MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[columbianmaffia]

i agree Cmob, Drake missed 3 putback/layups during that stretch (he shot a pretty terrible 2-11-almost all the shots were within 12 feet)

Keating delivered the big blow when UST was in an offensive lull, grabbing a monster O board in Worm-esque fashion, and scoring the putback and foul.

* Drake looked to me like he lost some weight during his bout with broncitus...i was suprised he was able to play as much as he did being his first game back...still gotta make the bunnies though

* Keatings rebound was one of the top 10 sweetest rebounds i have ever seen!  he came out of no where and he got up high and cuffed that sucka...it was tight

i agree with your dwyer assessment...he did a great job...i think it was a good move to put Kootsikas on Schnettler because he is better at fighting threw picks than Sutherland is...Sutherland is a great defender when someone is trying to go one on one but need a little more stregth to fight though a series of picks...

im going to go plant some acorns and watch them grow into oak trees

[abominable_snowman]

IMO. it sounded like the Johnnies were playing not to lose and the Royals were playing to win! J's had a chance to make a statement and didn't.

That being said, J's aren't going to lose three more games the rest of the way @STOLAF,MAC,AUG,HAM and @UST. They finish second or better and the BET will come to C-Ville for the rubber match in the second round of the playoffs!

well said sum!

my theory is holding true tho, the J's can't get to 80 on the road.  

also on the ust recap...

"UST junior forward Tommy Shimek had six points to help the Toms outscore Carleton 10-3 in bench points."

...I know it is Carelton, but I was suprised to hear that UST's bench outscored someone else's.  Not a knock on the caliber of player on the bench, but just that the bench doesn't see that many minutes.

[VOJ]

Pat...do you have a problem when people talk openly about the officiating? 

As for the SJU-BU game...I was there and all I can do is point to the stats...32 free thows to 5...come on the MIAC is not a league where you see that much difference in the teams and there was defense played by Bethel, are you telling me they never bodied up against a Johnnie or handchecked...

I know Brian Mauer was one of the officials and boy was he getting friendly with the Bethel bench before the game...

I agree with some of the posts...the bigs for Bethel took it to the SJU bigs last night...they shot well from the outside which SJU did not...and the controlled the boards in the second half, but where it counted...on the foul line it was decidely in favor of Bethel...

[VOJ]

Oh and as for the Tommie bench...I just don't see much quality there, so UstBumkneez take it for what its worth...they don't get much from the bench, hell Fritze told me that himself...just pray that none of your key starters...Isaac, Schnettler or Keating get injured...or it will be like that line in Major League 2...Fritze's old mother hubbard and there is nothing in the cupboard...

[bethelguy]

I was at the BU/SJU game (and I am rather bias).  I'm not trying to jump on the bandwagon and start posting like madd, but here is what I saw last night. 

While I thought the refs were bad, I did NOT feel throughout the game that either team gained an advantage.  And I was shocked to see the free throw shooting difference.  It was a combination of things that led to that alarming statistic.  1.  The BU big men were more aggressive especialy Moberg who got to the line while being fouled in the paint which is understandable.  2.  SJU was shooting jump shots especially in the 2nd half, jump shots rarely lead to free throws.  3.  SJU had to foul the last couple min to try and get back into the game (BU shot 10 FTs in the last 2 min).

Quoting sju4life - "Im typically not an advocate of blaming refs especially in a 12 point game but with SJU shooting 47% for the game and only having 9 turnovers thats typically going to win ball games in the MIAC."

That is true but letting the other team score 53, shoot nearly 60% (57% from 3) and out rebound you 21-13 in the 2nd half you will lose that game.  And that has nothing to do with the refs and free throw shots attempted.  In all reality SJU played no defense for the last 20 min.  BU's D in the 1st half was not very good but they were clearly the more aggressive team on both ends and owned the 2nd half by 18 points.

Finally - hats off to the BU big men.  As stated Moberg was a force in the 2nd half and while Meadowcroft struggled to score most of the game he came up huge with 4 2nd half offensive boards and Moberg's 3 2nd half blocks down the stretch were the difference for the Royals.

I respect the SJU basketball program and they are having a very good season.  The playoffs may be a very different story, but last night Bethel beat the Johnnies.

[Nites]

The J's have played 14 MIAC games so far, 7  @ home and 7 on the road.

MIAC games only!

Sorry, thanks. 

Which tire blew out on the Bandwagon last night?

[sumander]

The J's have played 14 MIAC games so far, 7  @ home and 7 on the road.

MIAC games only!

Sorry, thanks. 

Which tire blew out on the Bandwagon last night?

Seems to be the one we had trouble with down at SMU! I trust Fins will have it back in the shop for a little work and it will be running fine by Saturday for the trip to STOLAF!

[Retired Old Rat]

The problem with the bandwagon last night is that it never left the garage.

I am a migraine sufferer and God decided about 4pm yesterday that it was my turn for another one.  I couldn't even listen to the game I felt so terrible.

p.s.  No, I did not sample the Everclear Fin's left on the bandwagon prior to the migraine.  I wish I had that as an excuse.

[finsleft]

The problem with the bandwagon last night is that it never left the garage.

I am a migraine sufferer and God decided about 4pm yesterday that it was my turn for another one.  I couldn't even listen to the game I felt so terrible.

p.s.  No, I did sample the Everclear Fin's left on the bandwagon prior to the migraine.  I wish I had that as an excuse.

Well, so it's your fault. Sorry refs. 

[Retired Old Rat]

The problem with the bandwagon last night is that it never left the garage.

I am a migraine sufferer and God decided about 4pm yesterday that it was my turn for another one.  I couldn't even listen to the game I felt so terrible.

p.s.  No, I did sample the Everclear Fin's left on the bandwagon prior to the migraine.  I wish I had that as an excuse.

Well, so it's your fault. Sorry refs. 

I accept all responsibility.     My intention is to atone for this sin on Feb 17 in St. Paul.

[UST_LBOW]

Sorry to hear that SJU lost again.  I feel really bad.........

The UST-CAR game was downright ugly.  Both teams shot poorly.  A win is a win, that's all that matters.  Keating stepped up in the second half after barely playing in the first half due to fouls.  Bryan kept them in the game in the first half and Shimek stepped up when Mike was on the bench (6pts in 11min). Mike's rebound and putback in the second half was clownshoes, absolutely ridiculous.  I think he would have taken someone's head off to get that rebound.  Also Dan Grant played well when Lonnie was in foul trouble.  Grant and Shimek two did a nice job OFF THE BENCH.

Ike caused problems for CAR's big men and had a nice badooka dunk at the end.

Zach Johnson and Tommy Drake had nice games (6-27 FG's combined) OUCH.  I thought Koots was about the only one that really played hard for CAR especially down the stretch. (props CMOB)  I was surprised they didn't step up their defense and put more pressure on UST towards the end.  It didn't seem like the other guys were into it, except when Johnson committed a foul and would smile and laugh at the ref.  He must never commit fouls.

CMOB ~ Where were you sitting?

[columbianmaffia]

L-Bow

i was sitting in the second row behind coach kalland right by that table that is in the stands behind the scorers table...i didnt see you either and didnt have time to stick around after the game so i had to go...i think we need to throw it back sometime this summer and hit up an open gym together and dominate like old times....cuz u know it will be clownshoes

on a side note...i did not even recognize tommy schimek until almost the end of the first half...kid hit the weights

[d3bballfollower]

the Bethel bandwagon now has a little steam...and hopefully and little bit more respect...i was at the game last nigiht and I thought that the SJU posts were atrocious...especially their shooting...Fogt at least hit some shots, but the Schaefers didn't hit the broad side of a barn...but I was really impressed with Brady Brink...this is only the second time I've seen him play, and he single handidly kept SJU in the game on the boards and on the defensive end...only 7 points, but 12 boards in 27 minutes...he fouled out, but only because he was being aggressive...SJU would have won last night if the Schaefers and Fogt would've been more aggressive, but they never have been, and that is why SJU will not be able to get over the hump to the NCAA tourney...I have now seen every team in the league play at least twice and I think that Bethel is the best team in the league right now...we will find out more on Saturday, but I think the bandwagon will just keep rolling along...GO ROYALS!

[BETHEL34]

It was a story of two halves last night.  Great adjustment by BU in the second half limited SJU's easy transition points where in the first half they had about 8-10 easy buckets just on transition.  In the second half they only had 1 or 2 easy transition buckets which led to SJU needing to run their half court offense.  I am not really impressed with SJU's half court offense.  I would say over half their points come from either transition or ohme passing it in and then making a quick cut for a bucket.  Besides that, once they had to run their half court offense, i would say Bethels D probably held them to 25% shooting because they were making them settle for jumpers with a hand in their face.  

Moberg settled down in the second half and went on a rampage going 6-7 for 16 points with 3 blocks and 6 rebounds.  He was definitely a force to be reckoned with inside and between him and Chuck picking it up in the second half led them to 53 points and a victory.  Cory and Madson both had solid games.  Cory continues to get better at managing the game and Madson had his typical 20 point game with 5 assists going 7-12 from the field.  Great team win for Bu last night.

Now to the Reffing...if you look at the fouls closer I think it makes great sense on how the game was played.  All 7 fouls against Bethel were committed by the their wings.  Meaning they were calling some hand checks on BU and a couple shooting fouls against them.  But, if you were there and saw how the Schaffers and Brink were playing it would make sense that BU's big men weren't in foul trouble.  Craig had 2  buckets in transition and then his other 4 were little baby hook shots.  His 4 misses were the same little hook shots, with one being floater from 7 feet that missed.  Never did he take the ball hard to the rack.  Scott was 0-4, took two 3 pointers and also never took the ball hard to the rack.  Brink took a three, made a 17 footer, had one good strong take for a bucket, one other good strong take where he got fouled and then his other bucket was in transition and then he also missed a couple little bunnies that were contested.  SJU's big men never gave the refs a reason to blow their whistles.  Everything was turnaround hook shots or floters.  Now look at the 19 fouls for SJU, 9 of them came from their bigmen not being able to handle Moberg or chuck down low.  Then the other 10 came from the wings and then the fouls in the last 2 mins of the game.  

**My point is, is that the only differences in the Foul calls were on the big men.  SJU's big men committed 9 fouls, BU's 0.  Maybe the refs did miss 1 or 2 calls, but normally the refs give the advantage to the aggressor, and SJU never gave the refs a reason to call a foul.  Moberg and Chuck gave the refs a reason to call a foul by taking it strong to the rack especially Moberg.  SJU couldn't stop him in the second half, he was too big and was getting great position 3-4 feet from the hoop.  Then Laugen and some of the wings got their fts late in the game when SJU started fouling.  

SJU was out played and BU just wanted it more.  Now if you need an excuse for the loss by blaming the ref's...go for it.  I know I sure have needed it plenty in my day!

[Drake Palmer]

What I did over my lunch hour post (long)...

BG - nice to see you resurfacing.  I think I may have also spotted GAC's Trevor Wittwer at the game to cheer on his former high school teammate, Tim Madson.   A few additional comments on the Bethel SJU game: 

A decent ball game all around by the Johnnies, an even nicer game by the Royals. In the first half Johnnies were doing a good job of getting into their offense & although Westman wasn't particularly "feeling it", Lieser was sharp, 12 1st half points, & the J's were getting solid production out of the middle, Craig Schafer (6 points & 6 Rs) & gulp, Jason Fogt with a couple of boards & 4 pts.  The Johnnies also did a great job of leaking a guy out on a made basket by Bethel & scored in transition to snuff any little traction Bethel was trying to get. The Js probably scored 5-6 relatively easy baskets like this last night.

On the Bethel side, Lieser's counterpart Tim Madson was playing like the probable ALL-MIAC performer he'll be, & scored 14 points in the 1st half to keep Bethel in the game. The other Bethel starters were struggling on offense due in part to sharp defense by the Js, bad shot selection by Laugen, good looks but misses by Meadowcroft, & passive shot attempts by Moberg, 2-8 for 7 points.

The second half was a completely different story.  Bethel came out with additional defensive intensity & turned up the heat on the Johnnies.  Steals by Meadowcroft & Laugen, & subsequent baskets in the opening minutes of the 2nd half seemed to ratchet up the Royals determination.  So you can imagine my surprise when Bethel subbed out Laugen after 3-4 minutes & brought in back up PG, Chris Vavra.  Surprise, surprise, Vavra drains a huge trey along with another bench player - Jeff Reck.

But one of the critical turning points in the 2nd half & game for Bethel was the deliberate decision to start pounding the ball inside to Moberg & in turn to tell him, or he told himself – "go up strong with the ball," & boy did he ever!  As I mentioned earlier, he was really passive or tentative in the first half, 2-8 FGA,  & made the Schafer bros. & Jason Fogt look like they were all defensive team caliber players. In the 2nd half Moberg does a complete reversal & shoots 6-7 from the field & is the dominant force inside that people were expecting him to be this season.

The overall defensive effort & intensity by Bethel was impressive, Madson was strong, Laugen did a great job of attacking the glass & for one night, Charles Meadowcroft "out-Brinked" SJU's Brady Brink.  Those offensive rebounds he got in the closing minutes of the game to retain possession of the ball & eat up some more clock was absolutely huge.  "Chuckie" wasn't quite the offensive "X" factor that BET34 thought he would be, but Brady Brink had a lot to do with that.  That kid better make the All-MIAC defensive team.

I'd also agree with Bethelguy about the foul disparity.  Teams that attack the rack are going to get more calls.  Bethel showed much better balance in their shot selection & by my quick scan of the boxscore, over 40+% of their shots were made going to the basket or at the basket.  Laugen did a nice job burning Westman on occasion which accounted for some of his FT attempts.

For the Johnnies, in the first half I calculated 11 out of 32 shots came from inside the paint area for 34%, but in the 2nd half, they almost completely went away from their biggs which I really didn't understand.  Mebbe those years when the T-wolves came up to hold their pre-season camps at SJU had a negative influence on the Johnnies.  In the 2nd half it looked like they were trying out their best T-Wolves impersonation & shooting a gaggle of jumpers.  "Ain't getting no foul calls playing that way kid."

Still when all is said & done, the Johnnies are a very, very, dangerous club & obviously have got the talent to go a long way.  And in the understatement of the day, don't sleep on Bethel.