MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TommieHoops4Life]

As Mig mentioned before, the Johnnies had a laughable shooting display last night. Westman goes to the line for three after a bad call on Schnettler, and throws up three complete bricks that had absolutely zero chance of falling. It must be tough for a good shooter to make anything when his hands are around his neck. The entire team looked rattled, hesitant and like they had never been in a game of that magnitude before. Had they not won as many regular season games, they might have played themselves right out of the NCAAs last night.

I'm completely baffled by Smith sitting C. Schafer not once, but twice for extended minutes in each half. He sat for about 8 mins in each half, and in the first was when the Tommies made their run. Fogt actually isn't completely god awful inside, so why not play him and Schafer together? Johnnies shoot 33 percent for the game and get out-rebounded, but hey, the Tommies don't like to play defense, right?

Ohme flat out needs to be more aggressive on offense. That kid can score at will when he wants to, but it looks as if that role has been taken away from him for whatever reason. Lieser and Westman combine to shoot 1-18 (2 pts). I'm not even a Johnnie fan and it makes me want to puke.

Schnettler hit some big shots all night, and I think I only saw him complain once about being fouled, and it was a legit argument. Kid got hacked on a shot, wasn't called, then he got called for the foul where Westman put up the 3 bricks.

SJU should get in, but they're one and done, especially if their guards choke again. UST can make a deep run if the big 3 keep playing like they have been.

[TommieHoops4Life]

One other thing,

OAS trying to scalp tickets at the entrance was hilarious. Even more hilarious was the UST worker selling her available tix for less than OAS, so he couldn't even scalp. He actually gained four tickets in his first hour, but made sales right before tip-off. Nice work.

Thanks to PI for the PBR tall cans in the car. Great atmosphere last night, but it would've been even better if not for horrible timing with a snowstorm.

[SJU09]

No way St. John's shoots 3 for 20 this Saturday from three point range, look for Brink to have a big game

I was way wrong - when Westman missed three free throws in a row you knew it was over and going to be a long night.   SJU was a step slower that UST all night - no intensity.  Too bad for the fans. 



PS I think  St. John's has trouble shooting at the Sho becsue it's so small.     

[VOJ]

Drake--you are a stand up dude.  I have given up drinking so I used your contributed funds to a Snelling Melt.  The best sandwich on the menu.

Yes, reselling tix was an adventure.

SJU looked awful.  I know Andy Gilbert hated the MAC gym but I think Westman hates the Shoe even more.

Bethel seemed to have their starting five in attendance.  I was hoping they'd come out in the second half to make it a game.

oAs.

oAs...I love how people who's schools can't handle competition make comments here...you know ones who drop out of sports.  Get your digs in now football will be here before you know it, by the way SJU could use a non-conference scrimage for their 5th team in 2009 is MAC available?

Oh and another thing...yes Ohme is not the scorer he was as a freshman or sophomore on less than spectacular teams, the J's have won more this year and gotten everyone involved...call it regression if you want, but he is a 1000 point scorer and the career leader in assists at SJU, that to me says enough...but you haters keep on hating

[ustbumkneez]

oAs...I love how people who's schools can't handle competition make comments here...you know ones who drop out of sports.  Get your digs in now football will be here before you know it, by the way SJU could use a non-conference scrimage for their 5th team in 2009 is MAC available?

VOJ, its almost as offputting as someone overreacting to a tongue in cheek joke about a game that wasnt competitive, involving a team that didnt show up, with a rip about that posters schools performance in another sport. right? toughen up, partner.

[piperinsider]

Drake--you are a stand up dude.  I have given up drinking so I used your contributed funds to a Snelling Melt.  The best sandwich on the menu.

Yes, reselling tix was an adventure.

SJU looked awful.  I know Andy Gilbert hated the MAC gym but I think Westman hates the Shoe even more.

Bethel seemed to have their starting five in attendance.  I was hoping they'd come out in the second half to make it a game.

oAs.

oAs...I love how people who's schools can't handle competition make comments here...you know ones who drop out of sports.  Get your digs in now football will be here before you know it, by the way SJU could use a non-conference scrimage for their 5th team in 2009 is MAC available?

Huh? SJU lost 75-49, how is that not described as awful?

[Willy Wonka]

Buckle up for safety. Here's some random thoughts as Wonka waits for Oden to dominate Tucker, since most have posted big blurbs already.

• You know it's bad when you're sitting in the Johnnie section and some dad is going nuts about a layup when they're down 30 with 2 minutes to play and a mom's biggest cheers come from missed UST free throws.

• Which SJU team looked sillier in the spotlight this weekend, the one who lost at UST by 26 or the one who scored 10 points in the first half against Duke?

• Why haven't more people made fun of UST students for stealing the defense jump-chant from Bethel? It's a blatant ripoff of a not that sweet move. I'm surprised a shaved-head Duffman and Johnnie Red didn't go lay down the law.

• Keating is like a Madden player with average ratings and a 99 awareness. He throws up more bricks/airboards than anyone I've seen in a long time but he's always in the right place and making smart plays. He got his hands on about the first 6 SJU passes. Apparently that's all it takes to be an MVP candidate in the MIAC this season.

• Lieser and Westman were defended well most of the night, but Ohme seemed to be able to get to the rim at will. As others have said, I was suprised he didn't try to do more.

• For as much as people rip Fogt on here, he was SJU's best player yesterday. He also looked like the only one who was upset in the second half when they were getting destroyed. He could play with me anytime.

• Coach Fritz let Schnettler stay in the longer of the Big 3, allowing him to get the last and biggest ovation. My MVP is still Ike, but is Fritz trying to sway the vote with that move?

• I'm all but certain Ike will repeat on the All-Defensive team based on his blocks, but I'm not sure he deserves it. He got lit up by Fogt last night, gave up 16-6 on 7-8 shooting to Nerd Bain, and allowed 21-10 to C. Schafer in the previous game. Linz dropped 19-10 the game before that, but I doubt Ike guarded him. Aren't great defenders supposed to do more than get blocks and/or steals?

• The UST bench played huge — that means Brett too, Papa Tuma — as each one seemed to bring something to the table. It may have been the best I've seen the Tommies play as a unit all season. If they can keep that up — the track record seems to suggest otherwise — they are capable of a run to Virginia.

• As a buddy of mine asked afterwards...was Dan Grant born with two arms? His outside shot looked like it belonged in a handicapped game.

• Was that the same SJU team who beat my Gustis by 30+ on two occasions? Seriously?

[Willy Wonka]

I've made a separate response for Goonther, since he seems incapable of following anything in his life.

Case in point: He was recently booted from a fantasy basketball league we're in due to negligence. This happened five weeks ago and he just found out last weekend. The best part is his team name: I Don't Not Love Max.

FYI: Max is TDT's uglier, more annoying alter ego.

As for his remark...it's true that my shining moment may have come as a freshman when I tipdunked at SJU in the title game. However, a doubledoubs in the tourney while being the last to hold a future 2x AA to single digits as a junior wasn't too shabby either.

To each his own

[miacwatchmen]

St Thomas never trails as they dominate the Johnnies tonight. Keating has a very good game, 15 and 11 with 6 dimes, as hes one of four Tommie starters in double figures. Big contributions from those outside of "The Big 3" were integral in the blowout. Robinsons productivity from the semis carried over to this game (11 pts), and Tuma (7 pts) played quality minutes filling in for a foul plagued Dwyer. Rosefelt and Schnettler were effective, though Rosefelt was bumped around quite a bit and that hampered his ability to get to the rim. Schnettler earned a lot of his off penetration. Tommies took very good care of the ball, and maintained a great pace on the offensive end. On the defensive end of the floor, UST pestered the perimeter and was challenging almost every shot the Johnnies took (1-16 from 3, 33% from the field overall). Nice bounce back, in terms of defensive intensity, from the semis, though they will have to box out a lot better and limit second chance points (15 O Bds).

Westman and Lieser were complete no-shows, in a repeat of their atrocious performance last Saturday. C Schafer again had a good game, but didnt get nearly enough touches from his teammates. Thats the problem when your offense is based on your outside scorers creating opportunity for your posts. As weve seen the last two times at the Shoe, it really doesnt work against a team that plays solid D like the Tommies. Ohme, who played hard, was out of control and ineffective. Brink, who I read in the days leading up to tonights game would be the "X-Factor", did absolutely nothing, and the bench of SJU was outplayed and outworked by the UST subs overall. It was Fogt who kept SJU afloat in the 1st half with 8 points, before UST took over completely and didnt look back. In all honesty, based on what Ive seen the last two games from SJU, I cant understand how they will be in the NCAA field next week.
Ive seen SJU play 4 times (UST 3, BU 1) this season, and someone is going to have to explain to me how they are considered a big time team. They dont seem to be as good as their record indicates, considering UST is the only tournament type team they have played (and im not counting SCSU), and the Tommies have dominated them twice. If, like sju4life would have us believe, this is all due to the incliment environment that is The Shoe, then I guess they will be fine come first round next week. As for the Tommies, theyll get to enjoy the friendly confines for a game or two. Thats a nice reward, and they deserve it.

Well based on the last two games you're right they don't deserve to get in but that is why they base the NCAA tourney on the whole season not just your games against your rival. They J's did win 20 games this year. They deserve to be in, BET does not. Oh wait they aren't even in consideration.

[miacwatchmen]

anyone know when the pairings come out?

Tomorrow morning around noon I think.

[miacwatchmen]

Back to hoops....hopefully, the Johnnies are in the tourney and if so, they need to regroup....and fast! Not sure how long it will take for them to pull their tails out, but if they hope to have a chance, they need to forget about the UST games and load up on some positive vibes. If they have good senior leadership, that will happen. It would also be good for the MIAC to have that representation.....and come tourney time, anything can happen.

It didn't take the Johnnies to long to regroup after last weeks defeat. I think I remember them drubbing GAC on Wednesday night by 20+

[ustbumkneez]

Well based on the last two games you're right they don't deserve to get in but that is why they base the NCAA tourney on the whole season not just your games against your rival. They J's did win 20 games this year. They deserve to be in, BET does not. Oh wait they aren't even in consideration.

Watch, I know theyve won a very high # of games. I am well aware of their QOWI, the main component used to determine NCAA tourney teams. I have said for over two weeks that they are a LOCK to make the tourney, as my earlier posts would attest to. All I was alluding to is the fact that they have been handled by UST twice in the last week (a sentiment echoed by numerous others on this board), the only NCAA-caliber team on their schedule. They played UM-Morris twice amongst other paltry non-conference opponents, did well in what many would say is a down year in the MIAC, and got dismantled by their only real competition in conference (the game at Sexton cancelling out the season finale at The Shoe). Until I saw them play, I believed that they were a legitimate NCAA team with a chance at a good run. After the 4 games I saw the Johnnies play, Im wondering what I must have missed that puts them in without any questions.

I never ONCE mentioned Bethel as a possible NCAA team. In fact, nobody did. I think you should relax, be happy your squad is going to get their one game in the tourney, and continue to de-karma anyone who isnt a Johnnie backer and dares to point out the OBVIOUS. That being that SJU played horrendous basketball last night, and doesnt have the look of a tourney team right now.

Favorite quote from todays OSU-Wisco matchup:
"Hes got those buttocks that can keep guys outta the way."

[Greek Tragedy]

Tomorrow morning around noon I think.

I think 9 am.  In all likelihood, I would think St. Thomas would host a "regional" next weekend...possibly Loras, La Crosse and Aurora.

I would guess Point would host the winner of Whitworth/Occidental. 

The NCAA could fly both Whitworth and Occidental to St. Thomas if they feel neither deserves to host a game, while La Crosse and Loras would play on Thursday, with the winner heading to Point.  Of course, this is all projected, we'll wait til tomorrow! lol.

I would think Whitworth would host Occidental prior to Loras hosting La Crosse.

[VOJ]

VOJ, its almost as offputting as someone overreacting to a tongue in cheek joke about a game that wasnt competitive, involving a team that didnt show up, with a rip about that posters schools performance in another sport. right? toughen up, partner.

bumkneez...he was right it was awful, what I took offense too was the comment about Bethel's 5 joining in to give the Toms a game...these are the same Bethel guys who got rolled as bad or worse by the Tommies not two weeks ago...thats all...

[onearmedscot]

VOJ--

And I almost said congrats to SJU fans for not dropping the all too easy "Let's Play Football" chant and you go and bring up MACs football situation on a hoops message board.

Nice work.  Oh and because my team didn't make the playoffs I don't get an opinion.  Ok.  Ha.

Whose, not who's.  I'm sure you were so filled with anger with my post you didn't take the time to proofread yours.  No worries.

oAs.