MBB: Midwest Conference

[systemfan86]

Grotberg is going to win the D3 scoring title? Gee, what a daring prediction. [yawn] When you implied that you'd be climbing out onto a limb, you didn't tell us that the tree was a sequoia.

Hey, I won't claim to be good at this...would it have been better if I said he'd lead the country?

It does seem a wee bit quiet in here. Trying my best to stir the pot.

[larry_u]

Preseason Top 25 is out. 

No MWC teams in the top 25, Grinnell the only one recieving votes with 44 which puts them ranked 33rd.

Guess I'm a little suprised that Lawrence didn't get any votes, but after last season and the coaching change this spring, I can understand why the voters think they have to earn it back.

Looking at the exebition schedule, the game that intrigues me most is Grinnell at Winona St.  Winona state won the DII title in 2006, and blew a 7 point lead in 30 seconds to lose it last spring.  They play a real hard nosed type of defense, so I would be interesting to see how they are going to play against Grinnell, keeping it as is and trying to make the Pioneers play their game, or if they might get caught up in the excitement of the circus and open it up a bit. 

That game is tomorrow @ 11 am...nice early start for everyone too, shall be interesting.

[Early]

Perhaps the Lawrence braintrust is waiting for him to stop calling himself "Jo Jo" before removing the interim tag.

C'mon, Roop. With no April, no jeffp, and no JUSTIN!!!!  , the ongoing Cecil Youngblood food fight between Dolph and d3bbfan is easily the most exciting item of controversy this room's got left.

Grotberg is going to win the D3 scoring title? Gee, what a daring prediction. [yawn] When you implied that you'd be climbing out onto a limb, you didn't tell us that the tree was a sequoia.

Quality Sager!!!!

Grinnell @ Winona St.

I see this going bad for the Pioneers.  Winona plays REAL tough D and is quite disciplined.  Saw them beat up the U of Minnesota last year in an exhibition.....real tough.

[The Roop]

I agree with that. A top D2 is way better than an above average D3.

[systemfan86]

I agree with that. A top D2 is way better than an above average D3.

AVERAGE?!?!?!

THEM'SFIGHTINGWORDS!!

[systemfan86]

Grinnell @ Winona St.

I see this going bad for the Pioneers.  Winona plays REAL tough D and is quite disciplined.  Saw them beat up the U of Minnesota last year in an exhibition.....real tough.

I think they key word is disciplined. If they have athleticism - and most DII teams will - then, yeah, it probably will be tough. As long it's an exhibition, then you just try to come out of it healthy and having learned something.

Gotta feel for the newbies who are trying to learn the system and then face DII players. If they can 'learn' not to panic and trust the approach, then it could be a valuable lesson.

[Scots4]

Good luck to Grinnell against Winona St. tomorrow.

Eastern Illinois beats Monmouth 81-46. This game was never close due to the red hot shooting of Romain Martin who went 7-9 from three in the first 15 mins of the game. Monmouth played quality basketball in the second half and came out of this game with their heads up. We matched EIU with only 14 turnovers on the game and that is with the duo of frosh Eric Grant and soph Tyler Morrow running the point for the majority of the game.

EIU coach Mike Miller commented after the game on how scrappy and hard-nosed the Scots played on the defensive end. Watching from the bench, I felt that EIU had to earn every shot they took other than a 23 footer every now and then.


Good luck to IC as they travel to Charleston on the 5th.

Ousmane Cisse is a large man.

[Greek Tragedy]

La Crosse scrimmaged Winona State (some kind of review on the WIAC board) and Winona State smoked em by 40 or so.  Whatever that's worth.

[Amos Lawrence]

Come on Sager, a lot of great coaches have nicknames: Paul "Bear" Bryant, Earl "Curly" Lambeau, Richard "Digger" Phelps,  Arnold "Red" Auerbach, Phil "the Zen Master" Jackson, Joel "the Wizard of Alexander" DePagter...I'll stop there

[The Roop]

Thank you Amos "Moses was a Cajun" Lawrence.

[The Roop]

OUCH. Since the womens MWC board is not available............... UW-Milwaukee 102 Beloit 25. Granted 3 of Beloits 5 starters were at Carroll for the volleyball tournament but I don't think their presence would have made 77 points of difference. Can we stop the exhibitions already.....................

[bucs r bust]

Roop,

I was at the scrimmage on Thursday and I found out that Horton has a stress fracture in his foot and will be out for another 3-4 weeks.  Horton would play right now but trainers are holding him back.  I did not hear anything about Nate Tate but I would assume he will not play this year...he is not on the roster as of right now.

As far as the scrimmage...Beloit played better than I expected for the team they have.  Benedictine was a pretty equal match for them but not what the Bucs will see throughout the season.  They will struggle against the MWC but I think Vraney will have them playing better D than they have in the past.  It also looks like Vraney wants to really push the ball up the floor but again with not much bench that would seem unlikely later in the season.  They have some guys that can shoot 3's but the big issues are their bigs and the overall lack of experience.    I also agree that their first year point guard will suprise some people.  He is very quick and can handle the ball as well as shoot 3's.  He reminded me a lot of Dowden his first year with Beloit but with more of a scoring mentality.  It will be interesting to see him face some conference guards. 

However, their season really lies on the shoulders of Horton.  It will be a while before Horton is in any kind of game shape and may not be much of a factor right away once he comes back.  He will be their only consistency whatsoever.  Unfortunately, not having a 20 and 10 talent on the floor may mean a battle for the basement in the MWC.

[The Roop]

Stress fracture today, scores 45 tomorrow............. I'll believe either when I see it. There is some history regarding his injuries. Probably why someone with his talent is at a D3.

[Scots4]

good luck to Horton on his rehab......foot fractures arent fun

[AndOne]

Roop,

I was at the scrimmage on Thursday and I found out that Horton has a stress fracture in his foot and will be out for another 3-4 weeks.  Horton would play right now but trainers are holding him back.  I did not hear anything about Nate Tate but I would assume he will not play this year...he is not on the roster as of right now.

As far as the scrimmage...Beloit played better than I expected for the team they have.  Benedictine was a pretty equal match for them but not what the Bucs will see throughout the season.  They will struggle against the MWC but I think Vraney will have them playing better D than they have in the past.  It also looks like Vraney wants to really push the ball up the floor but again with not much bench that would seem unlikely later in the season.  They have some guys that can shoot 3's but the big issues are their bigs and the overall lack of experience.    I also agree that their first year point guard will suprise some people.  He is very quick and can handle the ball as well as shoot 3's.  He reminded me a lot of Dowden his first year with Beloit but with more of a scoring mentality.  It will be interesting to see him face some conference guards. 

However, their season really lies on the shoulders of Horton.  It will be a while before Horton is in any kind of game shape and may not be much of a factor right away once he comes back.  He will be their only consistency whatsoever.  Unfortunately, not having a 20 and 10 talent on the floor may mean a battle for the basement in the MWC.

Can anyone tell me the name of "Beloit's "first year point guard"?
Could it possibly be Patrick Kenny?
Thanks