MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mac Attack]

Tough, tough loss for Mac last night. Led by 10 at the break, then let it slip away. Game was tied with about two minutes left, but just couldn't get it done. Had a chance to tie at the end, but missed a three with less than 10 seconds. The fact that the shot was taken by a player with the lowest three-point shooting percentage on the team was a head scratcher. Mac was outrebounded, but kept the turnovers down. Hipshir (5), Compton (1), and Huff (3) combined for nine points, which was probably the difference. The fact that Mac held WU to only 19 points in the first half was a huge step forward. We didn't trail for the first 38 minutes, but just couldn't hang on. Real shame. Kowa played well, as did Downham and Eberhart (15 pts, 6 reb). Big win for Webster. Highlanders need to steal one on the road now, which they can do.

[hopefan]

so, Saturday's games are :

Maryville at Blackburn  -  tossup  -tough game to call because Maryville's inconsistancies always worry me.
Home court advantage really helps Blackburn with the small, loud facility.  It's obvious I'm rooting for Maryville and I certainly think they can win, but the gut says BC may pull this one out in Carlinville, while MU would have an edge in the rematch later.  There are so many "ifs" for Saturday - if Klein shows up, if MU and Elwell can keep the tempo upscale, if Hebl and Regan shoot well, if McCarthy, Klein, Bash and the frosh do a job on the boards........... ahhh it'll happen - go with Maryville

FC at WC ... two young teams, but WC does have a little more experience, and I think a little better depth.  FC has played well in spurts, but hasn't been able to surprize anyone yet this year, I don't think it will happen on Saturday either.

Prin at Webster - should be lopsided

Mac at Greenville - crucial game for both teams - I'll take Greenville because of the homecourt, but if they lose, they can really start worrying about making the conference playoffs.  If they play like they did in the 1st half vs MU, they'll be fine.

[Mac Attack]

I'll go with Blackburn, Westminster, Webster, and Mac.

[macnews]

I agree with MA on last nights game.

It seems that once the coach from other team see's how mac is playing, different from the system, makes adjustments at the halftime point and comes back and takes over.  Unfortunately, Mac coach can't make those adjustments.  With a few player changes in the 2nd half it could have maybe ended different.

[fcnews]

Ok, I'll throw my two cents in.

MU will beat BC - MU's guards will not let them lose and BC does not have the interior game to match up with the Saints.

Webster in a walk.

Greenville will hold home court advantage.

And, FU in the upset of the day. These kids a slowly starting to beleive in themselves and their defense has started to step it up. They only allowed 6 fg's in the 1st half and 7 in the second last nite. One late three kept them from tying school record for fewest points allowed. Saturday is a must win for the Griffins.

[fcnews]

Tonite in JV action FU 74 MU 60

[jonmac8932]

I think that Westminster could be the team to watch out for if they can get a body on someone when a shot goes up.  If they can stop teams from getting over double digit offensive boards they could end up being tough in the conferrence.  The defense has looked alot better this year than in years past.  Watch out for them to make a strong run.

[Make_Believe]

Watch out for Neil Compton tomorrow.  Word is, he's got the potential to play pro bball somewhere after his career at Mac is over.  He has the skills, just not the opportunity.

[pantherpride]

Predicitions for today:

Fontbonne d. Westminster:  I've only seen them once (opening game of conference) and they were tough for Greenville.  The game was closer than the score.  Fontbonne in a close one.

Greenville d. MacMurray:  Last Season, GC was unprepared in the 1st game of the set when Mac d. Greenville 100-88 (I think).  Game two seen GC break 2 school records in a 136-107 victory.  I think it's going to be another high scoring game between the two squads.  Greenville will win on a late run.

Webster d. Principia:  Prin is struggling in both the men's and women's programs.  Don't know much about them. I'll know more once we travel there Tuesday.  Gotta take Webster big.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Blackburn d. Maryville:  Blackburn is just a disiplined basketball squad.  We played there Wednesday and had a chance to knock them off.... until 11:00 minutes and then Blackburn pushed us over like a feather.  It'll be a close game, but I think Blackburn will go to 5-0 in a great matchup between 1 and 2 in the conference.

[20eagle31]

congrats to blackburn for a 5-0 start to the conference season. keep her rollin boys

[fcnews]

WC 82 FU 66

Ugly game. More later.

[hopefan]

ok  Blackburn beats Maryville by 5 or 6, in an exciting game  -  both teams played hard - the officials decided that they were going to call EVERYTHING, and Maryville didn't tone their game back to adjust.  A seventeen point lead in the first half evaporated to 5  by half time, and a deficeit in the second half.  Blackburn shot 28 foul shots---in the 2nd half.  In the last 5 minutes of a two point game, Hebl and Regan were gone (I'll tell you about Regan's 5th later), Klein was on the bench in the first half in the doghouse, looked solid and kept Maryville in the game in the 2nd half.  Bash and McCarthy looked unstoppable in the first half, hardly played in the 2nd.  Subs that HAD to make plays to win the game  -  didn't, but our starters just didn't play smart enough to stay in the game.
I'm an MU fan, but I really, REALLY like Blackburn.  You look at them in warmups and you say, they don't look like a GOOD team -  but darn, they play HARD, and they shoot fouls, and they make big shots  -  they deserved the win, THOUGH I rate MU a favorite in the return.
And I'm an MU fan, but I was embarrassed by the actions and words of a couple MU fans at the refs  -  constantly  --  to the point where I left my seat or I would have said the wrong thing to someone.  Officials dont cheat, dont lie etc... the guys who worked the game have worked at Maryville many times before, and will work MU games again.  Go to a game and cheer for your team, not to berate the officials.  Like I said, the kids should have adjusted.  Maryville needed their best players in the last 5 minutes - they didn't have them.
Unfortunately the refs did make one grievous error that surely didn't help MU.  With about 4 minutes left, a Blackburn player goes flying thru the middle to the hoop -  Tim Elwell reaches in, number 32, and obviously fouls the shooter.  Trouble is the ref comes over and signals the foul on number 12, Matt Regan.  Regan was no where near the play, he was out somewhere on the perimeter.  Foul number five on Regan, who had just hit 2 jump shots to cut the margin to 3.  It was so far out in left field, there was hardly a protest.  It was a mistake, but one that really hurt MU's chances.
So my gut feel was right about the game's outcome, though I let my emotions pick MU.  GC, Westminster, Webster win as forecasted.  The league needs to root for MU to beat Bburn at MU, with a larger pointspread (if MU and BC go thru the rest of their games- certainly no guarantee).  My point is, I don't think anyone but the Beavers want to go to Blackburn for the conference tourney.
Suggestion to the League office  -  Fonbonne has the nicest facility in the conference  - have it there whether Fontbonne  is in it or not.  It would be counter productive to have it at a place that seats 350
  Not to say it isn't a blast playing at Blackburn  -  I've been there this year and last, two great games...

[yjacklok]

WU 74 vs Prin 43. When you shoot 32% and get out rebounded 43-13 it's hard to win.

[Mac Attack]

MacMurray really needed to win this one. The way we've been playing defense lately, I thought Mac had more than enough to get it done. Mac shot about as well as it has all year long, but I think the days of Mac winning any high scoring shoot outs are over. Eberhart and Huff played very well. But when your point guard plays 30 minutes and get two assists, you get the picture. Greenville shot the lights out, especially Turner. And their three-point shooters were probably the difference. For Mac, Hipshir only played two minutes, and Jerel Robertson - who has been playing really well - really struggled. We need those two guys to play well to have a chance. These were two pretty evenly matched teams, and obviously Mac needs to win games like this to makew it to the post season. Matching or bettering last season's 9-16 record is looking more and more difficult. Next up is a trip to Maryville. Highlanders will be looking for the upset, but can't give up 54 points in the first half, like they did last night, and hope to have a chance

[hopefan]

Wednesday is a big night in the SLIAC, with the Blackburn at Westminster game topping the list.
To me, this is a tough game to call.  Both teams are athletic, Westminster has a little more size, and I like their guards more too.  But Blackburn has that intangible - they win consistently in the SLIAC.  I'll go with Westminster for another reason - it's a LONG ride for Blackburn.... I think in this case, the home court will be crucial.  Westminster wins and tightens the standings.

Mac at Maryville - Maryville will come out with a vengance after that tough one on Saturday.  Mac Attack and MacNews are good fans, but I think they'll have to be disappointed again.

Greenville at Prin - poor Prin....

Webster at Fontbonne - Webster has to look at this as a must win in the battle for a conference tourney slot.  FC has slid down to the "doubtful for a conference slot"  rating, but they're dangerous every night. This game should be a real battle of the boards.  Experience favors Webster.  Despite being away from home, I think Webster pulls this one out.

Forecasted season end
Maryville, Blackburn, Westminster are 1,2,3 probably in that order.
Greenville shooting and quickness battles it out with Webster inside game for 4,5
Mac and FC are 6,7
Prin goes perfect at 8