WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[val]

I have a daugher playing in MN and another considering the MIAC.  So, I thought I'd check in and read  the talk.  A lot has been very interesting and insightful- I agree that St Bens will be a very tough team- as usual!  Gustavus- Carleton- Bethel- St Thomas- Hamline- and on and on- I think this conference is one of the toughest in D III- has been for years! 

I have to say something though- and if I'm attacked, well, so be it.  That seems to be the way it goes here, at least from a small minority, thank goodness a small minority.  I was rather taken aback by some of the PERSONAL attacks and insinuations on this website about many of the coaches in this conference (Carleton, St. Bens, Hamline, etc.)- and even against some parents and players!  How disappointing.  And I noticed most were done by the Peach person, even saying one coach was her/his "mortal enemy" and then attempted to rationalize these and other rather strange comments (about strangers no less) by pointing back to the days when some on this site attacked Durbin and Tammy and others?  As if that makes it right!  I'm wondering if Peach has a vendetta like another poster noticed- sounds pretty bitter to me- that's pretty sad.  Do you know how hard these coaches work and how much they care about their teams and women's sports?  How much they strive to compete with character so they lead their players by example?  Probably not, as I'm sure anyone who has ever coached would ever be ignorant enough to make such comments.  And I come on this discussion board expecting mature, educated and interesting posts,  but instead I have to read and suffer through comments about refs in the pocket, coaches chewing ears off ala Mike Tyson,  players that have been playing for "20 years," monikers such as "terrible tammy," and other coaches operating in supposed grey areas - yeah right- conspiracy theorist anyone?  Or how about proof, anyone?  I forgot- proof and facts are apparently not necessary.  Some are attacking the very people (the coaches mentioned for various MIAC colleges) that have made MN women's college basketball something to be proud of.   I, however, would not be proud of some of the comments made here.  Where is the sportsmanship?  Now, I love spirited discussion and competition- but there should be a level of class, dignity and respect maintained both on AND off the court.  I came hear to read about basketball, not gutter gossip and character assassinations.  This isn't the National Enquirer.  As the refs always say, "let's keep it clean."

[tommycorn]

Val

~ Not to undermine anything you have said, and certainly you have made many strong points, but you can't take things written on a message board too seriously.  I have not read through all of the accusations or insinuations you speak of, but I would say the majority of the people participating in this forum are in it because they are basketball junkies who like to talk basketball.  Half the fun of it is 'trash talking'.  Most of what is said, allow it's possible to read it differently, is said in good fun.  You can't 'hear' people's tone of voice while reading their post.  If you watch any sports talk show I think you would have a better understanding of how these types of discussions go.  Again, I'm not saying that what peachbasket had posted falls under this explanation, but maybe it will help you have a little more fun in the forum

if i'm way off here, let me know

[gacbacker]

Well said Tommycorn; Proof is for the Star Tribune. Gossip is for the d3hoops message board.

[peachbasket]

Roses and bunnies and smiley faces to all!!   

Val, welcome to the board.   I don't recall writing about my "mortal enemy"  as that would be the cancer that killed my father.  No personal vendetta, just looking to drum-up conversation about hoops. (Well written tommycorn.)

Now, on to my Cobbers, they seem to have struggled shooting this weekend.  We miss Mandy, and will be finding our way through this season.  I still believe we may catch a few teams off guard, (especially if our "off guard" gets her shot going.)

Now let's all go out there, try REAL hard, and it's okay if you don't win, just knowing you tried is enough!!  <insert tongue in cheek here>

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

   It sounds like this past weekend was a pretty good one for the MIAC, other than the Bennies getting beat in the first game.  Always makes me happy.  Looks like the formerly defenseless BU might be able to lock some people down now.  Holding Central out of Iowa to 29% shooting and only 9% behind the line.  That will win you a lot of games no matter who you are playing.  They've got a game coming up shortly against Valley State out of the NAIA that will determine how good this team really is.  Let's go Royals.

[tommycorn]

Can we get a little MVP predictions going here.  Here's my ballot of nominees so far:

1) Anna Heikenin
2) Megan Vig
3) Erica Opdahl
4) Jen Ahlberg
5) Bri Monahan

The obvious choice is Anna, but Ahlberg fits the Mandy Pearson mold.  But I'll throw a curveball and say Gotchnik from the Tommies, who could fly under the radar may make a run for it late in the season.

[tommycorn]

Who is number #1?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

I would never put Opdahl ahead of Ahlberg.  The other two are fine, because they have proven it so far.  Ahlberg will be the main reason this team moves into the top 3 or 4 this year.  Opdahl relies too much on unproven guards.  Jen can take over a game at any point if she needs to.  Also, Jen makes everyone else on her team better.  Opdahl doesn't do that.  That's just my point of view though.

[tommycorn]

east coast,

i completely agree with you.  i shouldn't have put numbers up.  i just meant those were my top candidates.  i think e. op is too inconsistent with her shooting to dominate on a daily basis.  i think jen ahlberg has the ability to take over a game, and she is my top pick

as a side note, if erica can get her moves to the basket more consistent, and she does have the 3 point shooting support she got on saturday, it will be really hard for the under-sized miac to deal with her and gotch at the low block

[Collegeville Magic]

Bobby- be careful what you post when you seem obviously connected to a former Cobber who's now coaching at Hamline.  Just a guess on my part...

I was happy to hear my Blazers got closer to form on Saturday, after a surprising loss Friday.  Of course, new lineup, new year, and new faces always mean adjustments.

My opinion is that Kim Johnson's interior presence will be missed the most on D for CSB.  Kari Schroeder will definitely be a solid player, but she's only two games into her career, and it'd be a lot to ask of ANY player in the conference to take over the blocked shots numbers that KJ put up each of the last four years.

Go Blazers!

[peachbasket]

Vig is the most well-rounded player in the league.  If her team finishes in the top 3, she should get it...especially with all those freshmen that will be playing.
You could make a similar argument for Anna H and Erika, but I think Vig is the most talented!

[Willy Wonka]

I haven't seen Anna H. play, but Vig is certainly the most versatile of that group to my knowledge. Heck, she played point-forward against the Gusties last season when Colby was hurt and ran the offense.

[Willy Wonka]

Gusties beat Wartburg tonight 78-70 on the road. Wartburg beat St. Olaf by 5 earlier this year and Olaf was blown out by Luther, who the Gusties play Friday night in Eau Claire in the first game of a holiday tourney.

A close game for much of the night, the Gusties made a late surge to take control. A charge was taken, a few layups were made and Vadnais shook off a horrid shooting night from deep (2-12) to hit the clinching shot, pushing a 3 point lead to 6 in the closing minute(s). The Gusties also rebounded nicely, outboarding Warty 36-32, and hit their free throws after, well, sucking at them against MSU (25-30). Monahan picked up her fourth foul with 16 minutes left in the second half and sat until the 5 minute mark. The Olaf transfer stepped in (name?), along with Consier, and played solid minutes.

While the PG situation remains a little unsettled (Sviggum 0 points, 0 assists in 18 minutes and Linbo with 2 assists and 2 TOs in 10), the Gusties may be better than people on this board are giving them credit for. We should know more after they play a tough Luther squad on Friday - or maybe Olaf is just that bad? I'm planning to attend - work-willing - so I'll have some more tangible feedback then.

PS - The Gusties blew a tire on the bus ride home after the game. At least they have the now-barren Iowa cornfields to keep them company

[gacbacker]

Actually just a slight correction on Willy's post, Sviggum had four points and they were all huge....a driving lay-up late in the game that pushed the lead from 3 to 5 and then two free throws to extend the lead from 4 to 6.

Great team win tonight as Haller played 12 and had 11 players score. Going 25-30 at the charity stripe was also big. Vadnais indeed shook off a terrible start as she missed her first six shots, but fought back to lead all scorers with 26 pts.

Luther should be a tough game.

In other action tonight Hamline beats River Falls and Leon doesn't play. I assume that means Young-Kruse has been told she can't play?

Also St. Olaf has five players in double figures in a 91-88 victory over Buena Vista.

Bethel wins to go 2-0, but where are these transfers that were going to help them so much this year? They're basically starting the same starting line-up as last year with three guards. I think Cotner (6'2" out of Stillwater) is one of the transfers that was highly touted and she played only 9 minutes. They appear to be the same old, same old team to me.

[Willy Wonka]

gacbacker - My fault. I got excited and was looking at assists/turnovers rather than points/turnovers as I posted.

Now, we all know LArams is a genius but the MIAC coaches don't seem to agree with his assessment of GAC's chances this year. Here's the recently released coaches poll.

2005-06 MIAC Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes in Parentheses)
1. Saint Benedict (9)
2. Carleton (1)
3. Gustavus
4. Concordia (1)
5. St. Thomas
6. Bethel
7. Saint Mary's
8. St. Olaf
9. Hamline
10. St. Catherine
11. Augsburg