MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

y_jack_lok · February 23, 2014, 01:58:08 PM

Responding to formersliaccommish's post on the previous page, I heard another reason, privately, from a very good source last season when I wondered about expanding the tournament to just six teams. That reason was, if you do it for basketball then the coaches in all the other sports (men's and women's soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, am I missing any?, and any future sports that might be introduced, e.g. lacrosse) would also want to have their tournaments expanded. This means more expense, which could not be covered by revenues generated.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 23, 2014, 02:10:13 PM

That is usually the reason for all conferences. Sometimes in the bylaws they dictate which sports have how many teams, but when they change that other sports would certainly like to know why they can't adjust as well. Not that uncommon in Division III to have to consider the costs of putting on conference tournaments... it is a major consideration for the national tournaments as well.

BunchTime · February 23, 2014, 02:33:13 PM

I really like the 4 team format as I agree with commish that it makes the regular season relevant and exciting. The final few games of the regular season are fun to follow to see who will get the 4th spot. Especially in light of the fact that the SLIAC is a one team bid league.

Denny McKinney · February 23, 2014, 03:06:25 PM

I agree with all the above. Just fix the scheduling problem, so there is time for that tie play in game for the 4 spot.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · February 23, 2014, 03:17:29 PM

If anyone didn't see it... here is Spalding's 60-foot buzzer beater to beat Westminster yesterday: http://youtu.be/VkZfdjV3ITQ

Denny McKinney · February 25, 2014, 02:41:59 PM

Wow. Where is Hopefan? Surely he figured Internet service into his retirement Budget.

it's Tourney Time. We need breakdowns, match ups and odds. I don't have anyone to disagree with. Haha. Yjak we need to form a Search Party!!!!

y_jack_lok · February 25, 2014, 02:56:10 PM

Quote from: Denny McKinney on February 25, 2014, 02:41:59 PM
Wow. Where is Hopefan? Surely he figured Internet service into his retirement Budget. it's Tourney Time. We need breakdowns, match ups and odds. I don't have anyone to disagree with. Haha. Yjak we need to form a Search Party!!!!

I'm expecting to see him at FU tonight for the WU vs FU games. If he doesn't show I'll let you know and we can then form that search party.

ecreddevils · February 25, 2014, 03:26:30 PM

Tournament time. My team being out is no excuse not to make predictions:
Semis:

SU 75 Westmin 69--
both of these regular season games were close affairs, needed a buzzer beater in the most recent. Still,
Spalding is so tough to beat at home and, frankly, they're just the better team. Westmin built a 16 pt. halftime lead on 5-6 shooting from 3 in the first half and could not hold it down the stretch. Barber and Sangester come up big again.

WU 82 Mac 78--
Ahmad Smith proving himself MVP-worthy down the stretch. Webster is clicking at the right time and the triple-threat of Smith-Edwards-Miller find a way to get it done in a nip and tuck battle.

Championship:

WU 63 SU 62--
Webster finds a way to pull the tough road upset and avenges last year's semifinal beat down at the hands of SU. SU is a different team than the one Web beat in January without Sangester, but feel like the experience of the loss last year and the two tough games (one win) this year, give Web the confidence to pull through. Webster out-boarded SU in both contests this year and I think Miller comes up big (so to speak) in the paint to make the difference. Webster also must control tempo and guard the perimeter (gave up 10 3s in the loss).

Denny McKinney · February 25, 2014, 05:04:33 PM

Yjak, If he's there and you sit right below video feed camera. Please have Hopefan keep his ball cap on. It cuts down the glare.

BunchTime · February 25, 2014, 10:08:24 PM

I like it, erecddevils! Hope it comes to fruition.

Denny McKinney · February 25, 2014, 11:43:02 PM

Bunchtime - Your Benz needs one more road trip. Before you trade it in on the "Family Truckster". Haha

Having watching watched Mac and WU back to back. No Way Mac can play with WU and Hunter Ward.

EC. Smith is a good scorer. But, Will Barber is the Man. Solid MVP!!!

WU FAN · February 26, 2014, 10:41:06 AM

Took the drive up Big Bend last night (saw Hopefan and Yjack in the stands) to watch WU take on FU and looking for a good game following FU's upset of Mac on Saturday. No luck. Fontbonne came out strong in the first 5 minutes or so but with 5 minutes left in the 1st half it was already out of hand. If Coach Bunch had decided to leave the "big dogs" in the game could've been pretty ugly down the stretch.

I know there's been a lot discussion on here about FU and the season they've had. After seeing them twice now in person I just don't think they're very good/talented. DeGeare does some nice things (moves around well, can shoot some from outside, etc.) but he's so weak that the other guys push him all over the place. Doesn't do much for his team when he's the 4th best big man on the floor. Greenlee's a nice enough player but on a better team I'm not sure he'd be a factor. Only 2 of the Vegas kids saw minutes and neither really did much to speak of. The best thing I can say for Fontbonne is that they play hard the entire game. Watching them try and compete is fun but they're simply outclassed. I know we keep hearing about these terrific recruiting classes Coach Schaefer and his staff bring in but there's something missing here. Either the players aren't nearly as good as the hype or the coaching is bad. I'm sure someone will disagree with me so have at it.

Now for Webster. Smith had a miserable night. Just looked out of it. Miller scored 15 and didn't look real good in some stretches either. Hunter Ward has been a huge addition for this squad. Does things with his athleticism that they desperately needed. Griffin continues to try and find himself. If he ever gets aggressive for an entire game they could really be scary. Once again this is open for debate but in my 15 years of watching the Gorloks play basketball this is best 5 men they've ever had and probably the deepest down to the 8th man. Anything can happen in a basketball game (i.e. Eureka over Webster on 12/14) but if the Gorloks come to play this weekend they'll be very tough to beat.

Rip me apart fellas. I'm a big boy and can take it. Just my view from the cheap seats.

ecreddevils · February 26, 2014, 11:22:54 AM

Women's Tourney Predictions. No one reads the women's boards, sorry.

Semis:

EC 67 WU 63--
EC coming off losing 2 of last 3, including a close 64-62 loss on Web's home floor four days ago. These teams know each other well and are evenly matched. The difference here will be the two EC seniors, Eeten and Shoemake. Eeten might well be the best player in school history and will be playing with an extreme sense of urgency. She went 4-21 from the field in the Webster loss on the road. That won't happen again.

SU 64 Westmin 60--
Oddly this season series featured two road wins, Westmin went on the road and upset SU last Saturday, 56-53. Thinking it will be hard to do that again on such a short turnaround. Home court holds.

EC 69 SU 68--
Tough task here. SU won both meetings by 9 and 10, respectively. SU holds a +19 rebounding average over both games--Jessica Guy has been the difference, averaging 20/14 over both games. EC's main exploitable weakness is lack of post depth, SU has exploited that in both games. EC also is a high risk/high reward up-tempo and perimeter shooting team. The Red Devils must be on fire from three-land. I think they will be. Caty Eeten goes off for a monster game and EC goes to their first big dance!

Denny McKinney · February 26, 2014, 11:48:02 AM

WU Fan - I don't think you wrote anything that needs to be ripped. I for one am shocked at how DeGeare was used. At 6'8 and a 7' wing span, I expected to watch him slowly mature into a really good PF in the SLIAC. Then after about 8 games it was like what the heck. He spent the rest of the year jacking 3's and his rebounds dwindled to a miserable 1 last nite. The Vegas freemen were a bust. Sometimes the next level player on a Great Team are not the answer. The D1 kid on that team must of carried them. They could of really used Grant Tuckers size. But at 6'8, he had no desire to get physical and couldn't rebound to save his life. Guinn never earned his way off the JV squad. Not, the players we were led to believe. Question: Why were these kids brought halfway across country. Then there were some names I never saw. Maybe injuries. Richie D did an admirable job of moving to PG. Heyward is another Kid who's speed and athletism can fool you. He just can't shoot!!!

My big question is a the type of offensives FU ran, did they get the kids in the best position to score?

Two big recruiting classes and I'm still not sure what they have to build on. They need a lot of pieces, but could hurt retention.

Huge Congrats to Yada Demisee. The kid was there from day one. Will Rapier didn't last but Yada showed up every nite and never seemed to be a problem. Yada you finished what you started. Respect!!!

y_jack_lok · February 26, 2014, 11:52:01 AM

WU FAN putting himself in the line of fire. Very bold.

I'm just wishing the Gorloks, both men and women, the very best in their semi-final games and hoping they both come out as tourney champs. Should be a fun weekend for those making the trip to "Luavul", as the natives call it. Safe travels to all.