WBB: Midwest Conference

[jam8788]

Posted on MWC website yesterday:

2009-10 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

Rnk Team (1st place votes)

1. St. Norbert (7)
2. Ripon (3)
3. Carroll
4. Lake Forest
5. Illinois College
6. Beloit
7. Monmouth
8. Grinnell
9. Knox
10. Lawrence

[bballer1280]

After watching the Lady Pioneers of Grinnell play two games in their Tip-Off tournament this weekend earning a 3rd place finish with a second day victory over Martin Luther College on Saturday, I believe that Coach Gluckman's 2009-2010 team has a solid chance to win at least 10 games this winter (they are now 2-1 to date).  This represents a great improvement over last season's team that went 4-19 overall and 3-13 in MWC play. 

The team has added some very solid freshmen post players in Michelle Briggs (6'3") and Liz Burton (6'1") to go with returning power forwards Meg Huey and Jessica Vaverka.  Jessica Shotz looks to be a real scoring weapon again from the perimeter.  The backcourt looks solid with point guard Ashley Jeannin who demonstrated good leadership, ball handling, and defensive skills.  Other solid contributers in the back court are returners Brianna Gallo and Sara Hoffman along with freshman, Karen Goggins.

The Lady Pioneers are as balanced of a team with respect to post play, high-low play, and perimeter play as I have seen the team over the last several years.  I don't believe that they are a solid enough team to challenge for a berth in the MWC tournament just yet.  However, they will be a difficult opponent and a challenge in every conference game this year in my opinion.  That is a welcomed change and it represents the start of a greatly improved overall program.

[bballer1280]

After watching the Lady Pioneers play again this weekend against Beloit and Ripon, I am again impressed with the potential of the team, not only this season as they grow their team chemistry, but in future years as this team attempts to become a top tier MWC team.  Last season, Beloit and Ripon each blew the Lady Pioneers out twice handing the team four losses.  This weekend, the Lady Pioneers defeated Beloit 76-66 and lost to Ripon by just 62-55 (the Ripon game could have easily been a Grinnell win and I think it would have been if the Pioneers starting point guard, Ashley Jeannin, had not gotten in foul trouble).

Grinnell continues to impress me with their front court of Michelle Briggs, Meg Huey, Liz Burton, and Jessica Vaverka.  In addition, the team is getting good play from its starting backcourt of Jeannin, Brianna Gallo, and Jessica Shootz.  Shootz is playing with a lot of confidence offensively and Jeannin and Gallo are doing a great job of defending, pushing the ball, and making good decisions with the ball.  The team's weakness is lack of dependable depth on its bench in the backcourt with only Karen Goggins as a reliable alternative at this time.  I believe that Sara Hoffman can evolve into a good role player if given a chance which does not seem to be the case at this time.

As I have said previously, I believe that Grinnell is still a year away from really challenging for a spot in the conference tournament.  But, I do believe that the Lady Pioneers will win the games they should win and earn some upset wins along the way just as they did this weekend against Beloit.  Grinnell's combination of size in the front court allows the team to be tough to score against and the ability to score in a variety of ways without simply relying on perimeter shooting as was the case in the past will eventually pay off for the team in the weeks ahead for this season and in future seasons as well. 

I believe that Grinnell has a chance to win more MWC games than they lose.  That will be a real change in this program and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[jam8788]

Lake Forest had a big weekend, Although both were home games.  They beat Carroll on Friday and upset St. Norbert on Saturday, both games by a total of 5 points.  It will be hard to go to Carroll and St. Norbert and get two more wins later in the year.  Lake Forest looks to be a contender this year if their guards continue to play hard.

Carroll had a tough weekend, also losing to Illinois College. 

[BBchamp123]

Caroll is a good team, poorly coached.  Two of the best players, Seawald and Haywish did not even start.
The coach was sitting most of the game and you could tell the players are not getting it done for her.  Poor game management cost them, bottom line, new coach, winning season.  Anyone thinking of transfering?

[ccbball]

As an alum of Carroll, I felt the need to reply to the previous post.  I think you need to get your facts straight before you point fingers.  I do know that the Coach was ill the entire weekend.  As for Seewald and Hoewisch (Note: Correct spelling!) starting or not, did they play most of the minutes?  You are right, this is a good team, and I'm very excited to see what January and February bring for this talented group!

Go Pios!

[jam8788]

Looking at how the season has gone thus far, there's a few early surprises:  Illinois College winning three tough match-ups to start the seaosn, Carroll falling to 0-2 and not playing well overall, and Lawrence finally winning a game. 

Should be an interesting January and February.  Can Carroll pick up the intensity?  Can Ill College keep winning?  Will Lawrence get another victory, possibly a conference victory?

[Wydown Blvd.]

This is old news (December 29th), but any word on Ripon's gym and how that will effect their upcoming home game(s)?

[Wydown Blvd.]

I can't believe this isn't posted yet:

http://www.ripon.edu/news/2009-10/storzer_closure_122809.htm

The Storzer Center at Ripon had 8 FEET of water in the basement over break.  They are moving games to other sites.  Wednesday's game against Rockford will be played at Marian.

(from the mens MWC board)

[jam8788]

Illinois College seems to be slipping a bit with losses to Beloit and Ripon this weekend (although they were both away games).  Meanwhile St. Norb, Ripon, Carroll and Lake Forest all walk away 2-0 this weekend. 

Is Carroll finally playing at the level they should be? 

Lake Forest seems to be the cream of the crop in conference this year.

[jam8788]

I believe that Grinnell has a chance to win more MWC games than they lose.  That will be a real change in this program and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Grinnell better start to pick it up if they want to win more games than losses in conference.  1-5 isn't cutting it right now.

[bballer1280]

I believe that Grinnell has a chance to win more MWC games than they lose.  That will be a real change in this program and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Grinnell better start to pick it up if they want to win more games than losses in conference.  1-5 isn't cutting it right now.

Grinnell will not win more games than they lose this season.  The door for this opportunity has closed to them while having let some "winnable" games slip away this season.  This fact is a clear sign of youth as this team is relying on freshmen and sophomores in to many positions and in to many important leadership roles.  I do believe that Grinnell's women are making positive improvements to the team based on playing skill and roster make up.  But, that youthfulness continues to cost them positive possessions during games ultimately leading to games lost that were winnable.  This team is still probably a year away from making a "statement" about their improvement that reflects wins.  Never the less, the future is bright at Grinnell College in women's basketball when so many young players are contributing to the team's efforts.

[jam8788]

It looks like St. Norb, LF and Ripon are locks for the MWC Conf tournament.  It's going to be a fight for the fourth spot between Ill Col and Monmouth.  I give the edge to Ill Col at this point because they've got Knox twice, Lawrence and Grinnell to end their season (all winnable games).  It'll be very tough for Carroll to get in because their remaining 4 out of 5 games are against the top 4 teams. 

My seeds:
1. LF
2. Ripon
3. St Norb
4. Ill Col

LF goes to the NCAAs with an auto bid, no Pool C bid for any other team.

[sumfun]

Should be a good weekend of basketball.  Predictions?  Comments?

[Voice of the Titans]

Three Ripon fans get the 'ol heave-ho at the championship game. Pretty rowdy crowd all game.