WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Practice starts tomorrow.  Now that there is a little more finalization on the rosters, what do we think about the teams in the league?  As I am no longer in MIAC country, again, I need the help of this page to keep me informed.  Any picks to start this year?

[yojo]

Sounds like Gustavus & St. Bens will have a solid club but we'll see.  I hear that Hamline has brought in a couple of big time players.  I see it going this way...
1. Gustavus
2. Saint Benedict
3. Concordia
4. Hamline
5. Bethel
6. Carleton
7. St. Thomas
8. Macalester
9. St. Catherine
10. Augsburg
11. St. Olaf
12. St. Mary's

Good Luck 

[LA RAMS]

Even though I'm currently caught up in the sad state of affairs surrounding both my Rams and UCLA Bruins I have been able to do some thinking about the upcoming season so here's how I think it'll likely shake out:

1.  CSB
2.  Concordia
3.  GAC
4.  Carleton
5.  Bethel
6.  St. Kate's
7.  UST
8.  St. Olaf
9.  Macalester
10.  Augsburg
11.  Hamline
12.  SMU

If we lose to Cal this weekend at home in the Rose Bowl KD is GONE!

[gottaluvhoops]

Hows Macalster and St Thomas looking?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

I know scrimmages are starting up shortly or have started for many teams.  Who are people scrimmaging against and how are the looking? 

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

No love for the MIAC in the d3hoops top 25.  Only CSB getting votes and no one is even close to the top 25.  Two teams from Iowa make the rankings though.  Luther, who deserves all they get, and Simpson who is talented but more talented than every team in the MIAC?  Guess we'll see.  This conference has lost some luster the last few years among the nation and needs to start gaining it back.

[gottaluvhoops]

I would guess to say Simpson is more talented than MIAC teams.  They made it to the sweet sixteen last year.  They won the 4-team bracket that CSB was in!  I just looked up the scores and they blew Wheaton out the following night after Wheaton beat CSB. 

[LA RAMS]

I did happen to catch most of the scrimmage between St. Kate's and Concordia (St. Paul) earlier this last week.  As you can imagine, the Kitties received a collective beatdown from their bigger D2 opponent.  Still, I think St. Kate's will be decent enough to get a MIAC playoff spot if everything works out for them.  They have an interesting mix of veterans and newcomers that is blending together nicely.  Erin Petrich and Sarah Schneider will be hard to replace, though.   

[yojo]

I don't see St. Kates being nearly as successful as they were last year.  Surprise teams will be Bethel & Hamline.  Saw both of them scrimmage and they looked good.  Bethel was very fluid & Hamline has a new post player from out of state that will be a force.

[scorekeeper]

Every year I hear about how Hamline has some player from out of nowhere and every year they stink.  I don't expect that to change.  Bethel is also a team that always should be better than they are, but they never are.  Expect both of those teams to underachieve like always. 

I caught the CSB scrimmage at St. Cloud State.  Actually, I should say it was an exhibition since they were able to officially keep score and play it like a real game.  St. Ben's was down early as they used a lot of rookies, but they made a run in the second half when both teams had their top players and ended up losing 67-61.  I was very impressed with two of the First-Year guards Amy Stifter and Joelle Waytashek.  They will see a lot of time off the bench for the Blazers.  I also thought Danielle Frank, the 6'4 FY post for CSB played well.  She came in and had 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 5 points in 11 minutes.  St. Ben's will be very solid at all of the guard positions and I am more optimistic about the posts after what I saw yesterday. 

Prediction for top 6 in the MIAC
1. Blazers
2. Gusties
3. Knights
4. Cobbers
5. Tommies
6. Wildcats

[yojo]

I do see the Blazers doing well again this year but I don't believe any scrimmage as a good litmus test.  As far as Hamline stinking, I don't think that's quite the case but regardless MYK has done a good job to turn that program around.  Bethel does have a lot of talent but I agree, seem to underachieve.  I still think Bethel and Hamline will be surprises.

[scorekeeper]

Okay, "stink" was a bit harsh, but Hamline has never been better than .500 and they actually had enough talent to finish better than the 13-13 finish they had in MYK's second year as head coach.  Last year they tried to cheat their way to getting a 7th year of eligibility for a player who bounced around from one school to the next with only basketball on her mind so I relaly don't have much respect for MYK or the Hamline program.

[yojo]

MYK has been at the helm for what 3 yrs or so?  Regardless, I don't believe hamline has had consecutive 500 or better seasons in what 50 years....MYK did it in 3....got to give her props.  As to this mysterious player you are speaking of.....I believe every single program in the MIAC does the transfer requests quite a bit....Don't be blind to the fact that the MIAC isn't all about academics...if you do -- don't be fooling yourself.  St. John's football athletes have well documented cases of "leadership scholorships" while St Thomas has "diversity scholorships" to curtail the current system which in my opinion is out of date and needs to be changed.  As to MYK, I think you may have an opinion on some people that you really don't know too much about.  I've never met her personally but I would reserve judgement until I do...perhaps  you should do the same.     

[Pat Coleman]

Last year they tried to cheat their way to getting a 7th year of eligibility for a player who bounced around from one school to the next with only basketball on her mind so I relaly don't have much respect for MYK or the Hamline program.

Scorekeeper: Heck of an allegation with no facts. Perhaps you should bring some facts to the table instead. Just a thought.

[hoop202]

Message to Scorekeeper
Why did you just remove your email from the info page on D3 hoops ? oops too late already saw it and that you are an Associate Director of Admissions. Perhaps you should be working instead of slandering other colleges and coaches?