MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Only two SLIAC games on the opening day of Basketball season.. Would love to see us get at least one win..

Eureka plays at Rockford...  Eureka was picked by coaches to finish 8th out of ten in the SLIAC, Rockford was picked 9th out of 11 in the Nathcon.... hoping ECRed's optimism is well founded and EC can get a win on the road in a game that should be close

Iowa Wesleyan at Carthage... IWC picked 7th out of 10 in the SLIAC, Carthage 8th and last in the CCIW.... Given the historical superiority of the CCIW over the SLIAC, I'm inclined to think Carthage will take this one on their home court.... wondering what happened with the 3 underclassmen who didn't return to IWC?   IWC would have a much better outlook with them in the lineup...

[WUPHF]

And Fontbonne definitely does have intramurals.

[Denny McKinney]

Did I mention anywhere anything about one year and hanging it up? Anywhere? It's the experience of being part of a college team. Put on a uniform with your college across your chest and compete. And, play in front of their parents family and friends. Attend the sports banquets. How can you not understand that. Wow!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Did I mention anywhere anything about one year and hanging it up? Anywhere? It's the experience of being part of a college team. How can you not understand that. Wow!

A first: I'm gonna support Denny over hopefan!

Some schools do not allow seniors on JV, but if any have an absolute prohibition earlier than senior year I'm unaware of them.  JV is primarily a conduit to varsity (especially for promising players stuck behind some very talented upperclassmen), but it is also a venue for players who MAY be late bloomers, and for players who are unlikely to ever play varsity (at least significant minutes) but love the game.  With competent scheduling, it IS a definite step above intramurals.  (And, again assuming competent scheduling, it is a helluva lot better than just riding the pine in varsity games.)

So, yes, hopefan, while I'm sure few if any players come to college hoping to be a JV player, for some it IS a fulfilling (sort of) college basketball experience.

[Denny McKinney]

WUH- I'd like to know where you got your info? If they have any type, it had to start in the last 4 years. And, basketball is not one of the sports, they tried for years and there just wasn't enough numbers.

[ecreddevils]

EC women's team opened at midnight last night with the first NCAA basketball game of the season on any level.  Great game against IC, went down to the wire, IC prevailed 74-69.  More importantly, can't overstate how amazing the renovations are.  The place was rocking from the tip until the final buzzer.  This new court should instantly boost the basketball programs--just a tremendous facility and atmosphere at this level. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Actually... Worester State and Clark beat that game by an hour. Tipped off at 12:01 ET.

[WooClone15]

Actually... Worester State and Clark beat that game by an hour. Tipped off at 12:01 ET.

Wow, that would be an incredible experience to watch a game tipping off at midnight

[hopefan]

ok  ok  no problem        I'm definitely in the minority on this one...

Let's focus on the games!!!!   

[Titan Q]

http://blackburnbeavers.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/1516preseason

Blackburn kicks off the season at the always competitive Washington University.  "They are an outstanding program.  But we're not going over there just to be a part of it; we're going there to win. 

Game on, Beavers!

[WUPHF]

http://blackburnbeavers.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/1516preseason

Blackburn kicks off the season at the always competitive Washington University.  "They are an outstanding program.  But we're not going over there just to be a part of it; we're going there to win. 

Game on, Beavers!

Learn, Work Earn vs. Per Veritatem Vis.

[hopefan]

That Quote is attributed to new BC head coach Steve Kollar.  I love the attitude.  I feel the SLIAC coaches badly underestimated Blackburn's potential... as I said early on, this team has the talent level to compete with any SLIAC team.   Coach Kollar is coming in at a great time.. BC was starting to find its way in the second half of the season last year...

[Denny McKinney]

Hey Mr. Bunchtime. Good to hear from you. Thanks for the break down and your comments. It's a shame WU lost out on the 6'8 kid from Florida they were recruiting. He would of helped out in defensive match ups.

It's great to hear the new attitude at BC. Have always said BC just needed a coach who wanted to be there. It's a nice town. It could cultivate the local support, like Greenville.

It appears to be a pretty balanced group of teams in the conference this year. But, everyone has to be worried about Spalding. That's just going to be the case every year. I think the conference will struggle early and then it will be a dogfight in January.

Good Luck to all the teams.

[hopefan]

I think the conference will struggle early and then it will be a dogfight in January.

You have that right!!  I was telling someone how I was going to see each SLIAC team play in the next two weeks, and with tourneys, I'll see some teams two or three times.... As I choose games vs solid opponents when possible, I fear my SLIAC teams will have a tough time in many of the ones I see....  I'll see 13 games over the two weeks, anything over a 4-9 record by the SLIAC in those games will be more than I hoped for....

But after those two weeks, conference games start, and we'll find who puts lessons learned from playing tough non conference games to use!!

[Gregory Sager]

Did I mention anywhere anything about one year and hanging it up? Anywhere? It's the experience of being part of a college team. How can you not understand that. Wow!

A first: I'm gonna support Denny over hopefan!

Me, too. This quote:

Tell kids on the JV that they absolutely will not be considered for the varsity in the future, that it's a one year "contract", and a majority would call it quits.

... makes no sense to me. I've never heard of any college basketball coach saying to a kid that he has no chance of ever playing varsity, and/or that he's only going to be allowed to play one year of JV ball before he'll be forced out of the program.