MBB: Midwest Conference

[Amos Lawrence]

When I mention experience, I'm referring to post-season experience. Everybody has regular season experience.

[Dolph Stanley]

Dolph,
17 players on LU's roster have multiple MWC conference and NCAA tournament game experiences. Your saying that doesn't give them any advantage over a non-experienced squad which hasn't had any of those experiences? How many times do teams get the benefit of the doubt (right or wrong) because they are more experienced? And how many players on Norberts roster can say they have had similar experiences to players on Carroll, Ripon, Lu, Lake Forest, and Grinnell's?

No doubt Lawrence will have to improve to make a title run, but I never said they were going to in the first place.  Somehow this turned into LU vs. SNC.  All I began with was that Norberts hasn't done much to prove they are a serious contender. I never even mentioned LU contending for the title (however, for obvious homer reasons, I think they will), which would have made your point that Larry went 1-6 (which was actually 2-5) against the tourny teams valid.

Lawrence appears to actually have 11 players who have seen actual time in a post season game.  Of these, five played less than 4 minutes in one blowout win over Knox two years ago.  If that qualifies as "multiple MWC and NCAA tournament game experieinces" so be it.

From the Lawrence site:

Ripon 55 LU 50
Grinnell  142 LU 130
Grinnell 105 LU 103
Carroll 72 LU 45
LFC 72 LU 69
LU 72 Ripon 57
Carroll 75  LU 63

That ads up to 1-6 in my world but perhaps the site is wrong?   

[Dolph Stanley]

It's also worth noting that Beloit will be one of the more experienced teams in 08-09 as Coach Vraney didn't exactly inherit a bare cupboard. It would be a stretch to say they will make the tournament this season but I wouldn't fall over dead either. I've also heard that this years recruiting class has a couple nice surprises in it. Beyond that I'm not saying anything.............

Vraney was left with Horton who is one of the best players in the MWC, Wimmer who has a nice upside and a whole lot of nothing after that.  Solid kids who will put forth a good effort but if Beloit is to be good in 08-09 it will be primarily because of players who joined the program after the conclusion of the 06-07 season.

[Amos Lawrence]

Using the 05-06 season as reference and including current players only, Against Knox 2 players on the current roster started and played 18 and 16 min. respectively. 3 came off the bench to play 19, 11, and 20 min. Carroll: 2 started playing 22 and 19 min. 2 came off the bench to play 18 and 19 min. St. Thomas: 2 started playing 26 and 18 min. 2 came off the bench to play 15 and 14 min.  Ill Wesleyan: 2 started playing 18 and 19 min, with two coming off the bench to play 18 and 25 min. These players will most likely comprise LU's starting lineup for the 07-08 season. Those who didn't see significant time gained valuable experience nonetheless from being in that type of environment.  Whether its 17 or 11, I would take either over 0.

From the LU Website:

LU 69 LF 59 W
LU 56 Ripon 60 L
LU130 Grinnell 142 L
LU 103 Grinnell 106 L
LU 45 Carroll 72 L
LU 69 LF 72 L
LU 72 Ripon 57 W
LU 63 Carroll 76 L

2-6, so I guess we were both off a game. Either way, not very good.

[Amos Lawrence]

Going back a few days, Vehantre Brown apparently transfered out of Ripon to UW LaCrosse. Coming from a reliable MWC source.

[Scots4]

Monmouth will name a coach today (Friday). Could surprise some people.

[The Roop]

Vraney was left with Horton who is one of the best players in the MWC, Wimmer who has a nice upside and a whole lot of nothing after that.  Solid kids who will put forth a good effort but if Beloit is to be good in 08-09 it will be primarily because of players who joined the program after the conclusion of the 06-07 season.

That's a little confusing isn't it. Left with nothing, yet they are solid kids. Perhaps my Navy and Gold colored glasses are thicker than yours but I think they will have a very capable starting line up this year. Depth will certainly be an issue which is why an above .500 campaign will require some over achieving in my opinion. I don't think 08-09 will be an instant return to the glory days, or involve a trip to Salem but they only graduate 1 this year and that's never a bad thing.

Monmouth will name a coach today (Friday). Could surprise some people.

It might not surprise everybody 

[LU_nut]

Never, ever forget that the Roopster is all knowing.

For what it is worth, I think St. Norbs busts into the conference tourney this year.    As Amos pointed out, they play hard and smart......and now I think they will have the experience and talent to get over the hump.

I think Grinnell and LU in a dead heat this year.   Both of their games last year were last second nail biters.  Both teams have a high majority of their talent back.  Should be a good year for both of them.

Fourth spot?  Not so sure.  Clearly, the coach at Carroll has his team playing at a consistent high level so I would watch out for them even though they lost Drury.    Lake Forest should be in the mix as well.

Nut

[The Roop]

Never, ever forget that the Roopster is all knowing.

Truer words have never been spoken.....................

[Mr. Ypsi]

Never, ever forget that the Roopster is all knowing.

Truer words have never been spoken.....................

But, of course, you already knew they would be spoken.

[fightintitan2006]

Amos,
Will brown be playing ball at LAX?


Scots,
I dont see anything on the new monmouth coach...I am missing it or did they not name one?

[Scots4]

Looks to be a delay on naming the new coach........very surprised by this....

[The Roop]

I'm pretty sure I would be breaking the rules if I advertised something for sale on here, so I won't. Instead I would like to say that I have an extra ticket to the Brewers game on September 30th (Club Seats) and the first person that wants it can have it. Provided of course that you don't go to the stadium and scalp it. PM or email me if interested.

[Dolph Stanley]

What is going on at Monmouth?  Perhaps the candidate who was suppose to be named coach last Friday asked to bring some staff with him and that blew the deal?

[Pat Coleman]

Perhaps they looked at his record and reconsidered.