MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ralph Turner]

The Jindal Administration ordered the exercise as a worst case scenario if the predicted $2 billion hole in next year's state budget holds true.

"This is the worst budgetary situation that I have seen in my 32 years here at the University of New Orleans," said UNO Chancellor Tim Ryan. "If this isn't doomsday. I don't know what doomsday is."

The University of New Orleans would take an $18.2 million hit. That would force the lay off of 71 faculty and 142 support staffers -- the equivalent of eliminating 10 academic programs.

In the process, UNO would suspend its sports programs.

As I re-read this, this press release seems to state that this was just a contingency exercise for UNO.

I don't think that it is a done deal.

The UNO web site says that UNO is hosting the Final Four in 2013.

[jekelish]

Hi All,

If anyone attends the Millsaps vs Austin game Friday, would appreciate any news on the game. It appears that there will be no video/audio/live stats available. Many thanks in advance!

Depending on whether or not I can pick up the internet on my laptop, I'll do my best to report some updates for both the men and the women.  The wireless has been a little hit and miss in there lately, though.

[pbrooks3]

Rhodes leads by 3 at the half. The Lynx played focused determined ball in the opening 20 minutes. They were as consistent on the offensive end as I've seen all season. Got some easy baskets on give & go's. Also got Rob Bledsoe involved for some simple shots looking down at the hoop. Ollie has scored a number of different ways. They extended the defensive intensity deeper in the front-court than I've witnessed before. Centre didn't play inspired ball, and Danny Noll got them back to within 3 by scoring 13. This game is clearly up for grabs.

[pbrooks3]

Centre squeeked by Rhodes 73-69. Rhodes played their best game this year from the ones I've seen.

[Ron Boerger]

DPU 75, @ BSC 61.  The Tigers got 29 from Mike Moore (10-of-12 shooting), shot 64% including 79% (11-14) from beyond the arc. 

[frank_ezelle]

SCAC website has Austin up 74-71 over Millsaps with 7 seconds to go.  Come on Blake, hit a long one.

[frank_ezelle]

Someone hit a long one for Millsaps but Austin took the win 78-74.  Millsaps is now 1-6 in SCAC games decided by 5 points or less which includes losses to Trinity, DePauw and Centre.  They had a big man recruited and all set to come to Millsaps and that player changed his mind in the last week and took a D1 scholarship.  One can only wonder what things would be like if this player hadn't changed his mind, but that's all water under the bridge.

[pbrooks3]

I believe Coach Mason is mentally tired after the game at Mallory tonight between Centre & Rhodes.  This was simply a grinder game for the Colonels, and they barely escaped with victory tonight. Rhodes hasn't been in position often lately where they've had a shot to pull out a close win at the end. Centre's experience helped them get the job done for sure.  After the heartbreaker at home last week against Trinity, this was one that the Colonels had to have, and they got it done.

The Colonels got a nice performance from Danny Noll with 21. TC Thomason came up big at key intervals of the 2nd half for critical baskets. TC was strong on defense in holding the Lynx' star, Cory Smith to 8 pts. Ryan Crowdis made 2 big foul shots late and Lloyd 1 to build the final margin to 4. My star of the game was Alex Lloyd who recorded a double-double - 15 points, 14 boards. Alex played up a storm in the final half after being outplayed by Rhodes' 6'10" post, Rob Bledsoe in the first 20 minutes.

The Lynx had a nice game plan, and were able to exploit the Colonels with their backcourt quickness. They found some effective mismatches throughout where they had some of their wing players dribble-driving on bigger, slower defenders which led to several baskets. Jeff Blumenthal was one of the Rhodes players that was effective at this.

In the end, putting the clamps on Smith in this game was probably the difference tonight.
   

[cush]

I do wonder how the travel $ issue is gonna effect the scac school's when even the big dogs in the sports world are hurting:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/feb/06/mu-athletics-feeling-pinch/

[jekelish]

So as far as player of the year or at least 1st Team All-SCAC consideration goes, I think Kola Alade has to at least be mentioned.  Yes, I'm an Austin College homer, but take into consideration:

17.0 ppg - 3rd in the SCAC
5.3 rpg - 19th in the SCAC
.496 FG% - 6th in the SCAC
3.4 apg - 7th in the SCAC
.770 FT% - 7th in the SCAC
3.4 to 2.5 assist/turnover ratio - 7th in the SCAC
32.3 mpg - 8th in the SCAC

Those are some pretty good numbers right there.  Kola's gotta be at least getting some serious 1st Team All-SCAC consideration, especially when you take into consideration all of his numbers (apart from FG%, which is still .479%, and 3pt %, which is .348%) have gone up in conference play (for the record, his overall 3pt % is .365%).

[pbrooks3]

I think Alada should be in the running for POTY. Some others to include in the discussion probably are Todd Ward of Oglethorpe, Danny Noll of Centre, and Cory Smith of Rhodes. Trinity's BJ Moon is worthy in my estimation too, though Cunningham teams are usually so balanced it's hard to pick out an individual player. But at the end of the day, I think the winner will be Mike Moore. I think his numbers and what he's doing for DePauw puts him at the top right now.

Later this week I'm going to look at this more closely myself and weigh in on it in more depth.

Hope some others will do the same. 

[pbrooks3]

What I see today -

Millsaps gets a 2 point win at Colorado College;
Austin defeats Hendrix by 5;
DePauw by 10 at Rhodes;
Centre defeats Birmingham Southern by 5

[hendrixfan]

Austin College doesn't provide live stats, audio, or video... right?

Seems like I remember this from the past and can't find any links for today.

[jekelish]

Nope, AC isn't able to do live stats at this time.

I'll try to post some updates if/when I'm actually able to get the internet in Hughey Gym.

[hendrixfan]

Nope, AC isn't able to do live stats at this time.

I'll try to post some updates if/when I'm actually able to get the internet in Hughey Gym.

That's too bad.  Is Austin the only school in the league that doesn't do live stats?