MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

Most likely Roop will not. Weekend O.T. is on the horizon I'm afraid. However, I'm told the MWC Tournament will be in Grinnell again this season. Roop will have vacation days to opt out of O.T. by then.

[Scots4]

Robert Morris is just a freaky athletic team. Also, they are a completely classless program that led to some fireworks at the end of the Monmouth game. The Scots are excited to start the conference schedule as they felt they played well over the weekend despite taking two losses.

[Gregory Sager]

Last year, one of Robert Morris's game led off a SportsCenter broadcast. It was a multi-OT game in the national quarterfinals or semifinals.

Because a team backed out on Monmouth, the Scots get the opportunity to see Robert Morris AGAIN this season (on Dec. 11). Combine that with games against Central Missouri State and Minnesota State, as well as St. Ambrose, and it's safe to say that no other MWC team has a tougher non-conference schedule. I believe the only Division III team on their non-conference schedule is Central.

Again, as with Robert Morris-Chicago and Robert Morris-Springfield, you have to specify which "Minnesota State" you're talking about. There are two campuses in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that are called Minnesota State University: MSU-Moorhead and MSU-Mankato. Both are D2 affiliates and members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Monmouth is playing MSU-Mankato.

[schwanman]

And MSU-Mankato has wins over Truman State and Northern Michigan so far. Although nearly half the team is 6-foot-7 or taller, the Mavericks' offense appears to be driven by their guards or small forwards, who did most of the double-digit scoring against the two opponents above. It also probably won't help that the Minnesota State game on Jan. 4 will be the first for the Scots after a 3-1/2 week break.

If 9-7 gets a team into the playoffs this year and the Scots can match that, their overall record will likely be no better than 10-12 and might be 9-13.

The Scots' first three MWC games against Carroll, Lawrence and Grinnell (all at home) will definitely shed some light on the realistic expectations for the team.

[larry_u]

Another reminder about the MWC pickem tournament beginning this friday in the pickem forum!   Join if you haven't allready, and tell others, we want a lot of people, makes it much more interesting!

[Maverick]

And MSU-Mankato has wins over Truman State and Northern Michigan so far. Although nearly half the team is 6-foot-7 or taller, the Mavericks' offense appears to be driven by their guards or small forwards, who did most of the double-digit scoring against the two opponents above. It also probably won't help that the Minnesota State game on Jan. 4 will be the first for the Scots after a 3-1/2 week break.

If 9-7 gets a team into the playoffs this year and the Scots can match that, their overall record will likely be no better than 10-12 and might be 9-13.

The Scots' first three MWC games against Carroll, Lawrence and Grinnell (all at home) will definitely shed some light on the realistic expectations for the team.

Very true schwanman.  It's tough to get a read on the Scots from those first 3 games against CMSU, SAU, and RMC, since none are D-III teams.  Even though at home, the first 3 MWC games for Monmouth are brutal with those 3 being consistently tough teams in recent years--but as you said, it should clear up what the expectations are for the remainder of the season.  Hopefully the Scots can take advantage of them all being at home and get some early conference wins.

[jeffdc]

Best of luck to GC today on their matchup with St. Norbert - and tomorrow with Carroll. Should be a fun weekend of bball in GrinCity!

[systemfan86]

Grinnell likely needs to get off to a fast start. Four of their last five conference games are on the road this years, so they need to win these early home games.

From the outcome of the non-conference games, it would seem that the MWC is getting only the auto bid this year unless a team like Grinnell or Larry ends up with only 2 or three losses overall, and to do that, they'll have to nearly run the table in the conference.

Any preliminary thoughts on what conference record will take the regular season title and what it takes to make the conference tourney? 13-3 won last year and 10-6 made the tourney. Aside from Larry's 16-0 a couple years ago, those numbers are pretty typical, but I wonder if the bottom of the conference is slightly worse this year.

I think 13-3 will win it again. My biased opinion thinks that GC might be able to go 14-2, and it's possible 9-7 makes the tournament. Any other opinons? 

[The Roop]

It's hard to make predictions about multiple bids this early in the year as it will depend on what the rest of the teams in the region/country do. Lawrence probably has the best shot as a Pool C as they play the most "in-region" games of the contenders whereas Grinnell plays the fewest. Until the conference gets with the rest of the country and plays the 25 games they are allowed I don't think it's necessary to take a trip every year to essentially play meaningless games. Sure you gain the playing experience but for all practical purposes those games don't count. Until they do my advice would be for the contenders to stay as close to home as possible.

Last time I picked 12-4 to be the winner Lawrence went 16-0. Whether that happens again or not I'm picking 12-4 to win it this year. Has the bottom gotten worse ?? Perhaps but the middle of the pack is probably a little better than it has been so there will be more surprises I think. We may have a 12-4, 11-5, 9-7 and an 8-8 (via 18 tie breakers) getting into the MWC tournament.

If Monmouth can finish at or above .500 I think they have enough D2 games to qualify for that tournament as at or above .500 usually gets in in D2. LOL.

Shame on you d3bbfan for picking Beloit to lose twice this weekend. They should beat IC just because and Lake Forest is always ripe for the picking early in the season. So they are playing them at a good time. Hopefully Andy Horton does return to the lineup this weekend but I've heard it both ways. Medically cleared to play but will be out for the year anyway ?? It's not like he's on a D1 scholarship so Beloit can't make him stick around for a 5th year of eligibility. I say play him and don't waste a year because if he's been cleared then he can't get a medical redshirt. Just a thought.

[d3bbfan]

Shame on you d3bbfan for picking Beloit to lose twice this weekend.

Trust me The Roop I hope I'm wrong. nothing would make happier than BC surprising some teams and winning some games this year. As i look at the rosters of each team I honestly cant see any team BC can beat except maybe Knox at home. I am really hoping Im wrong and that Coach V has then playing hard and ready to play. As far as Horton is concerned it's my understanding that even if a player has been cleared to play he can still apply for a medical redshirt. I havent heard if he's playing or not this weekend. We'll just have to see.

Even though I didnt pick 'em ...good luck Bucs

[LU_nut]

System Fan,

I look for Grinnell to lose no more than 3 games in conference.  They could even do better, but when you rely on the 3 pointer so much, there is always the possibility/likelihood of an off night at a bad time(Simpson game this year).   I think  a real key for them is having big guys like Chamberlin who make it tougher for other teams to get the bunnies against the press.   

I think LU will be right on their tail......this weekend will tell a lot as last year they fared very poorly on the Lake Forest/Monmouth trip.  If they win a couple this weekend, I would look for them not to lose more than 3 games as well.

I do think the bottom two teams in the league this year, Knox and Beloit(sorry Roop) look to have potentially horrendous years.   I think everyone in-between is a crap-shoot.  Lake Forest will be good.   Ripon could surprise if the coaches kid is as good as advertised.....they will not be tall, but will be athletic and experienced with Wise and Kellett.  I look for St. Norbs to compete for a tourney spot.  Carroll is off to a slow start, but fared poorly last year against the WIAC before getting better.   The key to upsets is good guard play in my opinion and Ladwig is good.

Both Grinnell/LU games last year went to the wire.  I expect more of the same this year.   Let the games begin!!!!

LU_Nut

[The Roop]

Well I suppose that's fair enough so I will let you off the hook this time 

Correct me if I'm wrong (and Pat will if I am) but if you've been cleared to play I don't think the NCAA would allow a redshirt in this case. Simply put the team needs to have balance even when Horton returns. I am impressed by the numbers that Bysted has put up so balance is not that far off. However, I don't think Beloit will not win with the "Andy Horton Show" alone.

This weekend will determine how long a season it will be for them.
 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Um, what's this I hear about an ice storm on Saturday?

[jeffdc]

Um, what's this I hear about an ice storm on Saturday?

It's a comin'.  100% likelihood, according to weatherunderground.com.  Just hope Carroll gets here before the storm!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Um, what's this I hear about an ice storm on Saturday?

It's a comin'.  100% likelihood, according to weatherunderground.com.  Just hope Carroll gets here before the storm!

Yeah, as much as I don't mind driving in bad weather, three years in Kansas City has convinced me that no one else around here knows what they're doing.  The local weather guy just predicted 50 accidents by tomorrow morning, so I may put this trip off until another weekend.