MBB: Midwest Conference

The Roop · December 05, 2009, 06:54:46 PM

Knox 71 Beloit 63. Beloit actually overcame a 21 point 2nd half deficit to take the lead but faded down the stretch. Next question is why did they fall behind by 21 in the first place ??

theg · December 05, 2009, 06:56:53 PM

Ripon by 20+ and it wasn't close. They were up 27 or so with 5 minutes to go.
Long, long year for Grinnell.

GC_Critic · December 06, 2009, 12:36:30 AM

You read it here first....

Big Dave is ready to trash the system!!!

This team cannot execute it on either side with a lackluster defensive effort from the first years coupled with their " I'm gonna break all of Grotberg's records" attitude on offense. (yes, this was actually stated by at least one of the first years who has a relative sitting next to Little A on the bench!)

We'll find out this year if Coach A can actually coach. From what it appeared on the Penn Atl feed, he had absolutely no idea of what play to run at the end of the Beloit game and they ended up forcing up very contested three that did not draw iron.

At least the GC women's team is fun to watch...

Gregory Sager · December 06, 2009, 12:41:08 AM

Ironically, this would be the wrong week for Grinnell to dump the System. The Pioneers play at Wheaton next Saturday night, and their best chance is to run Wheaton right out of the gym. The Wheaties have no bench.

System Error · December 06, 2009, 08:59:13 AM

Watched both Grinnell games this weekend and I am going to make a very obvious statement: This team is very difficult to watch. The ''New Era'' Pioneers as they were stated on their website do not seem to know what they are doing. On Friday, the Pioneers played a Bucs team they hadnt lost in four years. They settled for bad mid range jumpers and failed to shoot the three ball well as their top scorers shot 2-14, 3-11 and 1-7 from three point range. While they did force Beloit into 28 TO's, they were unable to capatilize. They managed only 90 point, which in ''System Ball,'' WILL NOT get the job done.

Then last night, they played Ripon, who had lost to Grinnell in each one of their last six games against the Pioneers home or away. While Grinnell defense normally gives up easy layups, the layups given up last night were incredible. Wide open layups with no chance at a steal or contest. It was sad. When Ripon went up 20, they went into a 3-2 zone which was an excellet idea... not only because Grinnell wasnt shooting the three, but the threes they were taking were not going in. Grinnell went into a zone at the end of the game, preventing a 40 blowout at home. Freshman Griffin L, was able to make three 3's in the last three minutes making the 30 point lead look somewhat respectable.

Lastly, I do not believe for one second that the system will be scraped after 20 years of playing it. My guess is that he is threatening getting rid of it to get a spark from the team. Hopefully it will work. Does anyone honestly think that he will get rid of the system?

Greek Tragedy · December 06, 2009, 01:29:22 PM

Not sure how I missed that...brainfart or something! Oh well! Next year for me!

The Roop · December 06, 2009, 03:10:46 PM

Dumping "The System" has been talked about before. Would Grinnell match up well enough to actually do this ?? I don't think so. Coach A is likely cracking the whip to a young team that is taking poor shots and isn't as quick as last years squad. You can't teach speed and quickness, you either have it or you don't, but shot selection from beyond the arc has been poor at best.

bballer1280 · December 07, 2009, 12:00:20 PM

Grinnell College and its "System" is going to have a lot of problems this season if someone on that team does not evolve into a reliable 3-point shooter. Right now, the perimeter shooting is very suspect and I believe the main reason for that difficult fact is that none of Grinnell's shooters can shoot unless "open." No one on the team can create their own shot or pull up and knock down any shots while penetrating. It is going to be a long season for Coach A. However, the team is very young and this team will get better in the future. For now, the Pioneers are going to suffer through many, many growing pains.

larry_u · December 07, 2009, 04:59:32 PM

Pickem results and standings are up through weekend #1. Don't forget there are 3 games on Wednesday night, make sure to get your picks in....

iltsilts · December 07, 2009, 10:12:11 PM

I suggest patience for the GC Pioneers and for all loyal System fans. When is the last time Grinnell has had such a lopsided (young) team? There's a LOT of talent on that bench: it just needs...shaping. That said, I've always wished I could see inside big A's head to figure out what he's doing (and not doing).

GC_Critic · December 07, 2009, 11:58:56 PM

Quote from: bballer1280 on December 07, 2009, 12:00:20 PM
Grinnell College and its "System" is going to have a lot of problems this season if someone on that team does not evolve into a reliable 3-point shooter. Right now, the perimeter shooting is very suspect and I believe the main reason for that difficult fact is that none of Grinnell's shooters can shoot unless "open." No one on the team can create their own shot or pull up and knock down any shots while penetrating. It is going to be a long season for Coach A. However, the team is very young and this team will get better in the future. For now, the Pioneers are going to suffer through many, many growing pains.

I absolutely agree with you in that they do have some potential system players in their underclassmen and maybe most of all their first years. But it is only potential right now. In order to turn the potential into real positive results there is a lot a maturation needed. The underclassmen as a whole are all very selfish. Watch a game sometime and see how many of them fail to set screens and when they do, they do it with no purpose at all. Watch how many of them really bust ass to deflect a pass, take a charge or simply block out a bigger man so a teammate can pull a rebound. The problem is that Big Dave recruited too many "shooters" when what he needs are more role players to get the little things done to open up the spot shooters. And, while I do agree that their top shooters are mostly spot shooters that need some help getting open shots, this can be easily overcome with some coaching, instruction and commitment. This is where they fall short...

The Roop · December 08, 2009, 12:22:05 AM

From up on high, The Roop spake..............

There are no first years, only freshmen.

Here endeth the lesson.

System Error · December 08, 2009, 12:23:24 PM

In regards to their being too many potential scorers, I completely agree. After watching Grinnell for many years, I understand there is really only room for one or two scorers a bunch of other players around the ten ppg range. Yet, Lentsch and Skelly are their two leading scorers right now at 21.4 and 15.3 ppg respectively. However, in the system 21 and 15 points per game are not enough to get the job done, especially with the complimentary shooters shooting so poorly. Coach A brought in seven freshman this year and I believe that at least 4 are under the impression they will be top scorers for this team at some point. This will prove to be the main catalyst until roles are understood.

System Error · December 08, 2009, 12:25:33 PM

I also find it interesting that while I myself have failed to talk about any other teams, we sit here discussing a team that is 1-6, while teams like St. Norbert and IC are playing so well this year.

TurtleHead · December 08, 2009, 03:40:56 PM

Quote from: System Error on December 08, 2009, 12:25:33 PM
I also find it interesting that while I myself have failed to talk about any other teams, we sit here discussing a team that is 1-6, while teams like St. Norbert and IC are playing so well this year.

I asked about IC earlier but got no response. Not sure if they have any posters on the board. Both seem to be the ones to beat so far, but the season is young.