MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ustbumkneez]

I'll bite DP,  . Its true that guards have a harder time making an impact than posts do in their FY, and I think there are two distinct reasons why. First, as you touched on, the league is a perimeter based conference that builds teams from the outside in. Second, and this is a derivative of the first I suppose, the MIAC is a finesse league. The post players in the MIAC are almost always more akin to stepping out and hitting jumpers than anchoring down low and banging.

FY posts dont have as big a gap to close as the guards do when they arrive on campus, for the two reasons mentioned above. The things that affect FY guards (tempo, quickness, etc) are much more pronounced than those that would hinder a post (strength, etc), because of the makeup of the rosters in the MIAC and the dominant style of play in the conference.

[Willy Wonka]

(Hennington and Tuma are the only guys on either Varsity or JV that can knock it down from outside on an even occasional basis) that process could be expedited for Jacobs should he put in a good deal of work on fine tuning his game this summer.

Too bad Dan Grant is gone and never got the chance to shine. Kid had a shot that was pure gold.

[columbianmaffia]

so i know this is a basketball board but i thought i would ask a baseball question...i was checking out espn when i found this link

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/highschool/news/story?id=2798652

it is about banning metal bats in high school baseball in new york...now i have hit with both metal and wood bats in my baseball day and i always noticed more pop in the metal bats...although in the story it says there is no proof this is true...i was just wondering what everyone thought about this?

[localcoach]

Hello to all.     Well I've been stockpiling recruiting tidbits for the Drake Palmer's of the world.  Here's some unbiased information.  Look for the following high school seniors to migrate to the MIAC next season.  Where remains to be seen but I do know that multiple MIAC schools are currently all over these guys. I also believe that some of these guys will follow in the recent footsteps of the Zach Johnson's, Jon DeRock's, and John Cassens' of the world and be some outstanding freshmen.  In no particular order.

Tucker Sheeley, guard from Pequot Lakes
Max Hintz, guard from Woodbury
Bryce Brunz, guard from Mankato West
Nate Krosschell, forward from Edina
Anders Halvorsen, forward from Henry Sibley
Seth Jonker, forward from Eastview
Sal Simmons, guard from St. Paul Johnson
Alex Healy, guard from White Bear Lake
David Holcomb, guard from Andover
Pat Freeman, forward from Champlin Park
Nate Birr, guard from St. Thomas Academy
Joe Drapcho, guard from Waconia
Jake Root, guard from McGregor

[piperinsider]

I've seen Brunz and Drapcho play and I would love to have either one on my squad. Mankato West and Waconia play each other tomorrow for the 2AAA title. Should be a great game.

[Gregory Sager]

play boy mansion...i wonder if they serve tripple burgers at their BBQs

Don't bother asking, CMob. I've heard that Hef doesn't allow roller skates in the grotto.

[columbianmaffia]

play boy mansion...i wonder if they serve tripple burgers at their BBQs

Don't bother asking, CMob. I've heard that Hef doesn't allow roller skates in the grotto.

thats not what he said when they barrowed my roller skates for their last photo shoot i attended 

[Drake Palmer]

Where you been Local?  Nice list, it'll be interesting to see how many of these players actually end up in the MIAC.  I have a couple more names I can add, & where I can I'll add a comment or two.

Tucker Sheeley, guard from Pequot Lakes

Max Hintz, guard from Woodbury – AS* – Out of the limited # of players I've seen on this list, I'd say he's got to be one of the top 2-3 players.  It seems he's been starting for Woodbury for the past 7 years!  He averages about 25ppg in the Suburban East conference & his team will go up against Cretin on Friday in the sectional finals. if he was a bit quicker, the 6-4 guard could be a solid D2 prospect.  As it is, he may still go D2, & I know the WIAC schools have been in very heavy pursuit.  He would be a very nice addition to the MIAC.

Bryce Brunz, guard from Mankato West - AS*

Nate Krosschell, forward from Edina – Fundamentally sound forward 6-6 (?) who would be a solid MIAC type bigg.  Krosschell averaged around 19ppg this year.  His father coached his AAU team which was the AAU team I mentioned several days ago that included among others, Brady Soule from Lakeville, & Joe Drapcho of Waconia who is also on this list of Local's. 

Anders Halvorsen, forward from Henry Sibley - AS* - 6-8 forward with nice 3-pt shooting range & hops, but definitely needs to get stronger & become more physical.  Coincidentally, his father, Dan Halvorsen, played for the Oles back in the 70s & is the 3rd all time leading scorer for St. Olaf.

Seth Jonker, forward from Eastview AS*- As previously mentioned last week, he's apparently deciding between UST & CARL.  Has also been offered D2 football scholie? Crosstown rivals Apple Valley & Eastview knock heads on Friday to see who goes to state.

Sal Simmons, guard from St. Paul Johnson –AS* 5-8 PG with decent all around court game & shot.  His backcourt mate Jeff Clark-Neal also played on the Krosschell AAU team & IMO he would be a very, very solid MIAC guard.  I've seen them both at an Augsburg/MIAC game or two.  St. Paul Johnson is playing Stillwater in the sectional finals on Friday.

Alex Healy, guard from White Bear Lake

David Holcomb, guard from Andover

Pat Freeman, forward from Champlin Park – 6-7 forward, AUGS is after him as well as some WIAC schools.

Nate Birr, guard from St. Thomas Academy – older brother, Jason, plays for Concordia St. Paul.

Joe Drapcho, guard from Waconia – AS*- apparently has been offered by Mankato State & Winona State?

Jake Root, guard from McGregor

Eric Hugoson, guard from Fairmont- AS* - one of 20 Mr. Basketball finalists.  Sounds like Bethel might have landed him.

Jake Westlund, forward – Wayzata – 6-5 forward.  STO & HAM are primary recruiters? How many forwards does Hamline need??

Scott Kaitz,  PG - Robbinsdale Armstrong - 5-11, MAC, CARL & STO

The previously mentioned Tyler Nicolai from Hopkins - PG

AS* - Selected to play in High school All-Star series.

[sumander]

Tucker Sheeley, guard from Pequot Lakes -  I have seen Sheeley play a couple of times is the last two years. He benefits from having a front line of a 6'9" center and 6'5" forward, both who can walk and chew gum at the same time. Size like this is a rare commodity "up North". Pequot plays Crosby-Ironton tomorrow night in the section finals @ Brainerd. These teams split during the year, each winning at home.

[Drake Palmer]

Sum - & you said you don't see that many players.  Hmmphh. 

So how does this Sheeley kid play, & what about Lien (?) from Moorhead & Jake Driscoll from Dilworth?  Now there was a nice little PG!  I saw him a couple of times when he played in the cities for AAU ball & when Dilworth went to state a couple of years ago.  As bad as the Cobb PG situation was this year, I would hope the Cobb coaches are all over this kid.

One other note, Coach Koz may get dogged on this board, but the Ole coaching staff seems to always put together a solid recruiting class. They just never seem to find or develop the D3 star to put them over the top.

[sumander]

Drake, Just had an interesting discussion with another roundball junkie about Driscoll! Rumor has it, he is looking for scholarship $$. I won't quibble about his range or his ball handling abilities. With his height though, I can't see him going D-ll. I would think CORD would be in the mix. Although, given Severson and Odegaard's penchant for not recruiting in the local area I would wonder.

Now that I think about it I do know CORD is in the running for a 6'9" Bryce Fazekas of Park Rapids. I believe it is between CORD and UND. Kid has work to do but has made huge stride in the 3 years I have seen him play

[Drake Palmer]

Drake, Just had an interesting discussion with another roundball junkie about Driscoll! Rumor has it, he is looking for scholarship $$. I won't quibble about his range or his ball handling abilities. With his height though, I can't see him going D-ll. I would think CORD would be in the mix. Although, given Severson and Odegaard's penchant for not recruiting in the local area I would wonder.

Now, now, now Sum - where's that MIAC brotherly love?    Big E was from Alex, Soren from Twin Valley, Baldwin from Hope ND, Grieme from Wadena etc.

I'm sure the Cobbs wouldn't turn down a quality big guy but what they they need are guards!  Driscoll is small & from the few D2 games I saw this year, he would be overmatched at that level (He did seem feisty enough though). So unless Driscoll wants to go NAIA, Odegaard should  be whispering in his ear about the Cobbs & pencil sell the educational opportunities.  What position does this Lien from Moorhead play & what type of game does Sheeley have?

[sumander]

Sheeley is a pass first, look to shoot second guard. He didn't have to try and penetrate much with the height in side. Just make a decent post entry pass and let the big boys go. Playing for Gary Grewe at Pequot, he is a feisty man to man defender. Size would be OK as would his quickness. Strength, as was discussed, needs to be developed.

I haven't seen Lien play for a couple of years. My recollection is he played 3 maybe a 4 now. Moorhead has the cousin of Dilworth's Jake Driscoll playing for them. If I remember correctly, he is a junior and has a little more size than the Dilworth version.

[localcoach]

Thanks Drake.  I have been quite busy with work lately although I have tried to keep in the loop with my MIAC coaching buddies.  I also have managed to taken in a number of Twin Cities high school games this year.  Such is life.

Some comments to add based on a few recent posts. 

*A few MIAC coaches have told me that Jake Driscoll will end up in the NAIA's Dac 10 Conference.  I saw him with Howard Pulley AAU last summer and his size would be tough to conquer at the Division II level. 

*Sumander mentioned Bryce Fazekas from Park Rapids High.  I know a few people in the north country and sent out a few emails.  From what I've heard back he is considering walking on at UND or NDSU; going to junior college to develop; or going to Bemidji State, who apparently has been recruiting him hard the past few months.   No mention of the Cobbers??

*I would be shocked to see Tyler Nicolai end up anywhere other than Carleton.  I know St. Thomas is still recruiting him heavily.  His recruitment is an interesting situation as I know he had Division II offers from schools like UMD and Bemidji State.  I guess he wants to stay closer to home??

*Drake you mentioned Jake Westlund from Wayzata.  I saw the Trojans play Hopkins earlier this year and really liked his game.  He's 6-6 and can shoot the three and bang inside.  Plus he rebounds well out of his area.  I know the Pipers really are coveting this young man.

[sumander]

*A few MIAC coaches have told me that Jake Driscoll will end up in the NAIA's Dac 10 Conference.  I saw him with Howard Pulley AAU last summer and his size would be tough to conquer at the Division II level. 

*Sumander mentioned Bryce Fazekas from Park Rapids High.  I know a few people in the north country and sent out a few emails.  From what I've heard back he is considering walking on at UND or NDSU; going to junior college to develop; or going to Bemidji State, who apparently has been recruiting him hard the past few months.   No mention of the Cobbers??

Local, That might be a real good option for Driscoll!

Interesting stuff on Fazekas. IMO, if he wants to go to D-ll or higher he needs to spend a year or two at JUCO.