MBB: Midwest Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The Badgers are always better than the national media give them credit for and they play more of a team oriented (dare I say) "d3 style" of ball, so I assume match-ups would be tougher.  Good showing though.  It is still early on.

[TeeDub]

The Division III vs. Division I matchups are fun for the "hoopla", but I don't think they reveal too much about a team's 'season outlook'.  There are so many factors that play into those games for the D3 kids that just can't be duplicated throughout the rest of the season.  So, even if you do play a D1 program well on one night, that doesn't make you a contender in your Division III conference.  Dare I say that it might even be more of a misrepresentation than a true one. (See Redlands vs. Villanova or Occidental vs. UNLV)

Yes, for the statistic manipulators it makes for a good spin, but other than being just a good experience for the D3 kid, I don't put much stock in these games.

[mwc4life]

In the article listed by cubs and what LU 05 said, it told me a three things:
1) It's a (good)DI and DIII match-up so you can't really judge what LU did or did not do at the Kohl center.
2) But if i had to ....It tells me that LU doesn't have great height and depth
3) and their gap/helpside defense isn't as strong as it has been in the past.

Those were two big keys that I thought would be the downfall of LU this year.  With Falls, Hollenbeck, and Evans leaving they don't have the type of length at the guard position to be great helpers...not yet atleast.  And their bench is going to be thin until proven otherwise.  Also, it didn't look like they shot the ball very well last night.  I bet Falls/Evans/Hollenbeck would have hit a couple of those....and we all know brier can rebound with anyone.

[lu_nut]

MWClifer....  I thought the two freshman guards played pretty well for LU, particularly the kid from Nicollet that had 11 points.

I do thing a big open question you hit on the head is the outside shooting.  the new point guard Rosenblatt is actually a better shooter than evans, but replacing Holinbeck's shooting (and d for that matter) is still an open question. 

[mwc4life]

Lunuter,

That's good for LU that the Freshman played well lastnight, but it's never a great idea to depend on Freshman unless they are special....Just too much they aren't used to (Depend meaning: coming off the bench or possible starters due to injury). I'm sure LU will be very competitive....didn't i read Tharp saying...  "I'm worried about if we competed, and I think we did. I think we can improve on our team defense. We got gouged a little on the dribble because I think we got stretched out, but I think the tape will tell more what we need to do." It's a good evaluation.

Ripon Preview: http://www.ripon.edu/athletics/mbasketball/preview.html

[lu_nut]

should be a heck of a game on 1/7.  If all three key guys for Ripon have improved and their wings can play d, they will be very good.

[Early]

WOW.  lu_nut is an actual Lawrence fan from what I can gather.....and he is giving Ripon CREDIT??  Is this the sign of the apocalypse?

[titan2000]

They played them tough for most of the first half, and if a few shots dropped, would have had a lead well into the first half.  Briaer was giving 5-6 inches to Butch/Stiesma/Chappel and the hi-lo worked out with Tucker. 

Bring on the Titans. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Bring on the Titans?  Aren't you a Titan fan? 

Anyway, interesting to see that Lawrence again travels to Oshkosh for the second year in a row.  What ever happened to that home and home series?  Any Viking fan like to chime in on how your team got hosed?

[titan2000]

I am an LU fan and a Titan fan.  I have multiple personalities.  This is my MWC board personality, his name is Frank. 

The game is at Alexander gym at LU on 11.22.05

[systemfan86]

jeffp,

I was looking through the GC roster again and noticed that one of the names missing from last years team was Aden Steinbrickner. I'm sorry to see that he is no longer on the team - if for no other reason than the hair looked great running around so much  .

He seemed to fill a role as a rebounder, and with him gone, the Pioneers seem a little short (pardon the expression) on rebounders. After Norlund and Chamberlain, this is a small team. Any thoughts that you're willing to share with the board?

[hjmphelp]

Nope!

[The Roop]

AM,

You've only got 16 days left to find an excuse to be in Grinnell on the 2nd. I'm sure I have enough Beloit shirts for you and JeffP to wear the following day.

Now if my boss would only make up his mind about what my schedule is going to be then, I would know how many vacation days to take. So far I've put in for 1, may only need a 1/2 but could end up needing 2 1/2. 

[Greek Tragedy]

WIAC page had Oshkosh hosting.  Oshkosh page has Lawrence hosting and, of course, this site has the game in Appleton.  I'll apologize for the WIAC page.  

[systemfan86]

AM,

You've only got 16 days left to find an excuse to be in Grinnell on the 2nd. I'm sure I have enough Beloit shirts for you and JeffP to wear the following day.

Now if my boss would only make up his mind about what my schedule is going to be then, I would know how many vacation days to take. So far I've put in for 1, may only need a 1/2 but could end up needing 2 1/2. 

Excuses? I got plenty of those, but most have to do with why I won't be there.

You have to understand Roop, if I'm going to drive all that way for a weekend, I can't possibly explain to my mother (who lives 70 miles away) why I'm visiting you and jeffp and NOT her. Mother's guilt; the gift that keeps on giving.