MBB: Midwest Conference

[larry_u]

Pickem games for this week have been posted, including the SNC/Beloit make up game that is TONIGHT!

If you miss that one, I will try and go back to your pic from before the ppd and take that pick.  If you didn't pick there either....sorry.

[Just Bill]

I can't believe this isn't posted yet:

http://www.ripon.edu/news/2009-10/storzer_closure_122809.htm

The Storzer Center at Ripon had 8 FEET of water in the basement over break.  They are moving games to other sites.  Wednesday's game against Rockford will be played at Marian.

[jeffdc]

I guess we'll see what happens tonight. I'm still in shock from the loss to Knox....

[iltsilts]

Grinnell pulled out a win over Lake Forest last night, with a little bit more adherence to the System than we've seen from this group so far.  Hang in there, System fans!

[SNCOLDAD]

Where is The Roop   I want him to tell me about the SNC - Beloit game.

[jeffdc]

Grinnell pulled out a win over Lake Forest last night, with a little bit more adherence to the System than we've seen from this group so far.  Hang in there, System fans!

Indeed.. from sloppy to peppy and everything in between. Both teams are freshmen and sophomore heavy, few seniors, so in that sense pretty evenly matched. It'll be interesting to see what happens when GC meets IC on Saturday.

[John Gleich]

Anyone have stats on the outcome of MWC/NathCon non-conference matchups for this year?

[Gregory Sager]

Anyone have stats on the outcome of MWC/NathCon non-conference matchups for this year?

MWC 9, NAthCon 6

[John Gleich]

Anyone have stats on the outcome of MWC/NathCon non-conference matchups for this year?

MWC 9, NAthCon 6

Thanks (twice!)

[The Roop]

Where is The Roop   I want him to tell me about the SNC - Beloit game.

Same M.O. as in recent years. SNC runs out to a big lead in the 1st half and Beloit manages to play even, or close to them, in the 2nd.

I noticed in the Rockford game that Beloits energy level wasn't quite up to par. The effort was there but something wasn't quite right. I haven't heard but I wonder if the flu has hit campus.

[jeffdc]

roop is here, that's a good thing. Too bad JeffP isn't....

[Fort Knox]

I know you have all been anxiously awaiting my thoughts on this year's Knox team, so here they are. Unfortunately the team was dealt a death blow just before Christmas when it lost its most important (and probably best player) for the year with a broken foot in Matt Goedeke.

I saw the Prairie Fire in person vs. Lawrence and Augie and was excited about their chances to move up to the middle of the pack in the MWC this season.  This is still a really young team that's most pressing need is learning how to win and finish games. For example...
November 30-trailed Augie by 14 at half, cut lead to 6 with 11 minutes left, lose by 17
December 4-led LU by 7 at half, trailed by 6 with 5 minutes left, lose by 16
December 5-led BC by 21 early in second half, trailed by 1 with 4 minutes left, won by 8

Realistically, while learning to win is a part of equation, clearly they don't have the depth to finish some of those games YET, but coach Purlee has improved the talent level and those guys are learning the college game on the fly.

Based on how the league was playing out, I truly think Knox could have gotten as many as five to eight conference wins and then made the big jump into contending for a league tourney spot in 2010-11. Based on the results without Goedeke, another win this season may not happen, although conference play is historically tighter and they should continue to improve and learn to play without him, so a few more W's may be in the cards.

I still anticipate this team being solid next year, but it remains to be seen how the time playing without Goedeke will affect the cohesion and gel. On the positive, it will give some young guys chances to play and secure their roles for next season, like 6-5 frosh Lucas Shaw who has averaged double digits scoring over the last three games. The biggest concern is the development of Ben Wetherbee, as I alluded to in the first paragraph, Wetherbee may have a chance to be Knox's best player, but he is at his best when Goedeke is on the floor and commanding a defense's attention as a #1 scorer. Hopefully, he extra attnetion will help develop Ben's game going to the hoop and as a passer, not to mention that eventually he will get help as the other freshman and sophomores get more experience and raise their level of play.

The remainder of 2010 will be tough, but brighter days are ahead for the Siwash

[Titan Q]

Transfer from UW-Platteville to Knox...

http://www.galesburg.com/sports/x1793478186/College-Basketball-Ex-Annawan-star-transfers-to-Knox

http://www.uwplatt.edu/athletics/Basketball/Mens/0809/3-13carlson.html

[schwanman]

Titan Q beat me to it ... the Carlson transfer means that the "best player" that Fort Knox refers to might be someone who is yet to play a game for the Prairie Fire. If Carlson makes the impact that his All-State status would suggest, Knox could certainly build on that, then make a big climb next season with a healthy Goedeke.

I'm looking forward to the Monmouth-Knox game on Tuesday. The Scots have had it rough so far, playing lots of ranked teams or bigger schools or strong MWC teams (their three MWC foes are 8-0 in the league and 22-6 overall). In other words, I think they're better than a 1-9 team. How much better remains to be seen. No guarantees, but the Scots COULD get well in the MWC in January ... seven of their next eight MWC games are against teams with losing records.

[System Error]

Illinois College 116- Grinnell College 112: Final Score

Just finished watching the IC-GC game and all I can say is wow. IC went up ten points real quick until Grinnell began their 3-point clinic. The System was looking the best it has looked all season. Grinnell was simply on fire. It seemed every player on GC was hitting threes. Meanwhile, IC was matching Grinnell with layups left and right as Grinnell didnt seem to be playing any defense at all. At halftime, the score was GC 60- IC 59.   

When the second half started GC continued their 3 point shooting. For the first time in the game, IC couldnt convert their lay ups and GC was able to amass a 15 point lead. They looked unstoppable for a bit. Yet, this young GC team showed their youth as IC began to press the Pioneers forcing them into quite a few turnovers. The comeback by the Blueboys was lead by David Stewart and Jacob Tucker. These two players were absolutely impressive in the waning ten minutes.

A shot by junior Matt Skelly put the Pioneers back up around eight made it seem as if the Pioneers would knock down free throws to close out the game, but IC continued with their pressure and forced GC in to mid range shots. With the score tied 112-112, a blocked shot and fade away jumper by Stewart, put IC up two with 40 seconds to play.

GC was once again forced into a bad shot and a rebound, foul, and two FT's by Jacob Tucker closed out the game for IC's first win against GC in 4 years. Very impressed with IC's composure when down 15. Congrats to a 4-0 start. While GC did lose the game, I am impressed with their shooting today. They took a talented athletic Blueboy team to the verge of defeat.