WBB: Midwest Conference

[Just Bill]

Or it's more likely that MWC programs simply don't care to play D-I exhibitions.

The WIAC is a better conference because they have better players, not because they play D-I exhibitions.  The WIAC was a better conference 10 years ago too, before exhibition games with D-I teams were allowed.  And if they stopped doing D-I exhibitions tomorrow, the WIAC would still be a better conference.  One might be an indicator of another, but you're implying causality which just doesn't make sense.

[billys]

I do understand how scheduling works. 

d3 schools that are scheduled for d1 exhibition games gain a lot, including exposure, money, and experience.   the fact that no mwc team was scheduled against a d1 team shows exactly how the conference is viewed on a larger scale.  meanwhile, the wiac has multiple programs playing d1 exhibition games this preseason.  the wiac is a considerably stronger conference, and that shows in the scheduling.

Exposure ... ehh, I guess. It's fleeting. You can use it briefly in the recruiting process I guess but if you're best selling point is a 40 point beating from a D-1 you're in trouble.
Money? How much money do you think teams get for playing UW-Milwaukee or Green Bay? Even a Marquette or Wisconsin. I think I can find out but I'm curious to think what people think it actually is.
Experience- If you mean to warm up and play in a facility then, again, it's fleeting. It's a nice thing to go through.

Honestly though does it really matter all that much? I just think these things are blown way out of proportion. The fact that no MWC school plays one means less than nothing about their teams or their conference.

[bballer1280]

D3 schools are very similar to NAIA schools.  It is very rare that NAIA schools play D-I schools.  Agreed?  It really makes very little sense, in my opinion, for D3 schools to play D-I schools either unless the team is really a very high quality D3 team.  Those high quality schools are always changing, too.

Now, what makes sense to me is for D3 schools to occasionally play some D-II schools and for D-II schools to play D-I schools.  In the end, however, whether or not a D3 school plays some one in another division is irrelevant.  The mission of D3 schools, as it has been stated numerous times on this Board and its threads, is completely different that D-I and D-II.  So, who really cares if MWC schools are playing D-I schools or D-II schools, for that matter?  I sure don't.

[dadofsnclc]

Time to get this forum moving again.
The first weekend of conference play is in. Anybody have any thoughts?
Based on the results I have seen so far it looks similar to last season.

[bballer1280]

I agree.  Not a lot of change in how things will look from last year to this year based on what happened this past weekend. 

I was not in attendance to watch Grinnell College in their first MWC road games up in Wisconsin.  However, I do know that the team is "running on fumes" right now with a lack of team depth and active roster members as they are missing some very important players who will help this team be competitive in the weeks ahead due to a combination of factors.  Senior guard, Brianna Gallo, apparently is unable to play for the remainder of the December schedule because of an acute ankle injury.  The team hopes to have her back in January after some rest and recovery time.  Two starters and very key players from one season ago in juniors Ashley Jeannin (guard) and Meg Huey (forward) are studying abroad during this fall semester and their return is anxiously being awaited by the team in January as well.  Finally, Mallory Scharf, a team captain, was not in uniform this past weekend due to the loss of a love one.  However, she is expected back to the team this week.

With the graduation of Jessica Shotz, four of last season's starters at GC are not playing right now and that makes things extremely difficult for Coach Gluckman.  However, in the mean time, some valuable experience for some underclassmen is being gained and, when everyone who is expected to be back to the team is playing in January again, GC could be a much different looking team who has the ability to win some games given the team's over all size.  With only two more games on the team's schedule before the Christmas Break, the Lady Pioneers will sneak up on some people in 2011 is my prediction.  The only games scheduled so far by the Lady Pioneers in December that will be a critical loss to GC will be if Knox can go to GC and get a tough road win while the Lady Pioneers roster is short handed.  GC losing to St. Norbert, Ripon, and, likely, Carroll next weekend, all on the road, are not any big losses to the team based on expectations.  Perhaps, the GC ladies can get some wins in 2011 when 10 of 16 games will be played at home and the team's roster is back to full strength.

[bballer1280]

The only games scheduled so far by the Lady Pioneers in December that will be a critical loss to GC will be if Knox can go to GC and get a tough road win while the Lady Pioneers roster is short handed.  GC losing to St. Norbert, Ripon, and, likely, Carroll next weekend, all on the road, are not any big losses to the team based on expectations.  Perhaps, the GC ladies can get some wins in 2011 when 10 of 16 games will be played at home and the team's roster is back to full strength.

Knox College got that critical road win, by one point, at GC last night.  This loss hurts GC and this is the first loss of the season that was directly effected by the fact that Brianna Gallo, because of injury, and Ashley Jeannin and Meg Huey, because of studying abroad, were not in uniform.  The return to action by these three girls will give the Lady Pioneers a much needed boost starting in January.  For now, the ladies from GC need to just keep battling and continue to improve where ever they can.  I think that the team will be a tough "out" in the second semester.

[dadofsnclc]

Congrats to the Green Knights of SNC on their victory over Bates College in the D3 Hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas. One more game Thursday against Kenyon College and then home to resume their MWC conference schedule.

[bballer1280]

The Lady Pioneers of Grinnell College picked up a good home victory last night by the score of 60-49.  The team got its two "study abroad" roster members and starters from one season ago in Meg Huey and Ashley Jeannin back last night in their first action in a game since returning to campus.  Jeannin, in particular, helped the team a lot with her leadership at the point guard position looking as though she is ready to take up from where she left off at the end of last season as the team's floor general.  Although she did not start, she definitely got "starter minutes" during the game and her presence seemed to steady the Lady Pioneers in this game.

It is important to note that Jessica Vaverka and Tolu Alabi really had excellent games for Grinnell along with a very good outing by senior, Mallory Scharf.  Grinnell's defense was extremely active as a team and, at times, the defense was down right good resulting in a lead of 20 points or so before Coach Gluckman began to generously hand out playing time at the end of the game. 

The Lady Pioneers just might be a tough out once the second half of this season gets going.  Although I doubt that they are a team capable of earning a berth in the conference tournament, it would not surprise me if the team's play doesn't eventually have an effect on who actually makes that tournament.  GC's women are a team on the rise. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First Regional Rankings: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

[bballer1280]

GC has done a great job in the second semester and the Lady Pioneers have demonstrated that they are capable of playing with anyone in the conference this season.  I believe that Coach Gluckman deserves some credit for getting GC to 8-9 in conference play after starting the season 0-4 in conference play prior to the Christmas Break.  Also, the return of Huey and Jeannin from their study abroad opportunities in the fall combined with Gallo and Gogins getting healthy at the same time have helped the Lady Pioneers to a record of 8-5 in MWC play since the Christmas Break ended.

Some credit needs to be given to the great play as well of Briggs and Burton, the team's two primary post players, who have gotten better all season long with Briggs being a legitimate all-conference consideration.  Also, despite the late season injury to Vavercka, who should be an all-conference candidate, too, scoring has been balanced all season long with it coming from many areas.  Finally, credit needs to be given to the development of Alabi and DeGroot (first year) this season with those two being players that will be relied on more and more beginning next season.

Now, can the Lady Pioneers steal a win Saturday at Lake Forest and end their MWC campaign with a non-losing record for the first time in years.  I am sure hoping that they can.  Go, Pioneers!!!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 3 Regional Rankings are out: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2011/02/16/ncaa-2011-regional-rankings-week-3/

[Out_Of_My_Kitchen]

Why isn't St. Norbert ranked in the last regional poll? 20-2 record.  Good team.  I have a hard time believing Wisconsin Lutheran has better numbers than Berts. 

[Just Bill]

Why isn't St. Norbert ranked in the last regional poll? 20-2 record.  Good team.  I have a hard time believing Wisconsin Lutheran has better numbers than Berts. 

WLC has a win over UW-Whitewater which I'm sure is carrying a lot of weight. Too bad the NCAA hasn't posted the SOS numbers for us to look at this week.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Final Regional Rankings before Selection Sunday: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/ncaa-stuff/regional-rankings/

[sncsid]

MWC Women's Basketball Tournament Preview/St. Norbert Notes

http://www.snc.edu/athletics/teamfiles/basketballw/2010-11/wbb11-mwc.pdf