MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

I love that idea...love it, but would we get callers other than Denny, YJAK, and possibly Mr. and Mrs. Ward?

I would not call. I already take too much abuse from hopefan. Plus, it would be redundant since he is currently doing what you described above with his posts here. 

[WUPHF]

Redundant?  No way, he has so much more to say and a podcast would be the answer.

[y_jack_lok]

Redundant?  No way, he has so much more to say and a podcast would be the answer.

lol

[hopefan]

Geesh, the trouble I could get in to....

[cheapseats]

I'd love to call into the podcast and get some insight on these teams in the SLIAC! Who doesn't want to argue the best starting lineups and matchups week to week1?

In regards to Hopefan's previous comments... It is really sad if coaches aren't nominating their players each week. These kids work HARD and put in the time... DIII basketball can really be a grind. If I'm a coach, I'm nominating players every week, regardless of the outcome of games. They deserve some spotlight every now and then. Just my two cents.

[hopefan]

For your Christmas ponderings.... Hopefan's review of the pre-Christmas SLIAC race to the Conference Tourney will appear TOMORROW!!!

[hopefan]

So, where do we stand as we've hit the end  of the first semester, and go into the Christmas break. 
If you've looked at the standings, there is only one surprise.  That one is a little hard to understand given the preseason thinking by both the coaches and hopefan.. and that is Spalding sitting at the bottom of the standings at 0-4.  It was fully expected once it was heard that Fontbonne would be missing Ben Kissing, and Mac losing 3 expected returning juniors and them Mike Cameron that they would be hurting, but the Spalding situation is a shocker.
So we have a typical logjam on top... 7 teams with 1 or 2 losses, most games between those teams being highly competitive... using the hopefan standings (beat the bottom 3 or get a -1, win on the road vs the top 7 get a plus one, lose at home to the top 7 get a minus one) (spalding, fontbonne, macmurray are the bottom 3)...  only Webster is at a +1 for winning at Principia, while Blackburn is at a -1 for losing at home to Iowa Wesleyan.  The other 5 contenders each are at 0 or net to 0.

Blackburn... So the question is, would BC have been able to win at home vs Iowa Wesleyan if theyh ad played DeAndre Manuel... he sat for two games, and once again I congratulate Coach Steve Kollar for following through with punishment of a valuable player for whatever problem there might have been.  Manuel did play against Elmhurst, so evidently all is back to good.  BC's win at home vs Eureka is huge, EC seems to be one of the favorites to crack the top 4, but  Blackburn still must make up for that home loss with a win on the road vs one of the top 7.  I like BC's starting 5, and Goodloe, Lockhead, Rusten give good experienced depth off the bench... still, I think the difference between making the tourney or not will be the play of Chris Davis.  He needs to find consistency at a high level of play in big game situations.. if that happens, BC will be in the mix until the end.

Eureka... I was so disappointed that the EC-Webster game had to be postponed, as I will not be able to take in any games live in January, will have to wait until February to see Kendall Davis play...The ONLY knock I can put on Eureka is that their non conference schedule was very weak, so the 7-2 record is suspect... we really won't know much until they get into the meat of the SLIAC schedule in January.  Still, Supporting cast to Feehan and Davis (Thomas, Gibson,Wiegand) have been steady, and the bench is supplying solid play in significant minutes...  I like depth, I like situations where scorers are allowed to score, so I like Eureka's situation... I do wonder if size and rebounding deficiency will hurt in the long run.

Fontbonne.... I don't know the Ben Kissing recovery situation... I do know the most promising freshman is out for the year....  I don't see any sign that the Griffs are going to be able to create problems for the top 7.. as mentioned in a previous post, I worry that this team is so loaded with seniors....

Greenville... aaaah the system.. it is so tough for me to evaluate, because rather than consistency, it produces tremendous swings of good play and bad play.  I love the pressure defense, and Greenville has numerous guys who really play it well.  And I understand the 3 point shooting, though I wonder why in some cases the extra pass isn't made to get the ball into the better shooters hands.  What I really struggle with is how many bad shots get taken, I guess to simply keep the accelerated pace of the game going.  But as much as I want to scream 'PASS THE BALL', I can't stop watching... it's just too much fun!!!  I guess my thought  to a couple of the players is don't get down when you as an individual are struggling... keep doing what the system rules say to do....But use some amount of judgement as to when to give the ball up.... Webster beat the system handily, I consider the Grinnell game an abberation, no one else has been able to... if they can keep up the pace, Greenville is a top 4.

Iowa Wesleyan... Well, I've expressed my feelings about Iowa Wes... I think Steve Soukup is the best player in the conference, and with his brother, Brock Butler, Singletary and Jones it's a solid experienced starting lineup... add do everything Mitch Drey, as well as Elijah Johnson and Austin Walker for depth, it' a heck of a nice team.  Unfortunately still ineligible for the conference tourney, they seem to be a solid top 4 team, and will be replaced by the fifth place team in the conference tourney.

MacMurray...  Well, I've made comments about these guys... they lost too many pieces, the JC transfers would have been nice role players, but don't seem to be at the level to take over in games, and it can be seen that Brent Long's level of success last year when teamed with Deavis Johnson is not attainable this year... I don't want to see Mac go winless.. the program doesn't deserve that because right now they are a victim of circumstances... I'll be rooting big for the Highlanders when Fontbonne comes to J-ville... NO OFFENSE intended to the Griffs...

Principia......  Offset a close loss to Webster at home with a win at Iowa Wesleyan... Just a very good starting 5 and the best freshman in the conference Treyvaughn Goodman coming off the bench.  I may be barking up the wrong tree, but I am still dismayed at the marked decrease in scoring from Justin Ball, Parker Davidson, and Adaku Anumu, wondering if that impacts their psyche for the game... would things be better if Micah Paulson was distributing the ball more rather than taking scoring on his own shoulders.  That question has to be answered in the right direction as the meat of the conference schedule starts up in January.  If things go right, Prin could make the conference tourney... IF... right now I'd say they are more on the perimeter looking in...

Spalding... as I said earlier... what a shock.... Will they only be able to beat Fontbonne and Mac... hard to imagine... I think they may get a couple of wins against top 7 teams, which could have a major impact on the top 4 spots, but given the current results and the level of play I witnessed, I can't think this team has a chance to make the tourney... Turner, even Trisko, aren't doing enough... and there just isn't any perimeter shooting.... And lots of out of control penetration... it's Spalding's year to be down...

Webster....  Bunch does it again.. the Gorlocks take their early season lumps against an extremely difficult non conference schedule, which proves to be superb preparation for the SLIAC Conference schedule... they'd be undefeated in conference except that their unbelievable comeback at Westmin fell just short of getting them a win in regulation.  That game did show Webster's main weakness – no legit 'BIG man' in the middle as Westmin's Sean O'brien dominated with the ball, but then, there is only one Sean O'brien in the conference to worry about.. Hunter Ward is playing more like I like to see... moves to the basket, shorter jump shots, not just wandering the perimeter... Milligan, Moore, Dunn are all to the basket guys... I love it.. and the bench is contributing far, FAR more than I expected... Dortch and Odjo and unbeatable guard combo, Tankins solid as a frosh, and Wilburn much improved over last year.  To me Webster is a top 3 team.
 
Westminster... Great win over Webster really helps, but non conference loss to Cornell (whom Blackburn beat badly) and clobbered by Greenville really confuses me about this team.  Jimmy Villabalos unstoppable one night, doesn't show up the next, I don't understand, makes it hard to evaluate... to me, the combo of Romo Tabb, Sean O'brien, Villabalos, Wands and Cochrane is as good as it gets, so the poor performance games baffle me.  AND Zach Nelson may be the best 6th man in the league... now then, the rest of the depth may be a little sketchy, that could be a problem... still if the first 6 perform as expected, Westmin should be a top 4

So to summarize, at this stage, assuming no personnel changes in 2nd semester
Top 3 ....  Webster, Iowa Wesleyan, Eureka
Next 2....  Westminster, Greenville
Best chance to wiggle in...  Blackburn
Also a possibility.... Principia
Will make trouble.... Spalding
Fight for 9/10.... Mac, Fontbonne

[hopefan]

Just a quick observation... while I view this as an UP year for the SLIAC, I already begin to worry about next season...

WHY?   Well, I count 37 seniors who play critical roles on this seasons 10 SLIAC rosters.. the cupboard won't be bare anywhere next year, but there will certainly need to be some significant restocking...

Blackburn ...5 critical seniors, losing 4 best players.... not a lot of big game experience returning
Eureka  1 critical senior, but it is their 'tall' man.. they'll need to find some help on the boards... but in very good shape
Fontbonne   6 critical seniors... 4 players return, but 3 are small guards
Greenville   7 critical seniors.... Need lots of help to keep the system running, all the scorers graduate
MacMurray   1 senior.... But returning talent level must improve a bunch
Iowa Wesleyan   4 critical seniors...but some solid underclassmen returning
Principia  2 critical seniors... lose the big man Ball in the middle and the streaky Anumu big scorer... 4 good players back but depth is needed
Spalding   2 critical seniors, Trisko and Turner....numbers but no consistency returning
Webster   7 critical seniors.... yikes only Milligan and good role players come back
Westminster  2 critical seniors...but all starters and scorers will be back...


ASSUMING ALL underclassmen return...
In good shape to keep the flow going...Eureka, Westmister
Need help to generate depth...Iowa Wesleyan, Principia
Maybe.... Spalding, Webster
Needs help to win... Mac, Blackburn
Needs a lot of help to win... Fontbonne, Greenville

[hopefan]

Hopefan's Very early All SLIAC Team    based on performance in conference games

Point Guard.... Jake Maestranzi  Blackburn   15 ppg, 5.3 Assists per game     Beats out Micah Paulson who has 1.0 A/T ratio

Man in the middle.... Nick Trisko  Spalding  23.3 ppg 59% fg  81% ft  12.3 rpg    Beats out any other big man huge.. Sean O'brien super game vs Webster, but mediocre in other games...  Willie Orange nice start, but way off Trisko numbers

2-3-4 guys
Shea Feehan  Eureka.... 28.3 ppg 49% fg, 48% 3 pt range, 87% ft  5.3 rebounds/game, 3 assists/game

Hunter Ward    Webster... 23.3 ppg, 59% fg, 39% 3 point, 83% ft    10 rebound/game  3.7 assists

Steve Soukup   Iowa Wesleyan  25.5 ppg 61% fg, 36% 3p t, 78% ft  4.8 rpg  2.3 a/t ratio

they beat out Kendall Davis, Romo Tabb, Brent Long

Newcomer of the year.... Kendall Davis   Eureka.... bigger diff to his team than Steve Soukup or Micah Paulson

Freshman of the year.....Trevaughn Goodman   Principia

Most Improved...   Willie Orange  Blackburn ... 17 ppg 10 rpg this year... 6 and 3 last year

Most Outstanding.... Shea Feehan Eureka... doing it ALL

[WUPHF]

Just a quick observation... while I view this as an UP year for the SLIAC, I already begin to worry about next season...

Just a quick glance at the current Massey Ratings as compared to the final season rankings from the top SLIAC teams over the past few years.  Even farther from a perfect science, especially considering Greenville and the way scoring is factored in.

Greenville No. 64
Westminster No. 106
Eureka No. 134
Webster No. 140

Compared to prior seasons and the final season ranking by the highest ranked teams:

2015-2016
MacMurrary No. 250
Greenville No. 256

2014-2015
Spalding No. 203
Webster No. 219

2013-2014
Webster No. 135
Spalding No. 156
MacMurray No. 178

2012-2013
Spalding No. 73
Westminster No. 125
Eureka No. 155
Webster No. 194

2011-2012
Westminster No. 196

2010-2011
Webster No. 203

[WUPHF]

Taking a break from looking at UAA stats to look at SLIAC stats which have become more interesting since Greenville changed tactics.

Greenville leads Division III in three point field goals attempted, steals per game, total three point field goals made, total assists, total steals

Greenville is No. 2 behind Rhodes in assists per game and No. 2 behind Grinnell in three point field goals per game and turnovers forced.

Greenville is No. 3 in rebounds, No. 4 in office rebounds per game, and No. 5 in free throws made.

[hopefan]

Just a quick observation... while I view this as an UP year for the SLIAC, I already begin to worry about next season...

Just a quick glance at the current Massey Ratings as compared to the final season rankings from the top SLIAC teams over the past few years.  Even farther from a perfect science, especially considering Greenville and the way scoring is factored in.

Greenville No. 64
Westminster No. 106
Eureka No. 134
Webster No. 140

Compared to prior seasons and the final season ranking by the highest ranked teams:

2015-2016
MacMurrary No. 250       Westminster  52   Augie   105
Greenville No. 256

2014-2015
Spalding No. 203           Spalding 59   Emory  89
Webster No. 219

2013-2014
Webster No. 135             Webster  70   IWU   71
Spalding No. 156
MacMurray No. 178

2012-2013
Spalding No. 73                Spalding  61   Wash U  70
Westminster No. 125
Eureka No. 155
Webster No. 194

2011-2012
Westminster No. 196           Westmin 65  Hope 79

2010-2011
Webster No. 203              Webster 51  Augie  76

There is a very nice correlation in this time span between the rankings WUH lists and the SLIAC champ's performance in the first round of the tourney... the worse the ranking, the worse the beating... see the scores in red

[Mr. Ypsi]

I was at the Westminster game in Holland in 2012.  I left at the half to go start celebrating IWU's win over UWSP, when it looked like Hope was starting to blow them out.  I was later told that Westmin put up a helluva a second-half battle, and that Hope didn't pull away until very late - sorry I missed it.  

The game the next night (IWU @ #1 Hope) was quite possibly the single most exciting battle I have ever witnessed in person, with IWU winning in double OT.  I knew then (as I had not even really dared hope for before) that IWU was headed to Salem.  Since the Titan women ALSO made the final four, I decided to stay home to better follow them both.  Since the Titan women won the "Big Doorstop" that year, I'm still kicking myself for not heading back to Holland for the title game (it's only about a three hour drive), once the men had lost in the semis.

[WUPHF]

Thanks for adding the first round tourney performances.

Let me take it back one more year.

2009-2010
Westminter No. 158                                            79-71 Washington University of Westminster
Eureka No. 220

2008-2009
Westminster No. 144
Fontbonne No. 160                                              85-58 Wheaton over Fontbonne
Maryville No. 216

That game against Wheaton was a bit of an anomaly, but that Westminster game against Washington University was a nail biter.

I am still kicking myself for not driving up to Chicago for either of the Bracket of Death weekends...

[hopefan]

Westmin takes a trip and loses to Marymount Va. 56-50 in Memphis... Disappointing, as it was an opportunity to get a win vs a half decent team from another region.  I'm still very confused at the downturn of Jimmy Villabalos... the exciting guard had a great game vs Webster on Dec 10, Starting, scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds, getting Player of the Week for his efforts, next two games, doesn't start, goes 1 for 10, 4 turnovers... I hope whatever is the problem it gets solved quickly... Westmin needs that perimeter threat to go with their great inside combo of Sean O'Brien and Romo Tabb...

In the loss to Marywood, O'brien gets 15 points, the other 4 starters combine for 11 points total!!!  Baffles me...these guys are better than that...