MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Denny McKinney]

I agree. See you at the games Hopefan. Robert Morris - Spgfld @ Fontbonne. Not far off. Later.

[ECsliac15]

Any preseason predictions has possible player of the year/all conference teams?

[hopefan]

Well, at least the EC guy is thinking hoops....   gives us something to talk about....

this is what I wrote in my post season comments last April:

Top 7 returning guards:
McAfee, Spalding     Kovach, Westminster      Tolson, Westminster      Kindred, Eureka     Leppert, Eureka     McClellan, MacMurray     Slagle, MacMurray
Top 7 returning Forwards
Moore, Webster     Jones, Webster      Robertson, MacMurray     Hilliard, Greenville     Agomo, Greenville      Vislay, Westminster     West, Blackburn

Top 3 returning post men
Gilmore, Westminster     Lessen, Eureka      Thomas, Fontbonne

Given that many of our guards and forwards are interchangeable, and that each of our 3 big men were starters for only a portion of the year, it shows that we certainly are a 'small man's' conference

my first team... based on the fact that they have already achieved:
McAfee, Spalding
Kindred, Eureka
McClellan, Mac
Vislay, Westminster
Moore, Webster

at this point, a 3 guard, 2 forward 1st team

I think some would say that Moore or Vislay are leading candidates for player of the year,  but in reality, whoever leads there team to a conference championship will likely step in to that award...  I just don't see a player out there who I think will dominate all others....

[Denny McKinney]

Way to bounce back Hopefan. One thing I can promise you from the FU camp, Thomas will not be playing the post. Move him in with the forwards. Mike Riva has comeback from knee surgery in outstanding shape and Ray Woods is progressing into the FU system. With either at the post and JT at the PF spot, this makes for a good size advantage in most SLIAC matchups. There will be alot of times when FU will have 5 on the floor 6'4 or bigger.

Dad had his CT scan and PET scan tuesday. Will know results Nov 10th. He has been very up front with the team and has explained what's going on with him every step of the way. Like the 95-96 and 02-03 teams, this years young men are getting an education in life. The kind you don't learn in the classroom.

I tried to get Dad to start a blog this season, so people could follow what it's like. No chance. No way. So I'll post short comments as the season and his treatments progress.

[hopefan]

Denny......All information on Coach whether here or PMs is certainly appreciated by me... I'm very anxious to get over to the campus and say hi....

also excited to see all the new faces that will be in purple this season, and to get a read on who's 'in' and who's 'out'... even with the personnel losses you've mentioned, there are still seemingly 12-15 guys competing for playing time.  How's my favorite point guard doing?

Any scrimmages coming?

[ECsliac15]

yeah the conference is very guard oriented. i think sleeper POYs may be Kindred from EC since no bell or zasada to take away from his production. Another one is Jones from Webster he has all the assets just is a very streaky player. I see anyone from Westmin being tough to name POY just because so much talent on the team. So i think Mcafee or Moore are the two frontrunners, but really its anyones just all on who shows up night after night. As for All-Conference teams im not much to say as i only have a little knowledge on all the teams. i do know it will be a tough one to decide with all the talent throughout

[Denny McKinney]

Update on Coach: He could not wait till Nov. 10th for the results of his scans. Imagine that. He talked to Doctor yesterday evening. Scans show no new cancer anywhere. Tumor and 2 lymphnodes have not grown. Still major damage from the un needed 35 radiation treatments. Best we could hope for.

He is one of the key note speakers at the Coaches vs. Cancer Kick-off Breakfast. November 10th @ Chavitz Center on the campus of SLU. This should be a good speech.

[y_jack_lok]

It's been so long since I've posted that I almost forgot my user name.

Also for some interesting speculation.. two potential 1st team All Conference types... Jake Vislay and Kurt Kovach are NOT co captains.... instead Sr Adam Malette and Jr Mark Wright are... probably means nothing negative, just food for thought.....

I think Malette was a captain last year. In fact, I thought he was a senior last year. Goes to show how much I know.

I'd guess four who start for Webster will be Jones, Moore, Restoff, and Bradfisch (pg, soph this year). I'd say the 5th spot is up for grabs. Might want another guard in that spot, or Restoff can fill the other guard role depending on who else shows they have starter possibilities.

[Denny McKinney]

Just released on SLIAC Homepage.

SLIAC Men's Basketball Pre-Season Poll
1 Westminster (7)
2 Webster (2)
3 Spalding
4 MacMurray
5 Eureka
6 Greenville
7 Fontbonne
8 Blackburn
9 Principia

For your discussion pleasures.

[hopefan]

Yjak...  Soccer season must be over!!!!!  

I don't think of Bradfisch as a point guard.... but may be I'm misreading his talents...  likely Webster will have point guard by committee, as none of the starters appears to be a true point.
Jones probably sees the floor and handles the ball better than any, but I'm sure they want him receiving the ball rather than giving it up....I think of Bradfisch as a wing, slashing to the basket..

The Coach'e poll mirrors Denny's and mine from 2 weeks ago, though I didn't have enough faith in Webster to push them above Spalding and Mac...  

Fontbonne remains the mystery team until we can see all the new faces, and I remain inquiring too about Greenville, as I don't think Coach Barber will submit to 6-7 easily.....  In reality, I'm not sold on the position of anyone but Westmin (sorry guys, the target is on your back), and Blackburn and Prin (do you believe in miracles)......   But I still love BC's gym and those great fans!!!!

[y_jack_lok]

hopefan, you know way more than I do about player evaluation and talents and where they fit in the overall scheme of putting togther a starting five. If Bradfisch isn't a true point guard, there's bound to be someone on the team to fill that role. There are 13 players listed as guards.

[hopefan]

lets see,  13 guards...  3 minutes at point per guard about does it...  that way no  one turns it over too much...   best performance gets the 40th minute.....but if we go to OT, we're in trouble!!

[hopefan]

in reality, once they lost Stickland last year, Webster was really without a solid point guard

[hs_pg_qb]

Hopefan-

I know you get discouraged with the number of posters in this group.  The issue I have is that you seem so well informed and knowledgable, I feel I have nothing to contribute, at least pre-season.  The only thing I COULD post would be, "Yes", "I agree", or "Interesting" 

Just a TAD short of your in-depth analyses. Just know that there a lot of people who read your posts and appreciate what you write!

I hope I might be able to add to this board after the season starts and I can get to a few games.  Until then, Keep up the good work!!

[hopefan]

HS   what is frustrating to me is that there are people who ARE close to programs out there, from every school, who probably visit this site regularly, who for one reason choose not to write... heck, even the coaches of 5 different schools chose not to send me info when I requested it, detailing my intent to give their programs exposure.  I'm not on the inside of any program..  only Denny is, and he is 'too close'  he has to choose his words carefully for obvious reasons.  But people out there know about new faces, they know when the scrimmages are scheduled, they know the plusses and minuses of rosters, but they're evidently not motivated enough to write!!!   I read the CCIW room, the MIAA room... and most of the schools have at least one fan who talks about the program...  here, except fpor Denny, it's a big zip.... and I simply don't have the time to 'explore' 9 programs in the SLIAC......