MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Denny, as usual, you misinterpret and quickly head to left field...  but, if it creates readership, let it fly...

[y_jack_lok]

What's going on now is what I had a love/hate relationship with in the past. 

[hopefan]

By the way, appropriate for the SLIAC room, i think, and perhaps a bit belated... GO CARDINALS!!!!!

What an unbelievable night of Baseball from Tampa, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Houston.....

[allamericanredhead]

Dennis has had more farewells from this board than Brett Farve has had retirements! Oh, the DRAMA!!!

Other than the one group of a few years ago, it always bothered me that FC seems to every year have a whole new roster. Even at semester, it has been like clock work, "were not very good right now, but wait till u see our new second semester recruits."

This is D III. How many of the 20 new names we would see on FC rosters each ever stayed four years to graduate? Especially the black kids. Most only stayed for a year, it seemed. When was the last time FC graduated a black four year player?

Too many quick fixes at FC and I don't think most of the kids there ever did get a degree. Hopefully it is a new day.

[hopefan]

Next in line is Principia... Prin has a new coach (about my age and who played in 60's 70's), and my impression is that he will be a great motivator.  The SLIAC is not going to be overly strong, and I think it is a perfect situation for Prin to play a meaningful role in the race for a conference tourney spot for the first time in a number of years. 
Prin loses only one senior, but what a senior... Todd Zimmerman was First Team All Conf, averaged 20.9 ppg, led his team in rebounding despite his 6'1" height (6.5 rpg) and also led Prin in assists with over 6 per game...the two games I saw him play, he clearly was penetrating and trying to set his teammates up....
Therefore, some significant experience returns.. Justin MacDonald, Colin Angle, Stanley Beal, Jeremy Gilman are all experienced aggressive players capable of scoring double digits... I was impressed with 6'4" Naveed Hossenmardi.. strong, good looking shooter from 10-15 feet... his play will be key around the basket.  The only other size comes from Kenny Sydness, whose slender frame will be pushed around unless he gets stronger...  All in all though, I think Prin will compete with a large group in the middle of the SLIAC pack.

[Denny McKinney]

AARH - That is a good question. I am trying hard to remember in coming African American players that were freshmen. Recently, Jarret Buford graduates this May and John Reese will also graduate in May. Cartez Parker - No. Yes - Warren Yandell, Tim MaClin, Arron Frison, Rod Tucker, Marvin Talley, Darrell Haynes Willie Ash... Most transfered in after JUCO. Jamall Thomas and Freddie Fleming will both graduate in May. Mike Horton (Lafeyette) Rob Arbinoth (Gateway) Roy Woods (SLIAC HOF) CJ Washington.

The ones you remember that didn't Kennard Davis (still bouncing around ABA) Loren Fortune (Now teaching at an Alternative HS) Antonnio Davis (who knows).

FC had a good run with a group that carried into the 2003 or 04. All American Eric Selter(St. Clair) Steve King, Adam Fischer, Blake Cundiff, Jason Holtmeyer, Brian Kleekamp amd Herbie Dill (All of Borgia). John Thomas and Jermey Nagel (Gibualt, IL) Brian Grassle (Dupo) Reggie Tillett (Murphysboro) Drew Schoessel, Josh Geollner, Matt Schmidt, Mark Wolford, Ryan O'Keefe, Ryan Oliver..... Along with above Horton and Arbinoth.  ALL Graduated. Shame there wasn't a tourney,

The early mid 90"s Kevin Walsh, Rod Tucker, Stacey Ross, Jeff Branson, Jason Mallett, Mark Kronk, Aaron Frison (from above), Great 3 year run. NCAA Trip.

At the "Celebration of Life" 250+ former players pasted thru. I'd say 80% graduated and as a group, they are all pretty Darn successful!

Back to point on African American Athletes. This is very close to home.
Other than GC, who does a Great Job, Compare your same inquiry to the Rest of the conference?

[allamericanredhead]

Dennis, you make a good point.

[Denny McKinney]

AARH - Other then Greenville and Blackburn's working tuition, I don't think the SLIAC is a financial option for our area African American athlete's. When looking at 4 yrs of that tuition.

You do have your Turk's, Bufford, Reese's, Robertson (I hope he's graduating) out there. But, in general it is my opinion that most of these athletes are needing the financial positives of 2 yrs of community college. It is just a Society Situation!

I have had this discussion for ever. I sat on the bench with Dad at Wellston HS (defunct) thru the 60's and had to play the Madison, Venice, Lovejoy's every year. And at that age trying to figure what the heck is going on. Then realizing thru Dad's years at MoBapt and FC, times haven't changed much.

Sir, I know you have your opinion of Dad's program. Every right! He placed himself as a public figure by choice. I am over protective of the Man.

But on this issue I think your miss informed. In 1982 his thesis was entitled "The Black Athlete - The Recruiting and Education Of." If you were to speak to any single one of Dad's past African American players, you would hear Dad's quote, " A Black man with a degree can write his own future. Those others probably will be statistics." I think it was politically correct when he started using it. Either way. It's got alot of truth. He will be watching when JT, Freddie, Jarrett and Lu walk this year!

He pushed those athletes harder. He could not of tried more with Cartez Parker.

Headline: With it's normal percentage increase your looking at FU being $30,000 a year. The same issue is reaching the rural players and families. The A+ program gives them 2 free years. That's only 2 years of going in debt.

If I offended anyone. It was not my intent. A passionate subject. From some one who's seen it.

[GC Panther 01]

No offense here Denny, I think you are spot on.  It takes a combination of huge financial commitment from parents and heavy student loans to go 4 years at these schools. I know this well as my wife and I are still paying for our educations.  As you aluded to at the end it's not just a black athlete issue its also rural kids and really any blue collar working class family issue.

[Denny McKinney]

Could not agree more GC Panther. I have always thought BC should have a leg up in recruiting the rural central Il. and eastside of St. Louis. Based on the type of schools financial arrangements. I'm more familar with School of the Ozarks in Branson. They were in MoBapt's conference and I have a place there. Those kids work hard for their education but leave with $0 debt. If I had a kid interested in Ag. no doubt. If I'm not mistaken these are called something like "First Generation" colleges. S of O also hosts the NAIA National Tourney.

I'm not as familar with BC. Even after all these years. But, cutting grass or washing dishes is an option to a life of student loans.

I'm not so sure that in the very near future (unless there are changes) DIII will not be an option in this area for a lot of student-athletes and their families. Universities are pricing these folks out of their market. Even with great test scores and GPA's Fontbonne future teachers leave with a lot of debt.

It will require coaches to widen their area of recruiting and narrow down the scope to find those student - athletes. It will get done. And, there are great players in that scope. Just a heck of a lot more competition for those Kids.

I'm from Franklin County, MO. and I don't think we wear collars. And God please let me be wrong with this outlook.

[Titan Q]

Charlie Henderson, a promising freshman for Westminster last year (16 min/game), is now a walk-on for Mike Anderson at the U. of Arkansas.

[Denny McKinney]

Really TQ? I know you said IWU was interested in Henderson before he joined the Bluejays. This seems like a huge leap.

Some of the rosters are being posted by SLIAC schools. Some real suprises. Webster appears to be a very small squad. Huskey at 6'5 and a 6'4 freshmen. Is this the year we see Coach Bunch change things up and go up tempo? Trimble would of helped if that's the case. Will have to watch the scores to see.

[Denny McKinney]

I heard from a pretty reliable source today, that Spalding's McAfee plans on sitting out this year. Returning for his final year next year when Spaulding is a full member with a post season possibility. Just from the outside, it looks like this may be a more wide open race. But, will the quality be there.

Hopefan must be enjoying his Grand Parental duties. Happy for you Sir. Spoil them rotten. 

[hopefan]

multiple reasons for my lull between writings.....

The news of player absences for the upcoming season really takes the glow off looking towards Nov 18.  Willie Trimble was a one of a kind talent that I had not seen before in the SLIAC, and likely never will...  Not saying he was the best basketball player on the floor, but his atleticism and willingness to take a game over made it difficult to consider seeing a game other than Webster...  Certainly several of the most startling dunks in a game that I've ever seen out of a kid who was under 6'.   It was a pleasure to have him in the SLIAC for a year, a real disappointment that life's circumstances, whatever they were, made it impossible to return.

  I felt Charlie Henderson had the greater potential of the SLIAC's two new frosh big men of last year. he and Wabster's Jarrod Huskey.  Huskey immediately earned a starting role and was fantastic for a handful of games before going down with an ankle injury, but needed to stay in the paint to be effective, and had many moments of frosh awkwardness....  Henderson came on strong for Westmin as the season progressed, and to me had the quickness to the basket, coupled with perimeter abilities, that would have made him dominant in the SLIAC.   Arkansas?  hard to understand unless hoops (or actually playing time) have become less critical... perhaps there was some association with Charlies home town of Columbia and former Mizzou coach, now Arkansas coach Mike Anderson... It's likely Anderson knew him or of him because Charlie went to high school with caoch Anderson's daughter(I think - correct me if I'm wrong).  Well, one of those decisions you'd love to know about...

Dewhon McAfee was the MOP of the conference last year, and with him Spalding was a clear choice to win conference with all but one contributor being underclassmen on last year's roster.  I may do a little digging to confirm Denny's news that Dewhon may sit out this year in order to play next year...  interesting choice if the 5th year was needed anyway to graduate... can't say that I would disagree with the move.   I voiced the opinion last year and I feel the same way this year that Spalding should be able to play in the conference Tourney... they earn that right by playing a brutal travel schedule being so far off the beaten SLIAC path... If they win the tournament, team number 2 could represent the SLIAC in the NCAA's....

So the two best returning players in the league AREN'T returning, and a big man with tremendous potential is also gone....   the returning players from the all conference teams.. none on the first team, 2 on the 2nd team, 4 on the HM team...no more than one per school....  this definitely makes things more wide open....

[y_jack_lok]

I voiced the opinion last year and I feel the same way this year that Spalding should be able to play in the conference Tourney... they earn that right by playing a brutal travel schedule being so far off the beaten SLIAC path... If they win the tournament, team number 2 could represent the SLIAC in the NCAA's....

I suppose for the above to happen it would require some change in conference and/or NCAA policy. Even if it were, or were ever to become, possible it would seem awkward to me for the loser of a conference tournament championship to represent the conference in the NCAAs.