MBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[playdefense]

Don't be comparing Marquette's win over UConn to the Lakeland/MSOE game.  Marquette's win was a definite upset.  UConn was not ready to play, just read the paper and see how Jim Calhoun ripped his players.  

The winner of the Lakeland/MSOE game will not have pulled off an upset.  They're the two best teams in the LMC.  It should be one of the best Div. III games of the year in the state.  I was just responding to the comment about Mikos and Floyd because James and Saiberlich and very underated because of the depth and balance of the Muskies.

Two good teams............may the best team on TUESDAY NIGHT win!

[Greek Tragedy]

It's just talk, all in good fun.  I mean no harm! 

The game I saw Floyd play, well, I think he forgot to bring the "D" then.  Plus, he forgot it was a team game.  That's why I'm taking Lakeland, they play better as a team and it sounds like if Lakeland can shut down the best point guard and best shooting guard in the conference, then they have a good shot since Lakeland has a bunch of players that can do some damage.

Wish I could be there in Milwaukee tomorrow night.

BTW, it was nice to see the "fairly" new gym MSOE has.  But, they didn't construct the seating very well.  I like the "stadium seating" behind (at the top) of the bleachers, but the seats sit too low and you can't see over many people.  Otherwise, a very nice facility. 

[Gregory Sager]

I'm not real familiar with the NIIC teams or, with 12 teams, how they'll split up the "divisions" if that's a possibility.

Nope, no divisions. And since Alverno only allows male students in its graduate programs, it'll be an 11-team conference for men's basketball.

The NAC will operate with the same sort of truncated double round-robin schedule that the MWC employs. In other words, it's an unbalanced schedule in which a team will play eight of its conference rivals twice each (home-and-home, of course) and the other two teams once each, for a total of 18 conference games.

This means that, due to the way the new NAC rotation is set up, Aurora and Benedictine -- the two NIIC archrivals who have dominated that league in men's basketball for many years now -- will only face each other once next season.

[keith45]

Look for one of those 2 teams to win it all next year, in terms of conference wise. Aurora has one of the most athletic teams in those 2 conferences, and they added some shooters to play with All-American Larry Welton. I don't really know who MSOE and Lakeland lose to graduation next year, but I remember, Lakeland wasn't as much as an open court team, which utilizes athletes as much, are they?
Does Lakeland play the entire LMC next year?

[Greek Tragedy]

The NAC will operate with the same sort of truncated double round-robin schedule that the MWC employs. In other words, it's an unbalanced schedule in which a team will play eight of its conference rivals twice each (home-and-home, of course) and the other two teams once each, for a total of 18 conference games.

What a joke.  I should just start boycotting lame conferences that do this.  This really annoys me.  PLAY A FULL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE!  Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh. 

[The Way]

The Way I See It,

Old School,
Not sure your stance on the Big Ten, but they operate in this manner.

Keith,
That is a pretty bold statement saying one of those 2 teams (Aurora or Benedictine) will win it if you know nothing about the LMC. Lakeland has played Benedictine several times in the past few years and has faired rather well. Lakeland loses 2 players to graduation and will now have a decent opportunity to recruit some bigger names after this year's success. It doesn't matter who MSOE loses since they will not be in the conference.
And athletic teams don't always get you a championship. I will take Lakeland's team first attitude over a team of athletic players any day (granted Lakeland does have some pretty good athletes themselves...but none that will jump out of the gym or blow by you with amazing speed).

[keith45]

Didn't say I know nothing about the LMC, I said I didn't know who they were losing, and Lakelands style of play. I was an assistant for Edgewood's women's team last year, and am an assistant for Aurora's women's team this year, so I have seen both conferences, and have been pretty close to the top 2 programs in the LMC and NIIC the past 2 years (Edgewood in '05 and Aurora this year)..and last year, Aurora won the with a very athletic team (granted, I use TEAM strongly) Any time you have a team with 2 1,000 point scorers who are seniors, who can defer to a freshman All-American, I think they are a true team...
I guess my point is, after watching the LMC men last year, and the NIIC men this year, I would put Aurora and Benedictine in the top 3 for next season, with Aurora as the favorite. Aurora does lose a senior PG, but they have a JR pg and a freshman who can pick up the slack.
Lastly, Aurora BLEW OUT  MSOE in Aurora by about 30 this season..they were down 10-0  4 minutes into the game,and were down 20 at half...they cut the lead to 11, before another run by Aurora put them down 31 with 3 minutes to go

[The Way]

The Way I See It

Good post Keith. If what you say is true, then yes, Aurora will definitely be a team to reckon with next year. They should definitely raise the competitiveness then right off the bat.
I just know that with another solid recruiting class, Lakeland will be able to play with anybody next year.

[keith45]

Way,
Does Lakeland have size in the post?
Also, does anyone have any info on a sophomore named Evan Klees, that plays for Edgewood..I really thought he would be a difference maker this year, as a big guard, but I don't think he is playing too much...

[Gregory Sager]

Way,
Does Lakeland have size in the post?

Lakeland is small. Their forwards are all 6'4", and a couple of them may be pushing it in terms of actually matching their listed height. They're physically solid, though; three of them are well-muscled lads who tip the scales at well over 200 pounds. The Muskies also have a taller pair of frosh, one listed at 6'7", 206 and the other at 6'7", 225, but neither is in the rotation.

They gave away a lot of height in the game I saw (@ Dominican), but it didn't matter in the end. Lakeland didn't post up much, as they used a true motion offense that they ran to perfection and which really played up their strengths and disguised their weaknesses. Where their lack of height hurt them was at the defensive end. The Stars kept themselves in the game by pounding it down low to 6'7", 220 Mike Haiduc and 6'7", 235 Evan McMillan until they faded late. The height discrepancy obviously didn't Lakeland overall against the bigger Stars, since they swept them handily, but if the Muskies manage to win the LMC tourney they'll be particularly vulnerable in the post against the bigger teams from the power conferences in March.

[I Hate WLC]

I thought I was done with site, but checked it out after watching the Point game on Saturday and had to respond to the game summary.

Refs were average at best I'll admit, but if they wanted to they could have fouled Coop and Krull out within the first 5 minutes.  Krull was impressive though, Kamp and Krull couldn't be stopped offensively.

Hebl was fouled on the last play, it was confirmed on video by the refs after the game because the wanted to know if they got it right.  His left arm was grabbed.

I don't know how Semling got the Point job, but he shouldn't have it.  First, his timeout speeches were constantly about not caring if they lose the game, but trying hard.  Is this really the two time defending champs? Yeah I know its a completely different team, but still.  It's a WIAC school vs. an LMC school, lets be honest.  Second, he calls a timeout AFTER Hebl missed the first FT attempt badly.  Way to let him relax before that 2nd attempt.

I am not commenting on the new conference cause I really don't have a clue on the incoming teams, but 30 points blowouts give me a little idea.

I have not posted on this site in a while for various reasons, but after seeing this site basically ran with the opinions of Lakeland and WLC I have decided that this site needs a little Edgewood perspective.  Don't bother commenting on the name, I figured that I would put my opinion of other LMC schools (like others) out on the table. 

Evan Klees played soccer this year, whether or not that is the reason he doesn't get much playing time is beyond me. 

About the Edgedome...I agree that it is a little old, but it is probably only a matter of time before they go the way of other D-III schools and build a gym that is entirely too big and the teams regularly only fill it to 15% of capacity.

Prediction: EC 72 WLC 65.....playing good, but always struggle there.

[The Way]

The Way I See It,

My boys went to Milwaukee and just HANDED it to MSOE by 15. MSOE is not as deep as Lakeland and it showed tonight. I wasn't able to make it, but i was getting in game updates throughout. Miller got t'd up late in the game for pretending the basketball was a volleyball and deciding to spike it. Way to go Fish. Lakeland should get a good test on Thursday as to what to expect from future conference foe Benedictine.

[Bust Ya'll]

Could this be a better night or what D3hoops?

Take this combination-
Larson flipping out at WLC + Edgewood LOST to WLC + last senior 6th Man year+ some idiot named "I Hate WLC" posting a winning perdiction for his team that LOST! =  BUST YA'LL's best D3 night ever

This was a present, a real treat for me to watch, WLC took it the Edgewood and won it fair and square with very few refing problems and only minor defense flaws.  I was just smiling and waiting for the ultimate...another 1 finger salute from Larson as a farewell.

I wish all of you could have been there to see it.  It was just a tough game all around with good plays on both sides..however, Edgewood you still suck.  Thank you very much...I will pour one out for the Eagle Boys wherever they are.  This post is about as disjointed as the rest of this board is right now.  Hey "I Hate" might as well just not continue to post.  And all you idiots from MSOE...good job with Lakeland.  Its weird how we have beat Lakeland more times then you have, why is that?  Huh...well maybe you should keep having players post themselves good reviews on D3hoops and feel better about themselves like Edgewood does.  You see how well that worked for them tonight.  
SORRY BOUT IT    

BUST YA'll

BTW-  As I recall it wasnt just WLC that got T'ed up...and it appears that Saint Coach Miller (who STILL throws parties for college girls) got another T....well isnt that just great, how bout it showtime?  Who's the immature whiney bitches now?  Two T's in a row...great...

[showtimeSmyHero]

Yeah MSOE lost to Lakeland. Granted they led for all but 2 or 3 minutes in the first half. They did have the lead down to 4 or 5 with 8 minutes left and it killed them that floyd and mikos were in fould trouble for most of the game.  One of mikos'chargers was a charge, the other fouls were mostly question marks in my mind considering how physical lakeland plays.  Lakeland is as solid as advertised right down to keeping their emotions in control -- cant say that about MSOE and their coach. Maybe if he spent more time coaching instead of complaining, the game would have been closer.  I have to question several of his substitutions and i can only hope he is trying to build a team that can make a run in the tournament.  I have to question why MSOE didnt have any set plays for their stars down the stretch.  I also question why MIkos is passing the ball instead of taking it to the rack like a POY would do.  Very disappointing.  They also at times couldnt get a rebound to save their life.... or gaurd lakelands big guys outside.  At least MSOE swept WLC....

And to clarify -- Floyd got t'd up vs WLC not miller and Benedctine is not a good test... they arent to good this year.

[Gregory Sager]

Lakeland should get a good test on Thursday as to what to expect from future conference foe Benedictine.

Benedictine is loaded with injuries to their frontcourt, and they're having an atypical down year. As Showtime intimated, this game most likely won't display what Lakeland fans should expect from the Bennies next year. I think that the Muskies will take this one in a walk.