MBB: Midwest Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If we're replacing the conference tournaments, there's 2-3 games that they normally pay for.  There would only be 9 rounds tops, if the schools pay for the first three (two for the teams that don't have to play in), then we're back to the 6 rounds that the NCAA pays for.

Since most conferences lose money on their conference tournament.  I think the idea would be great and it would be within the spirit of d3 because more student athletes get a chance to compete for championships.

Sure, we'd still have to do it regionally, but there would be less moving of teams out of region as the first few rounds would be with teams nearby anyway.  Most likely it would look a lot like the conference tournaments, but the schedulers would get some extra room to move a few teams around to make the numbers work.

The only reason its totally unrealistic is because its so radical.  Large organizations, like the NCAA, don't do anything quickly, let alone change.  That's why it won't happen, not because of money or logistics.  And I'm ok with that.

[The Roop]

Off season is for discussing restaurants that not all have been to. Anybody remember Dog-n-Suds Last I heard of them was about 10 years ago when I saw their rootbeer make the occasional appearance in stores. It was still as good as I remembered.

Then two weeks ago I took a detour on my home from the northwoods to see if the last known (to me) Dog-n-Suds restaurant was still in business. It was and wasn't. It is only open after the weather warms up which apparently is April 18th, unfortunately for me I was there on April 17th. So I made a road trip up to Tomahawk, WI today for a large rootbeer and two coneys. Friggin awesome................ Those in the Cincinnati area may wish to brag about their coneys, sorry but they're not even close to Dog-n-Suds.

That's about 45 minutes each way for me so Mr. Sager no longer has an excuse to avoid Culvers because of the commute.

[titan2000]

Roop:

Great call on Dog & Suds. I can almost taste it.  I will now drive to Tomahawk this summer for that alone.

How about Mars Restaurants?  Cheap but tasty burgers with a great condiment bar just like Mom would have done on the kitchen counter.  Build your own.

And of course, Waffle House. 

[The Roop]

Mars Restaurants, hmmmmmmmm. I'm guessing in my neck of the woods those would have been called BurgerChefs. Same concept of build your own anyway.

[gobucs]

Build your own burgers?   Any one ever try Fuddruckers?  have to be careful how you say it- but one of the best burgers I've had. Cool atmosphere and the best triple fudge brownie sundaes!!!!!!

[matblake]

Dog-n-Suds.  The last one that I went to was about 26 years ago.  My Mom was taking us kids for a special lunch when school got out for the summer.  As we were pulling into the parking lot we noticed flames coming out of the kitchen window in back and people milling around outside.  The flames started getting bigger and caught the overhang where the cars parked on fire.  The fire engines arrived and we moved to the parking lot of the Methodist church across the street to watch the firemen try and put the fire out.  The place must have been made entirely of wood because the place went up like wildfire and even as a kid saw that it was pretty much hopeless.  Interestingly enough, the fire was not caused by any functions of restaurant (fryers, grills etc), but by an employee who fell asleep while smoking in the stockroom of the place.  Fortunately nobody was injured. The old "Holiday Inn" style Dog-n-Suds sign remained there for years.

[Gregory Sager]

Never been to either Dog-n-Suds or Fuddruckers. But I am happy to report that the large chocolate Blizzard (with Heath Bar and Butterfingers pieces) I enjoyed from the Ritter's near my sister's house in Indiana over Easter weekend sent my dopamine levels through the roof.

[hjmphelp]

Good to see we've gotten off that goddawful basketball crap again!


So, here I sit drinking coffee from a beautifully designed blue Beloit College Mug....




Thank you, Mr. 'the Roop'!!!

[fightintitan2006]

Either of the Jeffs or any other systemologists out there,

Sorry to talk hoops, but I have some questions about Grinnell after seeing them play against Carroll in the MWC tourney this year.

This was only one game and obviously their record shows that they have had success running their system, but Carroll's athleticticism showed they could have beat the Pios 100 times in a row if need be. Does Grinnell ever change any aspects of their system year to year based on talent or players?

I also have to wonder about the system's basic principle. I am under the impression that it is used as an attempted equalizer because of a talent differential brought about by Grinnell's strong academic profile. Yet,  looking at starting five for next year of arseneault jr. at 1, grotberg at 2, long or Schmidt at 3, ticus at 4 and chamberlain at 5 it appears to be one of the most talented lineups in the league...I realize they don't have much depth at the 4 and 5, but will they adjust accordingly or should they adjust at all in your opinion? It seems like I keep hearing more and more about teams who run similar "systems" that put a little more focus on defense. Some like, Puget Sound have experienced national success, would you like to see Grinnell shift that way?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I thought they adjusted quite a bit this past year.  Granted, I hadn't seen them in person before that, but the explanations and video I had seen showed me a team that truly did nothing but shoot threes and press, even giving up open lay-ups.

The team I saw this year had a lot more talent and played differently.  They still took tons of threes (even though they weren't falling) and kept the defensive intensity high, but they drove to the basket frequently and rarely passed up a lay-up for another shot at three.  They stayed with Lawrence as much as could be expected even while not playing the "traditional" system.

The future bodes well for them as they will lose few players over the next two years.

[The Roop]

So, here I sit drinking coffee from a beautifully designed blue Beloit College Mug....

Will that be the front page of the Grinnell paper tomorrow If so I want a copy.

Personally I was hoping you'd request a white one because it would eventually get mixed in with the regular Saints Rest mugs at some point. Perhaps you'd even serve Dave or Emil a Roopacinno in the White Beloit Mug. Thereby showing your true colors. 

[hjmphelp]

Grinnell definitely adjusts based on talent each year, and unfortunately in the last few years, more frequently based on injury. the team you saw against Carroll was minus Paul Nordland. With him in the line up I doubt Carroll would have won 100 in a row-even in a system like this one player can make a huge difference.
That would be a formidable starting lineup, but as long as coach A is in Grinnell the system will not be abandoned, just continually tweaked. That is one of the things i Love about it; it looks like the same animal each year to the unfamiliar eye, but it constantly changes to reflect talent and competition.
As Hoops Fan points out, they could be quite competitive on a national basis-if not next year, certainly in the 2 years after that. This years class was extraordinary and will be a solid core for 3 years to come. Seems that every 4 or 5 years Coach comes up with a brilliant group, and then suppliments it with a few good players each succeeding year. Participation level is incredible and truly is a major goal of the program.
Puget's system is not like Grinnell's except for the fast pace. Redlands on the other hand is very close. You mention that you know of teams trying similar programs, and you are right. There are now over 100 HS teams running some version or showing initerest in it and quite a few NAIA and DIII teams playing or getting ready to jump on board.
Great question BTW!

Mr. 'the Roop' -
I will send you a copy when it appears. Do not-i repeat, DO NOT hold your breath.

[The Roop]

Since we don't really bet anyway. What will the gift exchanges be next year now that t-shirts and coffee mugs are covered ??

[proudofLU]

Grinell will need to change its approach this year since Grotberg will be in the NBA or at Iowa State or is that all BS.

[The Roop]

When Grotberg can score on "The Roop" he may consider leaving D3 ball. Until then, his departure is ill advised.