MBB: Midwest Conference

[scottie]

Scottie's Monday morning ramblings...

Where to start?  I was out of town all weekend and not around a computer.  Too many pages of posts (which is a good thing) to catch up on everything.

I'll start by congratulating my Scots on a split.  Mathematically, they're still in the playoff picture.  But probably only until they visit Grin City.  Although the Scots appear to have some MO, and the Pio's have misplaced their's, it will be a tough road game for MC.  But you never know...

I'll also give my props to the Scots' women.  A win against Lawrence and just a two point loss to SNC.  Coach Jones definitely has this team going in the right direction.  If they could just get some bodies in the seats...  A win at GC is definitely possible.

Um, Grinnell and Knox?  I know the Scots are trying to catch you, but you also might want to pay attention to Ripon and Beloit.  

Scottie actually had a few beverages with J. Grotberg, Sr. - aka. Steve Wood - this weekend.  Small world.   In case you were wondering, his right arm is still intact with his body.

Oh yeah - Hi Sam J.  The pick 'em site just isn't the same without you.  It's better!  Just kidding.  

Lastly, I'll refrain from any more references to a certain "visitor" to our site and his anal ways.  Let's just say our senses of humor are not jiving these days.

[systemfan86]

Um, Grinnell and Knox?  I know the Scots are trying to catch you, but you also might want to pay attention to Ripon and Beloit. 

Hey Scottie, give 'em a break! The Pioneers had their hands just a bit full over the weekend!

Hard to focus on the hounds nipping at your heels, when you're wrestling with the alpha males of the pack! Unfortunately, the boys got chewed up. But as we all know, that which does not kill us makes us stronger. Let's hope that's the case here. 

[scottie]

No doubt that the Pioneers had their hands full this weekend.   I'm just saying they better regain their focus muy pronto against the "Fighting Spoilers" on Tuesday night or that tie for third place could get awfully cozy.

[Old Fighting Scot]

jeffp,
just curious what do you think of kobe bryant, on the court, not as an adulterer or cocky s.o.b?  some say he shoots too much at a low rate to the detriment of his team, plus he handles the ball a lot (not the designated point but....) and his assisst numbers are extremely low for someone who controls so much of the offensive flow.....

a penny for your thoughts?

[jeffdc]

No doubt that the Pioneers had their hands full this weekend.   I'm just saying they better regain their focus muy pronto against the "Fighting Spoilers" on Tuesday night or that tie for third place could get awfully cozy.

Scottie, having seen both games this weekend, I think the team's focus is fine; they were just out-played.  Honestly, I'm surprised Carroll hasn't beaten Lawrence. I guess they'll get their chance soon. In the meantime, try and see the GC team in action - it's a treat.

[hjmphelp]

OFS-
I don't watch pro ball. Rather than talk about someone I haven't seen I 'll have to say I don't have an opinion.

Scottie-
PNord was such a big part of that win at MC that i DO worry about the tuesday game. I also worry about the rematches with Ripon and Beloit. Hell, i worry about every game!

I also agree with dc though that Grinnell got beat by two of the best in the country, so don't cut 'em out yet!

[Old Fighting Scot]

good answer jeffp

[scottie]

Scottie-
PNord was such a big part of that win at MC that i DO worry about the tuesday game. I also worry about the rematches with Ripon and Beloit. Hell, i worry about every game!

Good point, JeffP.  I think (hope) the Scots will give the Pio's all they've got and that, win or lose, it resembles the "GREAT" game of the year so far.  

Jeffdc - Trust me, I'd much rather see the Pio's make the MWC tourney over some of the teams below them.  Actually, its exciting to see that the gap is closing so that the remaining games can have tournament consequences.  For awhile, I thought it was going to be three teams sitting far atop the standings with an ugh-fest at the bottom.

[iwumichigander]

Dick Goricki of The Detroit News did an article Grotberg leads Grinnell, nation's top scoring team on Grinnell's John Grotberg in today's "On Campus" column in the sports section.  The Detroit New and Free Press gives limited everyday column inches to Division III but has occassional good articles such as this one: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060130/SPORTS02/601300384/1133/SPORTS0203

A really nice background piece that Grinnell and MWC fans will enjoy.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think jeffp is being very diplomatic here.  GC is lead by freshman, therefore you have to expect them to make more mistakes than you'd like.  There are a lot of solid squads in the middle of the MWC, all of whom will give GC a game if not the other way around.  The one thing that stuck out to me in the Lawrence game (and this will probably be my last direct reference to my observations) is that they were never too far from being in the game and against this Larry team, that's a big deal.  I'm not expecting a group of young guys to play their best game, but they have the ability to hang with or beat anyone and by the time they are juniors and seniors they might, I repeat, might realize that potential, but there are a lot of factors.

There's just a lot more "tremendous upside potential" in Grinnell than they are used to having.  Give them a chance to bask in it for a while and talk your crap in two years if it doesn't pan out.  And enjoy your wins over this team, because, as far as I can tell, they will only get tougher to earn.

[hjmphelp]

Great article, iwumichigander. Thanks for the link.

OFS-when you read this article, just remember it is the SAME john grotberg. He plays for the PIONEERS and not the PATRIOTS. The guy made a mistake.

[systemfan86]

Nice article in the DFP. Of course, it would have been nice if he called them the Pioneers rather than the Patriots, but beggers can be choosers.  

BTW...Good lord, Grotberg is majoring in bio-chem?!?!?! The rest of the league may have a chance in two years when he's trying to play System ball and taking P-Chem at the same time. I lived next door to a couple of Chem majors at Grinnell, and those folks NEVER SLEPT. Yikes.

[hjmphelp]

BTW, Grotberg's nickname on that great AAU team was 'Wally' after Miami of Ohio grad Wally Szczerbiak, a current NBA player.

my guess is he probably has a new nick on this board as well!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

BTW, Grotberg's nickname on that great AAU team was 'Wally' after Miami of Ohio grad Wally Szczerbiak, a current NBA player.

my guess is he probably has a new nick on this board as well!

I'd go with "Golden Boy" since it should serve the purposed both of his supporters and detractors.

[T-Bird Teacher]

With all of this POY talk, all be it premature, Let's pnder this thought.....

Of the recently mentioned candidates (Briaer, Hinz, Maclin, Grotberg), how would their respected teams do if they weren't there?

Lawrence - They would still be winning.  Would they be undefeated?  Probably not.  But that doesn't mean they are undefeated because of Briaer.  They have a strong enough supporting cast where they will still score and win games.

Knox - Winning, but not as much.  Maclin is a very good player.  But if you take him out, they still have guys that can get it done.  They have other "shooters" and "big guys" to score if need be.

Grinnell - Not that Grotberg should even be considered over these other forces, but just for fun.  They would also be winning because they could distribute those 30 shots/game to other deserving scorers in the system.

Beloit - Not winning nearly as much as the other teams.  Definitely not in the thick of things for the top 4.  If you take Hinz out of the lineup, who do you have?  Nobody has shown the ability to score consistantly.  You lose 20+ pts. and 10+ rebs. a game that no one can make up.

With all of this being said, Hinz is a better choice for POY.  If you make that much of a difference on a team, you are showing you are deserving of that title. Hinz might not be the defensive threat like Briaer, but he is getting better and is becoming more of a presence inside.  He is a much bigger offensive threat (even getting double or triple teamed), and now we can see he can rebound just as good.  Hinz is the lone "go-to-guy" on his team, especially at the end of a game.  He is a great all around player and plays more of an important role in his teams success.

One last thought....If you put Briaer in Hinz's spot, could ne put up the same offensive numbers???