MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ec_fan14]

Typically fantasy scoring is based upon a number of categories including:

points, reb, assists, steals, turnovers, shoot % 3pt% ft%. basically all the categories players can log stats in besides minutes.

On the topic of JUCO transfers, Kameron Bell for Eureka was definitely a nice pick up and will be one of Eureka's top performers again this year.  I've heard that Eureka has gotten a few more JUCO transfers this year as well

[hopefan]

We could get into an interesting conversation regarding the pros and cons of recruiting JC players....  A number of outstanding players have come to the SLIAC from JCs ...  I'd have to do a significant study to come up with all the players in the last 5 to 6 years...  but the trend seems to be increasing... lately Webster  (Niebrugge), Fontbonne (Forest), Westminster (Crawford), Eureka (Bell), Greenville (Brooks), Mac (Coleman -I think)  -  and probably others I'm not aware of - those are some of the best players in the conference last year/this year. 

My opinion of JC transfers to D3 has grown much more favorable than in the past as I realize it is a very logical financial agenda for many student athletes today.  Where I used to think of JC's only as kids with limited academic skills, I've grown more to admire them as kids who have sacrificed a year or two by attending a local JC in their effort to continue their education and to play college hoops at a 4 year school and save their families that big tuition bill for a year or two.

[fcnews]

I'd also say that you could throw out the name Chad Fournie. Nice JC transfer. I think his omission from All Conference selection may have led the SLIAC to the new ALL Conference Defensive team this year. Now just explain to me how Storandt was left off last years Defensive Team. Lead the conference in blks by alot, and I do believe he was top 3 or 4 in steals and defensive rebounds. 

[hopefan]

Agreed - Storandt not making all defense was almost silly - as ridiculous as Fournie not making All conference his senior year (I remember I was lobbying for him to be at least all conference second team and he didn't even get mentioned....)   Well for the most part they get it right, but those omissions were glaring....  Didn't realize Chad had gone the JC route----  and I also didn't mention my favorite player of several years ago Steve Bash....

[fcnews]

I'm not sure how many GC readers we still have. But, I'd like to share some news with them. Any readers that saw the FU @ GC game last year, the post game prayer is more then just a tradition. Five times during those moments FU has ask for prayer request. Five times they have been answered.

This past year FU requested prayers for Coach McKinney's daughter in law. She had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Well 6 months or so since ( and alot of treatments ), what was a 30% survival chance has turned into a PET scan that shows no sign of Cancer. Cancer free. GC prayers are now 5-0.

Thanks to Yjak, Hopefan, EC_SID and Panther pride for the prayers. And any that I forgot.

[ec_fan14]

Yes i agree the All-Defensive team was a little skewed.  Not taking anything away from Hohm, Hrdlicka or Millard but based upon stats they which im assuming is what the selection was based up (d reb, steals, blocks...) I dont think they deserved the selection.

Zasada also could have been mentioned for all defensive team then because he was top 5 in DReb, Steals, and Blocks just like Storandt.

[hopefan]

Certainly a part of that selection has to be subjective beyond statistics EC- the defensive stopper on a team may have none of those stats but still be a defensive all conf player - Who guards the other team's most productive Offensive player and stops them more often or not - who disrupts the other team's offense by taking the charge, playing help defense, getting in the passing lane, not letting his man move freely without the ball   -  those elements are the kind of things that made Chad Fournie an 'uncrowned' MVP two years ago -  he simply ate up some very good players that season....

[ec_fan14]

I didnt really think of it that way hope. I was thinking on a numbers only basis, but now that you mention it that way it does make sense. Fournie definitely tore up some players his senior year thats for sure.  I wonder to think if he would have gotten that chance if Trevor White stayed.  Correct me if i'm wrong but i dont think Fournie got as many minutes when White was there compared to when he left

[therumor]

I know this is off the subject of what everyone is talking about but i thought it would be a fact everyone would like to hear:

and

I dont know if this has been talked about on here i didnt really read back too far but... "the rumor" has it that Josh Branch is in a walking boot with a broken ankle....

[hopefan]

TR  -  hadn't heard that one  -  how about it FC?    Still though, if it's a fact, and he's in a 'walking cast' now, hopefully he'd be ready to go by Oct/Nov

[fcnews]

Just returned from Branson for the winter. Josh has a very bad sprain with some slight ligament stretch. He will be open pace to be ready by season beginning.

[theinsider]

I know this is off the subject of what everyone is talking about but i thought it would be a fact everyone would like to hear:

and

I dont know if this has been talked about on here i didnt really read back too far but... "the rumor" has it that Josh Branch is in a walking boot with a broken ankle....

Although you must consider Fontbonne to be a favorite to 4 peat this year, I believe a lot of Fontbonne faithful quietly hopes that cast never comes off. I've seen Mr. Branch repeatedly hurt Fontbonne in Post Season Play. Without McCoy to carry his load, Storandt to block shots when guys go around him, and Fogerty to score enough points to help Fontbonne win, expect to see the 'Real' Branch this year.

[hopefan]

insider  -  that's a rather harsh evaluation for these pages - I've been taken to task for comments far less critical than that.   My problems with Branch have been twofold - the shooting streakiness, and the whiny attitude, particularly on the bench.  I'm never sure that Josh is a teamfirst rather than a me first player.  However, as I said several pages ago, with the loss of the graduates, it's his and Forest's opportunity to step up and be a leader   -  the + or - of Fontbonne's season depends heavily on how those two handle that role.

[fcnews]

Interesting post Insider. Just a comment. You stated how bad he has hurt FU in the Post Season. If he hadn't hung 30 on WC the post season would have been over. Do I agree with parts of your comments? Yes. In total? No.

[fcnews]

Yesterday was my favorite day of the year. First day of classes and first day of open gym. I'm honoring a request to not mention any specific recruit names till roster is posted.

The juco transfer from Sikeston is a manchild. He's 6'7 and is going to be a load. I've already spoke of Lisch and Fleming. Two HS players from SW MO., a 6'7 post and 6'4 G/F. A San Diego juco transfer who can flat play.

All the returning players have shown up with the fire to compete for a position. Scheetz, Rapp, Riva, Buford, Ramkin and Reese are all a year older and have really benefited from the experience of the past couple of years

Looks like both Forrest and Zeollner have added about 10-15 lbs. All the kids made good use of summer weight room time. Thank Fournie, Fogerty and Storandt for really kick starting the importance of lifting.

Guys it's going to be a fun season.