MBB: Midwest Conference

[jeffdc]

GC 79, SNC 65. 

I'll leave the analysis to OBC, but man, what a game! SNC led early, GC took the lead at 10 min into the 1st half and held it. Both teams played excellent defense, but GC's defense seemed to flummox SNC. I watched the SNC coach adjust his approach multiple times - but he was unable to figure out a way around the GC under the basket wall. I expect the FG percentages will be low for GC - but it didn't matter.

A great win for GC and a win that will probably make a bunch of other teams happy as well.

[Mr. Ypsi]

GC 79, SNC 65. 

I'll leave the analysis to OBC, but man, what a game! SNC led early, GC took the lead at 10 min into the 1st half and held it. Both teams played excellent defense, but GC's defense seemed to flummox SNC. I watched the SNC coach adjust his approach multiple times - but he was unable to figure out a way around the GC under the basket wall. I expect the FG percentages will be low for GC - but it didn't matter.

A great win for GC and a win that will probably make a bunch of other teams happy as well.

GC 79.  That's a halftime score, right?!

[OBC]

More later, but a terrific game for Grnnell all around. The big guys particularly impressive with the inside defense. The whole team refusing to be intimidated physically. A stifling first half defense by Grinnell holding STN to 28 points. Once again EVERY call going the visitors' way, especially in the first half. How many turnovers the defense created in the first half I don't yet know, but it was plenty.

By the way, this game should not have been as close as it was. Grinnell left 8 of 10 free throw attempts unfulfilled from about 3 minutes to 2 minutes (counting the back half of 1 and 1s.

The Pioneers are officially hot.

[The Roop]

In the mathematically possible, yet unlikely realm, Beloit is still alive even if they don't win out. Although winning out would make things a little easier but not definite.

[pgkevin]

St. Norbert         12-3
Ripon                10-5
Illinois College      9-5
Lawrence            9-6
Grinnell               8-6
Carroll                8-6
Lake Forest          7-7
Beloit                   7-7
Monmouth           1-12
Knox                   0-14

[pgkevin]

In the mathematically possible, yet unlikely realm, Beloit is still alive even if they don't win out. Although winning out would make things a little easier but not definite.

Looking at the standings posted above (apologies on the formatting) and glancing at the remaining schedules it looks like 10-8 will be the goal for that 4th seed.  11-7, as Roop stated will not be a definite entry, but that would leave you sitting pretty.

Lake Forest and Beloit tied for 3rd to last in a 10 team conference and still with a real shot of the conference tourny, crazy stuff this year

[OBC]

So, 18 turnovers in the first half by the No. 12 team in the country. They came in many varieties; steals, errant passes, and a number of traveling violations caused by the defense suddenly being where the Knights didn't think they would be. Generally forcing the opposition to play at speed with which they were uncomfortable.

Don't let anyone tell you different. On a night when they did NOT shoot the ball well, Grinnell won handily and did it with defense. Scoring was balanced with Lentsch leading the way, and Bellamy getting better every day chipping in with double figures.

Something is happening here. Coach Arseneault is tweaking the system once again. He did it in the early 2000s with those offensive juggernaut teams that could just outscore anybody most nights. And he's doing it again with this group. He's changed the defensive strategy and alignment. Those changes were most apparent in these two most recent games. No need for details as the rest of the schedule needs to find out on their own. It's just different enough that it will have an opponent off balance if they have prepared for the system they saw last year, or even last semester. Frankly, this is a brilliant coaching job, again, by Coach A. He has the team believing in the changes and by now the rest of the conference, too.

Finally, a high five to the Darby crowd who were in this one from the start, roaring with every made basket and turnover forced. Led by the student section, of course, but with a generous helping of local vocals as well. With the students all here in full force, Darby remains one of the toughest road places to play in the MWC.

[OBC]

I think it will take 11-7 to get into the tournament. And not just any old 11-7. Will probably come down to tie breakers.

GC beat LU twice
CC beat GC twice
IC beat GC and they have another match-up
GC beat LFC and they have another match-up
Beloit and GC split

[The Roop]

Looking at the remaining schedules I think the Top 3 are set in their current order. Then we come to the 5 team chase for the final spot. Can't count Lake Forest out as they seem to have a 3-1 finish in the making. Then again they don't have any posters so lets go ahead and count them out. 

[System Error]

Something is happening here. Coach Arseneault is tweaking the system once again. He did it in the early 2000s with those offensive juggernaut teams that could just outscore anybody most nights. And he's doing it again with this group. He's changed the defensive strategy and alignment. Those changes were most apparent in these two most recent games. No need for details as the rest of the schedule needs to find out on their own. It's just different enough that it will have an opponent off balance if they have prepared for the system they saw last year, or even last semester. Frankly, this is a brilliant coaching job, again, by Coach A. He has the team believing in the changes and by now the rest of the conference, too.

Just wondering exactly how and what you have seen that has shows Coach Arseneault has changed his strategy?

[pgkevin]

Looking at the remaining schedules I think the Top 3 are set in their current order. Then we come to the 5 team chase for the final spot. Can't count Lake Forest out as they seem to have a 3-1 finish in the making. Then again they don't have any posters so lets go ahead and count them out. 

I'll pretend to be that for one post.

3-1 seems to be worst case scenario looking at the remaining schedule.  Two against 1-12 Monmouth and one against winless Knox.  And Grinnell at home.  Winnable certainly

[pgkevin]

Looking at the remaining schedules I think the Top 3 are set in their current order. Then we come to the 5 team chase for the final spot. Can't count Lake Forest out as they seem to have a 3-1 finish in the making. Then again they don't have any posters so lets go ahead and count them out. 

I'll pretend to be that for one post.

3-1 seems to be worst case scenario looking at the remaining schedule.  Two against 1-12 Monmouth and one against winless Knox.  And Grinnell at home.  Winnable certainly

Actually now that I look at it closer, that Lake Forest Grinnell game could end up being the game that decides the last playoff spot

[OBC]

That game vs Lake Forest to close out the regular season scares me more than any other for the Pioneers the rest of the way. I thought they had the tools to match up well against Grinnell, and on their home court, with everything on the line, who knows what may happen.

Another game that worries me somewhat is the Knox game. Rescheduled in a weird time slot (Monday). I have thought all year that Knox had better tools than they are showing. If they put things together for one game they can beat someone they are not "supposed" to beat. The system is somewhat of an equalizer, allowing Grinnell to stay with teams that are reputed to have better talent. But it can open the door in another direction as well.

IC will be tough. But it's in Darby Gym. It's senior night. The last home game until November. The crowd should be large and raucous and the Pioneer players should be fired up through the roof. We all know insane effort can carry this team, so I think we'll be OK.

[OBC]

Speaking of insane effort. We need to recognize a guy who doesn't get ANY ink on these pages. Grinnell senior Aaron Epps.

Yesterday he inspired his teammates and the crowd with an insane effort that deserves inclusion in any season highlight reel.

Running full bore on defense, Epps saw the slightest mishandle by a St Norbert player. Without hesitation, he did a racing dive, ending in a face plant and full forward roll. Broke up the St Norbert momentum and raised the Darby volume a couple notches.

Thanks Aaron for four years of great unsung effort.

[jeffdc]

Speaking of insane effort. We need to recognize a guy who doesn't get ANY ink on these pages. Grinnell senior Aaron Epps.

I'll second that!!!