WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[LA RAMS]

Like it or not, the coach of the year award, in the MIAC and in all college basketball conferences has come to mean the coach of the team who did better than expected. The only way the coach of the team favored to win the conference gets the award is if that team goes undefeated or maybe has one loss in the conference. Whether that's right or not, that's how it is.

As for MVP, I liked the Freudenberg selection. Called for it several weeks ago, so I was not shocked at all.

I can buy that argument - up to a certain point.  Certainly there have been situations where that was warranted (see Mickey Haller in '06 and Gary Rufsvold in '07).  But in 10 YEARS time he doesn't get it once??  I'm sorry......I just think there's something seriously wrong with that picture. 

I don't have that HUGE of a problem with Freudenberg getting the MVP.  Absolutely she deserved to be in the mix along with Annegret Nautsch of Bethel.  But when you take a look at UST and how out of sorts that team was at the beginning of the season and even as the season progressed it was Katch who was the glue that held that team together and helped make it better; that allowed that team to be one of the hottest teams coming down the stretch.  There's just simply no way UST does that - even as freshman Sears  and soph Theisen blossomed - w/o Katch's presence on the floor. 

Unfortunately, just looking at the MIAC site earlier today I saw the complete listing of names/awards and, quite honestly, I saw some names on there (and names that weren't on there) that caused me to wonder if the MIAC coaches are either that out of touch or are just playing their little political games.  The whole thing is just an embarrassment, really, and an utter waste of time the way it's going.   

[scorekeeper]

I think we all end up choosing a player of the year based on how well they played against the teams we see most often.  For me I would have to pick Katch because of how she excelled on both ends of the floor in the two games I saw her play CSB.  Unfortunately, I was not in Moorhead to see Freudenberg drop 34 on the Blazers so it's hard for me to know how incredible she was that day beyond the total number of points scored.  I guess you could say it was a toss up between those two.

I cannot figure out where the Nautch following comes from.  She was okay, but I wouldn't even put her in the top 5.   Her status as pre-season All-America was highly overrated.  She was a complete ghost when matched against Frank all three times this year.  Her backup Hormig proved to be the better player in the tournament game against CSB.

[PRF07]

I cannot figure out where the Nautch following comes from.  She was okay, but I wouldn't even put her in the top 5.   Her status as pre-season All-America was highly overrated.  She was a complete ghost when matched against Frank all three times this year.  Her backup Hormig proved to be the better player in the tournament game against CSB.

Completely agree...

Nautsch was completely frustrated and almost punched a ref/teammate during the CSB playoff game.  Hormig was much more effective during that game until she ran out of steam at the end.  Beasly was clearly the player carrying bethel at the end of the season... Big game against Gustavus and such.  Not sure what games you have been watching...must be the home bethel games with the ridiculous inflated blocks for Nautsch.

Any predictions on how this weekend goes?  any predictions on the miac teams winning a few instead of being swept out like last year?

[scorekeeper]

I think CSB and Concordia received the most favorable matchups possible in the first round so I predict they both advance.  However, given what I have seen from the MIAC recently I would hesitate to pick either of them to get past a WIAC team.  I really want to pick St. Ben's to get to the sweet 16, mainly because they are at home.  However, I am nervous about how much longer they can keep this winning streak alive without Mindy Schmidt. Once a deep and talented team like Whitewater or Simpson goes up against the Blazers I think they will finally run out of magic without somewhat like Schmidt to turn to for points.  If Defense truly wins championships then CSB will have a shot to make some noise.

The Cobbers intrigue me with their style of play because they might cause some serious matchup problems for any back to the basket teams. However, while a post oriented team might struggle to guard Concordia they should be able to pile up points in the paint.  Nord cannot disappear like she did against St. Ben's in the MIAC title game, especially if Freudenberg is not 100%.  I hope she is doing okay after receiving a huge gash above her eye early in the game last Saturday.   

[blazerguy]

Durbin again gets passes over for coach of the year.  The only possible explanation is jealousy. Everyone knows he is the best coach in the MIAC and certainly one of the best ever coaches in womens basketball. 500 wins, MIAC championships, etc etc..  What a shame they don't have the guts to put aside their jealousy of his success.  >:(If you had to change the rational for the coach of the year, doing the most with the least, my vote goes to the coach from Macalester.

[buf]

St. Bens over Ripon, 55-42.

WI beats MN in the battle of the Concordias, 76-72.

[buf]

Good win for St. Bens over UWW.  I started watching the last 7 minutes or so on the video cast.  I was impressed with the play of the posts.  They had some good moves around the basket.

Good luck against Wash U!

[LA RAMS]

Was at CSB for both Friday night tilts and last night's battle between UW-Whitewater and CSB.  Ariel Tauer was freaking awesome for CSB last night; she simply refused to let her team lose - period.  That's simply one of the best performances I've seen by one player in a long, long time.  What she did last night for the Blazers was senior leadership at its best.

[scorekeeper]

Ariel Tauer certainly was fun to watch last night.  It's always exciting to see a senior play their best game when it counts the most.  I was very nervous about how the game would go when Whitewater ran off 14 consecutive points early, but CSB gained their composure and cut down on some turnovers.  Laura Canton hit some big 3's and Danielle Frank was a monster on the board.  I was also very impressed with Amy Stifter's defense on UWW's top guard and her offensive rebounding (especially on two missed free throws).  I thought the Technical on Berg from Whitewater really helped change the momentum of the game back to the Blazers. 

Now it's on to Bloomington IL and "rematch" with Wash U that is 10 years in the making.  Looking to face Wash U brings back some great memories of the trip to Danbury for the Final Four in '99.  I hope St. Ben's can keep up the defensive pressure.  If so, they should at least give themselves a good shot to move on.  Tough bracket though with the #1 team in undefeated IWU, WIAC's champ UWSP and perennial power Wash U.  It should be fun. 

[PRF07]

Great game at CSB last night.  After watching them and whitewater play friday night I thought the blazers were going to be in for a very long night saturday.  That definitely ended up not being the case.  CSB looked like they belonged all night and were relentless from start to finish.  Tauer, Stifter and Frank were all over the place defensively.  Bowlin & Carter played two of the best games I've ever seen for not even getting on the scoreboard.  They were able to keep the team composed and directed the offense to perfection. 

So... the Miac ends up with the same amount of teams in the sweet 16 as the Wiac.  Hopefully the Miac brings in some solid freshmen next year and can become an even more competitive conference. The blazers have given themselves a chance this year and that's all they can ask for.  I expect them to play all out next weekend and lets hope the ball bounces the right way for them.

[buf]

St. Bens and WashU will be video streamed according to the IWU website.

http://www.iwusports.com/sports/2009/3/8/WBB_0308093306.aspx?id=89

[buf]

St. Ben's season comes to an end as they fall to Wash U

[blazerguy]

Hate to make this the first post in a long while but Danielle Frank has announced her transfer to LaCrosse. She will be a huge loss and greatly missed on and off the court. Good luck Danielle. 

[blazerguy]

Also, Maggie Bryant has changed mind and will be attending UST instead of CSB. She committed to CSB and played in summer leagues with CSB players and worked camps but changed directions. I guess UST believes its ok to keep recruiting after players commit. 

[LA RAMS]

Yeah, heard the news about both Frank and Bryant last night at the summer league.  So much for CSB repeating this next season, huh?