MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

I'm not sure which was worse, the Carroll fans standing in front of me or the people behind me whining about it. Probably the people behind me. Lots of the Carroll fans were nice to look at standing up and the LU people behind me never saw Lawrence commit a foul the enitre game. Sorry folks but speaking from the stand point of a neutral third party observer, the refs called a good game.

Word must have leaked the "The Roop" would be at the Nickel as it filled up before Sam arrived and socializing was limited to "How ya doing". Oh well, there's always another time. Makes it easier knowing who you are now. "Tall kid in the LU hat describes about half the people there". LOL.

[mnelson]

Were you able to find out why Carroll's fans wear kilts? I've always assumed they've been confused and think they are enrolled at Monmouth...

[scottie]

Were you able to find out why Carroll's fans wear kilts? I've always assumed they've been confused and think they are enrolled at Monmouth...

They only wish they were enrolled at Monmouth!   

[LUMAN80]

The game was incredible, and i hope to god carroll doesnt get an 8/9 seed and end up playing LU again.  But it felt like carroll couldnt shake lawrence's confidence, they just kept working in the second half no matter what carroll tried to do.  Ryan Kroeger is a phenominal player and has made a huge difference for LU.  Aside from the huge crowd on hand i have one more thing....

Why on earth would the entire carroll student section find it appropriate to mimic the LU cheer by giving the fist up with arm around (sign language for f-you).  That was low brow, but it doesnt really surprise me, knowing the institution they come from. 

[Sam Johnson]

Time for some thoughts on a GREAT game:
1) I think Carroll is the most athletic, most talented (from top to bottom) team that LU will face this season.  Granted, I say this while not having seen much D-III ball outside of the MWC, but Carroll can ball...period.
2) LU deserves a #1 seed, a bye, and a sectional.  End of story.  You don't deny the only undefeated team in college basketball (who just happens to be #1 in the Midwest Region and is #2 in the QOWI) that honor.
3) If LU is home the rest of the way, they are going to the Final Four.  That's my prediction.  I bought my tickets already (and yes, I'm going even if LU isn't there...the quality of the games won't be less.  )
4) LU is so mentally tough.  They were down 14 (ties the most they were down all year) but they never quit.  They chipped away at it and sure enough, W.
5) If they do have an achille's heel, it seems to be FT's.  For the 2nd night in a row we were brutal in the 1st half (definately better in the 2nd half).  That could hurt us against teams who weren't as bad from the line as Carroll was tonight.

(apologies if this repeats someone else's post...i've been too busy boozing and bs'ing over here to finish a post I started like an hour ago........ )
Congrats to LU on continuing a GREAT season.  Congrats to CC...I don't want LU to face you again!    I hope CC gets a bid to the NCAA's...they are MORE than deserving.

Since there will be bitching about the refs I'll say my piece.  The MWC tourney title was called by the worst crew in the league. My biggest complaint was their inconsistency (weird huh?).  Throughout 75% of the game, the crew was letting everything go, especially inside.  Well, except charges...offensive fouls were getting called a lot.  Anyway, with about 6 minutes left, the refs start calling ticky tacks.  Again, both ways...and it was blatent! Last rant about oafs (cause they definately didn't decide the game)...the shorter, older, balding ref is...not good. He wants to interject himself into the game.  If an odd call happened at a key time (both ways) he was the one on the whistle.  If momentum was about to shift and a call stopped it, guess who was flashing #'s at the scorers table.  He needs to retire.  

Loved the charge took against Schepper.  Schepper and Braier had gotten chippy (they had to be separated b/c they were jawing) and right after that CC had a fastbreak.  Schepper tried to dunk over Braier.  But Braier got in position and drew the charge (Schepper missed the dunk too btw).  HUGE momentum swing that got LU right back in it.  Best example I have of why LU is 3-0 against a talented Carroll team.  LU plays mentally tough and smart.  Schepper was trying to show Braier up (he was defended and a layup would have been easier) while Braier knew the situation and took the charge.  That was Schepper's 3rd, and while he was out was when LU went on their run.  Had he made the smart play instead of the emotional one, I think the game could have been different.

And the Brokeback Viking chant (again) from the CC fans?  They must be proud of being meatheads.....

Just another great game in this growing rivalry.  Looking forward to the NCAA games at Alex this weekend.

I might post more (and I will when the inevitable arguement starts), but for now its time to get a beer and chill with the alums.

Oh, and my friends here are demanding I say it....Carroll is a girl's name!  

The Road to the Final Four runs through Alex baby!
LU! LU! LU!

[Sam Johnson]

Fantastic game, and it's too bad that Carroll's ideal first half ran into maybe the best second-half of basketball I have seen Lawrence play. They just did everything they needed to do. Let's keep it rolling.

From a gut check mentally tough standpoint it was our best 2nd half in a while (ever?)...but from a b-ball standpoint we've played much better.  Doesn't matter though...the dual 3-peat is complete (for the 1st time in conference history I might add).

[Sam Johnson]

I'm not sure which was worse, the Carroll fans standing in front of me or the people behind me whining about it. Probably the people behind me. Lots of the Carroll fans were nice to look at standing up and the LU people behind me never saw Lawrence commit a foul the enitre game. Sorry folks but speaking from the stand point of a neutral third party observer, the refs called a good game.

Word must have leaked the "The Roop" would be at the Nickel as it filled up before Sam arrived and socializing was limited to "How ya doing". Oh well, there's always another time. Makes it easier knowing who you are now. "Tall kid in the LU hat describes about half the people there". LOL.

I wouldn't say they called a good game Roop...but it was an fairly called game I thought (which in this conference is more important   )

And its my fault on the socializing  :-\i didn't want to interrupt your meal, plus i was in hyper (i.e. spacy) mode.  I propose another trip to the Nickel this weekend when LU hosts. 

Unless The Roop has qualms with it (since he's in a position to rate it) I am declaring The Wooden Nickel the official bar of MWC Hoops...a title they cannot assume till I update it. 

[larry_u]

I agree with what both Sammy J and Nelson have been saying.  It was an amazing game, but, and I promise I won;t toot my own horn too much, if you listened to the broadcast, I came on at halfime and said a few things that LU needed to do to get back into the ball game and win.  Funny...they did those things..and won.

Can I get hired somewhere...I mean I'm decent at forshadowing things...


Anyways...

CC played great in the first half, but I agree they slowly lost thier composure as the second half went along.  The Scheper charge was the turing point of the game in my opnion, and really got the corwd back in the game for LU.  When Kleekamp hit that three to put LU ahead by 5 with about 2 minutes left...it was so loud in there.

I think LU deserves to host a sectional assuming they win thier second round game after a first round bye, but we all know the NCAA loved the big arena's with the small crowds, so I really hope a team like Ill Wes isn;t in our bracket,assuming they can beat NC or get in tonight...

Either way, great season, time to keep it going.  The Road to Salem will be going though ALEX once again.  And thats just the way I like it.

So.....just to toss a few out there
Better Dead then red
Carroll is a girls' name
3 Peat baby!

[The Roop]

The "Double Dribble" at the Nickel is very good, but I ordered a "Double Play". Since they charged me for what I got (the lesser priced of the two) you can "Officialize" it and I will not protest.

I agree that LU gets a bye and hosts a game Saturday. Can't predict what my work schedule will be but I'll try to make it if possible. Unaccompanied this time. A great opportunity was missed because 3 of 3 came with me this time. For those unaware I number the ex wives like the Borg numbers members of their collective.

I know I'm not imagining said opportunity because I heard about it as soon as we got to the car:

3 of 3 "Boy that hot little number next to you was sure checking you out"

"The Roop" "How is that my fault ?? and it's ok because she never caught me checking her out, but it did make it impossible for a detailed review"

[The Roop]

An early bracket prediction. Wisconsin Lutheran @North Central, winner @Lawrence Saturday.

[Pat Coleman]

Our take on Pool C, including the 18 we'd take if the season ended tonight:

http://www.d3hoops.com/dailydose/?p=146

[Greek Tragedy]

5...4...3...2...

Are you done counting?    As T2K said, it's buried. 

I'd just love it for the MWC to get a nice deep playoff run where they finally get to prove the worth of this league!

They have recently become a very solid two or three team conference, like the MIAA (Hope, Calvin and Albion), NCAC (Wooster and Wittenberg).  

An early bracket prediction. Wisconsin Lutheran @North Central, winner @Lawrence Saturday.

I actually had Lakeland (if they get the Pool C) at North Central and the winner vs. Lawrence.  Check out the Pool C board, just finished up the West/South/Midwest Sectional! 

[augie_superfan]

Are you guys talking about "The Nickel"...the one in Appleton that is?  Great place, I'm sure that is what you are talking about

[The Roop]

Yes augie_superfan we are indeed talking about the famous Wooden Nickel. 1 of 3 (aka Mary before she joined the collective) used to take me there when she went to Lawrence.

[hjmphelp]

Congrats to Larry and Carroll for putting on one great battering ram of a basketball game! These two teams should do us all proud-depending on the brackets, I could see3 'em both way deep in the tourney. The West Regional is SOOO weeeeek that one of yous is gonna breeze! Keep those games on the Web, LU!