MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gem Shooz]

Tough loss for Mac. Coach Creal is doing a wonderful job with the team, although it doesn't show up in the won-loss column. This team will be much improved in 2008-2009. In terms of support from the school, President Hester and AD Shelley Whitaker are extremely supportive of the basketball program. Mac is very fortunate to have them.

[furbug]

Eureka_SID:

Thanks for that great recap. What is your observation of why Brad Robinson, who had 14 points and 7 rebounds during the 19 minutes he played, was in there only that much? I see that he had 3 fouls, but that seems to be not much playing time in such a close contest, where, as you mentioned, he was strong.

[fcnews]

Also, Korey Kuhn only playing 9 minutes. Looks like it's lining up for an all Missouri Final Four at Webster. Maybe we could have a Bunch Brunch before each night of games.

[hopefan]

Ok Yjak, FC I'll be good.  While my attitude and beliefs remain the same and I don't believe I could be defined as naive regarding much about the game of D3 basketball, I will admit that one or two of my 'counterpunches' served only to exasperate the situation.

Wednesday is the big night of the SLIAC season with the top 3 teams and Maryville playing in St.Louis in games critical to the standings as well as the 'hopefan ratings'.
I know where Yjak will be, and I know where FC will be - the question is, is which game should I get to?  Also note that the two other 4th spot contenders, Geenville and Eureka play up at Eureka - the 3rd crucial game of the night.
I'd love to see each of our writers chime in on how they feel about the WU-MU  and the FU-WC and GC-EC matchups  -  what does each team need to do to get a win?  My thoughts will be out there by Tuesday also.

I was at the MU Mac game  -  Maryville had another great half ... realize that they scored 56 in the first half, and actually Held the ball their last 3 possessions of the first half, letting the shot clock run down before shooting!!!

They came out flat in the second half, and Mac played much better.  I felt bad for the Mac kids - talked briefly to Niel Compton during the lady's game and he seemed Down, but not out.   Much better than displaying an I quit attitude...  They did play a solid second half, at one point cutting a 30 point 1st half margin to 11.  I hope they get a win soon....

Despite the close games, nothing changed in my little tracking system.  Webster, with their early win at Fontbonne,  is still up +1 over Westmin and +2 over Fontbonne, and Maryville, Eureka and Greenville are even (assuming Greenville won at Prin - no score posted yet?)  Of course all that could change dramaticly on Wednesday.....

Incidently - kudos to Casey Holland of Maryville - his performance in the last several games has been consistent and at a higher level than in the past..  he has made a huge difference on the boards and in the middle on offense in some very rugged games in the last two weeks.  To my way of thinking he is the unnoticed reason for Maryville's 3 wins and solid performance vs Fontbonne  in the last 4 games.

[fcnews]

A quick key to the FU v WC game will be the Buxton / Fournie match up. If Chad can give him as much trouble as he did Tyler Nading, WC will have to look for other options. Is WC's Dylan Schram able to handle Fogerty in the post?

[y_jack_lok]

OK, fc, here is a break down of average minutes logged per game by the Webster and Fontbonne starters season to date.

Webster - Turk 26.5, Hoggatt 24.2, Robinson 22.9, Hrdlicka 22.6, Niebrugge 22.3. Total for Webster starters 118.5 minutes per game

Fontbonne - McCoy 31.9, Fogerty 30.1, Branch 33.4, Storandt 27.2, Fournie 26.3. total for Fontbonne starters 149.2 per game.

While there is a signifcant difference in the overall total, I now do not see the number of mnutes individual Fontbonne starters are averaging as being detrimental to their long term stamina. All these kids are in great shape and should be able to play 30 minutes per game every game if necessary. The only problem I see this posing for Fontbonne is if several staters get in foul trouble and have to sit for significant minutes. Their replacements are not as experienced and this could hurt. Otherwise, I say give them all the minutes they need to win games.

[fcnews]

Yjak - Post about minutes was really more about my suprise when I read the boxscore. I don't think I've seen WU's starters haven played that many in a game this year. I agree, if they can go let them go.

[y_jack_lok]

I'm guessing Coach Bunch thought he needed those guys playiing that much in order to win the game -- and he was probably right. Otherwise Eureka_sid's moral victory, which I know he dosn't like, could have been a real victory.

[BunchTime]

As for as the minutes played by starters, I am with FC that these kids can all play significant minutes without it hurting the team.  I agree that the best 5 should log 30+ minutes a game; however, if a team has some quality guys that can come off the bench and contribute then by all means play them.  I agree with y_jack that the only potential problem playing starters that much is the concern of foul trouble.  But these guys are 19, 20, or 21 years old and play 2 games a week, so most can play those kind of minutes without a drop in production.

[FU Fan]

Fu needs to not turnover the basketball in this game and from here on out.
They should have a edge on the boards. If they shoot without any rebounders at the ready it could be bad. They do a fine job on defensive rebounding. It's sometimes the offensive side that hurts them.If Branch gets hot ( he's cooled some ) it should be a high scoring affair.McCoy could do the same. If they have to go to a inside game they should be able to handle it, but it will be a closer game.
Lots of minutes ? 35 plus is not unusual for FU. Gotta' have gas in the tank for later trips. If you don't have a car you won't need the gas. The next game, then think about the next game, etc. etc. One at a time and worry what your up against and not what two other teams are doing.

[pantherpride06]

Final from Elsah, Ill.
Greenville 68, Principia 65 (F)

Three double doubles out of this game from both sides.  For Greenville, LaPhonso Ellis has 16 points and 11 rebounds while Christopher Simmons 11 points and 12 rebounds.  Kyle Johnson (Principia) had a big afternoon with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a losing cause.

Not a whole lot you can tell by looking at the stats to tell about the game.  Greenville looks to be playing with four key guys (Simmons, Ellis, Ben Cochran, and Ben Hensold) and a few others splitting time for that fifth spot.  Andy Traeger (Bloomington, Ill) had 21 good minutes, logging 7 points and four rebounds while Terrance Cosby played with little production, and Stephen Groves had four points.

Again, which has been the case for the last two seasons (since the graduation of Brandon Martin), the Panthers have no real post presence.  The five hole is always going to remain vacant without a post presence.  Panthers will continue to flutter with the 4-6 position all season long. 

As for the Greenville/Eureka game coming up this week, Greenville needs the win on the road to secure a lock on that 5 spot.  Falling behind both Maryville and Eureka will be deadly for the Panthers hopes of getting into the tournament.  After this game, Greenville plays seven of their final eleven at home including two non-conference match-ups with STL Christian and Lincoln Christian, and a huge rivalry game on Jan. 30 v. Fontbonne.

Darnell and Zasada looks to be the Red Devils two key players.  Ellis will probably take have Zasada will have to keep him off the boards while the quick Cochran may take to Darnell.  Darnell is shooting 44% from the field and from downtown.  Panthers have to shut these two players down to hope for a win.

If I were a betting man, it'd be tough on this game.  It's almost a push for me.  It's a huge game for both squads.  I look for big games from Cochran and Simmons.  Hensold needs to start to fire up from deep.  Give me the Panthers in a barnburner by 3.

Eureka is winners of 18 of the last 21 in this series.  The series dates back to 1951-52 where the teams split the series.  Eureka leads 48-23 overall.

[fcnews]

Pride you better say IF. We know how the NCAA frowns on gambling.

[fcnews]

I wanted to share a very special visit that the FU squad had at practice this past Friday. Tim Edwards (Beaumont H.S.) was a part of the incoming class of freshmen three years ago. Tim was a very athletic 6'6 small forward.

Three weeks into his first semester, Tim enlisted into the army to go help our country. A few weeks ago, while Tim was home on leave from Iraq, he went to Pennsylvania to try out for Army's touring basketball team. Out of about 150 who tried out, Tim was one of 15 they chose for the team.

This means Tim will spend his last 20 months of service touring the country playing other base teams and doing exhibitions. He will be stationed in Colo. Sprgs. and this appointment means he will never be deployed again.

He shared a story with some of us. Just before coming home the Humvee Tim was traveling in hit an IED. All of the other members of Tim's unit on the vehicle were killed and he walked away safe.

His teammates, Fogerty, Storandt, McCoy, Fournie and Dressler, were all shocked to see him in the gym shooting and throwing down some nice 360's. It was great to watch the kids interact and just generally enjoy each others company and get a chance to catch up.

He told Coach McKinney not to go anywhere, because he would be back in 20 months and ready for school.

For those athlete's that are reading this and are dreading going to class tomorrow, it could be a whole lot worst.

[sully309]

Eureka_SID:

Thanks for that great recap. What is your observation of why Brad Robinson, who had 14 points and 7 rebounds during the 19 minutes he played, was in there only that much? I see that he had 3 fouls, but that seems to be not much playing time in such a close contest, where, as you mentioned, he was strong.

Thanks, furbug. That's a great question. Sorry I don't have a good answer for you. Robinson left the game with about 5 or 6 minutes left and never got back in that I can remember. The only thing I can think of is he's not the greatest free throw shooter, so maybe that was it. But, as I said EC never got into the bonus in the 2nd half.

Another theory is that EC was doubling Robinson every chance there was and Webster wasn't hitting any threes to make EC pay for it. Maybe the coaching staff felt that if they couldn't take advantage of the double teams Robinson was drawing, why have him in there?

I wasn't too impressed with what Webster had coming off the bench, so the move to play the starters more was a good one in my opinion. Generally, those role players play better at home than on the road, so I would expect better production from the WU bench there.

[sully309]

As for Wednesday's match ups, there should be some close games. Westminster/Fontbonne should be a great game. The key for Westminster will be to control the defensive rebounds. They can't afford to give Fontbonne too many 2nd chances. Put your best defender on McCoy and hope Branch has one of "those" games. He tends to shoot the opposing team into the game as much as he does his own team. Fogerty is a tough match up for anyone, and will be hard for Westminster to contain.

Most of the match ups in the Maryville/Webster game point to a lopsided Webster victory. The Saints are on a bit of a role and put up a great defensive effort vs. Fontbonne last week, so they are capable to keeping this one "closer than the experts think" as Lee Corso would say. I don't see Maryville pressuring Webster into 30+ turnovers like they did Fontbonne last week. They will need a great attack from 3-point range to pull out the upset.

Greenville @ Eureka is a huge game for both teams. Each are already somewhat behind the 8-ball after losing to Maryville, albeit on the road. Greenville hasn't been the greatest road team over the last couple of years, while EC has played well in 5 of their 6 home games thus far. Don't take anything for granted, Red Devils! Greenville has to still be steamed over throwing away that game at the end of last year and won't lay down for anyone.

Both teams struggle in the rebounding department. EC has done a good job of valuing the ball over the last 4 games. I see that as the key to a game between evenly matched teams.  The squad that limits their turnovers best will come out on top.