WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Willy Wonka]

gacbacker - Is "Willie" referring to me? It was a good weekend for my sisters. The older one took home the MVP at a tourney at Disneyland in Florida, which I obviously went to watch.

The Gusties played well I heard. They were up by as much as 13 in the second half before falling apart for a 4-5 minute stretch. Shooting 26% on free throws in the second half will do that, apparently. Still, that's not bad against an average, good-sized D2 team. Monahan is primed for a breakout season.

Oh, and the Gusties will easily make the playoffs. You heard it here first (for the second time).

[gacbacker]

Willy- I second that. The Gusties are definitely a playoff team. They do need to get off to a good start though because they have a lot of home games at the beginning of the year and a tough road schedule near the end.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

PB, I don't believe I have to be married to, dating a player, related to someone affiliated with Bethel, or what?!?!?! In order to be knowledgeable about a team.  I have made many comments about other teams also.  I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about everyone in the conference.  I am friends with most of the coaches in this conference.  I have a special place in my heart for Bethel, and I do know everyone on their team, but that doesn't make me any more of a fan than you with Concordia, or the Gackers, the Bennies, or the Carls.  I just know Bethel is finally going to turn the corner this year.  My opinion, see if the prove me wrong.

[gacbacker]

East Coast - The old "are you married to someone on X team" really isn't worth a response. Everyone has their favorite team, there's no need to apologize.

[peachbasket]

east coast,
I wasn't looking for a response, you're right, I really like my Cobbers, I just think you've got sooo much insight, I figured you had a deeper "in" with the Royals
I was talking with my Tommie drinking buddy and he said Opdahl couldn't find the basket last night vs. Mankato.  He was really impressed with Kaiser and the young guards.  He also mentioned something about a Bethel guard who is injured and not quite at 100%...any news on that east coaster?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Yes, I have some insight into that.  But I'm sworn to secracy.  I don't want any one picking up some USEFUL info on this sight.  They'll have to figure out who it is when they play.

[LA RAMS]

Hard to believe that it's that time of the year again - another hoops season is almost upon us.  Have to admit I'm still stuck in football season and am still in major hangover mode as my Bruins got unmercifully nuked last Saturday night in Tucson.  So much for being unbeaten going into the showdown with crosstown rival USC

Here then are my picks for the upcoming season..

1.  CSB - Again, just too much talent here to deny them.  With an experienced and improved AH leading the way this team could go far.

2.  Carleton - My Knights do have one of the best two players in the MIAC in Megan Vig back for her senior season.  I think the real key for the Knights contending will be the play of Andrea Korb and Kari Christianson.  If they can take some of the load off of Vig I think the Knights could be right there at the end.

3.  UST - I'm still thinking Opdahl will keep her team in the mix. 

4.  Hamline - I'll stick with this pick as well although I admit chemistry could be an issue with this team. 

5.  Bethel - OK, ok.  I've lightened up a little on this team and am giving them a shot at making the MIAC playoffs.

6.  Concordia - A big hole to fill here replacing Mandy Pearson although the Cobs do have some good players coming back that should keep them fighting for a playoff berth.

7.  GAC - I hope WW and Gacbacker are right with their
thoughts on the Gusties.  I do think Bri Monahan could be poised to have a big year but again rebounding is a big key for them as even Gacbacker admitted this.  If it's anything like I've seen over the past couple of seasons (and this previous summer league) then the Gusties are going to get hammered again down low.  Hopefully WW's younger sis will prove me wrong. 

8.  SMU - Some big holes to fill here, too.

9.  CSC - This group could be an enigma this year.  One the one hand, they do have Jenna Martin back who I think is one of the more underrated players around.  On the other hand, what kind of supporting cast will she have?

10.  St. Olaf - This group definitely had some moments last season; notably knocking off the Knights on the west side of town.  They could have some more this year but nothing on a consistent basis.

11.  Augsburg - They'll have to show me more before I take them any higher.

12. MAC - For now where else but hopefully this program is in the beginning stages of turning it around.         

[she_scores51]

Does anyone know what happened to Kate Bremmer of St. Kate's? I don't see her on the roster this year?

[gacbacker]

LA-

St. Thomas third is an absolute joke. They will be lucky to get into the playoffs this year.

And didn't you predict a miserable finish for the Gusties last year...like 8th or something...and they still managed to finish fifth and make the playoffs.  They're going to be better this year than last year I'll tell you that right now.

[peachbasket]

she_scores - I heard Bremmer is at an NCC or NSIC school, not quite sure which one, maybe St. Cloud or Northern???  How about Soule, where did she end up?
gacbacker - I've got to agree, the Tommies 3rd?  Look at their roster, there is NOOOOOOOOO way.  If they do, then Sinn is a magician and a freshman is an all-american.  I'd also say your Ole pick is way too low, and the Kates pick may be too high, in my opinion.
It should be interesting.

[LA RAMS]

Gacbacker,

I think we've had this discussion before.  Again, I really hope I'm wrong here about GAC and that they can finish in the top six.  Your optimism for the Gusties is indeed encouraging although I'm not entirely sure what you're basing it on.  No doubt Monahan is a fine player and I do think she's primed to become not only the go-to person but also the team's emotional leader as well.  On the downside, it's no secret that the Gusties have been worked down low and I haven't seen anything - yet - that would convince me that they've overcome this.  Who knows?  Maybe WW's younger sis, Erin, might become the force down low that the Gusties have been looking for or maybe Vicky Peterson might be the surprise frosh of the year.  In the frontcourt, the role of point guard could be a tricky one for GAC; it appears that Sviggum has inherited this job although personally I thought Michelle Linbo would have fallen into this position.  Presumably, Jess Vadnais will be more comfortable at the #2 spot with a year under her belt and Sara Boldt will make her presence felt on defense.  But the rebounding thing which even you expressed concern about could be a huge problem for them.  Heck, I wonder if it could be the same thing for the Knights this year.

Peach, I'm a little surprised to hear you say how way off base you think I am about UST finishing third considering how you picked them to finish fourth a mere two months ago unless you've had a serious change of heart about them.   It will be interesting to see how this team adapts to Sinn's style and philosophy but I think you'll find them in the mix and in the playoffs when that time comes

[gacbacker]

LA- Monahan and Vadnais are going to be rock solid this year, everyone else just needs to compliment those two. You're right I would list rebounding as the number one concern, however, they outrebounded Mankato by 11 and that's a D2 school.

[peachbasket]

Two months ago I didn't know Miller and Slater weren't playing.  After looking at their roster, a 5/6 spot is legit; a chance to get in the play-offs.  Neither of these two players were great, but they were both seniors, and there is something to be said for that!
Tammy's going to have to rely on freshmen, but she does have legitimate help from some VERY quality upperclassmen.
This is precisely why I have my fingers crossed for my Cobbers, we have good returning players, they just happen to be young, and that makes a fan nervous!!!

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Soule transferred out to a DII school.  One of the MN schools but i forget which one it is.  UST will not finish 3rd.  GAC will not finish higher than 4th.  Vadnais is not a threat if you guard her all the way out to the 3pt line.  She has a weak right hand compared to her left.  Force her right, and take away 3pt shots, which you can do because Monahan is their only true post threat.  Pound them inside, and when they collapse hit your outside shots.  Gac can be beaten.  St. ben's and Carleton are 1 and 2, from there on, it's wide open.  May the best team win.

[gacbacker]

Whatver East Coast, aren't you getting a little picky with your "All you have to do to stop Vadnais is this, this and this." Lets face it, something like that can be said for EVERY player in this league. There are no unstoppable players here.

Besides you should give Vadnais credit. She averaged 12.4 points per game as a freshman on a team where the starting point guard took 237 shots while shooting 25%. She's the Gusties hardest worker during the season and during the offseason. She'll be in the top ten in scoring this year, mark my words.