MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Sorry Ishmael. JeffP is not Santa Claus. A few days ago the Science Channel televised proof beyond reasonable doubt that Santa does indeed exist, however, no referrence to a gentleman from Grinnell Iowa was made. Other than Santa stopping there.

N.O.R.A.D. tracks him every year when he starts from the North Pole and fighter planes escort him safely into US air space. The Science Channel repeats their programming every few days so I'm sure everybody can see it again. Proof positive.

[thevicar]

Lawrence let out a few weeks ago. Many if not most of the LU posters are students and were not able to pry ourselves away from home-cooked meals to see the games. I myself would have gone if I could have afforded the thousand mile plane ticket (Laramie-Denver-Chicago-Appleton-Chicago-Denver-Laramie...ug) but alas...i'm a college student.
But here you go.
I'm dissapointed Lawrence lost two in a row. Happy?

[mnelson]

I could reply with a snide comment, such as:

I would say your perception about Lawrence fans disappearing after a loss is correct. As Vicar said, most posters are students, and taking last year as an example, we did all disappear after every single one of our loss. In fact, our loss coincided with the end of the season and the end of our term. Way to work it through.

But, while I'm not sure I'm one of the Lawrence fans you are accusing of disappearing (considering I only have 27 posts total), it is true I have not posted at all this year. Vicar is again correct in pointing out we go on winter break a week earlier than most, so not only were there few students on campus for two of our three losses, you could even say that our home-court advantage was relatively non-existent against Carthage.

To be fair, has there really been much talk from LU fans at all to start the season? I just think early interests have been focused elsewhere, not to mention the fact that I rarely see Ripon or Carroll fans on this board.

But anyway, now that I'm finished being grumpy about this assault on my fandom (fanhood?), I'll give you my honest view on LU so far this year.

The loss to Point was probably better than a win against Point. We were down early and looked like we had no clue how to get back into it. But then something clicked and our younger guys (Hurley, Kroeger, Rosey) seemed to realize it was their team now. And losing that game, rather than winning, just showed the team that they can't come out that flat anymore and expect to win.

I did see the end of the Carthage game, and while Carthage's big men (and I do mean big meat-heads) inside benefitted from some lax calls from the officials that Braier would have counteracted down the stretch, we still should have won that game. Carthage wasn't better, they just outworked us at crucial times, which is not something that should happen to an LU team. It seemed we either wouldn't play defense hard enough, or if we did they'd grab an offensive rebound which would result in an easy put-back or a foul. But a double OT game, even a loss, is a good learning experience.

I didn't get to see LU - Oshkosh, but it looked like similar to Carthage. Am I right in hearing that Oshkosh scored on something like 14 straight possessions to end the game? That should never happen. Either they were on fire, running their offense to perfection, or LU was out of rhythm on defense. I can see this being a problem for LU the rest of the year if we don't have someone step up who is at least somewhat comparable to MacGillis (you know, the guy who's not Braier).

So there you go, whether or not you read it all, I suppose this should at least make up for the two other post-loss posts I should have made. And all sarcasm aside, I do find it hard to make any sort of analysis of this team this early in the season -- they're young and are in their first year without last year's great senior leadership. I'm sure the number of posts will increase once the MWC season starts. Unless we lose to Ripon -- then you'll never hear from us again.

[thevicar]

better dead than red, Nelson. better dead than red.

[Greek Tragedy]

Boxscore

Back from Oshkosh as they put the hammer down on Carroll tonight.  The game was tight in the first half.  It seemed that neither team could stop each other with Drury doing some early damage and then Ryan Mueller hitting four 3's in a row.  After hitting a baseline jumper, he turned and stared down the Oshkosh bench.  Needless to say, his coach saw it and chewed him out pretty good as Mueller came down the floor to play some "defense". 

Carroll had a hard time stopping Gibson, as predicted in an earlier post.  When double and sometimes triple teamed, Gibson was able to find a slashing player or a player out by the 3-pt. line. 

Oshkosh had just a 1-pt. lead at the break, but then decided to play stifling defense in the 2nd half.  Carroll scored just 21 after intermission, this after going for 38 in the first half.  Oshkosh held Carroll to "one and dones" thanks to a huge rebounding margin (41-22!).

Little Matt Miller was a spark off the bench.  He threw an errant pass against a full-court press, but instead of giving up, he won the ball back and then nailed a NBA length 3-pter...and then on the ensuing Oshkosh possession, nailed another long-range bomb to push the lead to 9.  From there, it was all but over for Carroll and they never seemed like they were going to get back into the game.  Umm, I think I mentioned something about Carroll playing from behind before!  I rule! lol.

Seckar-Anderson looked good, as did Capelle.  What is up with Doedens?  Is he afraid to shoot?  There were several times when Gibson got doubled, threw it out to Doedens and he didn't even fake a shot.  He just passed it off. 

This is the Oshkosh that a lot of people should fear.  They played very well in the second half, contesting every shot and sharing the ball on offense.  They knew where Carroll had problems and they threw it into Gibson on nearly every possession, at least just so he gets a touch.  Carroll went zone only a couple of times and I'm surprised they didn't stick with that because it seemed to work when they did.

UWO looked good against MWC's top dogs and they take the momentum to the Clarke Holiday tourney.

[Greek Tragedy]

There's something called boxscores and game reports. lol   As this is not the same as actually going to the game, posters can still have an opinion based on this information provided.  There is always the, "Well, after reading the game report/boxscore, it looks like Lawrence....etc., etc., etc.,...)" or fill in any team name that fits.  Even when I don't attend a game, I could still have an opinion simply based on a score...like Lincoln (missing 5 players and at least a couple of them starters) smoking North Central tonight.  That's neither here or there, but my point is if Lawrence had beaten Point and/or Oshkosh, I'm sure there would've been some kind of comment even if said poster didn't attend the game.    The only reason I single out LU fans is because they always seem to be in full force when things are going well (kind of like the undefeated regular season last year) and pretty quiet when they lose.  As for the fans of other teams, they seem to be a little more consistent, win or lose, even if those number of posters are few and far between.  Someone like jeffp (for example) is always on here posting game reports or opinions, regardless if Grinnell gets smoked or not.  That's all.

[thevicar]

OS I think Lawrence fans are still shellshocked at the recent (four years) success. I for one am too sad after a loss to post and too excited after a win not to.


Now are you happy?

[Greek Tragedy]

Now are you happy?

Never. 

[Early]

I would say your perception about Lawrence fans disappearing after a loss is correct. As Vicar said, most posters are students, and taking last year as an example, we did all disappear after every single one of our loss. In fact, our loss coincided with the end of the season and the end of our term. Way to work it through.

Nice work there mnelson!  Not even a Larry fan by ANY means, but you have to Acknowledge a great burn

However, I have been on this board this year, just Ripon has played 6 games, and I have not been to any so my opinions would only be assumptions.
You know what they say.....when you ass-u-me

Being this is my 200th post I have to end it with some flair.

If you don't know.....go to BO!!!

[scottie]

Happy Holidays, All.

I had a nice lunch today with Schwanman (and Schwanman, Jr.) and am looking forward to a reunion tonight as some former Fighting Scots take on the Fighting Illini.  Specifically, I'm referring to Joe O'Brien '77 and Steve Swanson '92 who are in their first season as head coach and assistant coach respectively for the Idaho State Bengals.   

[fightintitan2006]

I haven't heard any reaction to the MWCTV release...what are everyone's thoughts on streaming at his level? Will any of you watch games on the computer?

I am looking forward to the start of conference play in January...I think Ripon and Lawrence will both easily get 11 conference victories, but the rest of pack should be a dogfight. I expect the other eight to really beat up on each other and think we will see upsets nearly every week. To me, the only 0-2 team (IC) in the league looks like the strongest contender for the third position, although those losses to BC and KC could come back to haunt them. Are there any IC posters on the board who can give us some Blueboy insight?

The league being "down" (in comparison to last year) should make for an entertaining 2007, afterall everyone was an afterthought after LU and CC last year.  Overall, the MWC has struggled in NC play, but I think whoever does emerge will be a team people don't want to see in the NCAA tourney.

Happy holidays to all posters.

[Pat Coleman]

I haven't heard any reaction to the MWCTV release...what are everyone's thoughts on streaming at his level? Will any of you watch games on the computer?

I'll watch some games on the computer, if they're free.

[The Roop]

Well Pat I'm afraid you won't be seeing any then. $5.95 per game, $39.95 per season (mens or womens) or $49.95 for both. I've watched other Penn-Atlantic webcasts before and some have been great while others skipped so much they weren't worth watching. If the feed is good it's pretty reasonable, if not it's a waste of money. Probably won't sell many season subscriptions since they're starting half way through.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I tuned in for the reveal from Dolph, but no such luck as of yet I take it?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Perhaps it would be a good move for the Conference SID to put out the 50 bucks and get Pat a season subscription to the webcasts?


Maybe you'd buy an extra hour or two on the front page this year.