WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[scorekeeper]

Besides hand-selecting the officials and passing on the JV game, here are some other things Durbin did to give his team an edge:

- Convinced GAC coach Mickey Haller that Ariel Tauer can't go left
- Sent Darby Noreen into the Gustavus huddle to find out what play they were going to run.
- Moved the free throw line closer to the basket in the second half. 
- Allowed the team to watch that classic motivational film "50 First Dates" on the bus ride to St. Peter

[Willy Wonka]

So I'm supposed to believe it's just coincidence Durbin canceled the JV game late the night before, allowing the varsity to sleep for a few more hours prior to the MIAC-title clinching game? Convenient, no? Rules are obviously made to be broken - by Durbin.

I'll beat people to the punch here...who wants to play Julia to my Mel?

Take my compliment, that the Bennies were simply better than the Gusties, and stop defending the indefensible...unless you want to spill the so-called facts as to why I'm wrong. You're trying to tell me a team who proudly points to cutting high school all conference players couldn't field a squad of 8-10 because of one concussion? I'd love to see Durbin say that with a straight face. Heck, I bet Danni Hannon, who played in the GAC alumni game prior to Saturday's game, would have suited up if they were THAT short.

Durbin = Weak sauce

[blazerball]

GACker sketchy point of the day: Wonka trying to take attention away from the fact that his team got schooled at HOME with a conference title on the line...

Wonka --- you are a fool for your JV game comments.  Take a moment to look at facts before your senseless Durbin  bashing.  Here is a simple little math problem for your simple little mind.  There are 18 players on the CSB roster.  CSB played 11, yes 11, in the varsity game yesterday.  A 12th, Jenna Tody, has been playing good varsity minutes when necessary lately (with Anna'a injury) so she could not play JV if she was needed for varsity.  That leaves 6 players.  Then, one got a concussion.  That leaves 5 players for a JV game --- and you cannot play a whole game with 5 players.  GET A CLUE!!!

Anyway, the game was great yesterday and, despite what Wonka thinks, the refs had NOTHING to do with the outcome.  CSB was the better and more talented team.  Period.  Heck, until the final 1:30 the refs had called 14 fouls on CSB and 10 on GAC.  In the last 1:30, when GAC was fouling on purpose, they called 5 fouls on GAC to make the final foul count 15-14...

But, Wonka, think whatever you want to think about Durbin and the Blazers.  It does not matter to them as they decide where to put their new conference title banner and relax tomorrow while getting ready for a home game on Wednesday!

[SOLID]

You're trying to tell me a team who proudly points to cutting high school all conference players couldn't field a squad of 8-10 because of one concussion?

That's funny........
but, if the shoe fits?..............

[Pat Coleman]

So I'm supposed to believe it's just coincidence Durbin canceled the JV game late the night before, allowing the varsity to sleep for a few more hours prior to the MIAC-title clinching game? Convenient, no? Rules are obviously made to be broken - by Durbin.

There are rules about JV games? Man, show me that rulebook. I've been missing out.

JV schedules are constantly in flux. If you think this is unique you're crazy.

[Willy Wonka]

BB and TDT lover - I've been called worse than crazy and a fool. Keep it coming, guys. I love it.

Since when does CSB not have a real JV team? How long does it take one to realize 5 or 6 kids isn't enough for a game? If the decision was correct, the timing seems silly.

If you think the missed foul on Monahan didn't effect the outcome of the game, you're crazy. She was a one-girl show that CSB had no answer for. You are honestly trying to argue her being forced out of the game for an extended period in the second half due to a missed call didn't benefit the Bennies and help decide the outcome??

Anyway, let's steer this back to an actual basketball topic now...

The MVP race should be interesting. Monahan, Hageman and Heikenen seem like the top contenders - in that order, if I'm voting - with Vig having an outside shot at the crown. Let's look at the numbers.

Monahan - 19.6 points (1st), 6.6 rebounds (7th), 1.1 assists, 51% shooting (5th), 41 steals (3rd), 19 blocks (6th) in 25.1 minutes
Hageman - 17.6 ppg (3rd), 7.6 rpg (4th), 1.1 apg, 59% shooting (1st), 21 steals, 2 blocks in 30.8 (11th)
Heikenen - I can't navigate the CSB page to find the stats, but he's what I know - feel free to fill these in someone...17.9 ppg (2nd), 6.4 rpg (11th), 47% shooting (8th), not top 15 in any other stat

I'd love to see some sort of efficiency rating for Monahan. She's putting up amazing numbers in around 5 minutes less action than either of the other two.

The Bennies would still be very solid without Heikenen, whereas the Cobbs and Gusties would be struggling to stay afloat without their top players. That doesn't decide the race, but it should give bonus points to the two non-Bennies. Anna H may be the best player on the best team, but everyone expected them to be there in the end. The Cobbs and Gusties were surprises this season - with a few even suggesting their teams wouldn't make the playoffs - and those two are the reason why.

[gacbacker]

Let's add the fact that Monahan is more versatile than the other two players and much harder to guard. Monahan can step out and hit the three, drive from the high post and score from the low block. Hageman doesn't shoot the three and while Heikenen can hit the three, she didn't as often as Monahan did.

[Maroon&Gold]

So what are the picks tonight??

I would have to go with the Carls and Gusties holding serve at home, but here is a question.  What happens if the Royals pull the upset, do they then go to CSB on wednesday night??

A little late with the Cobber game review, but here goes:  Cobbs come out of hte gate strong and fast (finally) and get up big on the Pipers.  It did seem that they went lax and certain points of the game though, and Hamline never went away, and made a competitive game the whole way through.

Tori Elhert had a HUGE game with 16 and 8, and that production would be huge in the playoffs.  Anne Keeley fills up the entire stat sheet with 13pts 10 rebs, 5 asst. 4 steals, and 2 blocks.  MVP candidtate Hageman is quiet from the field (1 for 4) but still gets to the line 16 times and converts on 10 of them, and Jess Hientz comes off the bench and goes 4 of 4 from the land of 3 for 12 big points.  Cobbers are playing well and Moorhead should be rocking for the semifinal game of wednesday night.

Cobbers end the regular season as the leading rebounding team in the conference. This is kinda surprising, seeing that there is not a player 6 feet or above that sees significant time.

As far as the MVP talk.  I agree that Hageman, Monahan and Hiekenen are the definite top three, and I dont know who comes away with it.  They are all great players and I can't say any of the three don't deserve the honor. If I were betting I would say Anna H. comes away with it because of her stats, career numbers, and team's success. I would obviously like to see Mel H. get it, but I just dont see a sophmore getting the nod without putting up stats that TOTALLY stand head and shoulders above the others, but I'm sure hoping.


Wow that was really long...oh well, what else do we all have to do today??

[LA RAMS]

I'll be making it down to N'field tonight for the Hamline - Carleton tilt.  It should be a good contest but I think the Knights will take control in the second half with Megan Vig leading the way.  Still, give Hamline a lot of credit for stepping up and getting their first-ever MIAC playoff birth. 
The Gusties presumably should be able to take care of business against the free-falling Christians.  I guess GAC misses Linbo a lot more than I originally thought they would. 

I would love to see either Megan Vig or Bri Monahan get MVP although I have no problem if it goes to AH.  She's a great player, too, and is equally deserving.

Not a very good weekend on my end.  Iowa going down to Minnesota, UCLA likewise to USC last night, and the Gusties blowing a golden opportunity to snare a piece of the conference title  .  Ugh.  Thank God my Knights prevented this weekend from being a complete disaster.     

[Hoopsheart]

This is my first time participating on this site.  I have only been watchin MIAC women's hoops for 3 years now but what an education.  This may very well  be the one of the 3 best D3 women's leagues in the country.  My kid talked to the U of Chicago coach 3 years ago and she looked down her nose at anything west of Chicago...the kid talked to Johnson at Ripon too but she didn't blink when the kid told 'er that she was goin to the MIAC.

I have one suggestion ,however, directed toward the Gustie, Carlton, and Concordia folks (the St. Benny people too if you aren't too comfortable with the way things are).

Something must be done about the officiating and the "good ol' boy" network at the conference offices.  There are at least 4 officials who should not be allowed to manage a rock garden let alone control a top quality MIAC hoops game.  The method of evaluating and selecting officials for specific games must be made MUCH more transparent...coaches like the "Benny boy" must not be allowed to rule their home courts by intimidating the same tired, old, post retirement officials that have been servicing St. Bens since Jesus was a PFC.

This is a problem which if not faced, is gunna kill the golden goose.  All the women's programs are getting noticably better starting with coaching  but if something is not done to improve the officiating at St.  Bens, Gustavus and Carlton specifically, then the rest of the league will sink back and the quality at the top will not continue to perform at a high level in post season.  This is a concern of mine that I hope some of you folks at the "annointed" schools will recognize as legitimate. 

I would also like to express a concern I have that is even more serious than the above but, actually part of the foregoing...the "chippy", no I'll say DIRTY play at Bethal must be called out and the league must hold the head coach to account.  My kid's team beat those folks twice and didn't lose anyone (luckily) but the cheap shots, bump and run picks and clothsline switches started in warmups and didn't end until well after the final buzzer.  And this was at BOTH their place and ours!!!  The fact that their "hatchet lady" has taken 3 of the best players in the league out is no coincidence...unfortunately, the dirty play is not limited to that designated thug, but includes both front and back court players.  The coach must  be held accountable to the league for this and officials must be competent and confident enough to take control from the opening tip in every  Bethal game.

Finally, tonight's games may be very interesting...I hope the Gusties ken take care of business but it won't be easy unless the officials get a grip early.  And, don't be surprised at the outcome down in Northfield...the wicked witch a the west may jest get her britches bundled tonight.

[Hoopsheart]

I would like to add  a compliment to Concordia fans...you're the best folks in hosting visiting spectators,  real class and a really class program (some other folks out in the middle a the prairie might take notice).  Thanx Cobber fans

[scorekeeper]

Wonka,

I need to make one last JV game comment because there is one major fact that blows your whole theory.  The JV team was scheduled to leave two hours prior to the varsity team on a mini-bus.  Therefore, Durbin had no reason to "get out" of the JV game.  It had no affect on when the varsity team left campus.  

See you at CSB on Saturday for the rubber match.  

[scorekeeper]

Hoopsheart,

I think your shot at UM Morris is undeserved.  They are not even in the MIAC and it's not their fault that they are on a prairie.   

[Willy Wonka]

Hoopsheart - Coming out with both guns blazing! I love it! I believe the proper opening line is "Long time reader, first time poster" but we'll forgive you this time. Welcome to the board

I agree with your assessment of the refs. They are awful. However, it's tough to get new blood into a thankless position. Is the pay really worth giving up your nights, often after working a "real" job, to get ridiculed three times a week? Most would say no. Also, I'd suggest sitting with former MIAC stars prior to tipoff - they can usually tell you before the game even starts if it's going to be particularly ugly by who's in stripes. It's actually fairly comical how bad things can get.

I'm not sure why you single out specific schools, however. Durbin and Terrible Tammy are notorious for "working" refs, but Mickey, at GAC, doesn't really say much and complains with a smile on her face. I believe the refs who do MIAC games travel all over the league - with the possible exception of Concordia, who likely draws from a more local crowd. Thus you should be seeing the same terrible crews at different venues across the league.

I'm going to withhold judgement of Davis and Bethel, who has been condemned about a dozen times on this board so far, until after I see them tonight. I'd love to think you're wrong...but I doubt you are.

scorekeeper - Bennies on a short bus? I love it!

I'd love to be there. However, as I recently posted on the men's site, I'm stuck covering local wrestling until around 9pm apparently. Even if I get out early, I doubt the 3 hour drive is in the works...unless you can beam me up from Rochester, I'll be stuck handling phone call updates while I'm trying to do interviews  

[Hoopsheart]

Scorekeeper,

Sigh...see my comments to the Cobber fans, they could serve as role models for you Bennie folks. But it's must be tough ta recognize proper social behavior if ya don't get outta St. Joseph unless yer drafted inta the Marine Corps.