MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I can understand that... but last I checked, Spalding hasn't exactly made an incredible splash on the national stage... I don't see the ploy necessarily working if that was their actual intent. Granted, conference titles could be more at stake, but still think it is a bit audacious a stunt to pull when the conference is obviously watching. Things like this are noticed by us usually after coaches have already noticed. LOL

[y_jack_lok]

Spalding though, has a bit of SLIAC history regarding surprising sitouts, reappearances... as in the year two seniors sat out their 4th year, when Spalding was still ineligible for Conference Tourney and NCAA appearances, so they could come back their 5th year when Spalding had full D3 status... that one didn't bother me, but really rubbed some people wrong....

I can understand that... but last I checked, Spalding hasn't exactly made an incredible splash on the national stage... I don't see the ploy necessarily working if that was their actual intent. Granted, conference titles could be more at stake, but still think it is a bit audacious a stunt to pull when the conference is obviously watching. Things like this are noticed by us usually after coaches have already noticed. LOL

I get the situation the hopefan is referring to. Just curious, is there anything technically wrong with this or is it just something that appears (or is) devious and calculated and possibly makes opposing coaches unhappy? Could there be legitimate reasons why players sit out a year then return?

[Gregory Sager]

There's nothing wrong with it at all. This is D3. Those players are not on scholarship. Nobody is telling them when to go to school and when to sit out. Even if a coach suggests that a player sit out a year so as to maximize a team's chances of winning a league title or garnereing a D3 tourney berth, it's still strictly the decision of the student-athlete.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There's nothing wrong with it at all. This is D3. Those players are not on scholarship. Nobody is telling them when to go to school and when to sit out. Even if a coach suggests that a player sit out a year so as to maximize a team's chances of winning a league title or garnereing a D3 tourney berth, it's still strictly the decision of the student-athlete.

Agree with Sir Sager. As I indicated before, this is DIII... sometimes people forget that decisions like sitting out a year or spending another year in college has a much more financial and social impact than elsewhere.

[hopefan]

IT'S OCT. 15.... Happy D3hoops season!!!!!!!!

[hopefan]

Reviewing several of the rosters that are posted...

Blackburn.... Center Jordan McMillen is not returning...  Not very strong, but had some scoring moves.. Everyone else that was expected is back

MacMurray... 3 junior guards, each could have contributed, not returning... Lance Buhlig (who came on strong at end of last season), Tyshawn Willis, Brock Snarski... word on the street says 2 transfers from Lincoln Land JC are looking good...

Greenville... Jamal Daniels was listed as a junior last year, but I believe he graduated.. he is not on new roster... Everyone else that was expected is back

Principia... 4 starters are back... Anumu, Davidson, Ross, Ball.... and it looks like a solid JC point Guard from Washington State was recruited.... if some bench depth can be found,  I like Prin.. this could be their year... lots of talent, just needs some direction and discipline.. new PG could be what was needed

Iowa Wesleyan... All expected are back

Spalding.... All major contributors expected back are back....

Eureka, Webster, Westmin, Fontbonne Rosters not up yet

[AndOne]

There's nothing wrong with it at all. This is D3. Those players are not on scholarship. Nobody is telling them when to go to school and when to sit out. Even if a coach suggests that a player sit out a year so as to maximize a team's chances of winning a league title or garnereing a D3 tourney berth, it's still strictly the decision of the student-athlete.

Agree with Sir Sager. As I indicated before, this is DIII... sometimes people forget that decisions like sitting out a year or spending another year in college has a much more financial and social impact than elsewhere.

And let's not forget that some schools now have 5 year integrated bachelors/masters programs where students attend an extra year and graduate with both a B.A. and M.A. Such programs are available primarily in Business and Science curriculums. With the extra coursework involved, students might choose to play 2 years, take a year of classes only, and then return to the team for the final two years of the academic program, or they might chose a 3-0-1 option. At any rate, this is now another reason why you might see a kid use his 4 years of eligibility over a 5 year period.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

When I was in college (back in the 90s), my alma mater (Goucher) and Johns Hopkins had (and I think still do) a 3-2 program. 3 years at Goucher in a BA degree then 2 years at Hopkins in an Engineering degree (with some cross-over that third year). Our starting goalie (and good friend) did that program and played the first four years with us on the men's soccer team. Strange to see him coming from the other campus for practice a few times the third year and all of the time the fourth year... but he made it work and did a great job. Best part: he graduated with a BA from Goucher and a BS (I think) from Hopkins. 2 degrees and 4 years of soccer. Not bad.

[Pat Coleman]

Except he had to play soccer for you guys and not Johns Hopkins.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

He could have played for Hopkins (was better than their goalie). He actually had that choice. Chose our team. Tip of the hat to him.

[hopefan]

Fontbonne roster now available... only expected name missing is Bryce Zimmerman... this has some consequences... as a frosh, he appeared in all games, was big around the basket and had the same size as the other big guys in the league, Spalding's Nick Trisko and Prin's Justin Ball... with continued conditioning and improvement, he may have approached that level...    of interest though, is the return of Jack Lake to the roster... Fontbonne thought a lot of him when recruited two years ago, he didn't do much as a frosh, and disappeared from the roster last year, but he's back now... 6'7" with the potential to score from the perimeter....

Webster, Westmin, Eureka rosters still not up....

[hopefan]

Just got a tip from a prominent poster of the past... Fontbonne has added D1 Eastern Illinois to their schedule.. at EIU on Dec 19. The game on November with Morthland has been designated as a JV game, though it is not showing that way yet on the posted schedule.

[WUPHF]

Just got a tip from a prominent poster of the past... Fontbonne has added D1 Eastern Illinois to their schedule.. at EIU on Dec 19. The game on November with Morthland has been designated as a JV game, though it is not showing that way yet on the posted schedule.

That is cool...Eastern Illinois plays Mizzou and SLU this Fall as well.  The Panthers are coached by Jay Spoonhour who was an assistant at both schools.  As far as small schools are concerned, the Panthers will play Eureka, Saint Francis (NAIA) in addition to Fontbonne.

[WUPHF]

Westminster was picked as the pre-season No. 1 among the coaches, followed by Spalding, Webster, Greenville and Iowa Wesleyan.  The coaches picked Principia ahead of Fontbonne at the bottom.

I am high on Westminster based on the strength of that junior class, though the press release mentions that Division II transfer Nick Carlos (24 minutes, 13 points per game) is no longer with the Blue Jays.  It looks like Westminster has added two junior transfers.

http://sliac.org/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/mbbpre16?platform=hootsuite

[hopefan]

SLIAC fans and readers.... I'm currently at Indiana's Assembly Hall to watch I.U. Play Hope College...this place has a few more seats than Blackburn!!!