MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Nites]

Final: MAC 72, SMU 70

[miacwatchmen]

FINAL - Carleton 61, SJU 59.

Wow I left early in the second half of this game. CAR was manhandling the J's and was up by 20. It appears the J's made a run. When i left the game Brink had just 3 points on less than 4 shots and Leiser was air-balling the J's into the loss column. Zach Johnson was pretty solid tonight although at times he throws up some really bad shots. The PG matchup was ruled by Sutherland for the Knights. He had 15 pts when I left and was out hustling the J's all night. Congrats to CAR on a good win.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I'll be back after the upset to hear how Nicolai's girlfriend dumped him right before the game or maybe Fritz stubbed his toe.    Have a good night everyone, drive safe!

No stubbed toes, no excuses needed....just hustling D, and a deep talented bench for UST. This is going to be a FUN Tommie team to watch-- gritty and aggressive. While the last few years they seemed determined to beat you with talent, this year's squad plays to win by wearing you down, forcing turnovers/stealing the ball, and out-hustling you on both ends of the court, nonstop. Nicolai is unreal. Scot dropped in a huge NBA-range 3 to turn the game.

But I will say this much--- Hamline is NOT a last place team! I wouldn't shocked to see them in the playoffs. The execute well, they hustle, and they are talented. Hipp can dominate in the paint and they have a boatload of good shooters. CLute was not a factor tonight, which was a testimony to UST's defense.

[d3bballfollower]

after tonight's games MIAC teams are a combined 30-38...as compared to other conferences in the midwest such as the WIAC (33-15), the IIAC (23-19), the MWC (22-29), the CCIW (29-10) and the UMAC (11-22 minus Northland)...the MIAC is definitely not as strong as it has been in the past and should be much stronger...losing guys to the WIAC and MWC the last couple years is a tough blow...will the MIAC ever get back up to being a top conference along with the CCIW, NESCAC and UAA??

[piperinsider]

after tonight's games MIAC teams are a combined 30-38...as compared to other conferences in the midwest such as the WIAC (33-15), the IIAC (23-19), the MWC (22-29), the CCIW (29-10) and the UMAC (11-22 minus Northland)...the MIAC is definitely not as strong as it has been in the past and should be much stronger...losing guys to the WIAC and MWC the last couple years is a tough blow...will the MIAC ever get back up to being a top conference along with the CCIW, NESCAC and UAA??

I'd say no. I know this argument can be made all around the country, but doesn't it seem like there is a lot of colleges vying for the same kids. There is a plethora of DII and DII schools in the area; the community college programs are plentiful and the DI teams are on the rise with NDSU and SDSU. It just seems like the potential superstars at the DIII level aren't following through the cracks like they used to.

Still, I'd take a night in the MIAC over a Wolves game any day.

[d3bballfollower]

so I know Olaf lost again tonight, to Cord no less, but I have to talk about my man Steve Banick again...only 8 pts, but 8 assists and 0 turnovers

I know it's still early but Banick now has 36 assists and only 9 turnovers on the year...that is a 4.0 A/TO ratio

my vote for the best "true pg" in the league definitely goes to Banick who on the year is averaging 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 6 apg...he's a fierce competitor and a smart player...I would take him any day of the week on my team...

[MiacLostProphet]

You are right, Hamline is not a last place team, and they are a real playoff team.  Wittmore has gotten the best out of these guys.  I told you hipp will be in the running for feshman player of the year.  And Clute not being a factor, is that really because of the Tommies D or is it because Clute is a freshman.  Back to Back good games don't make you an all-star, all Freshman struggle a little with Mental toughness.


Banick, best true point guard.  I thought True point guards where supposed to quarterback their team to victories?

Tough Loss, but they played well and they now know they can hang with the conferences best.  It is going to be an exciting season for the Piper faithful.....My Band Wagon got an up-grade, I can take one more with PI and I.  Whose hopping on, Wonka?

[Willy Wonka]

Prophet - Not a chance. I'll stick with my Gusties after their methodical thrashing of the preseason favorite. What are the chances BU doesn't even make the playoffs? They just lost to two "middling" teams and the bottom doesn't look as bad as in recent years.

Speaking of Bethel...can we add another "issue" to their ever-expanding list? How is it possible to play 200 minutes of basketball and only get 4 assists? I obviously wasn't in attendance and some stats are not always taken correctly (assists, in particular), but that looks like some of the grossest basketball I've ever "seen."

http://gustavus.edu/athletics/mbb/archives/2007-08/stats/bu.htm

[Gregory Sager]

If i'm not mistaken only your Conference record really matters

Not true. There's 19 Pool C berths available in this year's tournament to teams that don't win their conferences.

[Drake Palmer]

Tough Loss, but they played well and they now know they can hang with the conferences best.  It is going to be an exciting season for the Piper faithful.....My Band Wagon got an up-grade, I can take one more with PI and I.  Whose hopping on, Wonka?

Don't forget your posting buddy - Hoops1010.

In the few years I've been posting on the board, I've probably sent more positive vibes the Pipers' way than most other teams with the exception of UST.

But to join PI in a little lyric quoting mode, a variation on a song by a crooner once known as the Chairman of the Board,  Frank Sinatra in one of his signature songs.

Ahem, my dedication to the Hamline Bandwagon & supporters - "That's Life"

That's life, that's what all the people say.
You're riding high in Arden Hills,
Shot down by Tyler Nicolai...
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top,..

I said that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks,
Stompin' on a dream (all the Hamline haters)
But I don't let it, let it get me down, (not Prophet, Hoops1010 & PI, no sir!)
'Cause this fine ol' world it keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a Piper,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself, flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

Gosh darn it, you go get em guys!

Who loves ya baby!

[Gregory Sager]

after tonight's games MIAC teams are a combined 30-38...as compared to other conferences in the midwest such as the WIAC (33-15), the IIAC (23-19), the MWC (22-29), the CCIW (29-10) and the UMAC (11-22 minus Northland)...the MIAC is definitely not as strong as it has been in the past and should be much stronger...losing guys to the WIAC and MWC the last couple years is a tough blow...will the MIAC ever get back up to being a top conference along with the CCIW, NESCAC and UAA??

Not to throw cold water on you guys, but the word "back" doesn't really belong in that last sentence, d3bballfollower. The MIAC has never been a top-tier D3 conference. It typically has one or two excellent teams that can play on a national level, but it's never had that top-to-bottom strength that distinguishes leagues such as the WIAC, CCIW, and NESCAC.

But I will say this much--- Hamline is NOT a last place team! I wouldn't shocked to see them in the playoffs. The execute well, they hustle, and they are talented.

I have no dog in the MIAC fight, and I don't want to be seen as being anything other than objective about your league. But I will confess that I'm rooting for my upstate NY homeboy Nelson Whitmore to succeed in his new gig.

[AO]

after tonight's games MIAC teams are a combined 30-38...as compared to other conferences in the midwest such as the WIAC (33-15), the IIAC (23-19), the MWC (22-29), the CCIW (29-10) and the UMAC (11-22 minus Northland)...the MIAC is definitely not as strong as it has been in the past and should be much stronger...losing guys to the WIAC and MWC the last couple years is a tough blow...will the MIAC ever get back up to being a top conference along with the CCIW, NESCAC and UAA??

Not to throw cold water on you guys, but the word "back" doesn't really belong in that last sentence, d3bballfollower. The MIAC has never been a top-tier D3 conference. It typically has one or two excellent teams that can play on a national level, but it's never had that top-to-bottom strength that distinguishes leagues such as the WIAC, CCIW, and NESCAC.

But I will say this much--- Hamline is NOT a last place team! I wouldn't shocked to see them in the playoffs. The execute well, they hustle, and they are talented.

I have no dog in the MIAC fight, and I don't want to be seen as being anything other than objective about your league. But I will confess that I'm rooting for my upstate NY homeboy Nelson Whitmore to succeed in his new gig.

Typically those one or two excellent teams that the MIAC puts in the playoffs have been beaten by the 10th and 11th teams on a yearly basis.  Augsburg, Hamline and Olaf would typically match up well with a lot of teams in the supposed power conferences.

[Willy Wonka]

Augsburg, Hamline and Olaf would typically match up well with a lot of teams in the supposed power conferences.

I couldn't disagree with you more and I'm not even going to bother with any other argument.

[Gregory Sager]

Augsburg, Hamline and Olaf would typically match up well with a lot of teams in the supposed power conferences.

I couldn't disagree with you more and I'm not even going to bother with any other argument.

Exactly, Willy. AO, you're way, way off on this one.

[d3bballfollower]

last year the NESCAC had only 2 teams under .500 (Wesleyan at 7-16 and Conn. College at 11-13...btw Conn. College is off to a 5-0 start this year!)...the CCIW also had only 2 teams under .500 (Illinois Wesleyan at 11-14 and Millikin at 9-16) and the WIAC had 3 teams (River Falls at 10-16...Eau Claire at 10-16 and Superior at 7-18)...also, the UAA had only 3 teams with losing records, but they had 5 teams who each had no more than 8 losses (5,6,7,8 and 6)...in contrast the MIAC had 7 teams under .500 and Gustavus barely broke that with a 14-13 mark...