MBB: Midwest Conference

[diehardfan]

aww... I thought that was tomorrow... I could have watched! 

[titan2000]

Some Grinnell fans sitting near me noted that LU definitely has the best team managers in the MWC.  They continued to note their skills throughout the game and I think they may come back for the Lake Forest game tonight.

Now that is smitten!! 

[hjmphelp]

Well, didn't get the chance to see the game last night, but thanks to jeffdc and his cranky non-Mac computer I got a good picture by phone. Thanks, Jeff!

One thing that stands out is the description of J Grotberg's play. Of the two people who called me, both said that John was bottled (double and sometimes triple teamed) the whole game. Both calls came before I saw the box. So, it appears that a bottled up Grotberg still scored 31 pts, shot 35% from 3 pt range and so on. Other note: 42% team shooting from treyland in the 1st half and 19% in the second. That run at the beginning of the second by Larry was a killer coupled with the GC dry spell. Congrats to Lawrence University!

Disapointed in the loss, but what the hey! It sounds like it was worth watching ! Now lets go get the Norby's!

Digs! Go cheer for the ol' alma for me, willya?

[titan2000]

Jeffp:

Could Grotberg be the all time leading scorer in D3 history if he keeps it up. He has a great shot and body control.

The LU fans were teasing the coach's kid all night.  Funny actually.  Always a cerebral cheer from the Vikings fans unless its Ripon in town.  Then they just swear at the Redmen.

[hjmphelp]

T2000-
The box makes it look like the tease didn't bother Jr too much anyway.

Grotberg is gonna see a lot of different defenses in the next 3 years. It will be interesting to see if anyone can figure him out in that time.

[jeffdc]

Through the fog of a slow DSL connection (the streaming video just doesn't work well at less than 200 Kbs), it seemed like Grinnell went in a bit nervous (intimidated?), then got on their game about midway through the 1st half. Coming into the 2nd, they even managed to lead for a while - but then Lawrence regrouped and GC's shooting went dry. Nonetheless, it was a treat to listen to the LU announcers go from smug to nervous to cautious (even 2 minutes from the end). And it was fun to listen to reactions to the oafs from the other side's perspective!

A solid game by LU, a great learning experience for GC, and I can't wait for the rematch in Darby!

[jeffdc]

By the way, best of luck tonight, GC!   

[jeffdc]

OK, St. Norbert folks, any news on the game?   

[The Roop]

IC 69 BC 68

REBOUND THE BALL.......................

While that was a disturbing trend troughout this one, never was it more self evident than in the final 3.4 seconds with IC on the line shooting a 1-1. The other 4 players were back on defense so it was great that the shot was missed. Beloit would have enough time after a time out to set up a decent play for the winning shot. Then reality set in. The shot was off and in the scramble the IC shooter came up with the ball.

That shot was missed as well, possibly intentionally this time, leaving Beloit with only 2.2 to get something off. I've never cared for the length of the court jump ball pass, mainly because it rarely works, and this case was no exception. It was tipped around a few times and IC game away with the ball and the win. Gotta throw it to half court and take your chance on a couple dribbles and a 30 footer.

This was a big game for the IC kids and they played that way. They bent a few times but never broke. Beloit certainly didn't play poorly, other than volleyball-like rebounding, but they got a little too casual in the final 90 seconds and gave one away. Now the game at Ripon this week is a must win.   

[The Roop]

Grinnell 115 St. Norbert 112. Don't know any details.

[ccfan69]

Carroll 89 Monmouth 77

[knox2ct]

Knox 91, Ripon 79...

Someone please fill me in on what happened, also possibly add the last time Knox won at Ripon (for the life of me, I can't come up with it).

[Early]

A double home weekend at Ripon, and 2 losses for Ripon?  WOW!!!  I cannot remember the last time Know won at Ripon....It has to be over 8 years I am thinking maybe more.
I have not heard anything about the Knox game, but my dad went to Ripon Friday night to watch the Lake Forrest game.  The general report was that the team struggles to play together....from what I saw at the Lawrence game and what myh pa saw Friday, there is no team basketball.  It is mostly one-on-one moves.  It is a 4 guard offense so there are not a lot of people looking to free up (or screen) others. 

If anyone can add or subtract from that statement please do.  And lastly about Ripon, where is the defense?

[ccfan69]

I agree with that.  I saw Ripon play earlier this year and they just don't play together.  Mishandling the ball was the biggest mistake I saw them have.  I kept being told that it was just that night but guess it wasn't.  With Ripon playing this way and losing at home count them out of the tourny this year. 

[gobucs]

My sentiments exactly Roop.  Wow, I was surprised that the stats showed that we outrebounded them.  At half, we were getting toasted in the rebounding dept.  Certainly a disappointing loss, puts the pressure on for a must win at Ripon.  I feel that Dowden and Towns both need to shoot more.  They were sagging off Dowden by 6 feet, he needs to take it!!  C'mon Bucs, there will be a couple teams at the top, and the next two will be a dog-fight.  You gotta get in the fight!!!!!  Cya at Ripon:)