MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Former Devil 40]

I have read the recent topics that have been discussed regarding D3 coaches, graduation %'s, and all the other little stuff in between and as a former player in this league I'm going to give you my opinion on the topics (whether you want to hear it or not).

I'd first like to point out that I think it is harder for SLIAC coaches to recruit than for the coaches of some other conferences.  A lot of potential D3 basketball players look at the SLIAC as a weaker conf. they have never heard before and therefore there interest tends to lean toward the CCIW.  The SLIAC typically is filled with a lot of 1A and 2A players who were standouts at their high schools but never really played against the competition the larger school kids have.  I think that kids from largers schools should reevaluate what they are looking for in their college basketball experience.  Most of the time kids from larger schools that choose to go to CCIW or WIAC schools will sit for 2 years or play on the JV team.  The SLIAC offers a chance for these players to come in a make an impact right away (big fish in a small pond).  Also the most lucrative thing about the SLIAC might be the chance to compete for a DIII Tourney birth every year.  Who wouldn't want a chance to play in the NCAA tournament?

As far as the retention issue in D3 goes I feel like the coaches have minimal responsibility.  There are too many other factors that go into keeping a kid on the team/on campus than a single coach can control (the SLIAC also has a limited # of assitant coaches helping out).  Some have financial issues.  Some grow home sick.  Some have to leave for various academic issues.  And some decide that college/college athletics just isn't for them anymore.  The coach can only check with the teachers so much and have so many mandatory study tables to make sure their guys are doing the right things.  This is not even to mention all of the new social experiences that are readily available when your parents aren't around to keep tabs on you.

All in all I think that the coaches in the SLIAC do a fine job with recruiting,retaining, and developing their players to be successful both on and off the court.

As far as Kindred playing football, I think that it's one of the benefits of playing D3 sports.  He's not the first EC basketball player to play another sport in recent years (Darnall - soccer/Bell - golf/Abbed Football).  I think it will be good for him.  I saw him a couple weeks ago at my wedding and he looks like he has added 15lbs of muscle.

In regards to Fritsch being a low-level D1 talent, I don't know if I would go that far.  He is a very talented player yes but in a couple of the games I saw last year, he would disappear at times or rely to heavily on the 3pt shot.  I'd like to see a little more consistency from him before I'd put him on that level.  IMO there have been many players in the past 6 years that I have seen that could be considered low-level D1 talent, but it all depends on who gets the looks and who doesn't.

Good luck to Coach Wilde and the Red Devils this year.  If I find out any information regarding recruiting or player development I will be sure to share them.

Z 

[NCF]

I have read the recent topics that have been discussed regarding D3 coaches, graduation %'s, and all the other little stuff in between and as a former player in this league I'm going to give you my opinion on the topics (whether you want to hear it or not).

I'd first like to point out that I think it is harder for SLIAC coaches to recruit than for the coaches of some other conferences.  A lot of potential D3 basketball players look at the SLIAC as a weaker conf. they have never heard before and therefore there interest tends to lean toward the CCIW.  The SLIAC typically is filled with a lot of 1A and 2A players who were standouts at their high schools but never really played against the competition the larger school kids have.  I think that kids from largers schools should reevaluate what they are looking for in their college basketball experience.  Most of the time kids from larger schools that choose to go to CCIW or WIAC schools will sit for 2 years or play on the JV team.  The SLIAC offers a chance for these players to come in a make an impact right away (big fish in a small pond).  Also the most lucrative thing about the SLIAC might be the chance to compete for a DIII Tourney birth every year.  Who wouldn't want a chance to play in the NCAA tournament?

As far as the retention issue in D3 goes I feel like the coaches have minimal responsibility.  There are too many other factors that go into keeping a kid on the team/on campus than a single coach can control (the SLIAC also has a limited # of assitant coaches helping out).  Some have financial issues.  Some grow home sick.  Some have to leave for various academic issues.  And some decide that college/college athletics just isn't for them anymore.  The coach can only check with the teachers so much and have so many mandatory study tables to make sure their guys are doing the right things.  This is not even to mention all of the new social experiences that are readily available when your parents aren't around to keep tabs on you.

All in all I think that the coaches in the SLIAC do a fine job with recruiting,retaining, and developing their players to be successful both on and off the court.

As far as Kindred playing football, I think that it's one of the benefits of playing D3 sports.  He's not the first EC basketball player to play another sport in recent years (Darnall - soccer/Bell - golf/Abbed Football).  I think it will be good for him.  I saw him a couple weeks ago at my wedding and he looks like he has added 15lbs of muscle.

In regards to Fritsch being a low-level D1 talent, I don't know if I would go that far.  He is a very talented player yes but in a couple of the games I saw last year, he would disappear at times or rely to heavily on the 3pt shot.  I'd like to see a little more consistency from him before I'd put him on that level.  IMO there have been many players in the past 6 years that I have seen that could be considered low-level D1 talent, but it all depends on who gets the looks and who doesn't.

Good luck to Coach Wilde and the Red Devils this year.  If I find out any information regarding recruiting or player development I will be sure to share them.

Z

This is a great post! As a former red devil myself (not recently, as my son is playing football and running track for a cciw school), it is nice to see another eureka poster on the boards.

[hopefan]

Former Devil made some really interesting comments...  I'll share my feelings....

I'd first like to point out that I think it is harder for SLIAC coaches to recruit than for the coaches of some other conferences.  A lot of potential D3 basketball players look at the SLIAC as a weaker conf. they have never heard before and therefore there interest tends to lean toward the CCIW. 

Unfortunately the SLIAC is still buried far behind the CCIW in the D3 pecking order, particularly on the Illinois side of the Mississippi...  the only way this will change is for student athletes attending Eureka, Blackburn, MacMurray, and Greenville to get out the good word of the positive experiences they've had.... Missouri schools don't often run into CCIW programs, instead it's the plethora of small NAIA schools that can offer some additional aid.. the Culver Stockton, William Wood,  Central Methodist etc, as well as the state schools making an education less expensive and playing ball becomes a non consideration.  My older son played B-Ball/football... and no 2 son was football/ swimming ...our large High school Guidance office, as well as very respected hs coaches, did nothing but preach free education at state schools, providing no consideration or knowledge of SLIAC or other D3 schools.   Talking to a hs coach a couple of years ago who had a kid go to a SLIAC school, his comment.. We were just happy there was 'SOME PLACE' for him to play...  had the 45 year old coach ever been to a SLIAC game at Fontbonne or Webster or Westminster?  NEVER. 

The SLIAC typically is filled with a lot of 1A and 2A players who were standouts at their high schools but never really played against the competition the larger school kids have.  I think that kids from largers schools should reevaluate what they are looking for in their college basketball experience.

I have always preached that kids coming out of the larger high schools in the St Louis Area... even those guys who may not have had big stats, would come in more ready to play SLIAC hoops than kids from smaller rural schools.... that could be why the Missouri schools in the SLIAC seem to have been a bit more successful in hoops within the conference than the Illinois schools... there simply is more opportunity to develop in the large school scenario...  more academics, better hoops competition to play with and against, better facilities for training, more athletic staff to push the kids, more contacts to help hook up with offseason hoops opportunities....  Now then, nothing wrong with the Illinois schools 'exploiting' their geograpic area and working hard to get the cream of the crop on mid state 1A and 2A players... It's just a little riskier for these schools that must put their recruiting marbles in that basket.  of course, they gotta go after the kids that they have the best chance to get.

All in all I think that the coaches in the SLIAC do a fine job with recruiting,retaining, and developing their players to be successful both on and off the court.
   

I agree...I think the SLIAC has an oustanding group of veteran coaches... I'v been involved (following) the league as a whole for 6 or 7 years, and have seen a very few coaching changes.  The changes I have seen have been very positive.. Coach Creal at Mac has steadied the Mac program, Coach Shaffer at Fontbonne has a great 1st recruting class coming in, Coach Baribeau has a fantastic oppotunity to rebuild the BC program...   Bunch, Wilde, Mitchell, Barber are all first class....I love the fact that each of the schools have made the 4 team conference tourney in the last 6 or 7 years

As far as Kindred playing football, I think that it's one of the benefits of playing D3 sports.

I don't agree here....  Eureka has a shot at being very good this coming season, and i want to see that... that time away from hoops in Sept, Oct, part of Nov, even if he stays in reasonable shape playing FB  (not that he would get 'fat' playing football, but just being in sprint for 40 minutes basketball shape)  his game will accumulate rust, and that's 10-12 weeks his teammates will be playing and working out without him....  part of the Eureka package that can be questioned is if this group of 5 can really learn to play together... with 3 jc transfers, Kindred out for a year etc... they came a long way last year, but will Kindred's absence for the first part of sr year put a slight kink in things?  I hope not......  and of course, playing football, there's always a little more risk of injury....

[hopefan]

Summer league involving SLIAC schools and others has already started.... next 3 Wednesdays at Webster (June 13, 20, 27)  at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30....  July schedule is 3 more nights, but different days due to Holiday and final week..... those too are at Webster.....

[hopefan]

I'm counting on seeing the summer league action at Webster tonight... looking forward to seeing some of Fontbonne's, Webster's and Westminster's new faces  -  Maybe Wash U?, though none of their recruits are locals.... Not sure if any of the Illinois schools are taking part - I doubt it....unless Greenville got in?   

Tune in for 1st impressions... if I can figure out who is who.....

[hopefan]

Well, heck... it was summer league ball.... 

[hopefan]

None of the big (size-wise) frosh from Fontbonne were in attendance last night .... four frosh guards were...  but clearly the best guard on the floor for Fontbonne was Clayton Cahill... Cahill played two years ago for North Park and was a starter, averaging double figures....  Coach Schafer is in constant contact with him as they seek to find a solution to what may be a major roadblock to Cahill's suiting up for the Griffs... he has a very good full time job and is also attending classes at Fontbonne... can there also be time for a full time hoops schedule?  Let's hope so, because he is FAR BETTER than what is currently on the floor for Fontbonne.  Put him in with the new kid Gentry who played several games at the end of the season, and you have 2 very quick guards (though undersized) who could both score, as well as get the ball to the big new frosh coming in.....

Bryce Dolan... probably a victim of the type of game played last night, but does he do more than shoot the 3?   He did that alot last night, but rarely made any kind of move to the basket...   I'd be excited if he was coming to the SLIAC, but at CCIW level, no facet of size, athleticism, quickness, or strength stands out....   smart player though, will be interesting to see what happens.

Lindenwood Belleville had several very good players that evidently were in touch with SLIAC schools, but ended up at Belleville for a variety of reasons....   keep your eye on this team, they'll be fun to watch.  I'd be salivating if this was still a two year program and these guys were looking for 4 year schools.....

No new faces for Webster, but the word is that a couple of very good players could surface from far away in September.... recruiting goes on all summer these days... who will show up the first day of classes?....   There is one prominent player who will not be returning to Webster next year, as he has gone for the riches of D2 - very disappointing.  Still hopes that Willie Trimble will be returning, perhaps with a buddie that would also add to the program.   Codie Bradfish in the stands recovering from Hip surgery?.. don't hear that malady too often with young athletes, hope he can come back.....

Dark horse candidate for Westmin is frosh Blake Stonecipher out of Lafayette...  strong, good basketball body, played pretty well last night...  this is exactly the kind of kid I was talking about the other day who I think is far more ready to play SLIAC ball coming out of a large program than a kid coming out of a small school with better numbers... Stonecipher probably didn't start for Lafayette last year, but he held his own against Lindenwood last night.

A couple of Wash u players teamed with Maryville players and manhandled Webster... Tim Cooney went to the basket whenever he wanted, and Rob Burnette pushed people around in the paint.  Ben hoerner looked good too....

Got a feeling SLIAC coaches will be dogging Meramac (STLCC) this year... any one of 7 or 8 kids playing for them would fit in nicely with most SLIAC teams.....

[polar_pop23]

Hello All,
First time poster here.  I am actually an assistant at Lindenwood-Belleville.  I like to keep up with the area programs so I try to keep my eye on these boards to see what's going on in the SLIAC.  I was hoping to get registered before yesterday to give you guys a schedule of the summer league games for anyone who was interested in checking it out.

Next Wednesday @ Webster- Fontbonne vs Lindenwood-Belleville 6:30
                                        STLCC vs Maryville 7:30
                                        Webster vs Westminster 8:30

I will say we have seen all 3 of the SLIAC teams at this point in the summer (albeit short handed for the most part I would assume).  My quick impressions: I was impressed with Fontbonne, I think they will be much improved.  Webster is Webster, solid as always.  Westminster is probably the most short handed of the league right now but they have a couple kids there who can absolutely burn it up from outside.  I'm sure they will be tough as always.

[hopefan]

Polar Pop... who is your No.50?  Left handed, Very Good to the basket.... WOW, nice player....

[ac slater]

If Fritsch is a d-1 talent, then Kovach from Westminster should enter the NBA draft.

[polar_pop23]

#50 is Clyde Jeffers...Ladue product, STLCC transfer played 2nd semester for them last year.  Super quick, great athlete.  I do appreciate the kind words about the program in your earlier post.  We like to think we're one of the best kept secrets in the area.  The product on the floor Wednesday night represented about 1/3 of our varsity squad, as I'm sure is the case for most teams there.  Solid group of guys, we're proud of them, 19-10 last season.  This will be our first year as a member of the NAIA, we're hoping to have a great season.  Wish we had more SLIAC opponents on our schedule, maybe in the future.

You are right, several of our guys were in contact with SLIAC schools.  For example, we were able to sign Tournoux and Mingo out of Springfield Cavalry, but missed on Whitlock....

I've heard alot of great things about recruiting classes throughout the SLIAC, I believe the level of play is definitely going to take a step up.  Look forward to keeping an eye on the conference, I wish all teams the best of luck this season!

[Former Devil 40]

If Fritsch is a d-1 talent, then Kovach from Westminster should enter the NBA draft.

I will say I thought Kovach was the best player on that Westminster team when I was there.  Had one heck of a pull-up jumper.  I think Coach Mitchell limited his game.  If he would have turned him loose more often I really think he could have averaged 20ppg.

AC- there are some small D1 teams that some of the elite SLIAC (or all of D3 for that matter) players could walk-on to and have an impact.  Would Fritsch or Kovach be able to make it at Duke or Ohio State?  No.  Could both of them have walked on at a school like Binghamton (2-29) or Bryant (2-28) and possibly played/ had an impact.  Probably.  A lot of where you end up has to do with what kind of looks you get.  You also have to factor in if the kids want to stay near home so thier friends and family are able to see their games.  Correct me if I'm wrong but McAfee from Spalding was on Butler's roster the year before they made it to the National Championship game. 

So to say that there isn't D1 talent (small D1) in the SLIAC is a little far fetched.   

[hopefan]

If Fritsch is a d-1 talent, then Kovach from Westminster should enter the NBA draft.

  Correct me if I'm wrong but McAfee from Spalding was on Butler's roster the year before they made it to the National Championship game.     

Former Devil... This tidbit blew me away, but I tried to verify it and could not find anything in Butler's Media Guide or out in Google that mentioned this....    Could you have been mixed up due to the fact that DeWhon McAfee went to HS at Butler HS in Louisville?  Incidently as I was googling for info.. never think there isn't another person with the same unique name.. found an article about a DeWhon McAfee who was shot and killed in 2003..!!!   Don't worry DeWhon of Spalding, It  Wasn't You!!

[Former Devil 40]

Hopefan...it appears that you are correct. next time i'll do a little research before making such a bold claim.  When I heard he was from Butler I automatically assumed he must have transferred from the University of....

A wise poster like yourself would never make such a foolish mistake.

[hopefan]

Hopefan...it appears that you are correct. next time i'll do a little research before making such a bold claim.  When I heard he was from Butler I automatically assumed he must have transferred from the University of....

A wise poster like yourself would never make such a foolish mistake.

Still, it was fun to THINK that 'we' had a player that once had been on the Butler U team... I just had to go and spoil it!!!!!