WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

A note about the league, and what I know about it this year.  I've already made my assessment of each team, about a few months ago, but i thought i'd like to reiterate them again here.  As far as jumping on bandwagons goes, LA Rams, if we don't go by who they have coming in and only by what they've proved, carleton has to go way down, because none of their freshman have proven anything.  Also, people have been for kate's for quite some time based on potential.  Bethel has the POTENTIAL to be top 3 or 4 whether they've proven anything or not.
Now each team again
St. Bens: Lost a lot, have alot, probably bringing in a lot, it's the same thing every year, only they have a true leader this year in AH
Carleton: Tammy is there, Vig is there, Colbenson is there, talented freshmen coming in, should be good
Gac: Sorry to say it, but this could be the year they break their streak, no real size inside could spell disaster, just ask bethel
St Thomas: new coach can only mean good things, they are a real mystery though
Concordia:  Has more talent than everyone gives them credit for, good freshman class coming in with talent to back it up, still top six
St. Marys: Same as Concordia, don't know for freshman, but have plenty of talent there still, can still be 6/7
St Kate's: Who knows who will show up.  Had a transfer out in soule, we'll see what happens
St Olaf:  All offense, no defense, enough said
Auggies: I like what they are doing, but it's not enough yet
Mac: nough said, it's mac
Bethel: Has all the pieces finally to make a run to the top 3, can they put it together though, that's the ?

[crazy_carl]

ECMF- I don't mean to rain on your parade, but Kristi Colbenson graduated, unless you are aware of her coming back to be an assistant coach or something.  Carleton does still have a Colbenson, but he plays football.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

   That doesn't really change my point CC.  The fact is, they have some talent coming back, and a lot of UNPROVEN talent coming in.  Does that mean I will rank them any less?  Nope.  I've seen some of their talent play, and I know what kind of coach Tammy is.  They'll be fine, whether or not i have the exact roster down.

[crazy_carl]

ECMF-  Perhaps I wasn't clear.  My previous post was in no way a challenge to anything you had written.  In fact, I agree with your rankings for the most part.  It was simply to correct a slight error for yourself, other posters, and non-posters alike who read the board, which adds up to a significant number of people, a few of whom may have also been unclear about Kristi. 

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Okay, here are my actual predictions as to where people will finish this year

1.) Carleton- you can't pick against a champ til they actually lose as once told to me by a wise individual
2.) St. Bens- the team with the best chance to knock them off
3.) Bethel- May be favoring my fav team too much, but they finally have the inside game to match their outside game
4.)Concordia- this may be a sleeper team to most people, but they have lots of talent at the coaching and playing positions
5.)St. Thomas- i just can't decide where to put them, cause no one knows what they really have besides Opdahl
6.)St. Mary's- coach messman has done a terrific job, and i only see a small decline without Rattunde
7.) Gustavus- With no big body's, bethel proved you can't win with lots of guards, this is the year to break the streak
8.) Hamline- They are too talented to not be higher, but chemistry is such a huge concern
9.) Augsburg- This is my shocker pick here.  I think they make a small step up this year and surprise a lot of teams
10.) St. Olaf- If they get their act together, I can see them being a lot higher than this
11.) St. Kate's- Soule is gone, how does martin return from injury, and how do they get along?  Too many questions
12.)Mac- Is there anywhere else to put them?  They don't even have a full conference schedule.

Okay, feel free to blast this, but save it cause it just might be right.

[LA RAMS]

ECMF,

I can roll with most of your picks; I see your line of thinking is more or less in tune with mine about GAC.  I'm still having trouble with everybody wanting to jump on the Bethel bandwagon, though.  And no, I'm not doing any backflips over Hamline, either.  I just feel right now that they have a better shot than anyone of making the jump into the top six. 

[Willy Wonka]

It's still football season, so I am going to hold off on commenting awhile longer yet. However, I just wanted to let CC know that his call (he knows which one) got screened tonight because we were hanging out

Maybe you should post a link to your d3 website for work too? Just a thought.

[crazy_carl]

I just wanted to let CC know that his call (he knows which one) got screened tonight because we were hanging out

Maybe you should post a link to your d3 website for work too? Just a thought.

WW- Glad you enjoyed hanging out with our boy IK.  I wasn't sure if he was back home yet, but I hope you guys had a good time. 

I think there is a link to the website on my profile, under the "My Website" section perhaps?  Or, did you mean putting it up somewhere else?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

LA, I will concede that hamline possibly has the best talent to make the jump.  MYK is in her first stint as a head coach.  She has to learn how to blend a team.  A tough task for any first time coach.  Bethel has a very experienced coach who comes from a good coaches background.  He has proven school after school that he can turn around programs, and he just happens to be a year behind in his normal progress.  Due to some unexpected departures from the team last year.  This will be the year they turn it around.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

   This board was hopping for a little while.  Looks like everyone has decided to take a break.  For Football?  I don't know.  Football is worthy of some time, but the season is barely over two weeks away.  Do we have nothing to talk about???  Maybe not until final rosters are turned in so everyone knows who has what this year.  Can't wait til my own season begins.  Who hoo!

[gacbacker]

5 Big Questions To Ponder 

1. Best player: Vig or Heikenen?

2. How good is Carleton's 6'2" freshman Hannah Oken-Berg?

3. Can Ruth Sinn restore dignity at St. Thomas and what are her coaching philosophies?

4. Bethel's transfers? Impact players?

5. Will a point guard emerge at Gustavus? A freshman perhaps?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

I'll take the first stab at gacbacker's 5 quesitons

1.) Best Player:  My vote for most skilled player is Heikenen.  She can beat you in so many ways, and her athleticism is what really gives her the nod over Vig.  Also, she'll put up bigger numbers this year.  My vote for most valuable player to a team is Vig though.  She's not a center but has been forced to be there most of her career.  She does whatever is needed for her team, and still finds a way to get great stats.  So it depends on what you mean by BEST PLAYER.

2.) I have no answer cause I don't know anything about her, but if I know tammy as well as i think i do, i'm sure she's pretty good.  If not, Tammy will get the most out of her possible

3.)  If you've watched Apple Valley play before, then you will know Coach Sinn's Philosophies.  The key will be to adapt at what she has right now until she can get her kind of players in there.  As long as she keeps the peace within the team, she will do just fine.  She is a well respected coach, and well known around the city.  That can only help her in recruiting.

4.)  Bethel will have impact players in their transfers.  They have legitimate depth and size for the first time in coach Herbrechtsmeyer's tenure.  All there transfers where legitimate players at each level and left mostly due to wanting the atmosphere Bethel provides, not playing time or not liking their team.  Bethel is a legitimate contendor this year.

5.)  Gustavus will definately have a freshman point guard.  They may not be great at first, and they will make freshman mistakes, but i don't think they will have to worry about that position for 4 years now.  The more important question is how will gustavus stop the top teams inside game.  Will they get beat up down low again this year by the top squads?

[blazerguy]

Start the season!! Pleese!!

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

The season has started, and not one post yet.  I'm very disappointed in this page.  Has MIAC football taken up everyone's free time?  I personally can't wait for Nov. 18th.  All the hard work finally will come together to start the season.  All the questions will start to get answered.  Has any one seen their team in action.  How do they look?

[Collegeville Magic]

All we're talking about here is practice.  I mean, come on, it's practice.  Not games or nothin' important, we're just talking about practice.  Practice!!  I'm talkin about practice.

Now that I've gotten the AI out of my system, here's to an entertaining, exciting year of great MIAC women's hoops.  I'm hoping for no major injuries on any team, and may the best team win! 

Of course, I'm sure that'll be the Blazers if the rookie posts can catch up with the great experience in the guard positions. 

Go CSB!

Question: do any MIAC teams have dress codes for travel?  Will the league come up with stipends to make sure our players are professionally dressed?