MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

So Fontbonne, Webster and Mac all lose close to decent competition tonite.  I was really hoping tonite would be a turnaround for the conference  ....  Unfortunately those were exactly the kind of games the SLIAC has to win to earn any respect.   

Sadly Darryl, this may be as down of a year as can be imagined.  It's all the more disappointing because I thought the conference was pretty decent last year - Webster, Blackburn and Prin were all good and Maryville and Fontbonne were capable of beating people, though they rarely did.   and I'm sure Greenville beat chiro last year.....

I'm a little surprised that you've gone gloom-and-doom tonight, Hopefan. As FCnews said, Maryville's defeat of McKendree is absolutely huge for the SLIAC. Yes, McKendree is down this season -- they're 4-7 and they have some real head-scratching losses -- but they're annually one of the best NAIA-1 teams in the entire midwest. Their head coach, Harry Statham, is the winningest coach in college basketball history with 900 W's in the book; he passed Dean Smith's 880 coaching wins last season to set a new record.

Even in a down year for McKendree, this is the kind of win that should make every SLIAC fan hold his head a little higher.

[Daryl L Lloyd]

Greg, go back to the CCIW board and leave us bottom feeders to dwell in our own self pity.

FC:  I'd bring more than the hatchet, more like a chainsaw, I'm not sure there'd be much left of the competition if you left me get hold of them.  Surprisingly I'm not sure if I even got a single foul in my only collegiate (JV) bball game. I'm always afraid Ill really hurt someone when your not supposed to.  Ill leave basketball to those that were meant to play it, I was meant to watch.  My brother and Steven are doing well, thank you for asking. 

We shall have to see about Webster in the conference.  Right now, I dont know what to expect.  Hopefully they can pull together.  Looks like the loss of 3 of 5 starters (2 all conference players) is hurting them right now.  I think they have the talent, they just need to put it together to compete.  0 and 5 isnt looking nice right now.       

[hopefan]

Greg - as my writeup indicated, I was very excited about Maryville's win - I KNOW about Maryville.  What I was saying is that there were 3 other games last night against similar (to SLIAC) level  competition that SLIAC teams couldn't win - That they needed to win.  Doom and Gloom for the conference - YES  - my gosh, we have 4 teams who have yet to win, and only 1 win against an NCAA - D3 team.
We have yet to beat the Concordias, Eurekas, Monmouths and Dominicans that are not exactly the upper crust of Midwest Basketball.   It does not paint a pretty picture, except to say there could be some very entertaining competitve conference games unless Maryville runs away with things - and I don't see that happening.

And despite what Darryl says, you're welcome here any time!!!!

[MU fan]

Hi board, first time posting on the SLIAC!!!  The Maryville game was exciting last night.  Every person hopefan mentioned that had a good game was a senior if anyone noticed.  These guys will pull the Maryville program back up to where it was two years ago when they won conference.  It was a huge thing for Hebl to get his game going because he struggled in all five of the opening games of the year.   When he shoots the ball well, Maryville gets into a constant flow because Bash and Reagan are always so solid.  It is almost expected for them to put up constant numbers.  All of those five seniors played between 23-32 minutes, which is a lot of minutes in Rogers system.

I was kind of down on Mayville early in the year because they haven't looked solid or consistent, but last night was a major glimpse of hope.  If MU can stay consistent as a team, the sliac could be in trouble this year.  It is only the first game they have played this well, so lets see if Rogers can keep them going in the right direction.

[hopefan]

good post MUfan - welcome - this site is alot of fun - if you plan on continuing to write, we'll have to introduce ourselves at a game  -  there aren't too many people around to intelligently talk with about the Maryville program.

[Daryl L Lloyd]

Why of course Mr. Sager is always more than welcomed here, I do not know what came over me.  

Welcome MU Fan, right now seems like the team to beat is going to be Maryville,  perhaps if they keep on getting better and more consistent, they can give a tourney team a run for there money, (IF they make it that far).  This early in the season that is a big IF.  Never the less, congrats to MU on the win, hopefully the rest of the SLIAC can rebound and make this season interesting.  

[MU fan]

I will be posting from now on.  Just so you have a little bit about my background and you know how biased I might actually be at times, try not to be though.  I was the point guard at Maryville last year and now I announce the games for their saintscast. 

Hopefan, I think I know who you are just from seeing you at our games last year but you should come up and talk to me at the next game.  My name is Andrew Hulbert and I normally sit at mid court announcing the game.

[fcnews]

Daryl - You could be one of FC's annual Mid season pick ups. If I'm not mistaken though, chain saws are only allowed by visiting teams.

Contrary to last nites post there are some bright spots in Griffin world. One freshmen (McCoy) leading the conference in scoring and another (Sorandt) leading in rebounds. Brian Fogerty a 6'5 fr. from Winfeild was shooting 69% from the feild and last nite went 4-5 and added 7 rebounds.

FC usely relaods as opposed to rebuild. But, you can teach an old dog knew tricks. This might be the best freshmen class since coach left Mo Bapt.

One side light to last nites game: Coach McKinney, who is not a stranger to getting a T from time to time, Actually got one last night for saying, and I quote word for word " You are going to force me to go zone or I won't have any players left in the game." This was heard by the table and about 25 fans in the area. Honestly I can't make this kind of stuff up.

Early Picks for Postseason Play:
1. MU - on the strenght of last nites win
2. Webster - well coached and the Hawiian and Spinner still can win games for you.
3. FC - yep I said that
4. tie - Blackburn or Greenville (whoever can hold home court)

There you go pot shots welcome.

[Mac Attack]

Reflections on MacMurray's 89-83 loss to Monmouth...

Scots gradually pulled away in first half, and built a lead of 15 minutes into the second half. Highlanders caught fire behind 3-point line, hitting five of seven (Hipshir led the way) to tie the game 80-80 with less the three minutes to play. A series of missed shots and turnovers kept it close down to the wire. Mac only trailed by two with less than 20 seconds, but Scots nailed their free throws to put it away. For the most part, much better performance by Mac. Free throw shooting was terrific (12-14) and turnovers (while still too many at critical times) were down (20). Three-point shooting was as good as could be expected (13-37), but for the night Mac was 29-70 from the field, and that's not going to get it done. Hipshir, Compton, Robertson, and Eberhart all played very well. Half-court defense still suffers from too many breakdowns which lead to lay-ups. The line-up and player rotation continues to change. Looks like the coach is putting more and more emphasis on 94-foot results, which is a good thing. Players can't be one-diminsional or show up every fourth or fifth game. Bottom line is Mac is 0-5. Not good. In four of the five losses, Mac was in a position to win with less than three minutes to play. Highlanders have battled, but come up short each time. Must keep looking ahead and hope for better days. Combined record of the next five opponents is something like 8-18, starting Saturday night against Cornell in Mac's first home game of the season. As I stated earlier, Mac should be favored in four of these games, and could win all five. If Mac can get over the hump and win a few, I think they'll be right in the thick of the SLIAC. I'm horribly biased ("blind allegiance") but I see Mac in the post season and possibly winning it all. Tough to make that statement after starting 0-5, but check back with me on this prediction in about a month... Let's hope for the best and continue to support these hard-working young men.

Go Highlanders!

P.S. to MacMurray SID. Time to update stats, pictures, etc.

[hopefan]

mufan... maybe you can set me up for a halftime interview!!!!!!   I'll say hi - though I believe I have a conflict for the Mo Bap game and I'm not going to the islands  (hmmm  -does MU have a spot for the "radio guy" on the trip in their budget?)   I'll have to look forward to WashU and conference.  Incidently,  Coach reads this - we joke about my posts often.  I think you and I could have some good conversations.

[MU fan]

Nope, no trip to the Bahamas for me.  I was going to go but ended up having to work over that time, so I will be stuck in the office instead of laying in the sun.  Rogers had to make the trip a year after I was done, not fair.

[hopefan]

Well Greenville beat the chiros, (for which they took a lot of grief on the front page blog), but the phamacists came out and whipped them tonite.

[J-Kidd]

Yup, Greenville lost to St. Louis Chiropractic today by 3 points.  Newsflash from G-Ville basketball though - Scott Foster, the team's leading returning scorer from last year and leading scorer so far this season will be out for the rest of the season.  There was some off the court issues and he wont suit up for Greenville again.  G-ville was having trouble putting up enough points on the board in the first place, so now some other guys are gonna have to really step it up.  Bryson Taylor, Matt Greene, and Josh Reams did a good job tonite.  Stlcop went 8-14 from the 3pt.

[fcnews]

FC losses to a very mature and physical William Penn team by 15. Not much to say. WM. Penn's maturity was to much for the young Griffins.

[Daryl L Lloyd]

FC:
  No pot shots from me, I havent watched to many games this year though.  Your pre-picks for post season play line Webster against FU in the SLIAC tourney opener, that could be interesting.  If those end up being the top four, anything can happen.  Especially with the inconsistancy of many of these teams.  Still a long season of ball left to play, so right now its to early to tell in my opinion.