MBB: Midwest Conference

[Gregory Sager]

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.

My reply was directed at larry_u rather than you, so the "promises" comment wasn't really the subject of my reply.

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.

I agree with this in technical terms, since it's true that success is on a continuum. A Sweet Sixteen season is definitely better than a first-round-exit season. But this is really not the way of thinking that one sees from a follower of a national power. Like it or not, CCIW and WIAC fans do think along the same lines as Yankees fans; they expect deep tournament runs, if not Final Fours, and view quick exits as failures.

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.)

File under: "Choir, Preaching To The".

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.

Good point, Chuck. I'm not sure that it's worthwhile for the Larries to get too exercised about UWW yet, because Wheaton is by no means a gimme.

[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

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.

Well, I guess I need to explain in detail for you "to get it".....LOL  Since we had two of the same players (Horton and Kenny), I gave you those two players and replaced the w/ Arsenault and Isham.......IF there would happen to be an imaginary x-box tournament.......are you smoking wacky weed or what?  LMAO

[Amos Lawrence]

I doubt the LU players are looking past Wheaton, regardless if LU fans are. They know they have their hands full in both games. 

[The Roop]

Well, I guess I need to explain in detail for you "to get it".....LOL 

Since I'm a man, yes, you do need to explain it in detail. We seek logical conclusions not philosophical intentions.         

[gobucs]

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.

totally agree, don't look past em or they'll likely to bite cha in the buttocks!

[LU_nut]

No way anyone at LU is looking past Wheaton.  Any CCIW or WIAC school is viewed as a big challenge by the Vikings.   Remember, this is a school with 1400 kids, 1/3 of which never leave the music conservatory.   What has made the last 5 years so fun for players and fans has been the ability to compete and beat some of the teams from the CCIW and WIAC.  They are always a challenge.   They clearly are able to recuit larger athletes in the CCIW and WIAC.  The WIAC also tends to get it's share of D1 transfers like this year's WW guards.   No game against any team from these two conferences is viewed as anything but a big challenge by LU.

MC2viking:  I think you hit the nail on the head.  The general view of the fans was that they were playing the last 5-6 games for a home game or two.    A neutral court would be far superior, but that kind of opens the whole issue I have with the way D3 does it.   The difference in the 2004 and 2005 Point games are a pretty clear indication of how important home court can be.

I personally give LU a punchers chance of coming out of WW with two victories.   I know Raymond is terriffic.  Sounds like WW is athletic as heck, but if LU gets to face them and shoots like they are capable, they will give them a game.   I am not sure if Loras can handle WW's quickness at guard, but they are a solid team who will not lay down.

Nut

[hickory_cornhusker]

I think Lawrence does have a decent chance of surviving this weekend. If they do I'm sure they can beat the winner of the Ponoma-occidental-whitworth bracket. That puts them in the elite 8 where they would probably run into Hope.

[Greek Tragedy]

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.

Sorry about that, wc2viking.  I totally missed your  8) face.  Took it too serious! My bad.

MC2viking:  I think you hit the nail on the head.  The general view of the fans was that they were playing the last 5-6 games for a home game or two.    A neutral court would be far superior, but that kind of opens the whole issue I have with the way D3 does it.   The difference in the 2004 and 2005 Point games are a pretty clear indication of how important home court can be.

In most cases I would agree with the value of home court, but I can't be convinced the 2005 case can be used here.  Point was just so dominant that even if it were at The Alex, I don't see how Lawrence could come out of there with a win.  They won the semi final in Salem by 23 and the Final against Rochester by 24.  And yes, I do realize they squeezed by Trinity (TX) by just 6 in the Elite 8.

[Dolph Stanley]

Those Beloit fans who believe that the President of the college has been an obstacle to basketball success will get to see what type of attitude the new one brings next year.

[larry_u]

So who's all going down to Whitewater?  Too far for me, but I'll be at St. Thomas watching Chicago/Point and St. Thomas/ Buena Vista.

[WahooThunder]

For those of you who can't make it to Whitewater, you can listen to the Wheaton radio broadcast here: www.wetn.org

[The Roop]

Those Beloit fans who believe that the President of the college has been an obstacle to basketball success will get to see what type of attitude the new one brings next year.

Yes. I've said that but I think there is more to it than just a new President. And it will take a few years for all attitudes to change even if the new President is basketball friendly. It has to start from the top because only someone from the top can begin the process of change.

[wc2viking]

Damn!  LU loses in OT.  Congratulations to the team and especially the seniors on a fantastic season.

[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.

While Raymond certainly showed his AA credentials in OT, I'll pat myself on the back a bit: Wiele, 28 points, 11 rebounds.

Congratulations on a great season - Lawrence deserved a better draw than they got.

[The Roop]

Congratulations on a great season - Lawrence deserved a better draw than they got.

While I agree with that, considering the teams in any of the other two regionals they could have gone to, there were no easy draws for them because of so many higher ranked teams. Such is the "geographic" midwest in D3..............

Ironically by beating Carroll I think LU may have put Wheaton in the tournament. That or one more upset somewhere else and Wheaton is probably out.