MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

So, eureka_sid grows weary of the Fontbonne - Webster talk. (Yes, I saw the winking smiley face.)  Actually, I couldn't agree more. That's why it's nice to see some old and new posters the past few days. We just need wider conference representation to balance things out.

[fcnews]

Or less FC news.

Preseason top four:

1. Webster - because of the senior factor
2. Fontbonne
3. Westminister - Still alot of talent
4. Greenville - they return some experience

Just as long as the post season tourney is in STL

[y_jack_lok]

Webster has a senior factor??? There are only three seniors on the roster--Hoggat, Kuhn , and Robinson. That's the same number of seniors they had last year. Robinson has never been a regular starter.

Two years ago Maryville had what could definitely be called a senior factor with five senior starters and the first man off the bench a senior.

Don't try to shift the bullseye away from Fontbonne. You guys had the best team at the end of the season last year and even without Trevor White you return the best group of players.

By the way, I haven't heard you mention Joshua Branch. Is he back this year?

[sully309]

Y_jak picked up on it, but I should mention I was only kidding with my last post. Certainly, the more the merrier as far as this board is concerned. Even if it means more Fontbonne and Webster.

Those teams will likely demand a lot of attention this season, but I don't think there's that big of a gap between the top and middle of the pack. I agree with Hopefan that we may will probably not see the competitive balance of last season again, but I still feel like we'll see a pretty good race both for 1st and 4th.

[fcnews]

FU finished 4th last year. Josh Branch is looking very good. Webster had the senior factor last year and deserves the same respect this year. They did share part of the conference title. My guess is the SLIAC coaches will also feel the same.

[hopefan]

FC  -  on the other hand, FU won when it counted last year - in the conference tournament.

I look at it as a tossup for 1st and 2nd, and a real logjam behind them....as Eureka SID hinted, the competition for 4th could be as entertaining as the competition for 1st. 

But who knows what new faces could show up and turn things upside down!!!!

[fcnews]

I would not count out a healthy Westminister club. Injuries stopped them last year.

Hopefan - Where did the big kid from Eureka H.S. end up going?

[hopefan]

Good question  -  will ask around....  I thought he was locked at FU?

[FU Fan]

I also picked Westminister pre-season last year to be the team to beat. So if they are healthy now, they should be in the thick of it. No defense from Fontbonne ? That's what they thought before tournament time last year. Some times different opponents see different faces. Webster don't rest on reputation. Can Mac win on the road ? I believe Maryville will be a better team also. How many more days wait ?

[Long Distance Traveler]

    I agree with the general consensus of the top 4 teams for this upcoming season.  I think that Westminister can be a big factor if they can stay away from the injury hex that they seem to have.  I know in the last several years the Webster players do not like to play in the Westminister gym.  They have commented on the lighting at the far end basket being very distracting and the rims are not very shooter friendly.  So if they can control their homecourt schedule and pick up a couple of upsets on the road then they could be in the thick of it.

   Webster's big question will be the guard play.  Coach Bunch needs to find a point guard from the group of the incoming players.  Spinner is going to be hard to replace.  Early Inside information indicates that overall team speed is better this year than last year.  Hopefully they can take advantage of this speed in their play selection.

   On paper Fontbonne has to be the favorite.  The only variable will be how much they miss White.  I honestly thought he was the MVP of the tournament with his play on both ends of the floor.
   
   And finally Greenville.  With the remodeled gym to inspire them and if they can maintain some consistency, they also could play an important role in the upcoming season.

[BunchTime]

As for as the point guard position at Webster, I know Paradoski is a viable candidate to run the point.  He is a junior college transfer from Meremac.  I would imaging the more athletic and quick JUCO schedule would prepare him well to handle the move to SLIAC basketball.

[y_jack_lok]

Question for BunchTime. Can you clarify something for me? When you say "the more athletic and quick JUCO schedule", are you comparing that to high school, or to something else?

[BunchTime]

Let me clarify Y_Jack... I did say "the more athletic and quick Juco scheule," and when I said that I was talking about Paradoski playing the point at Webster.  So obviously that would mean that if I was making a comparison between Paradoski playing at Meramac, his former team (being a Juco team), and Webster (being in the SLIAC), then that would seem clear that I was making the comparison that I was making a comparison between the SLIAC and the Juco!

Sorry that I did not clarify that well enough!

[y_jack_lok]

Thanks for the explanation, BunchTime. That's what I thought you meant at first, but then I started second guessing the meaning. I know nothing about JUCO ball so wasn't sure it would be more athletic and quick than SLIAC ball. So I was thinking that you were suggesting his JUCO experience would make him better prepared to play the point than someone coming out of high school. Now I get it!

[hopefan]

Randy Albrecht has always run a solid program at Merrimac  -  Anyone who has played for him for 2 years with success will be more than ready, experience wise, to step into the SLIAC