MBB: Midwest Conference

[larry_u]

Thought some people would get a kick out of this

http://talleywhackers.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/the-rules-for-banner-raising-and-the-most-ridiculous-banners-in-sports/

an Honorable mention for worst banner hung goes to....

Honorable Mention: Grinnell College's "Points Banner"

Note: Sadly these are the only banners I couldn't find a picture of, though I vividly recall them from their moment in the sun game on ESPN a few years back. If you miraculously have a picture, please send it in.

If you've never heard of D-III Grinnell, it's time to get acquainted. The Pioneers rely on a unique system, which utilizes a constant full-court press, a focus on shooting at least 100 shots a game (with the majority of them three-pointers), and substitutions of five players at a time every 35 to 40 seconds hockey style. I'll admit, their system is fun to watch, and it nets Grinnell averages of over 120 ppgs (although they do also give up nearly that many points as well). What's stupidis that Grinnell memorializes the seasons that they lead the NCAA in scoring with a banner. This type of banner is generally pretty silly, but even more so when it's not the result of skill, but rather circumstance. It's inevitable that you'll always lead the NCAA in scoring because of the system, so until your ready to hang the "Most Points Given Up in the NCAA" banners next to the other banners, it's time to take them down. Besides, your other accomplishments are actually more impressive.

[Fort Knox]

Sweep the leg AndOne

[Greek Tragedy]

but even more so when it's not the result of skill, but rather circumstance. It's inevitable that you'll always lead the NCAA in scoring because of the system,

So, if a defensive-oriented team like Lawrence led the nation in scoring-defense, that is the result of circumstance, not skill?  Or possibly LACK of skill from the opposing team because they can't score...

[Gregory Sager]

Thought some people would get a kick out of this

http://talleywhackers.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/the-rules-for-banner-raising-and-the-most-ridiculous-banners-in-sports/

an Honorable mention for worst banner hung goes to....

Honorable Mention: Grinnell College's "Points Banner"

Note: Sadly these are the only banners I couldn't find a picture of, though I vividly recall them from their moment in the sun game on ESPN a few years back. If you miraculously have a picture, please send it in.

If you've never heard of D-III Grinnell, it's time to get acquainted. The Pioneers rely on a unique system, which utilizes a constant full-court press, a focus on shooting at least 100 shots a game (with the majority of them three-pointers), and substitutions of five players at a time every 35 to 40 seconds hockey style. I'll admit, their system is fun to watch, and it nets Grinnell averages of over 120 ppgs (although they do also give up nearly that many points as well). What's stupidis that Grinnell memorializes the seasons that they lead the NCAA in scoring with a banner. This type of banner is generally pretty silly, but even more so when it's not the result of skill, but rather circumstance. It's inevitable that you'll always lead the NCAA in scoring because of the system, so until your ready to hang the "Most Points Given Up in the NCAA" banners next to the other banners, it's time to take them down. Besides, your other accomplishments are actually more impressive.

That blog piece was full of beauty and truth, larry_u. Thanks for linking to it. And, yeah, I think that he hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Grinnell scoring banners -- although he's also right to concede that the "56 Billy Joel sellout concerts" banner in Philly's Wachovia Center is an even more egregious violation of banner etiquette than the Grinnell ones.

(And, BTW, speaking as a native son of the city of chicken wings and lake-effect snow, it's great to hear that Buffalo has finally won a championship in something ... even if it is just pro lacrosse.)

but even more so when it's not the result of skill, but rather circumstance. It's inevitable that you'll always lead the NCAA in scoring because of the system,

So, if a defensive-oriented team like Lawrence led the nation in scoring-defense, that is the result of circumstance, not skill?  Or possibly LACK of skill from the opposing team because they can't score...

Does Lawrence have a banner hanging in Alexander Gym to commemorate some scoring-defense accomplishment? If not, then what's your point here, Tom?

[cardinalfanrochelle]

Andone,
             I saw Sean  Mc yesterday and he's not looking at NIU but he's looking

[AndOne]

Yes, latest word is that he is again considering smaller schools with the possibility of playing again.

[The Roop]

Does Lawrence have a banner hanging in Alexander Gym to commemorate some scoring-defense accomplishment? If not, then what's your point here, Tom?

Well the Fire Marshall has a banner (more of a placard) in Alexander Gymnasivm that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years.

[Amos Lawrence]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before, but here is a link to LU's incoming class...

http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/public_affairs/media/sportsnews/0708/060308.html

[pgkevin]

Posted this over in the CCIW room, but figured since there were 3 MWC teams in it people might wanna know

Here is a tenative list of all the college teams playing in the Deerfield Joy of the Game...there are at least 3 or 4 more teams of individuals I believe, but don't quote me on that                     
Augustana               
Lawrence      
North Central 2            
Elmhurst      
NCC Pro               
North Central 1      
Wash Univ                  
Benedictine                        
Trinity                      
Illinois Wesleyan            
Lake Forest      
Redmen   
Kenosha Black   
North Park
St Norbert               
McHenry College

[LU_nut]

Amos:  Thanks for the heads up.   Looks like JoJo got a good one from Colorado.

I also noticed that LU posted their schedule.   They are making a trip to California to play Cal Lutheran and Cal Tech.  Out of curiosity, I took a quick look at the sites for those teams on D3.  Cal Lutheran looks like they have a very strong program.    Cal Tech. appears to be unbelievably bad.  Unless I am missing something, they have won a total of something like 3 games over 5 years....wow......and keep in mind that the west coast is not a hotbed of D3 basketball.      Roop or someone should take a look::::  do they have the worst record in all of D3 over that period??? surely they do.  It looks like they were embarrassed enough that they quite posting results on their own site after their first scrimmage this past year.

They have not won more than one game in a year for a good while.   That cannot be much fun.

Lu nut.

[Pat Coleman]

We've covered Caltech fairly extensively on the site, LU_Nut.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2007/01/07/caltech-ends-59-game-slide.html
http://www.d3hoops.com/nation/05/dec02.htm
http://www.d3hoops.com/dailydose/2005/12/30/immediate-thoughts-on-dec-29/
http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2007/12/17/mwc-teams-sink-pair-of-d-iis.html
http://www.d3hoops.com/nation/06/feb02.htm
http://www.d3hoops.com/dailydose/2008/01/03/streakin-into-2008/

[LU_nut]

Did a little more research on Cal Tech.  Terriffic math and science school.   Basketball legendarily bad.   They have a 273 game conference losing streak.   They have only beaten two NCAA teams in over 10 years.   Most of their players did not play HS b-ball.   Coach must have been a gluten for punishment to take the job.   Probably only place in America you can win 2 games in 6 years of coaching and keep your job..............not that I have a problem with that given the priorities of the school.

Still don't know how you can lose 273 straight conference games in b-ball.   I never knew there was a sports program anywhere that was quite that accomplished at being bad.

[LU_nut]

Thanks Pat.   I guess I missed a legend in the making.  Thanks for the info.

[Fort Knox]

In my experience, that is a good scheduling move by LU...some of your guys are going to indulge    when they get out west after being cooped up in a Midwest winter, so schedule a good team first and a second team that guarantees you wont go home 0-2

Roop...found the answer to your Coespiracy
http://www.ripon.edu/athletics/wbasketball/2007-08/2008-09_Schedule.html
two games at RC already that first night

[WLCALUM83]

Here's news on a prep player headed Lake Forest's direction:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=759157

("Other college choices" section--scroll down a bit).