MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[abominable_snowman]

A-Snow, you going to participate in the MIAC pickems? Get your picks in by tip off tonight if you are!

i was one of the first to do so!  Upon review, it was sort of discreet how I did it however.  See pick'em board for clarity.

[miacwatchmen]

In a 10 minute stretch in the second half when Crown cut the Royals' lead from 14 points to 2, the Royals missed 9 three point shots.  That's in part how they let Crown back in the game.   

A wise man once told me "You live by the three, you die by the three". I would think Bethel would want to pound the ball inside to Moberg before they start shooting threes like that. Madson is a great shooter but when you're not hitting your shot you need to try another way to score points rather than continuing 3pt futility.


Drake- If you start picking on the J's you may step on enough tails that you could get a decent debate going in here.

Also, a little birdy told me jason fogt should be back and ready for MIAC action after the Christmas break.

ASnow- Here's your thrist quencher!

[HarryDH]

This is my first post to the basketball board after a couple years of reading and staying up on what is going on in the MIAC.  I was at the Bethel game last night, and it was hard to watch to put it mildly.  Here's my synopsis of the Royal's play.

Let's start with the offense.  They simply didn't move the ball around enough.  They were lucky that Madson was able to carry them with his one on one play.  I counted only 2 times during the game where the ball was entered in to the post and then kicked out for extra ball movement.  The Royals need to find a way to get Moberg more involved.  On multiple occasions the ball would go to the wing and they wouldn't even look down there, they would simply look to the top of the key for the next shooter to show up and chuck.  I can't say that Moberg looked too motivated down in the post during the game, but when your teammates don't look for you it is understandable to a degree.  I could go on, but I don't want to write an essay.

And now to the defense.  There was about a six minute stretch during the first half where bethel put the clamps on Crown's offense.  They stretched a 6 pt lead into about a 15-18 pt lead during this time, and then got lazy again.  In the second half they just didn't appear to care all that much.  They had the 12 pt lead at the half and figured they could coast to a victory, at least that's what it looked like.  Crown beat them to loose rebounds that led to easy baskets, and they didn't guard the 1 or 2 guys that could hit a shot on a consistent basis.  Once they hit the MIAC slate they are going to have more than just 1 or 2 guys to contend with, so they better get a better team effort on the defensive end. 

[d3bballfollower]

no matter how good of a shooting team you are, when you have a guy of Moberg's caliber he needs to get more than 6 shots in a game, especially when the opposing team's tallest player is 6'5" and the tallest player who actually played was 6'3"
i'm not going to question Westlund's coaching ability because he has been coaching for almost as long as I've been alive, but when you have a guy who is 6'8" and skilled like Moberg, you get him the ball
Nites mentioned how the Royals missed 9 3's in a 10 minute stretch that allowed Crown to get back in the game...you shoot 3's to get a lead, then you pound it into the big fella!

btw- nice looking redesign for Bethel's new athletics web site

[WXYZ]

Drake,

Thanks for the analysis. I don't have any idea why Jeff Reck was not dressed for the game. He was on the bench with the kids watching the game and giving his support.

Hey - I think you were there, what are your thoughts?  Or if you prefer to remain a publicly, impartial observer, I understand. 
 

I think the kids are working hard on improving their defense. I also see the coaches pushing defense from the sidelines and when I interviewed Tim Madson following the game I asked him about defense. From my perspective I see a lot of new players getting minutes so the coaches can decide who can do what during the upcoming season.

I'm looking forward to the Carleton - Augburg game this evening. I've been seeing lots of Bethel and I want to see some other teams. I've seen both of these squads in scrimmages and know several players on both teams. I have to say that the UMAC and MIAC coaches seem happy with my extra coverage. I am enjoying watching some college ball. I'll do my best to remain as impartial as I can.

[Nites]

This is my first post to the basketball board after a couple years of reading and staying up on what is going on in the MIAC.  I was at the Bethel game last night, and it was hard to watch to put it mildly.  Here's my synopsis of the Royal's play.

Let's start with the offense.  They simply didn't move the ball around enough.  They were lucky that Madson was able to carry them with his one on one play.  I counted only 2 times during the game where the ball was entered in to the post and then kicked out for extra ball movement.  The Royals need to find a way to get Moberg more involved.  On multiple occasions the ball would go to the wing and they wouldn't even look down there, they would simply look to the top of the key for the next shooter to show up and chuck.  I can't say that Moberg looked too motivated down in the post during the game, but when your teammates don't look for you it is understandable to a degree.  I could go on, but I don't want to write an essay.

And now to the defense.  There was about a six minute stretch during the first half where bethel put the clamps on Crown's offense.  They stretched a 6 pt lead into about a 15-18 pt lead during this time, and then got lazy again.  In the second half they just didn't appear to care all that much.  They had the 12 pt lead at the half and figured they could coast to a victory, at least that's what it looked like.  Crown beat them to loose rebounds that led to easy baskets, and they didn't guard the 1 or 2 guys that could hit a shot on a consistent basis.  Once they hit the MIAC slate they are going to have more than just 1 or 2 guys to contend with, so they better get a better team effort on the defensive end. 

Thanks, Harry and welcome aboard!  I guess that also explains why Laugen had no assists.  We'll see if the Royals are able to make adjustments and make the most of their talent this year.

Conference play starts tonight and it's not too late to join us for the pick'ems.

[Nites]

Nites mentioned how the Royals missed 9 3's in a 10 minute stretch that allowed Crown to get back in the game...you shoot 3's to get a lead, then you pound it into the big fella!

Exactly!

[sumander]

A wise man once told me "You live by the three, you die by the three". I would think Bethel would want to pound the ball inside to Moberg before they start shooting threes like that. Madson is a great shooter but when you're not hitting your shot you need to try another way to score points rather than continuing 3pt futility.

Watch, You have heard me get on my soap box about this more than once. It's the old inside out game. You work the ball inside to open the outside shot up! The Johnnies of the last two years were famous for "settling" for jump shots! It's a whole lot easier to do it that way.

[miacwatchmen]

A wise man once told me "You live by the three, you die by the three". I would think Bethel would want to pound the ball inside to Moberg before they start shooting threes like that. Madson is a great shooter but when you're not hitting your shot you need to try another way to score points rather than continuing 3pt futility.

Watch, You have heard me get on my soap box about this more than once. It's the old inside out game. You work the ball inside to open the outside shot up! The Johnnies of the last two years wer famous for "settling" for jump shots! It's a whole lot easier to do it that way.

Yeah why would anyone want to muscle up and score inside? That would mean you'd have to work for your points!! The only team I can think of that really does that alot in the MIAC is GAC and that hasn't worked to well for Hanson has it!!    I agree for the most part that college basketball is a guards game but if you have a big man like Moberg you need to base your offense around him. Just my two cents.

[VOJ]

Good teams win close games at the end with free throws.....

I'd have been impressed if this FT shooting effort would have come against a GAC, SJU, or UST or Carleton. Great teams don't let inferior teams hang around & blow them out!   

And besides, why do you keep defending the Royals? 

I agree that the win was not an impressive one but at the end of the year what column does it fall under? Thats right the "W" column so I'm sure the Royals will take it despite being sub-par.

I'm defending them because there is no one else to do it!! You'd be talking to yourself Drake!!

Man, you sure got that one right.  That's why I asked where all the other posters are at in an earlier post. I've had to do like D3BO & post on other boards.  I might have to attack the Johnnies & see if I get any kind of response from the grieving Johnnie football nation. 

Drake...leave us alone while we mourn...we'll feel better if Central wins on Saturday

[VOJ]

A wise man once told me "You live by the three, you die by the three". I would think Bethel would want to pound the ball inside to Moberg before they start shooting threes like that. Madson is a great shooter but when you're not hitting your shot you need to try another way to score points rather than continuing 3pt futility.

Watch, You have heard me get on my soap box about this more than once. It's the old inside out game. You work the ball inside to open the outside shot up! The Johnnies of the last two years were famous for "settling" for jump shots! It's a whole lot easier to do it that way.

Sum...as much as I loved the Schafer's and the success that came with their improvement, I think the J's will be different this year...Brady and Schwartz look like they can get it to the hole, more driving more slashing and more pressure on the defense, I think the J's will be more uptempo this year...your thoughts? 

[Nites]

[The only team I can think of that really does that alot in the MIAC is GAC and that hasn't worked to well for Hanson has it!!    I agree for the most part that college basketball is a guards game but if you have a big man like Moberg you need to base your offense around him. Just my two cents.

How about last year's Tommies with Schnettler and Rosefeldt?  Not a bad inside-outside combo.

[sumander]

Sum...as much as I loved the Schafer's and the success that came with their improvement, I think the J's will be different this year...Brady and Schwartz look like they can get it to the hole, more driving more slashing and more pressure on the defense, I think the J's will be more uptempo this year...your thoughts? 

VOJ, I think Brady is ready to shine. Ithought, last year at times he deferred to the seniors, when he could have taken a game over. That being said, I still think they need the inside presence of Fogt. Brady won't be able to defend a Moberg or Conboy.

I do agree that it will certainly be a different look for them.

[d3bballfollower]

call me crazy but I think Steve Banick will have a career-type night tonight against the Pipers...I'm thinking 20 pts, 7 boards and 9 assists in a 84-66 Ole win...

I sure hope for my sake I am right so I don't look like a complete fool

[abominable_snowman]

Also, a little birdy told me jason fogt should be back and ready for MIAC action after the Christmas break.

thanks for the refreshments!

That's a good time for Fogt to be back because SJUs first game after xmas is Bethel.  During the Holiday season they get to go to Whitewater, hopefully (for the Johnnie's) Fogt can get some running in then.