MBB: Midwest Conference

[systemfan86]

OK, trash talk.

It's interesting to see the Grinnell folks already looking ahead to the championship game tomorrow given their postseason record of non-success (including the debacle of last year.)  I think the circus leaves town this evening.

Of course, you only heard about last year's debacle, since you weren't there...

Eh...frankly with a histoy like Grinnell's, one year is just not enough.  Why not describe the choke jobs Grinnell left at the MWC tournament in say..2003, or 2007...

Lets put it this way.  Carroll and Grinnell have matched up in the 2 vs 3 game in 2006...and Grinnell lost, 2004...and Grinnell lost... 

I think there is plenty of history far saying Grinnell will be heading back to Iowa early tomorrow morning.  Me thinks LU and Carroll will match up again just like in 04, and just like in 06, and in both cases we all know who won....

Pushed a button did I?

Great games last night. Disappointed in the outcome, but there you go. I suppose the system haters will call it another choke job, but there's just no convincing some people.

Good luck to the Larry and Carroll (and their other brother Carroll) fans on today's game. Imagine if it is as good as either game last night.

[Greek Tragedy]

So I was talking to some guy that [I think] was seeing System ball for the first time.  He was thinking that Grinnell does play good defense and I agreed with him to a point.  An annoyed Lawrence fan commented by saying, "they've scored 90+ points!"  Sure, but they've also forced 20+ turnovers and LU was called for at least two "5-second" violations for not getting the ball inbounds.  The unnamed LU fan responded, "OK, so if you throw a bad pass, that's good defense?"  Uh, yeah.

I think one thing Grinnell really needs to work on is that they have to stop committing "stupid fouls".  I think THEY know what I'm talking about.  You can see their reaction when they do it.  If you are going to foul someone on a layup, foul them hard enough where they can't put the ball in the hoop.  It happened a half dozen times and LU converted 3-pt plays.  Obviously, I don't want anyone to hurt someone, but it's easy points.  I'm sorry Thomas Davis, but you can't be fouling people in the backcourt so easily!  If you are doubling someone with another defender and you're in his face and you foul him, fine, but it's one-v-one and he's just standing there and you take a swipe at him.  Very frustrating! 

I don't know who it was, but they thought Grinnell committs those "stupid" fouls so they can get their subs in.  If this is true, it's a ridiulous strategy.  Grinnell has come a long way from the complete hack-fest, no talent System team I saw several years ago for the first time.  Mean or not, but I think they only have a handful of players with real talent.  If they can up that ratio and get another big man in the middle to replace Chamberlain they might get over that hump.  Next year is the year or bust with Grotberg, Long and Arseneault all seniors. 

[The Roop]

I don't know who it was, but they thought Grinnell committs those "stupid" fouls so they can get their subs in.  If this is true, it's a ridiulous strategy. 

Actually I, and one other, have said that and it's exactly how they do it, as confirmed by Coach A this morning at breakfast. However, the circumstances dictate when and how, or whom, is supposed to do it. I guess it all comes down to liking the system or not as to whether it's ridiculous. I do agree with you about the other fouls, let them have the lay up or make sure they don't get the shot off.

Players were allowed to play in both games but the LU-SNC game was on the verge of getting out of hand in the final minutes. I'm certain it will get some attention at the conference meetings tomorrow.

Given the choice of killing four hours just to stand in line another hour for a ticket today I elected to come home and watch the webcast. So I'm home at 1:00PM instead of 7:00PM.
It's not like I haven't seen an LU-CC Championship game before and it can't possibly match either of the games from last night.

Probably a 15 point game either way, just a matter if it gets out of hand early or somebody pulls away late. Since the teams listed higher on the tournament t-shirts have won both games I'm taking Carroll because they are listed 1st on the shirt and LU is listed 3rd. There's gotta be some science to that somehow.

[Greek Tragedy]

Actually I, and one other, have said that and it's exactly how they do it, as confirmed by Coach A this morning at breakfast. However, the circumstances dictate when and how, or whom, is supposed to do it. I guess it all comes down to liking the system or not as to whether it's ridiculous.

Players were allowed to play in both games but the LU-SNC game was on the verge of getting out of hand in the final minutes. I'm certain it will get some attention at the conference meetings tomorrow.

Since the teams listed higher on the tournament t-shirts have won both games I'm taking Carroll because they are listed 1st on the shirt and LU is listed 3rd. There's gotta be some science to that somehow.

I'm going with the latter.  That's ridiculous.  Why give the other team an opportunity to put points on the board, whether at that time or later when they are in the bonus sooner just so you can sub?  I find that a real stupid strategy. 

Regarding your "science"...I think it's call alphabetical order! lol.

[The Roop]

Amherst is the defending National Champion. Not sure how many other "A" teams were in the tournament last year that would have been ahead of them alphabetically; so there may be a precedent here. So it's either science or conspiracy. This year we have the alphabet soup selection criteria, Hmmmmmmmmm. LOL.

BTW. The phone works now so I expect text messages from Whitewater today. Half and final would be cool.

[Put up a #]

Old School,

Do you find it a legitimate strategy to foul late in a game when you're behind, sending the other team to the line? Fouling the right person with the right person is the key, right? It works (sometimes) with 30 seconds to go, and it works with 30 minutes to go. Same/same.

Or you could leave a gassed crew on the floor and give up a few easy scores.

[Greek Tragedy]

LU/Carroll updates would be nice too.

I will answer your question, Put up a #, when I return from WW.

[The Roop]

At the half.......... Carroll 49 Lawrence 36.

[larry_u]

Eww..not good.   If you could give a few more updates Roop it would be much appreciated.

[gcfan33]

Apparently we are 1/2 way to my prediction that LU has the 2nd best fans, 2nd best team  in the MWC.  Too bad Grinnell isn't the team doing it to them, but after the game CC played last night, I'll take one Pioneer team over the Vikings any day.

Vikings miss the tournament if they lose this game?!?

[OshDude]

CC 75, LU 76; 3:20 left

CC in double bonus with 5 mins remaining.

Carroll student audio link for anyone who is cheap like me. It's decent, BTW. Example: "Dekker for 3 ... off the front of the iron ... HEY, GET OUT OF MY WAY! ... Ladwig brings it past the time line ... " Fun in the best homer-ish kind of way. "Flopping is part of the Lawrence curriculum, obviously."

http://wccx.cc.edu/listen.php

[larry_u]

THANKS!!!!!

[larry_u]

LU 76-75 4 min to play...

[larry_u]

79-76 CC under 3 to play

[larry_u]

Kadison fouled, 2 ft good 79-78 CC