MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Second thought - Griess for coach of the year. He turned a dismal season into an exciting run. He worked his lineup until he found a winning combination. D. Olson's outside shoot opened up a lot of offense, not just Femi. Cassens and J Koz got a lot better looks. Griess has to be a serious contender if the Dawgs make the playoffs. Hats off to J Koz who has just been solid on both sides of the court this year.

yeah your coach has done a good job over the last 10-12 games, but his effort pales comapred to Fritz winning the conference outright in a rebuilding year.  I doubt anyone thought UST had a prayer of a chance at a top 4 finish in May. I know I didn't and felt 6th would be a good target (and I've been accused of pro-UST bias ). Griess has done a tremendous job at Augs, but its not even close to the job Fritz turned in this year.

[miacwatchmen]

Post 2:

Voj brings up a good point regarding the "X" factor in the Bethel –Augsburg game this Saturday.  A very big key "X" factor in Augsburg's 2nd half resurgence has been the rediscovery of their outside shooting eye.  Cassens, David Olson, Justin Koslowski, FY Matt Quammen & even Mitch Dice have all had clutch outside shooting games.

In the Dawgs game against the Cobbs on Saturday, Augsburg was 8-15 from beyond the arc in the first half alone.  You take that shooting performance away from Augsburg & you could end up with a Sumo wrestling match like the Cobbs & Tommies had last night.

I may revisit this topic in a day or two, but the outside shooting for the Dawgs will be critical in their match-up against Bethel.  Two Augsburg players will have key roles:  Justin "the Fire Hydrant" Koslowski & Carlius Hodges.  Koslowski is a small mobile tank on the court & has a nice shooting touch.  Hodges is quick-quick, can run the point for a spell to let Cassens play the 2, & is an excellent on the ball & weak side defender. He does all those little things that don't always show up in the stat sheet.  He will definitely be a name to watch out for next season.

The outside shooting has really opened up the middle for Femi Solaja to do his thing & vice versa for the shooters. 

Another little known fact: Augsburg's Femi Solaja & Bethel's Jeff Reck were high school teammates at St. Paul Harding High School. Back in the day about 4-6 years ago, St. Paul teams had a nice little run of basketball success & players from Harding, Johnson & Highland Park.

Excellent points on the Dawgs outside shooting. This brings about two thoughts:

Although Femi is one of the best big men in the league, I can't go with him for MVP. (Even though I could make a very strong argument to that fact). He wasn't able to carry the Dawgs during the first part of the year and it wasn't until Griess put in a three (small) wing offense to jump start the Dawgs outside shooting did they start to put it together. Compare this to a Wittwer that has just been clutch in so many games - ie that shot against Cord, money.

Second thought - Griess for coach of the year. He turned a dismal season into an exciting run. He worked his lineup until he found a winning combination. D. Olson's outside shoot opened up a lot of offense, not just Femi. Cassens and J Koz got a lot better looks. Griess has to be a serious contender if the Dawgs make the playoffs. Hats off to J Koz who has just been solid on both sides of the court this year.

I was in Winona last night. SMU's got some players. Holland took it to the Dawgs early. He's gonna be a player. They are young and will be good. SMU moved the ball real well, very unselfish play. I was impressed with their first half performance. Too bad they're like a bad t-pon right now and only good for one period.

Dawg-Dude: Griess would be a solid choice for COY but I'll take Fritz. Many posters (Including the one wearing purple blinders) predicted a tough year for the Tommies. Despite this the Tommies managed to knock off Winona State to start the year and have not slowed down since. Fritz is the Coach of the Year in the MIAC.


Edit: Sorry Maniac, I didn't see your post. I should have posted .... DITTO

[piperinsider]

Drake - I said come out of high schools to play college ball - not phaving played D3.

Of the last 13 years, I can only think of one Highland Park grad to have played NCAA ball (Hargrow), but at least a half dozen that went to junior colleges.

It's the same story with Central, Johnson and an the occassional kid from Humboldt or Arlington (Como is more hockey).

On Greg Morse, what a stud. I haven't seen him on the basketball court, but he has a cannon for an arm in football. Can you imagine his arm with a team with capable receivers? Don't get me wrong, the Cougars had a nice season, winning the City and shocking Washburn in the City game, but if you put that kid in a passing system - whew!

I've seen him in a few stories and he seems to have a level head - to bad nobody has offered him a scholarship.

[abominable_snowman]

Looking forward to a triple header Sat-- Bennies @ UST with top seed on the line, then over to BU for the Big Showdown and finally up to C-ville  (hopefully, if I get there by 7:20 I will be able to find a seat) 

Sounds like you'll need a turdy pack of Hamms for the road with all the driving you've got planned 

Stroh's Light and Stroh's also come in turdy packs if your not a Hamm's guy Drake!!

Watch - I'm more of a
kinda guy, but if someone wants to enjoy a libation or two, go right ahead. 

I'm going to order a "Drake Palmer" next time I'm at the bar.  A coffee-pepsi-water has got to be quite the cocktail. 

[VOJ]

not sure which was worse-- the long, boring drive to Moorhead, the mind-numbing drive back, the wierd deskclerk at the motel ("its only -26 with the wind chill, so its not really cold") or the sloppy, listless play of UST. They looked as inspired as Mac did at the Shoe a few weeks ago.

The officiating crew (which I felt did a good job and was consistent throughout the night and on both ends of the court) decides that aggressive defense = fouls.  The Cobbers adjusted to the calling, while UST continued its aggressiveness, to the point of 25 fouls in the 2nd half alone, 19 before the final 4 mintues, by which time the die was cast. As others have said on here, it was a good time for UST to lay an egg with easily its poorest performance of the year. The season is a long, challenging series of battles, and if you're going to put up a stinker, doing so in a game that means nothing to you (since you've already wrapped up the top spot) is a good time to do it. It definitely beats having a horrid night in the Playoffs of NCAAs.

But I do love "Da Barn O De Nord"! A few years back, someone on here knocked the gym up there-- HOW could you say something bad about that place?

Looking forward to a triple header Sat-- Bennies @ UST with top seed on the line, then over to BU for the Big Showdown and finally up to C-ville  (hopefully, if I get there by 7:20 I will be able to find a seat) 

you mean that a group of officials called handchecking and the groping in the post that goes on in this conference?  Were there any offensive fouls called in the post?  That has been a rarity...

Funny how you put it that the Cobbs adjusted and the Toms did not...is that because that is there style or no one else has called a game the right way all year for them?

[big_shocker]

It seems like Fritz is having the type of season that would usually guarantee COY, because he has taken a team with four new starters and dominated the MIAC. No one expected UST to be this good this season, and Fritz should be rewarded.

However, COY is pretty subjective. Although Fritz has done a great job, really, with all that talent, would UST have been straining to make the playoffs without him? Now imagine AUG having any chance at the playoffs under Amman. It all really depends on what is your criteria for COY. This reverts back to the whole argument of does your team have to win in order to garner an MVP.

Sometimes, voters want some new people to win awards, and maybe this is Greiss's year.

[Drake Palmer]

Drake - I said come out of high schools to play college ball - not phaving played D3.

Of the last 13 years, I can only think of one Highland Park grad to have played NCAA ball (Hargrow), but at least a half dozen that went to junior colleges.

It's the same story with Central, Johnson and an the occassional kid from Humboldt or Arlington (Como is more hockey).

PI – are we talking playing college basketball, college football or any other major college sport?  And are we discussing Highland Park only or the conference?

If we're talking HP – I just listed 3-4 kids that received D2 football scholie over the past 2 years.  In addition to Mo Hargrove, Undra Ellis an HP grad finally graduated from SW State, a D2 NCAA school & played basketball.

If we're talking conference only, & not including transfers out of the conference, in my last post I just named off 3 players that played or are currently playing college basketball ball:

Jamil Lott: Como Park HS – Marquette – NCAA D1 – completed eligibility,reserve, unsure of graduation status
Andre Smith: Como Park HS – North Dakota State – NCAA provisional D1 – 2 year starter & captain, graduate

Freddy Coleman: Johnson HS – North Dakota State – NCAA provisional D1- 6th-7th man, Redshirt Freshman

Reid Mahon (last name?) formerly of Como: & the U has signed or is signing a mjor league baseball contract as a pitcher.

Dawg, dude (PI) why you wanna be so quick to dump on your own backyard? It hasn't totally gone to hell in a handbasket.  Show some St. Paul pride.

[piperinsider]

I was talking basketball. I totally forgot about Lott and Smith. Yes, Mahon is pitching for the Diamondbacks I believe. What an arm.

Ellis really went on to play DII? That surprises me.

I'll definitely agree w you that both conferences are down right now. Where are the kids coming out of North?

[Drake Palmer]

PI - You had me worried there for a second.  I thought you were getting ready to join the old timer's league.

And that reminds me, I forgot Bobby Morrow from Central a Jr. is playing basketball up at St. Cloud State.  Central also has a couple of kids this year that could attract D2/D3 interest – 6-6 senior forward Larry Brown, & 6-1 junior 2G – Dylan Hale.  The Brown family seems to be fixated on Larry going D2 or higher, but I don't know if he has any late offers at this point.

..Where are the kids coming out of North?

When you said "North" did you mean as in Mpls. North & Henry HS?  With Brett McNeal stepping down as coach at North & Larry McKenzie stepping down a few years earlier at Henry, there's been a shift in the power alignment from the north side to Mpls. Washburn & South on the south side.  Plus, it helps that Washburn head coach, Reggie Perkins is affiliated with the Howard Pulley AAU program during the summer.

Open enrollment is also casting its influence.  A number of both Mpls & St. Paul kids have moved/transferred to the 'burbs.There's a young 9th grade stud over at Hopkins – Marvin Singleton, who could be another special player before he graduates.  Its' my understanding his home district is Mpls North.

[Drake Palmer]

Snow - I don't think the "Drake Palmer" has reached the level of recognition of another alcohol containing drink named after -"Tom Collins," & its certainly not on a par with another nonalcohol drink - the "Shirley Temple", but it does share the same last name of another famous non-alcohol drink the -Arnold Palmer." half iced tea & half lemonade. 

[Willy Wonka]

I'm sure plenty of you saw this, but this is for those who don't read Simmons.

As seen in Star magazine: "Just days before announcing her pregnancy in December, Jamie Lynn Spears shocked a boy at a party by asking him for sex. "It's cool, I'm pregnant," she said. "I can't get pregnant again!"

Wow!!

[UST_LBOW]

Fritz should get COY.  With all of the horsepower they lost last year, losing 4 starters, to come back and win the conference, that's pretty impressive.

They beat teams pretty good too.  Everyone thought UST would finish 4th or 5th in the conference and to lock up the conference 2 games early, that's pretty good.

[Drake Palmer]

After a long day at work, I'm heading home to study the various playoff scenarios for tomorrow courtesy of the good folks at Carleton. 

Can you say nerd  

Knights News and Notes

• Carleton has clinched a MIAC Playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season and 16th time overall. The Knights currently reside in sole possession of third place in the MIAC standings, while the Knights are assured a first-round home game on Tues., February 26, their opponent has yet to be determined.

Here's a look at the playoff seeding picture heading into the final game of the regular season.

• If Carleton wins, they will be the #3 seed and
- host Saint John's, if Saint John's loses
- host Augsburg/Bethel winner if Saint John's wins
(Edit: unless I missed it they didn't say who would have homecourt between SJU & CORD in the 2nd scenario listed above)

• If Carleton loses and Saint John's loses (regardless of Concordia result)
Carleton will be the #3 seed and host Saint John's; #4 Concordia hosts AUG/BU winner

• If Carleton loses and Saint John's wins (regardless of Concordia result)
Saint John's will be the #3 seed and host AUG/BU winner; #4 Carleton hosts Concordia

[concordia of the north]

Drake:
Con has the tie-breaker over SJU, Carl has the tie-breaker over Cord. 

Tie breaker between SJU and Carl is to be determined, I think.

Whatever happens, Concordia will end up above SJU, I believe, by virtue of a win over GAC and UST.

If UST wins, this will all be much cleaner.

I'm almost certain that all the positions are locked except for 6th.  I'm fairly sure that Carleton has locked 3rd because their victories over Concordia trump SJU's split.  (this is assuming they all end up 12-8).  I'm also pretty sure that Con has 4th locked up by splitting with SJU and beating UST/GAC.

[VOJ]

Cord...

You need to go and read Drake's playoff post with the tie breakers in it...the Johnnies could end up as the 3 seed...yes Concordia has the tie breaker in a matchup with the J's but if the Knights and J's are tied the J's would have the edge with the win over the Tommies...again that is if the J's win and the Knights lose... I think it has to do with the 3 way tie that would be created with J's and Cobber wins and a Knights loss, the J's  would be 2-2 and Knights would  3-1 in a three way tie and the Cobs at 1-3, then its a tie between the J's and Knights and the J's would have the win over the Toms...I might have this wrong but in looking at things this morning that is my best guess...

So how many of you will be in attendance at the 1st playoff game of the year in Arden Hills?