MBB: Midwest Conference

[systemfan86]

I just want to know how many cups of Saints Rest coffee he [jeffp] took on the road to get him there and back? He may very well have earned that initial at the end of his moniker.

[scottie]

JeffP and others:  Here's a link for a full tour of the site of the GREAT game last night.  On the exterior, you can see where the additions took place.  From the inside, it all looks new.  We Scots (and wee Scots) enjoy it.   

http://www.monm.edu/huff/tour/index.htm 

[LU_nut]

JeffyP

What are your thoughts on the GC/LU game this Friday?
Sounds like GC has taken a big step up and if Grotberg is as good as Wood, I am anxious to see him play.

It seems to me that Tharp has figured out how to play GC as well as anybody (sit the big guys, no 3s on offense, etc.)
It is tough playing GC as a part of a double header, they really disrupt things in a double game weekend given their unique style of play.

Do you think GC can pull it off in Alex?

Nutty

[hjmphelp]

I don't know if GC can pull it off or not, Lu_nut, but I know this team wont quit til the 40 minute mark (or more if Ot is in the picture). I also know that Grotberg hasn't been slowed yet. Be sure to let me/us know what you think. Grinnell is a much better team than last year but it remains to be proven if they are top 4 MWC caliber. Friday and Saturday will tell us a lot more.

I also agree that Larry plays Grinnell as well if not better than anyone in the MWC. T. Heimann at Knox always seems to throw off the typical GC game. This year I think you will see some atypical system play however. Because of that, LArry will have to add a few wrinkles to keep pace. A GC win would be nice(from my point of view, anyway) but I also know that this will be the hardest roadtrip of the year for Grinnell. I'm glad Larry is first in line though. (I think)

[jeffdc]

Having seen the team progress through the season, I'll say that a GC loss again LU would be a drag but might well propel them to a stronger finish (and the conference games). A win? Well, that would be nice, now, wouldn't it?  And LU will find out that there's more to the team than Grotburg....

[The Roop]

JeffP,

At 4-0 I'm afraid you'll have to change your tune a bit. You can't pretend Grinnell is the overwhelming underdog in every game anymore. Well, I suppose you can pretend but nobody will believe it.

Et Al

A week from now we will know if Ripon is going to contend this year or not. They have 3 more home games coming and probably need to win all 3 to make a statement. At the moment I can only give them 1 for sure, 1 probly aughta and 1 toss up. A 3-4 start would spell their doom because they still have Carroll twice, Lawrence once and they go to Beloit at the end of the season.

Beloit is sitting right where they need to be to make a run at the MWC Tournament. However, should they not win two this weekend their favorable schedule the rest of the way is no longer favorable. That would make the Wednesday game @Ripon a must win. @Ripon is not a good place to play must win games.

Monmouth.................. What's the problem ?? 0-4 means you can only drop 2 more to assure yourself a spot in the tournament. 9-7 teams will probably be watching from the stands this year.

LU and CC are in so the battle for the two remaining spots has begun. Although I'm not convinced they will be 1 and 2 at seasons end. Grinnell, Beloit and Ripon are next in line followed by Monmouth if they can overcome their start. Nothing impressive about Lake Forest or Knox's schedules thus far so I doubt they will make an impact. IC and STN were done before the season started.

Forget to set my alarm last night so I decided to make it a half day today. Since I get docked a 1/2 point whether I go in 1 minute late or 4 hours late, I chose the 4 hour plan. Made myself a RoopacinnoHD (recipe to be forwarded to JeffP) and I'm ready for the world now.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm rooting for a tight Larry win, maybe in OT so that Grinnell will be poised and sufficiently motivated for the rematch on the 28th, when I get to take in the system for the first time in person.

[MWCSID2005]

The Midwest Conference will webcast four contests with live audio and video free of charge on Friday, January 13.

The matchups feature Grinnell College at Lawrence University and Lake Forest College at Ripon College. The women's contests tip-off at 5:30 p.m. with the men's contests to follow at 7:30 p.m. Links to the webcast are available at www.midwestconference.org and on the athletic websites of each participating institution.

The release linked below gives more information on the webcast, as well as previews for each contest.

http://www.midwestconference.org/wbasketball/WebStreamJan12.pdf

[systemfan86]

Can they pull it off in Alex? At the risk of being cliche, that's why they play the game. It's a tall order, of course, but this team continues to surprise me.

On the minus side: it's a long trip, you're playing against the #6 team in the country, and a lot of the players haven't played there before.

On the plus side: a lot of the players haven't been there before so the opponent doesn't know (first hand) the skills of some of the key players, they've already played a rank team this year, and classes haven't started yet (at Grinnell) so there's no impact there.

All in all, the minuses outweigh the pluses. I hope they play a good game.

[mwc4life]

Roop....graduating from "The Roop"


I'd say I agree with you on just about all you assessments:

-First and foremost....I think 9-7 gets you in the tournament this year.  I think our conference is waaaay too balanced this year and even LU seems like they can be beaten on any given night.

-I don't count out Lake Forest with players like Beckford, Klos, and Brown.

-I don't count out Knox with two keys to their success still back from last years team (zick, McClain)

-Jeffp, you are kind of right saying that we shouldn't all jump on GC's bandwagon (probably cause you still want to use the us vs. the world/ no respect approach like every team does) because the road is a very tough place to win on in this league.  But any team that starts 4-0 surely is in the driver's seat to as you said before, control their own destiny...If Grotberg is as good, if not better, then Wood...they should be alright.

-Note to all teams in the Midwest Conference that play Grinnell....shooting 20 three point shots against Grinnell will equal a loss every time ( MC shoots 8- 20 from beyond the arc).  You wont find LU shooting threes I guarentee you that!

-Big week for Ripon....Roop is absolutely right

[scottie]

So many choices, where to start? 

1.  Did anybody hear about the Grinnell/Monmouth game?  I heard it was great.

2.  I HOPE 9-7 gets into the tournament.  It might be the only way for the Scots.  IF 9-7 gets you in, then that usually means there are a ton of tie-breaker scenarios in the last weekend of play - which are always fun.  The Scots have SNC and Carroll on the road this weekend.  Given their struggles on the road, a 1-1 split would be a positive step...with a, sorry, "must win" home game against Knox next week.

3. Monmouth BB (Before Beaird) used to employ the "no 3's" strategy against The System, often with good success.  I think Beaird, since - you know - he's the best shooter in the history of the MWC, has the "green light" to shoot whenever he is open.  You have to admit that 8-20 against the defense of "The System" ain't too shabby.  It probably just comes down to the best use of your personnel.

4. Is it possible that with the loss to #2 Hope last night, Lawrence could pass them in the polls - up to #5?   

5. Nobody will be looking past Grinnell for the rest of the season, and the "underdog" moniker can be put away.

[Greek Tragedy]

Is there anyway the LU/Grinnell game can be switched to Saturday?    Otherwise, postpone the game on Friday until about 11 pm, so I can make it!

I believe it would be mathematically impossible for a 9-7 conference record to make the top four.  Unless the top two go a combined 30-2 and then the bottom two do likewise (2-30) with #3 through #5 going 9-7 and #6-#8 going 7-9...or something like that!

Anyway, I don't see LU jumping Hope.  They lost to the #4 ranked team.  There is an 85 point gap between Lawrence and Hope.

[hjmphelp]

Now, now, folks! I haven't suggested that GC is in an underdog role this year, I just would like to know that they can beat a team with a better-than-.500 average before i go off. GC hasn't won at Larry OR Ripon since Coach A has been here and has only pulled off a few against St Norbert. At least we don't have to play at Carroll this year.

I personally think this is a great team and  think they can make the tourney this year, but they could be 4-2 on Sunday with Ripon yet to be played at Ripon and Carroll and Larry yet to be played at Grinnell. Knox and LFC always play GC tough at home, too. Let my warts worry for a few weeks, will ya?

[titan2000]

My son and daughter will go to the LU Grinnell game with me and after I will have to explain to them that the lack of quality shots taken by Grinnell is not what they should have focused on; rather, the discipline of LU and the victory over the Grinnell Circus (oh I meant system) is the key takeaway.

Good luck to Grinnell, sometime I need to get to the Saints Rest but I will ask for the basics--good fundamental black coffee, no frilly sugars or whipped cream,  passed well, no spills--just like the LU game plan.

I hope I will be welcome.  I promise not to use my karma points for tips. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not going to be suprised about anything.  With the doubt the voters showed in Albion and the support they had for Hope, I wouldn't be suprised to see Hope drop below Larry.  I doubt it will happen without some help over the weekend, but it sure wouldn't suprise me.