MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

The Game,

The problem at Beloit has not been the offense in recent years. Their glaring inability to play defense has killed them and Hinz has been part of that. They've been playing 4 on 5 for a long time. That won't get it done.

8-8 is the best they will do in conference this year.

[Dolph Stanley]

The problem with putting too much faith in Beloit's recruiting class this year is two fold.

First, teams like Monmouth and Knox that finished well ahead of Beloit last year  but still missed the tournamnent return almost all of their top talent (still hoping for some info on new first year players).  These teams will be better this year than last IMO and to assume that the first year players at Beloit will somehow vault them past these teams (let alone catch the 4 who did make the tournament ) is to put a great deal of faith in players who have yet to see their first college action. 

Second, while Hinz is a true talent, this team and group of upper classmen has yet to show that they can consistently compete at the higher levels of the MWC.  They have played some excellent individual games but have not shown the toughness needed to produce a 10-6 type record needed to make the tournament.  If Towns does indeed move to the 2 full time then the new point had better be very good since there will be even less depth in the ranks of upper class guards than they had last year.   


Nothing against the recruits Beloit has landed.  Size has been an issue for years and this appears to be beggining to be addressed.  This recruiting class may well lay a foundation that brings very positive results during their four years if it can be followed up with other classes of similar talent.  I simply don't see them making the jump to the top four this season.  I would be happy to be wrong however.

[T-Bird Teacher]

Dolph-

Very good points made in reference to the pressures of the incoming class.  But you have to realize the difference it will make getting Hinz out of the post position and letting him do his thing with the ball as a 4-man.  He will be able to spread out the defense and use his incredible footwork to create opportunities for himself AND everyone else, therefore taking all of the defensive focus off of Hinz.

Yes, defensively they have struggled in the past.  If you throw in some quicker guards to pur pressure on the ball and a 6-8 frame in the middle to go along with Hinz, that could change things as well.  All be it speculation, the changes that have been made in the offsesaon could make a world of difference just because it will be a different setup as last years team.  (and probably for the better)

[Early]

I would have to agree with "The Roop" here.  Defense is the main thing.....yes you have to score in order to win, but you also have to be able to stop the other team.  (Well unless you play in the organized chaos of Grinnell and have Steve Wood on your team.)

[hjmphelp]

Steve who? Wait til you see Grinnell's 1st year players! And wait til you see the improvement in the returning players! I won't give anything away, but everybody that showed up and stayed fits in big-time! This will be a much improved MWC top to bottom IMHO, so the whole conference is a crapshoot and the tourney is up for grabs!

[jgatz33]

watch out for wes ladwig at carroll...remember the name he will be a good one

[titan2000]

Is he from Plymouth ?

[jgatz33]

new berlin west

[The Roop]

The key to any good defensive strategy is of course to have a pep band that travels with the team all season long. Not just the occasional road game. As it stands right now, they don't even have a band for home games. Get the band going again and the D will follow.

[the game]

Yes, defense has been a problem for BC. And it's not like the other teams in the MWC are so much better that they can't stop them. D is about will and determintion.
That   

[hjmphelp]

Grinnell College Faculty approved the Grinnell baskedtball schedule on Monday. The schedule is now up on the Grinnell College website. The first 7 games are at home! Looks like GC gets a favorable schedule as payback for last years horror of an early schedule. 12 home games total with a very interesting pre conference schedule including Cornell College, rematches with Wartburg and Grandview, a match with the Australian National team (20 and under, I believe) and a game early on with MacMurray. The latter could be the first matchup of system vs system teams depending on what MacMurray decides to do this year. This could be a fun season!

[hjmphelp]

oops! 8 straight home games to begin the season and 13 home games total!


and so it begins....:-)

[mwc4life]

First post in this highly sophisticated D3 website...


First and foremost, Early, I promise I'm not avoiding your calls and i've been meaning to call you back for two weeks now...I might be visiting this weekend fyi, but i just started a new job in Waukesha so i've been real busy.

Secondly,

Ripon has an outstanding freshman named Vahantre Brown.  I played with him this summer at one of Ripon's Basketball camps and he is easily the most athletic player this conference has seen in a long time (seriously puts grant,flowers,Butrym to shame).  Those of you who think im exaggerating, well, you will just have to see for yourself.  He is very strong and already has a senior's body as a freshman.  I don't know how much PT he will get this year, but with the departure of Becker and Massen I'm sure there will be plenty of guard minutes to fill.  Knowing Gillie the way i do, I know he likes to get his stud freshman PT whether they are ready or not for futures sake.  I guess it all depends on whether he picks up the offense/defense assignments fast enough. If he does, Ripon could have another special team. Remember, no one thought Ripon would be better last year when they lost Kieck and Landish, but others will step up (Brian Schmitting should touch the ball everytime down the floor). But this player will be a treat to watch for years to come...especially for us Redhawk fans

[titan2000]

What is his Wunderlich ?

[Early]

In addition, to Vahantre Brown, Ripon also has a transfer student I heard from Coach Gillespie from Concordia (I think).  Chris Kellet.  He is currently playing a large role in the Redhawk defensive backfield listed at 6'4", 210 lbs. and is  forward for hoops.  Gillie said he has high hopes for this kid too.  I haven't seen him play or know much else....just that he's a good sized tough player.

mwc4life....you have to give me a call then.  I will be in Ripon this weekend along with a fellow alumn of a darker complection.

  8) Cool as the other side of the pillow