MBB: Midwest Conference

[True Basketball Fan]

What's wrong with saying "NO. 38 Carroll".  IF one would put numbers in front of the "others receiving votes" teams, that's exactly what they would be.  I'm not suggesting that the poll be expanded (the Top 25 is just fine), but let the stragglers enjoy some limelight, especially since there are 400 or so DIII teams.  NO. 38 sounds pretty good now.

[scottie]

If Carthage would have waited a little longer, their loss could have been even more justifiable...Carroll is up to No. 36 as of this morning! 

FYI: Does anyone know who No. 44 New Jersey City is playing this week.  If they lose, it might make room for the surprising Grinnell Pio's.  I think they're ready to make a jump from the 50's-60's...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm glad someone mentioned Carroll on this board today.  I haven't seen much on them early with all the Ripon, Larry, GC rabble going strong.  What do we know about them?  I went out on a limb picking them over Carthage in the CCIW Pick'em contest, but I thought I was toast.  Was that a fluke or can they hang?

[Early]

jeffp,

Purhaps I was a little overzellas about my "fight" statement.  It wasn't an actual fist fight, but, as you stated, a verbal jousting.  But a student did stand up and get in my dad's face.  So no fisticuffs, but you don't get in the face of another teams parents, is all I'm saying.  The just verbal jousting IS a part of the game, and realize I DO like Grinnell fans (mwc4life can back me up here), just a couple (literally 2 or 3) of cases that really disapoint.  

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

You'll probably find a couple, if not more, cases at any school.  It's where that line between good natured (if often cruel) ribbing and genuine anger gets blurred.  You need to have good upperclassmen who will keep control of things and let people know what's over the line.

I don't want to sound to religious here, but its not necessarily what comes out of the mouth, but the actions and attitude that accompany it.


I guess I'll get to see for myself in about six weeks.

[systemfan86]

jeffp,

Purhaps I was a little overzellas about my "fight" statement.  It wasn't an actual fist fight, but, as you stated, a verbal jousting.  But a student did stand up and get in my dad's face.  So no fisticuffs, but you don't get in the face of another teams parents, is all I'm saying.  The just verbal jousting IS a part of the game, and realize I DO like Grinnell fans (mwc4life can back me up here), just a couple (literally 2 or 3) of cases that really disapoint.  

We've seen stories on this board about some students from nearly every school that disappoint us. Heck, we have stories about coaches who disappoint us, so let's not make this out to be a Grinnell problem. It's a problem with 18 to 22 year-old males. Don't hold me to everything I did when I was that age because I'm sure you'd be disappointed in that too.

[hjmphelp]

Early-
sorry it happened, but it is much easier to live with what did happen than what I had inferred had happened from your statement. GC students have been doing a better job (in my opinion) policing themselves after the fiasco with the player several years ago. As AM says, it is a problem anywhere 18-22 year old males gather. There was a problem earlier in the season with a 1st year who made some awful remarks during a game. Other students tried to deal with him, but when it didn't work, Student Affairs was made aware of the problem and the kid was warned about future behavior.

[iwumichigander]

I went out on a limb picking them over Carthage in the CCIW Pick'em contest, but I thought I was toast.  Was that a fluke or can they hang?

Hoops Fan - I too went out on the limb and picked Carroll over Carthage.  Carroll only lost two seniors last year; and, seems to have good junior (experienced) and sophmore talent on this year's team led by a couple of  experienced seniors.  I think Carroll will make a legitimate run for the conference title.    As for Carthage, they are still trying to find the correct chemistry.  If any coach can find it, Bosko can.

And, congratulations to Carroll.  It is always tough, regardless of record,  to beat Carthage on their home court.

[iwumichigander]

While I am posting on your board, I would like to suggest Jacksonville area fans put December 17th on your calendar when Illinois College hosts D3hoops #1 Illinois Wesleyan University.  A good opportunity for area fans to see a top ranked team from an outstanding college basketball program.

The IWU Titans travel with a large and loyal fan base (998 average per away game 1975 average per home game this season) which will most likely exceed the average 333 fans attending IC games this season to date (source IC website).

[Mission Man]

Hello everyone, I used to post here last year and damn near forgot about the site.
I need to let Scottie know that I'm now not only a Knox grad, but I'm the new sports editor for the Monmouth Review Atlas. I'll try to keep you updated on what's going on with them this year.
After the games I saw this weekend, Ripon-MC and Lawrence-KC, I'm thinking that both teams have players they've not been able to replace yet. Maybe by Jan. they'll have it figured out a little, but MC got virtually nothing from Beaird Friday once Ripon figured out that MC didn't have much of an inside threat to replace Miller. And Knox really, really needs someone to replace Helm as a rebounder and defender. They'll survive Kelly's loss, but I think Helm is the loss that hurts that team. We'll see what January brings.

[scottie]

Hey Mission Man.  I hope I never hear that Knox is receiving more sports coverage than Monmouth in the Review Atlas...     Enjoy the Maple City!  I'll be sure to be equipped with a generous supply of M&M's IF I make it to a game this season.

Scottie

[lu_nut]

OS

Those seats were not permanent for the Oshkosh game.  They were the same ones used for the conference tourney and other big games (Grinnell coming a couple of years ago).  They were taken out after the game again I believe.  My guess is that they will be put in place for the Ripon game on 1/7.  LU did host a first round game two years ago (same bleachers were brought in).  If LU has a conference winning year, it will be a kick in the pants if they are sent some place like Oshkosh(who they beat already) to play in the tourney.  With the new format, which I understand to be 4 teams in each location for the first two rounds, it seems unlikely that LU would host.

Unrelated....... my guess is Carroll is very good this year.  Really only lost one senior who contributed much.  As much talent as anyone in the conference.   They appear to be appropriately picked in the top two.  Nice win at Carthage (I would ignore their record...on the road against tough teams...I bet they beat Beloit by 15 Wednesday).

Jeff P, nice to see Grinnell off to a good start.  I think it actually makes things more interesting.  Grinnell games are ref'd differently at home than on the road, but I would not claim to be able to pinpoint why.  I think the ref's that see them more often probably give them a little more latitude.  Before I get clubbed, I am not claiming that is wrong.  I'll bet ref'ing their games is a real challenge.

[LU 05]

Lawrence has 4 players scoring in double digits this season, one of them being a freshman.  LU lost 3 double digit guys in Evans, holinbeck, and falls from last year.  It looks like the younger guys were able to make that loss up. 

We don't rebuild, we reload.

[Snydz822121]

Hello everyone, I used to post here last year and damn near forgot about the site.
I need to let Scottie know that I'm now not only a Knox grad, but I'm the new sports editor for the Monmouth Review Atlas. I'll try to keep you updated on what's going on with them this year.
After the games I saw this weekend, Ripon-MC and Lawrence-KC, I'm thinking that both teams have players they've not been able to replace yet. Maybe by Jan. they'll have it figured out a little, but MC got virtually nothing from Beaird Friday once Ripon figured out that MC didn't have much of an inside threat to replace Miller. And Knox really, really needs someone to replace Helm as a rebounder and defender. They'll survive Kelly's loss, but I think Helm is the loss that hurts that team. We'll see what January brings.

Miller was an inside threat???

[hjmphelp]

lu nut-
Go back a few and read Cheeb da Cheetah's post for a different perspective on what GC is coached to do on the press. What you think you see is not always what actually happens.
One way i have heard it put is be aggressive with the feet and not the hands. I know that won't really convince anyone, but if you ever get courtside for a GC game take a real close look at the players so-called hacks while running the full court press. It really is difficult to pull off, but still possible.

I have talked to many officials before and after games here. I haven't found too many that like oafing a GC game. None of the 3 at the Beloit game have ever expressed much love for it. You have to be in shape, without question. We have seen many times where the same oafs are pretty fair one time through and pathetic the next. There seems to be no explaining it. As long as players are kept safe i won't do too much complaining on this board. I do love to wail on 'em during the game though.

The oafs for the Ripon game were as good as it gets in the midwest, and two of them had never done a GC game to my knowledge. The one who is familiar with Grinnell (the caucasian one ) did the poorest job of the three.