MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Webster and MacMurray are tied for 1/2 in the conference. Webster gets to host because of the tiebreaker. Westminster, Eureka, and Fontbonne are tied for 3/4/5 with records of 11-6. If they all win on Tuesday and finish at 12-6 the tiebreaker will come into play and one will be left out of the tournament. 

Let's say, however, that Greenville beats Westminster, Maryville upsets Fontbonne, and Eureka beats Principia as expected. Now you have Eureka at 12-6 and in the tournament as #3. This leaves Greenville, Westminster, and Fontbonne all with 11-7 records and the tie breaker again comes into play for #4.

There are several other scenarios that could be created, including an unlikley Principia upset of Eureka. But it all gets too complicated. Regardless of how it plays out, what ever four teams are in the tournament, any one of them can beat any other one of them. Friday and Saturday will be exciting.

[fcnews]

FU's magic number is one. A Griffin win on tuesday or a WC loss puts the kids in.

[Mac Attack]

If Greenville beats Westminster and Fontbonne beats Maryville, Eureka and Fontbonne would both finish 12-6 (assuming Eureka isn't upset by Principia). As Eureka beat Fontbonne twice, it would be Webster 1, MacMurray 2, Eureka 3, and Fontbonne 4.

If Westminster beats Greenville and Fontbonne wins at Maryville, Fontbonne is in. Still the same seed as scenario #1. Westminster is knocked out on point differential.

However, Westminster isn't done - but they need help. From  Maryville.

If Maryville pulls the upset over Fontbonne and Westminster wins at Greenville, Westminster and Eureka both finish at 12-6, Fontbonne at 11-7. Then it would be Webster 1, MacMurray 2, Westminster 3 (having swept EC), and Eureka 4.

If Maryville pulls the upset over Fontbonne and Westminster loses at Greenville, then Eureka finishes 12-6 and #3. Fontbonne, Greenville, and Westminster all finish 11-7, and I think Fontbonne gets in based on their sweep of the Jays.

Again, assuming Eureka doesn't lose to Principia.

Finally, if Greenville beats Westminster, Maryville beats Fontbonne, and Principia upsets Eureka, then Greenville, Westminster, Eureka, and Fontbonne all finish 11-7. That's not going to happen. Too many headaches.....someone else can figure that out.

I think I did this right - but other SLIAC site posters please double-check my work and make corrections if necessary...

[hopefan]

Thanks Mac, I was going to post the same- came up with same conclusions.

As I said before Font needs to get ready for Maryville and not look forward to the tourney  -  it would be a real shame for the Griffs to get upset and be pushed out after the ironman 6 have worked so hard to get where they are.   Maryville has come close so many times this year, I just fear that game for Fontbonne.

And Mac, wow, two 1 point wins without Robertson - can you imagine the downer if those had been 1 point losses!!!   Really hope Robertson is ready for Friday.

Yjak - I'll be going to Font-Maryville on Tuesday  -  hope to see you there - you too FC

And Panther - it's been a fun year and GC was competitive the whole way - hope you'll consider coming over on Friday night anyway for the men's semis  -  being nonpartisan lends an objectivity to the games that is very enjoyable!

[Mac Attack]

Any suggestions for a nice hotel close to the Webster campus to serve as home base for the MacMurray faithful next week-end?

[y_jack_lok]

Go west on I-44 about 3 miles past the exit for Webster U, which is Exit 280 - Elm Ave, and get off at the Lindbergh Blvd exit (Exit 277B). At the bottom of the exit ramp you turn right and go about a half mile to a Best Western near the corner of Lindbergh and Big Bend. This puts you in position to simply get on Big Bend Ave and drive 3 miles east to the Webster gym. Or, if you prefer, you can go back up on I-44 and go east to the aforementioned Exit 280, turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp, go up to the traffic light at Big Bend, turn right, and you are about 1/2 mile form the Webster gym.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about this motel, but as far as I know it is the closest one to Webster.

[y_jack_lok]

hopefan, gald you've chosen that as your Tuesday night game. See you there.

[fcnews]

 I'm going to check some hotel prices today. I'll post result this evening. It will take a much better effort from MU then yesterday's for some of those senerio's to come true. I'll post regarding dining and things after tuesday. Hope becareful coming home.

[Mac Attack]

Thanks, fc!

You're absolutely correct about Maryville needing something special this coming Tuesday night - but in terms of effort, the Saints gave 110%. No shortcomiongs there. But what MU will need is for most of their shots to fall for 40 minutes. They had a dozen or more in the 2nd half against Mac that went in and out, including a couple in the last 30 seconds. If those shots go down, they win. If Fontbonne is cold and relys too much on the 3 pt shot, and if Maryville lights it up, it should be a heck of a game. If the Griffins are patient, pound it inside, and really get after Maryville's guards and prevent them from spotting up, it will be a long night for the Saints.

I want to give a special shout out to the Maryville and MacMurray fans at yesterday afternoon's game in Jacksonville. I thought both groups of parents, students, and just the basketball fans who came out to support their teams were terrific. Lots of spirit, lots of enthusiasm and emotion. I didn't hear one person go after an opposing team's player, and what little was said at the officials was understated, nothing loud or over the top, and well within the bounds of decency. Refreshing to say the least after hearing some of the leatherlungs along the way this season. I met a wonderful mother of one of the Maryville players who was very, very gracious, and wished MacMurray the best of luck in the conference tournament. First class all the way around. We had a big crowd of MacMurray students who really stepped up for their team all day long. Really, really into it, but nothing insulting, personal, or offensive - just great kids having a great time watching a classic game. Both teams and their fans left it all on the floor (or in the stands...) - and it was an experience I will remember for a long, long time.

[BunchTime]

Does anyone have any word (or idea) on when the SLIAC Tourney games will be played?  I believe it is a Friday and Saturday, but I was curious as to time!  I have some other obligation on Saturday night I am just trying to determine if I will be able to listen!  If I recall correctly, I think they have typically made it an early afternoon game -- like 4 or 5, but I could be wrong!  The earlier the better for me!  Anyone passing info on would be much appreciated!

[y_jack_lok]

If you go to the SLIAC home page, click on "This Week in the SLIAC" and look at the last sentence of the first paragaph under men's basketball, you will find the following: "The Post Season Tournament will be played February 23-24 with the semi-finals Friday at 6:00 pm (2 vs 3) and 8:00 pm (1 vs 4), and the championship game at 7:00 pm Saturday".

[BunchTime]

Thank you very much Y_Jack!  Exactly what I was looking for, but with a different Saturday game time!  Thanks!

[fcnews]

Bunch - How was Eskimo Joe's ? Who won the OCU v. OCC game. When Iba was coaching at OCC they were a NAIA Power.

[BunchTime]

FC..Eskimo Joe's was a great time!  Good reccomendation!  OCU won the game to remain undefeated and 2nd in the country!  They have 8 D1 transfers -- one from Mizzou who played under Quin Snyder his first year before getting kicked off the team - Duane John!

[hopefan]

It's not every town that can boast of hosting 2 men's championship games on one day, but St  Louis does just that next Saturday.  At 3:00, Wash U hosts Chicago in a winner take all situation for the UAA championship and a D3 berth.  If Chicago wins, they win outright, if Wash U wins, they tie and Wash U will have a sweep so gets the tiebreaker.  Of course that night, the SLIC championship will be at Webster  -  for you out of towners, the campuses are only about 20 minutes apart - plenty of time to see the afternoon game, eat and get over to Webster.

In all fairness however, I will point out that the SLIAC women's championship game is also Saturday afternoon, and some may prefer the SLIAC women's action over the Wash U men.  In either case, a great opportunity to see two championship games.