MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Well, the coaches should know more than we do, but I am especially surprised not to see Eureka higher and somewhat surprised that Greenville is higher than Eureka. It looks like you have total "points" for the top 3 teams to the right of the first place votes in parentheses. Do you have that data for all the teams? I would agree that Westminster is the logical #1 but I'd like to see how close the voting was for the 2-6 spots.

[Love_for_the_Game]

Well I actaully think that is a pretty good list. For when I went to visit Webster, they had a very hard and solid practice. They are a very serious team and run it very well. They are looking very good. They have a lot of big guys that are big and strong. Should be very good this year and well coached like every year. It will be a great year.

[fcnews]

I wouldn't put to much stock into this poll. It was voted on at the coaches meetings held at FU a few weeks ago. They decided to vote without discussing their transfers, freshmen, ....... So I guess it was based on  


Yjak - I added pts for 4 and 5, but that's as far as the article goes.

[y_jack_lok]

I wouldn't put to much stock into this poll. It was voted on at the coaches meetings held at FU a few weeks ago. They decided to vote without discussing their transfers, freshmen, ....... So I guess it was based on  

That puts everything into better perspective. The results of the official poll will be known at the end of February.

[FrostBite]

So what are everyone's predictions for the Top 4.  Have they changed since these polls have came out?  I will go with: Webster, Fontbonne, Westminster, and Eureka (in no particular order).  Honestly I see it as a two team race again this year between WC and FU.  But you never know with the SLIAC!!!!! Gotta love this league.

[distantobserver]

Fontbonne
Webster
Westminster
Greeville
Eureka
Spadling
Blackburn
MacMurray
Principia

[ec_fan14]

Can't say im pleased with the preseason poll but its the coaches opinion and they're entitled to it.  my preseason poll would be:

Eureka / Westminster: both games should be very interesting between these 2
Fontbonne
Webster
Greenville
Spalding - dont really know much about them but they lost to webster last year
MacMurray
Blackburn
Principia


Eureka brings back 3 starters all of which can go for 30 on any given night.  don't understand why coaches ranked them so low but i'm sure it will give the boys a little motivation to prove everyone wrong.

[hopefan]

EC   Your statement about 3 guys who can go for 30 is a little over the top.  I think where the coaches are coming from, and how I felt with the First forecast for this season early in the summer, was that Eureka has possibilities, but that this group didn't make the playoffs last year, falling off badly in the last week, and they lose two pretty steady guards to graduation.  While I was overwhelmed by the miracle comeback at Fontbonne (clearly the game of the year that I saw), for some of the guys, it was almost a one time situation.  Zasada is likely the best all around returning player in the conference, Bell battled some inconsistancy, and Kindred showed flashes, but beyond that, this group is unproven.   Like I said, and have said several times, this was my favorite team after the win at Fontbonne last season.... but the surrounding cast will have to show they can step up on a regular basis if they are to finish in the top four.

I was more surprised that Greenville was voted preseason out of the playoffs.  They along with Fontbonne were my two early favorites (Webster and Westminster were my other two playoff teams)...  they have everyone back, except for the defection of Cochrane, whose play in his sophomore season did not match up to his freshman year...  and great depth as Coach Barber generally uses his bench extensively.

Well, hopefully disagreement amongst the knowledgeable fan base of this room means only that there are MORE than four teams who can compete for the playoffs, and we can look forward to a season of a boatload of intense, meaningful games.

Also hoping our new posters will continue to write - look forward to meeting you at games......

[y_jack_lok]

Spalding - dont really know much about them but they lost to webster last year

Actually, they split with Webster. Each team won at home.

[ec_fan14]

thanks for that correction y-jak i just noticed the loss and didnt see they beat them at home.

hope - i agree that it may be a little over the top but i still think they're all capable scorers.  I think that Kindreds production will go up this year because he's a year older and the graduation of Brady Wildenradt will open up a few more shots.   Bell's numbers will most likely go up because he should average more than the 22 mpg he did last year.

I think another "unproven" team this year is Fontbonne.  They lose 3 starters.  Guys on the bench have never played any significant minutes because the 3 starters lost averaged over 30mpg.  Forrest is a nice player, Branch has shown inconsistency.  I think it will be interesting to see how they do this year but i do have them as a top 4 team

[Love_for_the_Game]

My top 4 teams are 1. Westm. 2. GV 3. Webster 4. Eur. I have taken FU out because they have to prove a lot more than the other teams. They lost 3 top players and the other players really have no min. under thier belts. Lisch is still  because I never thought he was that good in high school. No big guys like the size of Justin S. and I still believe thier coach is over due. The last 3 years he had players carry him and the practice i recently saw I am predicting a big lost this Saturday in thier Preseason game.  The reason why I think WM will win it all because they have a lot of players returning and I think they have the best coach in the League. Both will help them win it all Sorry FCNews about me not picking FU to win but I am just seeing how it goes and I have never seen you at the school. WHy not? Where do you get your information at and are your post legit? I am pretty sure your stats on most players have been wrong and misleading. Thinking yoru not a good source. 8)

[hopefan]

Loveman, you are tooooo much......

[FrostBite]

I agree with some of the statements above regarding Fontbonne being unproven (although at this point in the season everyone is unproven). I think most would agree that Forrest was a surprise last year, at least with his offensive production. It will be interesting to see how Forrest and Branch react without McCoy, Storandt, & Fogerty to lighten the load. Although, FU always puts together a contender and I would assume this year will be no different.

I know D.Lisch attended SLU last year partly because his brother was still there, but would it not have made more sense for him to attend Fontbonne from the start? He had to realize he was  not going to play at SLU. Im sure the competition at practice helped but wouldve have seemed more beneficial to be at FU from the start.

[FrostBite]

ec fan, Why do you think the games between EC and WC will be interesting?  I dont know the last time EC beat WC (if ever), and last year WC won at eureka by about 10 i think without Warncke.  Then won by about 20 or so at home.  Just curious on your thoughts.

[fcnews]

Wow that's alot to digest. But, I'll give it a try.

I still believe thier coach is over due.

Over due? Over due for what? He's got his team to three straight NCAA's. Has the most successful program in SLIAC history. What's he over due for?

The last 3 years he had players carry him.

I'm not sure anyone but Coach McKinney could have coached this group. I think Coach and the players managed to blend some different personalities and stay focused on the goal. Some how they made it work and had a record run.

I'm pretty sure your stats on most players have been wrong

What stats are we speaking of?

I have never seen you at the school.

I don't think we've met. Earlier you ask who I was. So, how do you know I haven't been around school?

Thinking yoru not a good source. 8)

So much for your "GOOD SOURCE" they are 0-2. I'll let my reputation of posting honest and timely info, speak for it's self.

I will agree this is a very unproven group. And, agree that Oak City will be a rough test. Have you seen their roster? Senior laden and much bigger then they'll face in SLIAC.

You have mentioned two of the SLIAC's great young coaches, now. Coach Bunch and Coach Mitchell are very good coaches and great people. I do know both fairly well. The facts are that since the tournament returned in '05, with equal if not better talent in some years, Webster has gone one and done 3 years in a row and WC has been eliminated by FU the past two. FU is 6-0 in tourney play in the same period. I think coaching is at a premiun at this time.

You seem to have an ax to grind. Just my opinion.
Keep posting though, opinions are what keeps this room active.