MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Mac Attack · January 09, 2006, 08:02:58 AM

Mac played well against Blackburn and probably should have won. But until the half court defense tightens up, the turnovers reduced, and the team shoots about 15 fewer three-point shots a game, Mac is going to have games like this.

Hard to say that a 2-9 team is headed in the right direction if the coach "keeps playing the main ten guys." The team and rotation that Mac used in its first game against Millikin was by far the best Mac played all season. Unfortunately, the decision was made to give deference to some upperclassmen in hopes their "experience" would help. The results are clear. Say what you want, and I'm a huge Highlander fan, but the numbers don't lie. It's a real shame. This team had the potential of winning 15 games or more. Not now, although Mac could still compete for one of the four play-off spots.

I heard that Greene will be on campus the second semester, but not play. Also heard he plans on returning to the team next fall, but can't confirm that. Another talented freshmen, Sanders, is hoping to return next season as well. From what I've seen, Greene and Sanders, along with a third very good freshmen, Evan Birch (injured), represent the future of Mac basketball if they can rebound from medical and other hardship issues. Another player who apparently is out for the second semester is Long, who is probably Mac's best long-distance shooter. These four kids had a lot to offer - but were rarely given the chance. Now that all four of them have apparently been sidelined for the second semester, it's up to the "main ten."

Hopefully some new recruits, along with the return of the four players mentioned above - mixed in with the upperclassmen who will be back - can lead Mac out of the SLIAC wildnerness in 06-07. Until then, we'll just have to hope for the best.

hopefan · January 09, 2006, 08:10:12 AM

If not by injury, how in he world can a team lose four crucial pieces, and have those four pieces represent the future of the program. Something sounds very very wrong at Mac, whether it's discord, grades, suspension, whatever. Too bad, because I was very impressed with Mac and how they seemed to come on 2nd semester last year.

Mac Attack · January 09, 2006, 09:35:22 AM

Just from what I saw earlier in the season, these four kids had a lot to offer. They were athletic, played strong half court and full court defense, tough rebounders, and could score. Sanders played on the JV team, but he was a stud. The other three had terrific "upside," but were rarely given a chance to play on the varsity. From what I heard from others closer to the program, there weren't suspensions or discord. All of them wrere/are great kids. Combination of medical, academic, and financial issues. I don't believe I said that any of these kids were "crucial pieces" to this year's team, although all four would have continued to improve each time they stepped on the floor. Guess my point was - as a coach and as a program, do you want to go with kids who are (1) going to get better as the season unfolds and (2) will be with the program for the next 3-4 years? Or do you want to go 7-17 with pretty much the same kids that you went 9-16 with the season before, three or four of whom are seniors? That's always a tough call for a coach who wants to see his upperclassmen "go out on top." But reality dictates that's not happening at MacMurray. The Highlanders very well could make a run in the SLIAC and make it to the post-season and I hope they do, but as I said earlier, I think their hopes are fading - especially if Kowa can't play because of an injury. Bottom line is the 2-8 start was a bitter pill to swallow - then losing the four younger players who had so much promise makes an already difficult situation even more perilous. I hope they can turn it around. The coach is a terrific person and the kids play hard every night. It just hurts that what once seemed like such a promising season has apparently started to unravel.

Gregory Sager · January 09, 2006, 09:47:22 AM

Quote from: Mac Attack on January 09, 2006, 08:02:58 AMMac played well against Blackburn and probably should have won.

This makes about five or six MacMurray postmortems in which you've stated that the Highlanders "should have won" the game, MA. The problem with stating this again and again is that you do it to diminishing returns. Every time you make this assertion it gets a little less believable, particularly in light of the fact that MacMurray is now 2-9 and thus isn't doing much on the court to dispel other people's doubts about them.

I'm not seeking to give you a hard time, just telling you that from where I sit it's getting more and more difficult to believe you when you keep telling us that MacMurray should've won this game or that game.

Mac Attack · January 09, 2006, 12:16:03 PM

I understand. It's very frustrating. The point I'm trying to make - and obviously not doing a very good job of it - is Mac looked VERY good in the early going, especially against Millikin and in the Illinois College Tournament. Based on the play of the kids who were playing at that time and the competition, it looked to me like Mac could beat teams where the match ups were close to even. But that has turned out to not be case. Evidence being the six point loss to Monmouth, six point loss to Central (Ia), five point loss to Rockford, and one point loss to Blackburn. Mix in the three point loss to Millikin and four point loss to Concordia (Il) and you get the picture. Looks like a team that can play close with most team its own size and comparable ability level - but not win. The other point I was trying to make - again, not making it very well - was maybe the record would have been different had some of the younger players been allowed to play more. In my opinion - as a fan and someone who has followed Mac basketball for a long time - it looked to make like some of the younger players were more athletic and had more potential than some of the upperclassmen. But all of that is now useless speculation, with four of the most promising younger players sidelined for the second semester. While I will still enjoy going to the games home and away and giving Mac 100% of my support, I'm afraid this season will fall into the "opportunity lost" category.

fcnews · January 09, 2006, 03:43:02 PM

In this win Now world we are in it's tough to wait on the future. It's easy to expect to much out of 17-18 yr. old kids.

FU added two players to it's roster. Hang On!, both are freshmen. Garrett Shepard, a 6'6 230 lb. post player from Salem, Mo. and Matt Reeb, 6'0 guard from Metro East - Lutheran, Matt transferred home from Millikin.

This brings FU's freshmen class to 12 strong. FU has sights on two Juco players to add next year to give this team some maturity. The game at Mac will be a tough test for this young squad.

hopefan · January 09, 2006, 07:39:15 PM

Reeb had great stats as a Senior last year - where was he first semester?

fcnews · January 09, 2006, 10:01:39 PM

Hopefan- In my post I mentioned he transfered from Millikin University.

hopefan · January 10, 2006, 06:35:57 AM

ugh - sorry FC - Senility again

hopefan · January 11, 2006, 11:22:26 AM

No thoughts from anyone else on tonite's games???

J Kidd, what fine Greenville dining establisment do you recommend???

yjacklok · January 11, 2006, 11:57:51 AM

hopefan -- my only thought is that I hope Webster's men can come a way with a victory. Will e-mail you the game result so you can have it when you get home from Greenville.

hopefan · January 11, 2006, 12:02:46 PM

thanks yjacklok - Incidently, there will be a "reappearance" for Maryville tonite. Evidently certain issues have been cleared up... the box score addition from tonight will show who...

fcnews · January 11, 2006, 01:44:12 PM

Certain "Issues"..hummm. A soap opera cliff hanger. I'll give everybody a shout with the results from Mac. Hope my young Griffins can get it together before it's to far gone. With the Saints coming on Saturday a 0-3 start might be to big of a hole to climb out of.

On a side note. I find it interesting that all schools in the conference don't follow the same elgibility guidelines. I know FU is semester to semester, where a school like Maryville decides this issue at the start of the fall semester for the entire year. I know D3 is a different animal, but a uniform approach would seem logical. I know of no academic issues with this years Saints squad I just used them as an example. Principia has the same policies.

hopefan · January 11, 2006, 03:19:57 PM

hmmmm fcnews......let me see, if I can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.... hmmmm... wonder what his source is for that statement about eligibilty at Maryville is? hmmmm

Anyway, I'm pumped for the games tonite

gc_fan · January 11, 2006, 04:18:45 PM

Hopefan - I lived in Greenville so I can tell you about eating establishments. Out by the Interstate at the Best Western Hotel is Ethan's Place, that is pretty decent food. there is fast food McDonald's Taco Bell/KFC there as well. Chang's Chinese in that area is good. On the square is Breities Again (a 50's style diner)