MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Nobody likes The Beatles I guess.

[OBC]

Hey Roop, don't take it bad. Take a bad post and make it better.

[East Beast]

Nobody likes The Beatles I guess.

Helgremites are so much more useful.

[The Roop]

Don't complicate things Beast. It's spelled hellgrammites. If you're a fisherman you know what they are. For scottie there is always google 

[jeffdc]

Grinnell easily handled Wartburg tonight, 100-83. That's their second Iowa conference victim this year. Both Buena Vista and Wartburg were expected to contend for the conference title. I'd consider both of those games very nice wins.

The next two games, however, really mean something. On the road against the presumptive favorites in our own dear MWC. Whew! Good luck boys.

Having been, through a quirk of holiday travel, able to see the Wartburg game in person, I will say that the current GC team did really well, considering that no GC player was shooting worth a damn. I believe at the half the % for 3s was 22? Hmm. But it didn't matter because the team played AS a team, was flexible in its response to Wartburg - which in turn played hard and fast (consistently breaking the GC press). I think it is a good sign that GC has beat the top 2 teams in IIAC. I'll be curious to see what happens as GC moves into conference play this week.

Also, a great fakeout play by Jack Adams. Nicely done.

[East Beast]

Don't complicate things Beast. It's spelled hellgrammites. If you're a fisherman you know what they are. For scottie there is always google  

My apologies, Roop.  I am a product of two years of high school, need to remember to spell check.  

[systematic]

some thoughts on Grinnell thus far...
I think this year's Grinnell team has more size, athleticism and depth than any system team in the past, which gives them a big advantage defensively in forcing turnovers and with offensive rebounding (both key aspects of the system). Also, thus far no one has played more than 16 or 17 minutes in a game, which they can afford to do with their depth, so everybody on the floor always has fresh legs. This combo will allow Grinnell to pick up wins (similar to the BV game) when the team collectively is shooting poorly from the outside. That game they shot 33% from the floor and just 31% from 3, but had 25 offensive rebounds and forced 35 turnovers, allowing them to take 38 more shots than BV. Also, their balanced scoring I think will make it more difficult for teams to create a defensive game plan because Grinnell does have more flexibility with their depth.
In response to some of the posts regarding Grinnell's ability to win close ball games, I think despite possible issues of free throw shooting and who gets the ball in crunch time (which they will figure out throughout the season), we'll see Grinnell win close games with defense. Solid, half-court, conventional defense. Normally when Grinnell abandons the system late in the game, it is to retain a small lead, so a solid defensive unit will go a long way in late game situations for them.

[The Roop]

When Grinnell abandons the system I will challenge Dave Arsenault to a steel cage match. He has some height on me but we're friends so I think the fake blood will look real.

How about we get into the conference portion of the schedule before we make lots of claims.

[System Error]

When Grinnell abandons the system I will challenge Dave Arsenault to a steel cage match. He has some height on me but we're friends so I think the fake blood will look real.

How about we get into the conference portion of the schedule before we make lots of claims.

What I believe systematic meant by abandoning the system was during late game situations, (when they have enough to win) they switch to a 2-3 defense and spread the floor get fouled and try and make their free throws. Could be wrong though.

[System Error]

Welcome to the board Systematic. It is nice to see ANOTHER Grinnell fan talking basketball. Especially one who seems to know the system so well.

[wizbegs1304]

Not sure if this was talked about here or not...

http://www.cornellcollege.edu/athletics/General%20News/general%20news/midwest-conference.shtml

[East Beast]

some thoughts on Grinnell thus far...
I think this year's Grinnell team has more size, athleticism and depth than any system team in the past, which gives them a big advantage defensively in forcing turnovers and with offensive rebounding (both key aspects of the system). Also, thus far no one has played more than 16 or 17 minutes in a game, which they can afford to do with their depth, so everybody on the floor always has fresh legs. This combo will allow Grinnell to pick up wins (similar to the BV game) when the team collectively is shooting poorly from the outside. That game they shot 33% from the floor and just 31% from 3, but had 25 offensive rebounds and forced 35 turnovers, allowing them to take 38 more shots than BV. Also, their balanced scoring I think will make it more difficult for teams to create a defensive game plan because Grinnell does have more flexibility with their depth.
In response to some of the posts regarding Grinnell's ability to win close ball games, I think despite possible issues of free throw shooting and who gets the ball in crunch time (which they will figure out throughout the season), we'll see Grinnell win close games with defense. Solid, half-court, conventional defense. Normally when Grinnell abandons the system late in the game, it is to retain a small lead, so a solid defensive unit will go a long way in late game situations for them.

If they are more athletic does that mean they can foul more quickly and so often that the MWC refs miss or tire of making the calls? 

[East Beast]

It appears that the Good Guys gave IWU all they could handle last night.....okay, they didn't get blown out.  81-68.

"Monmouth gave Illinois Wesleyan all the Titans could handle..."

Same "all they could handle" format in Division I

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/110928094.html




"Ripon Gives #4 Illinois Wesleyan All They Can Handle"

Or...Grinnell gave <insert your team name here> all they could handle last night.... 

[The Roop]

When Grinnell abandons the system I will challenge Dave Arsenault to a steel cage match. He has some height on me but we're friends so I think the fake blood will look real.

How about we get into the conference portion of the schedule before we make lots of claims.

What I believe systematic meant by abandoning the system was during late game situations, (when they have enough to win) they switch to a 2-3 defense and spread the floor get fouled and try and make their free throws. Could be wrong though.

They had a 14 point lead at St. Norbert a few years ago with two minutes left. Gave up the system and lost. Do your homework.

[systematic]

Thanks System Error, and yes, that is exactly what I was referring to when I was talking about "abandoning" the system. Usually withing the last couple minutes of the game to retain a lead. I'm not sure what defense they will play, but if they stay in a 2-3 zone, their height and athleticism, as well as fresh legs, will allow them to be more active on the perimeter, as well as rebound defensively (which is always difficult in a zone). It's also always difficult for another team to go 38 minutes without an outside attempt and then all of a sudden have to take outside looks against a zone with already taxed legs. So, again this is not fact, as we have not seen it in conference yet, but I would expect to see Grinnell get some wins in close games with their defense.

East Beast, it may be the case that they can foul more quickly  , but I don't think athleticism will play a role in refs missing calls. That is simply a byproduct of the system and happens regardless. It is difficult to go 40 minutes at that pace and be in position everytime to make a call. It's certainly not the fault of the Grinnell players (not that you said it is), since they are trying to force turnovers and constantly make a play on the ball...unless of course they foul intentionally to get subs in...but those are usually pretty blatant and normally go unmissed. But I think any game at that pace and with that many possessions, for both teams, will result in some missed calls...maybe they need referee fitness tests before system games