MBB: Midwest Conference

[hjmphelp]

Hoops Fan-
You are right on the button, as usual. I actually thought until last year that Officiating in our conference was improving. Instead, there has been a noticable downturn in quality officiating during the last two seasons. However, I don't think GC is the only team that takes a beating by bad oafs so I'm not sure it is just the GC System that causes problems. I'm sure others who post here could address the need for better officiating/training as well. I do think it is time for a campaign to get this fixed as soon as possible. I actually wrote to Commisioner Graham years ago about one particular official and Mr Graham was very concerned and responsive to my complaint. That is a sign that the MWC wants only the best-certainly good enough officiating to compliment the play we see in the MWC. In light of that, i would urge those of you who share my concerns to write Commissioner Graham at the following address:

Chris Graham,
Midwest Conference Commissioner
c/o Ripon College
300 Seward St
Ripon, Wi 54971

Email: <grahamc@midwestconference.org>

My letter will be sent in the next day or two. After I've calmed a bit.  Or after I've found that shotgun I was talking about earlier.

Old School-
I've not personally heard those particular rumors, but I have heard of possible change in the conference makeup in the near future.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I hope I didn't get misunderstood.  I would assume that the refs have been given some instruction about the difficulties or differnt approaches necessary for officiating "the system."  I would hope the MWC leadership is astute enough to understand that need.  What could be lacking, and I will get a taste of this on Saturday, is the need to bring the officiating up to the level of play in the "new" MWC.

[Maverick]

schwanman, scottie - I must not have paid close enough attention last season to realize that Price had another year of eligibility left following this one.  I guess I just figured he had played in a few games, found his way into TG's doghouse (which can be an easy thing to do, ha!), and didn't play any for the rest of the season.  Anyhow, it's good news to hear that I was wrong and that he will be returning for next season.  And apparently FS13 has fallen off the face of the earth since he is no longer seen anywhere around here!

This board has become fairly amazing: 1) Monmouth and Knox fans with some friendly banter back and forth ("friendly" being the key word there...oh, and Fireball, there's no 'a' in definitely; thought I'd point that out for some more fun ).  2) Knox and Grinnell fans calmly discussing the officiating from last night's game--wow!  Who knew it was possible to talk about bad referees without resorting to name-calling, etc.?!  Actually if both sides are in a civil discussion about the refs, maybe that is a true sign of how poor the officiating really is right now...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If the haiku to prose ratio increases just a little more, I'd say the MWC board will be on par with the CCIW Chat (although it is already the premier off-season board).

[systemfan86]

Actually if both sides are in a civil discussion about the refs, maybe that is a true sign of how poor the officiating really is right now...

Either that or:

A) It's a sign of the 'end times'
B) The haikus are having the desired calming effect

[scottie]

Fireball, My name is SCOTTIE so I must be from....ummm....Beloit.  

OF COURSE I'M FROM MONMOUTH!!   

My name is Tom, but I'm not from St. Thomas! 

Sorry, "Scottie" is actually my "handle."  (breaker, breaker...)  

"Tom," you're not that "Old" and I'm not positive you ever finished "School."   

Fireball - As others who have been around this board for awhile (not just since their team positioned themselves well for a good playoff run - - you're name should be "Fairweather" rather than "Fireball"  ha ha! - - I do not get to see the Scots in person much at all due to my current location at another school on the other side of the state.   Thus, much of my remarkable insight comes from decent historical knowledge about MC and the MWC as well as the inside "Scoop" from my peeps.  At any rate, there may be a Scottie sighting at the inaudible T. Flemming Fieldhouse on February 8.  Did Calandro ever update your PA system before he left?  

To the Jeffs - P & dc, I didn't realize that Coach A was not even at the game.  As Mr. P is aware, I know Coach A fairly well.  (JeffP - Can you send me a private message when you get a chance?)  That Grinnell was able to be so competitive w/o him on the sidelines, on the road even, is a remarkable feat and speaks to the quality of the Pioneer staff and roster.    

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

A calm in the storm
Despite the faults of the refs
Pure Japanese Zen

[gobucs]

Hey JeffP,
I'm glad you're feeling the same way about the officiating as I felt after the BC/GC game out there.  It takes a while to get over it.  Sorry you have to feel the pain, but I knew it would come once the Pio's left the friendly confines of the Darby.

[hjmphelp]

Scottie-
The Email address(es) I have for you aren't working for some reason. I posted one earlier for you on the 'messages' site here and will post another one right now.

[systemfan86]

Hey JeffP,
I'm glad you're feeling the same way about the officiating as I felt after the BC/GC game out there.  It takes a while to get over it.  Sorry you have to feel the pain, but I knew it would come once the Pio's left the friendly confines of the Darby.

So much for the Zen calm on the page.

Gobucs, that scab will never heal if you don't stop picking at it.

[Early]

but once they got away from the big guy and continued to stay in that brutal zone they played, it was over.

The problem with getting out of the zone is then Ripon will have to play man.....and to quote Adam Zakos (hope he doesn't mind it's not a direct quote) "Ripon gets eaten up with teams man to man offense."  They don't have a defensive stopper.

FEED SCHMITTING  FEED SCHMITTING  FEED SCHMITTING  (subliminal)

[augie_superfan]

I see there are always people on this board complaining about the refs and such which is understandable.  Just keep in mind that these refs are not only MWC refs.  These refs also do games in the CCIW, NIIC, SLIAC, IIAC, etc.  Also, some of these refs have done higher level games also.  Just thought I'd remind everyone of that incase they have got tunnel vision on MWC having bad refs, if they are indeed bad, then these other conferences would have problems with them too.

[Old Fighting Scot]

Another double-double for Price, who is beginning to live up to Old Fighting Scot's preseason hype.

its easier for price to live up to my preseason hype now that he is on the court for more than ten minutes a game....

lets just hope his PT stays constant and tg keeps his faith in him.  IF Price is producing (has to be on the court to do so)  MC becomes a much different team, dare i say better team.  for those of you that havent seen price (most of you havent cuz he's been limited) think henry grant but bigger (6'4 vs. 6'7).  

very glad to see good ol MC get off the schnide (sp?)

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I see there are always people on this board complaining about the refs and such which is understandable.  Just keep in mind that these refs are not only MWC refs.  These refs also do games in the CCIW, NIIC, SLIAC, IIAC, etc.  Also, some of these refs have done higher level games also.  Just thought I'd remind everyone of that incase they have got tunnel vision on MWC having bad refs, if they are indeed bad, then these other conferences would have problems with them too.

I have to assume that the CCIW makes sure they take the best of the rest refs for their games.  I know often times refs get assigned, but leagues get to approve the pool they are selected from.  If the problem seems universal, it might just be time to shake up the pool.  Or, I guess, have a fat guy do a cannonball into it, which seems to flow better with the idiom.

[systemfan86]

If the problem seems universal, it might just be time to shake up the pool. Or, I guess, have a fat guy do a cannonball into it, which seems to flow better with the idiom.

I thought I heard that some of the refs we're concerned about could do the job pretty well!