MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[magicman]

hopefan,
I listened to the Westminster (Mo.) vs D2 Hawaii-Hilo game tonight that just got over a short while ago. Hawaii-Hilo won 77-55, no surprise there. I'm sure you might remember Norm Law who coached at Plattsburgh State from 1969 to 1986. He took Plattsburgh State to the final four in 1975-76. I believe that was the year that Plattsburgh led by Larry Parker and Ronnie Wright beat RPI when you were the assistant coach there. Anyway Norm's son Jeff is the head coach at Hawaii-Hilo and knowing Jeff when he was just a high school kid I listen to his games a few times a year.

Westminster kept it close for most of the first half and was only down by 3 with about 3 minutes to play, but H-H hit 3 unanswered buckets to go into the break up by 9 at 36-27.  Hawaii came out of the break with a 3 pointer to increase the lead to 12 and after the Blue Jays cut it to 9 at the 17 minute mark, the Vulcans quickly established a 16 point lead that stayed that large for the most part. The Blue Jays were still down 16 with 5 minutes to go at 67-51 but missed 6 of their last 7 shots to create the final deficit of 22 pts. The Blue Jays had 10 guys break into the scoring column but no one could hit double figures. Joe James and Adam Mallette tied for team honors with 9 points each. The Blue Jays only shot 32% from the field, 18x56, 36% from 3 pt land, 8x22 and 69% from the line, 11x16. The Blue Jays get to frolic in the sun on Friday and then take on Hawaii Pacific on New Years Day.          

[hopefan]

magic... you hit my history with that game on the head....  I remember scouting Plattsburgh vs Oneota in the SUNY finals and feeling great when Plattsburgh won... thought we had a wrap on them a week later in Troy... it was not to be.....  certainly remember Norm Law....

[Denny McKinney]

Would like to wish All the SLIAC posters and readers a great New Year.

Where were our missing players?
semester academic casualty?
injury?
on bench but in Doghouse?
stayed on the beach?
quit?
axed?
missed the plane?
forgot their sneakers?
sick?
at the movies?
what have I missed?

And Hopefan wins in the category of Most Asinine Post of the Year.

[hopefan]

Well Denny, where were they?     Things are tough enough for the Griffs without 3 regulars missing, and while some of my suggestions were in jest, I think most of the probabilities were covered.....  not assenine , just humorous...

[allamericanredhead]

Hi Everyone. I have enjoyed this board and would like to add my two cents. I have seen Webster, West., Mac, Fontbonne and Blackburn play so far this year. Looking forward to seeing Prin. Must have quite a player.

I got to get this off my chest. Fontbonne has the most talent in the conference. That can be said most years. Talent has never been the problem at Fontbonne.

You guys want to stir up some honest discussion on this board, well, here goes:

What goes on with the Griffins is most predictable. Denny gets on here every summer and makes statements like he did this year "the best recruiting class in the history of the SLIAC." By December, it is obvious Fontbonne is not playing well, so then he starts ripping on the players. By Christmas we get hints of a "a special Christmas present", i.e. a new player(s). First it was McCoy coming in. Now it looks like he has been thrown on the scrap heap. It has always bothered me that there seems to be no sense of loyalty at Fontbonne by the coaching staff to the players. It is a on going merry go round with players coming and going in droves. Every January and February, the "best recruiting class" seems to fall apart with massive numbers quitting. It happens every year and this one I predict will be no different. In a few weeks, Denny will get mad and stop posting (for a while).

99% of what Denny posts on here is total bull. He claimed a D3 school was given a 8,000 check to come play before less than 1,000 fans at a D2 school? Made no sense. I called and spoke with a lady in the AD Office at CMU and , with them being a state school with open records, asked how much Fontbonne was given. She said 1500 for transportation and 300 for a after game meal, 1800 total. She got a good laugh out of the 8,000 claim. He also posted on here "not one Fontbonne player has ever paid a penny to travel over Christmas." Bull. Two years ago three starters did not go to Hawaii because they could not afford the 2200 each player had to pay. (Then when they got there, they didn't even have a game scheduled. They scrimmaged a pick up team of Marines on a military base!) My guess, Hopefan, is that is your answer to where the three missing palyers were this week.

The point is, too much drama at Fontbonne, and it happens year after year. I, like Hopefan, have wondered about Lisch. Could he do any worse. (Go back to a previous Denny post calling him a "lock down DI level defender"). I saw them play twice last year, and the 3 or 4 minutes he got each game he was playing the post! As to "he has not bought into the Fontbonne system", please tell me what is the Fontbonne system? I know a lot of people for a lot of years have been trying to figure that one out!

Fontbonne could win the conference - if they would start practicing a little more regular and maybe every once in  while throw in a defensive drill and a few fundemantals.

Now, that is off my chest. I hope to attend quite a few games this season and give you my thoughts. I love this board and the back and forth debate it produces. I would love to hear Denny's reaction to the above!

[hopefan]

well, well, well, well, well, well, well, 

[y_jack_lok]

hopefan, redhead -- this is not a particularly easy time for the McKinney family. Have some respect and back off.

[hopefan]

Happy New Year to everyone...   Can't wait to see all the games this week.. definitely a rough week at work with all the potential SLIAC travel... could go to Blackburn, Westmin, and Mac to see games, and of course local on Saturday for Fontbonne-Webster

Redhead... always enjoy meeting posters if you try to find me on Saturday!

[hopefan]

ok  Yjak you tell me where the missing players were...  it was a legitimate question... and the redheads post was a legit post regarding D3.....  separate the D3 thoughts from the concerns regarding the McKinneys...  I have all the feeling and concerns in the world regarding Coach's health, but that shouldn't keep me from writing about the performance of the team just like I would any other team....  

[Denny McKinney]

AAredhead - 1.) Hawaii trips have never cost 2200 per. 2.) I believe I stated no player who participated in the fundraiser, paid a penny 3.) The past 2 yrs. each player that traveled went free if they fundraised or not.

Hopefan - 2 players will be playing tuesday. The third will not. And, because of player privacy I will not comment on his situation.

PG Matt Jett has rejoined the team and attended his first practice the day before we left. Look for him to get his minutes tuesday.

[Denny McKinney]

Welcome to the board. I'll try to cover as much as possible. Yjak it's ok. There is a reason I'm now using this username.

I got to get this off my chest. Fontbonne has the most talent in the conference. That can be said most years. Talent has never been the problem at Fontbonne.

Is there a reason why this is?

What goes on with the Griffins is most predictable. Denny gets on here every summer and makes statements like he did this year "the best recruiting class in the history of the SLIAC." By December, it is obvious Fontbonne is not playing well, so then he starts ripping on the players.

Always been a good PR man. Fontbonne discussion keeps this board alive.

An example please of those that I've ripped on?

First it was McCoy coming in. Now it looks like he has been thrown on the scrap heap. It has always bothered me that there seems to be no sense of loyalty at Fontbonne by the coaching staff to the players. It is a on going merry go round with players coming and going in droves. Every January and February, the "best recruiting class" seems to fall apart with massive numbers quitting.

McCoy was not thrown to the scrap heap. If you'd care to ask Jarred his situation, he is very approachable. I will not comment in this forum.

Players coming and going? Example please?

Players enter the program and not every recruit is happy. Or, makes the transfer from HS to college as well as others. Example. Josh Branch wanted to go play at UMSL. He was given his release (between sophomore and junior year). He returned after there was no interest, and I don't believe it even cost him his spot. Other players do not see the future PT they think they deserve and leave the team. And, a lot of these still go on to graduate.

The word loyalty I have a real problem with?

The point is, too much drama at Fontbonne, and it happens year after year. I, like Hopefan, have wondered about Lisch. Could he do any worse? (Go back to a previous Denny post calling him a "lock down DI level defender"). I saw them play twice last year, and the 3 or 4 minutes he got each game he was playing the post! As to "he has not bought into the Fontbonne system", please tell me what is the Fontbonne system? I know a lot of people for a lot of years have been trying to figure that one out!

Daniel call was based on my observations of his HS play that I saw. Last year there were a lot of players getting time at the post?

The Fontbonne system is no secret. Same system for quite awhile. It is run and gun. Technically it is the sideline fast break into a motion with reads. The system produces big numbers for strong post types, shooting off guards and scoring point guards. It is not over coaching or taking away players natural skills. Put the right players in the best position to score. Defensively it is keying on the opposing teams big threats and making the others out score them.

It has produced the most conference wins and some great teams.

Fontbonne could win the conference - if they would start practicing a little more regular and maybe every once in while throw in a defensive drill and a few fundemantals.

Practice has been everyday at 2:30 – 4:30. Has been for 20+ years.

I think I've been as forthcoming as possible. And, FU is the only open book on this page..... Don't forget Dad's SLIAC HOF induction is Tuesday nite. And, this award has nothing to do with basketball.

[Denny McKinney]

Sorry redhead missed that last one.

JV has played 5 games I believe. One cancelled. Second semester like 8-10.

FU has a PG problem. Since day one of practice. Now depleted further. Matt Jett was recruited for this spot. He hag to withdrawl early before school year barely started. Is eligable to play. This isn't high school. You put the best 5 players on the floor, that give you a chance to win. If Jett works into that role, so be it. In the mean time we have to try to handle the ball by committee. You don't have time to lose games developing during conference play. It's just the facts. It's a into position to get your shot at the prize situation. It's like a couple years ago. McCoy breaks his wrist... The very next game Rapp breaks his..... Abi the MVP steps in and plays 105 straight minutes, with only like 4 to's..... Injuries heal.... Abi could of started at alot of SLIAC schools...... Didn't like the depth chart and will graduate from Mizzu.

At this time of the morning my memory gets fuzzy. 02-03 somewhere in there was my last year on the bench. There is a SLIAC Cross Country Coach of the Year some where in the SLIAC archives, about that time. I have been planning my life around a bball schedule for 50+ years. On the bench at the age of 3, played, coached or like now can be found seated directly behind the bench for almost all of those.

An extremely lot of discussion about a team picked 7th in the conference.

The term " Fontbonne Drama" is an internet creation, because I've allowed people on this board a close look. Nothing that goes on at FU is out of the ordinary for anyother school. You just  get to read FU's

[hopefan]

Great New year's eve for an old head...

1)  A cocktail at Appleby's with the wife

2)  Bring home Chinese food and watch a movie... just the two of us

3)  Lively D3 discussion with my best D3 buddies and a knowledgeable newcomer

4)  watching 4 hours of Twilight Zone Marathon while the clock strikes 12

5)  knowing my kids are safe in their homes with their own spouses and children...

Incidently... prayers to those impacted by the local storms and Tornados yesterday... I thought I had a big problem due to a minor leak showing up in one of our walls until I saw the devastation in the paper today....  communities surrounding my own were hit hard, but Eureka seemed to be missed....

[Denny McKinney]

allamericanredhead - I hope this answers a few more of your questions. I know times are tough and we need to help our brothers and sisters. But I'm not currently seeking a change in employment. But, thanks for the offer.

Forgot one comment. Denny states that Josh Branch was "given his release" to talk to UMSL. Division III athletes don't need a release to talk to other schools. There is no scholarship, so nothing to be released from. Now a D III school would need a release to talk to a DI or DII athlete, but not the other way around. (Branch should have went to UMSL). Once again Denny, a bit of a stretch, at least according to the NCAA website.

It is common knowledge that coaches, between NCAA institutions, in most all cases will ask that a young man gets a release before speaking to another player. Same holds true in the Cochrane transfer to Wheaton. Maybe Branch should of went to UMSL. Good school. My sister graduated from there. But, he wanted to play basketball.... UMSL was not interested in another shooter at that time...

I am interested in the Dioum young man now playing at Fontbonne. A simple internet search shows he has been in this country since 2003-2004 school year when he played three years of JUCO ball at two different schools (he must have set out one year). He is only eligable for the first 10 semesters that he is a full time student (12 hours or more) and if he was here on a student visa, he has to be full time student, so this would be his 16th semester. Is he a citizen or here on a student visa? He also appears to have played two years in Canada and proffesioanaly in Europe. And Fontbonne lists him as a Junior? Can you help us out on this one, Denny?

A simple internet search shows less info than the truth. Saliou attended HS at New Providence. His full length of time in the states is something I've never asked. The Dioum that played some pro ball is Lou's older brother. He has a younger brother who is getting attention at a HS in Atlanta.

Can you tell me who those five jv games were aganist and what the schedule is for the rest of the year.

Off the top of my head FU has played Wash U, Webster, Forest Park and Meremac. The other opponent I do not recall. I do not have a JV pocket schedule. A call to the FU SID would probably get you that information.

And I can remember when Darrel Haynes played there. I can also remember St. Louis Baptaist Junior College and Lee Winfield playing there.

St' Louis Baptist playing where?

Darrel Haynes was FU's first recruit. It was great seeing him at Late Nite this year.

[Denny McKinney]

That pretty well sums up Fontbonne over the last 20 years. And I can remember when Darrel Haynes played there. I can also remember St. Louis Baptaist Junior College and Lee Winfield playing there. Bet no other youngster on here can go back that far, 1968. I have always loved small college STL basketball.

Sorry you haven't enjoyed the first 20 years of basketball at Fontbonne. But, being a STL small college fan, you've had a lot of choices to follow. I get booed on here if I speak to much NAIA on here. But, there is some good memories.