MBB: Midwest Conference

The Roop · October 29, 2007, 10:15:54 AM

No problem Early, I'll give you a free pass this time as you properly corrected yourself and became NRO compliant in the process

Where are the Ripon voters in the poll ?? Every time Ripon is written off they always find a way to have a good year. Am I the only one to notice that ??

Early · October 29, 2007, 03:27:15 PM

Well everyone should know who one of the 2 votes for Ripon came from, and if you didn't.....well now you do,

......and knowing is half the battle!

fightintitan2006 · October 30, 2007, 07:42:12 PM

Have any MWC schools had exhibitions with outside opponents?

systemfan86 · October 31, 2007, 08:47:00 AM

Wow, we're essentially two weeks from the first games, and it's very quiet here.

I'm a little surprised that the coaches preseason poll isn't out yet.

So...

I'm (clearly) a GC fan, but as the defending regular season conference champion with two first-team All MWC players and an HM player back from last year, why wouldn't more people think that GC is the team to beat? I'm hoping/guessing that we're past the style of play issues of the past. Let's hear why GC shouldn't be the favorite. Would you 2-4 feel differently if this was a different team (say Carroll) with these 'qualifications'?

Larry has a second-team and HM player back, so they would seem to be a challenger, but they need to figure out what happened during the middle of the conference season last year when they went 2-4 over a three week period. They also have to adjust to a new coach.

Who else challenges for the conference tournament? Do Rogers and Terwelp provide the Scots with senior leadership for their new coach? Carroll has been there the last four years, and Ripon and Lake Forest always seems to be in the equation. In fact, in the last five years, GC, CC, LU, RC, and LF have claimed 18 of the 20 conference tournament slots. Who else do you see challenging?

The Roop · October 31, 2007, 10:20:34 AM

Shame shame Systemfan86.............. The coaches poll is out and it's on the Grinnell website as a matter of fact. Since Beloit was picked to finish last (never going to happen) I refuse to post a link to it here. Forgive my defiance. LOL.

larry_u · October 31, 2007, 12:00:51 PM

Its true, coaches poll is out:

1. Grinnell (6)
2. Lawrence (3)
3. Lake Forest (1)
4. St. Norbert
5. Carroll
6. Ripon
7. Monmouth
8.Illinois College
9. Knox
10. Beloit

Interesting to see LFC getting a first place vote. Grinnell seems to be the early favorite, but LU gets 3 fisrt place votes, questionis is that all based on reputation or will Jo JO really have this team mentally ready for the grind of thier first 7 games all being on the road and year one AT (after Tharp)

Here's one hoping that they don't skip a beat. Jo Jo is quite similar in style to Tharp in that he's young, full of energy, and won;t let the team get away with mistakes and sloppy play, so I don't think the transition will be too rough on them, the question is when it all pans out, do they have the talent to compete with Grinnell and LFC for the top spot. That one I can't answer.

The Roop · October 31, 2007, 12:15:35 PM

Nice theory larry_u. Don't be such a stranger this year.

systemfan86 · October 31, 2007, 12:55:07 PM

Quote from: The Roop on October 31, 2007, 10:20:34 AM
Shame shame Systemfan86.............. The coaches poll is out and it's on the Grinnell website as a matter of fact. Since Beloit was picked to finish last (never going to happen) I refuse to post a link to it here. Forgive my defiance. LOL.

Weird. I swear I double checked the conference web site before I posted that. $:-\$

systemfan86 · October 31, 2007, 01:07:22 PM

Interesting that Depagter is said to be replacing Tharp on "an interim basis". Why the interim tag?

Which team has the best chance to surprise the coaches based on their voting in the poll? I would think that either IC or Monmouth could be a dark horse in this race.

I must say that I am still a little surprised that GC 'only' received six of the first place votes. I'm not complaining, mind you. As the defending champion with the only two returning All-MWC players, you might think they'd get more. Oh well, doesn't really matter.

IS TTMG the early favorite for POY? Or will having little A on the team work against him?

Greek Tragedy · October 31, 2007, 04:15:18 PM

Quote from: larry_u on October 31, 2007, 12:00:51 PM
...but LU gets 3 fisrt place votes, questionis is that all based on reputation or...

Hardly reputation...they return 7 of the top 8 players and all of them played double-digit minutes. 7 of top 8 scorers, only losing 7th scorer Osland. I think they'll be alright.

bucs r bust · October 31, 2007, 08:17:22 PM

For those of you who care, Beloit has a scrimmage Thursday (tomorrow) at 7:30 vs. Benedictine. I must say the improvements to the Flood arena look pretty nice...wish their team looked as good as their gym. $:-\$

d3bbfan · October 31, 2007, 09:01:10 PM

Beloit last in the coaches poll...how could that be. they have the new coach who will save them. seriously i sure hope they're not last. everyone knows where i stood on the coaching change but im still a Bucs fan so i am wishing them all the best.

i heard that Horton is hurt and could possibly be out for a long time if not for the season. anyone else hear that. Watching them practice i'm not real sure where the scoring is gonna comd from or more importantly where the def. is gonna come from. cple of the fros look good though. the kid from amboy is very athletic and explosive. the new point guard is gonna surprise some people. i remember last year talking with the assistant who recruited him and how excited he was by about his play.

gonna try and get to the scrimmage tomorrow.

i am wishing them all the best this season

Scots4 · October 31, 2007, 09:30:58 PM

Systemfan- Rogers is out 3-6 weeks with 2 fractures in his foot.

Fightin Titan- Monmouth plays Eastern Illinois University tomorrow, Nov. 1. Illinois College plays EIU on the 5th.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · November 01, 2007, 08:37:59 AM

Quote from: systemfan86 on October 31, 2007, 01:07:22 PM
Interesting that Depagter is said to be replacing Tharp on "an interim basis". Why the interim tag?

Maybe they're waiting to see how Tharp likes his new gig with the option to bring him back "Friday Night Lights" style if it doesn't work out?

The Roop · November 01, 2007, 09:16:54 AM

Quote from: d3bbfan on October 31, 2007, 09:01:10 PM
i heard that Horton is hurt and could possibly be out for a long time if not for the season.

If that's the case then they need to start the red shirt paperwork now and not waste a year of eligibility because he might be able to play at some point. Who knows, if Dowden sits out and transfers back they would both have two years left. Assuming they would be interested in paying a 5th year of tuition that is.

Systemfan86-When Tharp left he didn't leave much time for a formal search to be conducted, so that's my guess as to DePagters interim status.