MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MObball41]

What a game at Westminster! Back and forth action, big shots, and guys just working their butts off. It was a great sight.

Kovach scored 25 points going 9-11 from the field, 3-3 from 3, 4-4 from the line, and grabbed 7 boards. A great Senior night performance. James penetrated well and added 19 points and VLJ chipped in 16.

Eureka's transition offense combined with their inside-outside game in the halfcourt is tough.  Lessen is a force down low and has plenty of shooters to kick it to. Westmin was able to get stops at crucial times, but hats off to a solid ballclub in Eureka. Sounds like these 2 teams will see each other again in the tournament.

[Former Devil 40]

Looks like both of those games yesterday were very fun to watch. Disappointed that Eureka won't be hosting the tournament but glad they will get a rematch with Westminster.

Can someone that went to the EC WC game comment on the final seconds?  Was a game winning shot scored or did WC have the lead an make free throws?

[hopefan]

Devil.. if you check out the box scores available here on D3hoops or in SLIAC.org, most of the games have play by play, which is VERY useful

in this case, play by play shows Westmin had a 2 point lead and the ball, missed at 15 seconds,Eureka got a last shot, and Ryan Nailor missed a winning 3 in last second

[hopefan]

Notes on yesterday

Webster hit 3 HUGE 3's to stay in the game

Hollis Edwards hits one at 1:24 in regulation to tie game
Stefan Whittingham from WAY out as shot clock runs down at 1:20 of 1st OT to cut Mac lead from 5 to 2...  that was a true game changer
Mac makes 2 ft to take lead back to 4, and Hollis Edwards hits another 3 at 0:42 to cut it to one.. when Mac makes one of two ft, Webster able to tie....

Big pressure also handled by Mac Frosh big man Clayton Whitlock, crucial shots and free throws... particularly 2 f.t. with 25 seconds in regulation to tie

one of scariest falls I ever saw.... Mac skywalker Dylan Burton took a run at an offensive rebound and literally jumped over a Webster rebounder... got caught up with contact in the air and flipped.. came down head first and landed square on the top of his head....  this could have been absolutely tragic for a head or neck injury, but fortunately there seemed to be enough body contact as he was coming down that the fall was slightly broken...as it was, he was able to get up with assistance several minutes later, and after a lengthy exam by trainers behind the players bench, was observed to be running behind the benches, though he didn't return to the game (I don't think)... here's hoping he's ok

play that had me scratching my head... Mac has ball after timeout, tied with 21 seconds in 1st ot... Lee gets ball, holds whole time and eventually gets a 3 pointer close to buzzer that misses...  he's not going to get an easy look with Hollis Edwards guarding him... why no penetration?  and why no look at Clayton Whitlock, who Webster really couldn't stop?

credit where credit due... I sat near same Mac fans that angered me last week, and they acted fine (well 99% fine) in this thriller yesterday...actually, super crowd.... I was at other end of court, but Mac students at other end were loud and rowdy, made for a great atmosphere.....  most fun I've ever had up at Mac..... talked to a Mac parent at great length whose student athlete just has loved their frosh year at Mac, wouldn't want to be anywhere else... good to hear.....

[hopefan]

It looks to me like Mac wins all the tie breakers whether GC and Mac both win or lose

GC must beat Spalding and Mac lose to Eureka for GC to get 4th spot if I am correct......  and that could happen,though Eureka has little motivation to play their best game...

If GC and Mac both win.... Mac is 3-1 vs Westmin and Eureka (who would be tied for 2nd/third)  , GC is 2-2

If GC and Mac both lose, Eureka is in 2nd alone.... GC lost to EC 2x, Mac would have split

There is some interpretation here...

[hopefan]

Of some interest to all of you readers is a chatroom with coaches responding on Wednesday... see Sliac.org for details...  good chance to ask some qestions about the conference tourney....

Buddy Coaches.....  I'm Dreaming up some beauties....

[Denny McKinney]

I'd like to send a big Thank you out to Coach Bunch and Coach Barber. Them presenting Mom with roses last Wednesday nite was great. I got a chance to set with Mrs. Barber and the McBride family. Jonas inspires me every time I watch him play. I got a nice hug from my good friend Yjak, too.

A point of interest: In my discussion with Webster AD Tom Hart, I was told that the conference will vote on using FU and WU as the sites of the two games between Spalding and IWC. Makes good traveling since.

Hopefan - Coach Wilde of EC wins COY award hands down. You take a 2-14 last place team to the point EC is this year and the vote will be simple. Recruiting is part of job.
Question? What's a Buddy Coach? Why aren't you the moderator for this event.

Nothing against Coach Creal and his Mac squad, but I'm still holding out hope for GC. The one year GC wins the SLIAC Tourney and the conference doesn't have a bid.

Redhead - My mother - in - law, then Carolyn Craddock out of Ardmore, OK, played with the Readheads in early 60's. Maybe you two crossed pathes. Still can't find the reason why a person on this board has to hide behind a user name

[hopefan]

Huge game for Greenville with Spalding tonight... originally planned on going, but early morning work obligations both Tuesday and Wednesday will keep me from Greenville and Mac... Wish I could be there... wish someone else who is there could get some scores to us.....I'll spend the evenings in suspense....

I would love to be involved in that Coaches chat.....  and hope I can at least get some questions over to them during that time slot.....

Incidentally, belated kudos to Kurt Kovach of Westmin... Kurt started on Westmin's NCAA squad of 2 years ago, and then was out all last year with injury...  at least statistically, this season hadn't gone well.. when Joe Prophet went down with a horrible knee injury on Wednesday, it appeared highly unlikely that Westmin could match up with Eureka in a must win game... I wrote to a Westmin fan, the only possibility would be if Kovach could come in and play super... DID HE EVER!!!  9 for 11, 3 for 3 from 3's, 7 boards, 1 turnover in 36 miutes... a career game when Westmin needed it most.. it got Westmin into the conference tourney

[Denny McKinney]

Good win Coach. KJ and Jonas that's the way you walk off your Home Court for the last time. No matter what happens tomorrow nite you have had a good year.

[hopefan]

Greenville gets the must win.... from the play by play, Spalding down 2 with 16 seconds misses a 3 that would have given them the lead, KJ Hilliard makes 2 free throws to clinch it....  Greenville goes 21 for 23 from the line to help themselves!!  Boxscore says 700 in attendance to say good bye to a number of seniors... if that's right, the place was really packed, as I've seen crowds listed at half that and the gym was rocking and crowded....

Now we sit back and wait...  let's see, if I go up to Mac, and really hustle home, I'll be in bed by...  nah, I'd get a ticket on 267...  but if I was lucky...??  Eureka owes it to Mac and Gville to bring their A game.. I know they will... and poor Mac, at one point in contention to host, beat badly at Greenville, and two OT defeats by Westmin and Webster, now have to beat Eureka..They only needed one of 4, now it's must win time.... time for the vets to step up and dominate.. Lee, Slagle, Bishop... those 3 need to put it together tonight.....good shots every time down the court.

[hopefan]

Just in case.... I got a confirmation.... MacMurray is in conference tourney with a win tonight vs Eureka, obviously out with a loss....

Didn't realize at first what FC was talking about regarding Spalding and IWC, then got it... IWC being Iowa Wesleyan....  obviously discussing playing their two games at a midway point so that neither school has to travel that whole distance... assuming they would set it up each time when they were playing Webster or Fontbonne,  like a Friday/Saturday, so that each school would only have to travel to St Louis twice....  SLIAC scheduling would have to help out........  I'd have to think the crowds for those matchups between Spalding and Iowa Wez will be dreadful, even by SLIAC standards... likely only traveling family and a couple of diehard SLIAC fans would be in attendance...  of course, I'D GO..... good time to offer free pizza, Will!!!!!

[hopefan]

First comment regarding the SLIAC men's tourney... would be nice if Webster could muster up the student support that I've seen at Westmin, Mac, and Greenville this year... didn't get up to Eureka...  would make it a great championship atmosphere that these teams deserve......

As far as even competition and great games, this has to be the best season of SLIAC hoops I've experienced.. I was just shaking my head up at Mac the other night in the double OT game vs Webster knowing how fortunate I've been to be able to see so many great games this season... my 'best game available' policy could hardly have worked out any better...   

[Former Devil 40]

I wish I could make the opening night of the tournament to watch what I'm sure will be 2 very exciting games. If Eureka does beat Westminster I will be down for the championship on Saturday.

I have thought for the last few years that Kovach is a big time player. He is very good going to the hoop and shooting off the dribble. If Eureka is going to win on Thursday they will need to keep him in check.

If I know Coach Wilde he will not let down tonight vs. Mac. I would like to see Eureka win this game to generate some momentum going into the rubber match with Westminster. Hats off to both Greenville and MacMurray this year on great seasons.  A year like this makes me wish the tournament included 6 teams (if Spalding was eligible for post season play)

I think the PoY goes to Whittingham from Webster. He is top 10 in multiple categories and his team is going to get at least a share of the conf. title. If Webster loses and Eureka wins I wouldn't mind seeing co-PoY with Lessen or Fritsch. Has that ever happened?

[Denny McKinney]

Former Devil - Coach Wilde is a darn good coach. I think he would really want a big win, against an opponent who he may meet this weekend. You don't need to leave any doubt in the kids minds. A few years back WC rested players in a meaningless game at Webster. That did not work out well when they came back flat and lost in the first round as a higher seed.

Whoever wins this year I hope they get a draw that gives the kids a chance to travel and experience the reward of making the tourney. Not another year of back to Wash U to play the #1 seed. Although EC may enjoy a over nite trip to St. Louis. But I doubt it. The SLIAC, in all sports, have suffered the first round trip to Wash U.

Fontbonne's trips to Chicago, Mississippi and Indiana were all special for the players and all the families. Plus, the students that traveled on the fan bus always had a blast.

Good Luck to all the teams involved this weekend.

[SLIACFAN]

What an exciting end to the regular season tonight at Mac! Will Eureka play their starters there normal minutes or will they rest them? Either way, Macs gotta play better if they expect to make the tournament. I'm gonna head to Jacksonville tonight to watch the game if I get off work in time, and if I do I will post scores. I think Mac pulls a win out tonight,  then the field for the tournament to be set! Can't wait to see what happens!