MBB: Midwest Conference

[jeffdc]

Since I'll be on the road....best of luck to GC in their playoff against CC on Friday! Go Pioneers against....well, the Pioneers! Let's send the seniors on their way with a tourney trophy under their waistbands.

[Gregory Sager]

PS:

the old Beloit coach used to be on the selection board.  Does anybody know if someone else from the MWC has replaced him?

No. The Midwest Region's current rep is Mike Zapolski, who is the AD at Anderson College (HCAC).

[Early]

Also of question is whether Carroll players will be allowed to push, shove, and hack at the Grinnell point guards like they did when GC played there recently.  Most of the GC turnovers were as a result of being hacked to death by clutch and grab defense by Carroll, who looked like they practiced it all season without punishment.

Really?   A Grinnell fan complaining about another team pushing, shoving and hacking?  WOW!

[The Roop]

Some of the roughest games I've seen in recent years have been Beloit vs. Carroll. The games were not always competitive but due to some personalities on each team, at the time, it became what it was. Refs never let it get out of hand so I applaud them for that. They are simply letting them play more in the MWC these days than has ever been the case before. Lets enjoy it because I think it has helped make the conference better.

Human nature also plays a roll. When you win there was never a problem with the officiating, when you lose the refs always let the other team get away with everything. Trust me, it benefits Grinnell if every call is made because "The System" relies on it. They tend to struggle when the refs swallow the whistle as they can't get their substitutions in when they'd like.

I've seen Grinnell several times and not always against Beloit. So I've had the luxury of watching games from a neutral perspective. I just don't see the rampant hacking and pushing that others do. Does it happen at times, sure but not any different than with other teams I've also seen from a neutral perspective.

Here's my point. If you lose a close one, say by 2 or 3. How many free throws did you miss in that game ?? I have yet to see an official block a free throw.

[The Roop]

Almost forgot to mention. If you can't make it to the tournament this weekend LU will have audio on the MWCTV broadcast as Beloits regular crew will be calling all the games. They can get a bit chatty at times but they are very good. They call what you see in other words.

Since they will have a "neutral perspective"  they will probably be less chatty. LOL.

[gcfan33]

I suppose I could be biased as I am a Grinnell fan, but I simply don't see them doing a lot of fouling this year compared to years past.  In fact, I don't see them fouling any more (possibly less because they give up so many easy ones) than teams they play against. 

What I HAVE seen is officials not calling the open floor fouls against either team (which would benefit Grinnell by the way as they play most of the game with the ball in the open floor).  I don't see Grinnell fouling in their traps... I do see them fouling as other teams do in the open floor.  These are the ones that aren't called. 

A sidenote to my post here is that it must be amazing that Arseneault is averaging 10 assists per game when he gets doubleteamed and mugged every time down the floor.  It's a testament to how good he's been all year.

I am sure that there are many posters that will completely disagree with this post.  I am just stating what I see, which is that the MWC officials call a lot of ticky tack touch fouls yet miss most of the ones that really affect play; and refuse to call travelling consistently.

[Greek Tragedy]

Rooper,

You around tomorrow night?  Eau Claire v Point at Quandt...I'm hungry for two popcorns. lol :-)

[LU_nut]

Thank you Mr. Sager.

BTW, LU is up to 16 in the D3 pole.  Seems about right. 

Should be a good MWC tourney this week.   

Conference should be on the upswing next year.  LU has a lot back as does Grinnell.  Carroll has Ladwig and has proven they will stay near the top.  St. Norbs has most key players back and are well coached.   New coaches in places like MM and Beloit should get those teams competitive.    Good to see.   Knox surprised me this year and will have a new coach.

[Put up a #]

I'm happy to see Lawrence U. up there in the polls. Should be no question of them getting a pool C bid. And, two MWC teams in the NCAA tournament would be nice.

[The Roop]

Rooper,

You around tomorrow night?  Eau Claire v Point at Quandt...I'm hungry for two popcorns. lol :-)

If they started earlier yes. However I would be cutting it too close in making it back here for work on time, so probably not.

[larry_u]

Ticket/ Admission info for MWC tournament as posted on Lawrence's web site.


ADMISSION

Procedures for Friday's semifinal games
Admission is free, but you must have a pass to attend Friday's semifinal games.
Passes will be distributed for Friday's semifinal games on Thursday.
For Lawrence students, faculty, and staff
Lawrence students, faculty, and staff will be able to pick up a pass on Thursday at Riverview Lounge in the Memorial Union from noon to 1:30 p.m.
A limited number of passes are available, and it is one pass per person.
You must show a Lawrence ID to receive a pass at this time.
General public
The public will be able to pick up a pass on Thursday in the lobby of Alexander Gymnasium from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
A limited number of passes are available, and it is one pass per person.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. for Friday's first game
The doors open at 4:00 p.m. and any remaining passes will be distributed at that time on a first-come, first-served basis.

Procedures for Saturday's championship game
No pass will be needed for admission to Saturday's championship game.
Doors open at 2:00 p.m.
Fans will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis until the gymnasium's capacity is reached.

[The Roop]

1 each           

That creates an extra trip in my gas guzzling SUV just to get the first pass. Does LU not care about carbon emissions and global warming. I may even exceed the speed limit to smite them. LMAO.

[larry_u]

3rd Regional Rankings out...

Midwest Region
1. Augustana 20-5 19-5
2. Washington U. 19-5 16-4
3. Lawrence 20-2 18-2
4. Wheaton (Ill.) 19-6 15-6
5. Chicago 17-7 16-7
6. Elmhurst 18-7 17-7
7. Aurora 20-5 18-5
8. Webster 19-5 17-5


Carroll goes bye-bye, and LU still third....

[Greek Tragedy]

And what about fans for Grinnell, Carroll and St. Norb's?  They have to show up on Thursday or hope passes aren't gone on Friday? 

[LU_nut]

larry U or anybody else

I am still confused.   Augie has 3 more loses than LU and a mildly better opponents record (.575 vs.525) .   Does the strength of schedule mean more than your record??  How does Augie stay ahead.  And if strength of your opponents record is such a big deal, why isn't Wash U ahead of Augustana?

Is there still an opinion/political component to this to guide the hosting where someone wants it to go?  I am just a little lost.

Nut