WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Collegeville Magic]

Sorry Nites, my post wasn't intended to be an excuse for the loss.  In fact, my jab at the officiating was based on past seasons of steady inconsistency, not an assumption that Frank was necessarily singled out.  I will be the first to agree that Carleton has a talented team and that Oken-Berg is the top offensive center in the conference.  My main point wasn't that officiating on Frank caused the outcome of the game, more that having your starting center on the bench for over 3/4 of the game (for any reason) is a major factor in a 4-point loss.

Interesting, however, that PRF "anticipated 3 of 4 pre-game factors" correctly before the game, but then also stated the opinion that 3 of Frank's 4 fouls were iffy calls.  Isn't it hard to both credit and discredit the same poster for his/her comments about the same game?    

Either way, as much as I would love to see the Blazers get an at-large bid, the inconsistency of the MIAC this year and the relatively low regional rankings for both UST and CSB leads me to believe that the only way we'll have two teams in the tournament is if Carleton wins on Saturday and UST gets an at-large bid for having been conference co-champions and making the playoff final.

I'll still check the brackets on Sunday, regardless of the UST-Carleton outcome (I'm guessing the Tommies will be too much for the Knights), and I'll be guardedly hopeful for a slim chance at a Blazer bid.  Here's hoping I'm happily surprised...

[Nites]

CM -

The Bennies struggled a bit early in the year as they tried to figure out everyone's roles and as they learned how to adjust went Tauer was out for a while.  Their non-conference losses were to relatively mediocore teams (but certainly not cellar dwellers), but all of their conference losses were to playoff teams.  The Tommies, on the other hand, suffered a couple of losses to nationally ranked teams, but then they got beat twice during the conference season by struggling teams.  That may have really hurt their regional ranking.

I hope the Bennies snag a tourney berth as they have had a good year.  You're right that the Tommies may have the upper hand on a spot if they lose because they made it to the final and they were slightly ahead of CSB in the last regional ranking.  If the Tommies lose the title game, I doubt the MIAC would get 3 teams in the tourney.  Thus, the best hope for CSB is a Tommie victory in the final.

Oken-Berg has underperformed most of the year, but she appears to be picking her game up down the stretch.  Although the Knights have been inconsistent this year, I have a hunch that they are going to beat UST.  I base that solely on the fact that it is very difficult to beat a team 3 times in a single season, especially when the other team has a coach that historically has shown the ability to make strategic adjustments to her team.

[PRF2007]

Interesting, however, that PRF "anticipated 3 of 4 pre-game factors" correctly before the game, but then also stated the opinion that 3 of Frank's 4 fouls were iffy calls.  Isn't it hard to both credit and discredit the same poster for his/her comments about the same game?    

Even if I thought the fouls were "iffy"  my "pre-game factor" is still accurate.  I felt that Okenberg-Frank would be a big factor in the game  (not really going out on a limb by making that assumption)  It ended up being a HUGE factor.  The iffy calls are just a partial reason as to why this "pre game factor" was won so handily by okenberg.

Fact:  Okenberg v. Frank was a huge factor

Fact:  Frank played 9 minutes

Opinion:  Poor calls were part of the lopsidedness of this matchup.  


How does that not make sense?

[Willy Wonka]

Hmmm...I was having 'net problems and my post last night doesn't seem to have made it here. I'll try it again.

UST shoots 57%, outrebounds GAC 37-22, holds the Gusties to one FG over the last 8:30, dropped 24 dimes...and still needed a 17-2 run at the end to clinch the game?

Sounds like GAC was scrappy and willing but not quite talented enough this year. I'll go out on a limb and say that scoring could be a minor problem for the Gusties next season.

When was the last time a triple double was recorded by a MIAC player? Katch has been close lots of times this year.

Lingering Questions With Revised Answers
1. Can Katch continue her role as the unproclaimed Vadnais Stopper? (Kind of)
2. Vadnais took two horrible shots in the final minute that almost blew the game against UST last time. Can she be satisfied in a distributor role? And can the Gusties win *again* if that's all they get from her? (0 assists and a loss)
3. If the little lefty is held in check, who will step up for the Gusties? (No one)
4. Can Layman handle Embree? (No, emphatically)

[budman]

Wonka (fustrated jock) , seems to fit.
Can Katch continue her role as the unproclaimed Vadnais stopper (Kind of)     I guess 19pts is stopping her.
Vadnais took two horrible shots in the final minute that almost blew the game last time.---I was at the game and I don't remember two horrible shots, were you there? The games I have watch her play, it seems she has great court sense and has won a few games in her career.
As far as you found something to fault her (which you have done all year) not having 0 assist. It takes two to get one, at least it sure looks that way! Katch has Embree (St. Thomas would not be where they are without her)

When you score 14 of your teams 22, it seems like you may need a little help.  Just to get you up to speed lGAC all time leading scorer. (by 300pts)        And Kodak All-American 1st team
GAC all time 3 Pt
GAC all time steals leader
GAC 4th all time assists
GAC all time free throws

[Willy Wonka]

Wonka (fustrated jock) , seems to fit.
Can Katch continue her role as the unproclaimed Vadnais stopper (Kind of)     I guess 19pts is stopping her.

I wasn't at the game, but 19 points on 18 shots, 33% shooting and 0 assists is holding someone in check in my book. If it makes you feel any better, I also lost a bet when GAC lost this game.

Vadnais took two horrible shots in the final minute that almost blew the game last time.---I was at the game and I don't remember two horrible shots, were you there? The games I have watch her play, it seems she has great court sense and has won a few games in her career.

I never questioned her general court sense or said she lost games for GAC. But this *did* happen and we almost lost gacbacker to back-to-back heart attacks when it did. Feel free to consult the tapes for confirmation of his hysterics and Wonka's attendance. I believe you even ignored my friendly smile when you took your seat that night.

The play-by-play pastes in too weird to put here and I was a little off — the first of three shots came with 1:46 left — but it's definitely there for all to see.

As far as you found something to fault her (which you have done all year) not having 0 assist. It takes two to get one, at least it sure looks that way! Katch has Embree (St. Thomas would not be where they are without her)

4 assists in 99 minutes against UST speaks for itself.

Katch and Embree certainly make each other better and are the reasons, plural, why UST is still playing. As has been noted ad nauseum, I simply prefer Katch's all-around game to that of Embree or Vadnais this season — though you could make strong MVP arguments for all three without much difficulty.

When you score 14 of your teams 22, it seems like you may need a little help.  Just to get you up to speed lGAC all time leading scorer. (by 300pts)        And Kodak All-American 1st team
GAC all time 3 Pt
GAC all time steals leader
GAC 4th all time assists
GAC all time free throws

Ooooh, I like this game. Can I play, too?

GAC all time most shots missed
*GAC all time most airballs (game/season/career)
*GAC all time turnovers
GAC all time leading scorer...by 296. Hey, picking nits is picking nits, right?
      * denotes unofficial scoring done by Wonka in his free time and may not reflect reality

Budman, she's a great player who's had a tremendous career. My backing someone else in the MVP race has nothing to do with the personal vendetta and lingering animosity of which you've accused me. Based on a number of different factors, I simply think Katch brought more to the table this season. I'm sure some coaches will agree with me and already know some who don't, but I'm certainly not going to cry if my pick doesn't win — and I hope you're capable of doing the same.

[Collegeville Magic]

PRF- I was giving you credit, no need to defend yourself.  I was just saying that it's strange how Nites gave you credit for your pre-game predictions, then turned around and ignored what you had to say about Frank's fouls, as if you were totally right and totally wrong at the same time.  Don't worry, I'm on your side.

Any game updates or predictions for today?

[tommycorn]

what a game today at schoenecker, it was a hard fought battle by both squads, it was particularly entertaining watching isler and porter-wooz battle it out off the ball.  both teams did some really good things during game,

it was sad though that an obvious blunder on the reffing crew will taint a great game.  In the closing seconds of overtime with the clockshot running down, carleton put up an obvious air ball, but the refs did not blow the whistle, carleton rebounded the basketball after the tommies stopped playing because of the violation.  obviously you have to play til you hear a whistle, i just can't believe a call that big could be missed in such a critical moment of such a critical game for both teams,

hats off to both teams, it was a really enjoyable team, and congratulations to coach sinn for putting the tommies back on the map:)

[LA RAMS]

Definitely got my money's worth over at Schoenecker today and this game featured some roller coaster highs and lows for both teams.  Carleton started out fast and the Tommies looked a little shell-shocked at first but eventually they were able to settle down and get their game going.  For awhile there in the first half UST was just blistering hot from the perimeter; one trey that Becky Theisen put up was from wayyyy downtown.  Things looked good for UST at the half but Carleton gradually cut into the Tommie lead as the 2nd half progressed and the zone defense the Knights employed simply made life miserable for the Tommies from an offensive standpoint.  Unfortunately for UST, Katch was simply horrible shooting the ball today; particularly in the 2nd half and neither Wirtz or Porter-Wrzos could pick up the slack when they needed to. 

I hate to bring up the officiating but unfortunately the achilles heel of this conference reared its ugly head at the worst possible time for UST giving Carleton a freebie deuce.  Still, I've got to give a lot of credit to Carleton and TM-F.  They've been in this position so many times before and TM-F has an uncanny knack for winning these types of games.  They've done it the hard way before and succeeded and today they did it again. 

[nkwest]

For awhile there in the first half UST was just blistering hot from the perimeter; one trey that Becky Theisen put up was from wayyyy downtown.

Anna Swanson hit that, actually.  By far the longest squared-up (can't call it non-desperation; the shot clock was running out) three I've seen hit in MIAC women's play.  It's really too bad that injuries and illness limited her minutes this season.

[LA RAMS]

For awhile there in the first half UST was just blistering hot from the perimeter; one trey that Becky Theisen put up was from wayyyy downtown.

Anna Swanson hit that, actually.  By far the longest squared-up (can't call it non-desperation; the shot clock was running out) three I've seen hit in MIAC women's play.  It's really too bad that injuries and illness limited her minutes this season.

I stand corrected.  Still, man that was a LONG way out!

[gacunk]

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the great game between St Thomas and Carlton due to work. I did listen to the broadcast however, and have a question. Why would an official blow a whistle because a shot was an airball, unless it ultimately went out of bounds. If the shot clock runs down the buzzer will sound, which ends the possession, not a whistle. I understand the shot clock did ultimately sound. The question was when?

What the announcers described was that Oken-Berg caught the airball and immediately put the ball back up and it hit the rim before the shot clock buzzer. This should have immediately reset the shot clock. Either the action was too fast, or the person with the shot clock button was not alert to the reset. After the ball hit the rim and was rebounded by Oken-Berg, Carlton had 30 more seconds. Oken-Berg shot again (during the new 30 seconds) and made the shot.

Apparently, after much discussion, this is what the three officials agreed had happened, and awarded Oken-Bergs basket. The above event, if it happened as stated, would be, in my estimation, a correct determination and score for Carlton.

The whole key is the timing of the first ball put up that hit the rim. Did it hit the rim before the buzzer? Did it hot the top or side of the rim, or did it hit the bottom? There are five or six determining factors in this play. A very difficult call. that has to be made instantly.

   

[nkwest]

If the shot clock runs down the buzzer will sound, which ends the possession, not a whistle.

To the contrary, the referees will always blow the whistle when the shot clock runs out.  It's the whistle, not the buzzer, that ends the possession.  I've never seen it handled any other way.

[buf]

D3 hoops is projecting St. Thomas in.  However, they are projecting that they are the last team in.

[buf]

WOW, both GAC and St. Thomas are in!