MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[consultant]

It's always nice for a D-III team to get some nice game experience against a D-I team.  I would like to see Millsaps play well.  But after a long break (exams) I don't know what we'll see from the Majors.  My realistic expectations would like to see Millsaps stay within 15 points of SELA.

[frank_ezelle]

Southeastern's last game was a 69-66 win at Penn State on Saturday so it would probably be a very good effort if Millsaps is within 15 points at the end.  This is the 9th time that the teams have played with SE holding an 8-0 record against the Majors, but the last of those victories came in the 1969-70 season.  Even though I was a freshman at Millsaps that year, I don't remember any details about the game.

[DPU3619]

DePauw needed a buzzer-beater three from Reid Sakel to beat Kenyon 53-52 this afternoon.  I gather the Tigers didn't play their best.  Matt McDonald had some foul problems and Austin Brown missed some time with an ankle injury.

Also, from the completely worthless statistics department, that's 2 buzzer beaters in the last 11 games. 

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps fell to Southeastern Louisiana 90-67.  Just going by what I heard on the radio broadcast and what I see in the box score, it sounded like a pretty good game for Millsaps.  Here's a link to the SE LA story:  http://www.lionsports.net/index.php?pid=headline&content=user&func=article&id=2706

SE LA hit 35 of 55 shots and 9 of 20 3-pointers, plus they outrebounded Millsaps by a 36 to 28 margin.  They had a 18 point lead at halftime which Millsaps cut to 11 twice in the second half, but it sounds like SE LA was just too big and talented for Millsaps to defend.

The good news is that Millsaps apparently played well on the offensive end which has been their weakness in the early season.  Montgomery had 17 point on 7 of 14 shooting, Lorenzo Bailey hit 6 of 13, Allen Odum hit 6 of 12, Deonte Oscar was 4 of 6, Rodney Rogan was 4 of 11, and Chad Songy hit 2 of 3.  Considering the size and the strength of the opponents, that's a pretty good showing on the offensive end and hopefully it will continue when they drop back to D3 competition.

And as all the teams start taking a break for Christmas, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday if that's what you prefer.  I hope everyone has a great time with their family and I look forward to a lot of great SCAC action in 2007.

Frank.

[consultant]

Despite the loss, it was nice to see Millsaps on the ticker last night on ESPN.  From listening to some of the game it did seem like Millsaps played well.  SELA is a pretty good team. 

The heart of conference play is just around the corner, and I'm sure it will be much fun. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

[scottiedoug]

Those of you interested in the philosophy and finances of D3 athletics will be interested in a series of articles in the Maryville (TN) DailyTimes.  The focus is Maryville and the GSAC they refer quite a bit to other schools in other leagues, including ODAC, SCAC, USASouth, WIAC, and others. Here are links to the first two:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/SPORTS/612260319&SearchID=73267240633587

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/SPORTS/612270306http://

Each links to a second, related, article.

[JJFlash]

Scottiedoug:

I appreciate the links you sent for the articles on D-III athletes.  For some reason, the link to the second article returns an error message along the lines of "invalid story".  Would you be kind enough to double check that link.  The first installment was very enjoyable reading and I would like to read the rest.

THANKS in advance!

[Ralph Turner]

Scottiedoug:

I appreciate the links you sent for the articles on D-III athletes.  For some reason, the link to the second article returns an error message along the lines of "invalid story".  Would you be kind enough to double check that link.  The first installment was very enjoyable reading and I would like to read the rest.

THANKS in advance!

JJ, try these:

Going big: D-III football coaches make decisions on team size

Dollars & directions: D-III and D-I schools travel different paths

Thanks, Doug!

[JJFlash]

Thanks, Ralph.  Good Reading!

[scottiedoug]

Here are links to today's Maryville Daily Times articles on D3 athletics.  These are about the big-small/public-private issues in D3 (1st link) and D3 schools preparation of grads for life's challenges.

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/SPORTS/612270318

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/SPORTS/612270317

[warriorfan]

Thanks Scottiedog for the links.  Great story.  In our neck of the woods, d3 sports is under reported and less respected than our d2 and d1 counterparts.  It's a shame for the student athletes.  Maybe if they were getting arrested and/or graduating without showing up to classes their teams could get more press!!!!

[frank_ezelle]

A few quick items from Millsaps:

1)  I've started a weekly sports email for Millsaps.  It not something where I write a lot but I point people to links of Millsaps stories, results, upcoming events, etc.  If anyone is interested in getting on the mailing list you can email me (Frank Ezelle) at millsapssports@yahoo.com .

2)  Millsaps plays at LaGrange tonight and tomorrow.  They play LaGrange tonight at 6 and Huntingdon tomorrow at 1 (central time).  Both games will be broadcast at http://www.espnradio1240.com/ .  Tonight's game is tape delayed and I've heard it will start at 10 pm but I've also heard that it might start a little earlier, immediately following a couple of local high school games.  The Saturday game will be live with the pregame starting at 12:45.

3)  There was talk about Tyler Warren and Andy Bates playing for the NY Nationals against the Harlem Globetrotters.  Here's a link to a Millsaps story about Tyler:
http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/basketball-m/122206release.shtml

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and I hope 2007 is a great year for SCAC and its athletes.

[scottiedoug]

Here is the link to the fourth and final article in my local newspaper about Division III athletics.  There is a hotlink to a companion article near the beginning of the article.

It is good to see DIII get this much press and too bad it is buried in a small town local paper.

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/SPORTS/612290323

[DPU3619]

All DePauw today against U-Dallas in Tampa.  DPU led by 27 at halftime and crusied to a 104-78 win.  Everybody who started for DePauw scored in double figures including Reid Sakel with 18.  DPU shot 59% from the floor and 12-20 from 3.  This year's DPU team sure can hit shots... shooting a tick under 51% on the year.

DPU and Hamilton Saturday in the Tampa finale. 

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps evened their record at 5-5 with a 81-75 road win over LaGrange.  Here's a link to the LaGrange story:  http://www.lagrange.edu/athletics/basketball/news-Millsaps.htm

In double figures for the Majors were Allen Odum with 25 (my guess is that would be his career high), Rodney Rogan with 19 and Deonte Oscar with 10.  Edrick Montgomery lead the rebounding column with 14.  Judging by the radio broadcast, it sounded like a ragged game which is exactly what you would expect after a layoff for exams and Christmas.  Millsaps had 18 turnovers and LaGrange had 17, but on the plus side, Millsaps shot 55% for the game and that's one of their best showings of the year.

Millsaps plays Huntingdon at 1:00 Central Time today.  That game will be broadcast live with a pregame starting at 12:45.  Here's that link:  http://www.espnradio1240.com/