WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[gacbacker]

Tonight:

Katch: 21 points (7-12), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist

Vadnais: 22 points (7-13), 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists

So you think something was settled in Katch's favor based on tonight Wonka?

Why don't you just come out and admit it that the reason you are not on the Vadnais for MVP bandwagon is because you're bitter that Monahan didn't win it last year.   

[gacbacker]

And not to rehash any old wounds with Gacunk or anything, but the Gusties give up 8 more three's tonight. Whether they were against the zone or any of the "six defenses that Gustavus plays", giving up 18 made threes in two games is too many. Whether any of the GAC faithful want to admit it or not, this has become a weakness this year.

In fact I did a little research this week and it turns out the Gusties have given up more three's already this year -- with at least two and potentially three or more games to play -- than they have in a long time.

This year opposing teams are 114-347 from three point range
06-07: 98-392  (Note the 16 fewer made threes with 45 MORE attempts)
05-06: 78-250
04-05: 94-268
03-04: 78-285

I could go on, but I think you get the point. So the question becomes why are we giving up so many more three's? Do we have worse perimeter defenders than last year? Nope, we have the same perimeter defenders as last year...the difference is we are playing some zone for the first time ever, and in my opinion the results have not been good. Why fix, what's not broken.

[Willy Wonka]

Obviously, nothing is settled yet. But are you really saying Katch's performance wasn't more impressive tonight?

The numbers were basically the same, but consider the fact that UST was on the road against a much better opponent and Katch did absolutely everything in crunch time to earn the win — in a game you predicted they'd lose, no less. On the flip side, GAC beat a struggling Hamline team who may play itself out of the #6 seed.

I'd love to yell "MVP! MVP!" at Monahan every time I see her for the rest of her life, but I'm hardly bitter. Either would have been deserving winners last year...though this makes *not* winning the league title more than a little frustrating.

I haven't seen/listened to GAC play enough to comment on the 3-point situation.

[gacbacker]

Sure Katch's performance is more impressive tonight, but it's not Vadnais' fault, she didn't make the schedule. Just a week ago, Vadnais put up 25 in a Gustie win over Concordia in what was probably just as important of a game as the one tonight was in Moorhead.

Bethel eliminates themselves from playoff contention tonight with a 48-40 loss to Macalester. So it appears that the winner of the Hamline/Macalester game on Saturday will be the #6 seed. Personally I'd love to see Macalester in the playoffs.

[LA RAMS]

Was able to catch GAC gut out a 68-63 win over a very tricky Hamline squad at Hutton Arena last night.  While not the prettiest win perhaps, GAC did the right things they needed to when it counted.  Vadnais certainly did her part in holding up her end of the battle for the MVP race.  I also thought Emily Nelson was a solid, stabilizing force out there for the black and gold as well last night. 

Definitely some shockers elsewhere......St. Olaf over Carleton (can ANYONE figure out the Oles?)?  Mac over Bethel ( )??  Oh yeah, UST over Concordia AT M-head? 

For a myriad of reasons, Saturday is going to be an incredibly fun day.   

[blazerguy]

  Oh,and by the way, the Blazers won another championship last night!

[yojo]

What is the tiebreaker sequence for the MIAC anyway?  Hamline and Mac would have the same conference record if Mac wins.  Or Concordia and Carleton for the fourth spot.  Congrats to St. Bens.  I am going to pick.......Hamline to grab the last spot, Championship game= St Bens v St. Thomas = St Thomas conference chamption.  We'll see.  Should be fun to watch.

[Nites]

Definitely some shockers elsewhere......St. Olaf over Carleton (can ANYONE figure out the Oles?)?  Mac over Bethel ( )??  Oh yeah, UST over Concordia AT M-head? 

Better yet.  Can anyone figure out the Knights?  Very disappointing year thus far.  Their entire roster back, plus a good young FY guard in Ally Weaver, and they've lost 7 conference games.  It appears that some of their players, Oken-Berg in particular, have regressed.  Hannah's averaging 11.6 points per game, down from 15.3 points per game a year ago.  Perhaps, more importantly, she doesn't appear to be the force on defense she was last year when she blocked 52 shots in 27 games.  This year she has blocked just 15 shots in 23 games.  Ouch!

[LA RAMS]

Oh,and by the way, the Blazers won another championship last night!

Uh, not so fast there, Blazerguy.  My understanding was that if UST beats CSB at Schoenecker (and I personally think it's likely they will) then UST will earn the #1 seed as a regular season co-champion with CSB.  I'd love to see GAC get the #2 seed somehow but I just don't think it's in the cards for them. 

Obviously, the other intriguing battles are for the #'s 4,5, & 6 seeds.  You can flip Carleton and Concordia any which way you like but that battle for the last spot is going to be very interesting as well.

[Collegeville Magic]

Actually, Blazerguy is right.  There was no mention of #1 or #2 seed for the playoffs, only a statement that CSB has guaranteed at least a share of the conference title.  If UST wins on Saturday, whatever the tie-breaker outcome might be (since it's pretty convoluted), that means that CSB and UST share the title for the conference record books.  If CSB wins, it's an outright title for the Blazers.

Saturday should be a good one!  Go Blazers!

[PRF2007]

CSB losing on Saturday?  I don't know how anyone could see that as being a LIKELY scenario.  It is definitely a possibility that they won't win, but likely is quite a stretch with how CSB has been dominating lately.

Few stats for CSB

Scmidt has had 20+ in 5 of the last 7 games.
Frank had 16 pts 12 rbds and 7 blocks in her last game. (21 blocks in last 3 games)  Including one that was swatted over the visitor bench last night.

CSB does seem to get cold shooting on the road though.  It will be a good game.  It is likely that CSB will win though.

[gacbacker]

What is the tiebreaker sequence for the MIAC anyway?  Hamline and Mac would have the same conference record if Mac wins.  Or Concordia and Carleton for the fourth spot.  Congrats to St. Bens.  I am going to pick.......Hamline to grab the last spot, Championship game= St Bens v St. Thomas = St Thomas conference chamption.  We'll see.  Should be fun to watch.

Yojo, if Mac beats Hamline, Mac would go to the playoffs as the sixth seed due to the third tiebreaker that the conference considers which is "Results against above teams beginning in rank order" Macalester with their win over St. Thomas earlier in the year would therefore beat out Hamline who's best win is against Carleton this year.

Should St. Ben's beat St. Thomas and Gustavus beat Carleton, therefore forcing a tie between the Tommies and Gusties for second place, Gustavus would get the #2 seed based on their one win over St. Ben's, where St. Thomas would have gone 0-2 against the Blazers.

As for Carleton and Concordia...if they should end up tied for fourth place...Carleton gets the nod as they swept the Cobbers this season.

[yojo]

Thanks gacbac, makes sense.....btw, mvp clearly goes to Vadnais.

[blazerball]

LA - Actually, CSB is locked in as the #1 seed for the conference playoffs.  No matter what happens in the UST-CSB game Saturday.  Even if UST wins, they will have exact conference records but CSB wins the tie-breaker.  While a UST victory would mean that the teams would have split during the regular season, UST lost to a lower conference team during the season and that is the tie-breaker that gives CSB the #1 seed.  So, no matter the result Saturday, teams must travel through Claire Lynch Hall to win the MIAC playoffs.

Congrats to Mike Durbin and the Blazers...11 conference titles and 12 straight 20+ win seasons...we are all very proud and hope for more victories to come...

[Willy Wonka]

Thanks gacbac, makes sense.....btw, mvp clearly goes to Vadnais.

Based on what?

Vadnais is top 15 in in the league in only one major category and her numbers have fallen across the board from a year ago. She still certainly worthy, but I would — and have — argued that it's FAR from clear with only one game to play. If Katch hits up her averages and UST beats CSB tomorrow night, I've got to think she becomes the favorite.

And, just in case anyone missed this yesterday...

Updated region rankings, not including games last night
West (overall, in region records)
1 Simpson 21-2 17-1
2 George Fox 20-3 13-2
3 Puget Sound 19-4 14-2
4 Chapman 22-3 15-3
5 St. Benedict 19-4 18-4
6 Gustavus Adolphus 16-7 16-7

EDIT: Completed my unfinished sentence