MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sully309]

I knew Lincoln Christian would be a factor sooner or later. Congrats to the Preachers. There were some nay-sayers on here even after Lincoln lost 3 very close games, but after 5 home games, if you add up the total scores, Lincoln has been outscored by 1 point despite a 1-4 record. This will not be their last win of the season in conference.

Some great games shaping up this weekend. I'd really like to see Webster and Mac fight it out, but Fontbonne/EC wasn't too bad the 1st time around! Blackburn/Greenville could be a tough battle as well. Also, LCC can make to 2 in a row with a W against a potentially worn down Maryville outfit that will be playing its 4th game in 8 days.

By the way, am I the only one that's noticed that both Webster and Westminster finish with 4 out of 5 on the road?

[hopefan]

Godfather   - I assume when you say MU in your analysis, you are referring to Mac, not Maryville (it's obvious that Maryville is not going to make the playoffs)  -  for clarity sake, MU = Maryville  and Mac = Macmurray   

That was a mandatory win for Westminster last night - not a crusher, but a demoralizer for Greenville.   Greenville really needs a win at Blackburn on Saturday - I think they'll get it if they take care of the ball - Blackburn doesn't have an answer for Greenville's quickness

[Mac Attack]

godfather - I'll echo hopefan's comments on "MU" and "MC". It's possible to believe that the Highlanders won't go 7-2 again. Realistically, that's asking a lot out of this team. But consider that MacMurray plays six of their remaining nine games at home, which should count for something (Mac hasn't lost at home since November 25); MacMurray still has Principia (away) and LCC (home) to play; play Webster, Fontbonne, Greenville, and Eureka all in Jacksonville; and finish with four of their last five at home. Just for conversations sake, let say the Highlanders split in the four games with Fontbonne, Webster, Eureka, and Greenville. That gives them nine wins. And let's say they can defeat both PC and LCC - that's 11 wins. The other three games are at Westminster (no easy task), at Blackburn (always dangerous), and at home against Maryville (another rugged opponet). I think MacMurray will win one or possibly two of those three games - which would give them 12-13 wins. I think all of us would agree 13 wins would get a team into the post season, and probably 12. Some (not me) would venture 11 wins is enough. But MacMurray would have to collapse on their home court over the next four weeks to fall short - and I don't think Coach Hettinga and his players are going to let that happen - unless injuries take some key players out of the line-up. One thing is for sure - MacMurray and every other contender will have to earn it. There is very, very little margin for error from here on out.

The way things stand right now, I see one team finishing team finishing 14-4, two teams finishing 13-5, and one team getting in at 12-6 on a tie-breaker.

Congrats to LCC. I predicted they would pop someone on their home court. Glad we have that trip out of the way. Same to Westminster - BIG win. Greenville will bounce back - too many good athletes and too well coached.

[hopefan]

Mac Attack  -  After seeing Coach Hettinga work against Maryville, I am totally sold on Mac being a SLIAC tourney team - there's no way he is going to let that team play down to a level that would prevent them from winning the number of games they need to.  He's taken some reasonably good talent for SLIAC level and gotten them to play hard, and as a team.

I look forward to seeing Webster and Mac this Saturday, and staying in touch with the EC-FU game, and maybe even the BC-GC game.

Blackburn SID, can you private message or email me your cell phone number so I can contact you Saturday afternoon?

[Mac Attack]

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but Fontbonne should be loaded next year. MacMurray graduates one starter (Whalum) and will return six of their first seven. One player who will play next season is already on campus and attending classes, and he's a good one. Coach Hettinga will recruit 3-4 more who will be ready to play, just as Coleman was this year, including some size. Things are looking up. But back to Webster and this Saturday...should be a great game.

[the godfather]

Thanks for clarifying guys, what was i thinking?  MC got it.  Anyway I just like to spark discussion and I think that its possible one of those two wont make the tourney, either MC or GC.  FC didnt you say that if you get 11 you are in no matter what mathematically?

[Beaver_SID]

BC Update

Not only did BC lose to LCC an put them extremely behind in the conference but Leotis Howard is officially off the team. Howard was asked to leave campus earlier this week due to a social issue that cost him a game earlier this season. Im not sure if he got to play in the LCC game or not. What a huge blow for BC.

[Mac Attack]

Sorry to hear that about Howard, or any kid who's going through that kind of problem, whatever it may be. I know that most coaches and colleges will go out of their way, sometimes more than once, to help a young man or woman through a difficult time. Just hate to see it - no other way to say it.

Beaver SID - unless I missed your Pick 'ems, I don't think you entered this week. But you've only missed four games. If you have time, make your picks for tonight and Saturday and you'll be in pretty good shape.

[Sportsjunky]

I just was interested in what everybody thought about the games of the week with Webster traveling up north to MacMurray College and Fontbonne taking a trip up north to Eureka.

With MacMurray and Webster game.  Mac is a conference leading 7-2 and Webster is tied in second with a close 6-3.  Webster has been playing solid basketball as of late, winning the last 5 out of 7 (against teams like Eureka, Greenville, and at Fontbonne).  Their last two losses have been by a combined 2 points.  While Mac on the other hand has pretty much been playing solid ball.  Webster and MacMurray have both had the weeks off to rest up, should be an interesting game considering Mac the first one at Webster so Webster is going to try to return the favor this Saturday! 

                             I'm going with Mac by 8.

Eureka vs Fontbonne, should be another good battle.  Fontbonne may possiblly be the hottest team right now coming into the game winning 5 of their last 6 (TWO of them coming against Mac and Westminister).  Eureka and Fontbonne both are good squads but with Fontbonne taking the trip up north and Eureka already stealing one from Fontbonne (by 1) at Fontbonne its hard to tell.
 
                           I'm going with Eureka by 3.

just opinions...any body else have any thoughts on these 2 battles for the top stop?

[fcnews]

That's a real shame about Howard.

Saturdays key games:

WU @ Mac - Mac win knocks WU to 4 losses, WU win knocks Mac into the log jam of teams w/ 3 losses.

FU@ EC - The loser of this game goes to 4 losses

GC and WC - both teams have must win games. GC got a break w/ BC losing Howard.

[fcnews]

Sportsjunky - Your take on FU@EC could be spot on. Or, the yougens' from FU will have something to prove. In which cases you could probably flip that score. If your correct on the Mac v. WU game that not only gives WU four losses but gives any team w/ one win against Mac second tie breakers against WU.

Remember first tie breaker is head to head, then record against top team, then record against second,........

[pantherpride06]

Great weekend of basketball.  Thanks for the updates hopefan.  Sorry to hear about BC losing Howard.  Greenville, as I have stated before, needs to come out big on Saturday and continue the home winning mark.  Hopefully it will get us started.  At Fontbonne on Tuesday will be a huge game.  FUPride & FCnews, I'm going to try to make the trip.  Need to sneak out of practice early.  I'll see what I can do.  My boys have pointed out a correlation about my missing games and out conference losses.

First Six Games I did not miss (other than the Maryville game in which I listened to the entire game.)
Last three losses, Miss all. (seen half of the Webster Game).

They are kind of pounding me about it.   

[fcnews]

I'd like to give a shout out to my young Giffin squad. After starting the season 2-7 ( having had their schedule even questioned ) they have now clawed their way back to .500 ball. First time in three years they have been .500 this late in the season. 6-1 in '07. Good job guys!! Just keep improving every game and things will take care of themselves. You won't be young forever. Look out in 08-09.

[fcnews]

I just looked at the WC v. GC boxscore. No one mentioned that WC shot 44 free throws to GC's 12. This definately needs some kind of explanation. WC shot 38% from the field and only 18 % from 3's (3-16). They out scored GC by 26 from the line?

[hopefan]

a couple of random thoughts as I get ready for the games tomorrow...

What if Fontbonne still had the big Kirkpatrick kid who played last year as a frosh - wow - the depth they need, with White and Fogerty having more freedom to roam the baseline and perimeter, Storandt doesn't have to worry as much with fouls.....   add Parker to that mix, and Fontbonne is Really good.

After their big win over Greenville, Westminster has to be kicking themselves regarding their loss to Maryville - yes Maryville always plays hard, but they haven't won much this year - that loss could end up being a backbreaker for Westminster.

2 huge games will be focused on tomorrow - with FU @ EC and WU @ MAC, but just as big in some aspects is Greenville @ Blackburn - if GC loses, I don't think they'll be able to ressurect themselves from the slide they're in - but with a win, the slide stops, the momentum is back, and they're right in the middle of the battle for the playoffs - for any one team, it is probably the biggest game of the day.