MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

FU lucky gym. Louisville practiced at Fontbonne. Oklahoma did not.

[fcnews]

Conference lost a ton of seniors this year. Recruiting trail has begun and things look promising in Griffin land. "One for the Pinky"

Jrmint - Did you watch last nites game. MSU had subs on the floor and with a big lead  Coach Williams didn't sub till about the one minute mark. When all five seniors came off together. Was that wrong,also. Just curious.

[hopefan]

Well guys, to wet your appetites for next year:

Here is my annual review of SLIAC teams - what each is losing, what they have coming back.....  if the roster says they are a senior, I assume they are leaving......   no recruits included, though one we know about will receive a brief mention.

Lets start with Fontbonne....
Losses   2 time Conference POY Brian Fogerty (19.8 ppg, 10.6 rbs); Patrick McCoy (14.7 ppg, 5apg) 2nd team all conf, prior Conf Tourney MVP;  and Justin Storandt (7.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg) 2009 conf tourney MVP.  Also gone is Terrance Lovette, who disppeared 2/3 of the way through the season - a guy who on occasion lit a fire under the team with sporatic great play around the hoop.    That's 50% of scoring and 60% of rebounding, as well as the leading assist man - a lot for any team to lose. 
However the guys that are returning know what it takes to win and will be hungry to keep Fontbonne's streak of Tournament championships alive.
Key returnee is Sliac newcomer of the year, 1st team all conf Chris Forrest (15.2 ppg).  Only a late season injury was able to diminish his game - he seemed unstoppable thru the first 20 games of the year.  With Fogerty and Storandt gone, he'll need to expand his game to playing closer to the hoop, and he'll need to increase his rebounding output significantly. He is just an outstanding shooter. Starting 2 guard Josh Branch (13.6 ppg) returns - capable of big scoring games, but yet to find consistancy that would make him an All conference player.  Backup point guard Ben Rapp returns - he was given more and more playing time as the season wore on, and while not a scoring threat, he is quick and will fit into a drive and dish offense.  Forward Frank Sheetz is back - we all know he is an outstanding perimeter shooter, but he needs to expand his game significantly to the basket and with rebounding in order to be a real factor. Mike Riva may be the logical middle man - he saw limited time this past season, but looked physical when in the game.  Nolan Zoelner is a wild card - could play the 2 or 3 spot - looked good when he saw floor time, which was rare.  Melloway, Reese, Buford are all small guards that will likely spend more time as depth players
AND  if it happens  -  where will Daniel Lisch fit in..........

Webster
     GOOD GRIEF  Webster loses 7....  yes 7..... seniors, but with Coach Bunch's ample use of his bench, Webster still has enough returning to be considered a threat next year.  They lose 55% of their scoring, and 38% of their rebounding
Gone are Seniors : Ryan Turk, 1st team All Conf and the premier scoring guard in the conf (18.5 ppg); tough nosed 2 guard Luke Niebrugge (8.5 ppg);  Mr perfect Steve Hrdlicka (All conf defense) (7.4 ppg); role players Doug Stiegemeier and Tyler Tieman, both who saw critical minutes off the bench, and Ryan Jungk and Eric Paradoski
    Returning however, is a well rounded group all of whom saw starter's minutes at one time or another.  Josue Whitcombe was the team's leading rebounder (6.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and is a solid power forward in the SLiac.  Nick Jones (7.8, 3.8) can play the 2, 3 or even 4 spots, has good leaping ability, good shooter, good to the hoop.  He's a dark horse for all conference honors next year - just has to learn a little better the Bunch way of doing things.  John Ortwerth (5.3ppg, 2.7 rpg) saw lots of time in the middle, but don't forget about big frosh Kevin Miller who started the 1st 3 games of the season before going down with a leg injury - Jon Gillet will also be back.   Robby Meeh and Scott Restoff both saw significant playing time towards the end of the year and both shot well at times - they will compete for the 2-3 slots.  Rich Ogonsalu came into the program with big high school numbers, but was clearly in a learning mode during his frosh year - he may be ready to contribute next year.


Greenville
Greenville loses only one Senior, Chris Hohm, All Conference Defensive (7.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)  All starters and the rest of the bench returns for this team that just missed the conference tourney.  If any team seems poised to take the team trophy over to the other side of the river, it would seem to be Greenville.
So many GOOD players returning - led by First team all conference Laphonso Ellis (16 ppg, 6 rpg) - good kid, great attitude - my thought - Fonz - take over the game at crunch time - you're that good. Joining him is Greenville's first big man of note in recent years, AJ Brooks - now he's not BIG, but he's bigger than the 6'3" guys coach Barber has had to use the last 5 years.  Brooks moved into the program smoothly at semester, averaging 11.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg.  Good player, but needs to stay inside rather than waste time roaming the perimeter.  Also in the middle is Andy Traeger (5.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg), who started most games and showed potential to be a solid workhorse big man.  Joining these guys is a threesome of athletic 6'2"-6"3" guys - very good athletes, jumpers - I really like them - Obinna Agomo (7.7 ppg, 5 rpg); KJ Hilliard (4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg); and Terrance Crosby.  Greenville also has a number of quick, savvy small guards, led by last years Newcomer of the year Ben Cochrane (11.2 ppg, 3.5 apg).  Towards the end of the season, Rashod Seaton, was getting significant time at the point - and looked good.  Also available, and each got time with Barbers substitution methods, were Steven Groves, Dave Gregornick, and John Fischer.      Great Depth and good players, this team will be fun to watch next year.


Westminster
Westminster won it's way into the conference tourney this year after losing key seniors, and they'll have to do the same next year.  They lose 5 seniors this year, all critical to the programs 08-09 success.  Gone will be 2nd team all conference Jason Warnicke (12.0 ppg), power forward Mike Crawford (8.3 ppg, 4 rpg), starting 3 man Buddy Sodeman, backup big man Kurt Keushal (4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and guard Ty Cochrane who started at point when Warnicke was out with injury.  That's 37% of points and 34% rebounds gone.
       However, there is significant quality returning, led by second team all conf Stanley Crawford (14.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg) - he has the ability to take over a game.  Also back is All conference defense Ky Millard (8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), my 6th man of the year Jake Vislay (12.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg) an exciting slashing leaper, and shooter Kurt Kovach (8.3 ppg, 4 rpg), who was on the conference all tourney team.  Beyond that Westmin will have to do it with inexperienced or new faces- but Coach Mitchell has done it before.

Eureka
Eureka won the game of the year in the SLIAC with their miraculous comeback victory at Fontbonne, but ran out of gas the last week of the season to finish out of the conference playoffs.  They lose seven seniors like Webster does, but seemingly with a bit less impact.  They lose 36% of their scoring, and 22% of their rebounding.  Leaving are scrappy guard Brady Willenbrandt (11.5 ppg) and Mark Darnell (8.4 ppg), both of whom started all 25 games this past season.  Also gone is Huck Finn look alike Clint Rabbe, whose extraordinary long range shooting helped Eureka beat Fontbonne, along with bench players Seth McCoy, Chris Beecher, Zach Davis, and Dan Cameron.
Returning is First Team All Conference Mike Zasada (14.4 ppg, 9.3rpg) who has probably the best all around game of any returner in the conference; Kam Bell (13.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) who seemed to come out of nowhere to be a critical piece of EC's Conference comeback, and Jordan Kindred (8.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, led the team in assists) who was clearly one of the best freshmen in the conference. Also back are several guards off the bench who saw good time..  Murad Abbed (who looked very good the two or three times I saw him), Alex Sides, Andy Leppard, and Craig Black.   Extremely limited size, they have to find one if not two big bodies to supplement all that depth at guard.

I failed to see any of the other four teams this past season so their reports are strictly by the numbers.

Macmurray loses two key players - HM All Conference Farrid Coleman (18.4 ppg) and small forward Nick Schmidt (5.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg) - that's 30% scoring, 15% rebounding, but has a great deal coming back.
Leading returner is HM All Conf Ryan Sichting (16.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg).  Joining him are Mac's leading rebounder Fred Miller (13.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg), CJ McClelland (9 ppg, 4.4 rpg), ( that's 3 remaining starters) and key reserves Adam Polston (6.5 ppg), Mark Randle (6.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) (injured part of season?), Zach Ozee, and John Fuller, as well as bench depth Chris Sargdon, Damarkius Williams, and Dustin Reinikin.  There also is Sean Knox, who came in with great High school credentials but was injured early, and Lawyer Crowder who saw good minutes in 6 games - don't know if injury or what?...     Lots of depth and some good players returning - is this the team that will make a big jump.......

Blackburn had another tough year - the perennial contenders from several years ago have fallen a long way.  They lose Tommy Baro (16.3 ppg, 5 rpg), and another starter in Frazier Simmons (7.2 ppg).  Returning is 2nd team All Conference Rod Sykes (17.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg) with some of the best stats in the league of a returning player, Blake Doehring (12.3 ppg), and middle man Obie Farmer (4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg).
Also returning are several who saw action in most games - Jim Gowen, Cobri Gilbert, Rodney Batts, and Chris Walker -  Sikes and Doehring can't do it themselves - hope the Beavs have a good recruiting year.

Principia loses only one player, Cal Webster (3.4 ppg), but that may not be cause for too much optimism given that Prin was winless in conference last season.  Returning are starters Todd Zimmerman (15.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg); Sam Douglas (13.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Colin Angle (12.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg); and Adrian Dahlin (5.3 ppg), and Benchmen Martin Buchannan (5.1 ppg), Jeff Roby, Justin McDonald, Nick Tosto, Tyler Marunde, Hunter Hoffman, and Tim Hammond.   That's alot back, but these guys got Crushed by everyone this past season.

New guys Spaulding enter the SLIAC next year giving everyone a trip south - not sure how those mid week games will work out.....  I was surprised to note that they were not included on D3hoops pages this past season, but looking at their schedule, it's obvious - they played only 7 D3 games, finishing 2-5.  They lost twice to Westminster, and split with Webster.  They finished 9-14 overall.  I'm not sure about their D3 status, or SLIAC championship status next year.
Spaulding loses 2 seniors, leading rebounder Shannon Jones (10.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Chad O'Brian (8.9 ppg).
Returning are 6' 1" Frosh DeWhon McAfee (15.9 ppg, leading assist man), 6' soph Jamal Bacon (9.0 ppg, 4 rpg),  6' 5" Frosh Phillipe Moune (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and 6'1 Frosh Cody Cutsinger (4 ppg), along with a host of bench players.  The leading returners look young!!!  They could very well be a team to contend with in 2 years, if not next year.

Early favorites : Greenville, Fontbonne
Likely in the mix : Webster, Westminster
Could displace the top four : Eureka,MacMurray, Spaulding
Need alot of help  : Principia, Blackburn

I'm sure people are aware of personnel changes that already have been announced or rumored - feel free to contribute.

[y_jack_lok]

Nice job hopefan. I would move Eureka up at least one notch to your "Likely in the mix" category, and maybe even up two notches to the "Early favorites".

[hopefan]

Funny you mention Eureka, as I had them rated in "likely in the mix " at first.....   got scared off by the lack of size and moved them down one....  but a second look says they were in the mix this season with limited size, and there are good guards coming back to replace their senior starters  -  I would agree to a move up one catagory.

[sully309]

I can answer the question about Spalding, which is spelled without a "u" just like the sporting goods company. Spalding is eligible for everything as it relates to the SLIAC except for the conference tournament for the next 3 years.  This is because they are not eligible for NCAA Postseason play, I think, due to the provisional period for new members. Spalding can win regular season championships, postseason awards, ect.

If i had to pick a favorite now without knowing who's coming or going, I would pick Westminster. They have the most talent eligible to return of anyone.

As for Eureka, the Red Devils should be competitive next year. I used to think the lack of post play would be a problem, but that was because we used to play in a different conference.  I'm not knocking the SLIAC necessarily...it's just a different style of play than in the old NIIC.  EC had strong post defenders McCoy and Beecher wasting away on the bench last season because hardly anyone in the SLIAC had threatening post offense.  Really, if EC can find a nice off guard to hit a few open 3-pointers off the bench and guard the other team's 3rd best perimeter player, we'll be at least as good as last season, if not better.

[y_jack_lok]

I can answer the question about Spalding, which is spelled without a "u" just like the sporting goods company. Spalding is eligible for everything as it relates to the SLIAC except for the conference tournament for the next 3 years.  This is because they are not eligible for NCAA Postseason play, I think, due to the provisional period for new members. Spalding can win regular season championships, postseason awards, ect.

If i had to pick a favorite now without knowing who's coming or going, I would pick Westminster. They have the most talent eligible to return of anyone.

As for Eureka, the Red Devils should be competitive next year. I used to think the lack of post play would be a problem, but that was because we used to play in a different conference.  I'm not knocking the SLIAC necessarily...it's just a different style of play than in the old NIIC.  EC had strong post defenders McCoy and Beecher wasting away on the bench last season because hardly anyone in the SLIAC had threatening post offense.  Really, if EC can find a nice off guard to hit a few open 3-pointers off the bench and guard the other team's 3rd best perimeter player, we'll be at least as good as last season, if not better.

I didn't realize that Spalding was new to the NCAA as well as to the SLIAC. Thanks for making me aware of that.

When you say "...hardly anyone in the SLIAC had threatening post offense..." would Brian Fogarty be the one that makes you say "hardly"? I can see where you're comiing from here in that no team had a big man capable of dominating in almost every game -- Fogarty being the lone possible exception.

[fcnews]

AND  if it happens  -  where will Daniel Lisch fit in..........

Early favorites : Greenville, Fontbonne
Likely in the mix : Webster, Westminster
Could displace the top four : Eureka,MacMurray, Spaulding
Need alot of help  : Principia, Blackburn

Well Hopefan you can officially remove the "If". Yesterday, Daniel Lisch signed and accepted his financial aid package.

Also, how can FU be considered Early Favorite, when it seems Webster and Westninster return more?

[hopefan]

uh - oh  FC is in Sandbaggin' mode already!!!

Winning breeds winning  -  obviously a lot more ifs for Fontbonne going into this year than the last two, but given my selections, I obviously take Fontbonne's 'ifs' over Webster's known returners.  Also, while Westmin has four known solid people back, players beyond that are a complete mystery.

With Lisch in the fold, it makes Fontbonne that much better - BUT - and FC you probably already know the staff's opinions, how does he fit in the mix?
Can he be a point keeping Branch at 2, Forest at 3, Sheetz at 4, Riva at 5?
Or Does Fontbonne go 3 guard keeping Rapp at point, Forest goes to 4, and best rebounder at 5?  Or does Lisch not start (though I hear that he is so tough defensively that he would be outstanding), and he just comes in for virtually anyone and positions are adjusted?   Nice problem to have....lots of possible mixes with 6 or 7 guys.

Wondering if Font is having any luck finding any big men in their recruiting class, or if not Big Big, at least aggressive rebounders in the 6-4 to 6-6 range?

[fcnews]

Well a 6'3 point, with great floor vision, excellent knowledge of the game and a lock down defender (who has had a year to sharpen skills against the likes of Tommy Lidell), seems to be a good idea.
Ben Rapp is a proven commidity at point. Lisch could play 1, 2 or 3 in this system. He does have a very nice left handed stroke and can get to the rim. He was a good HS rebounder.

To your last question. There are not alot of Storandts walking around out there. Scheetz and Zeollner are legit 6'5, with long wing spans. Riva is a 6'7 physically built project that has been brought along slow and may suprise.

And, I will only comment on recruits that are in the fold. In this tough economy FC has got to be a tough sell. 

[hopefan]

Looks like the SLIAC softball tourney could be a fun one to watch this weekend - Maryville with 2 losses, Webster and Fontbonne with 3, during league competition.  Not sure of the format or where, but it seems like there should be some good games Saturday......

Just came up on SLIAC site  -  top 4 teams (4th team to be decided between Westmin and Gville) - games are all at ABC park - Thursday and Friday late afternoon  -  Saturday is only an if needed Championship game under the double elimination format.....  still, a Friday after work situation might be fun if the weather clears up......

[hopefan]

It's rare that SLIAC fans get to boast of a win over a nationally ranked team in hoops or any other sport - so must take this opportunity to recognize the Webster Softball team's HUGE upset win over St Thomas yesterday in the first day of the Double elimination Regional of the NCAA tourney.  Eighth Seed (Bottom seed) Webster stuns Top seed  (and #2 Nationally ranked) St Thomas, winning 3-1.

Yep, that's why they play the games!!!!

[y_jack_lok]

And just this afternoon Webster beat the regional #4 seed and #12 ranked nationally Wartburg 1-0. Webster's pitching and taking advantage of the oppositions' mistakes are keeping the Gorloks in it, because they sure aren't hitting much. In two games they've only given up 1 run to two of the top 12 teams in the country.

[fcnews]

Congrats to the Webster Ladies on their success. Congrats also, to the FU Baseball Team who will be making the journey to the NCAA Tourney. Huge upsets with Webster not going.

[hopefan]

noticed that FC  -  great tourney for the Griffs  -  best of luck at the NCAA's


Well the 'normal' deadline for student athletes making school decisions has passed (May 1)  -  wonder who the SLIAC schools know are coming??
I get depressed reading all the announcements in the CCIW room and hearing so little about SLIAC - wish the SLIAC SID's or other insiders would contribute more to this site regarding those kinds of announcement  (not condemning our known contributors from the Eureka and Webster offices - just saying I wish we would see these kinds of tidbits.....)