MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

Dawgs beat Crown 100-71 behind the strength of balanced scoring led by Jr  transfer Femi Solaja with 20 pts, Justin Kozlowski 16pts, baby faced ironman PG Jon Cassens 15 pts., Jr. Dan Graf with 12 pts & Teen Wolf's replacement, another frosh, Zach Krumwiede with 11 points.  An unreliable source had told me a few weeks ago that Kevin Keto had hung it up, but I wasn't able to confirm until I read it in the Augsburg season preview today.

Local – you were right Cassens is a "playa" & I think they've found their PG for the  next 4 years.  Krumwiede appears to be very, very solid as well & looked to be taking some of Dan Graf's minutes.  The Dawgs had 30 assists to just 11 TOs, but rebounding still looks to be a challenge for them as they just barely out rebounded the slightly smaller Crown 29-28.  Considering where they started from, all in all I think this is a nice first step for Augs.

When it appeared that the Dawgs had the game in hand, I rushed home to try to catch the last half of the Cobbs vs. MSU- Moorhead on the webcast.  Let me put it like this, I think webcast is like the early days of color tv.  It's better than nothing but the quality of the video still seems to be hit & miss. Tonight's signal feed was "miss" as was the Cobbs game.  Cobbs were up most of the game & had a double digit lead, but the Moorhead quickness & full court press made the Cobbs turn the ball over 29 times to just 12 assists.  Ouch!  They lost in OT 85-84.  Other than possibly Hamline, I don't think Cord will see a team as quick as the Dragons, so they might still prove this old "doubting Thomas" wrong about their chance for a decent (league playoffs type ) season.

Bethel's early season c*pcake success continues as they crush UM-Morris 111-84.  Hard to tell based on the quality of their opponent, but Mike Moberg looks to be settling in - 19 pts 7 rebounds.

Mac was soundly beat by Northwestern 85-70.  It seems like once a year Tom Conboy has a stinko game.  Tonight was it.

And last but not least, the Gusties lose 78-70 in a competitive game at home against perennial league contender, Buena Vista from the IIAC.  Sounds like it was fairly close, but the Gusties were out rebounded, BV shut down Wittwer, & Tyler (who?) Kramer was once again one of the leading scorers 15 pts for GAC.

[miacwatchmen]

Bethel's early season c*pcake success continues as they crush UM-Morris 111-84.  Hard to tell based on the quality of their opponent, but Mike Moberg looks to be settling in - 19 pts 7 rebounds.

Mac was soundly beat by Northwestern 85-70.  It seems like once a year Tom Conboy has a stinko game.  Tonight was it.

Jason Fogt had 17 and 11 for the Johnnies versus Morris on Saturday and apparently Fogt isn't that good of a player. My point in that I am not on the Moberg bandwagon just yet.

As for Mr. Conboy......looks like another long long season for him and the rest of the MAC crew. But hey at least he'll get his 20 a game 

[Willy Wonka]

And last but not least, the Gusties lose 78-70 in a competitive game at home against perennial league contender, Buena Vista from the IIAC.  Sounds like it was fairly close, but the Gusties were out rebounded, BV shut down Wittwer, & Tyler (who?) Kramer was once again one of the leading scorers 15 pts for GAC.

As the game story says, the game was tied with 4:35 to play in a very close, back-and-forth game. The Gusties deuced their collective drawers down the stretch, taking a number of bad shots, committing costly turnovers and playing poor defense. To BV's credit, it made every mistake hurt. Bad.

As much as the late-game collapse (GAC SID called it a string of bad luck, which is partly true) hurt, I was pleasently surprised by the performance. After trailing 19-11 early and in danger of getting blown out, GAC controlled the game for most of the next 20-25 minutes. Sowden was good, showing extended range, and Kramer (scrappy little PG with a nice shot) was extremely aggressive at the point, even if he did force a few shots inside. GAC also played without starting C Jay Stein for most of the game, as he unsuccessfully tried to play through an ankle sprain.

Wittwer was double teamed nearly all game in the post and was a non-factor offensively. Olson is in danger of being the next Neal Anderson with just one rebound in 33 minutes. The offense, in general, looked stagnant. Not a lot of quick passing, as the 6 assists suggests. Hot shooting (6-14) spurred the rally in the first, but the team settled for the outside shot too easily in the second half, when things weren't falling (2-13). However, the dumb turnovers were all but eliminated (8 ) so it's hard to be too picky this early in the season.

Buena Vista looked tough, per usual. It has the horses inside and a number of quick guards on the perimeter. I was a little surprised to hear the Beavers took the Hawkeyes down to the wire, but that makes the loss a little easier to swallow, too. The one thing the Beavers seemed to lack was a go-to player down the stretch, as reserve Kyle Stribe (15 points in 15 minutes) hit most of the key shots in the second half, and 10 guys played between 16-25 minutes. That said, I'd be pretty surprised if they don't win the IIAC again.

[sumander]

Story on the CORD v. MSUM game from the Fool-Em:

http://www.in-forum.com/Sports/articles/147128

Drake, I would echo your sentiments about the quickness of the Dragons. Caught some of the highlights on local TV. It  appeared that MSU turned up the heat in the second half and the young CORD guards did not do a good job of handling it.

How about this line for Alexandria's Blake Strouth, besides hitting the game tying 3 pointer at the end of regulation.

## Player Name    FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 Blake Strouth. *  7-21      2-8    7-9       4  2    6     3   23  6  2   1    5  43

[UST_LBOW]

Drake ~ Thanks for the list of scorers and rebounders.  Lucas Olson-Patterson lead the league in scoring in 2005, that still blows my mind!


After going to the Gophers game last night and blowing a 10pt lead with 10 min left in the second half, I'm ready to watch some MIAC basketball, at least these guys are competent.  Spencer did play his best game yet as a Gopher and McKenzie looked good. Monson needs to get that guy some more shots. I think Mike Taylor from ISU could have beaten us by himself, that dude was on fire!



Olson from GAC becoming the next Neal Anderson, oof not good for GAC especially because they need help on the glass!

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Back in 2004, Rich Melzer from UWRF had an average of 26.9ppg.  I went to high school with Rich and watched him play for many years, and I see a lot of similarities between him and Isaac Rosefelt.  Rich had a better jump shot and was more physical down low, but their style of play is very similar.  They both attack the hoop and have the ability to take over the momentum of the game.  Rich and Ike both go strong to the hoop and defensively can block shots and pull down boards at will.  If Ike has a weakness, it is his ability to "get big" down low and be more physical.  All this being said, I see a lot of promise for Ike this year, and expect him to have a career year.  And I won't be surprised to see Ike have a ppg average similar to what Rich had in 2004. 

[abominable_snowman]

"APPLETON, Wis. — The 13th-ranked Lawrence University men\'s basketball team nearly came all the way back from an 18-point second-half deficit but fell just short in a 70-67 loss to No. 25 UW-Stevens Point on Tuesday at Alexander Gymnasium. "

That type of story sounds hauntingly familiar....

[Drake Palmer]

Sum - I'd love to cut the Cobbs some more slack, but they came up short in the break the press & composure department.  Z the floor!! Basically, the Dragons & Cobbs lineups are identical in terms of age, & play a similar combination of FY, sophs & juniors.  If the Cobbs want to take a run at the playoffs this year the guard play will need to improve & Brock Citterman will need to greatly improve his FT shooting.  When one of your best players is a wing & is expected to handle the ball in crunch time, the guy needs be able to deliver from the FT line.  That's another area where Eckhoff was so tough.  I was shocked when I looked at the Cobbs' stats from last year & saw that Citterman only averaged 56% from the charity stripe - that's a Shaq-esque type stat.

I didn't have a chance to look at the box score before I posted last night but here's a little follow up on the GAC game. .  Like Willy said, Buena Vista had 10 players play between 16-25 minutes.  Interestingly enough the BV starters only scored 27 points or roughly 34% of the teams total points.

I also scanned the CCIW board & Carthage College won their season opener against Grinnell last night.  The Gusties play Carthage at home on Sunday afternoon & it looks like the Gusties might get another tough tune-up game. Here's what a poster from the CCIW board posted:

Here are a few Bosko nuggets from the Kenosha News article today:

On the prediction to finish seventh - "It doesn't bother me because I don't think a lot of people know what we have in the building,  I think this year's team will be significantly better than last year's team and I think the next four years we should contend if not win a couple conference championships.  I'm that high on this group."

Regarding Higgins - "We're asking quite a bit of him, he'll have the ball in his hands a good percentage of the time and he has to make good decisions for us.  But that's probably what he does best.  He's what I call a pointy-point guard in that he's a very good distributor and a tough kid.  He's a good ball-handler, good passer, a fine defensive player."

Regarding Schlemm - "He knows we're counting on him.  These four weeks of practice, his consistency and his effort have been wonderful.  No one on the team is more talented.  If he has a big year, we could just ride along with him and get some things done that are pretty special."

Practices - "I've had more fun in these last four weeks of practice than I have in about three years."

[Willy Wonka]

For what it's worth, BV's coach was quoted after the loss to Iowa as saying this team is the best the Beavers have ever had. Helps take the sting out of losing the home opener.

Almost.

[Drake Palmer]

Man Willy,  based on your Karma it looks like you've been out talking some smack on the football board.

Well, it is that time of the year for "over the river & through the woods..." so here's a little karma for everyone to take with you wherever your holiday travels may lead.  Happy Thanksgiving!

[columbianmaffia]

Lucas Olson-Patterson lead the league in scoring in 2005, that still blows my mind!

it still blows my mind how much he looks like cheddar bob 

its almost thanksgiving

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE

TURKEY BIRD HERE I COME TO EAT YOU UP!!

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!!

[sumander]

A helping of Thanksgiving +k to the BB board as well! Enjoy the day everyone.

[The Show]

For what it's worth, BV's coach was quoted after the loss to Iowa as saying this team is the best the Beavers have ever had.

Not sure if I buy that or not.  The playmakers are mostly sophs.  But if he speaks the truth, they'll really be scary in the next two years!

Have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving Holiday everyone!

[miacwatchmen]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. + K all around enjoy the day. Get ready for another fun season of MIAC basketball!!

[Drake Palmer]

Carleton loses in their season opener 73-66 against D2 University Hawaii–Hilo after leading for most of the game.   Zach Johnson & Jake Philips picked up where they left off from last season with Johnson scoring 28 points on 7-16 FGA, 13-15 FTA.  Phillips knocks down 19 points, going 5-10 from the trey & 9 assists.  Tommy Drake had a solid game with 10 points & 4 boards. 

The only downside in what seemed to be an outstanding individual performance from Phillips, is that he was 4-5 from behind the arc in the first half & then only 1-5 in the 2nd half.  He & the rest of the Knights went cold from the field & only scored one basket in the last 8 minutes of the game as Hawaii-Hilo gradually took the lead & game.

FY players, wing Jeremy Sutherland & post Bryan Rosett were thrust into the fray & both started for the Knights & were a part of the Carlies' iron 7 rotation. Carleton has two more games in Hawaii, with one game Saturday, finish their games on Tuesday, & then return next Wednesday.

The Cobbs are in action out in Virginia this weekend in the 4 team Christopher Newport tournament.  Their first game is against a Bible school – Maryland Bible, which I'm assuming should be a "gimme" & then potentially face 18th ranked Christopher Newport in the final.  But then we all know what they say happens when we assume.   SMU also plays tonight against Winona State - have mercy,    & half of the MIAC schools are in action on Saturday.