MBB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Gregory Sager]

Went mainly by comparing Media Day pre-season projections to where the teams actually finished in regular season standings-Aurora was picked to finish 1st and did--

Come on, man. Aurora lost its starting point guard to a season-ending injury in the very first game of the year, and had to make do without its starting center for the first semester. I don't care where Aurora was supposed to end up according to preseason Media Day projections. Any COY poll that omits James Lancaster's shouldn't be taken seriously.

[wizbegs1304]

Welton has to be player of the year, he was once again the top scorer and played on the best team.

[keith45]

Went mainly by comparing Media Day pre-season projections to where the teams actually finished in regular season standings-Aurora was picked to finish 1st and did--

Come on, man. Aurora lost its starting point guard to a season-ending injury in the very first game of the year, and had to make do without its starting center for the first semester. I don't care where Aurora was supposed to end up according to preseason Media Day projections. Any COY poll that omits James Lancaster's shouldn't be taken seriously.

Agreed. Down 2 starters 1 game into the season, lost the other pg midway through the season for a 3-4 game conference stretch, they had a (big) small forward running the point guard and actually leading the conference in assists.. Lancaster did a great job and is the best coach in that league.

[Greek Tragedy]

Aurora gets Augie @ Augie and the winner plays Wash U. v Wooster.

Wow.

[wizbegs1304]

Hopefully Aurora can show that the NAC was tough this year and get a win or two, although they are facing some tough competition.

[wizbegs1304]

So is everyone in agreement that Lancaster is the COY?

[keith45]

Aurora gets Augie @ Augie and the winner plays Wash U. v Wooster.

Wow.

two style contrasts..AU's more free flowing offense compared to Augie's set and disciplined approach on offense...I think rebounding will be a key, and 3 point shooting..Augie has shot less than 400 3's while AU shot 723. AU averages 81 ppg, and I think Augie is around 60 ppg?
AU can space the floor with shooters around their all american, and let him work one on one....but Augie grinds you out and takes advantage of your mistakes...I think AU can win though

[iwumichigander]

Aurora gets Augie @ Augie and the winner plays Wash U. v Wooster.

Wow.

two style contrasts..AU's more free flowing offense compared to Augie's set and disciplined approach on offense...I think rebounding will be a key, and 3 point shooting..Augie has shot less than 400 3's while AU shot 723. AU averages 81 ppg, and I think Augie is around 60 ppg?
AU can space the floor with shooters around their all american, and let him work one on one....but Augie grinds you out and takes advantage of your mistakes...I think AU can win though

Augustana's defensive discipline and tenacity likely the greater concern taken together with their 5.6 rebounding margin against opponents with their ability to force turnovers - particularly on the perimeter.  While Aurora puts up more 3's, the FG % between the two teams is comparable - 3Pt: Aurora .343% Augie .354%; overall FG%: Aurora .449 Augie .445%  Augustana does not play as well coming from behind; so, an early 10 point lead would be to Aurora's advantage particularly in controlling the tempo of the game.

Anyway you look at it, that is a tough bracket Aurora drew.

[Gregory Sager]

Aurora gets Augie @ Augie and the winner plays Wash U. v Wooster.

Wow.

two style contrasts..AU's more free flowing offense compared to Augie's set and disciplined approach on offense...I think rebounding will be a key, and 3 point shooting..Augie has shot less than 400 3's while AU shot 723. AU averages 81 ppg, and I think Augie is around 60 ppg?
AU can space the floor with shooters around their all american, and let him work one on one....but Augie grinds you out and takes advantage of your mistakes...I think AU can win though

Augustana's defensive discipline and tenacity likely the greater concern taken together with their 5.6 rebounding margin against opponents with their ability to force turnovers - particularly on the perimeter.  While Aurora puts up more 3's, the FG % between the two teams is comparable - 3Pt: Aurora .343% Augie .354%; overall FG%: Aurora .449 Augie .445%  Augustana does not play as well coming from behind; so, an early 10 point lead would be to Aurora's advantage particularly in controlling the tempo of the game.

Good analysis, and I'll add that Augustana's fortunes in the tournament are contingent upon how the officials call their games. Augie plays a very physical brand of defense that's ideally suited to the CCIW ref cadre that is familiar with the Rock Islanders and with the more physical style of the CCIW in general. If, however, the officials (who will be assigned from the ref pools of conferences other than the NAthCon and the CCIW) call Friday's game closer than the CCIW norm, Augie loses a bit of its edge on defense and will have to adjust.

I'm curious as to whom Grey Giovanine is going to assign Larry Welton. My guess is that it's going to be Chandlor Collins.

[WLCALUM83]

Men's NAthCon Awards are now up:

http://northernathleticsconf.com/releases/2008_03/20080304a.html

[from downtown]

Recruiting Notes:

Slinger senior point guard Austin Kearns has decided to attend Milwaukee School of Engineering and play basketball for the Raiders, an NCAA Division III program and member of the Northern Athletics Conference.
......
Sheboygan South senior Jake Schwarz and Crandon senior Keegan Kincaid have decided to play their collegiate basketball at Lakeland College.

http://www.wissports.net/sports/hoopsb/article.asp?nid=14727

Austin Kearns has been in the spotlight from a young age. And the bright lights have always seemed to agree with Slinger's spectacular junior point guard.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=542288

9. Josh Regal, Suring -- An absolute pleasure to watch because of his constant motion, Regal affects the game as much as any other player in Wisconsin on both ends of the court. His quick hands often lead to steals and/or deflections while his excellent court vision often results in layups for his teammates.

http://www.wissports.net/sports/hoopsb/article.asp?nid=14726

[Greek Tragedy]

Austin Kearns has been in the spotlight from a young age. And the bright lights have always seemed to agree with Slinger's spectacular junior point guard.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=542288


Didn't Austin Kearns play outfield for the Cincinnati Reds?   

[Gregory Sager]

He's been with the Washington Nationals ever since the Reds traded him to the Nats in the midde of the 2006 season. D.C.'s an even tougher commute to MSOE than is Cincinnati.

[from downtown]

He's been with the Washington Nationals ever since the Reds traded him to the Nats in the midde of the 2006 season. D.C.'s an even tougher commute to MSOE than is Cincinnati.

Speaking of which, he would be a nice late round fantasy gamble. His home OPS was 150 points less than on the road. He should benefit greatly from the switch to New Nationals Park.

[iwumichigander]

Aurora gets Augie @ Augie and the winner plays Wash U. v Wooster.

Wow.

two style contrasts..AU's more free flowing offense compared to Augie's set and disciplined approach on offense...I think rebounding will be a key, and 3 point shooting..Augie has shot less than 400 3's while AU shot 723. AU averages 81 ppg, and I think Augie is around 60 ppg?
AU can space the floor with shooters around their all american, and let him work one on one....but Augie grinds you out and takes advantage of your mistakes...I think AU can win though

Augustana's defensive discipline and tenacity likely the greater concern taken together with their 5.6 rebounding margin against opponents with their ability to force turnovers - particularly on the perimeter.  While Aurora puts up more 3's, the FG % between the two teams is comparable - 3Pt: Aurora .343% Augie .354%; overall FG%: Aurora .449 Augie .445%  Augustana does not play as well coming from behind; so, an early 10 point lead would be to Aurora's advantage particularly in controlling the tempo of the game.

Good analysis, and I'll add that Augustana's fortunes in the tournament are contingent upon how the officials call their games. Augie plays a very physical brand of defense that's ideally suited to the CCIW ref cadre that is familiar with the Rock Islanders and with the more physical style of the CCIW in general. If, however, the officials (who will be assigned from the ref pools of conferences other than the NAthCon and the CCIW) call Friday's game closer than the CCIW norm, Augie loses a bit of its edge on defense and will have to adjust.

I'm curious as to whom Grey Giovanine is going to assign Larry Welton. My guess is that it's going to be Chandlor Collins.

Another good point Greg re: officiating crew.  In that pod, I think Augie can make adjusts but not sure how Wooster will handle it (say a SLIAC crew).  My guess would be the officiating crews likely could be from the WIAC.