MBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Gregory Sager]

The new conference is going to have a two-year waiting period for an automatic bid unless they take the LMC name and structure and have enough returning members from that group to maintain the LMC's bid.

But everything sounds like it's going to be a brand-new conference, so the members will be in Pool B for two years, like the Interstate Eight on the east coast.

Yeah, I didn't realize that changing the name meant having to start over from scratch as far as an automatic qualifier was concerned, so I owe a "my bad" to Roop for that one. But from what I was told this weekend, the new league would lose the bid even if it retained the LMC name if it dipped below the seven required members (i.e., MSOE and Edgewood leaving the fold to join the MWC or go indie -- I've heard from a couple of sources now that Edgewood is really unhappy about being tied to the NIIC schools, and like MSOE wants to jump to the MWC), regardless of how many new members they picked up to compensate. True or false, Pat?

[Pat Coleman]

My understanding is that is not correct. As long as you have seven members every year, and you have four "core" members in common from year to year, you should be able to maintain an already-existing automatic bid.

There may be more regulations that I'm not aware of, but that's what I am aware of ...

I don't know how many core members from the LMC are remaining in the league under the various possibilities. Like I said, this deal has been pretty quiet. And Northern Athletic Conference? Give me a break. Take Illini-Badger -- at least that almost means something.

[libero]

Pretty generic, eh?

The merger is all about football and getting Concordia, Aurora and maybe Lakeland into the national football picture.

Edgewood is pretty uneasy about the merger, but I don't think they are trying to scuttle it, just leave if they can get into the MWC. However, they would rather be a part of the NAC than be independent.

[jgatz33]

so lets say that just msoe leaves...would there still be no bid in the new conference? anyone with any valid information on this would be very helpful

[libero]

If MSOE had stayed, the bid would have been preserved, when they pulled the bid was lost.

[showtimeSmyHero]

Tonight--
Jan. 24 Concordia (Wis.) @ Lakeland*
Jan. 24 Dominican @ Edgewood*
Jan. 24 Maranatha @MSOE*
Jan. 24 Wis. Lutheran @ Marian*

CU over Lakeland -- 68-67
Dominican over Edgewood -- 74-66
MSOE rolls -- 98-64
Marian 66 WLC 64

[Big_Uns]

You were almost dead-on with Lakeland's score at least. Lakeland absolutely dominated Concordia. Saiberlich with 27 points. Peets lost his POY bid with an completely horrid performance.

Moose's Maniacs were out in pretty good force tonight. Probably the noisiest I've seen The Aquarium all year.

[showtimeSmyHero]

Thats scarey how bad Lakeland beat Concordia. 

Saiberlich should get Player of the week for that game..... oh wait it is going to go to another wdgewood player.  I still think someone from MSOE or Lakeland should get POY(not cooper or avercamp ---barf)...depending on who plays good in those games.

My conf. rankings:
1. Lakeland - Lately nobody has scared em.
2. MSOE - Not playing good enough to beat Lakeland (turnovers and no offensive rebounding)
3. Edgewood - even though i dislike them... they are winning
4. CU/DU -- Sleeper teams that can knock off a big dog.
5. Marion
6. WLC
7. Maranatha Baptisimo

[Greek Tragedy]

It really seems like Lakeland has been playing well as of late.  MSOE has had some close games, but are still winning theirs.  Those two LC/MSOE games are going to be pretty good.  The rest of the league is playing spoiler and Edgewood looks like they've turned it around.  I hope they don't win on Saturday as they take on my Pointers! 

Not sure what has happened to Dominican.  Heck, they actually got a vote in the Top 25 real early in the season.  It's too bad the LMC is really bad in the nation's eyes because I think Lakeland could actually be considered for a vote or two!

1. Lakeland
2. MSOE
.
.
.
.
.
3 Edgewood
4. Dominican
5. WLC
6. Concordia
7. Marian
.
.
.
.
8. Maranatha


I think Lakeland is too balanced for one of their players to get POTY. 

Only two conference games this weekend.  I think WLC can upset MSOE, and I'm not just saying that because I favor Lakeland.  WLC upset LC down there, so there's a chance.

Lakeland shouldn't have any problem with Dominican.  They finish up a 3-game homestand and should win.

If Edgewood has any inside game, they'll keep it close with Point.

[Big_Uns]

The thing about Lakeland is that they have about 11 guys who are ready to step up at any time when needed. James hasn't scored over 10 points in the past two games, but Saiberlich and Rogers have both come up big in both, and Nick Howard put up 11 last night. This is exactly the reason they will not have the POY this year, but it's also the reason they might be looking at a conference championship, and that is the most important thing.

Most of the other teams around the league, when their top players go cold, there aren't too many other options. And I'm not sure how you can stop a team when you don't know who the ball is going to go to each time down the court.

They've been playing terrific defense, their ball movement on offense has been stellar, and I don't think anyone in the league can compete IF the Muskies keep this up.

Ever since the Hope game, that team has been at another level.

But they still need to beat MSOE. And I'm going to stress NEED once more. Whoever goes into the tournament as the #2 is going to have some trouble. Right now, the #2 would face Marian in the first round. Marian's a team that could in the right circumstances play above a #7 seed. Then in the second round have Edgewood (provided they win against #6, who is Concordia right now) come to town. Then go on the road in the championship game.

That game next week Tuesday at MSOE is huge. And neither team better be looking ahead to it like I am, because there are some upset minded foes on Saturday in Dominican and WLC.

[The Way]

The Way I See It,

My Muskies are perfect in the new year. Look for that to continue this weekend. But i am a little dissappointed in the fan turnout last Saturday for a weekend game. I mean christ, what else is there to do in the fields on a saturday in the winter? Hopefully Tuesday's game provided that spark to the fans so they can come out to support the team. They are a fun team to watch and have a pretty good/quiet record of 16-4. I don't think their losses to weak opponents or the reputation of the conference will warrant 2 births in the NCAA tournament come March. So it is either win the conference tourny or bust for this conference. Playing in front of an energized crowd at the tank could go a long way in helping the Muskies earn that automatic birth (which i think we most of us agree would give the conference it's best chance this year to get the first NCAA tourny win).

[tommy_devito]

I agree with Old School that WLC could pull out an upset this Saturday. With a loss at Edgewood and a close win at home against Concordia, MSOE has shown that they are beatable. If Lakeland keeps up what they are doing, they will probbly be untouchable. The fish will sweep MSOE. that is of course if that last game means anything for the fish.

As far as POY goes I still think that Saiberlich and James are in the hunt. Followed by Mikos and Bayiha. If both teams fall apart, but I don't see that happening and Dominican finishes out strong then Haiduc should get some consideration. Perhaps even Averkamp if Edgewood keeps grinding out wins and the top two teams fall apart. But let me repeat, I dont see that happening at least not to both of them. Peets could be in consideration, but the dirty birds keep piling up too many losses.

[showtimeSmyHero]

MSOE has shown they are beatable. It wont happen against WLC.

[d_3_watcher]

1. To showtimeSmyHero: Never say never.
2. Don't forget that MSOE was behind last night to Maranatha and behind all the first half and the first ten minutes of the second half of the Concordia game.
3. MSOE has only three starters.
4. MSOE is having a great year, but they have had to adjust on the fly all year.
5. Since betting is not allowed on college games I can't bet on Lakeland.

[Greek Tragedy]

3. MSOE has only three starters.

They'd probably be better if they started five guys.