MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

I see what you mean Jay -  While I personally don't condone the second part of your verbalization "Typical SLIAC refs, all of them are terrible."  , it seems to me to be the kind of statement officials have to shut out of their minds - it does not merit ejection - assuming that was all that was said and was not accompanied by any kind of threatening gestures (ie, you weren't half way out on the court when you said it).  I think next time change that phrase to, "that was a TERRIBLE call", and you'd be on safer ground.

At least 4 ejections in about two weeks - that I've heard about - with the small fan base the SLIAC has, it's a trend that indicates a real problem.

[pantherpride]

hopefan:  You are correct with the sportsmanship statement.

"Greenville College and the members of the NCAA, NCCAA, and SLIAC are committed to the principles of good sportsmanship.  We ask your cooporation in treating all opposing players, fans, and officials with honor and respect. We thank you for your cooporation."

I have also noticed that it isn't in the men's game so much that fans are being thrown out.  It's the women's games.  That was our case a few years ago (and my incident this year.)  The women's officials are very weak when it comes to taking some heat from the crowd.  We had a few games in the past when we had a decent size crowd and our student section was cheering and probably riding the officials a little.  They complained to the higher ranking officials about feeling threatened because of the proximity of the fans to the floor. (i.e. Our banners and no sitting in the front row aroudn the SLIAC.)

I think as you have said hopefan, it is a on going problem that needs to be delt with.   If they cannot take the heat from a few fans, then how would they handle a big time crowd.

[Ex-BlueJay]

I agree that I probably shouldnt have said the last part of the statement.  I am not typically one to ride the officials during a game, in fact, that was the only remark that i made during this game.  I played basketball for 18 years and have never received a technical foul, or even come close to being ejected from a game.  I know ive heard much worse comments from both players and fans that have not resulted in someone being asked to leave the building. What made the situation even worse was the fact that the ref first began yelling at another fan who had said nothing and made a big scene with that person.  If i hadnt been man enough to stand up and take the blame, he may have had a fan removed who had said nothing.  I feel that he should have never reacted the way he did when he had no idea which individual had said it, just the general direction it came from.  Now i am not at all saying that i condone this behavior because i dont, i was very embarassed from the situation, as well as furious that it had happened from such a small remark.  I just feel that those in charge of the conference need to step in and let these officials know that they are their to officiate the games, not to start confrontations with the fans.  The SLIAC fan base already isnt very strong, if these types of situations continue, it could cause some fans to quit coming altogether. 

[hopefan]

Jay -it's a shame that these kinds of situations have come up -  my advice, put it behind you and learn from it, BUT, I still say, it would not hurt to let Westminster admin know exactly what happened- that way you're not on the school's black list, and if it comes up at some kind of conference meeting, your administrator has "the other side of the story".   I do wonder if these events are discussed with league or school admin - they should be - so that necessary steps are take to correct the situation in whatever direction.

hang in there.

[yjacklok]

We are all very quick to criticize "the SLIAC officials". I have attended a number of games at Wash U and almost always see at least one, sometimes two, and even on occasion three officials who officiate SLIAC games. Without commenting on the quality of officiating in the SLIAC, I just want to point out that these officials are not under contract exclusively to our conference.

Also, earlier this season there was a "Daily Dose" rant on D3hoops about bad officiating. From what I could tell by the comments posted in response to that item, no one is happy with the officiating in their conference. Misery loves company, and believe me we have plenty of company.

[hopefan]

Every game is huge now; let's concentrate on wins and losses

Blackburn at Maryville  -  What a big game, despite the fact that both lost on Saturday.  If Maryville wins, we're in a 3 way tie for first; If Blackburn wins, they keep their lead and virtually clinch the host's position for the conference championship.  Not sure what has happened to Blackburn in 2 recent losses???  Maryville is just full of question marks - things have to come together quickly for the saints to compete - 5 critical injury questions - Bash will be back, but will he be able to play HARD?, Klein's shoulder went again on Saturday - he looked in a world of hurt, but he has been able to recover quickly in the past - McCarthy's back is bothering him-can he tough it out?, and Turpin and Rezabeck would help so much, but both are still searching for their game.  IF, IF, IF

Webster at Prin - Webster just gets to take care of business the next three games and watch everyone else beat each other up.

Westminster at Fontbonne  -  Westminster has worked too hard to get close to the leaders to be upset by the Griffs  -  but watch out   -  the matchups are pretty even.

Greenville at Mac  -  BIG game for Mac, as they could very easily still be playing for 4th next Tuesday vs Westmin - but they MUST beat Greenville, who's feelin pretty good after knocking off BC

[hopefan]

On a lighter note, did anyone else hear the SLIAC get some publicity from Kevin Slaten yesterday on KFNS???
Seems KFNS was having a Valentine's Day contest - contestants would write in as to how they were really falling for someone and needed  Kevin's and Rammer's help in setting up a date.
Well, the winner was a dance team member from Webster!!  (Can't remember her name)  She sounded GREAT - very sweet kid (remember, I'm an old man)  .  Anyway, her dream date is  -  drum roll please... - Darin (no last name revealed) from the Webster men's team.  Rammer and Kev called and left him a message imploring him to meet the young lady, talked briefly about Darin's basketball stats, and about the fact that Webster - Fontbonne was coming up on Saturday.

Darin  (whosr ID most SLIAC fans know)  -  GO for it - she sounded GREAT!!!! (AND she thinks you're "cute")

[fcnews]

Daryl - Help hook a girl Up !!!
FU has three games left all against top four teams. Let's see if the Griffins can still be a factor. The game at BC on the final night might be huge in hopes of getting the tourney site in STL.

[pantherpride]

Alright fellas, Game #12 in SLIAC Play... what's going to happen?

Westminster d. Fontbonne:  Mathmatically, GC's not out of the mix.  However, WC is rolling and it will be nothing different as the Blue Jays handle Fontbonne, eliminating my Panthers (SORRY GREENVILLE PEOPLE)

Maryville d. Blackburn:  Just because I don't want to go to Carlinville for the Tourney.  Blackburn coming off a tough loss to my Panthers (YAY).  Maryville coming off a sore thrashing at the hands of Westminster.  I've got Maryville in the upset.

Greenvillle d. MacMurray:  I can't pull against Greenville.  We played very well v. Blackburn on Saturday and I think that we will continue this play as we play towards the end of the season and towards next season.  Greenville in a high scoring game

(Webster d. Prin... not much of a game....)

[Mac Attack]

Westminster over Fontbonne - Jays finishing strong
Blackburn over Maryville - Beavers bounce back
Webster over Principia - Webster in a walk
MacMurray over Greenville - Hot Hoops for Highlanders at Home

[WebsterWatcher]

I know that we complain about the refs, and there have been some issues of consistancy, but i was at the webster game vs. mac, and there was a scuffle with the players. 2 mac players got kicked out (one came off the bench, the other one was involved) and one webster player got booted, and a fan got kicked out from the venue as well. Now as much as i think the refs can be sensitive, the lady that got kicked came from her seat in the top row right behind the scorers table, and was yelling at the refs, calling them obsene things, and yelling about the player from webster making comments about him aswell. I do beleive the referees were right in kicking her out.

[fcnews]

WC 70 FU 69
After trailing by 24 pts. at half, the Griffins got to one with 14 seconds and the ball. Got the last shot but it wouldn't fall.

[yjacklok]

WebsterWatcher. You describe the events at the Webster MacMurray game exactly as I saw them, and I agree that kicking out the lady was justified. I do wonder if the refs have the authority to do that, or if the hosting institution is the one that ultimately takes that action. From what I saw the refs went to the scorers table and said something, but I don't think they spoke directly to the woman. I'd be intersted in hearing from someone who knows how such situations are handled.

Oh yes -- Maryville over Blackburn in a wire to wire 77-55 win. Maryville's seniors played like seniors.

[fcnews]

At each game the home team is responsible for having an administrator on Game Management. In almost every instance that I have seen ,in 30 yrs. of watching college basketball, the head of the officials crew will go to the table to ask to have a fan removed. Game Management will conduct the rest.

Quite tonite with game reports.

[pantherpride]

MacMurray d. Greenville 81-77.

It was close for the first five mintues.  Mac pulled away after that point, taking the lead to near 15 at half and 20 at a couple times in the 2nd.  Greenville clawed their way back in normal Panther fashion, but couldnt get close enough.  

UNOFFICIAL STATS FROM MY BOOK

Off the Bench, Jerel Robertson (33) lead for MC with 19.  Ryan Eberhart (41) was on his tail with 18 (10-16 FT).

For Greenville,   Both Bryson Taylor (11) and Christopher Simmons (32) had 17.

Lot's of free throws and fouls in this game.  Greenville Called for 29 (21 in the second half).  Lot of that was fouling at the end of the game.  63 FT's taked between the two teams.