MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

International Rules would be nice. The paint becomes a much cleaner game. You don't have one big man spending 5 seconds backing some one down. Free inbounds picks up the pace of the game. As you know FU would be more then happy to speed up the game. The confusion comes with field houses that also host H.S. events. And, will they also be moving the women's line. We don't need a rainbow of lines to confuse fans and officials anymore.

FU will be playing international rules for all games in Belgium, Amsterdam and Germany.

Fontbonne is on the verge of a anouncement of a very important signing. More will follow after he signes his financial aid package.

[hopefan]

FC   now don't tell me it's that transfer from Mizzou......

[y_jack_lok]

If anyone has had a problem getting to the article in the Chicago Tribune that I posted earlier, try this link instead:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0705040395may04,1,6130200.column?coll=chi-sportsn ew-hed

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The confusion comes with field houses that also host H.S. events. And, will they also be moving the women's line. We don't need a rainbow of lines to confuse fans and officials anymore.

That's why the whole country should convert.  Why should we be the only place that works on these rules?

[sully309]

I'm all for moving the 3-point line back to the international distance for the men's game, but that's it. I don't like the international rules...specifically taking the ball off the rim. To me, this is like a golfer running up to his putt before it stops rolling and hitting it again without penalty. What's the difference between knocking a ball off the rim that will or might go in and standing beneath the basket swatting shots away? Both should be goaltending and I'm very glad this rule is not used in this country.

I don't like the trapezoidal lane for 2 reasons. For starters, the women's game will never adopt it, so we'll have too many lines and colors to keep straight. Secondly, it seems to make free throw block outs more physical because both teams have more of an equal chance to get the ball. I've heard some people say this is more fair, but I think the offense is has enough of an advantage by taking a free, unguarded shot that the defense should be allowed the advantage of having a better shot at the rebound.

I'm also not a big fan of the inbounds rule. I screws up substitutions and it's too much like soccer (which is a sport I don't particularly enjoy). I appears I'm in the minority about these rules, but those are my thoughts.

[Pat Coleman]

The story on the front page specifically mentions the women's line.

[hopefan]

Thanks Oxybob

Sorry Fc, but the game seems to accomplish little but provide a nice trip for the kids and families-  If Fontbonne wins, it is meaningless - Caltech, sorry to say because I have so much respect for kids who attend an academic school like that yet still play hoops, is likely the worst D3 team in the country, or at least the worst not located in the Northeast.   If Fontbonne wins, the world says they should have -  if they win close, or perish the thought, lose, the world says Dang, that's the SLIAC champs - that's gotta be the worst conference around!!!!

Why not go and play in a tourney, one game with Cal Tech, one with an Occidental or Cal Luth or Chapman - something to provide a test, a measuring stick....   It's a done decision though - Probably something you'll defend and I'll disagree with.

[y_jack_lok]

Very interesting points by eureka_sid regarding the international rules. I agree about the taking the ball off the rim part. But the rest I disagree with. Regarding the relationship between free throws and the trapezoidal lane, the defense has committed a foul (assuming the officials got it right) so it is being penalized by awarding the other team free throws. I see no problem with how the trapezoidal lane equalizes the opportunity for a rebound in that situation.

As for the inbounding rule and its similarity to soccer -- well, that just shows how narrow minded we are in this country about soccer. Never having seen soccer before, I nevertheless enjoyed watching my college's soccer team play and learned about the sport. Immediately after college I lived in Brazil for two years in the late 1960's and got to see some high level professional soccer. I was priviliged so see the 1970 Brazil World Cup team (which by the way won the World Cup that year) play a qualifying game against Paraguay in 1969. It was one of the best sports memories I'll ever have -- better than the 2 World Series games I saw at Yankeee Stadium in the late 1970's.

I know people don't like the low scoring in soccer, but for me that is one of the things that makes the game so thrilling. When a scoring opportunity occurs for the team I support, as a fan my adrenaline really gets pumping because I know how hard it is to score and that that one goal may be all it takes to win a game.

If the U. S. would convert to the international rules for basketball, we'd then have a voice in those rules and could possibly influence a few changes -- like the taking the ball off the rim, for example. But if we insist on playing our own way we must continue to compete on uneven footing with the rest of the world in basketball.

Now I have given many of you out there who disagree a chance to put me into negative karma. Feel free.

[fcnews]

No Hopefan it is not the kid from Mizzou. I will release info on him and the transfer from Clemson this week after they accept their financial aid packages.

On Cal Tech, if FU could take a trip at Christmas and not play a game it would be better. But hard to sell. Coach chose a destination, found great practice facilities and a game and a guarantee. I have a hard time explaining how much was gained last year by having full practices at Eckard College. This is usually a down time for most squads. We came back ready for conference play the next week.

It is also a reward to the athletes. A lot of these kids could be playing some where else for free. NAIA or D2. These kids and their families pay quite a bit to attend Fontbonne and on top of that 10 kids are paying 1500 to go and play in Europe this August.

You can't knock the success it had last year. And, I don't think Coach makes out his schedule based on popular opinion. No team from the SLIAC will get an at large this year. Now next year when these kids are Juniors and Seniors, you'll see a different looking schedule. 2008-2009 season is where this program is pointing to. I think it will be a very special season. For those interested. Cartez Parker appears to of corrected his academic concerns and will be moving to a new position. Basically he's a new recruit.

White, Fogerty, Levette, Storandt, McCoy, Fournie, Branch, Dill and Parker with these three main new comers, tell me a better 11 men in the SLIAC. Plus, Fournie will be the only senior.

[furbug]

Isn't a student's academic concerns a confidential matter, not really for "Posting Up"? 

[hopefan]

Furbug - I'll defend FC on this one - it's common knowledge among SLIAC posters that Cartez missed the 2nd semester last season for academic reasons - if FC, with his closeness to the coaching staff and to the kids, is aware that Parker did what was necessary to be eligible next semester, he's doing us a service and letting Cartez, who is likely extremely pleased with his eligibility, crow it to anyone reading these pages.

Now then, I am going to copy another statement FC made in his post just in case he gets in the crying mode during the season as he did last year.

"White, Fogerty, Levette, Storandt, McCoy, Fournie, Branch, Dill and Parker with these three main new comers, tell me a better 11 men in the SLIAC." 

I won't argue the point guard position with FC until the beginning of the season.

[y_jack_lok]

fcnew has put the bullseye squarely on Fontbonne's back, which is where it belongs. Now it's up to the rest of the teams in the conference to take aim.

[sully309]

White, Fogerty, Levette, Storandt, McCoy, Fournie, Branch, Dill and Parker with these three main new comers, tell me a better 11 men in the SLIAC. Plus, Fournie will be the only senior.

Can you say embarrassment of riches? Sheesh. Oh well...last time I checked only 5 can be on the court at one time. North Carolina would be wearing 2007 championship rings right now if it took 11 great players to win. Having said that, with 11 quality players around, there will no doubt be some competitive practices that will make each individual on FU better over the course of the season. Now, will McKinney handle the rotation better than Roy Williams did this past season?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I love the international rule about pulling the ball off the rim.  1) it does work the other way as well.  An offensive player can make sure the ball goes in without worrying about goal tending. 2) it puts a premium on actually being an accurate shooter and not relying on the luck of the bounce.  3) it's closer to the original conception of the game, which took place without a backboard whatsoever.

[fcnews]

FCnews will gladly accept the "Bulls Eye". Just trying to give an honest opinion. Don't want Hopefan to say I'm cryin'.


FU adds Hope International to it's Cali trip. Trying to finalize home and home with Franlin, In. this would complete our schedule.