MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

MACMURRAY and Augustana are tied at the half, 38-38.

After three straight wins over ranked teams, the Augie kids probably responded like kids to a game that on paper they should win in their sleep.  I suspect that Grey Giovanine peeled the paint off the locker-room walls at halftime.   Augie has started the second half with a 10-0 run.

Grey Giovanine wasn't there, Chuck. He was a no-show tonight due to a bad back, according to Chris and Dan. Assistant coach Tom Jessee ran the Augie team tonight.

Hmm, didn't know that.  Since they went from a halftime tie to a 24-point win, Tom Jessee must be quite a 'motivator'!

[hopefan]

and Spalding, up 36-20 with 15 minutes left, loses 46-43 to Centre... 7 points in last 15 minutes!!!???

[Gregory Sager]

MACMURRAY and Augustana are tied at the half, 38-38.

After three straight wins over ranked teams, the Augie kids probably responded like kids to a game that on paper they should win in their sleep.  I suspect that Grey Giovanine peeled the paint off the locker-room walls at halftime.   Augie has started the second half with a 10-0 run.

Grey Giovanine wasn't there, Chuck. He was a no-show tonight due to a bad back, according to Chris and Dan. Assistant coach Tom Jessee ran the Augie team tonight.

Hmm, didn't know that.  Since they went from a halftime tie to a 24-point win, Tom Jessee must be quite a 'motivator'!

It's a senior-dominated team that consists of a lot of guys who've been playing varsity games of all styles, scenarios, and levels of competition for two, three, even four seasons, Chuck. I don't think that Tom Jessee had to rant and rave to turn Augie around tonight. I'm pretty sure that it was Hunter Hill, Tayvian Johnson, Ben Ryan, Griffin Pils, and Brandon Motzel who turned Augie around tonight.

I'm not downplaying Tom's coaching abilities. I'm simply saying that fans sometimes overstate the impact of coaches, specifically coaching harangues or rah-rah speeches, upon a game. That's especially true when you're talking about a team as experienced as Augie's.

[Denny McKinney]

Just noticed Spalding in a 3 pt loss shoots only 4 free throws. While visitors shout 24. Tough loss.

[WUPHF]

Just noticed Spalding in a 3 pt loss shoots only 4 free throws. While visitors shout 24. Tough loss.

Yeah, everything about the box score was brutal.

[hopefan]

I think as a SLIAC fan, I'd have a different take on the outcome of the Mac-Augie game than what we are hearing from our CCIW friends... I'd prefer to say that Mac played at the same level as, or outplayed Augie in the first half... dominating the inside game, with Long and Johnson going 8 for 9 from the field, 22 points combined, Mac outrebounding Augie... in the second half, Augie jumps out to the lead, Mac has no bench strength and wilts, along with Johnson likely trying to do too much and turning the ball over, Long getting in foul trouble, Mac guards firing from 3 and missing... Yes, the tale of two halves, but NO ONE should overlook how well Mac played in the first half, writing it off as Augie not coming to play...  I refuse to go along with the phrases I've read that include the terms massacre, games they should win in their sleep etc... Let's look at it as the glass is half full, rather than  dust dry empty....

[WUPHF]

I have no dog in the fight, but in my novice opinion, Mac should be very proud about how they played, especially in the first half.

[Denny McKinney]

WUH- I was wondering if you could give us the short version of what the major construction is on Big Bend? I drive by it everyday and they had to go down 4 stories. And, looks like what might be another gym above ground. Just curious.

[Gregory Sager]

I think as a SLIAC fan, I'd have a different take on the outcome of the Mac-Augie game than what we are hearing from our CCIW friends... I'd prefer to say that Mac played at the same level as, or outplayed Augie in the first half... dominating the inside game, with Long and Johnson going 8 for 9 from the field, 22 points combined, Mac outrebounding Augie... in the second half, Augie jumps out to the lead, Mac has no bench strength and wilts, along with Johnson likely trying to do too much and turning the ball over, Long getting in foul trouble, Mac guards firing from 3 and missing... Yes, the tale of two halves, but NO ONE should overlook how well Mac played in the first half, writing it off as Augie not coming to play...  I refuse to go along with the phrases I've read that include the terms massacre, games they should win in their sleep etc... Let's look at it as the glass is half full, rather than  dust dry empty....

I actually agree with you quite a bit here, hopefan. I was very impressed by how MacMurray played in that first half, even as I was pretty certain that Augustana would eventually assert itself and the Highlanders would eventually fade. Yes, I was the one who used the word "massacre", but you didn't quote it in context:

By all rights this should be a massacre, but will Augie fall asleep at the switch after facing three straight ranked opponents?

I'll stand by that quote, because I do think that there was a degree of complacency on Augustana's part that figured into that first half last night. What I saw was both terrific energy in that half on the part of MacMurray and a fair bit of stand-around on the part of Augie. To assert the latter doesn't make the former any less true -- and it's not an insult to the Highlanders.

It's all part and parcel of being the unanimous #1 team in the country. You've got the target on your back. You get everybody's best game. That means that you can't afford to take a night off, even against a lightly-regarded team. But, human nature being what it is, how is a college player likely to approach a home game against MacMurray after three straight contests against the likes of #20 UW-Whitewater, #19 UW-Stevens Point, and #21 Wash U?

This scenario is a pretty common one in college basketball: Heavily-favored team gets embarrassed in the first half by a charged-up, lightly-regarded opponent ... and then the aroused heavily-favored team spends the last twenty minutes taking care of business.

As I said, I was very impressed by the Highlanders (Deavis Johnson's a known commodity, but I really liked the games of Mike Cameron and Brent Long). But I also recognize the above scenario when I see it.

[WUPHF]

WUH- I was wondering if you could give us the short version of what the major construction is on Big Bend? I drive by it everyday and they had to go down 4 stories. And, looks like what might be another gym above ground. Just curious.

They are expanding the Athletic Complex to include new fitness facilities.  It is not going to be world class, but it will elevate the facilities to be on par with the University of Chicago and other good facilities at peer institutions.

And, speaking of Big Bend, are you going to the Wydown Showdown on Thursday?

[WUPHF]

This scenario is a pretty common one in college basketball: Heavily-favored team gets embarrassed in the first half by a charged-up, lightly-regarded opponent ... and then the aroused heavily-favored team spends the last twenty minutes taking care of business.

I hope we do not see this tomorrow night when Washington University plays Fontbonne, but you never know.

The SIDs are officially reporting that Michael Bregman is out for the season.  I honestly thought he would be an all-UAA as a senior if not as a junior.

[Denny McKinney]

WUH- I was wondering if you could give us the short version of what the major construction is on Big Bend? I drive by it everyday and they had to go down 4 stories. And, looks like what might be another gym above ground. Just curious.

They are expanding the Athletic Complex to include new fitness facilities.  It is not going to be world class, but it will elevate the facilities to be on par with the University of Chicago and other good facilities at peer institutions.

And, speaking of Big Bend, are you going to the Wydown Showdown on Thursday?

Thanks for your info. I has appeared to be a major construction addition. I' not sure what classifies as "World Class".

Won't make the Wydown Showdown. I'll be attending a HS battle down I-44.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I think as a SLIAC fan, I'd have a different take on the outcome of the Mac-Augie game than what we are hearing from our CCIW friends... I'd prefer to say that Mac played at the same level as, or outplayed Augie in the first half... dominating the inside game, with Long and Johnson going 8 for 9 from the field, 22 points combined, Mac outrebounding Augie... in the second half, Augie jumps out to the lead, Mac has no bench strength and wilts, along with Johnson likely trying to do too much and turning the ball over, Long getting in foul trouble, Mac guards firing from 3 and missing... Yes, the tale of two halves, but NO ONE should overlook how well Mac played in the first half, writing it off as Augie not coming to play...  I refuse to go along with the phrases I've read that include the terms massacre, games they should win in their sleep etc... Let's look at it as the glass is half full, rather than  dust dry empty....

I didn't watch the game, so I'll accept you account of it.  I meant no disrespect to the effort or performance of MacMurray in the first hald, but I'd have to agree with Greg that even at their best, Mac probably couldn't have tied Augie in the first half if the Augie players, consciously or unconsciously, haven't overlooked them.  It's what college kids (even seniors sometimes) do, despite what coaches say!  I'd also agree that Hill, et. al., probably had more to do with the second half turnaround than the coach did.

[hopefan]

Eureka beats Knox 107 - 97 and in doing so, accomplish the amazing...  7 guys play, 7 guys score in double figures!!! 

I'll take any win the SLIAC can get... Way to go guys!!!

[hopefan]

Macmurray in a very good tourney this weekend down at Rhodes in Memphis.

Mac opens against host Rhodes, (4-2) with a win over  Millikin.
Other game is Aurora(6-2), averaging over 100 points per game until they got skunked by Benedictine
And Maryville Tenn (7-2).

Winners play Sunday.  Losers play Sunday

Any of these will be a tough win for Mac. But a great way to finish up 2015...