WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

gacbacker · January 26, 2006, 04:25:15 AM

Bad first half for the Cobbers, bad final 8 minutes for GAC, bad night for the officials. The zebras simply took over in the second half and blew the whistle almost every possession. Both teams got ridiculous calls to go their way so it really had little outcome on the final score, but a hard game to watch none the less.

Hageman and Ehlert were awful in the first half, but really came on when it counted. As Willy pointed out, a freshman mistake at the end, but perhaps she shouldn't even have been put in the situation, again as Willy pointed out.

Another thing that I think hurt the Gusties tonight was that they jumped out to that big lead. When you go into a game like this thinking its going to be a dog fight the whole way and all the sudden your ahead 13-0 with 12:30 left in the first half, I think its hard not to fall into the playing not to lose style.

Cobbers deserved the W and they have a sweet looking schedule the rest of the way compared to GAC and St. Ben's.

peachbasket · January 26, 2006, 09:04:54 AM

Willy,
I was only able to catch a small portion of the game via the net, as I am still in SO DAK, pursuing my profession - tong-term substitute teaching

From all accounts gacbacker's account of the officiating is right on, they were clueless!
Looks like the next game I'll be taking in, in person, will be playoffs, HOPEFULLY.
Capt Kirk, if Bethel loses, then what, can I be Jimmy the Greek? Oh please let me be Jimmy!

Collegeville Magic · January 26, 2006, 11:42:54 AM

If peaches wants to be Jimmy the Greek, I need no further proof that the "basket" is fully of crap. (yes, I saw the rolling eyes, before you get all excited)

Cobs only have a 1 game lead right now, I'd hardly call the conference race over when we've just started the second half. There are plenty of chances for upsets in the MIAC, and I'm excited to see how things turn out! Their schedule is certainly favorable, but I think CSB is still the most dangerous team in the conference. (yes, my red blinders are in full effect, so deal with it)

Saturday should be a great lineup of games!

Hamline @ St. Thomas - Piper frauds continue to be exposed, UST by 3
Concordia @ St. Olaf - Cobs by 2 at buzzer
Bethel @ Augsburg - Christians by 25, Ugs are a BAD team
Carleton @ Saint Benedict - Blazers by 12, home court and big crowd pay off
Saint Mary's @ Macalester - SMU by 20, Mac is even worse than Ug
Gustavus @ St. Catherine - GAC by 7, Katie's can't quite keep close

Maroon&Gold · January 26, 2006, 02:38:28 PM

Thoughts from Moorhead last night:

Cobbers came out extremely FLAT. I believe the statline was 0 Points scored, 13 given up, and 10 Turnovers in the First 9 minutes...not a good start

The first half saw the Gusties get a lot of lay-ups, some came from back door cuts and others came from pretty passes off of penetration from Vadnis and Co. However the Cobber D really picked up the intensity in the waning minutes of the first half, and the entire second half. We just looked like we were tired and flat footed to start the game, and GAC took advantage of that with their quickness and seemed to beat us to every rebound/loose ball.

Keeley's 3 to end the first hal was absolutely huge, down 6 at half is a totally different mindset than down 9.

I thought that Hageman definitely outplayed Monahan last night, in fact I was not really inpressed with Monahan. Vadnis is the one who really impressed me, she made a lot happen with her play.

Overall a very big win for the Cobbers, and so many players contributed. Mel obviously led us, but Elhert, Keeley, and Krabbenhoft were huge, and I thought that our younger players (King and Freudenburg) stepped in up last night as well.

Last thought, Jessica Heintz...awesome. 5 seconds on the clock, and she absolutely nails the pull-up J in the lane.

Great win, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, there is a lot of season left. From the Cobbers perspective, they didn't really blow anyone out the first time through the conference (save ST. Thomas) so everygame could be a dogfight. Here's to a 2-0 sweep this weekend in Northfield and Winona.

SOLID · January 26, 2006, 06:48:52 PM

Quote from: Willy Wonka on January 25, 2006, 06:38:53 PM
SOLID - I have a sister who stars in the NCC. The SCSU coach was recently quoted as saying she's the best player in the conference. I've seen 20+ games over the past 4 seasons. Given that UND got spanked by a good Gophers squad last season and my sister was a relative non-factor in the game, there is no comparison.

Let's just leave these inane angles of comparison for the off-season when we're all bored. We have MUCH more important things going on in the MIAC to worry about such things, like tipoff for the conference lead in less than 10 minutes.

Assuming I can find a webcast and/or can get people on the horn, I'll be posting some updates and comments throughout the night.

I never said that they could play against each other I was just comparing the scoring at the levels. I will tell you that Minnesota and the Big Ten is better than the NCC and the NCC is better than the MIAC. The point was that the scoring numbers are not out of whack with women's basketball at the different levels. The MIAC is not down by much if down any. It's the same quality that I've seen at Concordia for the last decade. The teams that come in are just as talented as before. Defense is the same, Offense is the same. The top of the conference is very even throughout.

Saying that I hope the Cobbs leave nothing for the Gusties and the Blazers. Win the ones your supposed to and host the playoffs!!

GO COBBS

SOLID · January 26, 2006, 07:05:37 PM

Quote from: Willy Wonka on January 25, 2006, 06:38:53 PM
SOLID - I have a sister who stars in the NCC. The SCSU coach was recently quoted as saying she's the best player in the conference. I've seen 20+ games over the past 4 seasons. Given that UND got spanked by a good Gophers squad last season and my sister was a relative non-factor in the game, there is no comparison.

Let's just leave these inane angles of comparison for the off-season when we're all bored. We have MUCH more important things going on in the MIAC to worry about such things, like tipoff for the conference lead in less than 10 minutes.

Assuming I can find a webcast and/or can get people on the horn, I'll be posting some updates and comments throughout the night.

By the way Willy,
Who is your sister if you don't mind saying. Based on what you said and that I looked at your email.....I'm guessing Boese,and the SCSU coach is right. She is the best.
I have a couple connections to the UND program through a former player from the Nat'l Title team. I also have season tickets for football and frequent the Betty for bball games. The UND womens program is awesome and they have a ton of great young talent.....very fun to watch. Great start to the year, hope the finish is one to match! Big one on the 2nd!

Anyway back to D3!.....

1/28/2006 (Saturday)
Hamline @ St. Thomas---ST. THOMAS
Concordia @ St. Olaf---COBBS
Bethel @ Augsburg--bethel
Carleton @ Saint Benedict---CSB but could be close Carelton has won 5 in a row
Saint Mary's @ Macalester, (NC)---ST. Mary's
Gustavus @ St. Catherine,--GUSTIES get back in the W column

1/29/2006 (Sunday)
Concordia @ Saint Mary's--COBBS but back to back on the road can be tough!

Kibitzer · January 26, 2006, 08:32:58 PM

Questions:

Has the NCAA expanded the play-offs to 64 teams this year?

How many spots were there last season?

Pat Coleman · January 27, 2006, 12:21:47 AM

FAQ answers.

Willy Wonka · January 27, 2006, 02:40:40 AM

Solid - You looked at my email? Cheater!

Yeah, that's my other sister. She had a "bad" game tonight with 7, 9, 6, 3 blocks and 2 steals in 22 minutes of a blowout. You know the All American process is flawed when the SCSU and UMD coach both have returning AA's and agree that a different girl is the best in the conference.

Anyway, I just asked today for March 10-13 and 22-25 off. If I flew to Florida to watch a preseason tourney, I figure I can drive to Grand Forks and fly to Arkansas to finish the loop, right? Contrary to popular opinion, getting my parents to pay for it may be harder than UND holding up its end of the bargain

And who's your friend? Megan Pick? Mary P? Becky Moen? Wasn't Alia Fischer up there too? I know/know of a few oldies.

Maroon&Gold · January 27, 2006, 02:13:05 PM

Oh come on guys let's not turn this into a Sioux lovefest...don't you know that the nickname is very offensive

Can anyone fill me in about how the Oles and SMU are playing right now. Back to back games is not going to be easy for the Cobbers, but hopefully they will stay focused and come back to Moorhead with 2 wins.

LA RAMS · January 27, 2006, 10:10:59 PM

Picks for 1-28:

Hamline @ UST - Tommies by 15; the wheels are coming off for the Pipers

Concordia @ St. Olaf - No letdown for the Corn; should win by 10+

Bethel @ Augsburg - Christians by 20

SMU @ Mac - Birds by above listed amount

GAC @ St. Kate's - Gusties by 13

Carleton @ CSB - I grudgingly give the edge to the Bennies here simply because they're home; by 7 in a tough one

Willy Wonka · January 28, 2006, 02:03:16 AM

M&G - I refuse to talk NDSU on here, Fargo-boy. I watched Fricke and Lorenz play twice and that was two times too many for me

As far as the scouting report...I've heard the Oles are quite young and haven't been playing great. That said, it's always a dangerous game given your long drive, especially coming off a huge win. I don't know anything about Marys.

Big game tomorrow for the Carlies and Bennies. If Vig, who's been a sleeper in our MVP discussion because we don't have a Carlie poster, can lead her team to a second win over CSB we'll HAVE to add her to the discussion, if not install her as the leader. Given her respect around the league over the last four years, it may be she is the favorite right now no matter how we'd argue differently.

With the way the Knights have been playing, the Bennies will have to play very well to get the win. But they all get ice cream to celebrate afterwards!

I'll be checking out Katie tomorrow and will hopefully have some good news to report on Sunday.

Maroon&Gold · January 28, 2006, 03:49:50 PM

Cobbs win in Northfield 66-57

Keeley tallies 18 in hte win
Now its on to Winona and a sunday date with the Cardinals.

peachbasket · January 28, 2006, 07:50:58 PM

Quote from: James T. Kirk on January 25, 2006, 11:47:54 PM
Peach, Jimmy the Greek your not. Your prediction of Augsburg over Bethel had to be made just to piss off East Coast. This should be an interesting game though and if Bethel wins big it could be a sign that they are starting to "Get It".

Well, I may have been off in my pick of the Auggies over the Christians, (70-74), but Capt Kirk, would you say maybe the Royals aren't "getting it" yet. The reason I picked the Auggies is that I feel teams have a tendancy of looking past them, and that can prove costly, like it almost did tonight!
Congrats to my Cobbers! Good luck tomorrow!!

gacbacker · January 29, 2006, 01:38:35 AM

Gusties cruise behind a well-oiled offensive machine. Vadnais came out ready to play today with four assists in the first 4 minutes...pretty much set the tone for the rest of the game.

On another note...how annoying and unprofessional is the Carleton website. Apparently the Knights feel they were on the short side of the officiating today:

Carleton College couldn't overcome a Blazer parade to the free-throw line in falling to St. Benedict, 80-65....Megan Vig (Sr./Northfield, Minn.), who incredibly shot only two free throws, was held to nine points

Oh how incredible! What a joke! Sounds like it came right out of Tammy's mouth too. So arrogant.