MBB: Midwest Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've got LU over Hope, but I think its doable.  The only problem would come if IWU suddenly realizes the season's almost over and starts playing for keeps.

[Early]

What do you guys think about mini corn dog ice cream bites??  HUH?

CAN LU ACTUALLY WIN IT ALL. They've got experience, good guard play, good coaching and an all american who can will his team to victory, BUT CAN LU REALLY WIN IT ALL??

That is a tough question gamer....I mean having a MWC team win it all would bring more respect to the conference and Pat might start putting MWC stuff on the d3hoops home page (that was for you scottie ).  
Then again, do I want Larry to win it all?  Where do I stop being a Ripon fan, and start becoming a Larry fan?  Do I want the first National Championship of the MWC to be from Larry??  The heated rival?  In the big picture that could help other teams with future seeds and in the short term I would have to just swallow the pride and cheer. 

But can they really win it (not just if I want them to win it), I am not even sure how they won so many in a row.  I only watched one game and honestly didn't think they were of this caliber....but they continue to just get the job done game in and game out.

[Greek Tragedy]

have only been able to find one year in this decade prior to this one in which the MWC had multiple entries: 2002.

2000 -- Ripon
2001 -- Grinnell
2002 -- Ripon, St. Norbert
2003 -- Illinois C.
2004 -- Lawrence
2005 -- Lawrence

And in the last 10 years, this is the MWC's record in the tournament.

2005--Lawrence: 1-1 (lost to eventual champion Stevens Point in the 2nd round)
2004--Lawrence: 3-1 (lost to eventual champion Stevens Point in the Elite 8 )
2003--Illinois College:  0-1
2002--Ripon, St. Norbert:  0-2
2001--Grinnell:  0-1 (lost to Ill. Wes., eventual 3rd place team)
2000--Ripon:  1-1
1999--Ripon:  1-1
1998--Ripon:  0-1
1997--Lawrence:  0-1
1996--Ripon, Grinnell:  0-2

[Greek Tragedy]

I've got LU over Hope, but I think its doable.  The only problem would come if IWU suddenly realizes the season's almost over and starts playing for keeps.

So St. Thomas/North Central, Whitewater and Carroll aren't problems? 

[scottie]

It's funny on this site how sometimes history matters and sometimes it doesn't.

[scottie]

That is a tough question gamer....I mean having a MWC team win it all would bring more respect to the conference and Pat might start putting MWC stuff on the d3hoops home page (that was for you scottie ).  

PULL!   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've got LU over Hope, but I think its doable.  The only problem would come if IWU suddenly realizes the season's almost over and starts playing for keeps.

So St. Thomas/North Central, Whitewater and Carroll aren't problems? 

Well, if Lawrence plays to their potential, which I'm assuming they will if they are going to win, then no.  It's not like the games won't be tough and they'll have to work for it, but I think they can come out on the other side.  However, and this has been the giant in the room all year, we all know the talent on the IWU team and if they really did wake up and play up to that level, it would be tough for anyone to beat them.  Now, they've been really good, but not great all year, so why would it happen now?  That's why I went with LU, but if that rare chance happens, I don't think LU can hang with them.  Besides, Carroll matches up much better with IWU and will probably take them out Friday night.

[Greek Tragedy]

It's funny on this site how sometimes history matters and sometimes it doesn't.

It's a matter of context, scottie.  Some have argued that the WIAC and the CCIW, for example, get favoritism when it comes to the NCAA selection committee, and as Greg has pointed out, that's simply not true.

On the other hand, you can look at history and that could explain why there is a possible lack of respect towards the MWC. 

Those are two totally different ways to look at history and one is valid and one holds no water.

[hjmphelp]

Kinda like lyin' with statistics, eh, Old School? You can make 'em justify whatever you want whenever you want.

[Greek Tragedy]

Kinda like lyin' with statistics...

Whatever that's supposed to mean, Jeffp. 

Anyway...early Vegas line has Carroll over Ill. Wes. by 2 and Whitewater over DePauw by 14.  Subject to change. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'll take Whitewater for $500 bucks.

[Greek Tragedy]

Turn on your tubes!  Cold Pizza is going to interview the guy who his the halfcourt shot for DePauw this morning.

[scottie]

Turn on your tubes!  Cold Pizza is going to interview the guy who his the halfcourt shot for DePauw this morning.

OS, do you think we are all at home in our pajamas or something?  

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

There's a direcTV system in my bosses office, but none of us can figure out how to work it; it's stuck on FoxNews and no one can turn the channel, so needless to say its always off.

[TeeDub]

have only been able to find one year in this decade prior to this one in which the MWC had multiple entries: 2002.

2000 -- Ripon
2001 -- Grinnell
2002 -- Ripon, St. Norbert
2003 -- Illinois C.
2004 -- Lawrence
2005 -- Lawrence

And in the last 10 years, this is the MWC's record in the tournament.

2005--Lawrence: 1-1 (lost to eventual champion Stevens Point in the 2nd round)
2004--Lawrence: 3-1 (lost to eventual champion Stevens Point in the Elite 8 )
2003--Illinois College:  0-1
2002--Ripon, St. Norbert:  0-2
2001--Grinnell:  0-1 (lost to Ill. Wes., eventual 3rd place team)
2000--Ripon:  1-1
1999--Ripon:  1-1
1998--Ripon:  0-1
1997--Lawrence:  0-1
1996--Ripon, Grinnell:  0-2

2006--Lawrence:  0-1 (loses to North Central after the bye)