MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sully309]

Fontbonne 81, Eureka 70

Eureka played just okay in this game. They needed to play at least good or maybe great to pull out a win on the road against a team like Fontbonne. The Griffins were prepared for a different EC team this time around and well they should.  The Red Devils are a more confident and cohesive unit than they were in early January.

But I think EC got caught playing the jersey instead of the player. By that I mean yes, Eureka was playing Fontbonne who came into the game at 15-4, but they didn't go 15-4 with the line up that played the 1st half. Taking nothing away from the guys that lifted FU to a 40-35 halftime lead, but the McCoy (injury), Storandt (suspension) and Fogerty (fouls) didn't play that majority of the half. That left Branch as the only offensive weapon with much experience out there for about 12 minutes. Frank Scheetz came in and hit a couple of huge threes, but EC needed to be able to take advantage of the FU reserves out there even though Zasada too was out in foul trouble.

Eureka gave up way too many 2nd chances in the second half to pull out the game. Fogerty made some tough shots and the Griffins as a team moved the ball well.  The 2 ally-oop passes after EC stopped trying to foul at the end were unnecessary, but at least Fogery made a good decision not to score the 2nd one.

Zasada had his best offensive game I've seen him have at Eureka. He made some nifty moves against Storandt, who had the advantages of size and rest.  EC needs to limit the 2nd and 3rd chances they have given teams like Fontbonne and Webster if they are going to knock off the league's best. We are still in good position to make the tourney, and it's right here at home this week with MacMurray and Westminster. It shouldn't be too hard to keep focus against Mac even though they are 1-11 in conference. The 1st meeting went into double OT.

Nice job Panthers in taking down Maryville.  You can start losing now  . Looks like Prin and LCC had some fun in Lincoln Saturday. Double O.T and both were over 100. You just never know in this game.

It was nice to officially meet FCnews at the game. I think he will return to the board at some point and I hope that it is soon. Until then, I still love you, Hopefan  . (1st time using the  on here before...in reality though that's as close as I'm getting to him  )

[hopefan]

As I feared, FC's absense has already put this board to sleep  -  I suggest all posters bombard him with emails DEMANDING a return!!!!

I debated for a short while which game to attend Wednesday night - Maryville Font or Greenville webster.  Both potentially huge for the underdog, but the likelihood of an upset is minimal.  The swing factor is the improved play of the Fontbonne women as they attempt to keep MU from breaking that consecutive regular season conference winning streak.  So I'll opt for the Fontbonne site.  Yjak, WUsid, EC, I'll forward scores to you!!!!

[depew24]

I believe you are corrent with your assumption of Maryville thinking of going D2

[BunchTime]

Speaking of the move from D3 to D2, I see no problem in doing so.  When did it become so bad to move up a level in competition?  To counter Hopefans comments, which he since has partially retracted, D2 athletics would still give a kids an opportunity to compete in intercollegiate athletics.  My only problem is how would a school that has a dificult time competing in the SLIAC and other top tier teams from other conferences compete at the D2 level.  I know the argument will be that they now can presumably get better players because they can offer scholarships.  I think that reasoning is flawed, because they will now be competing with schools that also offer scholarships.  If that was the case, than they should be able to out-recruit the schools in the SLIAC on a yearly basis, right now.  And from the records of the teams, they certainly have not done so, with perhaps the exception of the senior class of Elwell, Bash, Hebl, Klien etc. 

[FU Fan]

Speaking of Steve Bash.
The EMO high School conference has never been given credit compared to the St. Charles area schools. They are for the most part tough good playing teams.
Wright City
Elsberry
Bowling Green
Montgomery
Van-Farr
Winfield
Even 2A Silex.
When was the last time you saw a triple digit high school game ?
I've seen several.
If you look for some recruits out of there you'll find some good ones. I know you've missed a few in the past.
Andrew Beckemeir
Brandon Bishop
Jake Byrne
Mike Smith
That's just a few I know of.
It's a rough game there but at least you have to dribble the ball not just carry it.

[j_clem]

Just a friendly reminder:

You can catch live play-by-play from the Webster - Greenville

at:  http://kglxlive.webster.edu/listen.pls

[j_clem]

Just a friendly reminder:

You can catch live play-by-play from the Webster - Greenville

at:  http://kglxlive.webster.edu/listen.pls

Coverage of the Women's game begins at 6pm
Men's coverage starts around 7:45pm

[Mackbacker]

Mac needs a voice on this site.  I know Mac is in last place but has anyone noticed their play the last 4 games.  Beat Blackburn at Blackburn, score the most poits against Westminster at Westminster of any conference team.  Also committted only 7 turnovers to 13 by Westminster.  Some player stats  Billy Long last 4 games 16.2 points avg and 6 assists avg.  Neil Compton 23.7 points avg and 6.2 rebounds avg. ( also score his 1000 point against Westminster).  Coach Creal has done an outstanding job with this group.  They play hard to the end of each game despite their record.

[hopefan]

Mac has my respect - Coach works hard during the games, the kids play the whole way - very tough situation for the guys who stayed to play this year, very admirable.  It's up to the coach now to recruit the talent necessary to bring Mac back to the level they acheived in recent years.

[WU_SID]

Live stats will also be available for both the men's and women's games against Greenville on Wednesday evening.

http://livestats.internetconsult.com/webster/mbball/xlive.htm

[HCACBBALL]

I would echo the voice of MackBacker.  Creal is doing a good job.  I hear his recruiting class will be good as well.

[FU Fan]

I also agree MAC is very respectable. It takes some time and I think next year the rest better be prepared.

[hopefan]

Well huge games today

Fontbonne at Maryville - despite MU's dismal 0-3 record in last 3 league games, an upset win in this game would vault them right back into contention for the 4th playoff spot

Greenville at Webster - An upset win by Greenville would force Eureka to win both the Westminster and @ Greenville games...

Eureka can't let down at home vs Mac - Mac seems to be playing at a level that could mean an upset over someone.

Westminster shouldn't have much trouble in Fulton vs Prin...

[buncheriffic]

Discuss among yourselves:

Team	Rank	W/L	OWP	OOWP
Webster	121	13-5	.529	.475
Maryville	239	7-10	.484	.465
MacMurray	315	1-14	.449	.437
Blackburn	317	1-13	.448	.449
Eureka	326	7-12	.444	.461
Greenville	362	6-7	.423	.458
Principia	375	2-10	.403	.447
Westminster	383	9-3	.384	.448
Fontbonne	386	12-3	.378	.480

Notes:
OWP=Opponents Win percentage
OOWP= Opponents Opponents Win Percentage
Rank= Rank among all d3 basketball programs
Source: d3sports.com, d3hoops.com
http://www.d3hoops.com/salem/08/owp.htm

[hopefan]

Buncherrific - One clarifying point - the ratings you print reflect opponents winning percentage, not a regional or nation ranking......

If FC were reviewing this, we could have a field day!!!!!