MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ecreddevils]

Thank you Pat, IWUM and Dave. Been a little while. My hopes for a ranked SLIAC team probably went out the window today. EC gets big homecourt win over Spalding. Besides SC's Kinney getting a hot couple of minutes, it was the worst I've seen SC shoot it. Props to a good EC squad. EC opened it up to I believe 15 in the 2nd. Before Spalding got it back to 3 but know closer. EC has every right to think they can win this in Louisville. But, I do not think Spalding can have a worst shooting game. I'm still on the Spalding Bandwagon. It was my call early.

You're right that Spalding couldn't hit anything until late 2nd half, but a lot of that was because of EC's stifling half court man defense.  Many of Spalding's driving shots were altered and the bigs rebounded well.  I expected Spalding to apply more full court ball pressure, which they did not until they were down 15 or so.  EC had the right strategy to slow Spalding and it worked to perfection--SC did not like playing the slow pace and could not find a way to make it their game.

More than that, I frankly think our post play and very strong guards is the difference.  Even though EC only had a 41-37 rebounding advantage, the presence of Lessen and the defensive ability to challenge Spalding physically in the paint and by flying to the 3-point line with strength basically rendered their top scorers ineffective.  This to me was the difference.  EC went an uncharacteristic 2-15 from 3 and still found a way to win, mainly by getting to the rim. 

Now, somebody else help us out with a win or two over Spalding so we can host this thing!

[y_jack_lok]

Fontbonne's win at Greenville gets them to 4-4 in conference and could mean that hopefan will have to reconsider them as a contender. Had they lost, both they and Greenville would be 3-5 and the separation between the top 5 and bottom 4 would be clearer. Now we might have a top 6 and bottom 3.

[Denny McKinney]

EC Reddevils - Spot on. You have a very experienced group. EC has the overall size to play Spalding that way. Don't mistake what I said.

EC has every right to think they can win this in Louisville.

I like the way Coach Wilde has built this team. He had Lessen. And went out and filled in the pieces with good Juco Transfers. Last year and the one before. Now he's playing my Best 5 against yours style basketball. Today was a 6 man Rotation. He has position this group well. And could very well get these kids to peaking this time next month. Would not surprise me. What would surprise me is if EC can get any help. And, the #2 spot has produced.

I gotta stay with my horse. No Bandwagon jumping. I guess we'll see Dustin's Brother wearing the colors next year? And, can you comment on a rumor that JK might be playing in one of the Senior Bowl All star type games?

[y_jack_lok]

Fontbonne's win at Greenville gets them to 4-4 in conference and could mean that hopefan will have to reconsider them as a contender. Had they lost, both they and Greenville would be 3-5 and the separation between the top 5 and bottom 4 would be clearer. Now we might have a top 6 and bottom 3.

Now I see that two of Fontbonne's wins are over Blackburn, plus one over Greenville and one over Prin. This negates my comment above. Must win against one of the top 5 teams to get back in the running in the hopefan standings.

[hopefan]

From Eureka, Mo, to Eureka, Il, to Eureka Mo...

Comments on what I saw

Geesh, on that 35 miles on 155 from Lincoln to Morton (a little west of Eureka), lots of Farmland and NOTHING else

Almost Belonging in Ripley's Believe it or not... Spalding had ONE FG in the first 13 and a half minutes... and that was a break away layup..

Outstanding Defense by Eureka, Spaldings drives to the basket or getting the ball in the paint low was totally negated... Spalding really had NO offense the first 30 minutes of the game    it was still 49-37 with 9 minutes left,  when bang... last man on the Spalding bench frosh Andrew Kinney comes in and buries 3 straight 3's in 45 seconds, and all of a sudden it's 51-46...from there on, it's back and forth, a couple of big offensive rebounds and putbacks by Lessen and Thornton and some strong drives and free throws by Nailor offset 9 McAfee points in 1 minute and a half, and when McAfee finally missed a 3 from the corner, with about 30 seconds that would have cut it to one, it was over...  Big game by Chuck Miseraca on drives to the basket.. was it a career high? 14 points, though he missed some big FTs at the end..   Lessen and DT,, TOUGH inside!!

This game should give the challengers some hope, but remember, Spalding already beat Westmin and Mac on the road....the only road game vs a challenger for them is at Webster... Westmin and or Mac is going to have to figure out how to beat them in Louisville   ... if McAfee misses 18 shots down there like he did at Eureka, there is a chance.....

Yjak.. you got it exactly right as to Fontbonne's record... with wins only against Prin, BC 2 times, and now Greenville, I still have them outside the first division circle....  Fonbonne - Greenville game looks like a good one on the play by play.. back to back hoops by Darius Rucker took a 2 point game to 6 with 2 minutes left, and Greenville couldn't come back...

No change in the Hopefan standings with Eureka defending homecourt vs Spalding

Spalding +2  (won at Westminster) (won at Mac)
Mac +1  (won at Eureka) (won at Webster) (lost at home to Spalding)
Webster 0   (lost at home vs Mac) (won at Westminster)
Eureka  -1  (lost at home vs Mac)
Westmin  -2  (lost at home vs Spalding)  (lost at home vs Webster)

As to Chip Wilde's use of jc'rs.. agreed very successful this year, and clearly Fritsch, Riviera, Nailor solid players....but what happens next year?... Eureka's first 7 players are listed on the roster as seniors.... Eureka's seemingly up and down recruiting generated a 4 -21 record two years ago after finishing 17-10 with mostly seniors the year before... is EC headed for the same next year?

And Jordan Kindred, where are you?  From what I heard today, he's gone... but what happened?

Also confirmed, Codie Best out for the season with torn ACL... a shame, he led conference in steals prior to injury.... a deflated Mac team lost today to Iowa Wesleyan by 3... Mac has to get it back quickly, they have two must win games this week hosting Webster and Westminster.

[hopefan]

Very good support from fans up at Eureka...  What with a large number of cheerleaders, a large dance squad, both teams,  there seemed to be a large number of adults (assumedly parents) at the game.. my impression is Eureka gets a lot  of local kids and the families are close enough to be involved...perhaps alum stay in their small surrounding towns too...but it's the best 'adult' attendance I've seen at a SLIAC game... it's also evident that frats and sororities play a big role at Eureka... lots of identifying teeshirts... good atmosphere.. football guys in the balcony were having a blast, giving Spalding players grief...

seen painted on one large bared body in the balcony.. RIP JK ...   Get it?

[magicman]

Fonbonne - Greenville game looks like a good one on the play by play.. back to back hoops by Darius Rucker took a 2 point game to 6 with 2 minutes left, and Greenville couldn't come back...

I knew Darius Rucker went from being the lead singer of the successful rock band, Hootie and the Blowfish, to a decent career as a solo country singer. I didn't know he reinvented himself again, as a forward in D III hoops at Fontbonne!!   Do they play his music when Fontbonne takes the floor?    

[hopefan]

Fonbonne - Greenville game looks like a good one on the play by play.. back to back hoops by Darius Rucker took a 2 point game to 6 with 2 minutes left, and Greenville couldn't come back...

I knew Darius Rucker went from being the lead singer of the successful rock band, Hootie and the Blowfish, to a decent career as a solo country singer. I didn't know he reinvented himself again, as a forward in D III hoops at Fontbonne!!   Do they play his music when Fontbonne takes the floor?

Not for a freshman.... maybe when he's an upperclassman!!

[Denny McKinney]

seen painted on one large bared body in the balcony.. RIP JK ...   Get it?

No I don't get it. Do we have to guess? Do you have any info on Jordan? I'm sure the kid with the bare chest would of told you.

[hopefan]

seen painted on one large bared body in the balcony.. RIP JK ...   Get it?

No I don't get it. Do we have to guess? Do you have any info on Jordan? I'm sure the kid with the bare chest would of told you.

I,had heard one thing from a reliable source(minor problem, he'd be back immediately), but that didn't happen...  The vibes I got yesterday ( from a football player at the concession stand) was that it was all over, but that of course is not necessarily a 'reliable' source.  So I have nothing to confirm... I did not see Jordan Kindred at the game yesterday....

[hopefan]

The SLIAC goes back to 2 league games per week this week, a welcome change from the Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday schedule of the first 2 weeks of January.  Last week was a busy one for hopefan.. Seeing game at Greenville, Westminster, MacMurray, and Eureka in one week!!!

With 5 teams vying for the 4 conference Tourney slots, and Greenville and Fontbonne capable of throwing an upset in the mix, there are so many important games...  Can anyone win at Spalding, or can Webster or Greenville beat them at home? And who gets eliminated among Webster, Westminster, MacMurray and Eureka... Right now Mac is the only one of the four that has not lost at home to any one of the other three..  Eureka made up for their loss at home to Mac by beating Spalding.   Webster made up for their loss at home to Mac by winning at Westminster.  Westminster is definitely in the lowest spot right now, having lost to Webster at home.. they are going to have to get a road win at Mac or Webster, or Spalding to catch the rest, or they'll need help from someone else...    Still many ways to go, but it's tougher to win on the road.

This Wednesday, Fontbonne plays at Westminster... absolutely a must win for Westminster... of all of the contenders, they can least afford a loss to upset minded Fontbonne...the concern in this game is Westmin's reliance on perimeter shooting.. a cold night from Tolson could spell problems... still veteran Westmin players will likely take advantage of Fontbonne turnovers to run the court and win by double digits.

The BIG Wednesday game is Webster at Mac.... Mac is down right now after losing senior point guard Codie Best... they have to put that loss behind them as it's CRITICAL to win at home... some guys who have not played well the last week need to step it up...
For Webster, it's a tremendous opportunity game... a loss doesn't hurt real bad, but a win on the road is a real plus... One of the reasons for Webster's resurgence is the play of Jarrod Huskey... he's thinking more offense recently, and Webster needs that option.. it's great to see.. I still can't forget how impressed I was with Huskey early in his frosh year.. the fantastic game he played against Illinois Wesleyan in a near monster upset.. but he went down with the severe ankle sprain, then the supporting cast changed last year... he was never the same player...  but there were big time hints last week!  A win at Mac, in my mind, pushes Webster up from 4th to challenging for 2nd....

I mentioned my travels last week.. some may scoff.. heck, everyone may scoff... but it is so meaningful for me.. 4 games in 8 days, a lot of gasoline (though my Jetta Diesel gets 44 MPG)...  But look what I saw, imagine the 'ups'

Eureka wins at Greenville by one.. Greenville misses a tap in at the buzzer that would have won

Webster wins at Westmin after being behind the whole game, with a 3 point shot with 7 sec, then blocking a westmin attempt at the buzzer

Mac and Spalding play even for 30 minutes and the Mac crowd goes wild, then Dewhon McAfee goes on a shooting spree...

Eureka beats first place Spalding in front of a great crowd after it looks like Spalding could run the table... they do it with great inside play from Lessen and Thornton, and multiple strong drives to the hoop by Nailor and Miseraca

4 trips, four highly entertaining games, NO disappointments

Thanks SLIAC hoops...

[Denny McKinney]

Sounds like a good Birthday Week for Hopefan.
Only disappointment for me was you drove all the way to EC and the Best you can do on Jordan Kindred was a comment at the snack bar. Coach Wilde didn't offer his take when you two conversed?

I saw a raggedy game at WU Thursday. Paid less then 2.5 gallons in gas to watch a high quality feed of EC v. SU. Then Saturday nite saw 2 great HS games at Tourney in St James. 3rd Place Game 2 OT and Championship Game went to OT. St James (15-1) has a 6.7 wing who plays Pt. against Press. Is looking at Columbia College, William Woods, Fontbonne and has made two visits to GC. With Columbia College ranked as High as #1 in NAIA II, I'd say they are the front runners. But. would be a Great SLIAC player. If kid doesn't commit to CC, I'm sure WC will join the chase.

Oh and my Karma was a solid 0 till I made the Post below.

seen painted on one large bared body in the balcony.. RIP JK ...   Get it?

No I don't get it. Do we have to guess? Do you have any info on Jordan? I'm sure the kid with the bare chest would of told you.

Must of got whacked by the Bare Body Kid. Well back below the Mendoza Line for me. Hahaha

[hopefan]

Nope Denny, I told you I'm not going to go through it again... thanks for the negative karma...sorry you didn't appreciate all I've written...

[WUPHF]

thanks for the negative karma...sorry you didn't appreciate all I've written...

Why would someone hit your karma? +1 for the last week of contributions. Keep driving...keep watching...(keep the ellipses...) and keep posting.

[WUPHF]

Now I see that two of Fontbonne's wins are over Blackburn...

+1 for you too, YJack!