MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Incredibly, yesterday's results may have ended 'the race' at the half way mark.

It seems the pretenders have been pretty well exposed, and there is little opportunity for catch-up

Westmin wins at Webster - the game I was at - and no lengthy writeup because there is little to write about.   The game was bland and pretty devoid of emotion compared to the recent matchups I've seen, and Westmin pulled away early in the second half.   Webster cut it to 5 and had the ball, but that possession was a killer - two air balls followed by offensive rebounds, then a missed free throw... Westmin scores quickly, and instead of a 2 or 3 point game, it's 7, and never close again.  Westminster is just too deep with 3 starter quality players off the bench, and the scoring is evenly distributed to 7 of the 8 who play.  I don't see how they'll lose in conference unless they have a down day on the road.

Eureka shows they are a clear number 2 handling Prin easily -  still would like to see Bell have a big game against Westmin or Webster, but I will say he has been tremendous against everyone else.... and Zasada just keeps playing at his MOP pace.

Biggest win of the year for Mac beating Spalding, and they open a two game lead over Greenville, who lost to BC.....

And Webster - well, they're really hurting for a point guard...  could the answer be move Scott Restoff out there with Ortworth, Jones, Moore, and Whitcombe  ... if you have no quicks, go bigger....   Trippet wong just are not gettin it done...

In reality, Webster may find themselves finishing 4th behind Mac, and lined up vs Westmin the first night - not what anyone wants.

This is the first time since I've been following the SLIAC that the race at least has the appearance of being dead this early... disappointing to me as a fan rewarding to Westmin for playing so well.     Sorry guys, I miss Maryville......  they kept things interesting...  and I miss Fontbonne and the continuous controversy they stirred

And some may laugh, but I say BOO to the security guys who shooed the very small children off the court at half time of the ladies game who were playing with the basketballs....   (the kids could hardly walk, much less dribble)

[y_jack_lok]

I think Greenville needs to come back and get this one today to stay in the race after looking at their remaining conference schedule.

Today's games mark the conclusion of the "first round" of conference play, every team having played each of the other teams once. So Greenville's remaining schedule is no different than that of any other team, except they don't have to play themselves, while every other team does. 

thanks for stating the obvious, but whats your point?  If you look at their record they're now two gameS removed from fourth place. Meaning if the top 3 hold those spots (which they're in a good position to do) and mac only wins its home games Greenville would have to win 6 out of 8. And if mac wins that home game against Greenville that would mean Greenville would have to win 6 out of 7, three of those on the road (other than mac). 

My point was based on it's first half of conference play Greenville is in a very tough spot with games at fontbonne Webster and mac. They'll have to improve tremendously record wise or all the top teams will have to fall back to them at thiS point.   

Now that you talk about where the games are being played, I understand what you are saying. But that was not clear (at least to me) from your original post.

[y_jack_lok]

And some may laugh, but I say BOO to the security guys who shooed the very small children off the court at half time of the ladies game who were playing with the basketballs....   (the kids could hardly walk, much less dribble)

Ditto that. It was so much fun during halftime of the Westminster-Eureka game in Fulton last weekend to see all the little kids (probably no older than 4 or 5) out on the court trying to make a hoop -- and several were quite good at it.

[formersliaccommish]

I say HURRAY for the security guys at Webster. You don't see kids shooting basketballs and running around the court at half time or between games at any well run venue, no matter how cute the kids are. It makes the host school look like it's running amateur night, and it's a good way to lose $75 basketballs.

The SLIAC can't compete on the court, on a regular basis, with the CCIWs and UAAs of this world, but it can have well organized and  professionally run programs like those schools. This falls into the same category as not reporting scores promptly.

Let the kids shoot after both games are over if you want to.

[Into_the_Blue]

I saw the AD clear the floor at the half of a 7th grade game the other day. Crazy

hope I agree about the race. Seems like the top 4 eligible are in clear control. Sorry I didn't write more the first time yjak. I tried to clear up what I meant with my last post. Wouldn't it be fun if GC did win a few of those road games like WU and Mac? 

Wouldn't the chance of losing $75 baskeballs be higher at the end of the games when everyone is Walking around than at half when most people are just sitting an watching?

[hopefan]

I didn't provide enough info  -  there were no team balls included - these were obviously balls the kid's parents had brought; they were small and multi colored - there were 5 children, only one of whom was big enough to attempt to shoot his ball at the hoop - the rest were simply happy to get out of the bleachers for 5 minutes    - 

I disagree with SLIACCOMMISH on this one  -  the kids on the floor were part of the atmosphere that makes D3 what it should be.....

[y_jack_lok]

I didn't provide enough info  -  there were no team balls included - these were obviously balls the kid's parents had brought; they were small and multi colored - there were 5 children, only one of whom was big enough to attempt to shoot his ball at the hoop - the rest were simply happy to get out of the bleachers for 5 minutes    - 

I disagree with SLIACCOMMISH on this one  -  the kids on the floor were part of the atmosphere that makes D3 what it should be.....

Ditto again.

[Gregory Sager]

I didn't provide enough info  -  there were no team balls included - these were obviously balls the kid's parents had brought; they were small and multi colored - there were 5 children, only one of whom was big enough to attempt to shoot his ball at the hoop - the rest were simply happy to get out of the bleachers for 5 minutes    - 

I disagree with SLIACCOMMISH on this one  -  the kids on the floor were part of the atmosphere that makes D3 what it should be.....

Ditto again.

I gotta go along with both of you on that. And, for the record, I've seen plenty of small fry running around on the floor and shooting basketballs -- their own basketballs -- during halftime in CCIW gyms when the players are in the locker room. As hopefan says, it's part of the family-friendly atmosphere that you can get in D3 that you can't get in D1.

[Love_for_the_Game]

Who really cares about kids shooting hoops at the game?  Can we talk about something else? Come on boys!

[Gregory Sager]

Who really cares about kids shooting hoops at the game?  Can we talk about something else? Come on boys!

LFTG, the unofficial rule on these boards is that you can't complain about the topic of conversation unless you're willing to start a new one yourself.

[hopefan]

ok Love, let's talk about your buddy Josh Branch  -  what did he do to get himself removed from the team?   
Let's go   -  start talking....

[hs_pg_qb]

ok Love, let's talk about your buddy Josh Branch  -  what did he do to get himself removed from the team?   
Let's go   -  start talking....

as y_jak would say:  Ditto

[Mr. Ypsi]

Who really cares about kids shooting hoops at the game?  Can we talk about something else? Come on boys!

LFTG, the unofficial rule on these boards is that you can't complain about the topic of conversation unless you're willing to start a new one yourself.

Sort of - but as I recall it, it is not so much a rule of etiquette as simply that complaining alone NEVER works!  Posters are, however, easily distracted!

A new topic (at least sometimes) is like a squirrel to a dog!

[I_HAD_GAME]

Long long time reader and first time poster. I played in the SLIAC for four years at a school not named Fontbonne. I did want to transfer to Fontbonne after my freshmen year. My floks were paying the tab so that didn't fly.

I'd like to comment on several topics. Let's just start with FU's Josh Branch. Sorry LOTG. When POY is mentioned with Branch several words starting with the letter "P" come to mind. Player was never one of them. Branch was a streaky shooter at best, He played a good role as a shooting 3th option. He was a defensive liabilty and could not guard a water cooler. His attitude was horrible. Coach McKinney gave this kid every oppurtunity. He couldn't nof played for anyone else.

I have become ggod friends and acquaintances with quite a few former Fontbonne players. Word is Coach McKinney nsent him packing for his vulgarity and attitude. This kid was an embarassment to his team. Yhe conference leading scorer and time played leader, booted.

Kudo's to Coach McKinney.

Hang in there Coach. My son is only 3/

[Gregory Sager]

Who really cares about kids shooting hoops at the game?  Can we talk about something else? Come on boys!

LFTG, the unofficial rule on these boards is that you can't complain about the topic of conversation unless you're willing to start a new one yourself.

Sort of - but as I recall it, it is not so much a rule of etiquette as simply that complaining alone NEVER works!

No, you really have to point it out as an unofficial rule of site etiquette to new posters (e.g., LFTG) who aren't aware of it so that they don't make a habit of griping about topics without starting one of their own.