MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

I'll take a couple people to watch for, Ryan Kirkpatrick from FU. A true 6'7 post player from West Frankfort, IL., physically very mature, physical type player with extremeley fundementally sound offense and defensive post play. runs the floor well. Larger then Bash but simalar type of player. I'll post later on some of the other newcomers. This is a very talented and deep recruiting class for FU. Has tremendous upside. And as you know, I'll call a a bad FU team bad. But' when I see talent and great kids, I look for good things.

Fontbonne did a good job of scheduling this year. This young team will not be over their heads early and will have a chance to learn how to win. They will get some good tests later in Hawaii before starting conference play.

If you look back to lsat years pre season schedule it was murders row, and could explain why FU lost a lot of winnable games in conference ie; Webster game on the road. That squad never learned to close. A a team has experience winning to know how to "win".

As always just my oppinion!!!

Let's hear from some of the other schools it's time the sliac talks some basketball

[Mac Attack]

The word from the MacMurray campus is there are several newcomers who could compete for significant playing time for the Highlanders during the 2005-2006 season. Based on what some players are saying about open gym performances, it appears that three players to keep your eyes are Jerreau Sanders (6'3", Freeport, Il.), Evan Birch (6'2", Illini Central) and Brady Greene (6'4", Mahomet-Seymour). Sanders and Greene can play inside and outside, both are super-quick, and maybe most importantly, both are strong rebounders and play aggressive and hard-nosed defense. Birch is a nice shooter and a tough defender and rebounder. With the defection of some of last year's players, Sanders Birch, and Greene may contribute early and often for Coach DeNeve's team. All three were all conference and all area players in high school, and could form the nucleus of improved Highlander teams down the road. More on other recruits as more information becomes available.

MacMurray's non-conference schedule this coming season appears to not be as difficult as last season, which will hopefully lead to a stronger start and a higher level of confidence going into SLIAC play. While much remains to be seen, this may not be the same "style" of play from last season. While still smaller than most teams they will play, MacMurray appears to have significantly upgraded with players who can and will play 94 feet, defend, and rebound. Mix that in with the departure of several of their "shooters" and this may be a team that will still "run," but maybe won't "gun" as much. Make no mistake, the Highlanders will still try to outscore its opponents - but by placing a higher premium on defense, rebounding, and passing to the open man on offense, this might be a team that will become more successful against opponents with equal talant. 12-15 wins are not out of the question if it all comes together.

Mac has a rough first game match up at Millikin, and a later game at Rockford College will be difficult. But the Highlanders should be able to compete in all of their pre-conference games, and hopefully enter SLIAC play on January 7 against Blackburn in much better shape than they did last season.

Midnight Madness for the Highlanders is scheduled for October 15. We'll know much, much more on who's in, who's out, and what to expect soon after that. Good luck to rest of the SLIAC! More on the Mac Attack down the road.

[True Basketball Fan]

If what you say is true, mac attack, then you guys are planning on utilizing the talent of the newcomers and returners, and not spoiling it.  I think winning 12-15 is not out of the question, especially if there is some defense being played.

[Mac Attack]

October 15 is right around the corner. MacMurray is having a "Midnight Madness" for the players, parents, fans, etc. I'm going to start taking 2-3 naps a day between now and then to be rested for that night. Any other SLIAC basketball teams doing anything like this? Any news on who's back, or isn't coming back? Should be a very good year - looking forward to it!

[fcnews]

Mac Attack - It's good to see a Mac Fan will be posting this year. FU also has Midnight Madness. FU has their roster up and all are ready to go. Let the fun begin.

[Mac Attack]

The 2005-2006 MacMurray Highlander preview is up. Good bunch of kids. I think the SLIAC will see a much improved Mac team in 2005-2006. Better defense, better shots, better effort, and an improved all around team. Let the fun begin!

http://www.gomachighlanders.com/athl_m_baskprev.html

[True Basketball Fan]

Just so you know, Mac.

If Mac starts practice tomorrow on the 15th, and they end up playing on Sat.,  Feb. 25 in the SLIAC conference tourney finals, that would be the start of their 20th week of the season, thus in violation of NCAA rules.  The new rule is that DIII teams must complete their regular season in 19 weeks.  With the way the calender year works out, teams must start on the 16th to ensure they don't break this rule. (A week is starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday, starting Saturday would be technically the 1st week, and the next day, Sunday, would be the start of the 2nd week)  Kinda tricky.

[hoopie_doopie]

True basketball Fan,
Have you checked Bylaw 17.1.8.d of the NCAA Manual?  Do you know if Mac will practice during Christmas Break?  You really shuld make sure you know what you're talking about, otherwise you could look like a ........  well you know

[True Basketball Fan]

Nice catch, hoopie doopie.  However, I am aware of that bylaw, so watch your finger pointing.  You are exactly right though, I don't know what Mac is doing over the Christmas break, and that would make a difference especially if they are taking more than 7 days in a row off. 

My problem is that I was assuming that they wouldn't take that many days off over Christmas break, as most teams don't.  That's why there A LOT of teams starting on Sunday or Monday, instead of Saturday.

[hoopie_doopie]

   I will watch my finger pointing, and which finger I'm pointing!

[Mac Attack]

First look at the Highlanders at their "Ball at the Wall" midnight practice Friday night/Saturday morning. I was impressed. Not a big team, but athletic and tough. Returnees who looked good were Hipshir, Compton, Long, and Carroll. Kowa's their biggest player and he will need to step up this year on rebounding and defense. Four freshmen looked good - Sanders, Robertson, Greene and Birch. Sanders and Greene are slashers who can rebound and defend. Robertson is incredibly athletic. Birch can flat out shoot. Looks like Mac will push it and press, much like last season - but I didn't see the "shoot in 10 seconds" approach. They rotated the ball well to the open man, and several times went inside. Shot a lot of 3s but got some lay-ups too. Key will be defense and rebounding, how quickly the freshmen adapt to the style of play, and how well they shoot night in, night out. I think they looked pretty good the first time out, but still a long road ahead. I don't think a post-season tournament birth is out of the question. Had about 200 people there, lots of music, games, and fan participation. Coach DeNeve is doing a good job promoting the basketball program. Hopefully they'll stay healthy and get off to a good start.

[Mac Attack]

Now that school has started and basketball practice is more than a week old, what's the word throughout the SLIAC? Would like to know who showed up that wasn't expected, who didn't show up that was expected, thoughts on newcomers at individual schools, prospects on the season, etc? Time to get the SLIAC basketball board jumping!

[hopefan]

Had a lengthy discussion yesterday regarding Maryville.  They are coming off a scrimmage with Harris Stowe that showed close losses in each half - JVers played a 3rd half.  Many returners from last year including point guard Tim Elwell, 2 guard Ben Hebl, power Forward Ryan Klein, post man  Jason Rezabek.  Matt Regan is still playing soccer.  Steve Bash, MVP of the conference two seasons ago is back from Knee surgery and starting - running the floor well.  Frosh Aaron Steinke STARTED and played well.Other new faces looking good are frosh Matt Baker, Teddy McGrath, and Marcus Vanden Heuvel, transfer Matt McCarthy, and returning from 2 years ago senior Jared Smiddy.  Add to that list several others who contributed to last year's team including Casey Holland, and Mike Turpen.
That's a lot of bodies.  Coach Rogers ran people in and out regularly last year.  I haven't decided whether that will help or hinder this year.
Klein reinjured his shoulder in the scrimmage.  Word has it that there are efforts to configure a special wrap to keep the shoulder "in", but that kind of thing doesn't sound good to me.  Of course, I do remember that  Djedovic from Blacburn played very well wearing some kind of protection for his shoulder last year.
So we get ready for the Billikins, who may start 4 guards and a big postman.  Will be interesting to see if MU can be competitive.

[Mac Attack]

MacMurray scrimmages at Eureka Saturday. Chance to get a good look at what could be a much improved Highlander team. Any other SLIAC teams scrimmaging other schools before the season starts?

[True Basketball Fan]

Does anybody know how Blackburn fared against IWU last week?  I'm pretty sure they played, don't know when exactly.