Top 25 talk

[golden_dome]

As the story on the front page mentions, MC has been without their best player since last week.  That might be the grain of salt for this loss.  Taking nothing away from LeTourneau, because it's still a great win, but that should be mentioned.

I really did not want to mention that because I remember reading of a couple of teams in the Top 25 this year who had to play games without a top player. But it certainly hurts with Tyler not in there.

Looking at the stat sheets, thru last Thursday, he was 5th in minutes, 4th in scoring and 5th in rebounds on the team.  His replacement, Ryan Hudson, was 6th in minutes, 5th in scoring and 4th in rebounds.  That is not much drop-off on a team that has 9 players getting double-digit minutes and 11 players getting 8 minutes per game.

Ralph,
   I know what the stat sheet shows, his numbers have been down this year but he is much more valuable than the numbers and has played great since the New Year after struggling in the Fall. He would be the first to tell you he was terrible the first month and has been digging himself out of a deep hole on the stat sheet. Teams gave him a ton of attention early which helped other players get off to great starts. He is preparing for medical school and takes a very demanding schedule of labs and classes, plus this is our most talented starting five we have ever had. I could argue that D. J. Jones and Timothy Broomfield are the best guard duo in the country and that certainly takes away some numbers.

He is the best post defender on the team and gives them versatility because at 6'6" he can post up or step out and consistently hit 16-18 footers. Luckily for us he is scheduled to return next Saturday so hopefully we can be full strength by tournament time.

Hats off to LeTourneau though, they have made major improvements since last year and got a huge win for their program. I hope they continue to improve, it is good for the conference.

[mgoblue]

  I go to Wash U and had the chance to watch them play against Rochester a couple of weeks ago.  Although I admit I have not watched another game this season, this has to be one of the worst top ten teams that I remember watching.  No size to speak of, no speed to speak of and no amazing shooters.  Just wondering if I'm missing a big part of what makes them so special.  Obviously their coach has a great reputation, but I just don't see this team making it past the first or second round, should they make the playoffs.

[Titan Q]

  I go to Wash U and had the chance to watch them play against Rochester a couple of weeks ago.  Although I admit I have not watched another game this season, this has to be one of the worst top ten teams that I remember watching.  No size to speak of, no speed to speak of and no amazing shooters.  Just wondering if I'm missing a big part of what makes them so special.  Obviously their coach has a great reputation, but I just don't see this team making it past the first or second round, should they make the playoffs.

I'm confused.  Rochester isn't in the Top 10, so you can't be talking about them.  Yet Wash U has one of the best low post players in Division III in 6-6 Troy Ruths (19.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg)...guard Sean Wallis is 31-70 (.443) from 3 and Tyler Nading and Aaron Thompson shoot it real well too...so when you say "No size to speak of, no speed to speak of and no amazing shooters", I'm lost.

[David Collinge]

I'm reasonably certain that mgoblue is talking about the women's team and just found the wrong page.  Here's the clue:

Obviously their coach has a great reputation, [...]

[Pat Coleman]

I'm reasonably certain that mgoblue is talking about the women's team and just found the wrong page.  Here's the clue:

Obviously their coach has a great reputation, [...]

Perhaps. But their women aren't in the Top 10 either.

[David Collinge]

I'm reasonably certain that mgoblue is talking about the women's team and just found the wrong page.  Here's the clue:

Obviously their coach has a great reputation, [...]

Perhaps. But their women aren't in the Top 10 either.

Almost.  And Rochester's are.  In any case, it's a confusing post at best.

[Pat Coleman]

Ahh. Well THAT crew might be untalented or whatever but it beat full-strength Scranton and beat NYU.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ahh. Well THAT crew might be untalented or whatever but it beat full-strength Scranton and beat NYU.

Scranton has gotten too caught up in the glitzy celebrity scene since Scranton became a hot vacation spot after its publicity on The Office.  They're just not focused on the game anymore.

[smedindy]

I think the whole team is just waiting for pretzel day.

[Ralph Turner]

As the story on the front page mentions, MC has been without their best player since last week.  That might be the grain of salt for this loss.  Taking nothing away from LeTourneau, because it's still a great win, but that should be mentioned.

I really did not want to mention that because I remember reading of a couple of teams in the Top 25 this year who had to play games without a top player. But it certainly hurts with Tyler not in there.

Looking at the stat sheets, thru last Thursday, he was 5th in minutes, 4th in scoring and 5th in rebounds on the team.  His replacement, Ryan Hudson, was 6th in minutes, 5th in scoring and 4th in rebounds.  That is not much drop-off on a team that has 9 players getting double-digit minutes and 11 players getting 8 minutes per game.

Ralph,
   I know what the stat sheet shows, his numbers have been down this year but he is much more valuable than the numbers and has played great since the New Year after struggling in the Fall. He would be the first to tell you he was terrible the first month and has been digging himself out of a deep hole on the stat sheet. Teams gave him a ton of attention early which helped other players get off to great starts. He is preparing for medical school and takes a very demanding schedule of labs and classes, plus this is our most talented starting five we have ever had. I could argue that D. J. Jones and Timothy Broomfield are the best guard duo in the country and that certainly takes away some numbers.

He is the best post defender on the team and gives them versatility because at 6'6" he can post up or step out and consistently hit 16-18 footers. Luckily for us he is scheduled to return next Saturday so hopefully we can be full strength by tournament time.
...

Chris, thanks.  My sources said that MissColl would be hurting without Tyler.  I just could not speak more specifically.

Defense must be seen over several games and may not show up on the stat sheet.  I do think that this is the "adversity" episode needed to take the team chemistry to the next level. 

[David Collinge]

Wooster is missing its senior co-captain and starting center Tim Vandervaart (14.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg), who broke his left wrist against Ohio Wesleyan last week and is out for at least the rest of the regular season.  Wittenberg is missing sophomore wing Mark Caraway, who had recently become a starter and was averaging 7 ppg when he injured his knee a couple of weeks ago; he's done for the season.

One of these two teams will lose tomorrow, and the absent player will be a big reason why.

Everyone has injury problems, or so it seems.  Amherst, Wooster, Va. Wesleyan, St. Thomas, Wittenberg, now Mississippi College, and the list goes on and on.

[goscots]

Add to that list U. of Chicago who has had their starting center out with a foot injury for several weeks now.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So how long before someone makes an "All Injured" Team?

[Ralph Turner]

Here is the hyperlink to the LETU-MissCollege finish.

LETU-MissCollege Final Minute Video Clip

Requires Windows Media Player

Thanks to gccfan!  (+1  )

[golden_dome]

Here is the hyperlink to the LETU-MissCollege finish.

LETU-MissCollege Final Minute Video Clip

Requires Windows Media Player

Thanks to gccfan!  (+1  )

If you have a second, check out the MC/LeTourneau ending. I have never seen a game end like that and probably never will again. That has to be a Sportscenter Play of the Week.