MBB: Midwest Conference

[The Roop]

I like all your picks bball312. I couldn't include anyone from Ripon as I didn't see them in person this year. Hard to tell for sure about somebody on MWCTV. Now all we need is a D3 game for XBox and they could square off.

[gobucs]

The All Roop Team


Pick 5 that you've actually seen in person and top mine.............

Well, since I was in attendance for only ONE game this year (many conflicts w/ our HS schedule)....here's mine

Horton Beloit
Kenny Beloit
Chamberlain Grinnell
Long Grinnell
Grotberg Grinnell

[The Roop]

Hopefully the recruiting process goes as expected. Then you will have a renewed priority to attend MWC games next year.

You've put together a nice "System" team but how do you leave Davey off of it ?? Besides, you took two of my players so how can we have the XBox Tournament ?? Players set screens for themselves I guess. LOL.

[gobucs]

You've put together a nice "System" team but how do you leave Davey off of it ?? Besides, you took two of my players so how can we have the XBox Tournament ?? Players set screens for themselves I guess. LOL.

Ok, I didn't know we were playing an x-box tournament.....Arsenault & Isham then....LOL

[The Roop]

You've put together a nice "System" team but how do you leave Davey off of it ?? Besides, you took two of my players so how can we have the XBox Tournament ?? Players set screens for themselves I guess. LOL.

Ok, I didn't know we were playing an x-box tournament.....Arsenault & Isham then....LOL

See, this is exactly why farm girls should never be allowed computers. They add to their team without taking anyone off, then think there is actually going to be an XBox Tournament. LOL.

[gcfan33]

I have to comment on the Heimann COY award as well.  They DIDN'T HAVE A WINNING RECORD!!!!!!  They HAVEN'T had a winning record since when?!??  Heimann didn't even have a winning career record at Knox.

This is our MWC coach of the year ladies and gentlemen.  I'm sorry but can't we just give Heimann a "Participation Award?"

COY should go to the person who did the best job.  My vote would have been for any of the coaches who coached teams that made the tournament, especially since every year someone overachieves... (this should be the coach with COY).  Any of the top four fit that bill.

[bball312]

GCFan33, I couldnt agree more. Not only shoudl he not have had it, Knox shouldn't have had two guys on the all conference. Not saying that they are both bad, however, judging by statistics, to ratio etc, they should not have made it clearly. The only reason the coach got COY is because it was his last year. I can understand to an extent then, but not with their record. I would have given it to St Norberts coach, or Lawrence. Thats just my opinion.

[siwash]

Gentlemen,

I must say I was surprised a bit by the COY pick.  But the comment about his overall career record and last time he had a winning season is irrelevant.  This is for Coach of the YEAR, not career...I think he was an eligble canidate since his team was basically +4 (picked to finish 9th, finished 5th), regardless of record.  That combined with this his last year made it a more enticing choice.  Sure there was some excellent coaching this year, and other deserving coaches, but I have no problem with this selection whether it was the right or wrong one.  I know some of you have disagreed with picks in the past and will again in the future...ah the life of a fan in the MWC...good luck to LU...win it all and take home COY honors for D3!!!

[wc2viking]

Fear not LU fans, The Roop will be in the house for both of your victories in the Whitewater Regional. FYI. UW-Whitewater lets you reserve tickets over the phone with a credit card. Somebody thought of that not long ago so LU might want to keep it in mind for the future. 

I expect to see Old School, wc2viking, give me a mirror and I will see myself; then can we possibly have the one and only diehardfan there too ?? She didn't get a geographic bye but Wheaton is in so she's gotta be there.  A Pril, A Pril, A Pril....................

Lawrence wins this one and they will battle Point for a trip to Salem. Tough early rounds for the Vikings but it can be done. Do the MWC proud...............

I would definitely be there, but I forgot to clear my schedule for LU's (nearly) annual trip to the tourney.  However, I already have a promise from a player that they'll win 2 this weekend so I can watch them next weekend.  8)

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm surprised about all the negative votes LU is getting.  You're on a neutral floor playing against Wheaton (IL), probably the last Pool C team that got into the dance.  Yes, they play in the CCIW, but if posters were complaining so much because they didn't get a home game(s) and felt they deserved it because of their record and all, I would've thought there'd be a more confident bunch of MWC fans that would believe LU would get past Wheaton (IL).  I think even some MWC posters underestimate LU's quality.

However, I already have a promise from a player that they'll win 2 this weekend so I can watch them next weekend.  8)

A promise (or guarantee) is only a promise if it's backed up by a consequence.  What if they don't win two this weekend?  I can promise that Amherst will repeat as champions, but if they don't, who cares, if I don't "bet" something on it (like shave my head).

[larry_u]

I'm surprised about all the negative votes LU is getting.  You're on a neutral floor playing against Wheaton (IL), probably the last Pool C team that got into the dance.  Yes, they play in the CCIW, but if posters were complaining so much because they didn't get a home game(s) and felt they deserved it because of their record and all, I would've thought there'd be a more confident bunch of MWC fans that would believe LU would get past Wheaton (IL).  I think even some MWC posters underestimate LU's quality.

However, I already have a promise from a player that they'll win 2 this weekend so I can watch them next weekend.  8)

A promise (or guarantee) is only a promise if it's backed up by a consequence.  What if they don't win two this weekend?  I can promise that Amherst will repeat as champions, but if they don't, who cares, if I don't "bet" something on it (like shave my head).

I have a feeling most of the lose in the first round votes are coming from the other MWC fans other than Lawrence.  Except for the three going all the way votes, it looks to me like most LU fans are like me, they think this team is good, but having to play Whitewater at Whitewater this year is akin to a death sentence.  Its just like when we lost at POint in 2005.  We are good, but I don't think you can find too many people who think this team is better then Whitewater, and add in their home floor, and you get a fairly early exit.  I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not irrational.

[Greek Tragedy]

Playing in the midwest/west area (not region, don't want to confuse anyone!), is tough on everyone.  The top of the MWC has definitely earned it's stripes with LU in the past and Carroll last year.  But, aside from you guys, teams have to navigate through the CCIW teams, WIAC teams and then later on, the Woosters, Hopes, and two UAA teams.  Not an easy assignment.  Traveling to the top dog in the MIAC can also be a chore sometimes.  No offense to the IIAC, but they haven't convinced me much. 

[Gregory Sager]

I'm surprised about all the negative votes LU is getting.  You're on a neutral floor playing against Wheaton (IL), probably the last Pool C team that got into the dance.  Yes, they play in the CCIW, but if posters were complaining so much because they didn't get a home game(s) and felt they deserved it because of their record and all, I would've thought there'd be a more confident bunch of MWC fans that would believe LU would get past Wheaton (IL).  I think even some MWC posters underestimate LU's quality.

However, I already have a promise from a player that they'll win 2 this weekend so I can watch them next weekend.  8)

A promise (or guarantee) is only a promise if it's backed up by a consequence.  What if they don't win two this weekend?  I can promise that Amherst will repeat as champions, but if they don't, who cares, if I don't "bet" something on it (like shave my head).

I have a feeling most of the lose in the first round votes are coming from the other MWC fans other than Lawrence.  Except for the three going all the way votes, it looks to me like most LU fans are like me, they think this team is good, but having to play Whitewater at Whitewater this year is akin to a death sentence.  Its just like when we lost at POint in 2005.  We are good, but I don't think you can find too many people who think this team is better then Whitewater, and add in their home floor, and you get a fairly early exit.  I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not irrational.

If you want to get to Salem, you will most likely have to beat UW-Whitewater to do so. Sooner, later ... what difference does it make when you face the Warhawks? Unless you've set your sights lower and are attuned to thinking of Lawrence as being a success if it reaches the Sweet Sixteen rather than Salem -- are you? -- then it does not matter when exactly you have to play UWW. Or Augie. Or Wash U. Or UWSP. Or any other top-drawer team from out this way. As Tom said, there will never be an easy road to Salem for any Midwest Region or West Region team.

[wc2viking]

If you want to get to Salem, you will most likely have to beat UW-Whitewater to do so. Sooner, later ... what difference does it make when you face the Warhawks? Unless you've set your sights lower and are attuned to thinking of Lawrence as being a success if it reaches the Sweet Sixteen rather than Salem -- are you? -- then it does not matter when exactly you have to play UWW. Or Augie. Or Wash U. Or UWSP. Or any other top-drawer team from out this way. As Tom said, there will never be an easy road to Salem for any Midwest Region or West Region team.

First, the "promise" comment was tongue-in-cheek.  I know that no player can guarantee anything.  For every Joe Namath comment, there are 10 "guarantees" that are quickly broken and forgotten.

As far as when LU plays UW-Whitewater, of course LU would prefer to play them later in the tournament.  We're not the New York Yankees where anything less than a championship is a dismal failure.  Success is on a continuum, not a yes or no answer.  I think most fans would it a more successful season to get to the Sweet 16 and lose to the eventual champion rather than losing to them in the first round.  Of course the NCAA recognizes this with the way they set up the D1 tournament so that North Carolina and Tennessee won't play in the first round this year.  I know that the D3 bracket is constructed to make it as cheap as possible, but it's frustrating that the NCAA won't spend a fraction of their billions to ensure a little bracket integrity for D3.  (Yes, I know it's in the rules that way, but that doesn't mean that I can't be annoyed by it.)

Finally, I think LU thought they were playing for home court the last 5-6 games of the season.  They won those games and are understandably bummed that they didn't get rewarded for those efforts.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In the best of all possible worlds, LU certainly deserved to host.  But with UWW (and Augie) in the vicinity, I'm not surprised.

But before you bemoan UWW too much, I'd suggest worrying about Wheaton.  While I think it would classify as an upset, my pick ems has Wheaton winning.  And I don't even think it will be AA Kent Raymond that primarily does you in - it's Andy Wiele that I'm not sure LU can stop.