MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WXYZ]

Here is link to Preps where I posted a game story on the Gustavus - Bethel game held this evening. There are a couple of hundred game pics and postgame audio with Coach Hanson from Gustavus. I've posted this as a free story. If you look for the story after a couple days you may have to check the archives. We are running our high school previews and stories cycle quickly.

http://minnesotapreps.rivals.com/

[Gregory Sager]

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...

Following up on that:

* Over the past nine years and into this season, the MIAC and WIAC have met sixty times in the regular season and postseason. The WIAC leads the series over that span by exactly a 3-to-1 margin, 45-15.

* In D3 tournament play, here's how the four leagues that have been mentioned as "power conferences" have fared over the years, along with how the MIAC has fared:

league	W-L (pct)	Elite 8s	Final 4s	nat'l titles
WIAC	83-30 (.735)	15	11	8
NESCAC	63-37 (.630)	12	9	2
CCIW	92-59 (.609)	21	14	6
UAA	54-39 (.581)	10	6	1
MIAC	37-39 (.487)	5	3	0

(It should be noted that I haven't filtered out head-to-head games in which two members from the same league have met in the D3 tourney. If I had, the winning percentages of the WIAC, CCIW, and NESCAC would've all gone up, since those leagues have each had several head-to-head contests in the big dance. The MIAC, to the best of my knowledge, has not.)

* Here is how three of the power conferences have fared in non-conference play in this decade, as compared to the MIAC: (I didn't include the UAA, because the UAA site does not archive past seasons and I didn't feel like spending the morning trying to reconstruct all of those past UAA seasons team by team)

season	MIAC	CCIW	WIAC	NESCAC
1999-00	20-27 (.426)	63-26 (.708)	65-16 (.802)	108-43 (.715)
2000-01	25-22 (.532)	75-25 (.750)	63-11 (.851)	109-37 (.747)
2001-02	30-27 (.526)	56-32 (.636)	69-12 (.852)	105-45 (.700)
2002-03	33-26 (.559)	61-30 (.670)	60-25 (.706)	98-49 (.667)
2003-04	30-27 (.526)	62-28 (.678)	68-18 (.791)	104-52 (.667)
2004-05	23-32 (.418)	63-27 (.700)	62-19 (.765)	95-51 (.651)
2005-06	27-30 (.474)	63-34 (.649)	55-28 (.663)	112-40 (.737)
2006-07	27-30 (.474)	66-22 (.750)	57-22 (.722)	111-45 (.712)
2007-08	16-20 (.444)	29-10 (.744)	26-11 (.703)	42-13 (.764)
TOTALS	231-241 (.489)	538-234 (.697)	525-162 (.764)	884-375 (.702)

(These totals include D3 tournament games, but not conference tournament games.)

The MIAC is a fairly average D3 league, AO. The WIAC, CCIW, NESCAC, and UAA are top-tier leagues. All have a top-to-bottom caliber that is well above that of the MIAC's.

(Please don't interpret this as an attempt to dis your league, MIACers. I'm just dropping a knowledge bomb on AO, that's all. )

[sumander]

The MIAC is a fairly average D3 league, AO. The WIAC, CCIW, NESCAC, and UAA are top-tier leagues. All have a top-to-bottom caliber that is well above that of the MIAC's.

(Please don't interpret this as an attempt to dis your league, MIACers. I'm just dropping a knowledge bomb on AO, that's all. )

Sensei Sager, No offense taken. Those of us that are not viewing the league through rose colored glasses will readily agree with you. Our leader Deputy Dawg Drake, among others, that have an opportunity to view other teams in other leagues remind us of how the MIAC stacks up.

One need only to look at last years D-lll tourney to remind MIACer's where we sit on the totem pole.

[sumander]

VOJ, Watch......Looks like the tale of two halves in C-Ville last night, J's couldn't throw it in the ocean the first half and shoot 55% in the second half. Knights are jus the opposite.

Knights only commit 8 fouls the entire game! That is moving yur feet and keeping your hands to home!

J's are 0-2 from the charity stripe in the second half.

Details if you would??

[VOJ]

I love all the Piper posters on here. Nothing like a 2-0 start to jump start the wagon I've been riding for eight years straight.

Would love to make it to St. Paul tonight, but gas + getting home at 11 just isn't worth it for round No. 1 between the two best teams in the conference (as of right now).

And before you Johnny fans get on me - who have you beat? That's right, you're No. 3.

Have fun tonight gents - let's meet postgame for some reaction.

Judging from the Bethel and Olaf losses last night...you haven't beaten anyone either

[abominable_snowman]

I was at the UST Hamline game last night....and it was a beauty.  I was very impressed by Whitmore and the amount of effort he's getting from his guys.  The bench chanting "Defense" to root on their guys on the court is sight seldom seen in the MIAC.  I look forward to seeing what he can do and hope he sticks around for a bit.

UST will be fun to watch for a while.  Nicolai had some wonderful floaters that were purely poetic. Scott stepped up and hit some clutch shots. And on the topic of Scott, my wife pointed out that he has a little resemblance to Joey Mcyntire of New Kids on the Block.


Around the rest of the league.
GAC-finally stepping up. 
CAR-quietly making a statement
STO-has to get some wins
MAC-doing what Bethel and St. Olaf seem not to be able to do.

I still think playoff spots will be decided by a game or less this year. Road wins, and close game wins will be essential. 

[abominable_snowman]

pickem updated

[VOJ]

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??

It wasn't that long ago that the Gusties played for the title and lost a tight one, was it?  I think St. Thomas under-achieved last year, they had better talent than being one and done in the dance...while the J's had a short run in the playoffs and a great season overall...I understand what you are saying but keep in mind, this is hockey country and not really a hoops hotbed.

[VOJ]

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.

Props (+K) to a guy who follows this stuff on a national level...

[VOJ]

VOJ, Watch......Looks like the tale of two halves in C-Ville last night, J's couldn't throw it in the ocean the first half and shoot 55% in the second half. Knights are jus the opposite.

Knights only commit 8 fouls the entire game! That is moving yur feet and keeping your hands to home!

J's are 0-2 from the charity stripe in the second half.

Details if you would??

That game was a real head scratcher...to play so well over the final 10 minutes but not so well over the first 30 is very uncharacteristic...Give the Knights credit...they move the ball well, they defend ok(I was really impressed by Sutherland, he blocked some shots, recovered well)...and they all shoot the 3 very well, making them tough to defend, that said, the J's had a chance and after trailing by 20 that is all you can ask for...Smitty said after the game they did not get enough shots for Brady B and that might be true...

Watch...you didn't bother listening to the game to keep track of it after leaving at halftime huh?   Not that you would have done a U-turn, but at least you might have been entertained...

I am surprised by the margin of the GAC win...maybe Bethel is not what we thought they were...but its still early

[piperinsider]

Power rankings for 12/4
1. UST (They are good!)
2. CAR (if they only had a good bench)
3. SJU (Fogt in the lineup would be nice)
4. MAC (Nice win at GAC; lucky with SMU)
5. GAC (GAC is always better than HAM - see head-to-head record)
6. HAM (We'll squeak in just like two years ago)
7. BET (They need a win bad - next up: Carleton)
8. CON (They beat STO)
9. STO (They lost to CON)
10. AUG
11. SMU

Until next Tuesday, here is what you got.

EDIT: +karma for the little diddy, Drake

[papahoops]

Can't argue much with Piper's power rankings at this point. STO's loss to Concordia really surprised me. The bus ride to Concordia has created some poor performances over the years. When all is said and done, I think STO and the Auggies will move up and Concordia will move down.
MAC didn't play their "A" game last night, but after being down 17 in the first half, came back and snuck out a win against a team that has been a real nemesis for them in recent years (two losses to SMU last year cost MAC a playoff spot). This year's MAC squad is closing out games much better than MAC teams the past few years. Given the balance of the league, how well teams perform late in games is critical. Am looking forward to the MAC/STU matchup tomorrow night. Although obviously early in the season, I can't recall the last time these two squads faced each other undefeated and tied for the conference lead. Go SCOTS!!!!!

[sumander]

Although obviously early in the season, I can't recall the last time these two squads faced each other undefeated and tied for the conference lead. Go SCOTS!!!!!

Never!

[Drake Palmer]

Sometimes this work stuff can really interfere with important things in life like doing post game summaries & the like.   But let me throw out a couple of quick observations before I retreat back to the mines.

**I've now seen all but UST, the Carlies, Cobbs & Js in action, & based on early returns, there is going to be (there is) a lot of parity in the league this year.

**Why do the best dunkers in the league get relegated to the bench- Zev Kujolic of Hamline & now Nick Carr of SMU?  I get the sense the Whitmore is still trying to figure things out, work out his rotation, & I'd expect Zev to start getting clock again in the near future.

On the other hand, what's puzzling about Carr & the Birds is that Carr was the only bright spot for SMU, & earned All Tourney honors in the Thanksgiving Day tourney SMU just played in Nebraska.  In last night's match up with Mac, midway through the first half, Carr flew in off the top of the key, & with one hand, grabbed an errant 3 point attempt, & flushed down an AWESOME, tomahawk dunk over Tom Conboy & Scots!    They had to send the paramedics up into the stands cuz I nearly went into convulsions.  It was that sweet!

For good measure, during the 2nd half on the same basket, Tommy C. of Mac was going up for an easy basket,  & Carr came from behind & swatted the ball to the back wall of the gym. Nasty!
----------------------------------
Lest I get the reputation (or increase my reputation) of unfairly criticizing a player's or team's performance, I'd suggest if one is interested to read the SMU game summary.  Coach Trewick made a comment about critical TOs (4) in the last 5 minutes of the game & not successfully closing out a game.  Then take a look at game play-by-play & see where those TOs were coming from.  I'll tell you this much – Carr was not in the game.  13 minutes - period. tsk, tsk, tsk.   
---------------------------------------------
Now closing on a more upbeat note, I'd like to thank PI for starting this musical journey down memory lane, yours truly, & now Snow for keeping the musical references alive,  what with his talk about "New Kids on The Block" & his post on the Pickem board stating that - "he's only human."

Semi-live from St. Paul - Noontime Oldies - 80s Throwback!

[miacwatchmen]

VOJ, Watch......Looks like the tale of two halves in C-Ville last night, J's couldn't throw it in the ocean the first half and shoot 55% in the second half. Knights are jus the opposite.

Knights only commit 8 fouls the entire game! That is moving yur feet and keeping your hands to home!

J's are 0-2 from the charity stripe in the second half.

Details if you would??

That game was a real head scratcher...to play so well over the final 10 minutes but not so well over the first 30 is very uncharacteristic...Give the Knights credit...they move the ball well, they defend ok(I was really impressed by Sutherland, he blocked some shots, recovered well)...and they all shoot the 3 very well, making them tough to defend, that said, the J's had a chance and after trailing by 20 that is all you can ask for...Smitty said after the game they did not get enough shots for Brady B and that might be true...

Watch...you didn't bother listening to the game to keep track of it after leaving at halftime huh?   Not that you would have done a U-turn, but at least you might have been entertained...

I am surprised by the margin of the GAC win...maybe Bethel is not what we thought they were...but its still early

VOJ- I didn't feel like listening to the game on the radio. From what I had seen the first 30 minutes of that game was nasty for the Johnnies. Brink ended up with 5 points on 2-6 shooting?? What is up with that. Smith better wake up and realize its Brink and not the superstar Leiser who should be shooting the ball 20 times a game.  One positive however was that the bench did contribute 5 points last night!!