MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

Hope don't feel lonely! I know that the FU SID read your post and he called me to say he couldn't beleive a guy with know kids in any program works as hard as you do. He doesn't post cause I handle the updates from FU. I know of several coaches that read for score updates cause we usely beat the sliac site. They don't post for obvious reasons. FU players read but don't post because of idiots from our school several years ago and there coach doesn't want any bulletin board material on here and he doesn't want them to embarras the school like the past. Don't feel alone Hope, hang in there bud we need ya. You kinda keep me grounded and we have grown to respect each others opinions.

[Gregory Sager]

2) Big D3hoops fans from outside the SLIAC who read all posts within their geographic region of interest, but don't know the teams and individuals so don't comment.  That's understandable. 

That's me. I fit into this category.

I read this room regularly, and really enjoy the enthusiasm, thoroughness, and consistency that you bring to it, Hopefan.

[hopefan]

That means alot coming from you Greg  -  thanks

[fcnews]

There you go Hope, keep up the good work.

[yjacklok]

hopefan -- my hard drive crashed on Tuesday night. Just got a new one installed today, reloaded all the software, re-established inernet connection, etc, etc. The good news is that we didn't lose much that matters as this computer is used primarily for internet access. No important documents were stored on it. So am just now reading your post of Wednesday with predictions for next year in the SLIAC. Incredible job of research. I think your analysis of Greenville, Prin and Lincoln Christian at the bottom is probably correct, but I think the top seven spots are more up for grabs. Blackburn's coach has a way of getting new players as sophomores or juniors and integrating them into the team quickly. (When Kaneshiro was coaching Webster in '01-'02 Tim McDoniel came in as a junior and was Newcomer of the Year. In '04-'05 it was Essington as a junior, and in '05-'06 it's Allan as a junior.) Who would have thought they'd have been as successful as they were this year without Barnett and Essington from '04-'05? I also think Fontbonne and Mac will be tough. Eureka is a wild card at this point. They play with incredible energy and win as  much on energy level as on talent. If the other SLIAC teams take a lesson from Eureka's never quit style of play, then the whole conference will be better. Maryville is also an unknown at this point. Hard to know where to put them. So I think Webster, Westminster, Fontbonne, Mac, and Blackburn will compete for the top, with Eureka and Maryville as the potential surprises/spoilers.

[fcnews]

yjacklok - I'm sure Hopefan will happy to see your post. I agree with you about Coach K, Websters loss was Blackburns gain. Webster, though, picked up another fine coach in Coach Bunch. Thanks for your comments about FU, I do beleive they will be the sleeper of next season.

[Mac Attack]

Hopefan:

Awesome post on the 2006-2007 season. Already looking forward to it, although we're many month's away. More than anything, I wish for the academic and physical well-being of all the kids. After seeing the SLIAC teams this past season, as well as seeing Eureka and Lincoln Christian, my gut (without the much-appreciated returning player data gathered by hopefan) tells me the following:

Blackburn loses a lot, and struggled at times down the stretch. Certainly won't be counted out, but will fall into the middle of the pack.

Fontbonne will be improved, but how much? Younger players have talent, but disappeared in some big games.

Maryville will rebuild. A play-off spot is probably in the cards, but it won't come without a real scuffle with a lot of other teams.

Greenville could move up. Showed at times it could compete with most of the conference teams but came up short when they needed to get it done.

MacMurray will be hard-pressed to replace Downham and Eberhart. Recruiting news has been good and key players return. Building on strong finish this year, Highlanders will move up and contend.


Principia should win a few games, but not enough to step into the SLIAC picture. A couple of year's away from contending, if that.

Webster has a solid core group returning and has to be considered an early favorite for post-season honors. High expectations will put a bulls-eye on their back. Has to be the favorite going in.

Westminster will mirror Webster, in terms of returning talent and expectations. Will be in the mix going into the final week of the regular season. Along with MacMurray, has to be respected for improvement.

Eureka will fit very well into the SLIAC and be an instant contender for the post-season. Well-coached and some pretty good players coming back. AJ Richard will be a legitimate POY candidate.

Lincoln Christian will struggle early and often. Could battle it out with Principia for
the south end of the SLIAC.

Predicted finish (subject to reevaluation in October):

1. Webster
2. Westminster
3. Eureka
4. MacMurray
5. Fontbonne
6. Blackburn
7. Maryville
8. Greenville
9. Principia
10. Lincoln Christian

[gc_fan]

Hope - thanks for your analysis - great stuff!!!

[hopefan]

SLIAC fans - thanks to each of you  for the recognition - it did my spirit good , countering the downers of the end of D3hoops times, tax time, and budget time at work, all hitting at once.

But remember, for those of you who enjoyed my analysis, this site could be 100% better if we could get just one individual from each school to post objective material for their school next season - reviews of games, previews of upcoming games, recruiting news, who's playing beyond expectations, who's playing below expectations.  It doesn't have to turn into trashtalk, but can be legitimate opinions as to perspective matchups and game winners.  That's why I admire the CCIW room, there is so much good historical info out of there, coupled with great analysis of games played and impending games.   

The better and more detail the writeups include, the more recognition the kids get, because they sure don't get much from the Post Dispatch.

[fcnews]

Ok this is just a fantasy idea. Now that the St. Louis I. C consists of 6 IL. schools and only 4 MO. , wouldn't it be nice to add STL. of Pharmacy and say William Jewell College to our conference. For those that haven't noticed Pharmacy has really improved in many of their sports. This would give us a fourth STL school and William Jewell and Westminster would be an instant rivaly. We could go to two six team divisions and the top three from each make the post season tourney. Only problem would be that the MO. division would be loaded.

Food for thought!!!

[yjacklok]

I'd like to see if the SLIAC can become more competitive with other conferences before adding more schools.

[hopefan]

My impression is that the NAIA schools, ie William Jewell, whom I saw play last year, and or Central Methodist, whom I also saw play, are a definite step up from the SLIAC  -  they should be, as they can give scholarship money to recruits.  I say this even though Maryville beat Mo Bap and McKendree this season.  I believe that to be the exception, not the rule.

Another idea in this vein, that could conceivably draw some fans would be some kind of tourney matching local NAIA vs SLIAC schools  -  a nice selection of NAIA schools would include Mo Bap, McKendree, Columbia, Lindenwood, etc.  and Others I can't think of off the top of my head.  But wow - I'm afraid our SLIAC kids would have a tough time.

[fcnews]

just through the three year probation time, until their scholarship players graduate. During that time they wouldn't qualify for post season. The NAIA match ups would not help our in-region competition.

Like I said just Food for Thought.

[gc_fan]

fcnews - William Jewell is located in Liberty, MO (north of Kansas City), would that be too far especially for most of the IL schools etc.

[fcnews]

My bad gc meant William Woods. Still look at the terrible travel WC has next year with the addition of EC and LC.