MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sumander]

Fins, bandwagon is back in the garage. we may still need a little air pressure adjustment on the monster tires. Team came out slow again last night. Sorry we left it a little messy. We had some extra curricular celebrating going on thanks to Willie's Gusties and their defeat of the Tomcats! We have a week to get things in shape for Hambone!

Random thoughts before I head for two days worth of meetings 

Auggies shot the ball well the first 10 minutes of the game, Johnnies struggled going 6 -15 in the first 8 minutes or so of the game.

Cassens and Krumwiede(sp) are both nice ball players. Krumwiede was looking for the train that hit him though after running into a Fogt pick.

Auggies were very patient and ran there offense very well in the first half. They still must not trust it though, because in the second half they went away from it and they paid for their lack of discipline.

If Fogt was allowed to bang like they let Solaji do last night he would be all MIAC and there would be a lot of bruised post players.

Solaji is a lot like Warren Sap from SMU only with better skills.

Johnnies turned up the pressure in the second half and the Auggies couldn't handle it.

Said it before and I'll say it again, Brady Brink would start for every other team in the MIAC! 10 pts & 12 boards in 26 min of play! Lock for sixth man!

Looks like the playoff picture became a lot more clear last night!

Who owns the tiebreaker between the Royals and the Gusties?

Willie the SJU faithful thank you and your Gusties for the help! 

[abominable_snowman]

WW-

Here's my take on some of your concerns.

Scnettler-
The kid knows basketball.  He understands the fundamental elements of the game. That said, I wouldn't label him a complete player. He does have a very dominant calling card in three point land, and generally speaking that is where he lives.  I agree (and the stats show) that he has room to expand his game.  The question is if it is worth it?  Too boost other stats, you will take away from those glorious 3pt numbers.  An obvious example is that you would rather have Schnettler waiting on the perimeter for a kick out than crashing the offensive glass.  Which leads me to

Dwyer-
He takes more of the guard pressure off of Schnettler.  By being a primary ball handler, and a solid defender, he now allows Bryan and others to be more effecient.  His impact may be hard to measure, but in an 80-74 type game, it could easily cover a 6pt margin.

I can't speak to Keating's issues, or how long Dwyer will be absent.

As for our ranking, I hate the number 3 for the very illogical and irrational reason that everytime we are given that ranking we quickly get hit with loss. 

Finally, although the Tommy-Cruiser may take frequent stops at Ambercrombie and Caribou Coffee, those of us who have been riding for some time will keep it rolling toward Salem. 

[columbianmaffia]

weak-sauce

nice usage of the word weak-sauce...it is personally one of my favorite words

on a side note now that phillips did it only 4 players in the history of the MIAC have reached 1000 career points and 400 career assists...2 are from CAR and 2 are from BU...it kind of suprises me that only 2 schools have players that have done this

also does anyone have a link to this season miac stats??

[Drake Palmer]

weak-sauce

nice usage of the word weak-sauce...it is personally one of my favorite words

on a side note now that phillips did it only 4 players in the history of the MIAC have reached 1000 career points and 400 career assists...2 are from CAR and 2 are from BU...it kind of suprises me that only 2 schools have players that have done this

also does anyone have a link to this season miac stats??

I also happen to have a special fondness for that phrase

Cmob - did you forget? Go to the MIAC website.
MIAC Statistics

[kel_varnsen]

It's just taken the Gustavus team most of the season to put all the pieces together. Now they're finally playing Gustavus basketball. The defense has steadily improved throughout the year. Gacbacker's description of the offense being "ordinary" at times gives them a little too much credit. All too frequently, they would just stop scoring points.

A few games seem to have boiled down to little more than bad luck. On the critical possessions, they'd do everything right. They'd get a shooter a good look, and it would rim out. On defense they'd force a contested shot with the shot clock winding down, only for the rebound to take a terrible bounce. Last night, it was finally the opposite. Somehow, a loose ball found its way to an open Kane Sivisend who nailed the 3 to make it 60-57. In any other game, the Gusties probably wouldn't have managed to grab the loose ball, and if they did, the shot would have hit back iron, front iron, and then back iron again before bouncing out.

Overall, I think it's an issue of attitude. They've finally found that Gustavus signature blend of arrogance, confidence, and modesty. From the opening tip last night, this was clear. They expected to win, knew how to win, and they did it. Meanwhile, St. Thomas seemed more concerned about highlight reel plays. I lost count of all the easy buckets Gustavus scored because a St. Thomas defender went flying uncontrollably for a blocked shot. When UST built its lead, I wasn't the least bit concerned because I knew sooner or later contested fadeaway three-pointers stop falling. Most importantly, Gustavus controlled the pace of the game. In a slow, deliberate game, I'll take Gustavus any day. That's Gustavus basketball.

[Drake Palmer]

Don't let it ever be said that Drake doesn't come back on the board & take his lumps when one of the teams he cheers for hits the refuse heap. 

Tough night if you're Tommie fan, & nice look back in the rearview mirror at seasons' past if you're a Gusties supporter. 

I wasn't able to make it out to any games last night, but thanks to modern technology, I was able to catch the last few minutes of regulation & OT of the Gusties-Tommies game on the video webcast.  I liken these broadcasts to watching those old monstrous, console TV sets (very grainy reception), our parents or grandparents may have had back in the fossil days of the 20th c. technology.  Unfortunately this web technology let me down & I wasn't able to listen to the Js & Dawgs game later on last night. 

It appears Wittwer & Sowden both finally had the type of games many people were expecting them to have, & for one night the supporting players stepped up to the challenge.  Wittwer was out-quicking Ike & even out jumped him for a couple rebounds.  On the interior, the one play that summed up the Ts' defense for me was when of all players, Sowden beats Ike from the FT line to the cup with his left hand (for crying out loud!) for a layup, & there wasn't another T defender in the lane to have Ike's back.  Willy, I'm sure you were gloating & hi-fiving your co-workers when you saw that play take place!  I appreciate Sowden's audacity & drive, but old Ike, if he would have got beat like that would have trailed him on the play & knocked his shot back up the road to LeSueur!  Nice play Philly. (Dang,  I think they have a photo of the very same play when Sowden beat Ike on the Gustie website!)

The other play that typified the Gusties night:  At the beginning of OT, Wittwer beats Ike on the tip, the Gusties get the ball, run a couple of screens & bam, then who?  There's Mike DesLauriers in the baseline corner firing up & making a trey. All I could do was shake my head in mock disgust!

Good win Gusties!
****************************************************

My take on Willy's questions:

Schnettler – puhleeze, don't even try.  You're just trying to finding a nit with this one.  The other ones, you've got plenty of debating, maneuvering room.  Sensei is averaging just fewer than 4 boards a game & is clocking in at a respectable 3.7 Rpg.  His predecessor averaged 1.4 boards/game. Schnettler's not the do everything monster that Buri was, but he's plenty, plenty solid.

Dwyer - Like my man Snow sez, it's hard to quantify what Dwyer brings to the table, but he has been steadily improving all season long.  And, when he's struggling or out, the team struggles - Augsburg & now GAC.  I'll be the first to admit I was all over his case when I saw the Ts' PG struggles at the beginning of the year – MAC, LAX etc.  For awhile it appeared Sensei was going to be the do-everything guard for the Tommies.  But when the Ts semi-righted the PG ship, & when UST is kicking butt, it's Dwyer out at the point leading the attack on both sides of the ball.  Don't believe me? - Check with the Bethel boosters.

Keating – Hard to say.  Bear in mind, it's not even a week since the Tommies laid down the law & the smack against those same Royals.  Keating was a huge factor in that win.  Dwyer goes down about halfway through the following game with the Dawgs, & Keating & the Tommies struggle to win in OT. Obviously they struggled last night in their loss to GAC.  Augsburg made a specific point of taking Keating out of the Tommie game plan & limited him to 5 shots. Last night, plain & simple, I think he just struggled.  He'll be back.

Non Big 3 - As far as the rest of the UST starters & bench is concerned, yeah it happens.  What can I say? As a GAC follower, you should be familiar with that refrain.  I'll admit I was a little disappointed in Lonnie Robinson's performance since his game seems to have been on an upward trend over the past 3-4 games.  But you played the game, sometimes, certain players just have your # & apparently Wittwer owns Robinson.  And there's no shame in that.  Other than the fact Wittwer has a 3-4 inch height advantage over Robinson, Wittwer is a legit hooper.  Like a number of other talented players in the league, he along with Robinson just needs to bring their "A" game on a consistent basis.

You're right Kel - grind em out, half court deliberate basketball is the strategy to defeating the Tommies.  Losses to UW-LAX, SJU & GAC, followed up by close wins over AUGS in 2 OTs & narrow escapes from the Carlies is proof of this. 

[miacwatchmen]

Question: If Gustavus and Bethel both win their last three games they will finish 14-6. The head to head between the two would be split at 1-1. My question is would they the tiebreaker go to their record against UST or their record vs. SJU and UST?

[bethelguy]

I haven't looked to verify, but I think the 3 seed would go to GAC.  I think the next tiebreaker is record vs. teams ahead of you, which is 1-3 for both teams.  Then the next tie breaker you start at 1st place and go down, GAC would get the higher seed since they beat UST and Bethel's win was over 2nd place SJU (assuming UST gets finishes #1). 

So I guess I should qualify...

If UST wins the league - GAC is #3 seed
If SJU wins the league - Bethel is #3 seed

So if BU and GAC win out, Semi's would match up BU @ UST and GAC @ SJU (both away teams looking to venge monkey stomps in recent weeks).

Again, this is all without actually looking it up, just going off memory so someone may refute this post.

MIAC Men's Basketball Tie Breaking Procedure
1. Head to head competition
2. Results against all teams above those tied
3. Results against above teams beginning in rank order.
4. Descending order of losses.
5. Best road record.
6. Coin flip.

[Drake Palmer]

Question: If Gustavus and Bethel both win their last three games they will finish 14-6. The head to head between the two would be split at 1-1. My question is would they the tiebreaker go to their record against UST or their record vs. SJU and UST?

I also think one of the board's stats guys should take a look at possible scenarios involving MAC (6-11), SMU (6-11) & STO (8-10) for the possible 6th & final playoff spot.  I could see STO dropping their last two games against Carleton & Gustavus.

BG, Mose - one of you guys wanna take an official look at this?

I think SMU has a better shot at winning 2-3 games (@ AUG, @ Bet, CORD), but I believe they lost the season series with Oles this year. Mac split with STO, but have games with @ Bethel, @ Carleton & @ Hamline.

Hmm, looks like I answered my own question.  Barring any major upsets - Gulp - the Oles look to be in good shape to make the playoffs. Coach Koz is standing on top of the Ole bandwagon, looking for any & all people that bear any physical or posting resemblance to Funbballer to get ready to kick him off! 

[finsleft]

Fins, bandwagon is back in the garage. we may still need a little air pressure adjustment on the monster tires. Team came out slow again last night. Sorry we left it a little messy. We had some extra curricular celebrating going on thanks to Willie's Gusties and their defeat of the Tomcats! We have a week to get things in shape for Hambone!

Nice job last night Sumander. Don't worry about the wagon, looks like Lupita has it pretty much cleaned up already.
Good work by the Gusties last night, too. GAC fans- I have a lot of experience in the bandwagon department so take my advice...don't buy a bandwagon, rent one. 

[Drake Palmer]

Fins, bandwagon is back in the garage. we may still need a little air pressure adjustment on the monster tires. Team came out slow again last night. Sorry we left it a little messy. We had some extra curricular celebrating going on thanks to Willie's Gusties and their defeat of the Tomcats! We have a week to get things in shape for Hambone!

Nice job last night Sumander. Don't worry about the wagon, looks like Lupita has it pretty much cleaned up already.
Good work by the Gusties last night, too. GAC fans- I have a lot of experience in the bandwagon department so take my advice...don't buy a bandwagon, rent one. 

Sound advice Fins +K.     Looks like Watch has got your old one in his avatar.  Down here in the cities they have special deals on bandwagon/limos like the one I was tooling around in yesterday on the board.

[columbianmaffia]

weak-sauce

nice usage of the word weak-sauce...it is personally one of my favorite words

on a side note now that phillips did it only 4 players in the history of the MIAC have reached 1000 career points and 400 career assists...2 are from CAR and 2 are from BU...it kind of suprises me that only 2 schools have players that have done this

also does anyone have a link to this season miac stats??

I also happen to have a special fondness for that phrase

Cmob - did you forget? Go to the MIAC website.
MIAC Statistics

believe it or not...i have never been to this website before 

thanks for the help though +k

[Drake Palmer]

Here's the main site
MIAC

[piperinsider]

Board is red hot today. 16 more days to the MIAC Championship. I hope the Godfather and my pal OAS are still in whether we are in St. Paul, Collegeville, Arden Hills, St. Pete or Northfield. I miss OAS and glass No. 15 and its owner. Who can forget TH4L meeting the mom in the parking lot of what is now known as MGM? Or the banner that said "welcome OneArmedScott"? Or Mafia in his skates with a broken wheel last year? I hope everyone can make it out for the championship cokout.

Anybody heading to Hutton Saturday? Not sure whether I'll be there for the men as the Gusties always destroy the Pipes. Hutch native Bri Monahan is 16 points away from breaking the school record (which will be broke again next year by Jess Vadnais) at GAC.

[Dunkmachine]

St. Thomas is easily the best team in the conference by more than their record shows.  I know that seems obvious because they are the only ranked team but they are at the top by far. 

I do agree with board in that they are a three headed monster only.  Keating, Ike, and Schnetty are their only weapons.  Dwyer is a ball handler and provides above average ball preassure, Robinson is a slasher at best. 
It is kind of crazy that the number 3 team in America has two starters that poop their pants (much like that astranaut) when they are given an open 16 footer.  They have three weapons only.  Take away one and make it difficult for another and you will be victorious.  Augs didnt even guard Robinson or Dwyer the whole game.  Thats why they almost won.

p.s. I tried to put in some pictures but it didnt work.  How do I do it??