MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

So... observations from the Webster Fontbonne game

First, for those addicted only to the men's game, I'll let you know that the women's game was just as close- Webster winning in OT in that one.  I think that game was so intense it wore a couple of my fellow spectators out - many less barbs regarding officiationg or random shoves thrown out by the peanut gallery during the men's game than the women's.

Second - I can't tell you how good I have it - with no allegiance to any particular team, I don't have to stress over who wins/who loses, how the officiating is going, what players are in and out - it allows me a 'slightly ' higher level of objectivity in evaluating certain facets of the game.

MAN - I enjoyed last night!!!

Webster came out with a lineup that included old heads Stigemeier and Whitcomb - the first several minutes the play was relatively level, but when Coach Bunch went to a second unit, Webster fell behind badly - by as many as 13-15 points...  My thought that this game would be a rout was right on at that point in time...  still there were some changes in Webster's play that made for some hope..  Whitcomb and Steve Hrdlecka played brilliantly in the first half, finally coming out of a funk that had them seeing minutes reduced after being key performers last year - neither missed a shot in the first half, combining for 16-18 points.  Nick Jones flew to the basket often, drawing fouls, getting hoops.  The three of them kept Webster in the game, while amazingly, Webster's leading scorers, Turk and Niebrugge were shut out.  Webster cut the margin throughout the second half, and Ryan Turk started to heat up - never shot well, but scored or was fouled as he dominated the ball.  Webster got to 42-41 at 14:30, tied it at 54 at 8:00, tied it again at 61 at 3:00 and again at 63 wit 1:14.  I get rusty with happenings, but Webster had the last shot at regulation, a 15 footer that just rolled off the rim by Robby Meeh.  In the first OT, Webster took the lead, but missed foul shots allowed Fontbonne to get a possession with 30 seconds, and Patrick McCoy hit a jumper to tie with 4.4 seconds.  Websters attempt to win again just missed as Hrlicka took the inbounds pass, got it to Niebrugge who had a clear lane to the hoop - but not enough time to get there - his running bank shot was from about 10 feet at the buzzer was dead on, but rattled the rim and fell out.   In the mean time, fontbonne was getting in foul trouble , losing Branch, and later on Fogerty..   Webster dominated the 2nd OT, going up 8 - Fonbonnes 3 at the buzzer cut it from 6 to 3.

Why did Webster win, why did Fontbonne lose....   I actually felt like Fontbonne was feeling the pressure of a close game - there were some forced shots, some errant passes, some missed shots close in, some missed free throws - all uncommon for those that committed them - perhaps the lofty expectations and hopes particularly after the Wash U game are getting in people's heads.  No one is letting down as I said before, they just didn't look as comfortable down the stretch....
Their offense seems to be relatively free lance and one on one stuff - not alot on inside- out work - Branch rarely saw the ball on the wing-  I don't know - just an opinion. 


so some one liners

Terrance Lovett...   why is he hidden on the bench?  He was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

Chris Forrest - quickly my favorite Fontbonne player - does a great job quietly, without the bravado or whininess that several of his teammates constantly exhibit (ie see Fogerty's actions on his fifth foul - close to a "T" in ot)

Frank Sheetz - should be playing lots more -

and for Webster - win the game when two best players have subpar games - fantastic

Nick Jones- a good outside touch  AND a superb move to the basket - NICK - you're 6'5" and can jump - finish those drives off - forget the jump stop!!!   This kid is quickly becoming an all conference candidate

So good to see Whitcomb Hrdlecka have solid games - good kids who are necessary, even mandatory, for Webster to make the Conf tourney - would love to see Stegimeier have a  breakthrough game like that too....  Stegs, remember the at MacMurray game a year or two ago - you were super -do it again.

Couldn't figure out Coach Bunch's rotations, some guys getting significant minutes and not doing much - but lo and behold, the guys he wanted on the floor were there at the end, not gassed, not in foul trouble.

Webster is back in the race for a spot...  I agree with BLA - Eureka can't be overlooked either - Mac is the question mark - Blackburn and Prin look doubtful


AND a HUGE game Font at Maryville on Saturday - somewhere along the line Font has to start winning games - remember, this is the team that beat BC by only 5 at home!!!   No one questions the talent level or the effort, but a win is needed badly.

[hopefan]

Just read FC's and Hotshot's posts done while I was writing  -  good stuff - wish we could get that kind of coverage on each of the games from Maryville/Greenville/Westmin etc fans......

[hopefan]

And I note 14 guests are on this page  a minute ago  -  we're popular!!!!

[fcnews]

Note on Lovette. You have to attend practice to play.

[hopefan]

Ouch.......

[pantherpride06]

I'm still hoping, hopefan, that someone will emerge from Greenville and because an avid poster.  There's only so much I can report on from my sources (which are good...)

Wish I had more.

[depew24]

It was a great game to watch and I pleased I decided to attend. I won't repeat much of the recap because hopefan did the game justice. I will say that it looked like Fontbonne, more so Fogerty and McCoy did not keep their composure as much as they could have and it really showed at the end of the game. This was also true with Ryan Turk who in the first half seemed to try to make it more of a one on one game instead of doing what he does best, get open shots for his team and making the his too.

[fcnews]

As mentioned before. But maybe not read. The date of the Grinnell game was the only date both teams had. If another team in the area would of played them, FU would not have played this tough stretch. FU didn't dodge them. Give them credit for bringing "The Show" to our town.

Hotshot - In your previous double post (page 403), where you added two post from another posters comments as quotes. I would say most would agree it is unethical to alter a quote and then post it as one. But, Hey thanks for thinking about me.

35 - 40 minutes has won back to back trips to the NCAA tourney.

Gotta go folks more pressing matters. Don't think I'll be able to attend Saturday's game. Tulsa calls. Hope to check back in a couple of weeks.

True Griffin Fans - Keep the Faith

[hopefan]

Hope Tulsa goes ok FC  -  good luck

[JAdaPrince]

  I didn't get to go and I'm still kicking myself for not making it so I'm hoping for a breakdown from any in attendance since the new SID over at Webster isn't as quick to get the boxscore up on the website. What's up with that???

You are complaining about a missing BOX SCORE ... However, the game recap was posted following the game with quotes from Coach Bunch following the game ... It was a double OT game and there was also a women's game ... If I am not mistaken both recaps were posted well before you hit the message board to dump on the Webster SID

[hotshot_8617]

I still say this is the best Fontbonne team since the mid 90' teams of Mark Kronk, Darrell Haynes, Roy Woods, ect.......I have watched the SLIAC for a long time. Year in and year out Fontbonne almost always has the most talent. There are a few other from the old SLIAC days - Kevin Green and John Ries come to mind - from the early days and Henry Shannon, from more modern times, that could play with those named above. But all and all, give Fontbonne their due, they almost always have the most talent in the Conference. I think the only reason they have won only two regualr season crowns over the last 20+ years is that they never play any defense. The players know that defense has no say in PT. if you want to play at FU, you had better be jacking it up.


I still think it was a bad idea to play Grinnell on the date it was played. I have no problem with the rough stretch in Decemember; gets you ready for the conference. But FC, let's be real here and get off your well known spin on everything Fontbonne; the SLIAC is a one team qualifer conf and we are light years from having two SLIAC teams selected for the Big Dance. You have to win the AQ in the tournament to get in and you have to be in the top four to get into the SLIAC Tournament, let alone get a good seed. So why play that game when it was played? And I don't think anyone is buying the "we had to bring the show to the city" stuff. You don't put your self at a disavantage for a big conference game by wearing out your team in a meaningless non con game. It was a decison that was not well thought out and I bet if FU had to do it over, they would not play that game when it was played.


I still wouldn't vote against Fontbonne. i think they will still win the regualr season and the post season crowns and I really feel this is the year the SLIAC could accually get a win in the TRN. But they had better get their act together pretty quick.

[BLA]

For starters, I went looking for one last night.  No recap was posted at that time.

Secondly, the boxscore wasn't posted on SLIAC.org until this afternoon.

Lastly, relax.  

[JAdaPrince]

How about checking the Webster site for stats ... and the recaps were completely less than ONE HOUR past the completion of the game ...

I will relax when you get YOUR facts straight ... A post at 10 a.m. claiming the Webster SID is slow when all the information was at your fingertips is pure and simple erroneous ... If you want up to date information on Webster athletics, here is a hint .... www.websterathletics.com ...

[juniormint]

JAda i read your post and then your signature and I wonder who is going to win this argument...

I think you did



Any predictions for Saturday's games? 
Eureka wins at Prin by 15. 
Blackburn gets a tough win at Mac by 7.
Fontbonne gets off the snide at Maryville by 14. 
Greenville cant get the win on the road, WC by 11

Good luck to teams

[BLA]

Dude....relax.