MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Titan Q]

I understand your points, hope, and I think they're fair.  Here is my take, for what it's worth...

In my opinion, a team good enough to contend for the SLIAC title (which I believe most think Webster is this year), should compete very well with a team expected to be near the bottom of the CCIW.  For example, Fontbonne vs Illinois Wesleyan last year (I saw both multiple times) would have been a good game...Fontbonne tied for 1st in the SLIAC, IWU finished 7th in the CCIW.  I believe it's accurate to say the SLIAC #1 usually equals about CCIW #7.   Looking at Webster vs Millikin, if there was a line on the game last night, it might have been Millikin -3 or so (the 3 due to the game being in Decatur).   I guess I just can't see that called a "great win", when the teams are pretty even.   To draw a Division I analogy, if Murray State (the favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference this year) beats Northwestern, is that really a "great win"?  I guess some might say "yes" because Northwestern is in the Big Ten...but is Northwestern any good?  Just a matter of semantics really.

To your point about low-D1 vs top D3's...

Last year when Millikin beat new D1 SIU-Edwardsville, I think it caught a lot of people by surprise because Millikin has been a CCIW bottom-feeder for a decade now.  So yes, I would call that a "great win" for the Big Blue.  Had Wheaton or Elmhurst or Augustana done the same last year, I don't think it would have even been a big upset.  "Good win"...sure.  "Great win"...no.

Keep in mind, there are differing levels within what is called "low-D1."  To me, Western Illinois and SIU-Edwardsville are on the extreme low end of low-D1.  I believe top-15 caliber D3 teams - like the best in the CCIW, WIAC, and UAA - are better than these teams.  (That should change as those programs build...Jim Molinari should do a good job at WIU, and SIU-E is just getting started.)   If a Wash U or UW-Stevens Point beat SIU-E or Western Illinois this year, I don't think it would be a "great win."  Now, when you get up any higher than that lowest rung of "low-D1" (say, middle-of-the-pack Ohio Valley or Summit League, then yes, any D3 win becomes really impressive in my opinion.

I enjoyed watching several SLIAC games last year and I think I have a good appreciation for how the top teams stack up in the D3 world.  I don't think you should consider a good SLIAC team a big underdog when facing a team towards the bottom of a great league.

[Love_for_the_Game]

Well like I said earlier in the year.... Josh Branch is looking good. If he keeps the points up then it looks like my prediction is right. I also have to a agree that the Webster game was NOT a GREAT win. It was more a good win and should have done better. They got lucky they won the game but it was not a great win. That is like saying beating Moody was a great win for FU. They should have won and they did and thats it. Whats the word on when FU plays in Cali?

[y_jack_lok]

To me, Western Illinois and SIU-Edwardsville are on the extreme low end of low-D1. I believe top-15 caliber D3 teams - like the best in the CCIW, WIAC, and UAA - are better than these teams. 

TQ, I don't know how far, geographically, your D3 exploration goes, but from reading the ODAC board so far this pre-season/early season, they think they have one of the top conferences in the country. If you haven't already, you might enjoy peeking in on what those folks are saying.

[Titan Q]

To me, Western Illinois and SIU-Edwardsville are on the extreme low end of low-D1. I believe top-15 caliber D3 teams - like the best in the CCIW, WIAC, and UAA - are better than these teams.  

TQ, I don't know how far, geographically, your D3 exploration goes, but from reading the ODAC board so far this pre-season/early season, they think they have one of the top conferences in the country. If you haven't already, you might enjoy peeking in on what those folks are saying.

I enjoy exploring, y-jack.  I've been to 10 of the last 12 D3 Final Fours and a dozen+ Sectionals over the course of the last 20 years (from Randolph-Macon, to Roanoke, to UW-Platteville, to Wooster, etc).  I always like learning more about the different teams, leagues, regions, etc.

It certainly sounds like the ODAC is one of the best leagues in D3 this season.  It has emerged as a "power conference" (if that is a term used in D3) over the course of the last 5 years or so.

[fcnews]

LOTG - Josh has put up some points. So has Bell from EC. What Branch has a chance to do this year, far greater then a POY, is be the first player in the SLIAC to start and play in four NCAA appearances. I know this has happened in other sports but not men's basketball. That would be a much greater accomplishment then POY.

FU plays Friday and Saturday.

[y_jack_lok]

Eureka loses to Monmouth 73-64. Four of five starters played FU like minutes of 32, 35, 36, and 40. Bell scored 20, Leppard 18, and Zasada 15. And these same guys did the bulk of the work on the boards as well.

I've thought that Eureka might be the team to beat this season, but will depth be a problem? Or are they the second coming of the FU philosophy of recent years?

[fcnews]

We have to mourn this loss like we celebrated the win.

Eureka loses to Monmouth 73-64. Four of five starters played FU like minutes of 32, 35, 36, and 40. Bell scored 20, Leppard 18, and Zasada 15. And these same guys did the bulk of the work on the boards as well.

I've thought that Eureka might be the team to beat this season, but will depth be a problem? Or are they the second coming of the FU philosophy of recent years?

FU philosophy. I like that reference.

[fcnews]

Happy Thanksgiving to all posters and their families.

FU mens and womens teams will be setting down together this evening for an old fashion Thanksgiving dinner.

[hopefan]

FC  old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner  -  on the beach!!!!

[fcnews]

One thing more to be thankful for.

[hopefan]

After taking a 15-6 lead early, Fontbonne gets crushed by Whittier, 98-63.

Fontbonne shoots less than 33%, though Branch has another good shooting night.

Forest plays 30 minutes, and gets 6 shots?     Suggestion, change the offense....
Thought, Defenses had to concentrate on stopping Fontbonne's strong inside game last year, and ball movement got the ball to an open Forest. Now with limited inside presence, defenses can concentrate on perimeter players one on one, tougher for Forest to get open looks....  he's still playing a good game though  9 for 9 from the line....

just don't lose to Caltech, please!!!!

Question, I appreciate the team experince and all that but if the trip is so much of a distraction that it leads to bad basketball, is it worth the $$$ put out?  Whittier was not  supposed to be THAT good....

[fcnews]

Ugly Basketball.

Hopefan- Fontbonne is playing a different offense. FU is just not as talented as in previous years. You don't replace what they loss.

And here goes the $$$ bitchin', again. Travel had nothing to do with it. FU still had two full practices before this game, same as they would of had at home. Is it wrong to want to give the kids more then 25 games in the dreary midwest.

This is called a rebuilding year. I've said all along that FU would be fighting for a #4 seed.

Whittier is not that bad. Would be a pretty good SLIAC team. And, if players don't start stepping up and playing like they can, Caltech could get a W.

10 players played double digit minutes. It's obvious FU is searching. And, shooting poorly. Mike Riva was a big loss.

[hopefan]

actually FC, the weather has been beautiful in the midwest - far from Dreary- just a bit cooler than So Cal, by about 50 degrees

[fcnews]

Thanks Hope. One bright spot.

[FrostBite]

The Blue Jays got their second victory of the season by defeating Crown College friday night by 30. I'm not sure how Crown College would stack up against other SLIAC teams but a 30 point win is always nice. Vislay had 15 and Millard had one of his typical games with 10 pts 6 rbs & 6 assists.

The Blue Jays play Neb Wesleyan this evening. Not that anyone is bored on this beautiful saturday evening but here is a link to listen live. The quality of the broadcast is quite good.

http://www.kfor1240.com/pages/4498752.php