WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

scorekeeper · November 10, 2005, 04:39:33 PM

I forgot to give an update on the CSB/ST. Cloud State scrimmage. They didn't keep score, but it's safe to say that SCSU won going away. St. Cloud has an unbelievable post who I think was an All-American DII as a sophomore last year. I think filling the loss of Kim Johnson is going to be extremely difficult, but I was pleased with how first year player Kari Schroeder hung in there with the SCSU post. The Blazer guards looked like they needed a wake up call or something, but I'm sure they will be ready when they start keeping score in the real contests. It was a great test for St. Ben's since St. Cloud went as far in the DII playoffs as CSB did in DIII. I think St. Cloud will challenge UND for the NCC title this year. The first-years for CSB got a "welcome to the big time" from the vets at SCSU, but that's something all youngsters need before the games really count. The Blazers take on Concordia St. Paul for their final scrimmage before they start the season against Ohio Northern in Chicago. I can't wait for the season to begin!

Willy Wonka · November 10, 2005, 04:52:16 PM

scorekeeper - Quigley is the post you mentioned. She is pretty tough, though she only really has one move - the turnaround jumper - but she's big enough that she can usually get it off easily. If you stop that, she isn't all that good, right gacbacker?

SCSU lost the bulk of their guards and should struggle a little in that aspect this season I believe, unless they got a recruit or transfer. Having watched UND play thrice already this season, they are loaded with people able to match up with Quigs (6-2 freshman with a 27" vert or the other older Boese) this season. I would expect UND to win by 10-15.

As an aside, anyone in the area should check out UND when they come to St. Cloud this winter. They are a top notch program who has a good chance to win the D2 title this year (#4 currently and beat #6 by 20+ in Florida).

I wouldn't have expected CSB to be able to compete with SCSU, but that doesn't mean they won't win the league. In fact, that's a great way to prepare for the season. Do they ever play a real game against them like GAC did with MSU?

scorekeeper · November 11, 2005, 01:40:58 PM

WW- thanks for reminding me of Quigley's name. I guess I wasn't aware of the key losses for SCSU. I was just going on what I saw in person and it was impressive. I was basically more impressed with SCSU than I was disappointed with CSB. The Blazers really came around late in the scrimmage and competed well, which is why I am not concerned. CSB played a regular season game against SCSU a few years ago, but it was just a one year deal. With so few non-conference games (as I know you are aware) it is tough for MIAC teams to schedule some fun games like that. They need those non-confernce games to face regional DIII teams to boost their chances for the at-large bid.

Looking ahead, CSB is in a fun tournament in Chicago. They play Ohio Northern (picked to finish 8th in their conference) and if they win that they play the winner of Loras vs. North Central. I didn't think that was a big deal until I realized that North Central was actually ranked nationally at one point last year and only lost to National Champ Milikin by a few points late in the year. They also took nationally ranked Wheaton to OT. North Central returns 11 of 12 players. And if Loras beats North Central, it would be yet another chance for the MIAC to dominate an Iowa team (just like I hope GAC does to Wartburg).

p.s. Speaking of your nickname, he play Willy Wonka is going to be at St. Ben's December 3rd.

Willy Wonka · November 11, 2005, 07:39:19 PM

scorekeeper - I was curious for one main reason. The GAC girls played MSU for the first time in recent history (to my knowledge anyway) this season. Their guys refuse to play however, according to my understanding, though there is a yearly scrimmage. From the Mavericks perspective, they have very little to gain by scheduling a real game - they are expected to win and will be ridiculed if they don't. Plus, it would likely hurt recruiting if a D3 is beating a D2 with scholarships on a regular basis (speaking hypothetically, since I doubt GAC could matchup on a yearly basis).

Since your girls program is basically akin to the Gustie guys, I was wondering if you might have similar problems when trying to schedule SCSU. You would think it would be something both communities looked forward to though, so I'm curious if there isn't any pressure to get something like that started. Thoughts?

gacbacker · November 12, 2005, 04:47:20 PM

Gusties go to Marshall today to face Southwest State Univ...and play a defensive minded, turnover plagued game. SWSU won 42-39. Monahan had 17 of the Gusties 39 points.

Who's ready for the season to start?

Mrs. Scorekeeper · November 13, 2005, 09:26:13 AM

I really think that the decision not to continue the women's game between SCSU and CSB was mutual. SCSU didn't get help from winning and could only be hurt by losing to the Blazers (as you stated about Mankato's reluctance to play GAC). However, CSB didn't see any great gain in playing SCSU because if they win, it didn't count towards evaluation of their winning percentage for an at large bid in the NCAA playoffs. In fact, if I remember right, St. Ben's was kept out of the playoffs the year they played SCSU (one year after finishing 2nd in the nation) and many felt it was because the Blazers needed one more win vs. a D3 region team. On the men's side, SJU is going to play SCSU again this year. That rivalry was renewed about 6 years ago I think. I don't think St. John's has beat SCSU since they started playing again, but many of the games have been competitive and exciting.

peachbasket · November 13, 2005, 01:40:51 PM

I believe CSB was kept out of the playoffs that year because they had 2 or 3 losses to D III schools...really had nothing to do with the SCSU game!!
OUCH, that game at SWSU had to have been ugly! But give credit to the Gusties for keeping it close once again with a D II school!

Collegeville Magic · November 13, 2005, 09:59:15 PM

Peaches- If you read carefully, the Mrs. said that the lack of one more opportunity for a win hurt CSB's chances. Not the losses.

Mrs. Scorekeeper- great to see you at the football game yesterday, and always good to have your input here on the board!

Go Blazers!!

peachbasket · November 15, 2005, 06:32:40 PM

I cannot wait, three days 'til we officially get started!!

CM - I read what she wrote, however, that had nothing to do with getting in to the NCAA!

blazerguy · November 16, 2005, 07:20:34 PM

The Blazer Basketball Booster Club (BBBC) had it's first weekly meeting today and had 100% attendence from members. It was nice to see everyone there and talk about the team this year.

The President said a few words about the coming season and mentioned the great coverage by the SCtimes and todays article about Kempe. Hopefully it will continue as everyone said they appreciated the personal articles about players. Unfortunately the coach was unable to attend because of needing to make arrangements for the opening games this weekend in Chicago. In his absence we did have a guest speaker from another booster club in the area, CIC, known as (Skeeterman) and he did talk about different events the hockey fans from the Center Ice Club do to promote their team. Thanks Wayne for your idea's. There was alot of talk about this years team, questions like " How will Arial fit in? and will Jamie get quality minutes this year? and Is Ellie working out in Italy? were asked, although the President (GP) could not answer them, he did his best in coach Durbin's absence. Thats about all of an update for now.. the refreshments were great, security was present and made the whole event a success. Hopefully next week we will be talking about our first two wins!!

gacbacker · November 17, 2005, 12:17:14 AM

Save it for the inhouse newsletter Blazerguy.

tommycorn · November 17, 2005, 11:31:48 AM

the tommies were sent on their way this morning to bean town, in the first step on their road of re-taking the MIAC. i don't know how long that road may be, but it's going to happen! sinn is the real deal

Collegeville Magic · November 17, 2005, 07:05:18 PM

If recent history is any indication, the Beatles have already best described the Tommies travel toward re-taking the MIAC as "the long and winding road".

Of course, UST has always been quite familiar with the word sin, so it's not a surprise that the new coach fits in well.

I already miss Dornish, and the season hasn't even started. Where's a good pout when you need one?

Blazerguy- what's your over-under on the total wins by our CSB squad this winter?

blazerguy · November 17, 2005, 07:53:06 PM

Quote from: gacbacker on November 17, 2005, 12:17:14 AM
Save it for the inhouse newsletter Blazerguy.

GACbacker, last time I checked this was still America, so stick it!!

blazerguy · November 17, 2005, 07:55:50 PM

Quote from: Collegeville Magic on November 17, 2005, 07:05:18 PM
If recent history is any indication, the Beatles have already best described the Tommies travel toward re-taking the MIAC as "the long and winding road".

Of course, UST has always been quite familiar with the word sin, so it's not a surprise that the new coach fits in well.

I already miss Dornish, and the season hasn't even started. Where's a good pout when you need one?

Blazerguy- what's your over-under on the total wins by our CSB squad this winter?

At this point I am predicting a clean sweep!!

With coach Durbin and Ref Marty how can we miss!!