MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fcnews]

Big Congrats to Brian and Miss Fischer from Eureka on their All Region Honors.

Brian has worked hard for this. Here is a kid that was told by coaches in HS that he wouldn't play in college. Kudos, Brian.

[fcnews]

From the number of emails I recieved there were quite a few that agreed and just wouldn't post it, and that's ok.

And I am not the only one that disagrees with you on certain subjects.

And your point is?

[y_jack_lok]

Just curious as to what fcnews might have said recently that people would want to "smite" him. Seems like this could be an ongoing process that a few people are engaging in but won't explain why in writing.

[fcnews]

Yjak - It is for defending Bryan Burwell's professionalism and probably for enlighting him to this website. It's like defending a political candidate, not everyone is going to agree with you.

We just don't walk through life with a stupid counter on our head.

[Pat Coleman]

And your point is?

That was my point. You have suggested in the past that I'm forcing people's opinions here and you've been fairly insulting to me off the board. But, not surprisingly, I am not the only person who thinks the way I do, and certainly you know that Greg Sager and OxyBob and Sac and the like have their own opinions.

It brings me to the conclusion that a lot of people here on this board are just find with the way it is. Keep it pigeon holed to a point that the only news is what a few posters put on this site.

I don't beleive this is what the majority is striving for. IMHO

This is the crux of the discussion: We are not just fine with the way it is. These players deserve better, not just a template boilerplate column. It's good there was something -- it's better than nothing -- but that doesn't mean it was good.

Greg Sager elsewhere suggested several much better storylines.

[fcnews]

Good Morning from Sunny Branson, MO.
Today's weather forecast 72 and not a cloud in the sky
Great day for golf.

The trip down took a little extra time. Hwy 44 was shut down completely in both directions. At mile marker 140 (8 miles east of Lebanon) the Gasconade River had put about two feet of water over the interstate. After, a 32 mile detour north and around, we returned to the interstate at the western edge of Lebannon. Not great for making time, but nice scenery.

Safe travel to the Hopefan express.

[fcnews]

NABC All District teams have been announced:
Midwest Selections

1st Team
Kent Raymond - Wheaton (POY)
Nate Hanje - U of. C.
Anthony Pettaway - Defiance
Ryan Kroeger - Lawrence
Tie- Troy Ruths - Wash U.
       Larry Welton - Aurora

2nd Team
Brian Fogerty - Fontbonne
Jordan VanEss - Marion
Brett Wessels - Augustana
Brent Ruch - Elmhurst
Marty Young - Franklin

Coach of the Year - Jim Miller - Defiance

[fcnews]

Come on Guys. If I lose 3 more K, I can't get the comp breakfast buffet at the Four Queen's Casino.

Any recruiting news from the other conference schools?

[fcnews]

With the awards given so for to Fontbonne's Brain Fogerty, he may be the conferences most recognized player since Maryville's Henry Schannon. Of course, Mr. Shanonn was on the D3Hoops team of the year in '97-98 and then Preseason's
Team for '98-'99. He has set the bar. Real High.

Brian was 1st Team All-Conference in the '06-'07 tournament season. He was a DIII News Pre Season AA selection this year. Added '07-'08 SLIAC All-Tourney team, First Team All- Sliac, SLIAC conference Player of the Year. D3Hoops.com All- Region selection and NABC All District selection all in '07-'08.

Best award, he's back for '08-'09!!! One Fogerty will do, make an opponents coach alter his defense. This has made Storandt an even tougher match up.             

[fcnews]

Fontbonne looks to a tough week in December, for answers, before leaving for sunny Hawaii at the end of the month. Dec. 13 @ Wash U., Dec.16 v. Elmhurst and Dec. 18th @ RHIT. Coach McKinney said " This week will give us a good idea where we stand before taking on Chaminade in Hawaii and jumping into SLIAC conference play."

This is the year Fontbonne has been pointing to for sometime. FU will be led by Seniors Brian Fogerty (DIII News Post Season HM. A.A. team and SLIAC POY), Patrick McCoy (2nd Team All-Conf. and #7 among D3 3pt. shooters) and Justin Storandt (HM All-Conf. and All Tourney at the NCAA Pod in Jackson, MS. top 30 Div.3 in rebounds and blocks).

Junior Josh Branch makes it three players averaging over 16 ppg. the Griffin's will be returning. Josh lead the SLIAC with 85 3pters. last year. Add returning freshmen Ben Rapp, Frank Sheetz, Aby Abozen and a healthy Mike Riva to the mix.

Standout recruiting class of '08 will be lead by Belleville West's Daniel Lisch who will be looked upon to make an immediate impact, as a 6'3 PG. As will Colton Bailey a 6'5 wing who has the ability to score from anywhere.

Fontbonne will have it's sites set on making their third consecutitive trip to the NCAA Tourney. And, sticking around for awhile.

[hopefan]

Good to have a post to read after a gap in time...

The week of Fontbonne basketball that FC tells us about is one to circle on the calendar   -   Wash U will be a highly ranked team and we in St Louis, and now more around the country, know they'll start a formidable lineup - yes I already picture individual matchups in my mind   :  McKoy-Wallis; Branch - Thompson ; Fogerty - Nading...  Who will Wash U find to start in the middle, who will replace Fornie in fontbonne's lineup...   Am I giving Fontbonne too much credit getting a buzz on a game 8 months away?  Maybe not...

If fontbonne has not already gotten on the map of D3hoops with their narrow loss to Mary Hardin, that week will definitely provide the opportunity.

Questions for FC.... will Maryville be in the conference next year, or has the decision been finalized that they will move to D2.   If they are not a conference member, will games be played against them anyway?  Foolish decision to play those games if they are jumping - two games that are meaningless to the D3 world for each SLIAC team, drop 'em like a hot rock and replace them with D3 games, even if it means a little more travel.

Also, will there be two league games in early December like this year, or do those diappear with the loss of Lincoln Christian? (I assume LCC will no longer play a round robin with the SLIAC)   -  Also, what about the rumors of Spalding joining the conference.

Anxious to see the conference schedule and to hear about Maryville.

Now then, don't get me wrong - I am more than hopeful that Maryville drops the D2 idea and maintains its D3 status -  the finish to their season with the close wins over Fontbonne and Webster and close loss to Fontbonne in the championship game shows they will be the key challenger to Fontbonne and Webster next year - IF they stay - if they don't, I have nothing positive to say - to me they would be killing great relationships with all the other SLIAC schools....

[fcnews]

Hopefan - The following comments are totally my own personal opinions, based on information I am aware of.
1.) LCC will not appear in the SLIAC round robin. I suspect they will show up on some conference members schedules.
2.) Maryville University will be voting to approve their move in the next 30-60 days. My best guess is that they will be in some provisional status next year. They will most likely appear on the conferences sports schedules, I don't beleive they will be allowed to compete for any conference championships. Major concern with the SLIAC is fielding enough teams in certain sports to maintain AQ's.
3.) There is on going discussion concerning the conference membership. Several schools have notified the SLIAC expressing interest in joining. It appears to me, that MU's late notice of decision and the acceptance and process of adding schools is not in a reasonable time frame to think this will happen by next year.

Maryville University was a founding member of the SLIAC and always has remained in good standings. The rumors floating around HS coaches and HS parents are incredible. And, I'm not speaking about basketball circles. Are they going to be DI in soccer and DII in this sport, ect.......

This has made for a huge amount of speculation and confusion. Not to mention the ethical ramifications of what assistants or other coaches might be telling potential athletes of future plans.

But as we all know Rumors are just that, rumors. If I get something more concrete I will pass it along. Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine.


I have the Emhurst game already circled. Should be a great match up with Ruch of EC and Storandt of FU. Can't wait.

[Pat Coleman]

Any conference falling below the seven-team level in any sport has a two-year grace period to get back up to seven before losing the automatic bid.

[fcnews]

Exactly Pat. The SLIAC has conference sports coming out of the grace period. And, sports threating fall under the eight as we speak. That is the reason , among others, that LCC left the conference, they could not field enough sports to meet their obligation. Men's golf is one sport that is trying to maintain a recently obtained AQ. Men's tennis has seven this year and Women's softball has slipped to eight since Principia is fielding a team.

Needless to say, the SLIAC, needs to prepare for the possibility of losing AQ's if the conference does not add solid members.

[BunchTime]

Webster got their first committment for next season.  He is a 6'8" Juco post player from Minnesota.  That is all I know at this point, but I will add details when I hear of them myself.