MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

hopefan · August 29, 2019, 03:09:41 PM

Greg, I would think most SLIAC teams would be very competitive vs the bottom several teams in each of the conferences... heck SLIAC teams beat Millikin and Elmhurst several times in recent years.... I'd feel confident in matching them vs lower half MWC, ARC, MWC HCAC teams (notice I did not Mention CCIW or WIAC)... those teams would likely value wins against SLIAC teams, as The upper half of SLIAC teams would present 9 or more wins in conference alone.....

I really feel getting rid of the Christian Schools, the multi branch schools, the USCAA schools, EVEN the NAIA schools, all of which count for nothing in C pool consideration or in NCAA seeding would lend some amount of credibility to the SLIAC.

Gregory Sager · August 29, 2019, 03:55:24 PM

Quote from: hopefan on August 29, 2019, 03:09:41 PM
Greg, I would think most SLIAC teams would be very competitive vs the bottom several teams in each of the conferences... heck SLIAC teams beat Millikin and Elmhurst several times in recent years.... I'd feel confident in matching them vs lower half MWC, ARC, MWC HCAC teams (notice I did not Mention CCIW or WIAC)... those teams would likely value wins against SLIAC teams, as The upper half of SLIAC teams would present 9 or more wins in conference alone.....

No argument there. But it's incredibly hard to be that selective if you're attempting to construct a D3-only non-con schedule that will give you a winning record in games played outside of the SLIAC. It's rare that more than one or two SLIAC teams finishes the season with a winning record against non-con D3 opponents in a given season. There's a fine art to scheduling strategically, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's tougher for a SLIAC school than it is for schools in most other leagues

Quote from: hopefan on August 29, 2019, 03:09:41 PMI really feel getting rid of the Christian Schools, the multi branch schools, the USCAA schools, EVEN the NAIA schools, all of which count for nothing in C pool consideration or in NCAA seeding would lend some amount of credibility to the SLIAC.

More credibility? Likely so. Enough to change the perception of the league by outsiders? Probably not. For that to happen, SLIAC teams are going to have to beat Top 25 opponents a few times, or, more importantly, the SLIAC needs to finally notch a D3 tourney win. You and I both know that Webster came ultra-close to doing so against Illinois Wesleyan a few years back, and Greenville accredited itself well against Augie in March '18, but you know the old saying about horseshoes and hand grenades.

hopefan · August 29, 2019, 04:02:58 PM

Greg...good responses... +1

GU1999 · August 29, 2019, 04:13:54 PM

Typo is correct. Pool C indeed. Thx Hope.

Greek Tragedy · August 30, 2019, 08:59:45 AM

Unless you talk to coaches about their scheduling practices, I really don't think implementing rules to limit or even eliminate games against non-D3 teams is the right answer. There may be legitimate reasons to schedule these opponents ranging from open dates, travel and just "we'd rather play them than no one at all."

I think one SLIAC team mentioned has two exhibition games and two non-D3 opponents and still only has 24 games on their schedule. My initial thought is that they are having a hard time finding opponents. Most SLIAC schools don't have the luxury of being in the upper Midwest or Northeast where there are plenty of potential schools to play.

WUPHF · August 30, 2019, 10:22:32 AM

I think the league should mandate beer sales (with religious exemptions of course) at gyms.

GU1999 · August 30, 2019, 03:22:32 PM

I know that the SLIAC is a non-football league and that this is a basketball board, but I feel compelled share the following GU athletics news. With the Raiders release of WLB Brandon Marshall, it looks like 3rd year pro Nicholas Morrow (GU '17) just moved up the depth chart to take over that starting spot for Jon Gruden. That is unless they can swing a trade to bring over the great Chicago Bear Khalil Mack.

hopefan · August 30, 2019, 09:24:10 PM

Quote from: GU1999 on August 30, 2019, 03:22:32 PM
I know that the SLIAC is a non-football league and that this is a basketball board, but I feel compelled share the following GU athletics news. With the Raiders release of WLB Brandon Marshall, it looks like 3rd year pro Nicholas Morrow (GU '17) just moved up the depth chart to take over that starting spot for Jon Gruden. That is unless they can swing a trade to bring over the great Chicago Bear Khalil Mack.

Incredible that only 2 years out of a lower level D3 program, he has accomplished so much.... has he appeared at all on "Hard Knocks"?

hopefan · August 30, 2019, 10:56:18 PM

Spalding schedule is up... the 6th SLIAC team to publish....3 NCAA games, 2 tourneys where opponents will be determined... pretty strong as usual.....

Still looking for Mac, Westmin, EC, and BC

GU1999 · September 04, 2019, 04:10:37 PM

I have not watched Hard Knocks. Guessing its 50% Gruden and 50% AB. Both guys are VERY compelling characters.

Anyway, the Raiders released the depth chart and Nicholas Morrow is the starting Will backer.

WUPHF · September 04, 2019, 04:42:39 PM

In regards to schedules and rosters, I started thinking about who in the SLIAC has the fewest administrators as compared to the number of student-athletes and I think that may be Westminster with Coach Mitchell playing two roles and 18 sports including football.

Interestingly, they have a new staff member with the title of Mental Performance Coach, though that is probably a part-time position.

hopefan · September 06, 2019, 05:25:39 PM

Well wahoo... Westminster becomes the 7th of 10 SLIAC schools to post their schedule....

That leaves Eureka, MacMurray, and Blackburn competing for the 8th, 9th and 10th spots!!!!!..... Really surprised that one of them is in the running, not so much the other two.....

WUPHF · September 06, 2019, 05:34:35 PM

I do not see the schedule and I clicked in both places.

hopefan · September 06, 2019, 08:02:58 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on September 06, 2019, 05:34:35 PM
I do not see the schedule and I clicked in both places.

There are a few of us that have been permitted to purchase the specially made D3hoops computers... highly advanced, allows us to see D3 items far ahead of the average mortal poster...

,

Go to westmin schedule on their site, sub in 2019-20 for 2018-19, and voila!!!!!!

hopefan · September 07, 2019, 06:15:09 AM

Westminster must have also entered their schedule into Presto system as the schedule popped up on D3hoops schedules overnight...

note that the 2nd games in two tournaments are missing, as Westmin did not input them on their own site.... Both of these tourneys are in classic format, so opponents are known and should have been entered and would feed to D3hoops...

Westmin's other opponent at the Buena Vista Classic is host team Buena Vista on 11/15... ( as was noted in an earlier post Fontbonne is going up to the same classic... it really becomes a SLIAC-ARC "challenge")...

Westmin's other opponent at Webster Classic is Manchester on 11/23.. a SLIAC-HCAC "challenge".