MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Not sure how auditing tapes would work. You'd need more cameras than they have for TV games and most of the time the officials are out of the frame. Unless you had "Oaf-cam" so you could see what they see I doubt video would be much help.

[LU_nut]

old scottie

let the record show....I did not raise the topic, just answering the scwannman's question(with my opinion).

I do not care what you call the award...POY. MVP, most likeable, etc.  there is still likely only one choice.

the kid from LU is not only represents  all the intangibles like refusing to lose(huge), but leads the conference in 1) steals 2) total rebounds 3) offensive rebounds 4) defensive rebounds and is 5) top 10 in scoring.  And by the way is a better defender than any of the other potential candidates. All this while putting LU and the MWC on the map.  I think a lot of hinz and Macklin, even grotberg, just not in the same league for whatever you want to call this award.

nutcake

[hjmphelp]

lu-nut-
can't argue with your logic, but I have a question. You say he leads the conference in steals but NCAA DIII stats show Doug Ticus from Grinnell tied for 18th in the nation with 3.0 per game and your man isn't even listed in the top 50. Do you mean total steals rather than steals per game average? Doug has 39 total as of the 22nd of January. CAn you enlighten me?

[LU_nut]

jeffP

enlighten is probably too strong of word, but I can explain: my source was the MWC website stats.  Since the discussion was on conference POY/MVP/ whatever, I clicked on conference games.  Braier is #1, at 2.62 per game, Ticus is a close second at 2.5. MacGillis is third.  When I went back and did the same doing all games, Ticus is a clear number 1.  I am sure the NCAA stats are based on all games.  I wonder how many times a power forward has lead a leaque in steals?? I think it is pretty unusual, but might be wrong.

Nut

[Early]

hate to do it but.....
As far as the official discussion goes.  Guys really, I assume that most of you all in here have watched a lot of bball games.  I will also assume that most of you have complained about a bad call or two (and b/c of instant replay) we have all been witnessed to some absolutely terrible calls, at all levels of play and in all sports. Bottomline, I have never left a game or finished watching a game and said "u know what, those oafs were great." but i have left and watched plenty of games where the oafs were awful.  Referrees everywhere generally suck.  maybe they are overpaid maybe they arent evaluated often enough, but generally oafs are terrible at every level in every league.  i think one of the biggest tragedies in sports is the technical foul on coaches in basketball.  Name another sport where the coach and team can be penalized for disagreeing with a decision that could cause his team to lose.  not in the NFL (have u ever read a coaches lips on the sidelines after a pass interference call), not in hockey.  coaches in baseball can be tossed but the "team" isnt penalized i.e. extra runs or outs.  Only in basketball do refs have this power, maybe that is why they are all so terrible....

Well put OFS.  Very good point about the technicals for coaches...I never thought of that before.  The only thing I can think of for the reason of this is maybe because in basketball the fans are closer to the action and can hear the coaches clearly.  But that is odd that bball is the only sport like that.

old scottie
let the record show....I did not raise the topic, just answering the scwannman's question(with my opinion).

I do not care what you call the award...POY. MVP, most likeable, etc. there is still likely only one choice.

the kid from LU is not only represents all the intangibles like refusing to lose(huge), but leads the conference in 1) steals 2) total rebounds 3) offensive rebounds 4) defensive rebounds and is 5) top 10 in scoring. And by the way is a better defender than any of the other potential candidates. All this while putting LU and the MWC on the map. I think a lot of hinz and Macklin, even grotberg, just not in the same league for whatever you want to call this award.

nutcake

Clap, clap, clap. 

round of aplause...and that is coming from a Ripon fan (please don't tell)

[systemfan86]

Here are the individual stat leaders from the conference web site.

You'll need to scroll down the page to find the individual stats.

http://www.midwestconference.org/mbasketball/confldrs.htm

[scottie]

We can do away with the usage of "old scottie" nickname for "Old Fighting Scot."  There is no "old scottie" on this board.  Just "Scottie" and "OFS" (and I guess "Old School"). 

Sorry, I just have some significant birthdays down the road that I'm trying not to think about...

Scottie

p.s.  "I've still got the body of a pre-teen Swedish boy." 

[mwc4life]

I think we all know my take on the POY/MVP etc.

It's really not even a contest.  The only reason he didn't win it last year is because Tom Becker had a great year on a team that got to the conference championship and almost pulled the upset off.  And before I hear the echos of what if's and if CC gets in the championship game will so and so get...NO NO NO.  Becker was unstoppable with two or three guys on him and obviously was a huge reason why Ripon was as good as they were last year (just look at how the team is doing now).  I think most intellegent bball fans can tell that a player like Tom doesn't come around very often.  Unfortunately Ripon only had Becker for 2 1/2 years.  Would have been nice to see what he could have done with that extra year....


Anyways, I just got lost in reflection of times when Ripon was good, I apologize.  The simple answer is Braier.  And while it would be fun to argue numbers and statistics, like Becker's year last year, any smart bball fan will tell you that Braier's numbers, while great alone, don't come even close to telling the story on his greatness. 

I was thinking about an all-century MWC team and who from the past 10-15 years would be on that list.  One guy that continues to stick in my head is Chris Braier.  Just look at his success over his four year period and I dare you to find a player that had such an impact on his program and success over a four year period.

[hjmphelp]

Steve Wood

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Right on, Jeff.

[hjmphelp]

Unless the roof caves in, Braier is clearly a great choice for POY.

Grinnell's two 1st years - Jr and Grotberg could be dueling it out for POY in the next few years.

Without having seen Larry's and Carroll's 1st years play yet (sure will this weekend!) I would have to plug Grotberg for Freshman of the Year. We do have such an honor in this league, don't we?

[titan2000]

Braier has been the MVP of this conference for 3 straight years IMHO.  Becker did elevate what now appears to be a pretty average Ripon team, but only on a conference level.  Braier took LU to the final 8 and as the Pointers will tell you, almost the Final 4.  He does it all as prior posters have said and no one can take his entire game away.  The last few games his scoring has been down, but his rebounding has been substantial and his defense is just spectacular, hence the rebounds and the steals.  And he's good for 40 minutes if Tharp needed it.

LU will miss that in '06--but he has taught an awful lot of underclassmen what it means to win and how much fun that is--and he will be on the court for LU for a few more years even though he can't suit up anymore.    

The MVP voting is now closed.  Bopper for MVP.  

T2K

[MWCSID2005]

MWC Midweek Notes are now posted: http://www.midwestconference.org/mbasketball/BBALLNotes1-26.pdf

A highlight video from the webcast Grinnell vs. Lawrence game on Jan. 13 is also available on the men's basketball page. Highlight videos from the other games to follow soon.

[hjmphelp]

Hoops Fan-
When are you planning to hit Grinnell this weekend?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm not exactly sure.  I was hoping to get in between noon and 12:30, hit up the Rest for something to eat or drink and soak in the atmosphere before heading over to New Darby.  I assume that I'll have to be there for most of the women's game to get a good seat. Right?  I'm up for anything if you have good suggestions.