MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Titan (Missouri) Q - Every year the conference rep gives it their best shot. Is this the year? That's why we play the game. It will be good experience for a team that will be trying to make three in a row next year. Fontbonne returns everyone but defensive specialist Chad Fournie.

Fontbonne is on a 35-11 run since Jan.1 2007. Seven of those losses are to Wash U. (3) and Webster (4). FU went into the tourney last year with 3 sophmores and 2 freshmen. This year 3 juniors, 1 sophmore and a senior. Three of the first four off the bench are freshmen.

I might also note that everyone on this year's FU team played in the NCAA tournament last year, even though it was a loss. UMHB might be ranked #12, and the film fcnews watched clearly seems to indicate that they are good enough to meirt that ranking, but as he said, they still have toplay the game. I think last year's experience will help FU this year. That's why I say, "be fearless".

[hopefan]

As Yjack refers to the experience Fontbonne got last year in making the tourney and playing aand losing to Wash U..

As I remembered back to last year, the thing that I most remember was being disappointed for Fontbonne frosh all conference player xxx White - can't remember first game - he had a poor game, Looked lost on the court -
Anyway found the boxscore, and I was right White had 2 points

White did not return to Fontbonne this year, BUT EACH of the other 4 starters had double figures!!!  Fogarty and Storandt each had 10, McCoy 12, Branch 13!!!   Hopefully those strong performances against a final 4 team last year can translate into confidence this year!!!

Just in case... anybody want to go down to Jackson?

[BunchTime]

Hopefan, I like your enthusiasm.  Swoop by OKC and get me and I will be ready for Jackson    Wish I could go, but I will have to settle with internet broadcasting.

[BunchTime]

FYI:

Today, Kevin Slaten on KFNS Fans 590 interviewed Mark Edwards of Wash U and also mentioned Fontbonne's berth into the NCAA Tourney as well. 

[fcnews]

Sitting in a suite at the Horseshoe in Tunica. Had to check - in. It's nice to finally see a little chatter about my Griffin's. We will need to put in a excellent game to stay with a very very athletic MH-B team. They have two guards (Niemon Ford ans Matt Caskey) and a 6'6 wing (Tillmon Gaddy) who all would be potential POY's in the SLIAC. I strongly beleive that Storandt will be able to nuetralize their 6'10 post (Burgart). Fournie will draw the assignment of checking Gaddy. Two huge question marks. 1.) will FU's guards be able to keep theirs from going to the hole. 2.) If they match the 6'10 player on Fogerty, can he take him away from the basket (he was able to hit that mid range jumper against MU). Storandt will have to contribute on the offensive end.

Physically we are in much better situation then this time last year. Brian had serious knee issues at the the end of the season last year. Slight tear and a lot of fluid. He was not himself in the conference tourney or at Wash U. He is focused and ready for this game. McCoy got a break (literally) midway through this years conference race and has fresh legs. I look for Branch to fit in well with the pace of this game. Not playing them at home is the biggest break. We just want the oppurtunity of getting to Saturday nights game.

This could turn into a Big Game of Horse.

[y_jack_lok]

fc, you haven't said anything about UMHB's defense. But I'm guessing it's good and that FU will not want to spend too much time trying to get used to it. You only get one chance to play these guys so take advantage of as many opportunities as possible on offense.

Yikes, what am I saying? I know nothing about coaching. You know what I mean. Or maybe not. What I mean is, if you've got a shot take it -- be fearless.

Maybe I should just shut up. I'll be rooting for you.

[Marty Peretz]

Less than 48 hours until Fontbonne is knocked out of the tournament and FC tones down his hatred/envy of Wash.U. until next season...Here's to hoping...

[hopefan]

Geesh Marty - I read you in the UAA room - Why come over to the SLIAC room and spread some hate  -  enjoy the doggonned game - if you're not a regular and you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

[y_jack_lok]

Less than 48 hours until Fontbonne is knocked out of the tournament and FC tones down his hatred/envy of Wash.U. until next season...Here's to hoping...

Let's see, Wash U plays Wooster. I'd love for Wash U to win, but Marty's 48 hours rule could apply to Wash U as well.

[BunchTime]

And Marty, instead of coming on here and throwing around nonsense rhetoric, please point to specifics where FC has shown hatred or envy towards Wash U.  You will be hardpressed to find any.  He simply stated that he doesn't want to play Wash U, but instead wanted to cap the season off by enjoying a trip out-of-town. 

[fcnews]

Hello All - 75 and sunny here in Jackson. MS. Setting here at the Hilton Homewood Suites Hotel. Mileage was 517 miles STL to Jackson, via Tunica.

It's nice to see a Wash U. fan is following the Griffin's. Thanks for sharing the love. Good luck to the Bears in Rock Island and keep us posted.

Four hours to practice time at what they refer to as the "Hangar". The Hilton has really taken care of us. The suites are great and the Hostess is a delight. She took care of getting us a conference room for this evening show we can go through a short video session.

Folks, we're here to win and give it our best shot. Everytime you win this time of year, you get 40 more minutes to enjoy.

Will Post soon.

[pantherpride06]

It's like the Fontbonne Blog of their trip to the NCAA's with fcnews.  I was hoping to hear some special stories about particular kids... maybe some video clips...  a fcnews radio show laced with rants about the officials and our friendly board director Pat.  (Pat, not a crack on you)

Hope all is well in the STL area and down with the Griffins.  Good luck to you!  Logger Women have LaVerne tomorrow night!  Should be a fun one in Memorial Fieldhouse.

[fcnews]

FU had a really good workout tonight at the gymnasium they call "The Hangar". It is a different type of setting, but appears to be a great shooting background. Millsaps is an excellent host and I'm excited about this chance. I heard something on the weather channel about flooding in the Quad cities. Does anybody have any information on how this might effect that part of the bracket.

Side note of the day: Our chartered bus driver informed Coach, on the way back from practice, that he was about to exceed his D.O.T. legal hours behind the wheel. He failed to log out of his books for the 3 hr. nap he had in his Homewood Suite. He dropped the team off at O'Charley's for dinner at 9:15 and drove straight to the hotel. The team got to walk off their hearty meal on the mile back to hotel.

Assistant coaches John Thomas and Scott Spinner (both multiple all-sliac selections) had a chance to share some thoughts with the players. Main point was that niether had a chance to experience, as players, what these guys are experiencing now.

After watching Justin Storandt eat his dinner (and anyone elses who didn't finish theirs) Coach came to the conclusion, that Justin has a huge tape worm. I'm glad I didn't have to feed this kid growing up.

Guys - this is a very loose bunch. Nothing they do will ever suprise me. Also, they feel proud of themselves for winning this chance, when alot of people thought they were out when Trevor White didn't return. The freshmen class is slightly in shock and amazement, from JV to the tourney. They keep the starters pumped.

I think this is very special group of kids. There is a great blend of desire and talent. For those that didn't have a chance to appreciate this team, you've missed something special. Chad Fournie is the definition of team leadership. His desire to do the things it takes to win is unmatched. Fogerty left no doubt in anyones mind that he was POY. His second half performance against MU was special. Storandt is the best pure post in the conference. What he lacks in offense he more than makes up for in defense and rebounding.  Branch and McCoy are a great pair of scoring guards. FU wasn't deep, but Abozen played some great games in the absence of McCoy and Rapp. Senior John Dressler gave us valuable minutes and did a great job in his role. Frank Sheetz will develop into a quality SLIAC player. It was their goal this season to get back to this spot again. And they did.

Coach McKinney, asst. head coach Lance Thornhill and the rest of the coaching staff did a great job of preperation to get this team to this point, You may question the style, approach or priority but not the results. This year has proved that you don't have to be 10 deep to reach this place.

Tonight we just need to play our game and make them beat us. Pretty simple.

[knarocky22]

The flooding in the QCA shouldn't have an impact on the games played at Augie this weekend.  The flood warning is for the Rock River at points that don't lie in the bigger cities, but rural communities 15-20 minutes away.  It shouldn't affect travel or anything.

[juniormint]

good luck to fontbonne tonight, a lot of good guys ill be rooting for in the game tonight.