MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Scouting report on Spalding....  credit and quote from Greg Sager of the CCIW room   -  his North Park team squeezed by Spalding

"This was one of those wins in which you walk out of the gym feeling as though your team lost. NPU led at the half, 41-24, over a Spalding team that was basically one player, DeWhon McAfee, looking to penetrate on every single possession. Sometimes he didn't even bother with a token pass -- he brought the ball up the floor and went straight for the basket. That's the easiest offense in the game of basketball to defend, and for twenty minutes NPU defended it the way that it should be done. The only question seemed to be how big a final margin the Vikes would eventually rack up.

Unfortunately, this team doesn't seem to be able to put together two good halves. NPU folded like an accordion in the second half, mainly due to appalling rebounding; the Vikes were outboarded 43-32 on the night, and gave up a whopping 16 offensive boards. Nearly every shot the Golden Eagles attemped was either an initial layup or a putback, as they tried only ten treys on the night (they made only one). The wonder is that they only shot 59% from the field, considering how close in they were on almost every shot. McAfee proved to be completely unstoppable in the second stanza. He got to the rim at will, and on the rare occasions in which he decided to try a jumper he hit nothing but net almost every time. If he hadn't been so single-minded about driving even when he didn't have anything, he'd have been even more effective, as the entire North Park defense was collapsing upon him by the end of the game. He finished with 33 of Spalding's 65 points, played all 40 minutes, and was clearly too gassed at the end to make the difference. But he got the Eagles closer than they should've ever gotten, and he did it almost all by himself. "

[ec_fan14]

That sounds like a good report on Spalding.  Thanks for showing us that hope.

I was home for thanksgiving this week and didnt catch any of the Red Devil games.  I must say i am disappointed.  Losing 2 games that were very winnable.

The story i got from my source was much of the same for both games.  EC is not playing well together on offense.  There is no rhythm to their offense.  They are forcing shots and taking them too quick. 

Hopefully Eureka can get it figured out by wednesday when they travel to Mac to open up conf.  If not it could be a long year for Eureka.


In regards to Josh Branch being MVP of the league, I dont think that because you score the most points makes you automatic POY.   I think it depends on who does the most for their team.  Obviously with Forgerty the last 2 years he led the league in scoring and was at the top in rebounds too.

Right now Bell is averaging 22pts 7reb and 2stl.  All Branch has is 25pts and 2ast.
And its too early to say who is going to be POY.  If im not mistaken POY is selected based upon conf only stats.  conf hasnt even started yet.

[hopefan]

EC  I share your disappointment in Eureka's performance after such an exciting start.  I wasn't as convinced as Yjak was, but those early wins were impressive.  Now, as the conference season approaches, there are so many question marks....   I still like Font, Webster, EC, GC, and Westmin battling for four spots, but can't yet throw Mac and BC out of the mix......  They just aren't that far behind the other group....    I strongly feel the conference as a whole has taken a step, even a BIG step back in what is a rebuilding year for virtually everyone, but that doesn't diminish the fun of a conference season where there are virtually no gimmes  -  I hope Mac and BC do step up to also compete....  and who knows what role Spalding will play.... they can't make the tourney, but I believe the games against them count in the conference records..??   That leaves only poor Prin, who once again may find wins hard to come by......

A disappointing note  ...  Ben Cochrane, former Greenville player who 2 years ago was SLIAC Newcomer of the Year, but transferred to Wheaton this year, has played in only one of 3  Wheaton games, for 1 minute in the stats  -  at least he got a hoop in that minute  -   wonder if Coach Barber could get him to come back? 

Another note - Maryville has started their foray into D2 at 0-3, losing to D2 schools in a tourney in Minnesota by 32 and 38.....  a good group of kids who would have been the leading contender for SLIAC honors this year are going to be embarrassed at the next level all season, and who expected anything different...  I really miss them in the SLIAC.       Well, they have a shot at a win tonight at home vs Millikin.  If you have 6 extra bucks, go on over.

[fcnews]

EC-Fan - I believe LOTG is a friend of Branch's or admires his game. You haven't heard me mention any POY discussion.

Fogerty led the Conference in scoring and rebounding. He also altered everyother teams defensive plans. By doubling down on him, he made other players around him better. That's a POY.

It's the Allen Iverson theory, put up big numbers and no championships. Big scorers have to do more then score.

FU needs a lot more help them someone firing up three's. FU needs a lot of help right now.

[hopefan]

FC  -  I admire your direct opinion  -  hopefully it will stir the fires  -  those 3 pointers look great when you're shooting 50%  -  they look pretty sad when you're hitting 20-25% or below....

please keep in touch on Wednesday night - I'll be anxious to hear GC-FU scores and will pass on WU-BC scores to you....

[WUPHF]

Maryville lost to Milliken by 19 points at home.  I think Maryville may have jumped the gun when the decided to go Division II.  I know it takes time to make the transition, but this was a horrible loss in what looks to be a horrible season.

[y_jack_lok]

Webster plays Maryville at Webster on Dec. 11th in the Coaches vs Cancer Toutnament. That should be an interesting game given Webster's two point win over Millikin -- although I think all believe that it couldn't have been a very pretty game given the lack of scoring (46-44 final) . But no one who has posted about the game actually saw it, so maybe it was just great defense.

WUH is right -- if Maryville can't even play a close game with a D3 school, then its transition into D2 land is going to be difficult.

[hopefan]

the wife went out and got her first deer today....   the car doesn't look too good....

[Gregory Sager]

Webster plays Maryville at Webster on Dec. 11th in the Coaches vs Cancer Toutnament. That should be an interesting game given Webster's two point win over Millikin -- although I think all believe that it couldn't have been a very pretty game given the lack of scoring (46-44 final) . But no one who has posted about the game actually saw it, so maybe it was just great defense.

I posted a breakdown of Maryville's season to date over on CCIW Chat. Of interest regarding last night's 19-point home loss to Millikin: The leading scorer for the Saints had seven points, and the team as a whole shot 11-45 (.244) from the field.

WUH is right -- if Maryville can't even play a close game with a D3 school, then its transition into D2 land is going to be difficult.

I've gotta give you the Understatement of the Year Award for that one, y_jack.

[John Gleich]

the wife went out and got her first deer today....   the car doesn't look too good....

She did better than I did sitting in the woods in Wisconsin all week.  I didn't see a thing.  Though I'm pretty well rested...

[fcnews]

Tell her not to feel to bad Hope. I had a deer T-Bone me at 4:30am on my way to the golf course this summer.

Sliac play starts tomorrow nite. FU as Greenville on the road and Spalding at home, before Sean Gibson becomes elgible. This poster will take a split and be satisfied. The coaches may not agree. Just my feeling.

In a previous post I spoke my mind on Branch for POY. I wanted to clarify that I was not taking a swipe at Josh. It's just the fact that there is more to the award then just scoring.

Good Luck to All Sliac teams.

[sac]

the wife went out and got her first deer today....   the car doesn't look too good....

She did better than I did sitting in the woods in Wisconsin all week.  I didn't see a thing.  Though I'm pretty well rested...

Come to my backyard next year, I see them every day.

[watchdog]

Conference play is underway and Spalding held serve at home, topping the Principia women 68-39 and the Principia men 83-45.

Wednesday's Action:

Blackburn at Webster
Eureka at MacMurray
Fontbonne at Greenville

The Pre-Season Polls:

Men
1. Westminster (3)
2. Fontbonne (3)
3. Webster (1)
4. Spalding
5. Greenville (1)
6. Eureka
7. MacMurray
8. Blackburn
9. Principia

Women
1. Westminster (2)
2. Blackburn (3)
3. Spalding (2)
4. Fontbonne (1)
5. Webster
6. MacMurray
7. Greenville
8. Principia
9. Eureka

[fcnews]

Thanks for te post Watchdog. But, as discussed before these polls are useless when there is no conversation or discussion before voting. We were into the season before finding out GC's Brooks didn't return. Among others. They got the men's #1 right (IMO), but there was some strange voting from there on.

[hopefan]

Obviously at least one coach read my preseason picks (Greenville and Fontbonne ) and went with it!!!