MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ec_fan14]

As a Red Devil fan I am hoping that Fontbonne can turn it around and knock off Westminster Wednesday. It would definitely make things a lot more interesting.

Webster also has a tough game wednesday.  Greenville is coming off a solid win and playing at Greenville is always tough.  they usually have a pretty good fan base that shows up to the home games.  I hope they can beat a tough webster team.  2 very different styles of play.  Webster likes to slow it down and Greenville is more run and gun. 

Like i already said Eureka cant afford to slip up at Blackburn if they want to stay near the top and I think Mac will handle Principia, although Prin must have played well to be Fontbonne.

Any predictions about all conf teams through this part of the season? 

[hopefan]

Funny ec I was just thinking about All Conference  -   this season more than ever, individual statistics like scoring average don't tell the story - ie, I would not have either Branch or Bell on my first team, nor would I put Sykes, a fine individual player but on a woeful team, on the first team...

That means, the people that I think deserve it, admittedly based heavily on games I've seen...

McAfee  -  Spalding  -  to me, he's the best small guard I've seen in the conference
Zasada - Eureka - even in the losses, he's been the force that kept Eureka in the game
Vislay - Westmin - this is really a vote for 4 guys from Westmin, as they distribute the ball to make everyone a threat- but this kid is a heck of an athlete
Moore - Webster  -  it took a while, but he is the one most responsible for Webster's turn around from a dreadful start
the 5th is tough, but I have to go with Forest - Fontbonne - he is playing so hard despite all the tough times at Fontbonne

6th man  Sichting - Mac  -  he would have made my first team based on the single game I saw him in vs Fontbonne, but he has pulled a disappearing act in some games.

2nd team candidates  -  no one from Prin - I haven't seen them  -  along with Sichting, Ellis, Bell, Millard, Randall, Agomo, Robertson, Jones, Crawford, Sykes....  it's a crap shoot ... and kind of dependent on what weight you put on individual performance vs contribution to winning.  Given that I think this conference is relatively level team to team, I put a lot of weight on winning, along with attitude.

[Love_for_the_Game]

I told everyone that I was not going to post anything until FCNEWS came back but it looks like he is not coming back. I have been reading the post and I would like to say one thing.....HOPEFAN how do you not have Josh Branch on any of the 2 teams??? He is scoring a tons, second in assist, and does pretty well for all the minutes he plays! I feel like you just dont like the kid and taking it out on him. They are just kids, dont dislike someone and not give them credit when it is deserved. He has been the only player that has helped FU stay into games and win games. Forrest has came on strong latly but they are still losing. All I have to say is that they are just kids and let thier play speak for themselves. Not somone who just watches and really does not know anything about these kids. This is a public chat and people like FU players do read this and your not being fair. If it was up to me, I would kick you off.

[furbug]

Anyone who thinks that Fontbonne is going to beat Westminster at Westminster is dreaming alone in the twilight. 

[furbug]

this season more than ever, individual statistics like scoring average don't tell the story

This is a really good point.  A good example is Webster's success thus far. Look at the conference individual stats and you do not find Webster players up near the top in most categories, yet Webster has been winning. It has been a real team effort, defensively and offensively, and the comment on Drew Moore is very appropriate in that he has contributed a great deal to that team success on both ends. 

[hopefan]

Ya gotta call em like you see em love of the game  -  Josh would not make my first two teams given the way he has played in the games I have seen  -  I won't go into the stats - it would embarrass you  -  who would be your all conference team Branch, Branch, Branch, Branch, and Branch?... ahhh, I just don't know anything about the game  -   glad to see your return - was worried about you

I had a chance to look at stats, so will provide

Josh Branch
FG% non conf  50.3%         FG% Conference  39.3%
3 point FG% non conf  42.1%         3 point FG% Conference  32.3%

Fontbonne is a disappointing 2-5 in conference
Josh's shooting in the 5 losses
vs Mac   5 - 14
vs Webster  1 - 8
vs Prin   4 - 15
vs Eureka   6 - 16
Vs Spalding   12 - 24   (0-4 from 3's in OT)

I gave some thought to luvadagame's comment that I might be picking on Josh and I agree it wouldn't be fair, but these stats would seem to back up his exclusion from my list.  Hey, if he turns it around in the 2nd half of the season, he would make my team  (page back to the beginning of the season and you'll see I posted he was a clear all conference pick after the first several games of the season when he was playing very well).  all conference should be based on play IN conference....  does this level of play deserve all conference mention?   You answer it honestly lovuvdagame......

[ec_fan14]

I have to say I think Branch is a good player but looking at those numbers theres no way hes a 1st teamer.  possibly a 2nd teamer but more likely honorable mention. 

I think that team performance should have a high impact on all conf this year because as hope said Webster is 2nd if conf with no big time numbers coming from anyone.

1st team
Zasada Vislay Mcaffe Moore Forrest

2nd team
Bell (I'd put him on 1st team if Eureka is 1st or 2nd in conf. If that happend I'd move Forrest to 2nd team if FU has another bad semester)
Ellis, Sykes, Sichting, Crawford,

Others to consider
Jones McCellan Douglas Branch Millard Kindred Agomo


My POY would be Zasada and NOY  Moore

Just one guys thoughts.  I'd like to say in regards to LOTG that I dont think posters come on here to bash kids.  This is about the only publicity that D3 players from the SLIAC get.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and although you may not agree with it I doubt anyone is personally attacking any of the players in the league

[hopefan]

I would note that independently, EC14 arrived at same first team as I did..... 

[Into_the_Blue]

I havent seen a SLIAC team play yet this year.

Based on SLIAC.org I would go with

1st team
Vislay
Zasada
Moore
McAfee
Millard

2nd Team
Bell
Forrest or Branch *
Sykes
Ellis
Robertson


* looking at stats im having a hard time deciding branch is playing better in conference play than forrest or vice versa.  guess id have to see them play

[hopefan]

Blue   -  while I like Millard, not sure how he can be a first teamer based on whatever you used from Sliac.org   -   he is well down the list on all statistical categories in conference games... I do agree with you enough to say he is a legit 2nd team/mention candidate - another one of those 'blenders' that make Westmin the best team in the conference.

[hopefan]

also of interest

Mac beats Prin last night to bounce back from their loss to Gville  - 

and in the STL Post a JV box score showing Fontbonne JV losing in ot to Concordia....  good experience for a number of Fontbonne kids who get minimal time in the varsity games... Lisch, Melloway, Rees, Hamilton Buford all played....   good evaluation opportunity for the coaches.   This could be an explanation as to why these individuals have been held out of one or two varsity games to allow them room to play in a game like this.

[Into_the_Blue]

Blue   -  while I like Millard, not sure how he can be a first teamer based on whatever you used from Sliac.org   -   he is well down the list on all statistical categories in conference games... I do agree with you enough to say he is a legit 2nd team/mention candidate - another one of those 'blenders' that make Westmin the best team in the conference.

Not a lot of guys even make the top 25 in this many statistical fields:
Millard 23rd pts 11.2
          17th rebs  4.8
            9th FG pct .543
            5th asst   3.5
            8th asst/TO 1.4
            10th mins  31.33

Leads his team in rebounds, assists and minutes.  Was a defensive all conference player last year which would explain his minutes this year.  They need him on the floor. 

Given that I think this conference is relatively level team to team, I put a lot of weight on winning, along with attitude.

I do too, Hope.  Millard plays for the top team in the conference thus far.  With level teams and a lot of players that impact the game (according to the stat sheets)...this pick made total sense for me.  Millard is an all around type of guy (much like Westminster's whole team) who doesnt stand out in one category alone but is very valuable in all facets of the game. 

As a coach Id rather have a player like that than someone one dimensional any day...which may bias my opinion on the all conference teams. 

[pgkevin]

Blue   -  while I like Millard, not sure how he can be a first teamer based on whatever you used from Sliac.org   -   he is well down the list on all statistical categories in conference games... I do agree with you enough to say he is a legit 2nd team/mention candidate - another one of those 'blenders' that make Westmin the best team in the conference.

Not a lot of guys even make the top 25 in this many statistical fields:
Millard 23rd pts 11.2
          17th rebs  4.8
            9th FG pct .543
            5th asst   3.5
            8th asst/TO 1.4
            10th mins  31.33

Leads his team in rebounds, assists and minutes.  Was a defensive all conference player last year which would explain his minutes this year.  They need him on the floor. 

Given that I think this conference is relatively level team to team, I put a lot of weight on winning, along with attitude.

I do too, Hope.  Millard plays for the top team in the conference thus far.  With level teams and a lot of players that impact the game (according to the stat sheets)...this pick made total sense for me.  Millard is an all around type of guy (much like Westminster's whole team) who doesnt stand out in one category alone but is very valuable in all facets of the game. 

As a coach Id rather have a player like that than someone one dimensional any day...which may bias my opinion on the all conference teams. 

As a complete and total outsider, this is a very compelling argument.  I could completely justify this kid on a 1st team.  However, in my experiences coaches always tend to go more with individual statistics than the certain intangibles talked about above.  It has always baffled me, because if anyone should understand those intangibles it would be the coaches.

[Into_the_Blue]

Blue   -  while I like Millard, not sure how he can be a first teamer based on whatever you used from Sliac.org   -   he is well down the list on all statistical categories in conference games... I do agree with you enough to say he is a legit 2nd team/mention candidate - another one of those 'blenders' that make Westmin the best team in the conference.

Not a lot of guys even make the top 25 in this many statistical fields:
Millard 23rd pts 11.2
          17th rebs  4.8
            9th FG pct .543
            5th asst   3.5
            8th asst/TO 1.4
            10th mins  31.33

Leads his team in rebounds, assists and minutes.  Was a defensive all conference player last year which would explain his minutes this year.  They need him on the floor. 

Given that I think this conference is relatively level team to team, I put a lot of weight on winning, along with attitude.

I do too, Hope.  Millard plays for the top team in the conference thus far.  With level teams and a lot of players that impact the game (according to the stat sheets)...this pick made total sense for me.  Millard is an all around type of guy (much like Westminster's whole team) who doesnt stand out in one category alone but is very valuable in all facets of the game. 

As a coach Id rather have a player like that than someone one dimensional any day...which may bias my opinion on the all conference teams. 

As a complete and total outsider, this is a very compelling argument.  I could completely justify this kid on a 1st team.  However, in my experiences coaches always tend to go more with individual statistics than the certain intangibles talked about above.  It has always baffled me, because if anyone should understand those intangibles it would be the coaches.

pgkev

i agree.  why award the kid who scores 20 a night on a team that wins two games over someone who is doing all the little things in every category and leading his teams to victory almost every night?

style points....

[hopefan]

However Blue, I don't think you can accuse me of being totally statistical oriented, which the writings are beginning to point to.... my opinion is that Millard is low enough in various catagories that being a great team player just doesn't move him up to first team status....

11.2 ppg   23rd in conf
4.8 rpg      17th in conf
.543  fg %   9th in conf
3.5 apg      5th in conf
not in leaders in ft % or steals
8th in conf assist to turnover

Very well rounded, I think you have a great argument - that spot is a real toss up-  like I said originally, clearly one Westmin player deserves first team attention, but I'm not yet convinced that 2 do.  However, I could see one first team, two second team from Westmin.