MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Drake Palmer]

Switching the focus from St. Peter back to the cities... Hamline hires new SID

And what's with these Mid-summer coaching resignations? Did Barry Wohler start an alarming new trend? 

CON - I liked your line & I might have to borrow it:  "Are you a coach, parent, journalist, or masseuse?"   

[ustbumkneez]

If youll allow, Id like to do a little housecleaning. My posts come in bursts during the summer, so Im playing a bit of catch up:

First, he's basically a Minnesota legend and there aren't too many places you can go, except maybe north country, where people don't know who he is.

Wohler very well might be a legend, but it certainly isnt due to his collegiate basketball legacy, which is kind of what his departure should be judged on, no? 30-47 overall, and 12 games under .500 in the MIAC isnt my idea of "turning it around". So, again, he made the right move to head back to the high school level. Cord Of The North, I dont doubt that he left of his own volition, but I believe many associated with Hamline hoops had no problem watching him go. Thats why its not a surprise, however newsworthy of a move it might have been. To Local, and others, who mentioned Hamlines lack of attention to sports, Id say many would point you to the renovated football and track complex on campus. Sure, its not something that created widespread upgrades across the athletics department, but it shows that athletics arent COMPLETELY forgotten at HU.

USTbum, did you happen to catch the Wolves summer league opener tonight? Our boy, Mateen Cleaves, led the team to an 85-83 win with 12 points and clutch defense.

Wonk, is it ridiculous that I watched part of said game on NBA.com? That was just a case of Mateen doing Mateen Things, gritty D included. Im happy to be able to watch him, however remote a location and situation it may be. Great mix of huge teeth, massive head, infectious energy, and solid floor control. All the intangibles you need in a 6th string PG.

And, on the topic of Hanson:
I realize the ship regarding positions for this topic has passed, but Id like to add my thoughts anyway. Perhaps he comes off as "being a little smarter than everyone else" because he actually is. The titles, NCAA tourney appearances, and Coach Of The Year awards can be considered a testament to that. I respect a coach who believes hes prepared his team well enough that they can, for the most part, control themselves, and dont need someone stomping around to make things happen. Thats preparation and execution at its finest, in my opinion. If you want to be a part of winning basketball, played the right way, hes one of the guys you go to when youre looking at places to play your college ball. And if your a fan who appreciates the nuances of a cleanly played and fundamentally sound game of basketball, you like watching a Hanson led team.

[ustbumkneez]

Apologies, Drake, for taking it back to St. Peter after you tried so hard to move the conversation North. 

[Willy Wonka]

Mr. Wonka.....are you still throwing arrows at me?

If I'm throwing arrows, my track record suggests that you won't need to ask that question

As posters from all sides have rushed to Hanson's defense — that should tell you something, Woody — I'll step back slightly to make a different point in a round-about way.

ESPN.com's Jemele Hill wrote a column a few months back where she argued that Kobe is better than MJ ever was. While many took issue with this claim, myself included, I thought Bill Simmons' response was quite good: he disagreed with the premise and explained why, but thoroughly enjoyed how she took a stance and argued the heck out of it.

What Woody has done with the Hanson claim is the exact opposite of Miss Hill. He's thrown out controversial statements as fact and then refuses to back them up with any supporting evidence when questioned and presented with material counter to his claims. That, my friends, I'll always take issue with no matter the person involved — even Fritz

Opinions are well and good, especially during the offseason, but please realize that you will be questioned and need some facts on your side before you start a ridiculous line of reasoning.

Drake - I've never met her and know nothing about her, but I've heard plenty of people ask why/how she still has a job over the last few years. A recent emailer just asked me when Koz will follow her lead, which may now be a valid question. Can we get an APB out for funbballer?

ustbum - I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know that was possible. You can bet your balls I'll be checking into it ASAP.

[Drake Palmer]

Kneez – I appreciate Jimmy Chitwood's & your devotion to the fundamentals (GAC ball) of hoops, but I thought you might want to talk about a Tommie "40 Minute Run" by the big guy – Coach Fritz.  After I saw the video link Snow posted the other day, I was about ready to take off my ****** colored blinders & don the Tommie purple.  That was a sweet video.   

[Nites]

In the meantime...

TDT, the last 3 times I've gone out I've fired a 95, 89 and 91.

9 holes, ladies tees?   

[sumander]

Story from the Daily Planet about the incoming recruits at SJU.

I have seen Burtzel and Townswick. Can anybody else offer some insight on the others?

[Drake Palmer]

Story from the Daily Planet about the incoming recruits at SJU.

I have seen Burtzel and Townswick. Can anybody else offer some insight on the others?

Sum – Kneez follows western WI HS hoops & he might be able to fill you in on Tyler Etheridge.  It's interesting the former Eau Claire standout chose to transfer from Wartburg, an IIAC college in Iowa, to another private school in Minnesota, rather than transferring back to a public or private school in WI.  At the D3 level whenever you see players transfer, it seems one of the reasons for the transfer is to be closer to the old home town.  I did a map search & Waverly, IA is 193 miles from Eau Claire, while St. Johns is marginally closer as it clocks in at only 169 miles from EC.  8)

Etheridge must be a decent recruit if he started 6-7 games last year for the Knights.  Wartburg had a down season last year 11-15, but traditionally they've been one of the powerhouses of the IIAC along with Buena Vista.  The Johnnies certainly won't be lacking for competition at the wing spot if Westman returns, Cole Isetts, Etheridge, etc.  The coaches should try to also convince 6-3 Nick Burns to go out for his final season & he could be the J's version of Alex Weaver of UST.  Play some solid D & finish off a few highlight reel dunks.  The boy had some serious jets!  He had a couple of the best dunks I ever saw for a high school player.

Also, say what you will about Local, he sure seemed to be plugged into the coaching community.  He called another recruiting move correctly with his previous tidbit about Dan Bonebright from Redwood Valley.

So there you have it Sum, 4 paragraphs of next to nothing to not answer your question. 

[sumander]

So there you have it Sum, 4 paragraphs of next to nothing to not answer your question. 

Drake, That's a classic! 

[sumander]

Interesting, looking at Wartburg's website, Etheridge is not listed on the roster! His stats are in the season box score though.

[Drake Palmer]

Sum - I'm guessing it's a part of the off-season "housecleaning" that athletic departments go through.  Did you notice half of the Wartburg players from the 06-07 season didn't have jersey numbers listed by their names either?

Once they've finished "archiving" last season my guess is that you would see his name listed.  I've gone back to check say -- the UST site during the summer or end of a season & I'll see a message like - "error diagnostic, 2535%$&7, the info you requested is not currently available."  Then about a month or so later, they update the website.

[concordia of the north]

Drake: I'm flattered.  I'm not sure what the quote has to do with vince vaughn, though?

[sumander]

Not Division lll news, still it's basketball news. NDSU has apparently offered a scholie to a Rothsay, MN junior Jordan Aaberg . I have not seen Mr. Aaberg play. Rothsay went 12-12 last year. This kid must have some huge upside potential.

[abominable_snowman]

it's a crazy idea, but it is Friday  the 13th, and crazier things have happened...

but I'll try to throw it out there:  'miac conversations' pick up game.

any interest?  I know we have a reasonable pool of people...  I think we could put something together.  Bring a guest or two to get enough players.

probably in the cities somehwere, possibly an outdoor park.  i can do more planning if there is enough interest.

[columbianmaffia]

has anyone seen transformers yet? im going tonight and im excited