WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[LA RAMS]

Great game over at CS-P's Ganglehoff Center between Macalester and host UST as the Tommies eek out a hard-fought overtime win 76-75.  Mac had two chances at the end to try and win it and couldn't convert.  With that, let me offer up my latest MIAC power poll:

1.  GAC
2.  CSB
3.  Concordia
4.  Macalester
5.  (tie)  UST & Bethel
6.  (tie) St. Kate's & Hamline
7.  Carleton
8.  St. Olaf
9.  Augsburg
10.  SMU

I'm not deviating much from the actual standings here and it's not that big of a surprise that the Gusties find themselves on top of the hill again.  Two relatively easy home wins following last Saturday's disappointment up in M-head seemingly has GAC back in full gallop again.  They have an easy roadie (on paper anyway) Monday night over at Augsburg before the big clash at Macalester two nights later.

Also not terribly shocking is that CSB finds itself nipping at the Gusties heels again.  While the Blazers don't have the boatload of talent they had a year ago they do have a lot of experience and the overtime win they had at St. Kate's this last week Wednesday night may have been that shot of adrenaline that they needed.

Have to slide the Corn down to the #3 spot after today's shocking 50-48 loss at home to Bethel.  They do have it a little easier to start off this next week with a trip to Hamline on Monday night followed by a home date with Augsburg on Wednesday night.  But then next week Saturday comes the return match with CSB in St. Joe so it's essential the Cobs take care of business between now and next week Saturday if they're still harboring title hopes.

So, if you're Macalester, how do you slide from the top spot you had last week on my poll down to the 4th spot?  Easy - just lose two critical road games that you were SUPPOSED to win which is exactly what the Scots did this week.  First, the Wednesday night shocker at Bethel and now yesterday's heartbreaker at the hands of UST which may have effectively ended any MIAC title hopes the Scots were entertaining a mere week ago.  And now the bad news:  Monday night comes the rematch with CSB up at St. Joe and Wednesday night has GAC at home.  Hmmm....Is that Carl Lewis attempting to sing the national anthem again?  "UH OH!!!"

I have to put put both UST and Bethel on the next rung together as the Tommies have been able to win 5 out of their last 6 games and suddenly resurgent Bethel has won 4 out of their last 5 games that included two wins this last week over both Mac and Concordia.  Both teams appear to have winnable games over the three game stretch coming up before the Royals and Tommies clash on February 10.

This coming Monday night's game between Bethel and St. Kates at Kate's is pretty much an elimination game for the 'Cats who are slumping big-time right now and are desperate for a win. 

[Willy Wonka]

Did I see the spotlight in the sky asking for my assistance in reviving this board?  

Haven't seen many games this year, so I can't offer much in terms of feedback...but I did hear New Prague's Maggie Weiers plans to attend St. Thomas next year. 6-2ish post who has been a stud over the last few years for the Trojans, who have made the state tourney something like three of the last four years. She has a 6-2 teammate going to SDSU, Hannah Strop, but NP has very little guard play this season.

Weiers apparently received a number of D1 offers, but she's a better athlete than she is a basketball player IMO. Pretty limited offensively at this point in her career. Good get for the Tommies if she does stay at D3.

[gacbacker]

Couple things...

1. In GAC's last two games the opposing coach has played his starters til the final horn while down 20+ points after Haller had cleared her bench. Both Rufsfeld and the guy who filled in for Britz tonight tried to make the score look more respectable by beating up on the GAC JV'ers. Not really a big deal but I hate to tell them that a loss by 25 and a loss by 12 counts the same in the standings.

2. Two huge games in the next five days: GAC at Macalester on Wednesday and Concordia vs. St. Ben's on Saturday.  A Gustie win and a St. Ben's loss would really be nice for the Gusties.

3. MVP talk: I'm still considering it a four player race: Radtke, Geske, Stifter and Baltzer. Personally I'd give Radtke the edge, but I'm of course slightly biased.

[LA RAMS]

OK, time to follow up on another wild, weird and unpredictable Saturday in the MIAC.  Got to take in the GAC vs. Hamline game that saw the suddenly hot Pipers claim a 69-65 upset  over the league-leading Gusties.  How Hamline is doing what they're doing right now with so many key players injured is mind-boggling but they've had people step up and do the job.  Of course, GAC got some unlikely help in the form of the Concordia Cobbers pulling off a miraculous 69-67 win in St. Joe over CSB.  With all that's happened over the course of this last week, I've had to agonize over some of the decisions I've made for my latest MIAC power poll so I won't be surprised if I hear from a few people about it.

1.  GAC
2.  UST
3.  CSB
4.  Concordia
5.  Macalester
6.  Hamline
7.  (tie) St. Kate's & Bethel
8.  (tie) Carleton & St. Olaf
9.  SMU
10.  Augsburg

Gusties appeared to be crusing along nicely after the somewhat predictable loss up in M-head to the Corn last month.  But today's disappointing performance (and defeat) at the hands of surging Hamline had better be a big-time wake-up call for this team that seems to have a rather nasty habit of flipping the automatic pilot switch to the "on" position;  thinking they can just cruise to their first-ever outright MIAC title.  You look at the Gustie home-stretch and it's not all that pretty.  A date at home this next Wednesday night with bottom-feeder St. Olaf appears to be the only "shoe-in" game GAC can count on.  Then always unpredicatable Bethel comes to St. Peter next Saturday.  But the last week of the regular season is downright brutal:  a home date with UST and the regular season finale up in St. Joe against CSB which will likely decide the regular season title (not to mention playoff seedings).  GAC, you are living on the edge here and your hold on the top spot in my power rankings is VERY precarious; very tenuous and I want you to know about it. 

I simply had to move UST up to the second spot after this last week.  They very quietly have seemingly got their act together and have reeled off 10 wins in their last 12 games; losing at both GAC and Concordia which cannot be classified as "bad" losses.  But they, too, have a very hard row to hoe coming up in the last four regular season games:  A home date with Bethel and the season finale at Hamline sandwich a home game rematch with CSB and a roadie to St. Peter to take on the Gusties. 

CSB appeared to have a full head of steam going into the home-stretch and the likely candidate to derail the GAC Express until they stubbed their toe at home (again); this time with Concordia which kept the Blazers from gaining a tie for 1st place.  They still have a shot at getting to the top spot but will presumably have to hold par for the course to make the regular season home finale vs. GAC for all the marbles.

I was very, very tempted to shove Concordia down even further than the fourth spot in my power rankings; particularly after they did their best impression of Sonny Corleone at the toll booth after getting riddled-up BIG time by Hamline this last Monday night.  On that night the Corn looked flat, lethargic, and curiously non-chalant in that a$$-kicking the Pipers dropped on them.  Quite frankly, they probably would have been better off taking a side-trip to MOA or gone out to frollick in the snow.  Whatever it was they mailed in that one the minute they stepped off the bus.  Okay, in all fairness they followed that up with a home win vs. Augsburg and the improbable win at CSB.  Though another road trip down to the Cities looms this next week Wednesday with Macalester they seemingly have the easiest schedule the rest of the way. 

Mac has been in a funk the last couple of weeks dropping four in a row and saw their slim title hopes go down the proverbial toilet before finally righting the ship with the big home win over hapless Augsburg on Saturday.  In going over their schedule this year the thing about Macalester that stands out to me is this:  when they win they seemingly win very big but when they've been in the close, tight games this year they have not been able to find a way to close the deal.  Plus, they seemed to have lost that "spark" that got them on that hot streak.  This coming Wednesday night's home game vs. Concordia is huge for both teams and I think it's critical for the Scots to find that confidence again.  Like Concordia, they seemingly have an easier stretch the rest of the way than the others above them.  If they can find that spark again, they obviously would be the most dangerous team lurking out there when the MIAC playoffs begin.

Speaking of dangerous teams, I have to give some big-time props to the Hamline Pipers who went an improbable 3-0 this last week beating both Concordia and GAC at home and stealing a huge road against Bethel.  The fact that they've been able to do this without the likes of Sather and Sczublewski is nothing short of amazing.  They have perhaps the quickest player in the MIAC in Nikki Klinck and a solid performer in Mary Wilkowski but even more important is how some of the subs have stepped up in the face of all the injuries the Pipers have endured this season; particularly Kara Poirier and Tromesa May who made life miserable for the Gusties down low on Saturday.  And, of course, they have sharp-shooter Jackie Kelly who single-handedly did a number on Concordia this last Monday night.  When she gets hot from the outside, LOOK OUT.  The battle for the 6th spot is going to be very interesting to say the least with both Bethel and St. Kate's hanging in there with wins on Saturday.  While Hamline does have both CSB and UST in that last week they have them both at home.

   

[gacbacker]

The Gusties' high risk - high reward defensive strategy bit them in the butt yesterday. The Gusties took 28 more shots from the field than the pipers and won the turnover battle 25-10. The problem was, if the Pipers didn't turn the ball over they either got a lay-up or an uncontested jump shot, which is why they shot 70% from the field yesterday.

It's hard to complain about the defense though, because so many times it has helped the Gusties to a big first half lead and ultimately a victory. But yesterday the defense allowed an inferior team to steal a win.

On to other things...as I attempted to find out more about the Concordia St. Ben's game, I went to the St. Ben's athletics website and found another example of why I hate St. John's and St. Ben's.

Here is the story that was posted on the CSB website:

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (16-5 overall, 14-4 MIAC) lost a close 69-67 game to Concordia on a last-second made Cobber basket.

The game was close from the start, with a 4-3 Concordia lead.  Five lead changes later, CSB was on top 13-12 with 14 minutes remaining.  The Blazers compiled a 7-2 run, but the Cobbers added an 9-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 23-22 with 6:30 left on the clock.  Concordia managed to fend off the Blazers for the remainder of the half, heading into the locker room with a 31-27 cushion over CSB.

The Blazers tied the score at 33 to start the half, but couldn't edge the Cobbers, who went on a 10-6 run to lead 43-39.  CSB managed the close the gap within one point at 45-44, but finally found the lead at 57-56 for the first time in 21 minutse of play.  Four lead changes later, the Blazesr were still on top at 65-64 with 1:20 remaining.  Concordia tied the game at 65 and took the lead again at 67-65.  CSB tied the score at 67 with 10 seconds remaining, but a last second shot gave the Blazers their fourth MIAC loss of the season with a final score of 69-67.

Leading the Blazers in scoring was junior post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine), who totalled 25 points and grabbed six rebounds.  Junior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) came next with eight points, while senior wing Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, MN, Champlin Park) added seven points and seven rebounds.

The Blazers next host Augsburg on Wed., Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall before heading on the road for two away games.


Now, nevermind the three or four typos, but the story fails to name the Concordia player who made the game-winning shot at the buzzer!!! And then at the end only gives final stats for the Blazer players and not the Cobbers. Simply classless, but I can't say I'm surprised. This is par for the course up in Collegeville and St. Joseph.

[blazerguy]

The Gusties' high risk - high reward defensive strategy bit them in the butt yesterday. The Gusties took 28 more shots from the field than the pipers and won the turnover battle 25-10. The problem was, if the Pipers didn't turn the ball over they either got a lay-up or an uncontested jump shot, which is why they shot 70% from the field yesterday.

It's hard to complain about the defense though, because so many times it has helped the Gusties to a big first half lead and ultimately a victory. But yesterday the defense allowed an inferior team to steal a win.

On to other things...as I attempted to find out more about the Concordia St. Ben's game, I went to the St. Ben's athletics website and found another example of why I hate St. John's and St. Ben's.

Here is the story that was posted on the CSB website:

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (16-5 overall, 14-4 MIAC) lost a close 69-67 game to Concordia on a last-second made Cobber basket.

The game was close from the start, with a 4-3 Concordia lead.  Five lead changes later, CSB was on top 13-12 with 14 minutes remaining.  The Blazers compiled a 7-2 run, but the Cobbers added an 9-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 23-22 with 6:30 left on the clock.  Concordia managed to fend off the Blazers for the remainder of the half, heading into the locker room with a 31-27 cushion over CSB.

The Blazers tied the score at 33 to start the half, but couldn't edge the Cobbers, who went on a 10-6 run to lead 43-39.  CSB managed the close the gap within one point at 45-44, but finally found the lead at 57-56 for the first time in 21 minutse of play.  Four lead changes later, the Blazesr were still on top at 65-64 with 1:20 remaining.  Concordia tied the game at 65 and took the lead again at 67-65.  CSB tied the score at 67 with 10 seconds remaining, but a last second shot gave the Blazers their fourth MIAC loss of the season with a final score of 69-67.

Leading the Blazers in scoring was junior post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine), who totalled 25 points and grabbed six rebounds.  Junior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) came next with eight points, while senior wing Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, MN, Champlin Park) added seven points and seven rebounds.

The Blazers next host Augsburg on Wed., Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall before heading on the road for two away games.


Now, nevermind the three or four typos, but the story fails to name the Concordia player who made the game-winning shot at the buzzer!!! And then at the end only gives final stats for the Blazer players and not the Cobbers. Simply classless, but I can't say I'm surprised. This is par for the course up in Collegeville and St. Joseph.

As they always say. There are two sides to every story. GACBacker is accurate about the headlines on the CSB website. Now "the rest of the story". Also included on the web review is 1) The complete Box Score for both teams., 2) A FULL GAME PLAY by PLAY by the second as it happened. 3) a half time box score for both teams. 4) A second half box score for both teams. 5) The full Newspaper version Box Score 6) AND A complete breakdown play analysis for BOTH teams.  What more do you want, or were you just looking for something to complain about? Talk about Classless!!!

[Willy Wonka]

The players name should have been included in the story. Period. You shouldn't have to hunt around for the defining play of the game...especially when it's important enough to be the first sentence of the Cobber story.

For reference, here's how a "normal" SID handles a buzzer-beater that goes against his squad:

It took a 50-foot turnaround, miracle shot to finally put Concordia on the canvas for good on Saturday in St. Peter. The Cobbers kept coming back and coming back against Gustavus and took the game into overtime before finally falling 57-54 on Phil Wirtjes' desperation heave just before the buzzer.

[blueangel]

I agree with the difference in how each site recorded the recap.  Sadf, but why is that a surprise?  Used to really enjoy the "banter" back and forth but seems if a particular team is not shining, it is not worth commenting.  How about this for a vey wild guess for teams to finish out??
GA - 17-5
St. Bens 17-5
CC  18 - 4
MAC  15-7
St. Thomas  15 - 7
Hamline  12 - 10

That comes with watching approximately 6 games/week for more than 44 years.

At least now someone can rebuke this silly notion.

[gacbacker]

Blazer guy...that's fine if you want to believe your argument, however, the truth of the matter is this. 10 schools in the league do it one way and the remaining two do it the other way.

Blueangel-

While I'd like to think the Gusties could hold on to their one game advantage, your prediction is probably right on.

[Pat Coleman]

This is par for the course up in Collegeville and St. Joseph.

I think you may be painting with too broad a brush here. I don't read SJU basketball releases on a regular basis but their football releases have been professional. Here on the game which knocked them out of the playoffs:

http://www.gojohnnies.com/news/2009/11/21/FOOTBALL_1121095403.aspx

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 21 Coe College (Iowa) senior linebacker Calvin Thomas returned an interception and fumble for touchdowns as the visiting Kohawks defeated No. 4 Saint John's University 34-27 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Collegeville.

[Pat Coleman]

For reference, here's how a "normal" SID handles a buzzer-beater that goes against his squad:

Putting this notion to the test, I looked at our Buzzer Beaters page and how a handful of schools on the other end of such shots handled it.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2009/12/08/buzzer-beater-watch.html

Wheaton, Mass. (home)
NORTON, MA — Springfield College freshman Meghan Biondolillo's (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) three-pointer from the left wing as time expired proved to be the difference on Saturday, as the Pride posted a thrilling 59-56 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball victory over host Wheaton College in Emerson Gymnasium.

Buffalo State (road)
PLATTSBURGH, NY—Senior Antonio Samedi (St. Albans/Queens Vocational) netted a career-high 27 points and had 12 rebounds, but Buffalo State (8-11/6-7) surrendered a 10-point second-half lead and Plattsburgh (13-7/8-5) hit a last second layup to win 88-86 in a SUNYAC game today at Memorial Hall.

(Story continues for three more paragraphs, Plattsburgh shooter not mentioned.)

Linfield (home)
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Sara Villanueava dribbled the length of the court before scooping in a layup with 0.2 seconds remaining, lifting Lewis & Clark to a stunning 52-51 Northwest Conference victory over Linfield Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

Dubuque (home)
The University of Dubuque men's basketball team fought back from deficits throughout Wednesday evening only to have the game taken away as time ran out on a desperation three pointer by the visiting Central College Dutch 76-73.

The Spartans trailed league leading Central 27-34 in the opening 20 minutes of play, fighting back from double digit deficits before the break. As time was running down, The Spartans Mark Wilson stole an inbound pass to tie the game on a lay-up. Eight seconds remained on the clock with the game knotted at 73-73 before the Dutch dribbled down court as time was expiring. A shot by Justin Madsen from beyond the three point arc looked like he was about ready to lose control of the ball before he re-gained composure with just a tick on the clock when the backboard lit-up red and the ball found it's way through the net for the game winner.

[blazerguy]

Blazer guy...that's fine if you want to believe your argument, however, the truth of the matter is this. 10 schools in the league do it one way and the remaining two do it the other way.

Blueangel-

While I'd like to think the Gusties could hold on to their one game advantage, your prediction is probably right on.

I guess one click away is too much for you.  :'(Quit complaining about CSB and read the rest of the information if that is what you are looking for. Or, as i suspect, you are just looking for something to whine about. If it wasn't the front page it would be something else. You are in first place and still complaining.

[Willy Wonka]

For reference, here's how a "normal" SID handles a buzzer-beater that goes against his squad:

Putting this notion to the test, I looked at our Buzzer Beaters page and how a handful of schools on the other end of such shots handled it.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2009/12/08/buzzer-beater-watch.html

Wheaton, Mass. (home)
NORTON, MA — Springfield College freshman Meghan Biondolillo's (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) three-pointer from the left wing as time expired proved to be the difference on Saturday, as the Pride posted a thrilling 59-56 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball victory over host Wheaton College in Emerson Gymnasium.

Buffalo State (road)
PLATTSBURGH, NY—Senior Antonio Samedi (St. Albans/Queens Vocational) netted a career-high 27 points and had 12 rebounds, but Buffalo State (8-11/6-7) surrendered a 10-point second-half lead and Plattsburgh (13-7/8-5) hit a last second layup to win 88-86 in a SUNYAC game today at Memorial Hall.

(Story continues for three more paragraphs, Plattsburgh shooter not mentioned.)

Linfield (home)
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Sara Villanueava dribbled the length of the court before scooping in a layup with 0.2 seconds remaining, lifting Lewis & Clark to a stunning 52-51 Northwest Conference victory over Linfield Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

Dubuque (home)
The University of Dubuque men's basketball team fought back from deficits throughout Wednesday evening only to have the game taken away as time ran out on a desperation three pointer by the visiting Central College Dutch 76-73.

The Spartans trailed league leading Central 27-34 in the opening 20 minutes of play, fighting back from double digit deficits before the break. As time was running down, The Spartans Mark Wilson stole an inbound pass to tie the game on a lay-up. Eight seconds remained on the clock with the game knotted at 73-73 before the Dutch dribbled down court as time was expiring. A shot by Justin Madsen from beyond the three point arc looked like he was about ready to lose control of the ball before he re-gained composure with just a tick on the clock when the backboard lit-up red and the ball found it's way through the net for the game winner.

So 4 of the 5 examples we've got outside of CSB noted the shooter when their school lost? That would make my reference at "normal" ring true, and I'd expect that percentage goes even higher if we tracked down more examples.

I'm really not sure how you can defend the omission. Outside of the score, that might be the most important part of this particular game. This isn't D1, but you still gotta report the facts...even if that includes writing the name of an opposing player in your game story.

[LA RAMS]

Blue Angel,

I think your crystal ball may need some polishing up.  Predicting Concordia to finish 18-4?  Their #5 West Regional ranking is a total joke. 

[blazerguy]

For reference, here's how a "normal" SID handles a buzzer-beater that goes against his squad:

Putting this notion to the test, I looked at our Buzzer Beaters page and how a handful of schools on the other end of such shots handled it.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2009/12/08/buzzer-beater-watch.html

Wheaton, Mass. (home)
NORTON, MA — Springfield College freshman Meghan Biondolillo's (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) three-pointer from the left wing as time expired proved to be the difference on Saturday, as the Pride posted a thrilling 59-56 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball victory over host Wheaton College in Emerson Gymnasium.

Buffalo State (road)
PLATTSBURGH, NY—Senior Antonio Samedi (St. Albans/Queens Vocational) netted a career-high 27 points and had 12 rebounds, but Buffalo State (8-11/6-7) surrendered a 10-point second-half lead and Plattsburgh (13-7/8-5) hit a last second layup to win 88-86 in a SUNYAC game today at Memorial Hall.

(Story continues for three more paragraphs, Plattsburgh shooter not mentioned.)

Linfield (home)
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Sara Villanueava dribbled the length of the court before scooping in a layup with 0.2 seconds remaining, lifting Lewis & Clark to a stunning 52-51 Northwest Conference victory over Linfield Friday night at Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

Dubuque (home)
The University of Dubuque men's basketball team fought back from deficits throughout Wednesday evening only to have the game taken away as time ran out on a desperation three pointer by the visiting Central College Dutch 76-73.

The Spartans trailed league leading Central 27-34 in the opening 20 minutes of play, fighting back from double digit deficits before the break. As time was running down, The Spartans Mark Wilson stole an inbound pass to tie the game on a lay-up. Eight seconds remained on the clock with the game knotted at 73-73 before the Dutch dribbled down court as time was expiring. A shot by Justin Madsen from beyond the three point arc looked like he was about ready to lose control of the ball before he re-gained composure with just a tick on the clock when the backboard lit-up red and the ball found it's way through the net for the game winner.

So 4 of the 5 examples we've got outside of CSB noted the shooter when their school lost? That would make my reference at "normal" ring true, and I'd expect that percentage goes even higher if we tracked down more examples.

I'm really not sure how you can defend the omission. Outside of the score, that might be the most important part of this particular game. This isn't D1, but you still gotta report the facts...even if that includes writing the name of an opposing player in your game story.

Blah Blah Blah, have some cheese with your whine. We've got a great race going on in the MIAC, a top team starting out terrible and now making a push, a yearly bottom team winning with a senior clad team, a team made up of 2's and 3's making a run, the increase in horrible officiating, an influx of D1-2 players transferring down, and you want to talk about your perceived omission by the team you readily admit you hate more than any. As I said, its one click away.