MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Ralph Turner · October 18, 2009, 06:05:37 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on October 13, 2009, 05:12:53 PM
Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on October 13, 2009, 01:31:11 AM
As far as I can recall, NO SLIAC team has ever won a national tourney game.

Correct. The SLIAC is 0-13 in D3 tourney play, and Fontbonne's three-point loss to UMHB two tournaments ago was not only the closest by far that any SLIAC team has come to winning a tourney game, it's also only the second instance in which a SLIAC team kept the final margin under 16 points. The average final margin by which SLIAC teams have lost in the dance is 23 points. That's a big part of what LOTG seems to be missing here: The perspective on D3 as a whole and the SLIAC's place within it.

The SLIAC just doesn't turn out teams that are national championship contenders, for a variety of reasons that have been discussed many times in this room over the years, and the recent Fontbonne teams were no exception. To think otherwise is to betray a naive view of D3 men's basketball. As I said, Coach McKinney got about as much out of those teams as anyone could've reasonably been expected to do.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on October 13, 2009, 01:31:11 AMBy WU (and coming right after 'tourney' talk) I am assuming you mean WashU. If you think Fontbonne had better talent than WashU (but suffered because of their coach), you are probably clinically insane!

If the WashU coach could have won the Walnut-and-Bronze with Fontbonne's players, he would be instantly inducted in the Coaching Hall of Fame. No disrespect intended to Fontbonne, but get a grip on reality.

Couldn't have said it any better myself, Chuck.

That Fontbonne team may be the best SLIAC team to make the tourney.

The next night, Millsaps won the second round game on their home court with a last second fall-away miracle shot.

fcnews · October 18, 2009, 10:07:21 PM

OH GEEZ, Thanks Ralph. We haven't had sunshine in a month, today is beautiful, and you spoiled it with your good memory. Tough Loss. And, I think Fontbonne stood a good chance in the match up with Millsaps.

Actually, now that a year has passed it ain't quite as bad. I was a very fun weekend. And, Millsaps did an excellent job hosting. Even though the UMHB fans thought they should have been at home.

Ralph Turner · October 18, 2009, 10:35:44 PM

Quote from: fcnews on October 18, 2009, 10:07:21 PM
OH GEEZ, Thanks Ralph. We haven't had sunshine in a month, today is beautiful, and you spoiled it with your good memory. Tough Loss. And, I think Fontbonne stood a good chance in the match up with Millsaps.

Actually, now that a year has passed it ain't quite as bad. I was a very fun weekend. And, Millsaps did an excellent job hosting. Even though the UMHB fans thought they should have been at home.

I felt the same way about the UMHB loss to Millsaps.

I thought that UMHB could have done well up to the Elite 8 in 2008.

The ASC is still trying to have its break out season. The conference always has at least 3-5 quality teams. In 2009, UT-Dallas led Guilford until the game-tying shot at the end of regulation in the Elite 8. (There were four other teams in the ASC that thought they were as good as UTD.)

fcnews · October 18, 2009, 10:46:52 PM

That shot - heave to beat UMHB was a dagger. Not again in my time type of shot.

My favorite play of the weekend was late in the first half of the UMHB v. FU game. FU's Chad Fournie made a steal at halfcourt and was about to release a breakaway layup, when the whistle was blown. Nobody within 20 ft of him. One official blew the whistle to "T" up the UMHB coach. Waved off the layup and awarded the free throws. Coach McKinney deserved a "T" for his reaction to the ref's explanantion. The official speaking to Coach new the other official had errored. Then the two officials had words.

Looking back at it on film is almost "Keystone Cops" like.

Mr. Ypsi · October 18, 2009, 11:40:41 PM

Quote from: fcnews on October 18, 2009, 10:46:52 PM
That shot - heave to beat UMHB was a dagger. Not again in my time type of shot.

My favorite play of the weekend was late in the first half of the UMHB v. FU game. FU's Chad Fournie made a steal at halfcourt and was about to release a breakaway layup, when the whistle was blown. Nobody within 20 ft of him. One official blew the whistle to "T" up the UMHB coach. Waved off the layup and awarded the free throws. Coach McKinney deserved a "T" for his reaction to the ref's explanantion. The official speaking to Coach new the other official had errored. Then the two officials had words.

Looking back at it on film is almost "Keystone Cops" like.

Bizarre story! I hope FU made the FTs - otherwise the wrong team got penalized!

fcnews · October 18, 2009, 11:45:10 PM

Mr. Y - Yes, made them both. Would of perferred the layup then the two FT's.

Ralph Turner · October 19, 2009, 12:29:30 AM

Quote from: fcnews on October 18, 2009, 10:46:52 PM
That shot - heave to beat UMHB was a dagger. Not again in my time type of shot.
...

Here is that Millsaps-UMHB shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56MEGFteGyM

fcnews · October 19, 2009, 04:58:43 PM

Just took a look at the roster Westminster has posted on their website. That has to be the largest freshmen class I've seen.

No word from LOTG on his oberservation of the Webster practice.

Fontbonne had three great practices last week. Coaches are very impressed with energy of these practices.

Anyother thoughts so for?

y_jack_lok · October 19, 2009, 06:25:56 PM

Yep, lots of names on the Westminster roster. But the thing I noticed is that of the returning players Stanley Crawford is the only senior. So if they turn out to be as good as some people say they will be this season, then next season looks very promising also.

fcnews · October 20, 2009, 09:50:30 PM

That is why I've picked WC as my Pre season pick. This will be an interesting season. We always think this is the year that it wide open. I'm going out on a limb and saying FU will be able to claw out a spot.

fcnews · October 21, 2009, 11:12:47 AM

Almost a week since a Hopefan post. Better start checking the backs of milk cartons.

ec_fan14 · October 21, 2009, 09:10:15 PM

Eureka went on its first foreign tour in school history. theres a nice write up about it on the Eureka website. heres the link

http://www.eureka.edu/athletics/menbsktball/pr/0910/CanadianTourPreview.shtml

roster and schedule are also up. Mark Lessen has nice size at 6-8 should provide a true low post presence for Eureka. Ethan Neitzel should also help being 6-3.

haven't heard how the trip went but i'm sure the guys enjoyed it.

Eureka is still my pick to click this year. Zasada and Bell's senior year with sophomore phenom Jordan Kindred, Red Devils will be tough to handle. Throw in Andy Leppard and the newcomers should be a promising year.

hopefan · October 22, 2009, 09:57:56 AM

FC - I've been here - Just not a lot to say until I see some of the conference's new faces in action. Also spent alot of time researching and posting schedules in the General room (I'm taking a national focus this year with some pretty neat spreadsheet work) Also been stupidly busy at work..... Don't worry though - same ol hopefan. been thinking of coach McK and family....

FrostBite · October 22, 2009, 10:49:30 AM

I know some of you fine young gents like to hear what former SLIAC players are doing with their professional career, so I thought I would update you on what some former WC players are up to.

Landon Kurz. After one year as assistant at WC has moved on to be a graduate assistant at DII Central Missouri State. CMSU has a great basketball program and I believe is ranked in the preseason top 10 this year.

Buddy Sodemann is an assistant at Wash U.

Ty Cochran is teaching at Hancock High School in St. Louis and is also an assistant basketball coach.

I should have some more info on the current WC squad coming up.

fcnews · October 22, 2009, 11:03:19 AM

Call off the search. Hopefan wasn't in the balloon.

I'll pass your thoughts on Hopefan.