MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Jimmy Chitwood]

I am not saying that enthusiasm is the sole reason the Pioneers won the game, but I do think that it is an intangible that has a significant impact on the way a team performs, especially during big games.  Mentallity and attitude never show up in the stat columns, but they have the ability to make or break a team.  A team can have all the talent in the world, but if they aren't together mentally, it won't matter.  It isn't always the best team that wins the big games, but the teams with the biggest hearts and the stongest minds.   I simply think that Carroll had more of a winning mentality, and this I think stems from their coach and the enthusiasm that he brings to the court. 

[Touchdown Tommy]

Yea well Mark Hanson is a BUM.  He's got a lot of balls to approach Jim Smith after a game like that.  Smitty has forgotten more hoops than Hanson will ever dream to know...

[Greek Tragedy]

I agree with VOJ on calling a spade a spade....

That post rivaled a Greg Sager post! lol 

[Drake Palmer]

I agree with VOJ on calling a spade a spade....

That post rivaled a Greg Sager post! lol 

I had to take a coffee break so I could finish reading it!

[ustbumkneez]

In regards to the Carroll v. UST game, I'll just glimpse back at what I thought would be keys to the game, and comment on the Tommies execution.

If the Tommies dictate the pace, and slow the Pioneers down, they (Carroll) will struggle to score buckets.

Carroll also tends to lose interest on the defensive end if a team works the shot clock on them.

UST has to stop them from getting on a roll, as Carroll did against Augustana.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

They are very streaky from the field, but can get hot quickly. In addition, they are very agile and athletic on the wings, with a lot of quicks.

Plus, I think its better to have Andy on the ball, which is where Ladwig will be (who I think will be Carroll's X factor on Saturday). He's quick, and can get in flows pretty quickly if he gets a couple open looks to kick off the ball game.

Ligocki is a lot like Ladwig, although he works more in the midrange area of the offensive floor. Wont shoot the 3 as much as the others, but is very good in terms of % (which is extremely high from bothV the field and behind the line). Very active.

Colomy does the little things, passes exceptionally well, and always seems to be near the ball and making big plays.

The boxscore speaks for itself.

Their bigs can get roughed up, and are soft on the defensive side of the ball.
Rosefelt can exploit the bigger guys lack of speed, so he should be effective. Keating will be able to beat on Colomy even though he'll be 3 inches shorter. However, Colomy probably will match up with Ike (in which case Keating would be able to put the ball on the floor and exploit Bohn/Mueller)

Difference in the game.

[Nites]

In regards to the Carroll v. UST game, I'll just glimpse back at what I thought would be keys to the game, and comment on the Tommies execution.

If the Tommies dictate the pace, and slow the Pioneers down, they (Carroll) will struggle to score buckets.

Carroll also tends to lose interest on the defensive end if a team works the shot clock on them.

UST has to stop them from getting on a roll, as Carroll did against Augustana.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

They are very streaky from the field, but can get hot quickly. In addition, they are very agile and athletic on the wings, with a lot of quicks.

Plus, I think its better to have Andy on the ball, which is where Ladwig will be (who I think will be Carroll's X factor on Saturday). He's quick, and can get in flows pretty quickly if he gets a couple open looks to kick off the ball game.

Ligocki is a lot like Ladwig, although he works more in the midrange area of the offensive floor. Wont shoot the 3 as much as the others, but is very good in terms of % (which is extremely high from bothV the field and behind the line). Very active.

Colomy does the little things, passes exceptionally well, and always seems to be near the ball and making big plays.

The boxscore speaks for itself.

Their bigs can get roughed up, and are soft on the defensive side of the ball.
Rosefelt can exploit the bigger guys lack of speed, so he should be effective. Keating will be able to beat on Colomy even though he'll be 3 inches shorter. However, Colomy probably will match up with Ike (in which case Keating would be able to put the ball on the floor and exploit Bohn/Mueller)

Difference in the game.

+K you nailed it right on the head.  Why didn't you share the scouting report with Fritz?   

[Jimmy Chitwood]

I think USTBumKneez is a prophet.  Afterall, how else would he know all that before it happened?  Kudos to you son for doing your homework on an underrated team. 

Tommie Pride

[VOJ]

Hey Jimmy...thanks for agreeing with me, but that is not a popular stance...went -4 karma after that post...oh well.

Fritz is not a rah rah coach...he will not change his style for one game, maybe next year Tommy fans, but in reviewing who is coming back and what teams have heading into next year...it looks like a top 6 finish might be hard to attain...

Geez after posting this one...its now -5...no love for the truth on the board

[Drake Palmer]

Hey Jimmy...thanks for agreeing with me, but that is not a popular stance...went -4 karma after that post...oh well.

Fritz is not a rah rah coach...he will not change his style for one game, maybe next year Tommy fans, but in reviewing who is coming back and what teams have heading into next year...it looks like a top 6 finish might be hard to attain...

Geez after posting this one...its now -5...no love for the truth on the board

It wasn't me, so here you go..+k

Not saying that I agree with you

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Well VOJ I am glad you are posting your opinions, afterall that is all these are (minus the stats portion).  I think no matter your opinion on the Carroll game, I am sure we can all agree that UST greatly underachieved and left the majority of sitting here asking "what if."  It was a tough way to go down, and I don't think many of us gave Carroll a chance (unless you are Bumkneez and can disect a team without ever watching them play).  It is a shame, especially given the future of the UST program in the next few years.  Unless there are some transfers coming in to pick up the team, I think it is going to be a struggle just to make the MIAC playoffs in the coming years.  They are going to lack experience and size.  But we can save that discussion for another time.  Keep the posts coming.   

[ustbumkneez]

It was a tough way to go down, and I don't think many of us gave Carroll a chance (unless you are Bumkneez and can disect a team without ever watching them play).

Au contrair monfrair, i saw Carroll play on two occasions.

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Well I was unaware of this stat Bumkneez.  I am presuming you witnessed Carroll in action against a WIAC team (a much stronger conference than the MIAC)??   Oh wait, I might have just opened another can of worms. 

[VOJ]

Thanks Drake...I know we aren't always on the same side in an issue...

Now with regards to the MIAC vs WIAC...who knows...but this leads into a story about a conversation after the J's loss at Stevens Point...

We(a group of pretty smart bball guys, who will go nameless to protect the innocent) were sitting around having a few pops and a pizza and we thought of a great way to drum up interest in the WIAC vs the MIAC...how about a MIAC vs the Cheese challenge?  Make it a two year agreement to start with...the 11 MIAC teams host the WIAC, plus two other schools from Wisconsin...either Carthage and Lawrence, St. Norbert, Beloit, Carroll, whoever can fill out the cheese side so that its equal numbers.

The first year you play it off at either the Cheese courts or the MIAC home courts and then switch for the second year...that way everyone gets a home game. 

Now what about pairings...well you can either draw them out of a hat, or match them up based on overall records or in-conference records, I realize that the two additional schools would not have WIAC schedules, but could be made to fit regardless...

I know...it will will never happen because it would be fun for DIII bball, the fans and probably the coaches...makes too much sense.  Thoughts anyone?

[Jimmy Chitwood]

For those of you that religiously check this board and pretty much know the middle name of the guy that posted above you, I thought I would briefly introduce myself.  I am a 2001 grad from River Falls High School.  I attend Northwestern College, where I graduated last spring.  My allegiance towards the Tommies stems from a high school friend that attended UST.  I became a devoted Tommie fan around the time that Ike and Schnettler transfered over to UST.  I have since then been attending the vast majority of their games.  I am a fan of the game, and I definitely am a fan of Tommie basketball. 

[VOJ]

I will introduce myself as well...I am "the shadow"   Just kidding with u Jimmy...by the way, everytime i watch the movie you always make the shot...how do u do that?  Personally I think they should have ran the pickett fence again with Merle taking the shot...or get Buddy to drive to the hole...kinda like Ohme...

Can't believe four years of the Schafers and Ohme have passed...its a true re-birth of J's basketball thanks to those kids, Lieser, Westman and Brink and others...