MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Titan Q]

I sure don't see many ringers here...

http://athletics.maryville.edu/artTemplate.asp?artID=1718

In general, I have a very hard time believing that a decent Division II prospect - a Missouri kid being recruited by, say, Quincy and Drury - would select a possible future scholarship to Maryville over an immediate one.  I just don't buy that at all.

[BLA]

Also, are the vets at Maryville just going to let the new DII crew just come in and take their spots. Hopefan, how many of the players from last year are back?

I would think that Steinke, Saxton, McKoy, Diemeke and others will want to keep playing and fight for chance to prove themselves. I'm not sure if they are still at Maryville or planning to play this season but if they have any competitiveness or pride for that matter  then they will want to give it their best shot.  If they win their spots, are they better than your starting 5?  

FC, I get what your saying. You want the playing field to be fair to your guys. Who wouldn't these seniors have accomplished many things for the league. they arguably should have won a tourney game last season. With that said do the Maryville upperclassmen deserve to be punished because there institution decided in favor of progress? Punishment being in the form of not playing in a post season if they are fortunate to get back there. You see, at some point you have to realize that some of these kids dream just as much as your kids at Fontbonne.  To play in NCAA Tournament is a dream come true for any athlete in any sport at any level. Give the kids a break. Let them play. Quit implying an unfair advantage.

Now if they show up for opening night with a line up all over 6'6" then we got problems. HAHA.

[fcnews]

BLA - I do feel for the current players at MU. I said on this board last year that if these kids get loss in the shuffle it would be a crying shame. I wonder how many returners from last years squad will receive scholarships next year.

[Razor Back]

Any of you St. Louis area basketball fans familiar with a player by the name of Frederick Miller, who played for Miller Career Academy a couple of years ago? MCA has a kid this year who some recruiting services list as one the top 150 players in the country, so they must play decent basketball. I've never heard of the school and have no clue what kind of program MCA has, but Miller put up some pretty good numbers a couple of years ago.

Razor

Don't have a clue where Miller's been the last two years, but he's at MacMurray now and apparently is a pretty good player. He was listed as a 6'3" forward and was among the public school leaders in rebounds during the 2005-2006 season.

Back

[Ralph Turner]

Welcome to the Boards, Razor Back...

Interesting format that you are adopting in the posts.

Just a heads up...

One of the terms of service is that you don't get into set-up conversations with yourself,

especially #2. 

Thanks for the SLIAC info!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I sure don't see many ringers here...

http://athletics.maryville.edu/artTemplate.asp?artID=1718

In general, I have a very hard time believing that a decent Division II prospect - a Missouri kid being recruited by, say, Quincy and Drury - would select a possible future scholarship to Maryville over an immediate one.  I just don't buy that at all.

Good point.  But would Maryville have an advantage over d3 schools where the kid KNOWS they won't have a future scholarship?

I suspect Maryville will get hammered for the first few years in d2, but it is this year in d3 that I was wondering about.

[Now I KNOW I've gone off the deep end - debating a fellow Titan over the fairness of a SLIAC issue! ]

[hopefan]

FC does an incredible job stirring it up over some innocent info  -  Remember, when I pointed out that Maryville's recruiting news was on their site, I mentioned that there were NO incredible stats - it was seemingly a solid SLIAC recruiting group with a number of all conference players.  It did NOT appear to be a group that Divsion 2 schools were clamoring over.   The points of interest to me were the geographic diversity and the transfer from St Norbert's, a mid range D3 school,  who had a very good freshman year but hardly played his sophomore year.

Why would anyone think that these kids would just appear and unseat a group of returning players who came so close to winning the conference tourney and showed so much improvement in the second half of the season..........  As I said, FC loves the 'poor Fontbonne" angle......

[fcnews]

Hopefan I have no idea what your last post has to do with anything, at this point. Other than for you to take credit for the string.   You serve it up and I'll knock it out. My final comment on MU is that the playing field is not fair and why reward MU for dumping the SLIAC. (MU as an institution not the kids).

[hopefan]

Don't worry FC, you're still my main man!!!!

[BLA]

I don't see Maryville as dumping the SLIAC.  Sad to see them go because I will miss those matches twice a year.

Ok FC here's my final comment on the fairness issue.  The new faces at Maryville are being brought in to jumps start a new program basically. They will most likely be there four years and graduate from Maryville.  I can see your point of view as us outsiders looking in and being nervous or skeptical about the strategies used to bring in these kids into a program.  

I can relate to your feeling on a personal level. I've been an outsider looking at the program you are so loyal too and felt a little nervous about some things I've seen over the years.

And if you want examples.....

Kenard Davis - Helluva player, scored a lot of points for the Griffins and helped out a team that wasn't as talented as the current team now. Davis, I believe - could be wrong, enrolled during the semester break. Played the conference schedule and as far as I know hasn't been on a SLIAC court since. One semester of service? Was he brought in to stabalize the academic standing at the University or was he recruited to play some hoops.

Antonio Holland - Same year. Unlike Davis, again could be wrong, played the entire season.  Again heck of a player.  Was he brought in as a Freshman? Anyways...1 year service.

Kevin Roberts - Wait for it.....DIVISION I transfer. Played one solid season after tranferring from SEMO.

Josh Helbig - Wait for it......DIVISION I transfer. Played 1 season.

Loren Fortune - In Loren's case it's a little different, again could be wrong, he played a few years took a couple off and played another season. In regards to this one I have no problem with. I just think he brings up the old argument is it fair to have grown men compete against 19-20 year olds.  I say why not if the eligibility is there and it's legal under NCAA sanctions. I just bring it up because some might have a problem.  

Oh where have you gone Cortez Parker? I loved Tez's game. LOVED IT! THought he could have been the most exciting player EVER in the SLIAC and yes I including legendary Henry Shannon.

Is this fair? Are these players brought in for a quick fix? Is this what Maryville is doing.  Are they bringing these Freshman in just to win the SLIAC tourney and going to say goodbye after the season? I don't thinks so.

FC, I'm not trying to accuse the program. I'm just asking you to be objective and answer me....was this fair? Is this so different then what you are implying about Maryville? As an outsider looking I have no inside knowledge of each player.  That's why I bring it up.

Other posters....is this even relevant?

[y_jack_lok]

BLA, I have no knowledge of the players you mention from Fontbonne, except Parker. But it is quite common in D3 for players to come in and play a year or two, then decided not to continue playing. Sometimes it's because better players come along and take away playing time. Sometimes its for academics -- either they couldn't cut it, or they want to concentrate on their studies. Sometimes its because they decided they didn't want to play anymore.

I think you mentioned in an earlier post that you follow Webster. Think about all the kids who have suited up for the Gorloks for a year or two, then stopped playing.

[fcnews]

Ok BLA since you asked. Kennard Davis purged, before his second year, by the business ofc. for a very minimal amount. Same as Rob Arbinault. Antonio Holland took a full ride to an naia school an I have lost track of him. Kevin Roberts sister played an now coaches at FU. Kevin left to go back to SEMO and grad while being an asst. coach at Cape Notre Dame. Now the head coach. Same school Coach McKinney got his start. Josh Helbig graduated from FU after becoming a father, following that season. Loren Fortune is now playing for an exhibition team (like And1) and is getting paid and supporting his family. Parker just couldn't find his way to class.

I'll throw another in T. Lovette who is on pace to graduate and at age (?) will try again this year to contribute what minutes he can.

I might also add. The last time I saw it in the USA Today, FU ranked in the top 10 among DIII schools in student athlete graduation rate compared to student body.

Feel free to ask. It's easier then speculating.

[hopefan]

AND nobody has even mentioned the coming and going of Trevor White, another one year wonder  -  possibly the best 3-4 guy I've seen in my 5-7 years following the SLIAC -  can you imagine the possibilities for Fontbonne if White and Parker were on this year's team?

Whew BLA, heavy stuff.....  perhaps saying what others have been thinking....  

[fcnews]

Sorry Hopefan. Trevor White is getting married soon and still working and living in Salem. How about Ryan Kirkpatrick (6'8) who was part of this senior class. Transferred to Rend Lake C.C. for financial reasons.

Old home week any others. Keep them coming.

[BunchTime]

WOW... I don't check the board for a few days, and I miss an awful lot of material.  I'm glad to see the SLIAC discussion is more lively than any other board at the time of the year.  I will try to contribute more often now that we are getting closer to the start of hoops.

Welcome aboard, BLA.  I always like to see another supporter of Webster on this board.

As for as the latest word on the Webster campus... The Gorloks are going through tough pre-season workouts that are from 7-9 a.m., three days a week, which include strength, speed, agility, and plyometric workouts with the strength and conditiong coach.   The guys are also playing open gym for two hours at least three days a week.  I hear that everyone is showing up and working very hard.  The Gorloks have 25 guys and it should be a war for playing time this year as the new recruits, returners, and freshman from last year will all battle for playing time.

More info to come later!

I am looking forward to another exciting year of SLIAC ball.

Oh, I like to see an ol' fashioned quarrel between Hopefan and FC in late September... That is what this board is for -- disagreements, discussion, which includes controversial and provacative opinions!  Should be an exciting year on here as well.