MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Cleary Fontbonne sorely missed Fogerty tonight. They also miss Trevor White. It would have been a different game if Fogerty hadn't been benched. So the next time these two teams meet expect a closer game.

I was going to say something negative about one of the Webster transfer non-starters game performances over the first six games, but I will bite my tounge. Well, I will say this  much: there should be enough evidence now to suggest that other players ought to be getting some of those minutes.

[fcnews]

Yjak - I'm not sure even the player that didn't dress would of made any difference tonite. It was obvious that FU's 2+ weeks off didn't help. It was just a very poor performance by the boys tonight. The only plus is that in the scope of a season this game is not the end of the world. It's whoever wins the last two games in february.

[sully309]

Eureka tops Blackburn 63-50. Blackburn played hard, but not all that well. Really, this game was a far cry from the 2 very entertaining match ups they played against each other last season. Of course, I'm always entertained when EC wins...

Darnall was held in check until the very end when Blackburn tied it up at 50. EC scored the final 13 points. Zasada, Wildenradt, Beecher and several from the bench stepped up big time in this game. This is what should happen at home.

Blackburn just really had a tough time shooting the ball. They were 5-27 on 3-pointers. Baro, who was their leading scorer coming in, was 1 for 13. BC has a player, Obie Farmer, who was a force on the offensive glass and scored 9 points.  He is one big dude.  BC started 4 freshman and Sr. PG Waters. I'm not sure this is the best idea, but it worked in their last game vs. RMC-Springfield. Plus, it will help in future years to get these guys some heavy minutes. Maybe the returnees aren't putting forth the effort in practice? Smith, Baro and Lamsargis played well at times last year, but did very little tonight that would merit more p.t.

Eureka had a pretty balanced attack in this game, which was good to see. The Devils continue to improve a little bit each time out as they get used to the new system.  The defense has improved greatly from last season from what I can see. If this team can scratch out 65 points a game, they'll be tough to beat.

Well, well, well...Mr. Hoggatt played after all. I believe I had that one, didn't I? I guess you can't believe all the campus rumors fcnews circulates 

You can say it's early in the year...and you would be right. But, these games count just as much as they do in January and February. Webster just shellacked the preseason No. 1 by 22 at their place. That's a statement where I come from, boys and girls.

Speaking of statements, who would have thought heading into the Conf. Tourney last season that Prin would win at Mac to begin SLIAC play the following season? Ouch!

If you look at their results, the Prin Panthers are actually playing some pretty good ball. I'm happy for them. I just hope it ends Saturday, because they will be visiting Reagan country. I mean, they held Mac to 34% shooting and Chris Watts scored 27. We should have a good game on our hands here Saturday.

WestMo creams Maryville 82-61. I thought this might be closer, but I'm not all that surprised. The Blue Jays have a good squad. Meanwhile, Edgewood is 2-3 and that win MU had over them to begin the year isn't looking so great after all. We'll have to see what the Saints can do at the Beaver Dome Saturday.  Greenville @ Westminster is probably the best looking game on paper Saturday though.

Hope, I tried to call you and left a message. No call back. What up? I don't have anyone else's phone number, so I'm relying on you dude!

At any rate, I kept the score updated on the d3hoops and SLIAC site as much as I could. I'll do that for all home games this season.

[fcnews]

Yes ECSid you were right Darrin played 18 mins. and scored 2 pts. (1-6). They could of rested him and still have won by 20.

[buncheriffic]

Well folks, sorry for the delay in my posting. I guess you can say the celebrating lasted a little longer than anticipated.

Here's what I brought home from the game last night:

Coach Bunch is hands down the classiest coach in the SLIAC. Competing against a bitter rival and up by 30 with 12 to go, Bunch sent in his second (third) line. Probably would have been a 40 point game otherwise.

[buncheriffic]

I guess Fogerty did put up 23 against Moody Bible.
I doubt his assistance would have done much for the Griffins last night.

That's what happens when teams play Moody Bible I guess. We beat that ass.

Cleary Fontbonne sorely missed Fogerty tonight. They also miss Trevor White. It would have been a different game if Fogerty hadn't been benched. So the next time these two teams meet expect a closer game.

[fcnews]

So right Buncherific. Coach Bunch is a class act. And went deep into his bench. And yes it was a 31 pt. lead at one time. Probably a big enough lead you could of even saw some time.

Webster definately paid FU back for cutting down the nets last February in the Gorlock House.

It's a long season and I don't think any of WU's players are coaches are making reservations for the NCAA Tourney, yet.

[hopefan]

Random thoughts on the Fontbonne Webster debacle

I had been told that Fogarty would not play a week prior, though my source refused to make it public here and held me to secrecy.  There was no doubt in my mind that without Fogarty, Fontbonne was in for a tough night.  Even when the Hoggett rumor came out, Fontbonne's depth was just going to make it highly unlikely that they could stay with Webster.  Add to that the element of not getting in the game with Robert Morris, not having the opportunity to play a game without Fogarty, really hurt the Griffs.

As I had stated earlier, knowing that Fogarty would not be playing, Fontbonne's bench would be woefully short.  Unfortunately, each of Fontbonne's 3 big men (Storandt, Dressler, and Lovett) are pretty much pivot men only . Not much they are capable of doing from the wing - that hurt any rotation all the more - They really couldn't run much offense with more than 1 of the big guys in there.  Neither Rapp nor Abozen were effective coming in for the rest of the guys.

I admire the way Storandt plays - very hard, lots of hustle- if Robinson can get 10, 12, 14 points a game within Websters offense, Storandt, who is bigger, should be able to do the same for Fontbonne-  he needs to quit all of the attempts of fancy footwork and body fakes, keep the ball high,  and just go to the basket with his size and athleticism.

Parker - wow - last year he dominated games- he controlled the offense - this year, you don't even notice he's on the court .    FC is he really at 80% ? ?-  it didn't look it last night....

Fontbonne has enough talent to beat any other team in the conference badly - but for a big game against the big rival, they sure didn't play very well, given the number of "veterans" in the starting lineup....

AHHHH and Webster......
Coach Bunch has a real problem... when you have 6 or 7 guys on the bench who could probably start for most other SLIAC teams, and who do everything that is asked of them by Coach, how do you get them all sufficient playing time???  - You don't.
And it's tough - but I Love the way Steigenmier and Regan and Jungk and Whitcombe come off the bench and get on the floor for the ball, play tough Defense, fly to the boards for rebounds.  I also like the way Coach has changed his lineup game to game to reward, for instance Stegimier earlier in the season, and Hrdlicka now.  And I forgot to mention Paradoski - who had his best game to date taking the ball to the basket in traffic several times.

Really wish Hoggett had been able to play vs IWU - to see the difference it might have made. 

Most improved player since last season - Brad Robinson  -  I really think Coach Bunch specializes in working with big guys - he took a slow footed guy in Hoggett and turned him into a world beater last year, and now Robinson who last year appeared to have little basketball knowledge, now with that little shovel shot on the move to the basket is  tough to stop, and simply a dominant factor on the boards in the SLIAC.

MVP after one league game  -  Hrdlicka - hustles eveywhere, and shows himself to be a pretty good offensive player, as he can shoot from the perimeter and take it to the basket too.  Big question is, when will he go to the coach Bunch look with that hair of his.......

Favorite player to watch - Colin Regan - 'Watch out here I come' - Please coach, you gotta find him more minutes....

I have to miss the games this weekend - off to KC for a quick visit - will look forward to reports of the action!!!!

[hopefan]

?

Finally someone else is posting today.
I thought maybe Webster's performance left people more speechless than a first viewing of 2 girls 1 cup.

buncherific - that must be a college thing - i don't have a clue as what that is referring to - why don't you explain yourself

[buncheriffic]

I agree with Hopefan on Bunch's coaching techniques - it is hard to get everyone in the game, but he did play 18 last night. That is unusual of course. Having good players only makes everyone try harder, that's for sure.

I did notice 10 team rebounds for webster in the stats. I wonder who those belonged to.

Kudos again to Coach Bunch and his mini-army.

[y_jack_lok]

Favorite player to watch - Colin Regan - 'Watch out here I come' - Please coach, you gotta find him more minutes....

Just a quick correction for hopefan. The Regan you like is Kyle, not Colin.

At one point last night hopefan, who likes to keep stats during the game, looked down to his lineup card to record a Webster bucket. Before he could look up Kyle Regan had stolen the ensuing inbounds bass, made a layup, and was on his way back down court. I had to tell hopefan what had taken place, it happened that fast.

[Gregory Sager]

?

Finally someone else is posting today.
I thought maybe Webster's performance left people more speechless than a first viewing of 2 girls 1 cup.

buncherific - that must be a college thing - i don't have a clue as what that is referring to - why don't you explain yourself

Believe me, Hopefan, you don't want to know.

I did notice 10 team rebounds for webster in the stats. I wonder who those belonged to.

Nobody. A team rebound occurs when a missed shot goes out of bounds before anybody secures the rebound, and your team is awarded possession. A deadball rebound occurs when the first of two foul shots is missed, since the ball is "dead" and the team taking the foul shots is automatically going to get another shot.

[sully309]

Right, the important thing is team rebounds count toward the team total for rebounds, while dead ball rebounds do not. You also get dead ball rebounds on missed shots at the end of a period, when the ball bounces off the rim over the backboard (without being touched) and when there's a foul called before someone gains control after a missed shot.

Good inside scoop from y_jak on Hopefan's stats troubles. You don't find those kinds of details everyday.

Easy, Buncheriffic on the innuendos...this is a family environment! 

[BunchTime]

I too agree with your assessment, Hopefan.  Coach Bunch and Seiner have definitely assembled a gem of a recruiting class.  And I also believe about 5 or 6 guys coming off Webster's bench would start for most teams in the SLIAC.  Not a bad "problem" to have, I just hope he can keep them all happy.  All in all, this group seems like a pretty unselfish team though, so I think he will be fine 

As for Robinson, I knew once Bunch straightened out his footwork and court awareness, he would be a force in the SLIAC.  A kid that big with ahleticism, who works so hard, is bound to be a force in this conference.  And Steigmeir is one of those guys who doesn't get justice by any boxscore, but is invaluable peice of any good team -- a guy who gets after it, provides a spark off the bench, and a hard practice player.  I am also happy to see Paradoski had a nice game.  I think as the season progresses he will become an important part of this team.   By season's end, he will put together a nice season.

Can anyone imagine how good this team will be once Hoggat and Kuhn play to last seasons form.  Remember folks, this team has gone 3-3 against some tough competition without much help from Hoggatt, and especially Kuhn -- who are both well under last season's scoring avergaes.

As for as the class of Coach Bunch, it was never in doubt my friends.  He has and continues to represent Webster in an outstanding manner.  Bunch is not one to believe in running up scores.

[FU Fan]

Hey Buncherrific
If you think the absence of Fogerty made no difference in that game against your beloved Webster, you must have a house in left field.
Fontbonne's defense was horrible.
If these guys continue to go after steals and not stay in position on defense the turn overs will skyrocket.
You know Webster did shot well and also got the" 3 dribble on the rim shot ", the"1080 around the rim toiletbowl shot " and the " I hope I get lucky at the buzzer shot "
Fontbonne took bad shots and also should have made some that didn't go.
Bunch did the honorable thing when up by 30.
Fontbonne played in desperation and it showed.
BUT to think Fogerty would have made no difference. Better ask Darrin how that ankle would have felt if he had played.
I think it would have been slight more gimpy from the extra minutes and the harder time he would have gotten.
You lost last year bud, you lost. Get over it