MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BBTommie]

TENN/MEM was okay- it looked like both teams were jittery and taking way too many shots.

Just saw the last 10 minutes, but saw the same thing you did.  Ironically, in the end no-one from Memphis wan't to step up and win the thing.  What was that shot from inside the paint that hit the top of the backboard.  Didn't even look like he was that contested; just a panic heave?

BTW, does anyone know where I can find the MIAC tournament bracket?

[nkwest]

BTW, does anyone know where I can find the MIAC tournament bracket?

http://www.miac-online.org/Sports/mbball/2007/mbbplayoffs0708.asp

It's not a bracket in the strict sense of the word since the #1 and #2 seeds' opponents depend on which teams advance from the quarterfinals.

[BBTommie]

BTW, does anyone know where I can find the MIAC tournament bracket?

http://www.miac-online.org/Sports/mbball/2007/mbbplayoffs0708.asp

It's not a bracket in the strict sense of the word since the #1 and #2 seeds' opponents depend on which teams advance from the quarterfinals.

Thanks.  Since I'm too lazy to look this up....how many times has someone other than the #1 seed won the playoffs since they went to this format?

[kel_varnsen]

I'm not convinced that UST will actually see the Royals.  Bethel first needs to get by a Cobber team that split the season series with them.  Even then an SJU win over Carleton... would send BU to Gus Young Court (a veritable roach motel for GAC opponents in the playoffs) in the semifinals instead of The Shoe.

Would it be the MIAC playoffs without Bethel playing GAC at Gus Young in the semifinals?

[concordia of the north]

The Goaltending Call:

We were sitting right on line with the basket.  Solaja tipped the ball to himself, and in so doing, pushed the ball up into the bottom of the rim.  He then gained control of the ball and had solid possession as the whistle blew.  It definitely should have been augsburg ball, 23 seconds left, no shot clock. 

Any number of things could have happened at that point.  There are maybe 5 or more possessions left in a game with 23 seconds left.  But, it would have been nice to see them.

Having said that, Madson's shot was unbelievable.  Even though the possession is tainted by the call, the shot that he still physically put together and delivered was studly.

I wonder who i'd rather see going into the playoffs?  Bethel, who has really underachieved, but has the personnel to win games against the top of the league, or Augsburg who has finished so strong, with so much momentum, and has the brand of basketball that can generate upsets.

[Willy Wonka]

Well, that's two fairly unbiased opinions saying the Auggies got screwed. I can't think of a more disappointing way to end the year

[VOJ]

Well, can we all agree that the MIAC is not a 3-tourney league yet?

Is UST happy to see the Royals or would it have rather have played the Auggies?

Are you saying the J's can't beat the Knights?  They won down there earlier this year and lost a 2 pointer at home...I could see a rematch next Thursday night at the SHOE...something tells me 3 seeds have not faired well in the MIAC Dance

[piperinsider]

The little guys of the MIAC never get the love. 

It's a conspiracy I say. Keep HAM, AUG and SMU down.

Congrats to the men's hockey team on this:
Pipers capture first MIAC hockey championship in 6 decades

It was 60 years in the making, but the Hamline University Pipers have reclaimed the MIAC men's hockey championship following a come-from-behind victory, 6-5, at Saint John's on Saturday.

The Pipers have waited since the 1947-48 season for another hockey championship, and after honoring members of that team in December at a game, they did them proud, winning the title in the final period of regular season play.

And, the women's hockey and basketball teams for making the conference playoffs. 3 for 4 ain't bad.

[Nites]

Well, that's two fairly unbiased opinions saying the Auggies got screwed. I can't think of a more disappointing way to end the year

That would be one unbiased opinion - CN.  If the Auggies had won, Drake would have been the Pick 'em champ.   

[piperinsider]

G-men~

I know our ringleader "OneArmedScott" is AWOL, but I was wondering if people would be interested in a pre-championship "celebration" next Saturday. I'm not good with logistics of where (when we find out who is hosting), but I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

I believe last year's was cancelled due to a huge snowfall that forced me into a ditch and a liquor store trip at 10 a.m.

What do you think? Everyone is invited.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Time for a little MIAC Playoff history lesson.                     
                     
In the 7 years that the playoff has been in its present format of 6 teams, with 1 & 2 getting first-round bye:                     
*The #1 seed has won the tourney 6 times. The exception was in 2003 when #2 GAC won it all                     
*The #1 seed has made the title game all 7 times.         
*The #2 seed has made the title game 6 times. The exception was in 2002 when #3 Bethel beat #2 GAC in the semifinals
*Higher seeds have won 13 of 14 semifinal games. The exception was in 02 when #3 Bethel beat #2 GAC in the semifinals
*Higher seeds have won 10 of 14 quarterfinal games. All 4 losses by the higher seeds were by #3 seeds—Bethel in 07, SJU in 06, Car in 03 and UST in 01.
*The #5 seed has never won a game

In the 16 years before that, when only the top 4 made the tourney:
*The #1 seed won the tourney 9 times
*The #1 seed lost the title game 5 times 
*The #1 seed lost in the semifinals 2 times: Oles in 89 and Augs in 98
*The #2 seed won the tourney 2 times: SJU in 87 and GAC in 98
*The #2 seed lost in the title game 8 times
*The #2 seed lost in the semifinals 6 times
*The #3 seed won the tourney 3 times: Bethel in 91, UST in 93 and UST in 2000
*The #3 lost in the title game once: SJU in 95
*The #4 seed won the tourney twice: SJU in 85 (the first year of the tourney) and GAC in 89
*The #4 seed lost in the title game once: UST in 98

[PTPer35]

Drake - I agree Linz deserves POY more than Johnson and I'm sure as a junior someone is going to beat him out for the award.  I'm just still peeved about the whole thing awhile back when a few posters said he shouldn't even be considered for the award. I think the only thing that should be considered is value to the team.

LostProphet - I'm not plugging Griess for coach of the year either. (Also, I'd take Beastly...he is a baller.)

Looking forward to some playoff basketball. I'm predicting some kind of chaff problem, a recount, and Augsburg winning it all.

[Drake Palmer]

Karma is rough, or finding humor in the unjust ...

Nites – Pickems had nothing to do with it, that call was major cow dung. 

In some perverse way I suppose it's only fitting there was a controversial call on Femi Solaja in the closing seconds of the game, because there was an equally controversial non-call in the opening minute of the game.

Following a trey by Cassens to open up the scoring, the next time down the court, Solaja gets a tremendous seal on Moberg & motions to Cassens for the lob pass.  Cassens accurately throws up the lob pass - Femi turns, takes one step & throws down a sensational one handed dunk!  (I didn't even think he had it in him anymore) The refs blindly turn their back on Solaja & he proceeds to hang from the rim, swings his legs back & forth all the while mugging to the Augsburg fans, while the Augsburg fans are bellowing their support!

In the meantime, the Bethel fans are besides themselves screaming at the refs trying to get their attention, begging them to call a technical on Solaja.  I'm rolling around on the bleacher laughing my butt off while the Bethel fans are looking at me like I've lost my mind.  Good humor highlight of the day. 

[Nites]

[

Nites – Pickems had nothing to do with it, that call was major cow dung. 

I know that Drake.  I was just giving you grief.   

[Dawg-Dude]

In some perverse way I suppose it's only fitting there was a controversial call on Femi Solaja in the closing seconds of the game, because there was an equally controversial non-call in the opening minute of the game.

Even better was when Solaja missed a dunk midway through the first half, hung on the rim (again) with no-call...  The Bethel crowd was going nuts. Now that's funny  

Everything aside, this was a great game. An exciting back and forth game that lived up to its billing. That shot by Madson was unconscious! He's was completely defended, throws up this bomb and gets nothing but net. Unreal. What a way to set the stage for the playoffs.

But, the story behind the game. Cassens goes out for pizza on Friday night and gets food poisoning. (The waiter was allegedly a Bethel grad but I was unable to confirm). He's yakin' up za' all night long and still losing his lunch 30 minutes before game time. Then proceeds to "man up" and score a career high 29 points. And, there were some hard earned points. (Did you see the hurtin' Palmer laid on him during a drive in the first half Ouch)

The Solaja goal interference call was a joke. Who calls that? With 24 seconds left?? Solaja had a great run with Augsburg, he'll be missed. Cool dude with a great personality, not to mention he's a rebounding machine.

That also put an end to a nice 4 year career for J Koz. This was a special player that proved you don't have to be 6'6" to play basketball, you just have to have heart and desire. (Over 750 career points, 140+ three point baskets, and 80+% career average from the free throw line.)