MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[pointlem]

Thanks, Sac, for your excellent synopses and observations . . . you could be a sports writer!

Although this weekend was a disappointment for both Hope and Calvin fans, it in some ways confirms what I'd presumed---that Hope has terrific perimenter players this year, but is going to be challenged by its lack of size, leaping ability, and scoring in the paint.  When the 3-point shooting is on, as it was Thanksgiving weekend, they'll be hard to beat.  But live by the 3-point sword and die by . . .

Jesse Reimink offers reason for hope, though his points were mostly three-pointers yesterday (that versatility is also part of his strength).  Tyler Wolfe's Friday night conntribution, which included 7 rebounds, also was a bright spot.  Sac's mentioning Carthage's four-guard offense made me wonder if Hope might try that a bit, as they did at the end Friday night with Tyler in the game.  VH's size allows him to go inside and out in such situations.

I still look for better thigs to come from Calvin.  They do have both scoring potential from their guards and defense/rebounding/scorig potential from their inside players.  They're a young and developing team with the raw materials in place, and I can honestly say, even as a Hope fan, that I was rooting for them in both games this weekend . . . but enough of that!

Gee, you thank him for the commentary, then go and insult him!

I'm unsure what seemed an insult, but none was intended.  I love SAC's commentaries.

[Shareef23]

It's all but confirmed to be OSU-UF at this point. Don't really feel like griping at this point, but it really makes no sense whatsoever.

[Mr. Ypsi]

pointlem,

Just a lame jab at sportswriters. 

[sac]

Who is going to get the shortest end of the stick tonight at 8pm?

Michigan?
Florida?

I don't really feel comfortable providing an opinion at this time.  I abstain. 

[David Collinge]

Who is going to get the shortest end of the stick tonight at 8pm?

Michigan?
Florida?

I don't really feel comfortable providing an opinion at this time.  I abstain. 

LOL. 

I figure that the Rose Bowl vs. USC is a pretty good consolation prize; plus if the title game is Ohio State (not OSU-Marion, by the way) vs. Florida, it'll be that much easier to ignore.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Who is going to get the shortest end of the stick tonight at 8pm?

Michigan?
Florida?

I don't really feel comfortable providing an opinion at this time.  I abstain. 

LOL. 

I figure that the Rose Bowl vs. USC is a pretty good consolation prize; plus if the title game is Ohio State (not OSU-Marion, by the way) vs. Florida, it'll be that much easier to ignore.

I'm still clinging to faint hope that UM gets a shot at the title, but it doesn't look good.

The silver lining is that once Michigan beats USC by 3-4 TDs (if UCLA can hold them to 9, UM may shut them out!) and Ohio State does the same to Florida, it should make it clear EVEN to Urban Meyer who the top two teams are!

[MIdoubleA]

I will choose to obstain in the UM-UF debate as well, I just wanted to hear opinions. I figured most everyone would be in general agreeance anyway 

What about Wisconsin? I'm not a Wisconsin fan myself, but they seem to be getting skipped over by everyone, and I think they are the ones getting screwed the most. Finishing 3rd in their conference with the only loss to UM, they are sitting at #5 in most polls and are garaunteed to NOT go to a BCS game.

Poor cheeseheads

[mjfasteenwolf]

Sorry, been away from the board for a while. History Seminar has been consuming my life. I also will obstain from getting too fired up over the college football debate. I love the smell of roses but Buckeye blood on the field smells a lot better. I feel Mich got the raw end of the deal, either way somebody was going too, just too bad that it couldn't of been Urban and his boys.

As far as college basketball goes, since thats what his board is for. I'm reaching beyond the MIAA here but wow, nice performance Lincoln. Way to beat somebody by 123 points, that must be fufilling. Was a little dissapointed to see the MIAA performance over in Kenosha, but hopefully both teams can use it as a learning experience. Close games, but just need to learn how to finish them out.

I will be back later in the week, then during xmas break I will actually be able to start thinking logically.

[doc]

My favorite moment in a pretty depressing basketball weekend:

During the Carthage/Calvin game, a ball gets tipped into the Calvin bench right into the laps of the Calvin players, and it is pretty clear (at least to the Calvin team, who stand up and give some shouts) that Carthage touched it last.  The ref comes over and says (and I quote verbatim), "Alright, all of you sit down. I do not want to see any emotion from any of you from now on!"

Unfortunately, Calvin seemed all too willing to comply.  It's early to be flying the Calvin flag at half mast, but they need someone to step and show some leadership and toughness soon.

The other nice thing was seeing Raymond from Wheaton play.  Wow.  He is totally in control, deadly with the three, constantly creating offense by dishing off penetration. . .best looking d3 guard I've seen in recent memory.

[doc]

One last thing. . .where were the Wheaton fans?  I think I saw 5 or maybe 10 Thunder fans total combined between the two games. 

[WLCALUM83]

I will choose to obstain in the UM-UF debate as well, I just wanted to hear opinions. I figured most everyone would be in general agreeance anyway 

What about Wisconsin? I'm not a Wisconsin fan myself, but they seem to be getting skipped over by everyone, and I think they are the ones getting screwed the most. Finishing 3rd in their conference with the only loss to UM, they are sitting at #5 in most polls and are garaunteed to NOT go to a BCS game.

Poor cheeseheads

I know I'm going on first reaction here, but maybe the Badgers had a "softer" non-conference schedule (in comparison)and that was a contributing factor. (Case in point, the last opponent, Buffalo--no offense, but Buffalo isn't exactly a Div I powerhouse.) 2 conference teams UW didn't have to play this year--Ohio State and Michigan State--.

Just my .02  (with interest).

[Mr. Ypsi]

I will choose to obstain in the UM-UF debate as well, I just wanted to hear opinions. I figured most everyone would be in general agreeance anyway 

What about Wisconsin? I'm not a Wisconsin fan myself, but they seem to be getting skipped over by everyone, and I think they are the ones getting screwed the most. Finishing 3rd in their conference with the only loss to UM, they are sitting at #5 in most polls and are garaunteed to NOT go to a BCS game.

Poor cheeseheads

I know I'm going on first reaction here, but maybe the Badgers had a "softer" non-conference schedule (in comparison)and that was a contributing factor. (Case in point, the last opponent, Buffalo--no offense, but Buffalo isn't exactly a Div I powerhouse.) 2 conference teams UW didn't have to play this year--Ohio State and Michigan State--.

Just my .02  (with interest).

Umm - MSU this year was a guaranteed win!  Missing OSU was a break - or was that a break for OSU?

[Shareef23]

I will choose to obstain in the UM-UF debate as well, I just wanted to hear opinions. I figured most everyone would be in general agreeance anyway  

What about Wisconsin? I'm not a Wisconsin fan myself, but they seem to be getting skipped over by everyone, and I think they are the ones getting screwed the most. Finishing 3rd in their conference with the only loss to UM, they are sitting at #5 in most polls and are garaunteed to NOT go to a BCS game.

Poor cheeseheads


I know I'm going on first reaction here, but maybe the Badgers had a "softer" non-conference schedule (in comparison)and that was a contributing factor. (Case in point, the last opponent, Buffalo--no offense, but Buffalo isn't exactly a Div I powerhouse.) 2 conference teams UW didn't have to play this year--Ohio State and Michigan State--.

Just my .02  (with interest).

The post's point was that "da Badgers" couldn't go to a BCS bowl, unless they were picked ahead of UM (which will never happean). Only 2 teams from the same conference are allowed in a BCS bowl. Even thou top 8 teams are an automatic in (ie Bosie State). Seems like a conflict on interest, just like voting in the coaches poll.   At least,  I have soemthing to take my mind of the Knights going down in flames this weekend.  

[Gregory Sager]

-----Carthage's athletic building is very impressive, it would dust anything the MIAA has to offer at the moment, except for Hope's arena and maybe Calvin's gym are better.  The basketball gym is nice, sort of modern architecture looking but could use some sprucing up inside which I think they will do.   They have a huge pool area with, get this, 4 full size basketball courts and an indoor track above the pool. 

Carthage built the new facility just a few years ago, right next to the gym. In fact, the gym was expanded somewhat as a part of the project, although the actual seating capacity was reduced to 2,440. It's now a very nice D3 basketball facility, although it was a dimly-lit relic prior to construction (in CCIW circles it was called "the dungeon"). As nice as it is, it doesn't get the oohs and aahs of Illinois Wesleyan's Shirk Center or, to a lesser degree, Wheaton's King Arena.

As for Carthage's lakeside location -- yes, it's picturesque, but keep in mind that this is Wisconsin we're talking about. Winters last long up there, and when the wind whips in off the lake between November and April ... well, it's not all that pleasant to be outdoors for any reason on the Carthage campus.

As for Wisconsin having a state law that every other building has to be a bar: I not only think that that is in fact the case, but that there's related laws that prohibit the selling of imported beers and require every Wisconsin bar to display a rack of deer antlers somewhere on the premises. 

[Gregory Sager]

One last thing. . .where were the Wheaton fans?  I think I saw 5 or maybe 10 Thunder fans total combined between the two games. 

Wheaton draws good crowds at home, but their fan base never travels well -- not even during seasons that the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance is a national power. The conventional wisdom in the CCIW is that the only roundball sport that'll induce the Wheaties to leave campus is the one in which the ball is kicked rather than dribbled.