MBB: Midwest Conference

[Maverick]

Simeon was the better team on Saturday night (not by much though), but I don't know how "desperate" Richwoods was to stay with them.  I think they proved they belonged after beating a 29-1 Aurora West team in the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon in a game that wasn't slowed down at all (many people thought Aurora West was far superior to Richwoods but that turned out to not be the case) and probably would have been able to hang with Simeon in a typical game.  And from what I remember of Saturday night's championship game, Simeon did a little slow down of their own at times so it wasn't just Richwoods who slowed the game down.  Still just weird to think of someone associated with the system sitting on the bench of a team who is slowing down the pace!

[Greek Tragedy]

Maybe they should actually put shot clocks in all high school gyms now.  Yeah, I know, it costs money.  But it's better than falling asleep. 

[fishguy]

Any word from St. Norbert? I've heard Randall (the coach at Oshkosh West HS who just won an unbeaten state title) and the top assistant at Platteville are in the mix. Anyone have any news???

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Any word from St. Norbert? I've heard Randall (the coach at Oshkosh West HS who just won an unbeaten state title) and the top assistant at Platteville are in the mix. Anyone have any news???

I heard something about some guy named Bennett; I don't know too much more.

[systemfan86]

WHAT A CROCK OF ****.YOU AND YOUR VOTERS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE MWC.You belong right along side the asshole  IWU calls a coach.Yes he is an asshole.I listened to his post game news conference and all he did was say how his guys didnt do this and didnt do that instead of giving credit to for what LU did to his guys in for3/4 of the game.And when some other coaches heard what he said,namely a NCAA regional voter.They said thats typical of him.He's a D-1 coach,working in D-III and is nothing more than an arrogant ass.And i quote "ARROGANT ASS". You seem to be right in the same catagory in MHO now pat.Thats thats putting it nicely Colman!!!!!!

Justin? I've really held my tongue for quite a while, but I'm not inclined to do it anymore. Will you please either think about what you have to say before you go around flaming everyone or just shut up?

No one can hear what you're trying to say because of the way you say it. You come off as a loud mouth ass, and as a result it colors people's opinions of the Larry fans. Maybe you should take a tip from Chris Braier and act with some class.

Braier will go down as one of the all time greatest MWC basketball players ever. Anyone who's been on this board for any period of time knows that and appreciates it. Do you REALLY need other people's confirmation to verify your opinion?   

[LU_nut]

very well stated systemfan86.  I think you echo a lot of other's views as well.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Mine too.  Diplomatic over Reactionary is the way to go.

[mwc4life]

Without trying to get too envolved....


Pat,

I'm interested in hearing your reasoning behind putting a three time all-american on the third team after posting double double numbers on the #1 team in the country (for half the year).  Just curious to what the criteria was...does winning have anything to do with it? Maybe he wasn't flashy enough?  It does kind of seem strange how the two players from IWU were 2nd and third team all-Midwest (probably judged by coaches and press who know the midwest best) yet were selected two tiers ahead in the national voting.  I mean Pat, you out of all people should know just how important he has been to the emergence of LU as a national power....his defense...intensity.  I just doubt there are 10 more players in the country that meant more to a team and program.  Plus IWU has three very very good players who you would think, take some awards away from one another.  Playing with 3 all-american/all-midwest can only make one's job easier.  Considering who Braier played with...it doesn't add up. 

Sorry if it seems like complaints...just honestly curious cause something doesn't add up...especially with the midwest and all-american voting?

[Pat Coleman]

I'm interested in hearing your reasoning behind putting a three time all-american on the third team after posting double double numbers on the #1 team in the country (for half the year).  Just curious to what the criteria was...does winning have anything to do with it? Maybe he wasn't flashy enough?  It does kind of seem strange how the two players from IWU were 2nd and third team all-Midwest (probably judged by coaches and press who know the midwest best) yet were selected two tiers ahead in the national voting.  I mean Pat, you out of all people should know just how important he has been to the emergence of LU as a national power....his defense...intensity.  I just doubt there are 10 more players in the country that meant more to a team and program.  Plus IWU has three very very good players who you would think, take some awards away from one another.  Playing with 3 all-american/all-midwest can only make one's job easier.  Considering who Braier played with...it doesn't add up. 

He isn't going against all 10 of those players ahead of him, remember, just four. He's sitting fifth among forwards. I feel very confident that the four ahead of him are better players. It isn't a "most valuable" player, it's a "most outsanding" player award.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

At most he would have moved up one spot to replace Davis and if its that close, you might just have to leave the decision to the guy who runs the website.

[Knightstalker]

Could it just be possible that the player in question did not drop in the eyes of the people discussing the AA team but that the other players stepped up ahead of him and they should be given the credit and maybe Pat and the rest of the D3 hoops people should be given the benefit of the doubt as to why players are where they are.

I think Mark Washington of NJCU should have been at least 4th team AA at forward or guard (whichever he was listed at this season, he was a true swingman) but he wasn't.  There are way too many swingmen in D-III which I think makes it extremely difficult to pick AA 2's and 3's and unfortunately that is what Mark is.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Could it just be possible that the player in question did not drop in the eyes of the people discussing the AA team but that the other players stepped up ahead of him and they should be given the credit and maybe Pat and the rest of the D3 hoops people should be given the benefit of the doubt as to why players are where they are.

I think Mark Washington of NJCU should have been at least 4th team AA at forward or guard (whichever he was listed at this season, he was a true swingman) but he wasn't.  There are way too many swingmen in D-III which I think makes it extremely difficult to pick AA 2's and 3's and unfortunately that is what Mark is.

I think that's obviously the case.  Again, I'm not so sure about Davis, but Russ and Adair certainly have proven their abilities over the last few weeks.  And if you're so upset about that one, just think about the fans of Tyler Rhoten and Justin Wansley.

[mwc4life]

Well Hoops Fan/Pat  I'm still wondering what made those 4 forwards better.  I truly am curious.  What do the voters look at?  Also, then explain how the two IWU AA's weren't even first team on the All-Midwest team?  I don't follow.

It makes a little more sense as to why Braier would be third team AA if you are strictly picking the AA's by PG, SG, F, PF, C.

Seems strange how the best player on a team for three years...a team that has made a ton of noise nationally...last undefeated team, would be considered worse.  I don't know the other 4 forwards that well...I'd be interested if anyone could list the numbers for those 4 forwards...along with teams record.

Am I the only one that believes winning should go along with determining "how good a player is."

[The Roop]

So if I take this right. Hinz being on the 4th team means he's the 4th best center in the country. Braier being on the 3rd team means he is, at best, the 5th best forward. That should settle everyones debate from a month ago, Hinz is better than Braier. Probably why Josh lets him win at Frisbee Golf.

Think I'll try a buzz bait first. This just in............. MWC Coach sighted at Big 10 A.D.s office. More when I feel like it.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

OK, I think Pat explained this a bunch of times, but the All-Region teams are voted on by the SIDs of the region schools.  Pat has nothing to do with them, other than posting them on the site.  The d3hoops.com All-America teams are selected by Pat and whoever he chooses to contribute.

Amelianovich was there already.  He was pre-season 1st team, he was the best player on the best team (up until the final four, anyway) and he's been nearly-unanimously the most talented player in d3 for w while now.  If you've seen him play, you understand.

Adair flat out showed off against the bigger IWU and Witt teams during the Final Four.  He's the same height and same position as Braier and did things I thought would be impossible with those limitations.

I haven't seen Russ or Adair, so I can't speak to the specifics, but there is certainly plenty of reason for them to be where they are.

I've commented on Davis.  I'm not sure he should have gotten by Braier, but that's just me.

I've seen Braier play; he more than blew me away.  If I'm recruiting a kid to be the backbone of my team, I take Braier over anyone of those guys (ok, maybe I'll take Keelan, but its still a tough choice).  He was definately an MVP and I think if there were a vote on MVP, he'd probably win.  He's been the LU MVP for four years now, bringing them a national reputation.  However, these are awarded for individual talent at each position.  He's just not the best Forward in the country, although he may do more for his team than any other forward.

It's all up for debate, but I see Pat's point on this one.  Again, I refer you to mssrs Rhoten and Wansley as examples of d3hoops.com's objectivity.