MBB: Midwest Conference

[Maverick]

4) C'mon Knox...you haven't been to the MWC tourney in what seems like forever. Make it happen.

Sam - Regarding Knox not making it to the MWC Tournament in awhile, that got me thinking.  I looked back at some of the MWC past standings and found some things...the last time Knox qualified for the MWC Tournament was in the 1999-2000 season.  But it's been even longer for a couple other teams: Beloit (1994-95) and, unfortunately, Monmouth (1998-99) .

For anyone who was wondering about the rest, here's how it breaks down for the remainder of MWC teams: Carroll (2004-05), Grinnell (2003-04), Illinois C. (2002-03), Lake Forest (2004-05), Lawrence (2004-05), Ripon (2004-05), St. Norbert (2001-02).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Eight of your ten schools have made the four-team tournament within the last five years?  That's amazing parity.  I can't believe that.  Very impressive.

[Sam Johnson]

I'm going to take the bait.  OFS, are you saying Braier is unathletic? C'mon now! I've played against him during my time at LU.  I've watched him play for years now.  I don't think what I've played against/seen is a poster child for lack of athleticism.  (I know that Braier isn't getting called out, but I think he makes a great example).  I am a individual blessed with height but only moderate athleticism.  For the record, I can dunk.  But I don't suddenly think I'm ultra athletic b/c I can.  Saying that dunking is a sign of athleticism is silly.  For shorter basketball players, being able to dunk is a sign of leaping ability, which is only a part of athleticism. 

I'm also not sure where the scientific criteria of "over 6' tall" came in to a dunking discussion.  We are talking d-III here right?  Where 6' kids can be great ball players without having to go "Vince Carter over a Frenchman" every week.  Next thing you know POY will be settled by a dunk contest. 

[Greek Tragedy]

It's always entertaining to see posters with less than, umm, say, 25 posts, come in here and flap their mouths about their teams and how great they are and how bad other teams are after said teams win a game or whatever.  Where are these dedicated fans in previous years when their teams weren't that good or even after a loss?  I have much more respect for posters like mwc4life through Ripon's tough season or jeffp who is always posting game reports, even after Grinnell losses and Old Fighting Scot to name a few. 

Sam Johnson is right, I thought I was over on the LMC board, which we all know is home to a lot of classy individuals who never talk $#@&! lol.

By the way, the last time I checked, a dunk counts for two points, just like any other shot inside the three point line.  I think it's worse to see some guy tank an uncontested layup.  At least with a dunk, you have to get yourself over the rim. 

[mwc4life]

This just in....

Brian Schmitting leads the nation in FG%.  He is 16-16 in his last two games.  Bo Johnson is 12-39 FG's in his last two games...both Ripon losses.  I think Bo Johnson is a hell-of-a basketball player and a great shooter (yes great). But I don't understand how Ripon doesn't see the connection.  Schmitting needs to stay in the game longer and get the ball down-low.  He has to shoot over 10 shots a game....it has to be forced even.  Getting Schmitting the ball down-low will increase Johnson's open looks.

Sam,

Thanks for the Vince Carter over the Frenchman reference...I had forgot he'd done that...probably the most amazing dunk I have ever seen.

[Dolph Stanley]

4) C'mon Knox...you haven't been to the MWC tourney in what seems like forever. Make it happen.

 But it's been even longer for a couple other teams: Beloit (1994-95) and, unfortunately, Monmouth (1998-99) .

For the record, Beloit limped in in 01-02 with an 8-8 mark.  Just wanted to make sure no one accused you of evil in your intentions.

[Old Fighting Scot]

OS,
was that a shot at me? what the he(double hockey sticks) did i do to you. between you and jordis rocks i better not ever turn my back in a bar in the midwest again.... jeez!

Sam, a six foot guy who cannot even throw one down in practice (it is much easier than in a game)could be said to be unathletic or to be short some athleticism.  I mean dunking is not as hard or as amazing a feat as it seems to some ppl, thus the reason you only get two points.  Those who are quick pitch muscle deficient love to point this out everytime someone with some hops gets overly excited after throwin one down.  
As far a braier goes, i am very sure he can dunk cuz the big guy moves very well!  hell i would call you a liar if you told me he couldnt.  just cuz he hasnt thrown one down in a game doesnt mean he cant.  so no, i am not, nor have i or will i call braier unathletic...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

This just in....

Brian Schmitting leads the nation in FG%.  He is 16-16 in his last two games.  Bo Johnson is 12-39 FG's in his last two games...both Ripon losses.  I think Bo Johnson is a hell-of-a basketball player and a great shooter (yes great). But I don't understand how Ripon doesn't see the connection.  Schmitting needs to stay in the game longer and get the ball down-low.  He has to shoot over 10 shots a game....it has to be forced even.  Getting Schmitting the ball down-low will increase Johnson's open looks.

There might be a connection between this type of coaching and the reason two RC affiliated (through parents) ballers are at other MWC schools.

[The Roop]

Getting the ball down low to anybody doesn't guarantee anything except getting the ball down low. You need to be able to catch the defense in a trap or late rotation for outside shots to open up.

[Sam Johnson]

so no, i am not, nor have i or will i call braier unathletic...

Sorry OFS, reread my post and realized it did sound like that.    I was just using the Bopper as a reason why dunking shouldn't = athleticism.  Honestly, I'm betting he can too (though I've never seen it).

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree though. I'd say that a 6' who can't dunk is lacking hops, not athleticism.

Speaking of dunking an the MWC...I miss the kid from Grinnell with mad hops...i think it was Cole something (and I'm too lazy/busy "working" to look it up).  There were a couple games vs. LU where he had chances that LU players foiled by playing defense.  I think we boo'd an LU defender once for hustling too much...the student section wanted Cole to drop a sick dunk (which he seemed perfectly capable of).  Now there was a non-tall player that would fit OFS's definition of athleticism.  

There might be a connection between this type of coaching and the reason two RC affiliated (through parents) ballers are at other MWC schools.

mwc, what ballers are you referring too?  

[jeffdc]

"Speaking of dunking an the MWC...I miss the kid from Grinnell with mad hops...i think it was Cole something (and I'm too lazy/busy "working" to look it up).  "

That was Cole Robertson. I want to say he was around 6'3" or so.

[scottie]

Cole R. was my favorite Pioneer of all time.  He had mad hops, although to me it seemed more liked "psychotic hops."  That guy was in a world of his own.  His own solar "system" if you will. 

[hjmphelp]

Otis Sistrunk tried to recruit him for the University of Mars, but he chose GC instead.

[hjmphelp]

Whoa! Congrats to Carroll for making a HUGE jump in the polls from 22nd to 14th!!!

Wednesdays game between the two should be one of the best in the country

(outside of the Grinnell vs Knox game, of course)

[The Roop]

And just when you thought that I had forgot about the D4 season. The blog is now updated.