WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[blazerguy]

  I went to Monday Madness at Clare Lynch and was it alot of fun. I'm wondering if any other MIAC teams have similar events. The whole Blazer Booster Club was there, the President of the BBC even said a few words, although with all the noise and music I doubt if many heard. The event was attended by students from both St Johns and St. Bens, the Blazer Booster Club members, the media and fans. It was really neat as the assistant coach spent most of the time circulating through the fans, booster club and media answering questions and explaining what was happening on the court. Coach Durbin allowed everyone to watch the different drills he put the team through and everyone was able to see the team up close and personal. A few observations: Anna Heikenen looked like Anna, smooth poised and confident. Darby looked like she has been working out  and looks in better shape than ever. Judy Falvey looks ready to contribute this year. A couple freshmen to watch, Kari Shroeder (pronounced shraaader) will contribute at post. She seems very determined and strong under the basket. Nicole Hjelmgren and Nikki Carter also could see action as freshmen as they look like they know whats going on at this level. My player to watch as a freshman is Ariel Tauer (pronounced Arrrrial) she looks like the REAL deal. Athletic, strong, goes right or left off the dribble, and very poised for a freshman. I look for her to start or at least get major playing time right away. Thats it, I know its early preseason but the Blazers are ready!!

[gacbacker]

Ariel Tauer will be a great player in this conference...The girl knows how to put her head down and get to the basket.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Ariel will be good as long as the Bennies keep shooters around her.  Without shooters, you can stop a slasher.  She needs to develop a consistent 3pt shot.  If that happens, she will not be able to be stopped.  Nobody in the league will be able to stop her.  Until then, she's a slasher only.  Back up and dare her to shoot.

[blazerguy]

East Coast, I hope you are right because we need a slasher driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Darby is a shooter and if they want to collapse on Ariel, we have Anna ready for the pass, and she's pretty good at playing under the basket.

[Collegeville Magic]

Hmmm... pre-season ranking are in, and CSB is a surprising 9th.   

I like the optimism, but I don't like the target that puts on the Blazers' backs coming in to the season.  I expect our fantastic senior leader to make sure that's motivation for CSB.

Go Blazers!

[gacbacker]

Not suprised that the Blazers are in the pre-season top ten. I don't really think anyone matches up with them that well.

Interesting to see Concordia and Carleton each get some votes as well. Those teams might be solid by the end of the year, but I don't expect them to start off particularly strong.

Gustavus scrimmaged River Falls tonight. I wasn't there, but I heard the Gusties looked quite good. Let's just say that the Gustie offense might be a little more diversified this season and not quite so robotic as it has been recently.

[Willy Wonka]

gacbacker - I heard the same thing. I know one of the players from RF and they are supposed to be pretty awful I guess, so don't get too excited yet. I doubt if that was a very good measuring stick. With Mankato State coming next weekend, I doubt that will be much either - one is way below them and one should be well above them.

Still, it's good to hear the Gusties looked good at this early junction.

[scorekeeper]

I was at the Blazer intrasquad scrimmage yesterday and I have concluded that it will be even more fun to watch Anna Heikenen this year than years past.  Somehow she was able to improve her already brilliant game.  Okay, they were playing against themselves so I will reserve proper judgement until they battle St. Cloud State Thursday at Claire Lynch Hall.  Still, I am very excited about the talent I saw on the court.  CSB looks to have added a good post in Kari Schroeder from ROCORI, but the team will still be smaller overall than a year ago.  If the guards can improve their rebounding and create more turnovers I think the Blazers have what it takes to capture the regular season crown and return to the NCAA Tournament.   

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

AH should be better this year cause she doesn't need to share the ball with KJ.  She's the go to player hands down this year.  It's amazing how much that can help, and even hurt some kids.  It's either a weight off the shoulders, or more of a burden.

Any other scrimmages going on?  Haven't heard much other than the gusties killed a weak RF team, and CSB beat on each other.  How have other teams looked so far?

[gacbacker]

Gusties play D2 Mankato tough tonight, losing by 74-67. They had an eight point halftime lead and sort of crumbled in the second half. They might have had a good chance of winning if Vadnais hadn't been in foul trouble in the second half.

I'm very shocked that the Gusties held a 43-32 edge in rebounding. I thought, and still think rebounding could be an achillies heel this year.

Some quick observations from paging through the stats...

Willie's little sis had a nice game with 7 boards and 7 assists. St. Olaf transfer Vicky Peterson grabs 5 boards and 2 blocks in just 9 minutes, she probably needs to play more.
Starting point guard Sviggum only one turnover in 22 minutes which is also a good sign.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Sounds like Bethel had a good scrimmage against UW-Stout.  All Stouts starters return, and BU was without a few kids.  They still won one of the halfs and the extra half.  Kept it close in the first half.  Very veteran team than can handle a lot of things.  This could be a very interesting year in the MIAC.

[buf]

East Coast-

Stout lost their starting power forward(Erickson), who was probably their best player (if not best, 2nd best behind Duoss) and their starting point guard(Churchill).

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

they are still ranked very highly to start the year though.

[peachbasket]

east coast, tell me, are you married to, dating a player, related to someone affiliated with Bethel, or what?!?!?!  You have a true love-fest going on with that crew!!!  Tell me, how are all the injuries down there?  Any no-shows?
My Cobbers may surprise.  Like everyone, if we can continue to get some consistency from the perimeter, we might do alright.  My girl Hageman looks great, I just fear that she may have "sophomore-itis"...she isn't going to catch anyone off guard this year!!
My Tommie sources report two pretty quality freshmen guards from Iowa, and no Miller, no Slater.  Sounds like the bench is pretty short!!
I see Hamline somehow has Leon, "the 20th year senior" on their roster, and two former Pipers have jumped ship, swam down Snelling and hung a right at Randolph.  Yep, the St. Cate's Caties lost 2 quality guards and picked up a guard and a banger who's services were no longer needed in Piper -land.
I looked at St. Mary's roster, not very scary.  It seems like they lost more than there 3 seniors from a year ago, but I can't remember who's missing that should be there...anyone know?
What's the news in Northfield?  Those two teams could be interesting.
Can't wait for the first real tip-off!

[gacbacker]

Peachbasket-

I believe the St. Mary's player you are referring to is Megan Moran, she would have been a junior who averaged like 8 points per game last year.

And you are correct that Molly Miller and Katy Slater are not playing for the Tommies. They will have Opdahl and Gotchnik as their proven returners.

Petrich and Busch did jump ship for St Kate's and they get Jenna Martin back. But still way to thin in my opinion.