WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Willy Wonka]

gunk - Very knowledge about all the good stuff...except GAC's location, apparently

[gunk]

Williy Wonka - Naomi's "roots" are in the Twin Cities area. In addition to having gone to school at St Paul Academy, that is where she later began her coaching career as the JV Coach and Varsity Assistan Coach. Her first full time teaching position was at Minnetonka. Naomi taught middle school Physical Education and Health and coached at the high school for both basketball & softball. She worked with on-court skill development and was a part of Minnetonka history as the varsity earned their first trip to the Class AAAA State Girl's Basketball Tournament. After two years in Fargo at NDSU, she returned to coaching high school basketball at her neighborhood high school, North High.

When I said "welcome home", I was refering to the area where she grew up and not to St Peter. One normally "comes home" to something familiar and from the past, not something in the future. However, you are the pro writer and expert with words, so I apologize if I misled you with my choice of words.  Your grammar in your sentence puzzled me but I got the message.

Welcome Home and welcome to GAC and St Peter Naomi!

Now that you have only one sister to watch, I hope to see you at more GAC games.
I did see her play at the "Y" last night and she looks stronger and more motivated than ever. Apparently, her injury and the subsequent recovery did not slow her down at all. In her role on the team, I believe she is one of the top three players. She's a banger, a rebounder, an assister, a defender and now with new patience, an even more affective shooter.

I guess we'll just have to pick on one another until someone else posts something.
It's all in good fun tho. Looking forward to an exciting year for the team.

GO GUSTIES!

[LA RAMS]

I also have been catching a good chunk of action at the "Y" this summer as well.  Definitely was good to see WW's lil' sis back in action and looking as strong as ever.  I'm not going to come out with my picks just yet but I can say things are definitely looking up in St. Peter and some exciting times lay just ahead.................

Also, a big congrats to Carleton alum and former player/asst. coach Abby Kalland for getting the gig over at the U of M.  Nice job, Abby!

[Maroon&Gold]

New Cobber asst. is Rachel Bergeson (Burgau), a 2005 Concordia grad. With her energy and enthusiasmshe should be a good fit.

Also, it looks like the Cobbs are making a habit of taking a trip to start their season with a tip-off tournament, 2004: Spokane, Wash  2005: Redlands, Cali  2006: Piedmont Georgia

http://www.cord.edu/dept/sports/winter/wbb/0607schedule.php

[Willy Wonka]

M&G - Was there any effort to "recruit" Mandy back up north? Not that jumping ship looks great on a resume, but that'd seem like a more natural immediate fit than Hambone.

LA - Please quit writing letters to the big MN papers about the Rams. You realize no one cares they moved but you, right?

[Maroon&Gold]

M&G - Was there any effort to "recruit" Mandy back up north? Not that jumping ship looks great on a resume, but that'd seem like a more natural immediate fit than Hambone.

Not that I am aware of, but I don't know.  Having talked to her a couple weeks ago she seems to be enjoying Hamline. Definitely has a bright future ahead of her though, wherever that may be.

[LA RAMS]

Willy,

There are TONS of us LOS ANGELES Ramfans out there who DO care........

Anybody out there bold enough to make any picks yet?  I have a pretty good idea of where I stand but want to wait a bit before I make it public.  I think it's safe to say there are about 3 or 4 teams who stand out above everyone else and perhaps one surprise team out there.  OK, ok.  Mac comes in dead last.

[blazerguy]

Schools back, any news, any no shows? The Blazers are in shape and ready to defend our title!

[BVHawk]

Good luck to the Blazers again this year.

[gacbacker]

Well now that the season has officially started...I guess it's time for some pre-season predictions...

1. Concordia - Their roster is not overly impressive, but they get it done
2. Gustavus - With Monahan and Vadnais back the Gusties should be very good
3. St. Benedict - Who will replace Heikenen as the go-to player? Kempe?
4. Carleton - Vig is finally gone, but a talented sophomore class got a lot of experience last year.
5. St. Thomas - I like Ruth Sinn, I think she has them in the right direction
6. Bethel - They have some nice players, but they can't play defense
7. Hamline - The loss of Korchick and Ewert will knock them out of the top 6
8. St. Kate's - New coach...same mediocrity
9. St. Olaf - I always think they are going to be better, not fooling me this year.
10. Augsburg - Hard place to recruit to, they worked hard last year but that doesn't equate to W's in this league
11. St. Mary's - Their roster is a bunch of unknown's to me
12. Macalester - Was there any doubt?

[scorekeeper]

It's great to be back.  Here's how I see the conference shaping up:

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

I think it really is a toss up between Concordia and Gustavus.  Both teams have a great post/gurad combo, but I think Concordia proved a lot last year...they will only be better this year.  CSB will have a good starting 5, but I think they will lack depth.  I heard UST has some nice incoming players.  Carleton has a great sophomore class.  Bethel needs guard play. 

[LA RAMS]

Good to see the cobwebs dusted off this board before I head to South Bend to watch my big bad Bruins battle the Crying Irish.  Here's how I see
the conference race shaping up:


  GAC - If they're ever going to win this thing outright this is the year they've got to do it.  And they finally have the all the pieces in place to do it.

2.  Concordia - Should be right up there challenging strong for the title.  I expected a fall off last year in the AM (after Mandy) era.  Instead, they battled as a team and won the whole ball of wax.

3.  CSB - Some big shoes to fill here; notably with AH no longer in the picture.  Still, you have to figure that this team will somehow stay in the hunt.

4.  Carleton - Now that the Megan Vig era is over it will be interesting to see who steps up in terms of leadership.  The Knights should be a factor in this thing but they are young and they can't afford another January stumble.

5.  UST - This is an up and coming team again and if they can avoid the late-season flame-out like they had last year they can make some noise.

6.  St. Olaf - Arguably the hottest team coming down the stretch last year and they've got some size to do some damage.

7.  Bethel - They've got size as well but they can't win the big one.

8.  (tie) St. Kate's - If only Jenna Martin were back they'd have a realistic shot at making the MIAC playoffs.  Still a dangerous team, though, with Erin Petrich and Trisha Johnson.

8. (tie) - Hamline - Losing Korchick and Ewert really hurts although I liked what I saw from this team during the summer league. 

9.  Augsburg - Seems like they fall into this position every year.

10.  SMU - New coach and new system; will take some time to develop.

11.  Mac - (sigh)....'nuff said?       

[BVHawk]

I'm impressed with the amount of activity on this board.  I might have to chime in from time to time since I usually have to answer my own comments on the IIAC board...

[Willy Wonka]

I said it last year and it killed me, but I'll repeat it again since everyone has apparently forgotten: in my opinion, CSB could be BETTER this year than it was a year ago. Same goes for Concordia. They should be the favorites, and that's coming from a devoted GAC backer.

The Gusties could be starting two freshman this season, with one the PG battle a big one. No matter how good Monahan and Vadnais are, the learning curve could prove steep the start the season. By the end, with a near-full strength Nelson back, you could all be right. For now, that's expecting a lot.

[Collegeville Magic]

Not that it means anything, but here's my guess for the season.  I'll fully admit that I know less about all the teams than I used to, since I don't see as many games as in past years.

1.  Cobs - tough post play and clutch shooting make for a dangerous team
2.  GAC - Monahan, no more need be said
3.  CSB - depth could be an issue, but Tauer could take a big step forward
4 (tie) UST and Carleton - solid sophs and recruiting class potential
6.  Olaf - mostly because I don't like Bethel's elbows
7.  Bethel - not enough scoring to make top 6
8.  St. Kate's - not enough overall talent for top 6
9.  Ugsberg - certainly play hard, but need some good recruit classes soon
10.  Hamline - ...unless Angel gets a 9th year of eligibility and Mandy suits up
1111. Macalester - hope they have 10 players available...