MBB: Midwest Conference

systemfan86 · January 10, 2008, 09:28:35 AM

Man, I miss the old feel of this group...Just not there this year...

What's the best game of the weekend? I suppose given the rivalry that Larry v Ripon has to be the choice. Coming off last year, I would of thought that Grinnell v Lake Forrest would have been interesting, but the Foresters seem to be missing something so far.

Might be another down year for the conference.

The Roop · January 10, 2008, 09:58:49 AM

Let us not forget about the Mike Dowden Classic this weekend as Beloit travels to St. Norbert on Saturday to face a former team mate.

Logic and common opponent margins say St. Norbert wins big, however RoopVegas feels this is a rivalry in the making so take Beloit +15.5. This is also the upset special of the week so don't be surprised if it happens. Hide and watch.

larry_u · January 10, 2008, 10:00:55 AM

Better Dead Than Red!!!!

Hope thast helps to spice up the baord a bit...

Early · January 10, 2008, 03:01:12 PM

Quote from: larry_u on January 10, 2008, 10:00:55 AM
Better Dead Than Red!!!!

Hope thast helps to spice up the baord a bit...

I was thinking of adding to the spice, but I don't want to come off as being vengeful.
So with the LU - RC game coming up and being not able to attend the game, would you like to place some Karma on the game Larry-U?

pgkevin · January 10, 2008, 05:20:32 PM

Quote from: systemfan86 on January 10, 2008, 09:28:35 AM
Man, I miss the old feel of this group...Just not there this year...

What's the best game of the weekend? I suppose given the rivalry that Larry v Ripon has to be the choice. Coming off last year, I would of thought that Grinnell v Lake Forrest would have been interesting, but the Foresters seem to be missing something so far.

Might be another down year for the conference.

injury bug

fightintitan2006 · January 10, 2008, 08:05:16 PM

Systemfan86, you said it "Might be another down year for the conference."

What was your reasoning behind that statement? The current top four teams all have good records with some wins over some pretty good opponents mixed in there, while 5-5 Ripon and Norbert are both rising and had great efforts against top 5 teams (Augie, Point). Lake Forest looks decent as well and probably would contend if healthy.

There isn't a Lawrence of 2005-06 in the MWC this season, but the league certainly looks much better than last year when the tourney champ still went to the Sweet 16.

Not many Carroll posters on here anymore, but I had to mention what a great job Schultz does there. Ladwig and now Hoch, I think Carroll may be the real system team in the MWC...he seems to be able to plug guys in and get great results.

systemfan86 · January 11, 2008, 08:30:15 AM

Quote from: fightintitan2006 on January 10, 2008, 08:05:16 PM
Systemfan86, you said it "Might be another down year for the conference."

What was your reasoning behind that statement? The current top four teams all have good records with some wins over some pretty good opponents mixed in there, while 5-5 Ripon and Norbert are both rising and had great efforts against top 5 teams (Augie, Point). Lake Forest looks decent as well and probably would contend if healthy.

There isn’t a Lawrence of 2005-06 in the MWC this season, but the league certainly looks much better than last year when the tourney champ still went to the Sweet 16.

I guess I perceive that the conference is pretty much on par with last year. There doesn't appear to be a great team (sorry, when Grinnell loses to Redlands, that's a bad loss) and honestly the bottom of the league looks pretty bad.

As of the league notes publised on the 7th, the combined record of the teams in the league was 45-45. Not impressive.

I'm not saying it's horrible, just down from where it had been. There was a time in the past couple years where we could make an argument on quality that the league should get more than one team in the tournament. I don't think we can make that argument this year.

The Roop · January 11, 2008, 09:51:11 AM

It may be a bad loss but it's also irrelevant as it's an out of region game so a win would not have helped them. I think a 6, maybe 7, loss team could get in as a Pool C if they had enough regional wins. Unfortunately the contenders like taking trips every year so those are just wasted games on the schedule.

At the moment this is a meaningless theory but after Beloit sneaks in as the #4 seed and wins the automatic bid by going 12-13, perhaps people will pay more attention to their future scheduling if the MWC only has one team in the NCAAs.

Pat Coleman · January 11, 2008, 12:11:27 PM

Quote from: The Roop on January 11, 2008, 09:51:11 AM
It may be a bad loss but it's also irrelevant as it's an out of region game so a win would not have helped them.

Grinnell/Redlands is a regional game. Check the dots on our schedule if you are confused.

The Roop · January 11, 2008, 12:29:57 PM

My bad. I keep forgetting that Grinnell is a west region team so the 200 mile rule doesn't apply.

Pat Coleman · January 11, 2008, 02:46:47 PM

No, Grinnell and Redlands are in the same administrative region. Any game between anyone in Iowa and anyone in California, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, Washington, Oregon ... click on the FAQ link in my sig.

Greek Tragedy · January 11, 2008, 04:05:29 PM

Quote from: The Roop on January 11, 2008, 12:29:57 PM
My bad. I keep forgetting that Grinnell is a west region team so the 200 mile rule doesn't apply.

It's a midwest region team, but in the same administrative region.

The Roop · January 11, 2008, 05:31:45 PM

That's kinda what I meant. However, after reading through all the scenarios I think it would be easier to consider games as in region if the visiting team has alumni in attendance.

larry_u · January 11, 2008, 10:24:38 PM

Quote from: Early on January 10, 2008, 03:01:12 PM
Quote from: larry_u on January 10, 2008, 10:00:55 AM
Better Dead Than Red!!!!

Hope thast helps to spice up the baord a bit...

I was thinking of adding to the spice, but I don't want to come off as being vengeful.
So with the LU - RC game coming up and being not able to attend the game, would you like to place some Karma on the game Larry-U?

I'm in. You will owe me Major Karma when your Redhawks go down in flames!!!

Better Dead Than RED!!!!

jeffdc · January 12, 2008, 06:30:07 PM

LF 96, GC 88

What can I say? LF outplayed GC for 3/4 of the game. For the first 5-8 minutes, GC led, then LF took over. At times they led by almost 20.

What happened? a) lack of big man Chamberlain and ball handler Arsenault definitely hurt GC. Despite solid performances by Long and Grotberg, the absence of the others definitely put the pinch on GC's 3 pt game; b) no answer for a strong inbound attach by LF. At times it felt more like a football game with LF lobbing the ball across almost the entire length of the court. c) inexperience; the freshmen are still getting used to the system, and it showed.

The silver lining for this GC fan? For stretches we saw great system play, particularly from the Long-led squads. When the squads were gelling, LF had no answer. Problem was, of course, that the squads just weren't doing that for most of the game.

A good win by LF, and something to think about for GC. I for one am thankful that LF's 54 is a senior. The guy is impressive.