MBB: Midwest Conference

[jeffdc]

It was just pointed out to me by another attendee that I didn't say anything about the refs.

Well, it was pretty awful. During the 1st half, at one point it was 10 fouls GC, 1 LF. Except, even to my extremely untrained eye, it wasn't.

Then in the 2nd half they expanded their incompetence to both sides. Missed traveling, fouls, etc etc etc.

I almost never comment on the refs, because it's always a 'he said, she said' kind of thing. But this was pathetic. Both teams and the MWC suffered.

Enough.

[Maverick]

According to the Monmouth website, the Scots beat IC 70-67 this afternoon.  Don't have any details as box score and game summary weren't up yet.  Congrats on the second straight win and keep it rolling Tuesday night vs. Knox!

[larry_u]

Lawrence 80, Ripon 64


LU in first place in the MWC.

Better Dead Then Red!!!

Early- you owe me!!

Kroger shot the lights out apparently, that kid has skills from the outside, thats for sure. 

[Greek Tragedy]

What happened? a) lack of big man Chamberlain and ball handler Arsenault definitely hurt GC.

And how long is Chamberlain and Little A out?

[jeffdc]

What happened? a) lack of big man Chamberlain and ball handler Arsenault definitely hurt GC.

And how long is Chamberlain and Little A out?

Chamberlain: hard to say. A while at least.  Little A: not long. Maybe a game.

[gobucs]

Not to interrupt all this basketball talk....but THANK YOU JESSICA SIMPSON!  The Pack now hosts the Championship and I will be there!!!!!!! YEEEHAAAA

[The Roop]

You might want to thank T.O. more than Jessica as he bankrolled the trip. So you should show your gratitude by wearing a Cheese Head with a tub of popcorn on the top to the game.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I thought both Romo and Witten played really well.  It was the rest of the butterfingers receiving corps and the relatively sedate defense that gave up the ship.

[systemfan86]

I thought both Romo and Witten played really well.  It was the rest of the butterfingers receiving corps and the relatively sedate defense that gave up the ship.

So next year TO will know to bring UNBUTTERED popcorn, eh?

I expected someone to have the Hot Butter song all queued up for TO and the 'boys.

[larry_u]

Week 3 pickem results/ standings are up and this weeks games are posted.  Games start Tuesday night, so get those picks in asap!!!

[wc2viking]

Saw the LU-Ripon game on Saturday. A few thoughts:

- LU has a ton of good three-point shooters.  The downside is that they really seemed to have a problem getting the ball inside.

-Jayce Apelgren was the exception to this as he was able to drive and get some inside looks.

- I haven't looked at the stats, but it seemed like LU gave up way too many offensive rebounds, especially given their height advantage.  Box out, boys!

- Scott Gillespie might be able to light it up on some nights, but he looked very ordinary on Saturday.

-  The Ripon team in general didn't look like they were a cohesive bunch.  Lots of dirty looks and muttering when a teammate made a mistake.  Oh, well, all the better for the Vikes!

[Greek Tragedy]

Monmouth 55, Knox 52

Lawrence 85, Beloit 64

Carroll 71, St. Norb's 55

[Greek Tragedy]

Wow, big weekend coming up and all is quiet on the MWC board.  I think after this weekend, it'll be a three team race with everyone else fighting for that 4th MWC playoff birth.

LU will extend it's lead on Grinnell with a win on Friday and also a win on Saturday vs. Knox.  Grinnell will take out it's frustrations on Beloit on Saturday, while Carroll will prove Illinois College's fast 3-1 start is a fluke when they win two over the weekend.  That would leave LU at 6-0, followed by the Pioneers at 5-1 and Grinnell a game further back with two losses, 4-2. 

After that, it's a crapshoot with:

Illinois College  3-1:  at St. Norb's, at Carroll
Monmouth 3-3:  at Beloit, at Ripon
Lake Forest  2-2:  at Ripon, at St. Norb's
Knox 2-2:  at Carroll, at Lawrence 
St. Norbert  2-3:  Illinois College, Lake Forest 
Ripon 0-4:  Lake Forest, Monmouth
Beloit 0-5:  Monmouth, Grinnell

Knox and Beloit will go 0-2 for sure, IMO.  Despite Grinnell's recent loss to Lake Forest, I think there is a huge gap between LU, Carroll and Grinnell and the rest of the pack.  Ill. College's three wins are Beloit, Knox and Ripon.  So, they could go 0-2 as well, though the St. Norb's game is a toss up.

I think Ripon could get their first two wins this weekend, but they need to play a lot more consistent for that to happen.  LF and Monmouth played to a standstill, with the latter winning by 1.  Unlike Lake Forest (win over Grinnell), Monmouth really doesn't have any "signature" wins.  At weekend's end, the middle will be just as cluttered as it is now with only Beloit winless.  I think Ripon could pull off a double win this weekend.  The big mover could be St. Norb's if they can get two wins against teams currently ahead of them.

[jeffdc]

Best of luck to GC tomorrow night in their on-the-road battle with LU. I'm sure LU will serve up a decent game--after all, it's home turf--but I predict the Pioneers will capture a road win that puts them in the mood to enjoy their Sat. eve with Beloit.   

[LU_nut]

Old School

Thanks for a good summary.  I too had taken a look at the schedule and believe Carroll has the chance to continue it's winning ways.    I do look for LU to win two this weekend(grinnell will be tough).   That would set up an interesting game next Tuesday against Oshkosh at home.  A win against them would put LU back on the national scene.  LU has the offense and depth to play with Oshkosh, but I am not sure their defense if up to past standards.

I agree with you in terms of who the top three teams are.   It is a critical junture for Lake Forest and St. Norb to make a move.   Ripon is going to win some games this year, but their start is going to keep them from contending.

Thanks for trying to add some flavor to the board.

Nut