MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

In looking at MHB's schedule, the one thing that sticks out is a performance against two eastern schools over the holidays - They beat Worcester State by 15 - Worcester state is in the perenially weak MASCAC, and is a middle of the packer - they played as a last second replacement in the Lopata tourney last year and were not good.  MHB beat Penn State Behrand by 5 - I picture Behrand to be at a level similar to Fontbonne - on top of a relatively weak league.  Both of those comparisons indicate  no necessity for a fear factor.

Now then, the ugly thing in my mind..  two years ago a good Maryville team went down to ASC Mississippi college and got crushed - of course it was on Miss College Court, but what I heard was tremendously athletic-far more than SLIAC accustomed to... BUT that was that team, this is this team....

MAIN FACTOR  Justin, Brian, Chad can't get in foul trouble

I would say that fcnews and everyone else in SLIAC fandom that has an interest in Friday night's game ought to avail themselves of one of this site's best human resources -- HOFer Ralph Turner -- and ask for a scouting report on UMHB from him. That's his home division in his home conference, the ASC (UMHB is one of McMurry's rivals), and I'm sure that he can give you folks some sort of a scoop on the Crusaders. I'd recommend hunting him down and asking for one.

[fcnews]

Well with the new Top 25 posted, Fontbonne's pod had three teams on it. Fontbonne's first round game will be against the #12 MH-B, with the second game pitting #19 Maryville vs. #14 Millsaps. Y Jak, I do like your optimistic outlook. We will give it our best shot.

I'll have a more realistic assestment when the game tape arrives today. The Fedex woman better have snow shoes. At 4am weather.com down graded it to 1-3. Nice call. Clayton already has 3 inches and it ain't slowing down.

[Ralph Turner]

In looking at MHB's schedule, the one thing that sticks out is a performance against two eastern schools over the holidays - They beat Worcester State by 15 - Worcester state is in the perenially weak MASCAC, and is a middle of the packer - they played as a last second replacement in the Lopata tourney last year and were not good.  MHB beat Penn State Behrand by 5 - I picture Behrand to be at a level similar to Fontbonne - on top of a relatively weak league.  Both of those comparisons indicate  no necessity for a fear factor.

Now then, the ugly thing in my mind..  two years ago a good Maryville team went down to ASC Mississippi College and got crushed - of course it was on Miss College Court, but what I heard was tremendously athletic-far more than SLIAC accustomed to... BUT that was that team, this is this team....

MAIN FACTOR  Justin, Brian, Chad can't get in foul trouble

I would say that fcnews and everyone else in SLIAC fandom that has an interest in Friday night's game ought to avail themselves of one of this site's best human resources -- HOFer Ralph Turner -- and ask for a scouting report on UMHB from him. That's his home division in his home conference, the ASC (UMHB is one of McMurry's rivals), and I'm sure that he can give you folks some sort of a scoop on the Crusaders. I'd recommend hunting him down and asking for one.

Greetings!

fcnews asked me to write a scouting report about UMHB.

UMHB has me perplexed this season.  We ASC fans appreciate the love the UMHB has seen in the Top 25.  The American Southwest Conference is a tough, knock-down drag-out conference, kinda like the WIAC but down a notch or two.  We have very talented athletes, and play a very physical style of ball.  We have not had a Final Four appearance yet, but we have a .500 record in post-season play over the last decade that we have been in D-III.  (The ASC has winning records against the SCAC and Maryville in post-season play.)  Unless we are hosting a pod, we get bused or flown very long distances to play in the NCAA's.  I think the familiarity of the officiating in Mississippi shall be some consolation to UMHB's not getting to host.  I perceive that UMHB is the #1 seed in this pod.

UMHB is talented.  They went 10 strong, but injuries to 2 key players have really hurt their chances (IMHO) in the post-season.

Here is my write-up on the 2008 tournament preview board.

[y_jack_lok]

fc, your guys are fearless. If they play like that they will win.

[fcnews]

YJak - After watching game tape, there is a reason why they sre ranked #12. That being said, our kids feel like they can beat anyone on a nuetral floor. We will need to play with that attitude to stay in the game. If we can hang in there till under 10 minutes I like our chances.

The last time we played in Jackson ('93). Millsaps head coach was a starting guard at Millsaps and Coach McKinney only made it to the 19:50 mark of the first half. Quick hook. 

[Titan Q]

It'd be nice to see the SLIAC break the door down.  Is this the year?

2007 - Wash U 77 Fontbonne 58
2006 - Mississippi Coll 88 Maryville 58
2005 - Hanover 69 Blackburn 49
2004 - Illinois Wesleyan 82 Maryville 73
2003 - Illinois Wesleyan 79 Blackburn 59
2002 - Maryville (TN) 70 Webster 45
2001 - Maryville (TN) 85 MacMurray 69
2000 - Franklin 81 Webster 50
1997 - Illinois Wesleyan 105 Maryville 66
1996 - Hanover 85 Fontbonne 43
1995 - Illinois Wesleyan 115 Westminster 74

[fcnews]

Titan (Missouri) Q - Every year the conference rep gives it their best shot. Is this the year? That's why we play the game. It will be good experience for a team that will be trying to make three in a row next year. Fontbonne returns everyone but defensive specialist Chad Fournie.

Fontbonne is on a 35-11 run since Jan.1 2007. Seven of those losses are to Wash U. (3) and Webster (4). FU went into the tourney last year with 3 sophmores and 2 freshmen. This year 3 juniors, 1 sophmore and a senior. Three of the first four off the bench are freshmen.

[fcnews]

When I hear recent NAIA converts use this term, I definitely cringe, because there is so much animosity towards the recent influx of new schools among the old guard. I'd like to see them not stick out like a sore thumb so much.

This conference has been a member of the NCAA since 1990. I don't consider that recent influx. As for Fontbonne being NAIA converts, we competed for two years under the NAIA umbrella while making the transition. Fontbonne has only had men's basketball for 20 years and I'm not sure how to take the sore thumb reference.

On the CCIW Chat space it was referred to as "Making the playoffs". That wasn't corrected by anyone.

[Pat Coleman]

I didn't say you were a recent convert. But most of the usage is from recent converts such as the ASC and NWC.

What's wrong with "making the playoffs?" "The Playoffs" is not an NAIA term, after all.

[BunchTime]

Pat, "making the playoffs" isn't the same as the NCAA Tourney.  You seem to correct those who don't use the correct term of "NCAA Tourney" selectively.  Making the playoffs seems more fitting for pro sports than for college basketball.  "National Tourney" would seem like a much more appropriate than "making the playoffs."

[Pat Coleman]

Do you just follow fcnews around waiting for him to address me, or do you coordinate your efforts in advance?

Fcnews has proven more than capable of fighting, his own battles. I already said my piece. You can have your pet peeves, too -- one of mine is people using a specific NAIA term to describe the NCAA Tournament.

[hopefan]

FC, Coach et al  -  best of luck down South  -  hope to find a broadcast, or live stats, or something to keep us updated....

[fcnews]

Hopefan thank you very much. If you and anyone else interested, get on Millsaps Website. There is supposed to be Live Audio for both games Friday. Millsaps will be broadcasting theirs and MH-B will be handling our game. Look for a NCAA Tournament Page and it will have the links.

I'm leaving shortly ( few hour stop at the Gold Strike ) for Jackson. I've got the Johnny Cash song burned to a CD for the ride. LOL. It would sure be nice to be playing Saturday night. To all of the SLIAC Posters and viewers, the Griffin's will give it our best shot. That's exactly what it will take and some luck.

Bunchtime - Thanks for sticking up for a fellow poster. I done with that discussion. Except to say, I appears to be more of an "old guard problem". If they want this to be a true National Tourney, then it is going to be NAIA schools that fill in the geographic gaps. Otherwise it will remain an East of the Mississippi Event, like back in the "days." If we're goin to fill the gap from west of Fulton, Mo. on to the West Coast (via Neb. Wesleyan and Colorado College), it will require some additions of NAIA colleges. We definately don't want them to feel like their not welcome. This is NAIA Country with the Event in KC and Point Lookout. And, we are as passionate about our basketball as anyone.

I've had the privilage of seeing NAIA, National Small College, NCCAA and 18 yrs. of NCAA tournaments. The best I can tell it's all the same game. 5 on 5 with two hoops. This is one individuals pet peeve and not an organization as a whole. No one corrected the Maryville, Tn. coach and no one will correct the student at Wash U. who had a sign hanging from their dorm room Monday morning reading " The Lady Bears are Dancing in the National Tourney". That's because it is this kind of enthusiasm that makes this real special.

It is still the best time of year for any college sporting events.

I'll be posting from Jackson when I get settled in. Just to let you guys (and all the SLIAC fans) get a feel of the experience. I'm sure Millsaps and the town of Jackson will have the red carpet rolled out. I'll pinch a tail and say a toast all the posters.

Safe travels to all the families an fans making the trip south. Hopefan, if you are heading to Rock Island to watch the Bears keep us posted.

[BunchTime]

Pat, c'mon now.  You can check my recent post history and know that I don't "just follow fcnews around waiting for him to address me."  Facts will speak to the contrary, but I assume you did not check.

[Pat Coleman]

Don't mistake me -- just because you respond every time he and I discuss the NAIA terminology doesn't mean you don't also post on other things.