MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

hopefan · January 19, 2007, 12:10:10 PM

FU Pride - I really enjoy analysis like you present, and I enjoy enhancing, agreeing or disagreeing with it ... so...

1) Play in the post is aggressive anytime with Hoggat playing hard. I don't think there were soft fouls there - if you get hit when shooting, it's going to be a foul - I thought FU did a poor job in making him get rid of the ball before he could make a move to get a shot. Less shot attempts = less fouls.

2) I agree Fournie is a very good player - but why not get him in for MCKoy in order to let MCKoy know when he's doing too much. McKoy will keep playing that kind of game if there are no repercussions.

3) Given four other VERY good offensive players, Storandt really doesn't have to score for FU. If he rebounds and plays defense, that's enough. I don't think Hoggat's big night was Storant's fault - there was no help defense except when they played zone. (I would have stayed in that zone the whole second half - if they beat me with 3's, so be it.)

4) Spinner best point guard in SLIAC - I was going to debate, but - I can't come up with a better one!!!

5) Two schools of thought on Josh - let him keep shooting, or tell him to stop shooting - I agree with the keep on shooting so his confidence doesn't go down - however, get him off the court for a couple of minutes to think about things, encourage him to go to the hoop etc - he really hurt the team last night.

6) Agreed regarding the ref - that guy is not too bad - but he likes to show the quick fuse in order to "dictate" how the referees are treated. Last year, I saw that official stare down an individual in the stands for an entire timeout because the fan had yelled something at him - something I don't think I've ever seen before.

FU_Pride · January 19, 2007, 12:23:41 PM

Hope- You have alot of good points there. Most of the fouls that bugged me with Hoggat were not the shooting fouls but instead the little bump fouls that they called a few times. But no excuses, he still played well.
- With McCoy, I don't think that bringing Fourne in for him is the right move, and if they do, they need to move White to the perimeter and put Chad on the inside, he is more comfortable there. I have a theory on how FU can use Branch and McCoy to compliment each other. And this wouldn't be an issue if Parker was still there, but he isn't so it is time to adapt the best they can. What I would do is interchange McCoy and Branch at the point. What I mean by this is when one is shooting well, move the other to the point. They are both about the same as far as ball-handling goes, with Branch maybe having the slight edge. I think this could have been a factor last night, because during the first half, McCoy was hitting, and running the point, while Branch was the off-guard and struggling from the field...just my little opinion though.
-Josh just had an off night. What you said about trying to shoot himself out of a slump, I would like that idea more if he was maybe the only true scorer on the team, but that isn't the case here. Like I said earlier, I am willing to bet the farm he won't shoot that bad again this season.
- Now on the issue of Storandt. He has to be more agressive on the offensive end, just to pose as a threat. Even though he doesn't "have" to score, it opens up Fogerty when he does, other teams can't bring the double team as easily from the other side of the paint, like Webster was doing last night, causing Fogerty to maybe force a few shots.

Those are just what I think.....lol...sorry it was a novel.....and yes that ref does have that officials "ego" we unfortunately see way too often in the SLIAC.

hopefan · January 19, 2007, 12:32:18 PM

Good post FU Pride -- we should have met last night to say hi - Will try to catch you next time I'm at Fontbonne game - which by the way, is next week vs Maryville - can't see how MU can play them, but this is a rare occasion that I'm actually looking forward to the LADY'S game!

FU_Pride · January 19, 2007, 12:36:11 PM

Sounds good...I'm actually thinking about making my way out to Maryville tomorrow afternoon....that is if the games are at Maryville??

hopefan · January 19, 2007, 12:46:19 PM

Yes Mac at MU Mac Attack is to be there too - I sit pretty high up behind the Maryville bench with my Hope hat on, and probably a Hope sweatshirt.... if not tomorrow, then Wednesday.

Mac Attack · January 19, 2007, 12:51:33 PM

Using 12-6 as a benchmark to make the post-season tournament, do we have any "must win" games on tap Saturday or next week? For example, I would think Eureka - already with three league losses - cannot afford to lose its home game tomorrow against Greenville. Must win for the Devils? I think so. What about Westminster at Blackburn? Jays are sitting on three losses and Blackburn at four. Must win for Blackburn? Certainly. Must win for the Blue Jays? Maybe. Maryville is certainly improving - but have four league losses. With MacMurray coming to town, I would think the Saints have to win this game to have any post-season thoughts. And next week, there's some more games that will probably have a dramatic impact on post-season play, depending on the outcomes - including Greenville at Westminster, Blackburn at Greenville, Webster at MacMurray, and Fontbonne at Eureka. Will Greenville run away with it? How long will MacMurray's surprise season last? Can Westminster, Eureka, and Blackburn bounce back? Has Maryville turned the corner? Will Webster and Fontbonne push their way to the top? Who will be the spoilers?

Is it too early to think about "must wins?" If its on your home turf and if a team has three or more league losses, I would say the answer is "yes."

FU_Pride · January 19, 2007, 01:03:10 PM

sounds good hope- i am about 95% sure i will be there.

sully309 · January 19, 2007, 01:12:58 PM

Guess my Fontbonne home winning streak prediction is history. That's too bad about Parker (does Eureka get extra credit for being one of the few teams to play FU with Parker in the line up?). I've seen some people reason differently, but losing him is going to hurt FU in the long run. Webster must really play up or down based on competition. What's interesting is I think that 6 of Webster's first 9 games (half of SLIAC schedule) are at home. I'm not sure how much that matters, since WU showed the ability to win a tough road game at FU.

I'm looking forward to GC/EC Saturday. This match up has lost some luster thanks to some recent losses on both sides, but it's still the game of the day as far as I'm concerned. This is the Red Devils' last hurrah if they want to finish in first place. They'll still be in the running for the tournament win or lose, but a loss puts them 3 game behind GC, which will be too much.

12-6 and 11-7 will both be good enough to make the top 4 this year. 10-8 may even get you into a tie. Look at the standings now. 4th place is only 1 game over .500. Unless a team has 6 losses already, it's way too early for must wins in my opinion. So EC, BC and MU all lose Saturday, should they all just mail in the rest of the season? I don't think so. "Must win" is one of the most over-used phrases in sports. It's not a must win until you actually MUST win to stay alive. Please don't take offense, Mac Attack. This is just one of my pet peevs in sports. I really like your posts.

Hopefan, you keep threatening to drive up to Eureka. I agree it's a long drive, but I made it down to the EC/FU game and then you were a no show. Are you trying to avoid me?

Mac Attack · January 19, 2007, 01:40:25 PM

Good post, Eureka_SID. Certainly no offense taken. That's what we're here for - to exchange information and opinions. I just don't see 11-7 or 10-8 getting a team into the post-season unless the bottom falls out for several teams. From the teams I've seen to date, I think Fontbonne, Webster, and Eureka will all finish strong, with Greenville right in the mix. MacMurray could go either way because there's such a thin margin for error. And Westminster, Blackburn, and Maryville will all be waiting right there for someone to fall. But I see Fontbonne, Webster, and Eureka all getting 12 wins or more - with Greenville probably there too, depending on how well they play on the road the next two weeks. MacMurray will be the team that either elbows its way into the picture or falls back and fights it out with the rest of the pack. The Highlander's game at Maryville looms as huge for MacMurray, as a win puts them at 7-2 at the break - with six of their final nine SLIAC games at home, including Webster, Fontbonne, Greenville, and Eureka.

You are absolutely correct - must win doesn't mean must win, unless it's a win or forget it situation. But teams put themselves in those situations two or three weeks before it hits them between the eyes. I keep hoping the nightmare at Greenville won't wind up putting MacMurray in one of those situations - we shall see.

hopefan · January 19, 2007, 01:49:12 PM

ahhh dang it Eureka SId - the doggone wife is just a slave driver - won't let me go to games 5 days this week!!!! Would you be interested in Private messaging me your cell phone no? I could call you at half and or at end of game for scores and let you know what's going on where I am. Yjak and I do that and have a blast keeping each other up. do it if you want, otherwise, don't worry about it - could come in handy as the season winds down.

Incidently - I live in Eureka Mo - the yahoo Mapquest deal says over 3 hours Eureka to Eureka!!!

fcnews · January 19, 2007, 02:15:25 PM

Hopefan - We're getting a little personal aren't we. I'm free single and a full head of hair. And, still got GAME!!! Are you jealous? LOL

Whitcomb beat FU last nite. This is the guy who even Hope had the scouting report on that will not look to shoot. Hoggatt's 11-16 fg's did not beat FU, the 14-16 ft didn't help.
Fogerty(17pts 7-10 and 16 boards) was plagued by foul trouble the whole second half. Why does fogerty not get the respect of the refs like Hoggatt. Plain and simple FU could not throw it in the ocean last night.

Josh Branch is one of the best spot up shooters I've seen in quite a while. The kid shoots at least 100 3's everyday. He had one of those once a year type games. At any point last night he could of strung 4 or 5 in a row. He was wide open!!

Point guard issue is what it is. Parker is out and that's it till next season. At this point you gotta go with what you got.

Webster played as well as they could and FU didn't. Game WU. That's basketball. FU has LCC and MU to get, while other contenders battle. Check standings this time next week.

hopefan · January 19, 2007, 02:19:56 PM

Quote from: fcnews on January 19, 2007, 02:15:25 PM

FU has LCC and MU to get, while other contenders battle. Check standings this time next week.

Excellent point.

Mac Attack · January 19, 2007, 02:22:02 PM

In terms of of SLIAC point guards, MacMurray's Seth Whalum has put together a nice season to date. Although the SLIAC website is missing four of MacMurray's games, including last night's win over Backburn, Whalum's numbers to date include:

Scoring: Whalum 14.5 (Spinner 13.4)
Assists: Whalum 2.90 (Spinner 4.07)
Free Throw% - Whalum .831 (Spinner not listed)
Steals - Whalum 2.20 (Spinner 1.21)
3Pt FG% - Whalum .381 (Spinner not listed)
3Pt FG made - Whalum 16 (Spinner 28)
Assist/Turnover Ratio - Whalum not listed (Spinner 1.54)
Minutes Played - Whalum 34.4 (Spinner 30.79)

Two pretty good players.

Beaver_SID · January 19, 2007, 02:23:43 PM

Wow, and to think I caught crap for picking Webster over FU. No need for apologies.

fcnews · January 19, 2007, 02:28:58 PM

FU JV plays in the Concordia Tournament this weekend. They play host tonight, while Concordia, WI. v. IUPUI-FW. The only reason I mention it is. Lovett and Dill will get 30 minutes a game and FU will see if their depth improves. Lovett it a great size physical and in shape. Dill has great upside transferring from Lindenwood. I will mention their debuts at a later point.