MBB: Midwest Conference

[AndOne]

Although league champion Augie lost virtually their entire starting team to graduation and will have a major rebuilding job, I seriously doubt Carroll will win the CCIW in their first year. IWU and NCC have to be the preseason favorites.

IWU ahead of North Park?

North Park may well have the 2 best players in the CCIW this year. As basketball is played with only 5 players per team on the floor at a time, 2 exceptional players can effect the action on a disproportionally positive basis. On the other hand, should either of these players be unable to play for any given reason, get into foul trouble, or have an off night, NPU is seriously challenged. Additionally, last year's NPU team had a vast black hole in the middle on both ends of the floor. To date, we have no evidence that this situation will improve. Additionally, the Parkers finished at or near the bottom in several statistical categories among them, total defense, rebounding, and FT shooting. Lastly, even with their 2 superstars, last year's team finished only 3 games over .500 overall, and 6-8 in the conference. If I remember correctly, they missed the conference tournament despite having not one, but two good chances to win games down the stretch that would have put them in.
While I suspect the coaches poll might result in NPU finishing 2nd, it would not be surprising to see IWU finish 2nd in the poll with NPU coming in as the 3rd favorite. Without too deep of an analysis of IWU at this early juncture, the primary reasons i would not be surprised to see the coaches vote them in the second spot are that they have no glaring weaknesses, and they have Trevor Seibring, the 2nd best big man in the conference who furnishes everything NPU lacks in the middle. When you start with a player of Seibring's ability you are a step ahead of the game from the opening tip.

[AndOne]

I was in the MKE area this weekend, and I talked hoops with some insiders.  Carroll expects to win the CCIW title next year.  Several awesome recruits in.  Plus possibly a D-1 transfer.  Watch closely. 

Good luck to them, but if they can't win the MWC, what makes them think they can win the CCIW? That goes for most everything, BTW, not just men's hoops...

The problem for Carroll is that in addition to any tough non-conference teams they may play, once they get into conference action they will be facing tougher teams on a regular basis. Angie, IWU, NCC, and NPU are all better than any team Carroll faced in the MWC last season with the possible exception of St. Norbert. At this point, i sense they'll be picked for 5th in the coaches poll, and that they will certainly have the potential to challenge for as high as a 3rd place finish.

[gbpuckfan]

Story on LU/SNC/RC facility spending
http://fox11online.com/sports/college/local-division-iii-schools-investing-big

[judgetrainer]

I have to chuckle just a bit at the idea that LU somehow set the pace with a renovation that was 25 or more years overdue.

[gbpuckfan]

well, the story clearly points out LU spent a lot less than the other two  - but it was done first of the three

[judgetrainer]

I saw that, gbpuck. I just found it a little humorous from my LU perspective. I'm quirky.

[gbpuckfan]

The story should have showed how Alexander - which was inadequate before - now becomes woefully inadequate (or worse) compared to its two closest rivals. But that wouldn't have been nice...

[judgetrainer]

All it takes is a ten or so million dollar donation to put up the fieldhouse that has been talked about. Let me see what I have in petty cash...

[AppletonRocks]

The story should have showed how Alexander - which was inadequate before - now becomes woefully inadequate (or worse) compared to its two closest rivals. But that wouldn't have been nice...

Who cares.  Alex is cooler than anything they build in DePere or Ripon or anywhere else. 

[jeffdc]

2 bits of GC-related news:

Sacramento Kings do not renew contract of Reno Bighorns coach David Arseneault Jr.
http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2016/6/2/11837286/sacramento-kings-do-not-renew-contract-of-reno-bighorns-coach-david

Arseneault named interim coach
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/grinnell/2016/08/23/arseneault-named-interim-coach/89196100/

[cubs]

Not sure if anyone else noticed, but it appears SNC will be playing the majority of their home games at UWGB's Kress Center this year...

[gbpuckfan]

Not sure if anyone else noticed, but it appears SNC will be playing the majority of their home games at UWGB's Kress Center this year...

Yep, that and Phoenix Sports Center, which is the "small gym" on campus.

Kress holds about 4500, PSC about 1,900

Full schedule:
http://fox11online.com/sports/college/st-norbert-college-releases-2015-2016-mens-basketball-schedule

Schuldes/Mulva won't be done until next season for hoops.

[AppletonRocks]

Not sure if anyone else noticed, but it appears SNC will be playing the majority of their home games at UWGB's Kress Center this year...

It is a long haul up to Kress Center for most DePere fans.  I come from Oconto so probably save some time.  I usually am there hoping to see the Green Knights lose.  Last year Alma gave us a good show twice 

[Gregory Sager]

Not sure if anyone else noticed, but it appears SNC will be playing the majority of their home games at UWGB's Kress Center this year...

Yep, that and Phoenix Sports Center, which is the "small gym" on campus.

Kress holds about 4500, PSC about 1,900

Full schedule:
http://fox11online.com/sports/college/st-norbert-college-releases-2015-2016-mens-basketball-schedule

Schuldes/Mulva won't be done until next season for hoops.

Is there a Seinfeld joke related to the gym at St. Norbert that I'm not getting? Or is this your subtle way of telling us that you've forgotten what SNC is going to rename Schuldes? Because, I have to tell you, it's going to be hard for me not to call it "Mulva Gym" from now on.

Update: Holy cow, I just looked it up on the SNC site. It really is going to be called the Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center! Sweet fancy Moses!

[gbpuckfan]

The library is also Mulva, and it's the Gehl-Mulva Science Center

Miriam Mulva went to SNC, and is from De Pere

Her husband, James Mulva, used to be president of Conoco Phillips, and let's just say SNC has benefitted from high gas prices in recent years. The couple has donated more than $37 million to the school for various projects.

http://www.snc.edu/news/pressrelease/2995/