MBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

Just a quick note and I'll be more indepth later, just a little tired now.  My point of Lakeland being "by far" the best team amongst the LMC teams I saw is in regards to comparing those teams, not against LU or Oshkosh or whatever. 

Of course, take this how you want since it's the first time I have seen Concordia (vs. Eau Claire), MSOE (vs. Larry U) and Lakeland (vs. Point).  Eau Claire is supposed to be one of the worst teams in the WIAC and that game vs. Concordia made my friend and I feel like we wasted $5 to go to the WLC tourney.  And no, we didn't bother seeing WLC.  To put  it in simple words, it looked like a clusterf@#k out there.  Eau Claire's two big men had major foul problems.  Concordia had issues all over the place and didn't even look like they were "setting up" any plays.  It was real hard to watch.

MSOE gave it all they could against LU, at one point, they were only down 25-24 or something like that.   I didn't think LU would lose and after they went on a run to end the half, I knew it would take a miracle for MSOE to come back.  Unlike Concordia, MSOE looked like they had some kind of game plan.  Their big guy in the middle, #43 looked pretty decent.  They shot well at times and actually moved the ball around.  LU was just too much for them and they had no answer for Mr. Chris Braier.

Lakeland looked the best of the three because they played awesome defense against my Pointers, ran plays, were patient and had players that could hit shots.  There was never a time when Lakeland had a player that thought he could just go coast to coast or think he was "the man" or anything.  It was very team oriented and well coached.  I give Lakeland all the credit for playing well.

MSOE got Superior transfer Flyod Bayiha.  He was LMC player of the week last week and that obviously got to his head.  Here he is going coast to coast, launching up ridiculous shots and turning the ball over.  It actually seemed like when MSOE put together some good possessions, he'd come in and ruin it by just hogging the ball.  He's what I'd like to call a black hole.  The ball disappears when he gets it.

I thought I read that Concordia is one of the favorites to win the LMC.  Well, I'll give Lakeland the nod.  But, as you said, sometimes you play up to the level of your competition.  Lakeland lost to La Crosse the night before, so I'm just telling you what I saw. 

[Greek Tragedy]

In the first day of the WLC tourney, I read that Eau Claire beat WLC by 11 or something like that.  If it's in WLC, I'll give Larry U a 18 point spread.  If it's in Appleton, I'll give them a 25 point spread.

[Pioneerbacker]

I think we are on the same lines, it's more of a matter of the reputation of the WIAC and the lack thereof towards the LMC, not necessarily public vs. private.

I can't believe even a fellow WIACer would call it a preseason game!

That was just a mistype on my part.  I'm fully aware and competent concerning the importance of the nonconference games, and I understand the point (Gregory Sagery) about games meaning the same between LMC schools and WIAC schools and all the in-region games. 
         

[Greek Tragedy]

Pioneerbacker,

Just giving you a little rubbing.     It's all good.

[Big_Uns]

How do you or Old School view the Tuesday game between LU and Wisc Lutheran? It is at Lutheran.

I'm down on WLC this year. I have no background on teams like Whitworth, Grace Bible, or really any of the teams WLC has lost to this year, but an 0-4 start isn't good anytime. They seem to be able to put up points but they have no defense. Lawrence is very balanced on both ends of the court, and I'm giving LU the nod by at least 20.

[fcnews]

Was wondering from WLC or Concordia fans if you could enlighten me on what to expect from the Rockford team this year. Anyone that saw either game anything would be appreciated.

[Gregory Sager]

That was just a mistype on my part.  I'm fully aware and competent concerning the importance of the nonconference games, and I understand the point (Gregory Sagery) about games meaning the same between LMC schools and WIAC schools and all the in-region games.

Don't take it personally, Pioneerbacker. As Old School will tell you, when I see the word "preseason" my fingers go on autopilot. 

[Pioneerbacker]

Likewise, I'm sure Lakeland is happy they are in the midst of noncoference games, not preseason. 

[Big_Uns]

Dominican got a vote for the Top 25. Sure they beat Aurora, but then they lose to Illinois College. Is that vote deserved?

[keith45]

Not sure about that vote..I don't think they deserved it, but it was only one...My alma mater beat Platteville (ranked 20) and are now 4-0 (beat a couple weaker teams) and have a returning d3-hoops all region player,a nd they are getting no mention anywhere (University of Dubuque)..so I think its more subjective

[FR_Sam]

Why not be happy that the conference got recognized with a vote for the top 25 and just accept it?  Dominican knocked off a good Aurora team and maybe needed to be brought back down to with a loss before opening conference play this week.

[Gregory Sager]

Why not be happy that the conference got recognized with a vote for the top 25 and just accept it?  Dominican knocked off a good Aurora team and maybe needed to be brought back down to with a loss before opening conference play this week.

Exactly. It's not as if LMC teams getting votes in the Top 25 poll is a run-of-the-mill experience. I understand that Dominican is the new kid in school. Since nobody who follows the LMC really feels as though the Stars are a part of the family yet, it's understandable that people in this room are keeping DU at arm's length. Still, try to enjoy this tiny bit of recognition for an LMC team, especially since it's only the first regular-season poll and it doesn't mean a whole lot in the greater scheme of things, anyway.

[Big_Uns]

I'm just trying to stir up conversation. I wasn't trying to take anything away from Dominican. It's huge for the conference to have a team get recognized along with the best, but I also think there are a lot of teams that got snubbed.

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm just trying to stir up conversation. I wasn't trying to take anything away from Dominican. It's huge for the conference to have a team get recognized along with the best, but I also think there are a lot of teams that got snubbed.

Aren't there like 300+ D3 teams in the nation.  With only 25 spots available in the...well, Top 25, plus another dozen that could get votes, of course there are going to be teams that feel like they get snubbed. 

The LMC is one of the worst conferences in the nation, in my opinion.  I don't think they've even won a NCAA tourney game, let alone come close.  Lakeland did beat Point and I'm not overlooking that, but I think had they beaten La Crosse the night before, they might have gotten a vote.  I thought it was funny that I read some posters thought MSOE should be ranked if they had beaten Lawrence.  Come on.

If any LMC teams get recognized on the national scope, it's a step in the right direction.  It would help their reputation if their AQ into the tourney actually won or came close to winning in the 1st round. 

LMC teams have made noise in the past (Edgewood beating Platteville last year), but teams from the conference have to start doing that on a regular basis.

[FR_Sam]

I totally agree that the LMC teams need to start kocking off top quality teams on a regular basis.  Edgewood and Lakeland are two very respectable programs but they need to make runs late in the year to become nationally respectable teams.  The addition of a NIIC school is nothing but good for the conference as well.  The likes of Aurora, Benedictine, Rockford, etc. has prepared Dominican for a run in the conference.