MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Pat,

As far as Hoopsville is concerned all we ever hear about the MWC is "Yeah, Lawrence is good but there's nobody else in the conference." Well, there are 9 other teams that might question that theory and 5 or 6 of them have the ability to knock them off. So I wish your regional consultants would get with the program and not ignore the MWC out of convenience.

[Pat Coleman]

You may feel free to contact them. You know who they are. Perhaps you should e-mail the show, not post messages directed at me. I get about 5 minutes a week on the air, so perhaps you should contact the people who are on a little longer.

You're barking up the wrong tree. That's why I ignored your previous blather on the subject.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Roop (pardon me, I meant "The Roop"!),

I hate formalities, may I call you The?

Actually, Witt and Woo would probably do fairly decently (to the [sometime] detriment of the WIAC and CCIW)!  That's why I said you were a LESS extreme version of the NCAC.  You don't have any teams as good as Witt and Woo (except PERHAPS Lawrence lately, but you probably don't have any as bad as Oberlin and Hiram either!

Geography can be a bitch!  Elsewhere your teams might be elite - but they might get blasted in the tourney because they've never been tested ... who knows?

I DO think the MWC gets underrated because they are overshadowed by the WIAC and CCIW, but BOTTOM LINE, I'm undecided whether they are better or worse off for their location.

[John Gleich]

Last year, the MWC was ranked in the Massy ratings 6th, I believe, as one of the better conferences.  This year, they're 13th. 

Having more teams (5) below .500 than above (3), and having two teams at .500 doesn't bode to well in terms of the conference's strength, especially when there are conferences like the UAA, whose entire conference is above .500, CCIW (5 above, 3 below .500) and WIAC (6 above, 2 below).

It's a minor point.... or is it?  If the conference wants more respect, then more teams have to prove themselves outside the conference.  Even though Larry U is still undefeated, and Carroll has just one loss, the conference still comes off as top-heavy, because there's a pretty big drop-off after that.  The majority of conferences in the country are top-heavy like this.  If you want to differentiate yourself, then have more teams succeed.

And if Carroll wants some recognition, then they'd better knock off Lawrence.  Otherwise, their 11-2 record won't look so pretty.

[Early]

Early and other Riponites:

Ripon should be a lot better than this.  The talent is there.  Why can't they get it done?

After watching Lake Forest at LU on Saturday, I can't believe Ripon lost to them.

I want Ripon to be good.  It's good for the MWC.

Seeing Mr. Rodgers rant and rave at the MWC tourney was really entertaining in 2005.  I will miss that if they don't turn the corner fast.

T2K,
I wish I could tell you why Ripon isn't getting it done.    They DO have the talent, but that only can get you so far.....guys have to want to win and do the little things that it takes to win.  But giving up a 20-8 run by Knox at home in a 5 minute span just will not allow a victory.  A lot of talent, but they are not able to bring it together AS A TEAM!!  And defense wins games fellas.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Sounds like GC didn't fall too far behind Larry... I'm really looking forward to the rematch!

[systemfan86]

Systemfan86, Grinnell isn't a lock after six games, but they do look good right now. I think they'll get in but its still really early. 

I agree. I wasn't advocating that they are a lock. My point was (mostly) that given their position right now and the performance of other teams behind them to this point, they are a pretty good choice. I'm interested to hear who others think will make the necessary turn around (and subsequent run) to take their place.

Outstanding Norwood reference Roop. My best friend here graduated (such as it is) from Norwood High, so I have a good mentor.

Not that he needs to hear this from me, but Pat, if you (generically not specifically) are pissing off people from all parts of the country, you must be doing something right!

I think I posted something like this at the end of last season, but the fans of the MWC need to get over this Rodney Dangerfield complex. Last year's D3 Hoops All American teams featured 3 MWC players. That's legit national recognition of the talent that plays in the MWC. We've had three players this year recognized on the Team of the Week. The fact that LU is number 6 says something about the conference. But until another MWC team accomplishes something in the tournament, we just aren't going to get the additional recognition. Is that a Catch-22? Probably. We can't get into the tournament without the recognition, and we can't get the recognition without getting into the tournament. Face it, we're the 'mid-majors' of D3. We're the essentially equal of D1's MAC or MVC. Do they have good teams? Yup. Are they fun to watch? Absolutely. But until they perform better in March,  they aren't going to get respect. Let's shoot for being the A-10 of D3 before we worry about being the Big1(1)0.

So let it be written...So let it be done.

[ScotsFan]

Cabonney,

I don't deny the substandard history of the MWC in the NCAAs, but let's face facts. The MWC rep usually gets thrown into a 1st round game against the WIAC or CCIW. How would Wooster or Wittenberg do in that situation??

The Roop,

Like it's a cake walk to get out of the GL Region???  Two years ago, Wooster beat IWU from the CCIW only to lose to John Carroll from the OAC and GL Region in the Elite 8.

[titan2000]

Sounds like GC didn't fall too far behind Larry... I'm really looking forward to the rematch!

GC is pretty good, this Grotberg is smooth and can shoot.   LU played him tight and he still threw about 5 baskets in with someone in his shorts.  GC should be in Alex for the MWC tourney if all goes according to Hoyle--I'm sure wwallace will not agree but let the discourse begin!! 

[The Roop]

I've got it....................

Maybe Pat could get together with a EA Sports, or a similar company, to make a DIII Hoops video game. Then everybody would be happy.

[Gregory Sager]

But until another MWC team accomplishes something in the tournament, we just aren't going to get the additional recognition. Is that a Catch-22? Probably. We can't get into the tournament without the recognition, and we can't get the recognition without getting into the tournament.

That's not correct, systemfan86. The MWC will or will not get a second team into the tourney based upon the five primary criteria (QOWI, regional winning percentage, record vs. regionally-ranked teams, regional head-to-head results, and record vs. common regional opponents), not upon "recognition". A league's reputation has nothing to do with the matter. Getting a Pool C bid is all about crunching the numbers nowadays.

In fact, looking around the Midwest Region, I'd say that at the moment the MWC is in fine shape to get a second bid. Both Lawrence and Carroll have sterling regional credentials. Of course, that could all vanish in a week.

So let it be written...So let it be done.

Moses has words ... Pharaoh has spears!

[falco1610]

I hope all you MWC posters had a good holiday season and are ready for one more stocking stuffer in the form of the Wednesday battle for first place at the Alley.  As my commrades Wallace and Bannya suggested there is a lot of excitment surrounding this matchup of two of the states top teams.  Carroll and Larry both play hard nosed defense and it should be a postseason type atmosphere.  Larry will be tough to beat in the Alley as Carroll has struggled there of late but this is a very good Pio team and all streaks must come to an end.

Point Special-  I agree that a loss Wed will be a setback for Carroll, however an 11-2 record dosen't put them out of running for an at large bid.  Carroll easliy beat a Whitewater team that hasn't lost since and is winning the mighty WIAC

  the can is round, the mug is round, why not call is roundtine.  Thats gold Jerry gold.  -Kenny Bannya 

[falco1610]

 hope all you MWC posters had a good holiday season and are ready for one more stocking stuffer in the form of the Wednesday battle for first place at the Alley.  As my commrades Wallace and Bannya suggested there is a lot of excitment surrounding this matchup of two of the states top teams.  Carroll and Larry both play hard nosed defense and it should be a postseason type atmosphere.  Larry will be tough to beat in the Alley as Carroll has struggled there of late but this is a very good Pio team and all streaks must come to an end.

Point Special-  I agree that a loss Wed will be a setback for Carroll, however an 11-2 record dosen't put them out of running for an at large bid.  Carroll easliy beat a Whitewater team that hasn't lost since and is winning the mighty WIAC

the can is round, the mug is round, why not call is roundtine.  Thats gold Jerry gold.  -Kenny Bannya     

[The Roop]

GS,

I agree, both LU and CC are in good shape for NCAA bids. CC did have some trouble on the road last year but they are a better team this year. The next problem for either team is the seating capacity of their respective gyms. 1000 for LU 1100 for CC. I can't see both teams hosting first round events, especially if it would be a four team regional.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Roop raises an interesting question - when the NCAA decided to go to four team regionals, did they raise the required gym-seating rule for hosting?  Anyone know?