MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BunchTime]

Does anyone have any information if Webster will be broadcasting the games via the internet like last year? 

[WU_SID]

Yes they will via www.webster.edu/galaxy and we will also be offering live stats for all three games of the tournament.

Here is the link for live stats.

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

[hopefan]

Buncher, if it's a Fontbonne - Webster final, it will be worth the drive!!!

Just make sure you drive by (without stopping at) the Cherokee Casino - doggone place took up a considerable amount of my time when I went down to Okie City to watch my daughter play softball several years ago.

[BunchTime]

I am thinking about it.  If it is FU-WU final, it will be hard to resist. 

[WU_SID]

I've just been informed that our student station will be broadcasting the Fontbonne-Westminster game as well at www.webster.edu/galaxy.

[pantherpride06]

Good Job for the Galaxy for taking on both contest.

[fcnews]

I'm Back. I want to offer my apologies to Pat Coleman, Hopefan, Observation Deck and any one else I may have insulted on this board.

[fcnews]

Let's talk SLIAC Basketball.

New Subject: All Conference Awards

I have a problem with how our conference determines these awards. In the past, it was done at a conference coaches meeting. Each coach put up a player from their team. Gave the players stats and debated on their behalf. The votes were taken and a coach could see, in person, how the other coaches voted and reasons why.

Now, with the internet age, each coach is sent an email. It has #'s 1-15 and you are to list players, other then your own, in order of most outstanding on down to number 15. No discussion. No stats given. Just plain form.

Does this do the players justice? Does it encourage the old "I'm not voting for this teams players" syndrome? Where is the accountability? Do other conferences handle this in the same fashion?

[SLIAC Man]

Update: Neil Compton finishes the conference season with 301 points; the most points scored this year in the SLIAC.

[BunchTime]

In the internet age, it is seemingly more efficient to vote for awards under the cuurent format.  However, I am with FC on this one.  It is nice to have someone advocate for a certain player.  That way a coach can point out why he/she should recieve consideration.  Stats do not tell the entire story, nor does playing against people two times all year portray the whole picture.  For instance, a guy/gal who averages 8 points a game would likely merit little consideration, but with a coach advocating that player X  was our team leader or are best defensive player while providing specifics, other coaches may take those things into account.  

[fcnews]

Update Updated Brian Fogerty was the SLIAC Scoring Champ for 2008. His 20 pts. per game were also 2 pts. ahead of number two. Brian had 19 pts. less in two less games. But, Compton did have the most total points.

[BunchTime]

The following is from the front page -- The Daily Dose:

Some of tonight's more interesting games involve regular season conference champions who know they are in "win or else" mode. They either weren't ranked in the third regional rankings released yesterday or are ranked so low that the only way they could possibly be comfortable on selection/speculation Sunday is to clinch the automatic bid.

- Webster is undefeated in SLIAC men's play but, unless they finish that way, they probably aren't going to the NCAA tournament. The Gorloks are ranked eighth in the Midwest. They've been in this situation before, finishing tied for first last season but missing the big dance because of a SLIAC tournament loss to Fontbonne. Webster hosts Maryville (Mo.) in tonight's SLIAC semifinals.

[j_clem]

just  a reminder to everyone following this tournament.

if you can not make it to Grant Gym,

you can catch all the action live by listening to The Galaxy, Webster's student voice at:

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

[SLIAC Man]

Update on Updated Update

Killer post FC

[formersliaccommish]

Regarding the method of voting for All Conference, most conferences do it by email. That is one of several reasons the SLIAC changed its procedure two years ago. Would you rather have the All Conference players selected by coaches sitting in the quiet of their office, looking at the stats (all you have to do is punch a couple of buttons on your computer), perhaps consulting with their assistants, and remembering the two games with your team. Or, would you rather have one of your players beaten out by a player on another team whose coach was a better and more passionate public speaker (at a coaches meeting) than was your coach. Each SLIAC coach submits nominees from his team, IN THE ORDER HE FELT THEY WERE IMPORTANT TO HIS TEAM. That gives the other coaches some insight when they vote. The Commissioner then sends out the ballot, and each coach votes on his top 15, in order. The player with the most votes is POY and likewise the NOY.

FYI, in the 31 years I was a college head coach and voted on All Conference teams, I followed the following principles:

1) I ALWAYS voted for at least one player from the championship team to the first team. An undefeated team like Webster is a good example, even though they have no one with great stats. By ranking his nominees in their order of importance to the team, Coach Bunch could help me select the right one.

2) I NEVER voted for anyone from a bottom team for first team unless that player had great stats (high double figures PPG with a near 50% FG%, or double figures RPG, or great assists-turnover ratio). Someone on the Women's board is pushing a player who, while she led the conference in scoring, shot around 35%, played for a team that won just one conference game, had the worst assist-turnover ratio in the conference, and led it in turnovers. A player like that might be deserving of second team or honorable mention, but no more.

3) I ALWAYS voted for players with high field goal percentages. Anybody can score if he/she takes enough shots. Winning basketball is almost all about percentages.

4) I ALWAYS voted for players on the best teams, unless someone from a lesser team had a really outstandins season. Basketball is a team game and it's all about winning.

5) I ALWAYS tried to factor in defensive performance but because it's such a subjective area, it usually was no more than a tie-breaker.