MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Weather permitting I will be there. Unfortunately there is no easy way to get from Wausau to Ripon so if the weather is even remotely questionable I'll probably skip it. So far the forecast looks good though.

[sac]

On a random tangent, after discussing how well Lawrence is doing under DePageter's leadship at coach,

John Tharp's Hillsdale College team in Michigan is 10-8, with a 5-5 conference record.


Just in case anyone cared.

Tharp walked into a program with only 7 players returning and rumors that 3 were looking to transfer.  He has a roster of 13 players with 5 Freshman.

Hillsdale was picked to finish 5th in the Gliac South Division, and currently sit 3rd and were 2nd before a 3 game losing streak.

Among those 8 losses ---D1 Central Michigan, and 3 losses to ranked D2 teams #2 Grand Valley State, #11 Findley, #15 Gannon

Hillsdale has been a pleasant surprise in the GLIAC this season.

[The Roop]

I bet if you ask the teams that Hillsdale has beat they aren't such a pleasant surprise. Tharp will do well to make that a .500 team this year. For many of the reasons you mentioned. They weren't exactly loaded when he took over.

[Greek Tragedy]

LU is 19th, ahead of Oshkosh, who they beat...of course, the Titans topped previous #7 Stevens Point.

[sac]

On a random tangent, after discussing how well Lawrence is doing under DePageter's leadship at coach,

John Tharp's Hillsdale College team in Michigan is 10-8, with a 5-5 conference record.


Just in case anyone cared.

Tharp walked into a program with only 7 players returning and rumors that 3 were looking to transfer.   He has a roster of 13 players with 5 Freshman.

Hillsdale was picked to finish 5th in the Gliac South Division, and currently sit 3rd and were 2nd before a 3 game losing streak.

Among those 8 losses ---D1 Central Michigan, and 3 losses to ranked D2 teams #2 Grand Valley State, #11 Findley, #15 Gannon

Hillsdale has been a pleasant surprise in the GLIAC this season.

Check that further research shows only 4 players on this years roster played a minute for Hillsdale last season. 

[The Roop]

LU is 19th, ahead of Oshkosh, who they beat...of course, the Titans topped previous #7 Stevens Point.

Way to go Nut. My over analyzing was a reverse psychology ploy to get them in the top ten. It's that whole ying-yang thing. Had you not said anything to spook the voters they would have been 8th. LOL.     

[Early]

Hey Tom,

Wanna go double or nothing on that popcorn I owe you ?? Beloit -4.5 @Ripon on Saturday.

Holla.................

Hey Tom,

Wanna go double or nothing on that popcorn I owe you ?? Beloit -4.5 @Ripon on Saturday.

Holla.................

Sure.  You going to that game?  I'm thinking about it, depending where I am this weekend.

There is also Carroll v Lawrence and Eau Claire v Whitewater...

I would meet anyone going to the game in Ripon this weekend.  It will be an interesting game on Saturday.  It is alumni weekend, which obviously brings back the alumni, plus Beloit who you all know is coached by Brian Vraney.  Brian's two younger brothers went to Ripon, and Vraney coached at Ripon for about 4-5 years.

[wc2viking]

Hey, LU on the front page!  Jojo interviewed on the Podcast.

[LU_nut]

Roop;

You forgot that since I became a Roop disciple I have some Roop like prediction powers.  I said they should be between 15-20, but ended up predicting 22nd to be a little conservative.   It is nice that the voters noticed them.  I do think LU05 is correct.   The MWC conference has had enough success the last 4 years in the NCAA that when there is a strong leader in the conference, they warrant some recognition.

Having said all that,  Wednesday will be a real test.  St, Norbs has the solid guards and will give LU a real test in DePere.

Also, to weigh in on the Tharp discussion, he did only have 4 players back, but they were starters.   He has done a very solid job and already has a solid recruiting class announced for next year.  My guess is the program will take off and you will see him in a D1 program within 5 years.

JoJo has clearly passed the first test as head coach and hats off to him.   The next test is whether he can recruit and continue the tradition.  I hope that he can.

Nut

[Greek Tragedy]

Why is Pat Coleman totally brown-nosing the MWC faithful and Lawrence in particular? lol...at least they won't complain too much in the next day or two! lol 

At least I know how to pronounce DePagter now.

[scottie]

Why is Pat Coleman totally brown-nosing the MWC faithful and Lawrence in particular? lol...at least they won't complain too much in the next day or two! lol 

Don't be so sure....  "Watchdog Scottie" is starting to awake from hibernation.   

[Pat Coleman]

At least I know how to pronounce DePagter now.

Same here!

[Greek Tragedy]

At least I know how to pronounce DePagter now.

Same here!

When I was at the LU/Osh game, planning on doing the PBP, I asked three Lawrence fans and they all said, "De-Page-r" with the "t" silent.  Go figure! lol. 

[Pat Coleman]

Good news is that Gordon asked the man himself.

Moral of the story: Never take a fan's word. Unless that fan is the player or coach's mom.

[OshDude]

Good news is that Gordon asked the man himself.

Moral of the story: Never take a fan's word. Unless that fan is the player or coach's mom.

Even worse, the PA announcer at the LU/Grinnell game (at Alexander) mispronounced JoJo's last name. The announcer was new, but that was strange.