MBB: American Southwest Conference

[Pat Coleman]

We may be headed for another disappointing All-Region season in the ASC. Ten ASC schools have yet to cast ballots.

An e-mail reminder was sent out this morning through the Division III SID e-mail list maintained by one of the member schools. I also sent an e-mail with details to the conference office this afternoon.

Deadline 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

[scottiedoug]

Chris:  I think it was the absence of a call that had Randy unhappier than usual!

It looks like Maryville needs to not lose any region games and get the top seed and make somebody from the ASC travel our way nevt year.  Be a challenge without Bobby and Bradley, though.

[Ralph Turner]

I really hope that Coach Holmes can put it together next year, keep everyone healthy, and find 2-3 big men.

We were 8-6 without Moreno and 12-1 with him.  He meant that much to the team.

We only lose Cole Dickerson (Center--12 min/game and 14 starts) and Kenny Gardner (Guard--23 min/game and all 27 starts).  The team was very deep at guard, tho'.

[golden_dome]

It's obvious that finishing in the top 16 in the country is quite an accomplishment but it is starting to be view as somewhat of an unsuccessful season at MC.  I'm curious to know what others think it will take for MC to reach the final 4 or the championship game.

I only saw MC once this year and it was a preseason scrimmage against Millsaps so my impression is extremely limited.  My thought then was that the strongest element of the team was their depth.  Certainly the first 8-10 were strong enough to beat most teams in the country in a conventional game of basketball, but the the elite teams could match the talent level of MC.  I'm not sure how many teams could match the depth of the MC bench.

Assuming that MC will reload with about 10 juco players and a couple of freshmen, I wonder if they need to go all out to that "40 minutes of Hell" style that Nolan Richardson used during his heyday at Arkansas.  It would utilize the MC depth and it would be a style that would be hard to prepare for by NCAA opponents.  Not having seen MC play any regular season games this year, I will have to assume that they are already playing an up-tempo style but maybe they need to bump it up to a hyper-tempo style of play.

Any thoughts from Chris or Ralph or those who know far more than me about basketball in general and MC in specific?

Frank,
  I don't think MC has to do anything to change their style of play, just keep putting themselves in position to get to the Final Four. I think you are right about the expectations, we are our own worst enemy right now in that some people are disappointed in an ASC title, 27-3 record and third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.

  McMurry used that style in 2000 and 2001 and had similiar results as MC so I don't think it is the pace of play. The Choctaws just have to get better. Playing at home is a huge advantage in the tournament but I think everyone is realizing teams in this part of the country will not host past the first and second round. It's not impossible to win on the road after you fly in, some teams have been able to do it in the past and the ASC has to get good enough to do it also.
 

[Ralph Turner]

Chris, maybe Miss College just crowned a finalist.  McMurry lost to champion Calvin in 2000 (to finish #6) and runner-up William Paterson with national player of the year Horace Jenkins in 2001 to finish #13.

[Ralph Turner]

Frank, I want to see what big men we can recruit this year.  I think that the team sees what we need to do.  We got incredible efforts by the top 13 players and great chemistry among the 15.

Some of the guys with single digit minutes had incredible spurts of playing time that actually won games for us.  I really like this team. 

I know that Coaches Holmes and Garza can bring in the talent.

I also believe that the conference needs to re-vamp the schedules.

Double round-robin leading to the division champions.

Mandate only 4 crossover games for the West to fill the schedules.  These do not determine intra-divisional standings.  This does allow the schools to improve the in-region records and opponents' opponents' records for the sake of playoff bids.  Replacing a win versus a weak (sub.333) ASC crossover team with a win over a .600 South Region team helps the playoff chances.

[Bearkat00]

Bearkat, you have to be one of the ASC's "all-Newcomer Posters" this season.  You provided timely information, hyperlinks and great insight to the games that you saw.

Thanks, and +1! 

And I took editorial license to "spellcheck" your previous post concerning Virginia Wesleyan College! 

Thanks Ralph, it's been a joy and I look forward to the years to come!  As you can tell, I wasn't an English Major in College.  As soon as this tournament is done and the D1 tournament is done, I'll attempt to switch my focus to baseball.  One thing to note before I switch gears, looks like LETU is going to get a huge committment from a JUCO big man, helping to fill the leadership that they lost with Marcus Coleman. 

We may be headed for another disappointing All-Region season in the ASC. Ten ASC schools have yet to cast ballots.

An e-mail reminder was sent out this morning through the Division III SID e-mail list maintained by one of the member schools. I also sent an e-mail with details to the conference office this afternoon.

Deadline 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

I know a couple of schools have had coaches "resign". 

[Josh Bowerman]

Thought this might be of interest for ASC fans, as Chris coached in the conference for over ten years:

Oestreich Steps Down as Basketball Coach

SHERMAN – Austin College head men's basketball coach Chris Oestreich has announced that he has elected not to seek reappointment for next year.  Oestreich leaves the program after 12 seasons in which he accumulated a record of 125-175.

"After 12 fulfilling years in this position I feel it is time for a change," said Oestreich.  "This change will benefit myself, my family, and the men's basketball program.  This decision was made with much thought, council and support from my family and colleagues."

Over the course of his time at Austin College, Oestreich experienced much success and raised the programs level of competition.  His tenure was highlighted by a conference championship in the 1996-1997 season along with three second place finishes, and two third place finishes.  Oestreich was a two-time American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year, picking up that honor in the 1995-1996 season and again the following year.

"Chris has informed me of his decision to make this change at this time in his career and after a lengthy conversation, I accept it," said Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Tim Millerick.  "On behalf of many at Austin College, I want to thank him for the time he has committed to leading this program over the past 12 years.  He has worked tirelessly and shared his talents to advance the Austin College basketball program.  He is an outstanding recruiter and was able to bring in a number of good student-athletes to the basketball program.  When you look at Chris's entire body of work, there is much success to acknowledge."

Oestreich came to Austin College after having served as an assistant coach at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa during the 1994-1995 season, and also served as an assistant at Rockhurst University in Kansas City from 1991 through 1994.

"I want everyone to know that my time at Austin College will always have a fond place in my heart," said Oestreich.  "I feel very fortunate to have been here for so long.  Coaching 12 years and over 300 games has been a tremendous experience."

In addition to serving as head basketball coach, Oestreich was also served in an administrative capacity as the director of the Mason Athletic and Recreation Complex and taught various Exercise Science courses at Austin College.  Oestreich plans on continuing his coaching career after finishing his time at Austin College in May.

"I feel strongly that Chris is a good coach and has many good years left in him," said Millerick.  "I wish all the best with making this transition in his life."

"I am pleased with where I am leaving the program and that I could share in the success and growth of Austin College basketball," said Oestreich.  "I want to thank my family for their support, as well as Dr. Oscar Page, Tim Millerick, the faculty, staff, and especially my colleagues in the athletics department.  Most importantly I want to thank the student-athletes both current and past who have played for me.  The relationships I have built with those young men have a value that can never be measured."

[t_money]

Ralph,

I all I know is that when I played at MC you guys always seemed to have a big man who could change the outcome of a game.  My freshman year there was Tudman (sp.); I also remeber Aragon and Mania was very good.  Very good at flopping too. 
I have no doubt that Coach Holmes will bring in a couple studs.

[Ralph Turner]

t money,  !

Tudman played pro ball in Australia.  I haven't seen Aragon in about 3 years and Mania in about 4!

Good luck, MC!

Let's crank this one up again.

Has Coach Jones filled out his non-conference schedule yet?

[Pat Coleman]

Bearkat, you have to be one of the ASC's "all-Newcomer Posters" this season.  You provided timely information, hyperlinks and great insight to the games that you saw.

Thanks, and +1! 

And I took editorial license to "spellcheck" your previous post concerning Virginia Wesleyan College! 

Thanks Ralph, it's been a joy and I look forward to the years to come!  As you can tell, I wasn't an English Major in College.  As soon as this tournament is done and the D1 tournament is done, I'll attempt to switch my focus to baseball.  One thing to note before I switch gears, looks like LETU is going to get a huge committment from a JUCO big man, helping to fill the leadership that they lost with Marcus Coleman. 

We may be headed for another disappointing All-Region season in the ASC. Ten ASC schools have yet to cast ballots.

An e-mail reminder was sent out this morning through the Division III SID e-mail list maintained by one of the member schools. I also sent an e-mail with details to the conference office this afternoon.

Deadline 10 a.m. CDT Tuesday.

I know a couple of schools have had coaches "resign". 

Which is all well and good but doesn't really affect the SID's ability to log in and vote, I'm sure.

[Ralph Turner]

All-Region Teams

...All SIDs in the region were given the opportunity to vote (on the names that were submitted by the SID's).

First team

Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown
G Kevin Guyden Mary Hardin-Baylor Sr. Houston, Texas
 
Second team

Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown
G D.J. Jones Mississippi College Sr. Vicksburg, Miss. 


F Zach Pickelman Hardin-Simmons Sr. New Braunfels, Texas
C Mardochee Jean Hardin-Simmons Jr. Missouri City, Texas

Third team

Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown

G Chris Isom East Texas Baptist Sr. Newton, Texas
G Timothy Broomfield Mississippi College Sr. Taylorsville, Miss. 

Congratulations!

[Bearkat00]

Which is all well and good but doesn't really affect the SID's ability to log in and vote, I'm sure.

Gotcha - unaware of that........

[Toby Taff]

Just caught up on about 5 pages of discussion, and first I'd like to say congrats to the all-region selections.

Concerning the physicality in the ASC, I haven't watched much ASC bball, but what I have watched has generally involved refs with very active whistles.  I'm not sure you could finish a game in the ASC in a night if the teams got more physical.  Physical Bball in the ASC would be like playing a cricket match  .  That said, I'd like to see some more aggressive and physical play.  I go back to the NAIA days at UMHB, and I remember some very physical players, especially in the middle.  There is nothing more fun to watch than people battling inside for points.  Is it a matter of coaching that players shoot the deep ball as much as they do?  Or is it a matter of discipline?  The games I watched this season in the ASC involved a lot of running up and down (which I like) but very little following of shots, which lead to a lot of defensive rebounds (which I don't like).  Not to be an old fuddy, but aren't following your shot and rebounding fundamentals of the game?  I personally would rather see people pounding it inside and taking the well advised 3, than seeing people run down court, fire up the brick, and running back up court because the rebound came to the top pf the circle.

just my .02 

[LostCoach]

UT-Tyler then Texas Lutheran and Schreiner? The axe fell heavy this year.

Who is in the running for the two remaining jobs (TLU and Schreiner)? Any rumors?