MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

Having seen a wide variety of games this year, I really look forward to discussions regarding the first team all conference  -  as FC points out, there are a large number of players who at this stage could be legitimately considered.   I haven't reviewed the stats yet, but certainly Hoggett, Spinner, White, Fogerty, Whalum, Robertson, Hammond, and the 2 or 3 guys from Eureka and one or two speedsters from Greenville(sorry, I need to see them again to get names straight) merit consideration.

Always interesting to view candidates head to head  for instance, I remarked way back when that Hoggit dominated the Eureka big men  during crunchtime in the game at Webster, but on the other hand, despite what the stats say, he really did little in the offence on Saturday against Mac - of course, the same could be said regarding Mac's robertson in that game - it was dominated by perimeter play of both teams.

FC - after some amount of consideration, I will be coming to the FC-GC game tonite - just not sure that MU can defend Webster well enough to keep it close - huge game for GC and FC  -  loser is really on the outside looking in and won't be able to lose many more.

[Mac Attack]

Daryl - The current SLIAC stats for MacMurray only include 12 games. To date, the Highlanders have played 16 games. For weeks, Mac games against Huntingdon, LaGrange, and Rockford have not been included on the SLIAC website, and the last time I looked the last game against Webster wasn't included either. My guess is these stats have not been included because MacMurray doesn't have an SID who can format and forward this information to the league office. If/when that is ever done, you will see dramatic increases in team and individual stats, particularly from Robertson, Whalum, Coleman, and Greene. It's a shame these kids aren't getting the credit they deserve, but in time that will come.

I've seen Hoggatt play twice and from what I saw, there are five other players who are better 94 foot players than he is. Don't get me wrong - he's a stud who can flat do what he wants to, when he wants to. But to me, to be a first team all conference pick, you have to put up minutes, numbers, and effort at both ends of the floor. I guess a key issue for me is defense and to be a first team all conference player, I believe a player should also be a significant contributor on the defensive end. Mix that ingredient into points, rebounds, minutes, assists, steals, blocks, shooting percentage, attitude, and effort and you have a top five player. No one player can do all of that - but I truely believe a first team all conference player should also be a terrific defensive player. From what I've seen to date, the five kids who bring the most to the table night in and night out - at both ends of the floor - are White, Foggerty, Robertson, Richard, and Spinner.

Just one person's opinion......

[fcnews]

Mac - I have a hard time understanding how a div. III school can go a full year without a SID or at least someone handling those duties. Any idea when MC will be filling this position?

[pantherpride06]

I attest to what fcnews has said.  Great question.  It was a struggle finding stats for them when we played them at home.

[Mac Attack]

I read where the school was conducting a search for new coaches and an SID. That was about two month's ago and haven't heard anything since. Don't know what else to say, except better days are ahead.

[sully309]

Here are my top 5 right now. Still lots of ball to be played and I haven't even seen every team yet, so please keep that in mind. It's hard for me to choose from Eureka, because I think we have 3 or 4 players capable of being on this team, but for argument's sake, I'll boil it down to one.

Hoggatt (WU)
Conquest (GC)
Tarpley (EC)
Fogerty (FU)
Robertson (MC)

I'm looking forward to visiting the Beaverdome tonight. Without Howard, Blackburn could be like a wounded dog...much more dangerous than a healthy one.

[fcnews]

EC_SID - There are no gimmies at the "Beaverdome". If you get up quick and take the fans and the refs out of the game their beatable. Let them hang around and you may be in for more then you bargained for.

It's free pizza night in "Griffin Nation". Grif's men win, free pizza at half of women's game. We will broaden the rules from students only to students and Posters.

[hopefan]

YES!!!!!!    Sorry Panther  -  GO GRIFFS!!!!!!!

[hopefan]

Eurka SID, YJack, I'll be checking on and passing along scores  - set that buzzer or ring - LOUD - Yjak  - take a by on the Webster ladies and get down to the Font for some Pizza!!!!!  FC is treating!

[hopefan]

Mac Attck, if you want in on the scores, private email me your cell phone - will include you in distribution and you can let Mac fans know what's going on.   Are you going to Westmin on Saturday - that could be a huge game in the standings, especially if Westmin upsets Webster on Thursday (I label it an upset only because Webster is at home).

[BunchTime]

Hopefan...I would label Westminster defeating Webster an upset regardless of where the game is played simply because Webster is playing very well right now...not that is would be a huge upset, but, in my opinion, an upset nonetheless!

As far as the POY, there are so many different ways to define the "MVP" or "POY" and this typically  results in controversies and debates in every sport...I guess it makes it more fun! Having said that, I think both Mac and Darryl raise some compelling points.  I haven't really seen anyone play and merely follow from the computer, but I agree with Mac that a POY is a "player" on both ends and also contributes in a number of ways.  Howvever, Daryl's prediction may be right if the Gorloks end up winning the conference....too early to say that, but I believe in most years the POY typically comes from the conference champion team.  Is this true?  For purposes here, assuming the Gorloks win, I believe Spinner would win because he is a huge cog to Webster and someone who, if absent, the team would be in a significantly different position.  No knock on Hoggat, but I believe Webster can make due better without his presence.  Further, coaches tend to pick players who contribute in various categories including the ones Mac mentioned which Spinner would suit this description better!

[fcnews]

Very good! I mean extremely good point Bunchtime. Big men don't score unless they get the ball. Spinner has added his ability to penetrate and cause the defense to come to him and release pressure on Hoggatt.

In a discussion last night, it came up that the SLIAC has only three true post threats this year. Hoggatt, Tarpley and Fogerty. Of those three, I like the fact that Fogerty and create his own shot and has developed the three ball. This makes the defenses come and get him. Hoggatt and Tarpley can be unstoppable one on one from block to block.

At this point I will change my selection to Spinner. If the gorlocks win it.

[hopefan]

Bunchtime  -  good point as Webster is playing very well -  Westminster beat them by 1 at Fulton, but that was in December when Webster was not playing well  -  however Westminster has been hampered more than any other SLIAC team this year by injuries and illness  (at least per the postings here)  -  if they get healthy for the 2nd half of the season, they are a legit threat for the 4th playoff spot (IF we assume Webster, Mac, and Eureka are solid - though even that is still wide open)  - 

My thought at this stage is Eureka and Webster are best bets, Mac a close third, and Westminster and Fontbonne fight it out for the 4th spot.  I just don't see Greenville and Blackburn, both suffering with little or no inside game, being able to beat those 5 out.   It could come down to Fontbonne's lack of depth and questionable ball handling vs Westminster trying to get healthy and the up and down performance of the enigmatic Robert Davis (now you see, now you don't).

[fcnews]

Hopefan - Your very "point on" with the depth problems at FU. Like EC_SID said about Saturday's game, nobody off the bench deserved more time. I'm sure tonite the Grif's will force the issue of getting the Sweet Six minutes off during the first half to save legs for later. This means FU needs minutes (productive) out of Bader, Dill, Lundy, Lovette. Without Mattingly it looks like GC "might" have a tough time matching up. I guess Ellis on Fogerty, Taylor on White, and Storandt should have 5" on anybody. But, GC's quickness causes problems on the other end.

[Beaver_SID]

Week #11 Pick 'em

Tuesday, January 30   
Webster
Greenville
Blackburn
MacMurray
   
Thursday, February 1   
Greenville
Webster
MacMurray
Eureka
   
Saturday, February 3   
Eureka
Greenville
Webster
MacMurray
Fontbonne