MBB: Midwest Conference

[sac]

Hope loses a starting captain and its head coach, after all losing to St. Norbert's, and comes out ahead?  Very mysterious.  Tradition, name, what is it?

They also return 4 starters, and most of its bench returns.  The starting captain lost (Chris Nelis) had a fine season, better than most expected but he probably was only the 4th best player on the team at best.  They also return the other two captains.  The new coach was the previous coach's assistant for 25 years.

While I don't agree that Hope should be ahead of St. Norbert, the bottom hasn't fallen out in Holland either, and most will recognize that they should have a good team returning.  IMO they probably shouldn't be in the top 25 based on how last season finished (2nd in MIAA, 1st round NCAA loss as the higher seed).

[The Roop]

Who knows what the talent level is in the Beloit frosh class, but it is great to see a decent turn out for this program after so many down years. Those of us who remember the "good old days" at Beloit are just hoping this means that start of a return to excellence in the Beloit MBB program. It's been painful to follow the program since the last few year of the Knapton era. I think the Bucs may make it to the middle of the MWC standings this year with an outside shot at 4th place and a spot in the MWC tourney.

They've got a big that is expected to contribute immediately. I just hope he can be Windex and keep the glass clean. There's plenty of offense on the team but they need more 2nd chance points. MWC tournament isn't that unrealistic this season.

[krytonite]

Does anyone know the upcoming scrimmage schedule for this league? 

[System Error]

I know that Grinnell played Ellsworth College last night in Grinnell and won 124-120. Good win for a young time. It will be interesting to see how they do this season.

[The Roop]

Two practice injuries for Beloit. One involved a trip to the hospital. I hope all will be well.

[fightingscots13]

Roop - Re: your post about roster size...MC lists 18 on the varsity and 17 on the JV this year.  Can we find 5 that can win, though???  And, the MWC preview lists Grant, Cogdill and Ott as returning starters (not sure why they didn't include Gruber), but you'll see they're not on the roster - apparently all three chose not to play this year.

[The Roop]

With the double round robin schedule this year you play Beloit twice. But you can still go 21-2 so look on the bright side. 22-3 counting the MWC Tournament at Flood arena. Still sounds like a Pool C bid though.

[System Error]

An inside source told me that Monmouth's three seniors besides Gruber decided not to return this year. Many of them did not like Coach Vershaw's coaching style and disagreed with his extremely long practices.

Yet, I did hear that the incoming freshman and transfer students have a better work ethic and have been working harder thus far this young season.

[scottie]

And, the MWC preview lists Grant, Cogdill and Ott as returning starters (not sure why they didn't include Gruber), but you'll see they're not on the roster - apparently all three chose not to play this year.

Hey, it looks like I'm switching over right on time. Yeah-rah-Scots!   

[hickory_cornhusker]

If college basketball games were 19 minutes 55 seconds instead of 40 minutes Carroll would have upset UW-Milwaukee 32-30 Saturday night in their exhibition game. Alas they are 40 minutes and the Panthers took over in the second half winning 84-59. Still a strong showing for Carroll before the season starts.

[The Roop]

November 11, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Ripon, WI -- Midwest Conference coaches have picked the Beloit College Men's Basketball team to finish fourth in the Midwest Conference Pre-Season Coaches Poll, which was released by the Conference office on Thursday afternoon.

St. Norbert College is picked to defend their 09-10 title, receiving nine first-place votes. Ripon College was picked second, followed by Lake Forest College, with the other first-place vote, and then the Bucs.

Carroll University is picked fifth, Illinois College sixth, Grinnell College seventh and Lawrence University eighth.  Monmouth College is slotted for ninth and Knox College tenth.

Beloit finished 8-15 last season, 6-10 in the league, under head coach Brian Vraney, who begins his fourth season in 2010-11.

The Buccaneers open their 2010-11 season on Sunday, November 21, at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. They have their home and MWC opener on Sunday, November 28, when they host Lake Forest College in a 3:00 p.m. game in Flood Arena.

[fightingscots13]

I'm not sure why I didn't see this back in February, but I saw the MWC site posted a story about Ripon and naming the court in honor of Coach Gillespie.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how that came about?  Was it a fundraising effort???

[System Error]

Ill tell you right now, Grinnell College will not finish any seventh or lower this year. No way!

[East Beast]

Ill tell you right now, Grinnell College will not finish any seventh or lower this year. No way!

Lawrence 8th?  That is unlikely as well.  I know they are young but that is ridiculous.

[The Roop]

Tharpe is turning Hillsdale around so don't expect to get him back. Just remember, 8th is better than 9th or 10th.