone in their home, dead sober.

Now imagine it coming from a staff who has won, what, 15 league games in two years? I can't wait to see how they act if the Pipes actually continue their improbable rise to the top of the ranks. It may be worth the trouble to secretly bug their offices to catch all the amazing quotes they throw out there. In fact, I may start making them up next year just for fun

Loco - Are you denying it happened or simply that it didn't happen recently? I don't know the exact timing, but I stand by the info of the Pipes holding early (pre-8 am) practices and hoping to get away with it because they were run by assistants. At what point can the integrity of those involved be questioned?

When I was a student, I avoided morning classes like the plague. I highly doubt any Hamline ballers are taking those oh-so-popular sunrise sessions that would prevent such activity.

In closing, I'll pose this question: Is Wohler more Clem "smile and no one will ever notice" Haskins or Bob "win at all costs" Huggins? Personally, I'm torn.

Got some news I'm sitting on for next week as well. I like secrets