MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Looking at the games tonight and Saturday, the team which really will be shaping the first half standings is Blackburn.

If Blackburn were to defeat both MAC and Westminster, it puts a tremendous squeeze on the standings.

Check this out  IF Blackburn were to win those two games (it could happen, but doubtful) and If Webster beats Fontbonne (tossup)  and if Greenville were to lose at Eureka (tossup), the standings would show Greenville on top with two losses, and SIX teams with 3 losses!!!   

Gotta love it!

[BunchTime]

Welcome FU_Pride!!  I hate to even make a prediction tonight for the Battle of Big Bend!  It seems no matter what I say, it will come back to bite me!  But I cannot resist... so I think the game will be in the low-70s with a Gorlok victory (obviously)!  Thus far, there has been too many surprises and making relative comparisons between opponents and opponents-opponents is just too difficult to have any significant weight here, I believe!

I am in the opinion that Webster, this year, seems to play to the level of the competition and Fontbonne is there rival, and also overachieiving this year, so I feel that Webster will bring it!  But I am sure that Fontbonne is equally pumped and ready, so....FC will probably be right in that "it will be a war."  Always is a fun game!  Go Gorloks!

[hopefan]

Bunchtime - you use the term overacheiving referring to Fontbonne

If you refer to them as overacheiving because of their youth,  you have an arguable point, but I feel their talent level hardly qualifies them as overacheivers.

Fontbonne has had two outstanding recruiting classes in a row - their talent with Cartez Parker playing is the best in the conference -  without Parker, I still feel Branch White and Fogerty would start for any team in the conference.

In reality, when they had the run of close losses, I felt they were UNDERacheiving - because they had to learn how to play during the stretch run of close games.  I feel that the convincing wins that they had over Blackburn and Westminster in the last week shows the level that  they can maintain through the SLIAC season.   (IF McKoy and hopefully Parker take care of and distribute the ball).  I surely hope Parker can return - we should find out today - to provide badly needed depth.

Bunchtime - if you are at the game tonight, please find us - I'd love to chat - I'll likely be with Y Jak center court across from benches  -  FCnews will be somewhere - and FC Pride -please say hi too  -   I will have my Hope hat on, and if it's not too hot, a Rensselaer Polytechnic sweatshirt.   This would be a great time to have a little pregame or halftime D3Hoops get together!

[BunchTime]

Hopefan, I am not arguing with your point!!  After all, you see the teams play a lot more than I do.  But I guess I using the term "overachieving" partly due to there youth and expectations.  We all know that young teams in the conference take lumps and time to come together!  They are playing well, which is why I think it will be a helluva game tonight!

[fcnews]

Don't feel bad PantherPride, you'll always be just "Pride" to me.

Bunchtime, as you very well know, it really doesn't matter what teams are up or down in a given year. These games are always nail biters!!!! This game is alot more important to WU. They can't afford to go to 4 losses this early. I would say this game will have a large crowd, but the 6pm start is tough for alot of FU's families coming in from outside STL.

[hopefan]

Tonite will be fun  -  even moreso for me who does not have a rabid rooting interest for either side  -  I just get to sit back and enjoy the competition while those related to either side can stress out!!!!!   Been there and done that a thousand and 1 other times!  

[hopefan]

FC  -  any news on the academic debate?

[fcnews]

Hope - No new news! I think today is the meeting that starts the appeal. I'm not sure what to expect from this meeting. I understand WU may have a player going through similar process. FU needs to concentrate on winning without him and if Cartez is cleared to play that's even better.

[BunchTime]

FC, you are absolutely right about the game being nail biters!  The old cliche is fitting with this game -- "You can throw out the records."  It will be interesting to see who plays well and if any heroes will emerge!

[Beaver_SID]

Panther,

Still Pride- just more defined.
I hear that Greenville's e-mail system has been down. Hows that been affecting you guys?

[pantherpride06]

Yes, Beaver_SID.  Our e-mail system has been down.  Things become a little hectic when the e-mail doesn't work.  But, oh well.  We will survive. 

[fcnews]

No matter who wins, it ought to be a good night for McClain's Pub bottom line. And, I haven't had a drink in 4yrs., more money for KENO.

For those coming to the game. Thursday night is FC's biggest night for option classes and first eight week under grad classes. Parking will be tough. Just like at Webster games. I hope no one gets their car "booted".

[BunchTime]

I wish I was able to attend the fun at Fontbonne tonight!  Coach McKinney has a lot of pull when comes to the parking situation so perhaps he can save some spots or save people from being "booted."    He is a good man and a good coach who is probably having a lot of fun with the bunch he has this year.  They keep him young, I suppose.  Good luck to both squads putting on a solid showing tonight. 

[ballhog01]

As the Rod Stewart song goes "Tonights the night...".

This might be the first FU game I make this year. Family and weather not with standing. If not I'd like to reads reviews from as many as possible.

You never no who will show up. One person I know will be ready is the Godfather of the Fontbonne Family, Coach McKinney. He will have a game plan and a heck of a pre game speech. I don't think there is a single coach in the sliac that wants to win more. For those of you that don't know Coach, your life is missing something. He is the most genuine individual you'll ever meet. And, He lives for these kind of games. Would kinda like to see him get one T just for entertainment purposes.

My view, looking solely at stats, can some one from WU step up and be the third scorer. FU has four players who will score. WU's experience will be a factor. But, does the young Griffin's still have enough high school in them to come out with more intensity and momentum. I wouldn't be suprised to see Webster lead early. FU will have to let there emotions level off. It will be a game of runs and I think FU has the shooters to put numbers on the board quick. FU put up 77 pts. on the best defensive team in the conference. Westminister was holding opponents to only 61 pts. per game.

I agree with FC on the zebras. The sliac has some miserable ones. You'd think this would have to be the sliac's best crew, considering the conference schedule for tonite.

Go Griffins!!!!!!!!

[fcnews]

Your right Bunchtime. I do remember something about a boot and one of Coach's Gorlock favorites.