MBB: Midwest Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm basing that on what I heard at that GC-LU game.  Grinnell had Carroll in the night before and obviously GC was not up to playing either one at that point, but the general consensus was that Larry was more beatable than CC.  From everything that has happened, I have to assume Larry and Carroll are pretty even, in terms of talent and ability.  So given the choice between two "equals" I think there are a decent amount of GC supporters who would take Larry.

From what I saw, Grinnell is certainly capable of beating Larry, but I'm not sold on whether they can put together that kind of game with so many freshmen so prominately involved.  GC will be a heavy underdog in either game and on the road either way.  It seems like they would prefer the team with which they match-up best.

[Early]

WANTING TO PLAY LU AT ALEX?

That is crazy talk, no matter what match ups you think work better.

[systemfan86]

I admit that I haven't seen Grinnell vs. LU or Carroll this year, but how can anyone seriously think that Grinnell would rather play LU over Carroll!?!?!? Personally I don't think they want to play either, but to insinuate that the Pioneers would have a better chance against LU than against Carroll is just silly.

LU is undefeated (I think a few folks have mentioned this) and if they remain so, will be playing at home (most difficult place to play in the MWC) in the tourney. Plus, Tharp's teams have always played well against Grinnell.

Plus, don't you remember what they did vs. Grinnell (on the road after a tough win vs. Monmouth)? Held them to 30+ points below their average and won by double digits!! I'm not saying Carroll is a bad team, but to claim that Grinnell would rather play an undefeated LU team at Alex is crazy! Screw the match-ups!

Calm down viking...I don't think it's even remotely a slight to LU, so don't act like it is one.

I didn't see any of the games, but I seem to remember that those who were there felt that CC was better at playing GC's style of game. LU did a great job of taking GC out of their game, but it was the night after playing CC. Two great teams on back-to-back nights is hard for anyone, but those back-to-back with a team dominated by first and second year players is even harder.

You're right that they don't 'want' to face either, but given the choice, LU might give GC a slightly (regardless of how small) better shot. When GC played in Appleton, they played even for the first half. That has to provide at least a glimmer of hope to GC.

Turn the question around. If you're LU or CC, would you rather play GC in the first round or Knox/Beloit?

[titan2000]

Grinnell can't beat Lawrence unless Grotberg goes off for 50 points and 36 rebounds, appears on Cold Pizza and then comes to Alex and lays an egg on the floor.

I don't know why that comes to mind..........

Whether LU gets to the Final Four or not, this has been a great season.

And for you doubters of the future,  LU opened up their lead last night at one time with 4 freshman and a sophomore on the court.  Kroeger, Kadison, Page, Schmitt and Wendel.   Things are good for awhile.  We'll miss the Bopper, but we will not bleed to death. 

Carroll is good, they could beat us next week but I doubt it they can do it 2X.  It's great for the conference that its possible.

[The Roop]

It's LUs tournament to lose. They stand a better chance to over come a poor shooting night, should it happen, than does Carroll. It's not often you find a team that is aggressive yet disciplined on D. Lawrence is just that. Braier reminds me alot of Mark Smith. Not the greatest athlete in the world but plays hard and most importantly plays smart.

What happened to October when many, myself included, were talking about a 12-4 conference champion Looks like 14-2 will only be good for second place this year.

[Old Fighting Scot]

if you are Larry or the "northern pios" you want to play GC first.  First off with all the young players GC may be nervous in their first playoff game, rather than exuberant and very confident after a first round upset win.  
Second, with the way that they shoot, if you gave them an opportunity to "warm up" (first game), they might be on fire in the second game and nobody wants to play a confident hot shooting system team.
third, the tourney is played on back 2 back days.  if u had to play the system the day after (it will be less than 24 hrs.) a very tough (seemingly) first round game you might not have the legs to keep up whether u are playing at home or not.

so there it is, 3 reasons you want to play the system on friday rather than saturday.

[systemfan86]

Sheesh, if LU as that invincible, why even bother playing the conference tournament?  

Chill a little Viking fans and try being a little more humble bumbles. You're team is having a great season, you're getting great recognition, and you should go far in the NCAA. Don't give me a reason to pull against your team because you've decided to channel the U of Kentucky basketball fans.    

[systemfan86]

if you are Larry or the "northern pios" you want to play GC first.  First off with all the young players GC may be nervous in their first playoff game, rather than exuberant and very confident after a first round upset win.  
Second, with the way that they shoot, if you gave them an opportunity to "warm up" (first game), they might be on fire in the second game and nobody wants to play a confident hot shooting system team.
third, the tourney is played on back 2 back days.  if u had to play the system the day after (it will be less than 24 hrs.) a very tough (seemingly) first round game you might not have the legs to keep up whether u are playing at home or not.

so there it is, 3 reasons you want to play the system on friday rather than saturday.

I see what you're saying, but if you (reasonably) expect GC to lose in the first round, do you get to face a slightly tired team that had to play GC the night before in the championship game?

[The Roop]

Ahhhhhhhhhh, the good ole UK fans. Were it not for them I might have actually liked the Wildcats when I lived there. I'm aware of your situation AM and am glad it is no longer my situation 

However, my experience there has taught me about the fundamentals, what makes college basketball so great in other words. I think DIII has tried this academics "first" approach for far too long. Lets get back to basics and start paying players and graduating people that can't read. According to the UK folk, everybody does it anyway and it was just their turn to get caught.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Literacy is overrated.

[TeeDub]

Being undefeated is sometimes easier than staying undefeated.

[TeeDub]

Has anyone ever analyzed how well a team plays the game after they play Grinnell?

[The Roop]

That's a class at Grinnell Polytech I think. Without even looking at schedules I know of several "Post-Grinnell" wins in the conference. So playing "The System" one day does not mean anything the next.

[wwallacecc]

as a carroll fan, i would love to play grinnell in the first round of the tournament for a few specific reasons:

- "the system" is hoops101 for pussies, it is not the tough, physical style that REAL teams (ie carroll) play.  i have no respect for "the system", no fear of "the system", and if i say "the system" one more time i'm gonna puke!  "puke, that's a funny word...jerry...can i use that?"

- whether the tournament is held at carroll or the "big gay al" i would love to see my guys kill them once again!  i wasn't able to make it to grinnell because of work, but i will be at the conference tourney if it kills me

- and finally, knox or beloit would probably be gimme games for carroll in the first round, but i can respect beloit and the job Hinz has done for beloit in his career, and on a good night beloit CAN play with anyone

[The Roop]

I thought Pat had "questionable" language controls on the boards. Hmmmmmm.

Mr. Wallace, I liked you better when Mel Gibson played you. At least then he was silent at the end.

I've seen "your" pioneers in "your" house. They whine and cry when they don't get their way. By that I mean "home team" fouls. Let's face it, that happens in the MWC. Elbowing is usually 2:00 in hockey, yet I saw 35:00 worth of it in the first half and none were called.

Carroll will get an NCAA bid, then subsequently get spanked in the first round wherever they go and blame it on something other than they're not that good on a national level. Over the years I've seen many top 10 teams. The latest is Lawrence and they deserve the ranking despite their conference schedule. So in other words Carroll fans, your team isn't THERE yet.