MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

I think the new rule making WI, IL and IA "in region" regardless of actual distance or region has helped open up the non-conference scheduling for everybody.

[Greek Tragedy]

According to the press release regarding the UWGB/St. Norbert scrimmage, it says that Lawrence is tabbed as #1 in the preseason coaches poll.

Lawrence
Carroll
Ripon
Grinnell
St. Norbert
Beloit
Knox/Lake Forest (tie)
Monmouth
Ill. College

[fightintitan2006]

A friend told me that he stopped by a Carroll practice last week and Toshner and Stratton were nowhere to be seen. Anyone know if that was a one day thing or if both players are not with the team this season. How far does the loss of one or both players drop them in the big picture in everyone's mind?

[systemfan86]

According to the press release regarding the UWGB/St. Norbert scrimmage, it says that Lawrence is tabbed as #1 in the preseason coaches poll.

Lawrence
Carroll
Ripon
Grinnell
St. Norbert
Beloit
Knox/Lake Forest (tie)
Monmouth
Ill. College

Fully understanding that it's way too early to make any picks, does Norby in the 5 slot surprise anyone given that they have a new coach?

[titan2000]

Unless Gresz suits up for the Green Knights, I suspect its a fair ranking.  I think they will win some big games because he will stress defense, but the teams above them should be able to overcome that for a year.  His defensive skills are legendary; he even shut down Jason Kidd in the NCAA tourney.

I predict St. Norberts is near the top of the league in a year, two tops.

Go Vikings.

[The Roop]

You might be right about Gresz but how long will he stay at St. Norbert. He might beat Tharp to a D1 head coaching job having played at that level whereas Tharp hasn't.

To borrow a regular quote from a not so regular poster.............

"I had a chance to visit the Beloit campus recently and was able to talk to a few people". I don't think they will be the 6th place team this year. Another good recruiting class is in and things keep looking better in practice every day. Depth won't be the issue I feared it might be and another year of experience should eliminate the inconsistent play that bit them at the wrong times last year.

Of the 4 games played vs. Lawrence and Carroll last season only one (@LU) was a blow out, the other 3 weren't decided until the final minute. Beloit was also 3-1 vs. Grinnell and Knox. Their problem was that they couldn't take care of business when they should have. I expect that to change this season.

[LU_nut]

fightingtitan...

I reported some time ago that I heard Stratton was not back.  Someone else reported that they heard Toshner was graduating at mid-year and would not play.  I have been wondering what the straight story was.

Hoopsfan has been making the point that Carroll has more returning than LU and should be more highly regarded.....I have disagreed.  Carroll was very good last year, but not very deep at all.  They will miss Shepler a great deal and if Toshner and Straton are not back, they only have 2 of their top 6 returning(also, who will play the point???).  LU lost a lot of talent, but have a lot of talent back.  They were much deeper than Carroll last year and will be again this year.

LU lost their top two forwards, but have 5 of their top 8 back and a very good freshman class.  Unless Ripon's seniors get their act together, LU is not going to give up their crown easily.

Nut

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'll amend my statements.  If indeed they've lost an additional two, major contributors, Lawrence is and should be more highly regarded coming in.

[LU_nut]

Hoops Fan

Time will tell....just my views.  It should be an interesting year in the MWC. 

Who was it that had the countdown until Braier graduated....Roop, Jeff P., ....?  that was classic.  He was special.  We will find out what LU post- Braier will be like over the next couple of months.

Nut

[The Roop]

Well I know it wasn't me and I'm not 100% sure it was Jeff.

[systemfan86]

Hoops Fan

Time will tell....just my views.  It should be an interesting year in the MWC. 

Who was it that had the countdown until Braier graduated....Roop, Jeff P., ....?  that was classic.  He was special.  We will find out what LU post- Braier will be like over the next couple of months.

Nut

It couldn't have been jeffp...he would have stopped counting after 45 posts and let someone else start counting.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Hoops Fan

Time will tell....just my views.  It should be an interesting year in the MWC. 

Who was it that had the countdown until Braier graduated....Roop, Jeff P., ....?  that was classic.  He was special.  We will find out what LU post- Braier will be like over the next couple of months.

Nut

It couldn't have been jeffp...he would have stopped counting after 45 posts and let someone else start counting.

Only to pick it up again at 90.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'm pretty sure I remember that it wasn't jeffp - but I'm not going back over a hundred or more pages to see who it was!

[John Gleich]

I went over the first 30 pages (slow day here at the bank) and couldn't find it... I'm more than willing to pass the baton on to whomever else would like to take a go at it!

... though, it was pretty interesting looking over the post from last year.  Many of them were from this week, last year!

[The Roop]

Via a pm to me Fightin Scot has been suggested as the culprit. I don't think that's right however. I'm leaning towards Scottie or somebody from Carroll.