MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

As I stated, I am simply an outsider but the scenario (good cop-bad cop) presented is something that I have witnessed, and been involved in.  One person spreading negative energy, intentional or not, whether it's a coach, team captain or student manager can and will divide a program every time. 

I simply threw out a theroy.  Using the word "tumor" was meant for enphasis.  Of course a great guy couldn't possibly be a tumor.  Would "distraction" have been a better choice of word?

I think the point is that you are assuming quite a bit that is not known for sure.  There could be about 100 other reasons for this move.  We should always be cautious when talking about specific people.  OK would tell us to only testify to what we know to be true.

I know I proudly wear my maroon-colored WWOKD bracelet all the time.

Sounds like spotten to me. Your parents wouldn't be happy.


In other basketball related news, Hope fans might remember Flenard Whitfield--WMU's magnificently buff power forward--from the game Hope played at University Arena last November. I told my son that the 6'7", 235 lb Whitfield should consider playing for Bill Cubit's football team. My son--a WMU grad who closely follows the school's sports scene--told me that Flenard had been an outstanding high school football player who garnered significant D1 interest in that sport. Apparently Whitfield overheard my advice because he plans to join WMU's football team as a tight end.

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2012/03/wmu_basketball_player_flenard.html

I think Whitfield has pro possibilities and he wouldn't be the first Steve Hawkins' hoopster to make the NFL. Last fall, former Bronco post player Joe Reitz, started for the Colts as an offensive lineman.

[wiz]

IWU's strong run ends in the semi-finals.  UW-Whitewater and MIT tied at the half.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU's strong run ends in the semi-finals.  UW-Whitewater and MIT tied at the half.

That was indeed a heart-breaker.  With no offense to Cabrini at all, I think either IWU or Hope would win at least 7 of 10.  John Boyd is a senior, and set personal records for 3-pointers and points tonight (he had scored 25 in the first four games; he had 34 tonight) - that was the killer!  (Well, that and Jeremy Knowles, who otherwise had 4 points all night, burying a 3 with 3 seconds to go.)

[Gregory Sager]

With no offense to Cabrini at all, I think either IWU or Hope would win at least 7 of 10.

I disagree, Chuck. You're selling Cabrini short.

[Mr. Ypsi]

With no offense to Cabrini at all, I think either IWU or Hope would win at least 7 of 10.

I disagree, Chuck. You're selling Cabrini short.

I saw Hope/IWU live, and Cabrini/IWU in essentially its entirety on the web.  Cabrini is a very good team; I just think that both IWU and Hope are a bit better.  John Boyd had a game tonight that I'm not sure he ever even dared have in his dreams!  Both Lemons and Walton-Moss were effectively neutralized by the Titan defense (and I think would have been by Hope's defenders).

And IF we could both shut down Walton(-Moss), how often is the past tense of John-Boy gonna hit us up for 34 points?!

[Gregory Sager]

First of all, you're leaving out Cabrini's defense, especially that second-half press that brought them back. The quickness of the Cavaliers gave IWU fits, and it would neutralize Hope's perimeter quickness, too, if those two teams met. Second, the Boyd explosion is what demonstrates how good Cabrini really is. You focus on stopping the star, somebody else steps up. And Boyd was certainly capable of being that guy who stepped up; he had a game earlier this year in which he scored 31, a game in which he scored 28, and a game in which he scored 25.

And I wouldn't say that Lemons was "neutralized by the Titan defense" -- he dished out eight assists, meaning that he was ready, willing, and able to give someone else the ball when he was stopped.

[Gregory Sager]

I'll admit that I was a sceptic. I thought that D-Mac & Co. were really overselling Cabrini on Hoopsville, and that it was all just a bunch of hype in order to beef up viewership for the semifinal games. Given Cabrini's pantywaist schedule, I scoffed at the idea that the Cavaliers could handle a battle-toughened team from the midwest. But they could, and they did.

I've learned my lesson. Having seen both semifinal games (I've now seen UWW three times, once live and twice online), I'm a lot more reluctant to dismiss Cabrini's chances tomorrow against the Warhawks.

[Mr. Ypsi]

First of all, you're leaving out Cabrini's defense, especially that second-half press that brought them back. The quickness of the Cavaliers gave IWU fits, and it would neutralize Hope's perimeter quickness, too, if those two teams met. Second, the Boyd explosion is what demonstrates how good Cabrini really is. You focus on stopping the star, somebody else steps up. And Boyd was certainly capable of being that guy who stepped up; he had a game earlier this year in which he scored 31, a game in which he scored 28, and a game in which he scored 25.

And I wouldn't say that Lemons was "neutralized by the Titan defense" -- he dished out eight assists, meaning that he was ready, willing, and able to give someone else the ball when he was stopped.

I said Lemons (a potential All American) was 'neutralized', not stopped.  In 40 minutes he went for 11 and 8.  Combined, in 45 minutes Reed and Rudnicki (NOT potential All Americans) went for 17 and 10.  I'd call that 'neutralized'.

I think we've reached a point of 'he said, he said' (to paraphrase the usual cliche).  To me, both Hope and IWU are a noticeable tad better than Cabrini.  Since I could easily list 350+ teams that I think Hope and IWU would beat more than 9 times out of 10, 7 out of 10 is NOT defaming them!  But I will be surprised if they stay within single digits of UWW, and actually think it will end up as a blowout.

We should probably now return the MIAA board to its rightful owners.

[Gregory Sager]

Seven out of ten is a very decisive edge. And remember -- by saying that IWU beats Cabrini seven out of ten times, you're essentially saying the same thing on behalf of NCC and Wheaton. I just think that you're off on this one, Chuck.

I think that UWW will win tomorrow. But I don't think it'll be a blowout -- and I won't be shocked if Cabrini is the team that ends up walking off the floor with the Big Doorstop in hand.

[sac]

I'll admit that I was a sceptic. I thought that D-Mac & Co. were really overselling Cabrini on Hoopsville, and that it was all just a bunch of hype in order to beef up viewership for the semifinal games. Given Cabrini's pantywaist schedule, I scoffed at the idea that the Cavaliers could handle a battle-toughened team from the midwest. But they could, and they did.

I've learned my lesson. Having seen both semifinal games (I've now seen UWW three times, once live and twice online), I'm a lot more reluctant to dismiss Cabrini's chances tomorrow against the Warhawks.

ditto, I was fully expecting the Titans to roll.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Seven out of ten is a very decisive edge. And remember -- by saying that IWU beats Cabrini seven out of ten times, you're essentially saying the same thing on behalf of NCC and Wheaton. I just think that you're off on this one, Chuck.

I think that UWW will win tomorrow. But I don't think it'll be a blowout -- and I won't be shocked if Cabrini is the team that ends up walking off the floor with the Big Doorstop in hand.

I won't say NCC or Wheaton would NOT be in the same position, but you know perfectly well that matchups are determined by, well, matchups.  Having seen them, I believe both Hope and IWU match up very well and would usually win; I'll reserve judgement on NCC and Wheaton.

And this is not a Presidential election, where even 60% is a blowout.  To me, in a 40-minute game, even a small edge means winning 7 of 10.  4, 5, or 6 of 10 are all tossups where 'luck' determined the outcome!

[knightvision]

First of all, you're leaving out Cabrini's defense, especially that second-half press that brought them back. The quickness of the Cavaliers gave IWU fits, and it would neutralize Hope's perimeter quickness, too, if those two teams met. Second, the Boyd explosion is what demonstrates how good Cabrini really is. You focus on stopping the star, somebody else steps up. And Boyd was certainly capable of being that guy who stepped up; he had a game earlier this year in which he scored 31, a game in which he scored 28, and a game in which he scored 25.

And I wouldn't say that Lemons was "neutralized by the Titan defense" -- he dished out eight assists, meaning that he was ready, willing, and able to give someone else the ball when he was stopped.

I said Lemons (a potential All American) was 'neutralized', not stopped.  In 40 minutes he went for 11 and 8.  Combined, in 45 minutes Reed and Rudnicki (NOT potential All Americans) went for 17 and 10.  I'd call that 'neutralized'.

I think we've reached a point of 'he said, he said' (to paraphrase the usual cliche).  To me, both Hope and IWU are a noticeable tad better than Cabrini.  Since I could easily list 350+ teams that I think Hope and IWU would beat more than 9 times out of 10, 7 out of 10 is NOT defaming them!  But I will be surprised if they stay within single digits of UWW, and actually think it will end up as a blowout.

We should probably now return the MIAA board to its rightful owners.

Mr Ypsi and Mr Sager, as a relative newcomer to this board, I enjoyed the friendly but spirited banter.  But inquiring minds want to know:  Mr. Sager, when an additional exchange followed the one above ending with Mr. Ypsi's final post at 2:06 am, did you in gentlemanly fashion refrain from further engagement, or had you fallen asleep at the keyboard?  

[sac]

Some quality face time for Jody May during the NABC all-star games with all the interviews.

[realist]

Congrats to D. Krombeem for the D3 Hoops 2nd team All American honors.

[formerd3db]

knightvision:
Good one! +k

Greg and Chuck:

I, will at the risk of beratement , jump in here.   Greg, I have to agree with Mr. Ypsi on this one.  Using your logic, it, then, is no different that last night's Div. I games.  Do you really think that Duke or Missouri wouldn't win 9 out of 10 times against Lehigh and Norfolk State respectively? But...alas, I suppose we could say that comparing Div. III is not like Div. I, although I tend to think it is when it comes to the national championship tourney.