WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Maroon&Gold]

Enjoy the quiet while you can.  I haven't actually heard anything about the game other than the few story lines (biased on both parts) on the respective Blazer and Cobber pages.  Was anybody actually in Moorhead for the game?  Any real analysis, or just premature celebrating?

Don't forget what happened last time CSB went into the playoffs as the 3 seed.  Last season finished how? Oh yeah, Sweet 16.

I would guess that the biggest problem for the Blazers right now has been re-working the rotation, now that Boone is getting back in game shape.  Having another talented post player is certainly great, but this fan's hypothesis is that, without a concrete lineup and sub pattern, some of the players might not be settled into their roles yet.

I don't see the 2 game losing "streak" as an issue right now, but I certainly would have been happier had my favorite squad come out on top of at least one of the last two games.

CM-  Although I am a Cobber fan, I was at the game in Moorhead and I will try to keep my comments as unbiased as I can.

Hageman absolutely dominated inside, especially in the first half, I think she had like 19 and 8 after the first 20 minutes.

Elhert came up huge, 15 and 12, and the combination of her and Mel was too much for Anna, Boone, and the other Blazer posts, especially on the boards, as the Cobbers converted a lot of their Off. rebounds into points.

I think 3 pt shooting played a role in the game.  Noreen and her compardres didn't shoot the deep ball very well and Keeley's two 3's in the last couple minutes were absolutely nails in the coffin of CSB.

The difference between this game nad the 30+ blowout to start the year can partly be contributed to the Cobbers playing at a faster pace than they had been, also I think that they were still trying to figure each other out at the time of the first game.

Anyway it was a good win by the Cobbs, and I am hoping for another one wednesday vs the Gusties.  CSB is a very good team, and I agree with the poster who said the league is even enough that every game will be interesting, that is what makes it so much fun to follow the MIAC.  Go Cobbs!!

[Willy Wonka]

CM - GAC and CC control their own destiny. That's a fact. If either wins out, they claim the title. CSB can't claim that, thus the "who would you rather be comment." Verstehen Sie mich?

When I said "The time before last," I thought it was clear I wasn't talking about last year. If my semantics was poor, the context alone should have brought up bitter memories to tell you that which I was referring to. But, so we're clear, that'd be 2002-03 and CSB lost in the semis at GAC, failing to get into the tourney despite a sparkling 24-3 record and Top 10 national ranking. Comprende?

Interesting sidenote to my quick research: CSB has lost in the MIAC semis two of the last three years.

[blazerguy]

CM - GAC and CC control their own destiny. That's a fact. If either wins out, they claim the title. CSB can't claim that, thus the "who would you rather be comment." Verstehen Sie mich?

When I said "The time before last," I thought it was clear I wasn't talking about last year. If my semantics was poor, the context alone should have brought up bitter memories to tell you that which I was referring to. But, so we're clear, that'd be 2002-03 and CSB lost in the semis at GAC, failing to get into the tourney despite a sparkling 24-3 record and Top 10 national ranking. Comprende?

Interesting sidenote to my quick research: CSB has lost in the MIAC semis two of the last three years.

My my your bitterness and gloating just continue on and on. You seem to be stuck on trying to run down the Blazers and Coach Durbin. Go ahead if it makes you feel better.  I am, for what is worth,  very impressed with the strong showing this year of almost all the clubs. Although the Gusties, Cobbers and Blazers seem to be the cream of the crop, I am very impressed with the squads from Hamline and Bethel but more importantly I think the players from all schools are showing great effort and sportsmanship. I am really enjoying the season, as Tice would say, and think the rest of the way will be a blast!! The only negative at all this year, to me, is the erratic officiating and Macalaster still not back to full MIAC status. Go Blazers!!

[Collegeville Magic]

Willy, willy, willy...

I thought, apparently over-estimating, that you and I had no beef.    

The 02-03 season was a long time ago for these players.  Anna H is the only Blazer left from that roster, and she was only here for only half of that season.  I'm going to be bold enough to say that last year is more important to the current rosters' collective memory than college games played when most of them were in high school.

Anyway, I'm not arguing semantics with you, that's no fun.  No me puedes respuestar en Espanol la vez proxima que hablamos?

Go Blazers!

[Collegeville Magic]

Oh yeah, and THANKS M&G!!  I wish I could have been there, sounds like I missed a great game.  If only Moorhead wasn't so darn far away.

[Willy Wonka]

CM - I try to have beef with everyone, otherwise these boards get boring. No offense meant

More important than my Petty swipes at CSB...have you all checked out the latest rankings? Not one MIAC team received even a single vote

I think it's safe to say only one team will be making the tourney at this rate, making home court advantage that much more important come MIAC tourney time...

I know it's very premature, but does anyone know when the first regional rankings come out? I'm sure it's on the site somewhere, but I'm too lazy to look for it

[James T. Kirk]

At the mid point of the season some thoughts for a few teams;

Hamline – Turn Ewert loose and have her attack the basket.  She is a rare talent, let her show it.

Carleton – Good team with a senior star.  Start Oken-Berg, Lincoln, and Biewen; your better with these girls on the floor.

St. Ben's – With as good as Heikenen is the team vulnerable without her.  Whoever said that Ben's was still a top three team without her is way off.  Do it for her NOW!

Bethel – Post up with two girls at a time (3-2). Not many teams will be able to guard two six footers at once and it will open up the outside shots.

Gustavus – I don't know how your doing it because I'm not that impressed.  Maybe Bri is really that good.  The smoke and mirrors appear to be working though; keep it up.

St. Olaf – Build around the twins.  There is a lot of talent in the MIAC from the Classic Lake high school conference.

Concordia – Very good coaching from what I can see.  It help to have players like Hageman or Pearson; but maybe these players are coached to the best abilities.

St. Thomas – Look for a big drop off next year without Opdahl.


Beam me up Scotty!

[peachbasket]

Congrats to Mel, (and Bri,) MIAC players of the week.

Capt. Kirk - I think your perspective on the league is pretty (that's pretty, not petty,) good. Overall, the league is very average, where 5 or 6 years ago the top teams were competing at the National level, that's just not going to happen right now. 
The reason why some teams are having success that others, who are equally talented aren't, I believe, is coaching and heart.  Ewert should be the player of the year, based on talent alone, physically, that girl is a specimen, but there's something missing!  Anna's a very good player, but she doesn't have the supporting cast the bennies have had in the past.  Bri is good, Mel is good, but better, is the situation each of their coaches continue to put them in.
Don't get me wrong, I love the competitiveness of this league, I just long for the days when we were sending potential NCAA Champions into the post-season, it just made everyone else so much better.  For now, I get fired up for the conference, and it's tourney, and for whomever represents it in the post-season!

[randle]

MIAC is down this year?  When was the last time ther wasn't a to 25 in the nation team from the MIAC for a month ? (Don't think ever) As far as why look at the NWC 'It's call defense.  Few teams that lose a game in the 70's can blame it on anything but defense.  CSB is down over 20% in total rebounds from last year (10th out of 11 teams) got to be worth a point or two. Yes your Mel and Bri are having very very good years no one is playing any D in the league thus  far.  CC and GAC lost a lot from last year, but seemed to have found the answer to get it done. It is a team game. If it wasn't MAC and CSC would have had the Player of the year the past few year (Excluding last year MP won it hands down).

[SOLID]

Concordia – Very good coaching from what I can see. It help to have players like Hageman or Pearson; but maybe these players are coached to the best abilities.

I'm not sure if you are referring to the last couple years as a whole, but Pearson is no longer in school. Maybe you meant Keeley?  Or maybe I'm just really picky.

Anyway.............A great balanced race so far which will hopefully lead to a action packed finish to the regular season and to a great post season.

[Willy Wonka]

Does anyone else think randle is on crazy pills? That hurts my head trying to figure out what he/she's trying to say...

CSB has to be cheering for GAC tomorrow night, right? Or have my belligerent posts made that impossible? Regardless, it should be a great game. I'm hoping to have two sources up there, both Cobber alums, so I should have some thoughts tomorrow night.

[gacbacker]

Willy I agree...if Randle went to an MIAC school I'm positive it was Augsburg.

On the eve of the big game, what will be the keys?

1. Obviously the Monahan/Hageman match-up. How will the teams adjust if one starts to dominate and will foul trouble be an issue.

2. Bench play. Gustavus has a huge edge here, at least in the scoring column. The GAC bench has averaged over 27 points per game in the last 6 games (all wins). Does Emily Nelson have another double digit performance in her?

3. Coaching. Both staffs are emerging as two of the best in the conference. The Gustie bench came up with the right call in a last second situation at St. Ben's.

4. Home court edge obviously goes to the Cobbers and the Gusties have a long bus ride.

Gustavus 66 Concordia 61

[LA RAMS]

I seem to be getting better at this so I'll try and keep a good thing going.......

CSB @ St. Olaf - Bennies get back on track by 14

Carleton @ Hamline - My Knights by 8 in a tough one

MAC @ UST - Tommies by a bunch (25 - 30+??)

Augsburg @ SMU - Redbirds handle current cellar dwellars by 12

St. Kates @ Bethel - I like the Kitties by 5 here; don't ask me why

GAC @ Concordia - Both teams playing very well right now (oh yeah they're
only tied for 1st place!).  I'd love to see the Gusties pull off a HUGE road win
and they COULD do it.  But I think the Corn will be hard to beat in their crib
and I think the Gusties will get back on track after this one anyway.  Cobbers by 6.

Food for thought:  I realize the conference may be not as strong as it has been in the last few seasons.  Still, with the expanded tournament taking effect this season would it be out of the realm of possibility for 2 teams, maybe 3,  to get into the Dance?  Thoughts........Impressions?   

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Since when did conference parity equal a weak conference.  I seem to remember just last night, that the SO CALLED EXPERTS, picked the Big 10 and Big East as the strongest men's basketball conferences because any one can beat any one else in the conference.  No, I think the strength of the conference comes from the ability to beat other conferences.  The MIAC will always be one of the top 5 conferences in the country, and I definately think they are better than the offensively challenged NWC, RANDLE.  MN kids know how to play offense, it's not a lack of defense. 
Take it from someone who sees DIII basketball in a different part of the country and has been in the MIAC, and you'll understand why the MIAC is not weak.  At least give credit to the lower teams who have finally stepped up their efforts recruiting.  There are more good teams, not just three that beat up on everybody else.  Top heavy conferences do not equal strong conferences. 

And one last thing, I'm pretty sure ST. Bens is still getting votes in the top 25.  There just isn't any one IN the top 25.

[Maroon&Gold]

MIAC is down this year?  When was the last time ther wasn't a to 25 in the nation team from the MIAC for a month ? (Don't think ever) As far as why look at the NWC 'It's call defense.  Few teams that lose a game in the 70's can blame it on anything but defense.  CSB is down over 20% in total rebounds from last year (10th out of 11 teams) got to be worth a point or two. Yes your Mel and Bri are having very very good years no one is playing any D in the league thus  far.  CC and GAC lost a lot from last year, but seemed to have found the answer to get it done. It is a team game. If it wasn't MAC and CSC would have had the Player of the year the past few year (Excluding last year MP won it hands down).

Okay here are some facts. Conference scoring this year is at 63.9 pts/game. Here are some average scores from the past 5 years:
04-05=66.8
03-04=66
02-03=63.4
01-02=66.4
00-01=67

Now realize that from 00 through 03-04 the teams did play MAC twice. But also realize that MAC was by far the lowest scoring team in the conference, so it really balanced out the averages.  I guess I really don't see the argument that "Lack of Defense" is to blame for the conference being "down" 

Evidently in the past years when we have had teams go into the NCAA tourney and do well, it was when the scoring average was higher. So does that mean that there was even less defense being played in those years??  Please Randle, help me become unconfused.