MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

Any thoughts would help this fan that left to early.

Can someone who saw the second half help a brother out.

[BunchTime]

Of course, Pat, why would I ever suggest that you were rationalizing Webster's loss.

[fcnews]

Take a deep breathe Bunchtime. It was a long night. Get a little of that crisp OKC morning air.

[Elwells2short]

The Webster/Maryville was fun to watch last night, one of the better ones I've seen in the last couple of years.  You have to feel for the Webster players and coaches, especially the seniors.  They play the game hard and they play it right, and there's never any unneeded bs.  It was good to see Maryville play with confidence at the end of close game.  I'm looking forward to Saturday and hoping to have another great game to see.

I agree with fomersliaccommish's all confernece award assessment.  I think the 3 or 4 things that should matter most are winning, assist/to ratio, fg%, and defense.  For some reason those things tend to get overlooked.

fc, I don't get the hate for the blog and the constant anti-Rogers statements.  I think it's fine to question his subbing, strategy, etc., I sometimes question it too.  But, if you don't like the blog, don't read it.  No need to come on here and bitch about it.  I like reading it and I think others do too.  It wasn't like the two games he didn't have on there were games the Saints lost... they were games they had to win and they did.  Please give the guy at least a small break for being excited.  Wouldn't you be excited about a getting an upset win in the post-season tourney, after having a terrible season last year and having to claw there way to the conference tourney this year?

[fcnews]

Alright. I'm getting the cold shoulder. I see all the viewers. I asked a few questions at 8 am. Sorry I wasn't their. Geeez !!!

Elwell2short - I've been a blog reader all year. I didn't say a word about subbing, I wasn't there. I'm sure he's excited. I would be. Maybe you can let him know about the undefeated teams in the 90's.

[Pat Coleman]

Of course, Pat, why would I ever suggest that you were rationalizing Webster's loss.

All I was saying is that first round is kind of a misnomer when you're really in the semifinals. It's not like losing to a 5-19, 3-13 team.

[BunchTime]

Very true Pat.

In FC's defense, he was merely pointing out an inaccuracy in Coach Roger's blog.  FC even pointed out that Coach Rogers may have only included SLIAC undefeated teams during his tenure. 

Personally, I enjoy reading Coach Rogers blog and I would like it if all coach's did the same.  In the D3 world, it is not often where we get to hear the Coach's perspective like D1 fans get to through press conferences and radio shows.  I think it could also be a valuable recruiting tool as well.

[Elwells2short]

fc, I'll try to help you out on the 2nd half of the game.  After being down 6 at half, I think Maryville scored the first 5 points of the 2nd half and then it was back and forth until time ran out.  Deimeke came in and did a good job on Hoggatt, he was the only guy that could match up with Darrin in terms of size and strength.  Turk and McGrath both traded baskets the entire half.  Tyler Sxton hit a big 3 with a around a minute left that put Maryville up by 1.  After another Maryville basket, I think Hrdlicka hit a 3 to tie it and Maryville had the ball with around 30 seconds left They ran some offense and Deimeke scored inside to take the lead for good.  He was the last guy I would have expected to score there.  He deserves some credit for being ready to play last night, after barely seeing the floor all season.  I was surprised as you were about the rebounding advantage.  The Saints went hard after every board and sometimes the ball just bounces your way.  I don't think Webster choked or played a bad game at all.  It was just a night where Maryville put everything together.

[hopefan]

Hopefan's potpurri

What happened to Westminster in the last couple of weeks?  No personnel changes, but a marked decrease in the level of play - lots of LONG shots that weren't falling

Fontbonne just looked really good - Branch, normally a slow starter, started hot, Fournie was smothering Buxton and hit his own first five shots, Storandt and Fogerty were dominating the inside game, McKoy was valuing the ball....    the game seemed over after 10 minutes   felt bad for the nice Westminster contingent that made the trip, not much to cheer about.  I'd imagine the real basketball fans from Fontbonne also regretted that Webster was upset, as they were looking for a chance to prove that with a full squad, they could beat the Gorloks.  On the other hand, the team is too smart and competitive to let their guard down for Maryville.

Good to see FC entertaining the ladies in the first row last night - D3hoops and a blonde on both sides, what more could a guy ask for!!!!

Almost embarrassing moment of the night  - Sliac room fan Ms Kuhn was going to go down and meet FC at halftime, greeting him with a big hug - she thought she knew which individual FC was, but FC had left his seat quickly - Mrs Kuhn was heading to hug the WRONG individual, a total stranger, but was headed off by our frantic waving and hollaring at the last second.

Kuhn, Hoggit, Robinson  we'll miss you - I particularly Korey, who I developed a talking relationship with due to the fact we both came down here from Michigan.  Korey told me not too long ago he hopes to Coach - gee another Webster player got a local coaching job just this year......

Maryville has come so far the last couple of weeks - they needed some season best performances to win last night, and they got it - huge night for Tyler Saxton, including a critical 3 with a couple minutes left.  A possible best game of the year by Matt Baker, who battled the boards with Holland and Steincke to outrebound Webster.  But the coup de grace was big Matt Demicke - if he never plays another game, he'll have last night to remember, including one impossible to block sky hook, and the courage to go up strong and make the layup while being fouled that was the winning basket.

I feel so good for a couple of the Maryville kids who have had a tough season and then more - whether they have gotten better because of Matt Rogers or despite Matt Rogers, THEY HAVE GOTTEN BETTER.  Baker and Holland took SO much grief during the season, but they are true forces now.  Jarred McKoy is making such better decisions.  Koopman showed the confidence to go to the basket strong last night - he may be one of the best 3 or 4 freshmen in the league.  And Tyler Saxton, while it took him a while to get back in the groove, looked SUPER last night.

While I haven't had much of a chance to talk to Coach Rogers recently, I have had a couple conversations with the new AD, Tony Duckworth  -  very nice guy, former Basketball coach himself - fun to talk hoops with.

Wouldn't it be great, and yes I know and understand the selection process better than most, wouldn't it be great if somehow, just somehow, Webster got a bid - this is the year the field has been expanded, there are more spots,    and I know this site's experts say it won't happen...but every year there are one or two surprises....

[fcnews]

Elwell - I agree that there are just those kind of games. What I am trying to get at is why the 3 seniors for Webster, who were playing in what turned out to be their last game, saw so few minutes. It now appears by the boxscore that Robinson had free throw issues, although he is their best rebounder. Darrin doesn't appear to have been in foul trouble but only 22 minutes. I guess I'll just wait and talk to one of FU's players that were there. Who said anything about "Choking". I was asking a few questions, because I was a spectator the first half but couldn't stay.

fc, I'll try to help you out on the 2nd half of the game.  After being down 6 at half, I think Maryville scored the first 5 points of the 2nd half and then it was back and forth until time ran out.  Deimeke came in and did a good job on Hoggatt, he was the only guy that could match up with Darrin in terms of size and strength.  

That didn't answer the questions, but thanks for the insight.

[BunchTime]

Hopefan, it would be great if Webster were to recieve a Pool C bid, but I am not holding my breath.  I just cannot possibly concieve the selection committee giving two bids to the SLIAC.  I think we are all getting caught up in the wave of excitement that Webster's chances are even being discussed.  Being the realist I am, I simply do not see this happening.  The SLIAC post-season ineptness is well documented and for this reason, I believe the committee will pass on them.  If Webster were to lose to Fontbonne in the finals in a close one, I would be a little more hopeful, but even than would not be optimistic.  At this time, I believe there is only way into the tourney for the SLIAC and that is to win the conference tourney.  I hope they prove me wrong, and prove Hopefan right about his "one or two surprises each year."

[fcnews]

Hopefan I did get a hug from Mrs. Kuhn !!! You just missed it. Thanks for the suggestion, never turn down a hug from a pretty lady. She told me I was being set up, but never gave me the punchline. Hmm, I'm sure I had it coming. Her son has been a Griffin killer.

I did think that you, who keeps the stats on your program, could of addressed at least one of my questions. But hey, thanks anyway. I'll take the hug instead.

Westminster won a huge overtime game last week @ home against Fontbonne, on their senior night. It wasn't like they came in tourney any flatter then FU. It helps that FU is finally a little bit healthy.

Yes, if Webster won last night, and then lost in the Championship. I think their name would have at least reached the Pool C table. If you ask Coach Bunch if they are deserving, today. I'm sure Coach would give you the honest answer. That game was a must win.

But again I will say that Webster put a heck of a season together. I was impressed.

[Elwells2short]

fc, sorry I didn't give you what you're looking for.  I'm pretty sure Hoggatt picked up his 3rd foul early in the 2nd half which may have led to him sitting for a few minutes.  I don't have an answer on the other two for you.

No one said anything about choking, I guess I just assumed some people would think that, since Webster ran the table in the regular season.  I'm just trying to point out that I thought they played well last night despite the loss.  They definitely played better last night, than the game at Maryville a couple of weeks ago.

[fcnews]

Thanks for the info Elwell, at least you responded. I have had a couple of phone calls about Saturdays game. Formae players, who can't make it, are wondering if MU will be broadcasting the game?

[hopefan]

elwellbigguy  -  that's exactly what i was getting at too when I talked about the reaction afte the game - both teams played very hard, very well - an outstanding game