MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

hopefan · February 04, 2016, 07:41:27 AM

Sorry morning readers, come back for the lunch time edition... 3 leaders survive, but one goes down... What a comeback by Spalding vs Greenville, only to fall just short...

hopefan · February 04, 2016, 12:35:33 PM

let's take a look at what happened last night... I was at Greenville... Spalding kept it close in the first half, but as teams will do, started to wilt in the 2nd half, Greenville started to hit some 3's and all of a sudden GC had an 18 point lead...UNTIL...at 4 minutes left, Ethan Lieb made a 3 pointer from the corner, to put GC's lead back to 16.... from that point on, it was a horror show for GC..
Miss jumper Spalding
TURNOVER GC
3 pointer Spalding
TURNOVER GC
2 pointer Spalding
TURNOVER GC
2 pointer Spalding lead now 9 at 2 minutes
Miss jumper GC
2 pointer Spalding
TURNOVER GC
2 pointer Spalding lead now 5 at 1 minute
TURNOVER GC
2 pointer Spalding lead now 3 at 51 seconds
THEN, the rather mystifying play of the game.. GC frosh Jabari Dix is fouled and I commented to the fellow sitting next to me, Frosh, non-shooter, no way in the world he makes this FT... he misses, but SPALDING called in the lane too quick, he gets it again... this time he makes it, misses the 2nd..... there are then a series of missed shots, free throws etc and GC wins by 5

In that 3 minute sequence, GC turned the ball over 5 times and missed one shot, Spalding scored 6 hoops in a row to cut the lead from 16 to 3... GC just had to put some excitement into the game, something GC fans didn't need... Kenny Greene and Jamal Daniels both had great shooting nights and Ethan Lieb went 3 for 3 as Greenville's second unit really was the driver to the win... Spalding was fantastic in their comeback effort... James Turner couldn't miss, finishing with 25 points, and dominique Ellis was super off the bench leading the comeback....

A super who doesn't get much notice....Terez Smith... he usually doesn't start because he and Nick Trisko are both big body post guys, but this kid is awesome everytime I see him... Coach Grey is going to have to figure out how to make best use of both...last night they combined for 30 points and 21 rebounds...

Elsewhere, from the box scores

Webster loses at home to Blackburn, 71-66.... Horrible loss for Webster, as it puts them back in the middle rather than in the lead pack in the conference race. For BC, the win an absolute must-win game, and now still have a chance to reach the top 4... BC wins the rebounding battle, which got a few more offensive opportunities for them.. it funnels down to BC winning it at the line, where they go 20-24, vs 10-18 for Webster. Webster trailed most of the game, got as close as 4 in the 2nd half, could never catch up....Chris Davis leads the way for BC with 23 points...

Mac over Eureka in their own version of the system, 105-100... Let's see, Deavis Johnson plays 13 minutes, 5 fouls, 5 points... Brent Long held to 16 points.. and MAC scores 105... WHAT???... Kollin Keltner steps in, hits 6 3 pointers for what I imagine is a career high 23 points, Mike Cameron adds 16, and the bench, which had contributed little recently gets 41 points led by Lance Buhlig's 17 (I suspect another career high).... Eureka led by Shea Feehan's 34 and Sam Feehan's 28, but it's not enough. Eureka cut it to 4 with a few seconds left, but the game wasn't quite that close, as Mac maintained a double digit lead most of the last 6 minutes....

Westmin beats Fontbonne... a 5 point game with 7 minutes left, but Westmin pulls away from there.. The good news is that Ben Kissing and Rich Dorhauer bot saw court time for the Griffs after missing games with injury, but neither contributed close to their normal level... hopefully this gets them both ready for the big matchup with Webster on Saturday...Nick Carlos has a good shooting night for Westmin, finishes with 22 points to lead the way, and as usual, Westmin gets contribution from seemingly everyone to get the win.

Tomorrow... a look at the standings... who still has a chance... What does Saturday hold?

y_jack_lok · February 04, 2016, 01:03:50 PM

Rule 10 Article 2, f(1)
The head coach may stand but must remain completely and clearly
in his coaching box. One warning shall be issued to the head coach
before any subsequent infraction is penalized.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR17.pdf

Last night at Webster the Blackburn head coach was clearly in violation of this rule as he spent most of the first half when Webster was on offense at the Blackburn end of the floor with both feet in bounds in the corner where the baseline and sideline meet. I recommend that SLIAC officials be made aware of this and keep their eyes on this guy and give him the appropriate warning if they see him in violation of this rule. Fortunately nothing happened to affect play. Nevertheless, it is not where a coach belongs and I have never observed any other coach stake a claim -- consistently, repeatedly, for an entire half of basketball -- to this piece of the court that close to the action.

hopefan · February 05, 2016, 10:55:52 AM

So this is what I wrote after Saturday's games:
ok, in a quick runthrough, I went through the remaining SLIAC schedule picking winners...
Without divulging who I picked to win which games, or the finishing records, I came up with this :
3 way tie, Mac, Webster, Greenville... Webster wins tiebreaker
4th to Westminster

Now taking midweek results into account, the perceived momentums change, and after going thru the remaining 5 game schedule each team has, a new final outlook:
Mac and Greenville run away with it, then a 5 way tie between everyone else, with Fontbonne just missing out, and obviously Prin at the bottom

BUT PLAYERS who read this... how many wins does your team currently have? 11 wins Guarantees you a conference tourney spot (yes, I came up with scenarios where 5 teams ended with 11 wins, but it is very much against the odds) what does your team have to do to get to 11 wins??!!

10 wins will LIKELY get you in, but could also lead to situations where one team, or maybe even 2, would lose out in tiebreakers.

And as I stated, if Mac and Greenville keep winning, there could be a total logjam at 9 wins for 3rd and 4th, or just 4th

Do you want to be in the conference tourney... get to 11 wins...

WUPHF · February 06, 2016, 10:17:58 PM

Who is Rabasas Turner and why is he not playing more minutes for Webster?

y_jack_lok · February 07, 2016, 12:23:06 AM

Quote from: WUH on February 06, 2016, 10:17:58 PM
Who is Rabasas Turner and why is he not playing more minutes for Webster?

Shhhhhh. Secret weapon.

Sophomore guard just starting to get more court time. Has a very nice shot, playing some improved D. He and freshman Evan Milligan combined for 38 of Webster's 79 points against Fontbonne today.

hopefan · February 07, 2016, 12:47:37 PM

Sunday morning SLIAC wrapup...

Webster at Fontbonne... best atmosphere I've seen at this game in a regular season situation... what a shame this rivalry isn't supported more by the two communities, the two student bodies...Yes there were some people in the stands, but likely 70% were families of players, cheerleaders, dancers, or of kids who played at halftime of the women's game... Kudos to Fontbonne for going all out in promoting the game on their campus.. big signs, beat Webster tshirts, lots of other knickknacks handed out or for sale... and Major kudos to the 30 or 40 Fontbonne students who made enough noise for everyone.. true, Fontbonne AD Maria Eftink had to go over and 'monitor' them, but these guys were a major part of the loud atmosphere and were entertaining, not threatening... it's just a shame that there weren't 300 Fontbonne students finding their way to a quarter of the gym, not just 30... and Kudos to the Webster cheerleaders, who tried in vain to bring up the same volumes.. only trouble was, I'm not sure there were ANY Webster students there... disappointing...

As for the hoops, a great women's game preceded the men's game...huge 4th quarter comeback by Webster, who was down by 14 in the 3rd Q, and a game winning 3 by Gorlock guard Kelsey Miller with 14 second left.. Miller has a career day 7 for 10 from 3's, 26 points to lead the way... Unfortunately, some in the crowd thought that was the end of the day and left.. don't you just hate it when the crowd decreases by a 3rd when the women's game is completed?
Fontbonne men put up a strong effort in the first half, down 3 at half time, but the balloon seemed to burst when Ben Kissing went down with an ankle/foot injury in the first minute of the 2nd half... there just didn't seem to be a way that a 4 guard lineup could match up with bigger, quicker, more athletic Webster.. and yet when it came down to it, rebounding was even.. what was way out of whack was again the difficulties the Webster zone causes.. generating 21 Fontbonne turnovers to only 7 for the Gorlocks, which leads to more field goal attempts, thus more free throw attempts, and more made hoops.... it's an easy concept... WUH and YJACK were right.. Rabassa Turner, Evan Milligan, getting more and more minutes.. Turner a nice shooter, has been given the green light.. Milligan can shoot the 15 footer, and very effective around the hoop... the two of them have gradually made a major change in the mix of minutes doled out by Coach Bunch, and added the offense that Webster was badly missing 2 to 3 weeks ago. Big win for Webster, keeps them in 4th ahead of a logjam of others... the loss just about does it for Fontbonnes tourney chances, will need to win out to get to 10 wins...

From the box scores...
Spalding always tough at home beats IWU*** easily... IWU*** had a favorable home schedule early in the year, finding it tough to win on the road... and they still have to go to Eureka and Webster... Brandon Goeing gets 26 for Spalding... this was a must win for Spalding, at 7-7, still very much alive for tourney spot....

AND THEN three games come down to the finish... the phrase, "MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS" becomes crucial..

Greenville again collapses at the end of a game, but holds on to win over Mac 124-123... Greenville has a 33 point lead with 12 minutes left!!! to a 20 point lead with 8 minutes left.....to a 12 point lead with 5 minutes left...to an 8 point lead with 2 and a half left.....to a 4 point lead with 1 minute left, to a 2 point lead when Mike Cameron hits with 48 seconds left... Mac gets the ball back when GC misses from the field, gets fouled and can tie!!!... and MISSES two fts... Gc makes one of 2, Mac down 3 somehow gets a two point Fg (not a 3point attmpt?)and Greenville wins by one. This puts Mac and Greenville into a tie for 1st, along with IWU***and Westmin, all at 9-5.. Mac and Greenville split two tight decisions....

Westmin wins at home vs Eureka.. a thriller....91-90... Eureka up 2 at 20 seconds, Westmin fouls, Eureka makes only 1 of 2 to go up 3, Westmin scores quickly to cut it to 1, fouls at 14 seconds and Eureka misses 2 fts!!! Westmin's Jimmy Villalabos scores at the buzzer for a one point win!!! The win keeps Westmin in a tie for first, with the loss all but eliminating Eureka from the playoff picture. A crying shame for Eureka, who has been extremely competitive, but come up just short in several games....

Finally Blackburn beats Prin in OT...Should have been Prin's first win... huge win for Blackburn instead, keeping them in the mix for a playoff spot... and what happened... guess.. close game in 2nd half, Prin always ahead or tied... up 2 in last minute, gets fouled with 10 seconds, shooting 1 and 1 for the win, MISSES!!! BC gets fouled at 5 seconds,makes 2, overtime, and BC dominates....

No names mentioned, just sad for the guys who missed....

hopefan · February 07, 2016, 05:49:50 PM

I've kept the suspense up, haven't I??

What time is it? Football game, what football game?

It's.... hopefan player of the week time!!!!

In each of my prior selections, I've given the award to a player whose outstanding performance led his team to two conference wins... there were two situations like that this week... Nick Carlos had two good games in wins for Westmin, and Chris Davis led Blackburn to two critical wins also...

BUT

This week one guy had such a week, did so much for his team, I have to step away from my prior routine...
Despite the fact that his team suffered two excruciating losses, I have to award this week's hopefan player of the week to Shea Feehan of Eureka College... his stats for two games are just too much to ignore....
25 for 35 from the field, 71%; 4 of 9 from 3's; 16 of 20 from ft, 13 rebounds (he's a 6 foot guard); 6 assists; and with all that activity, only 2 turnovers!!! an absolutely incredible week!!!

WUPHF · February 08, 2016, 12:36:03 PM

Looking at the stats from both Shea Feehan and Nick Carlos and the box score, it seems to me that Eureka vs. Westminster may have been one of the better SLIAC games played all season. I am waiting to hear from our resident Eureka fan.

hopefan · February 08, 2016, 05:54:34 PM

Quote from: WUH on February 08, 2016, 12:36:03 PM
Looking at the stats from both Shea Feehan and Nick Carlos and the box score, it seems to me that Eureka vs. Westminster may have been one of the better SLIAC games played all season. I am waiting to hear from our resident Eureka fan.

Don't think ECred made the trip!!!!

WUPHF · February 08, 2016, 06:01:00 PM

But surely he watched the live feed...

You and the SLIAC were in agreement this week with Shea Feehan getting the official SLIAC player of the week honors.

hopefan · February 08, 2016, 07:47:33 PM

Quote from: WUH on February 08, 2016, 06:01:00 PM
But surely he watched the live feed...

You and the SLIAC were in agreement this week with Shea Feehan getting the official SLIAC player of the week honors.

SLIAC.org getting better every week!!!

WUPHF · February 09, 2016, 02:38:47 PM

I like to read the Webster Journal when I see it and the latest issue features an interesting editorial on Division III sports: http://websterjournal.com/2016/02/03/heres-the-thing-division-three-sports-do-matter/

I am not sure if the editorial is worth reading, but is good for a laugh in what was clearly an honest mistake and apropos for one of our previous conversations:

Even a SLIAC conference team has sent players to the pros. Jack Sikma played for Iowa Wesleyan. The 6'11" center was drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1977 NBA draft.

Not to mention this one:

Oh, and a couple more NBA players you may know played DIII. Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman played at Central Arkansas and SE Oklahoma State, respectively.

Besides the mistakes, the student-journalist probably needs to go back to the drawing board on this on as it is not clear at all what he is advocating for. Is he not happy with Webster athletics? I believe most Gorlock teams are exceeding his standard for good coaching.

hopefan · February 09, 2016, 02:48:48 PM

Quote from: WUH on February 09, 2016, 02:38:47 PM
I like to read the Webster Journal when I see it and the latest issue features an interesting editorial entitled on Division III sports: http://websterjournal.com/2016/02/03/heres-the-thing-division-three-sports-do-matter/

I am not sure if the editorial is worth reading, but is good for a laugh in what was clearly an honest mistake and apropos for one of our previous conversations:

Even a SLIAC conference team has sent players to the pros. Jack Sikma played for Iowa Wesleyan. The 6'11" center was drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1977 NBA draft.

Not to mention this one:

Oh, and a couple more NBA players you may know played DIII. Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman played at Central Arkansas and SE Oklahoma State, respectively.

Besides the mistakes, the student-journalist probably needs to go back to the drawing board on this on as it is not clear at all what he is advocating for. Is he not happy with Webster athletics? I believe most Gorlock teams are exceeding his standard for good coaching.

y_jack_lok · February 09, 2016, 05:34:06 PM

Quote from: WUH on February 09, 2016, 02:38:47 PM
I like to read the Webster Journal when I see it and the latest issue features an interesting editorial on Division III sports: http://websterjournal.com/2016/02/03/heres-the-thing-division-three-sports-do-matter/

I am not sure if the editorial is worth reading, but is good for a laugh in what was clearly an honest mistake and apropos for one of our previous conversations:

Even a SLIAC conference team has sent players to the pros. Jack Sikma played for Iowa Wesleyan. The 6'11" center was drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1977 NBA draft.

Not to mention this one:

Oh, and a couple more NBA players you may know played DIII. Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman played at Central Arkansas and SE Oklahoma State, respectively.

Besides the mistakes, the student-journalist probably needs to go back to the drawing board on this on as it is not clear at all what he is advocating for. Is he not happy with Webster athletics? I believe most Gorlock teams are exceeding his standard for good coaching.

As long as we're pointing out mistakes in the editorial, there's this one: "One of the greatest all-around athletes in the history of sports played DIII sports–Jim Thorpe...Thorpe attended Carlisle Indian Industrial school." Never mind that the NCAA three division alignment did not come into effect until around 1975, that Jim Thorpe died in 1953, or that the school no longer exists as an educational institution. Mistakes do get attention, though.