MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

Good question fcnews. I sure don't have an answer, just a couple of observations.

On Saturday Webster comes out flat, especially lacking enough defensive intensity, goes into halftime down 15, starts the 2nd half on a 20-5 run to tie the game, then plays hard and well the rest of the way but could never get a lead and falls short at the end.

Today Webster's opening defense was better and the intensity level good throughout, but after getting an 8-0 lead Webster went cold and was down 10 at halftime. Webster was on fire at the beginning of the 2nd half and had a lead after Reinhradt could only score 6 points in the first 10 minutes 49 seconds of the half. Then Reinhardt, which couldn't hit the broad side of a barn last night against Maryville, started making shots. It was an exciting game the rest of the way and the one point Webster loss could probably be attributed to any one of five or six things.

As for Maryville, I didn't see today's game, but it could be that young teams are likely to have uneven performances from game to game. Also, MSOE has a decent team with a number of weapons, so give them credit for their two wins.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[hopefan]

I thought MSOE was very good - Good guard play took Maryville's freshmen out of their game offensively, and MSOE shot well too - a well coached seasoned squad that knew how to take advantage of Maryville's youthful inexperience.

Webster is a mystery to me as I expected much more from them.  Could the loss of point guard Benny Roberts be making an impact.  An MSOE associate commented to me that they seemed to lack firepower off the bench.  I don't know, I like their starters and several off the bench.  So far, to me, results say that perhaps Westminster may be at a level to challenge Webster, and I still think old FC has been sandbaggin us regarding Fontbonne - I make tham a "tri" favorite.  And Blackburn, I'll be surprized.

[y_jack_lok]

Benny Roberts would give Webster more depth. He is more of a pure point guard and might help in the assist category and on defense, but would never match his replacement, Ryan Turk, in scoring as Turk is currently the team's leading scorer at 17.8ppg after 4 games. So who's to say which is more valuable? Scoring by the big men will no doubt pick up in conference play as the 4 opponents so far have had strong interior defense, which the weaker SLIAC teams won't

It's tough to lose close games. Webster could just as easily be 3-1 instead of 1-3, or even 0-4, or 2-2. Only a 4-0 start is out of the question because of the not-so-close loss to Transy (which, by the way lost to Wittenberg today -- the same team that knocked them out of the NCAA tourney last March).

A couple more tough games coming up against Fisk on Tuesday and at Millikin on Saturday before the frist conference game against Maryville on 12/6

[Mac Attack]

Austin College 89  Principia 50

Correct picks for the week:

pantherpride06 - 10
BeaverSID - 10
fcnews - 10
Mac Attack - 6

Standings through Week #2:

fcnews - 23
BeaverSID - 23
pantherpride06 - 22
Mac Attack - 19

Week #3

Monday, November 27  
Fisk @ Fontbonne 7:00 PM
 
Tuesday, November 28  
Logan Chiropractic @ Greenville 7:00 PM
Fisk @ Webster 6:00 PM
North Park U @ Eureka  7:30 PM
 
Wednesday, November 29  
Robert Morris @ Blackburn 7:00 PM
 
Thursday, November 30  
Eureka @ Millikin 7:00 PM
Maranatha Baptist Bible College @ Lincoln Christian
 
Friday, December 1  
Moody Bible Institute @ Lincoln Christian
 
Saturday, December 2  
Greenville @ Blackburn * 3:00 PM
Webster @ Millikin 3:00 PM
Principia @ Northwestern Missouri State 7:00 PM
Central Iowa @ Westminster 2:00 PM
Grace Bible College @ Lincoln Christian

Please have your picks in by noon Monday if possible. Good luck!

[Mac Attack]

Through two weeks, I have to say that Eureka and Westminster looked the best out of the gate. Blackburn, Maryville, and Webster hit the wall. The rest of the SLIAC is still struggling. Generally speaking, I will say the competition has been above average, and in several instances, very good. My sense is once conference play begins, it will be a dog fight between at least seven teams - Webster, Maryville, Fontbonne, Westminster, Blackburn, MacMurray, and Eureka. And as I said earlier, teams that can win at home, win the games they're supposed to on the road, and then steal one or two will be in the post season. It will probably be after the first of the year before we know how that formula plays out.

MacMurray could have/should beaten Monmouth, but Millikin and Grinnell were just too much, for different reasons. Looking ahead, MacMurray needs to win at Lincoln Christian ahead of its conference opener at Webster on December 9. Highlanders then take 20 days off before traveling to the LaGrange Classic in Georgia where they will play Huntingdon College and LaGrange College. Huntingdon appears to be down from last season, but LaGrange looks to be strong. Will be a tough trip for MacMurray. If MacMurray could split their next four, that would give them a 2-5 record going into January - and games at home against Rockford, Westminster, and Principia, and a game at Greenville. Highlanders could win all four of those if the stars were lined up right - but they need to start winning some games now.

What I've learned after the exhibition at WIU and the games against Millikin, Monmouth, and Grinnell is MacMurray still has a lot of work to do on perimeter defense, free throw shooting, and avoiding unforced turnovers. Mac will have to dramatically improve in all three areas to have any chance of competing for the post-season tournament. And without increased contributions from Kowa, Hipshir, and Huff, it's going to very difficult for the Highlanders to defeat quality opponents. On the sunny side of the street, the emergence of Jerel Robertson, Farrid Coleman, Nick Schmidt, Brady Greene, and Adam Poulson have been a real shot in the arm. These kids play hard at both ends of the floor and are putting up impressive numbers. It remains to be seen if MacMurray can put together a solid 40 minutes against anybody. If they do, they'll be more than competitive. But they're on the very edge, in terms of depth and margin for error. Too many missed free throws or turnovers, or key players in early foul trouble will be deadly.

Coach Hettinga has done a tremendous job with this team, even though the won/loss stats don't show it. Assuming everyone stays healthy and eligible (something that didn't happen last season), I still think MacMurray will be very competitve in the SLIAC. Time will tell...

[Mac Attack]

My picks for Week #3:

11/27
Fisk

11/28
Greenville
Fisk
Eureka

11/29
Bobby Morris

11/30
Millikin
Lincoln Christian

12/1
Moody Bible

12/2
Blackburn
Millikin
NoMoState
Westminster
Lincoln Christian

[BunchTime]

YJak, good summary and observations!  Its like I said early in the year: you don't often see many teams with good records at the end of the year without similarly good records in the close games.  How many teams with bad records say "Man, we lost 8 games by less than 4"?  Too many!  I just hope that Webster can find some consistency. 

I don't think the loss of Roberts hurts that much, other than the obvious depth it takes away from the team.  They seem to playing there 5 starters much more than Bunch has in the past, which is porbably due to many inexperienced freshman who aren't ready to contribute.  I wish I could watch them play, but it seems that someone needs to step-up and get these guys fired up each and every half.  My guess is that  Bunch is not the problem motivating these guys.

[redrum]

you all seem suprised at blackburns loss against rosehulman...i told you they are terrible...this is only the beginning of blackburns continuous declining season until they wont ever be touted again by the crazies...hows it feel to be at the bottom now crazies?

[y_jack_lok]

You are right, BunchTime, that the difference between a good season and an average, below average, or even a poor season, is winning the close ones. You are also right that Coach Bunch is not the problem motivating the team. From my observation he is pulling the right strings when he needs to and the team is listening to him and responding. Still, the players make a mistake or two that might be the difference in the outcome of a game. It's hard to play "what if" when analyzing a close game because there are so many variables that affect outcomes. The team has good chemistry and is more composed than last year. I am optimistic that they will improve, and that new players will get more integrated into the team and contribute more, especially in scoring, as the season goes on.

[fcnews]

Monday
Fisk (I hope we keep it close. If I new Fisk's size it would help)

Tuesday
GC
Webster
Eureka (big game)

Wed.
Robert Morris

Thursday
Millikin
MBBC

Friday
MBI

Sat
BC
Millikin
NMSU
WU
GBC

[BunchTime]

Yes, I agree!  It is tough for most freshman to contribute immediately.  It usually takes time to get aclimated to the college game.  However, I often see players who contributed very little early in the year become vital parts to the team later in the year.  I hope that some of Webster's bench players can step up and provide a spark off the bench.  I think this element of hoops is overlooked, but someone who can come off the bench and make a diving play, a steal, or a key bucket adds adds a lot to a team.

That said, I think Webster should probably be beating these teams that they've lost too.  After all, all their starters are players that have had starting jobs or significant roles in the last year or two.

[fcnews]

FU is starting to have some sucess with a group of freshmen and sophmores. All three freshmen are avg. in double figures. I think alot depends on the kid and his backround. Some kids that are used to being the go to guy in H.S. have a tad bit more confidence going in. Plus, if they have the physical ability, it helps.

[pantherpride06]

Week #3

Monday, November 27   
Fisk
   
Tuesday, November 28   
Greenville
Fisk
Eureka
   
Wednesday, November 29   
Blackburn
   
Thursday, November 30   
Millikin
Lincoln Christian (GIVE ME #2 Baby)
   
Friday, December 1   
Moody Bible Institute
   
Saturday, December 2   
Greenville (UPSET SPECIAL)
Millikin
Northwestern Missouri State
Central Iowa
Lincoln Christian

I am giving LCC two of three this week.  I must be off my rocker.  What do ya Say Prechers!!!

[pantherpride06]

Sorry for such the late post.  I'm just getting in from the Indianapolis Colts game v. Philly.  Huge colts fan here! 10-1 baby!

[wilburt]

Monday
Fisk (I hope we keep it close. If I new Fisk's size it would help)

Fisk's size is irrelevant, Fontbonne and Webster will win.


Click the link below to go to the story on Fisk-Lipscomb game:

http://lipscombsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112506aaa.html