MBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[WLCALUM83]

11/28/07 Men's NAthCon Finals:

Lakeland 70, Edgewood 57 (Edgewood press release indicates WI Eagle squad went into a cold-shooting spell late in the game. DeMarco did play).

Marian 70, Concordia-Chicago 66 (Play-by-play account indicates the Sabers went on an 11-4 run late to seal this one)

Non-conference:

Aurora 80, Millikin 74 OT
Dominican 57, Eureka 49

[Greek Tragedy]

What the heck is wrong with Edgewood?  They were picked #2 in the NathCon and they seem to be struggling...they just got beat by Lakeland, who is predicted to finish in the middle of the pack.

[LU_nut]

OS

Best player on two man team is hurt(DeMarco).  That is the reason.  I do not know the specifics.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

What the heck is wrong with Edgewood?  They were picked #2 in the NathCon and they seem to be struggling...they just got beat by Lakeland, who is predicted to finish in the middle of the pack.

Edgewood was missing DeMarco previously, but he played against Lakeland and scored 23.  I saw them play in Platteville and I think that even though DeMarco and Averkamp are probably considered the leaders on this team, they still are lacking a true floor leader.  Kyle Scott was that for them last year, and I personally think (unless somebody can change my opinion) even if it isn't a point guard which is usually the case, Averkamp and DeMarco don't have what it takes to be the floor leader.  Every team, including the ones I've played on has a few guys that can lead, but there has to be the one guy of the five on the floor that can lead everyone and everything.  He is that voice of reason when things are going bad, and the critic when things are going good.  Somebody has got to be the one that gets everyone focused on what they need to be doing on the floor, on the fly, and until that happens...it could be a tough year.

I wish nothing but the best for the Eagles now that Coach Adrian is the man at Edgewood.  I wish them well and I hope he can find that leader, because he deserves it and deserves success.

[MarsBlackmon]

This just in...the WLC at Rockford has been postponed due to inclement weather.

[WLCALUM83]

12/1 Men's NAthCon Finals:

Aurora 64, Dominican 60 (Stars: 23 turnovers to Aurora's 13--per Dominican box score.)

Lakeland 96, Concordia-WI 81. (Lakeland outshot and out-rebounded CUW-per CUW press release).

Benedictine 78, Concordia-Chicago 72. (Bendictine outshot the Cougars from the floor and had 8 more shots from the charity stripe--Source is CUC box score).

Edgewood at Marian ppd.

Non-conference:

Maranatha 77, Moody Bible 57.

[MarsBlackmon]

I am looking forward to watching the wlc aurora game tomorrow night at the rex.  Based on the way things have gone so far, it looks like wlc has a good chance to upset aurora.  As long as they can contain welton and play unselfish offense I think they'll have a pretty good shot at coming out of there with the W. 

[Greek Tragedy]

I was down there last year when WLC upset Aurora.  I've seen them play twice (Aurora) and they didn't impress me either time.  If I get ambitious, maybe I'll make my way down there.

via WLC's website:

Wisconsin Lutheran (1-3) begins Northern Athletics Conference play Tuesday when it hosts league preseason favorite Aurora University at 7 p.m. in the Recreation Complex.

Wow, way to sandbag your team. 

Anyone have any comments on the MSOE v Edgewood matchup this weekend?  Everyone is picking MSOE in the National Pick Em league!

[Greek Tragedy]

Upcoming conference games, weekend games to come later.

Tue. Dec. 4
*Aurora @ WLC...well, Aurora just knocked off Dominican, but I was there last year when WLC upset a better Aurora team.
*Benedictine @ MSOE...another tough one to decide.  Benedictine has topped traditional power Wittenberg (not sure if they are any good this year, played Wheaton and also North Central.  MSOE beat North Park outside of conference.
*CUC @ Dominican...losing to Lawrence by only 4 is something positive for CUC, but Dominican has home court (though they lost to Lawrence by 15.
*CUW @ Rockford...ummm.
*Edgewood @ Maranatha...DeMarco is back.
*Lakeland @ Marian...look for the Muskies to win in Fondy.

Thu. Dec. 6
*Maranatha @ CUW...Concordia bounces back after loss to Lakeland.

[Gregory Sager]

.
*Benedictine @ MSOE...another tough one to decide.  Benedictine has topped traditional power Wittenberg (not sure if they are any good this year,

Wittenberg is waaay down this year as compared to their usual national-power level, Tom.

[keith45]

I was down there last year when WLC upset Aurora.  I've seen them play twice (Aurora) and they didn't impress me either time.  If I get ambitious, maybe I'll make my way down there.

via WLC's website:

Wisconsin Lutheran (1-3) begins Northern Athletics Conference play Tuesday when it hosts league preseason favorite Aurora University at 7 p.m. in the Recreation Complex.

Wow, way to sandbag your team. 

Anyone have any comments on the MSOE v Edgewood matchup this weekend?  Everyone is picking MSOE in the National Pick Em league!

OS,
DONT GO!! You are offically bad luck...I think you were at 2 of AU's 3 losses last year!! Plus there is a big snow storm planned..or monsoon..or tornado..so I beg of you, please dont go!!! lol
AU is going to struggle for a few more games, till they get Mike Leonard back..losing Dusy hurts though, he is a deadeye shooter..I was joking with him the other day, maybe he'll get AU to play him and leave him on the offensive end only..after he hits a few, they'll play 4 on 4!

[MarsBlackmon]

just got back from trying to keep my car on the road through all the snow on the way back from the rex.  great game tonight. not many fans on hand, probably because of the weather. final score was Aurora 93 WLC 90.  Larry Welton did not play at all in the first half, not sure why, but Aurora still looked pretty good without him, Lance Robinson played great as did Chad Trudo, and a few other guys had good games too.  Welton ended up with 10 points playing only in the second half.  For the warriors Marcus Zondag had a very impressive game scoring 27.  Sorum, Lindberg, Plath, and Behm were also in double figures for the game.  Warriors had a chance to win but sorum was called for a push on a put back that would have put the warriors up 1 with under 10 seconds to go. Aurora hit both free throws and wlc didn't get a shot after that.  I think both teams looked pretty good, they played hard, and it was good to see both teams play very unselfish basketball. I think both of these teams will end up near the top of the standings.

[titansrus]

Hey Mars, judging from what I've read on here, you've seen the most WLC games this season. Just wondering what your thoughts are on Kyle Plath. It seems like he's made a big jump from soph to junior year.  Looking at the beginning of the season, he was on fire w/consecutive 27 point games. I know he's always been known as a good shooter, but what else does he bring to the table?

[The Lone Sader]

Edgewood vs Maranatha

The game at Jerusalem was much closer than most a you would have thought. The Saders were only down five with under three to go in the game. Some sound free throw shooting by Edgewood helped them win by 11.

Maranatha had no answer for DeMarco (28 points, 14 rebounds). He almost outrebounded MBBC on his own.

Great game by Maranatha's Burch (24 points) and Knepp (28 points). Those two will led the Saders to a few surprise victories in the conference this year.

[from downtown]

MSOE falls by 3 to Benedictine.
MSOE came out flat and fell down 7-0. They came back and evened it up at 18 before allowing Benedictine to go on a 12-0 run before half and eventually went into the break trailing 33-23. MSOE came out strong again to start the second half and pulled ahead by I believe 10 mid way through the second half. Some missed shots, and a couple of big 3s from the Eagles and Benedictine quickly closed the gap. Costly turnovers down the strech and MSOE fell to 0-1 in conference in front of the homecoming crowd. Despite open looks from beyond the arc, the team probably shot under 25% from 3. MSOE tried to run too much and it seemed to led too many turnovers. MSOE's offense goes cold too often; 20-2 runs allowed vs. Whitewater and Lake Forest. 12-0 run last night. Not a good way to start the conference season being upset on the home floor. Not a whole lot positive to say. Win the next three and MSOE is back in good shape heading into the break I guess.