WBB: American Rivers Conference

[oldknight]

I don't want to be too critical here, but girls are very different to coach than boys and Central hired an older gentleman who I believe (could be wrong) only had experience coaching HS boys. There are a number of reasons why that just seems like a bad hire. First of all, regardless of coach Nickel's coaching expertise, a coach at that stage of his career getting his first girl's job has got to make it tough for him. Going from boys to girls without much help makes for a very steep learning curve. I probably don't have all the facts and am just an outsider looking in, but why would you hire someone that age who has never coached a girl's team before???

It's been quite a while but Nikkel did help coach high school girls when he was at PC. I know because my wife played for him. As you probably know, he had quite a bit of success with high school boys' teams over the years.

[Bird Dog]

I've only seen her

My take for tomorrow...

Buena Vista at Luther - The Norse just aren't very good....BV still trying for a top four spot and home playoff game...

Simpson at Loras - Could be a close game.  Would love the see the Duhawks pull this one off, but don't see it happening.

Cornell at Coe - This is going to get ugly and fast.  The Kohawks aren't happy about the loss on Dec. 2 and they haven't forgotten it.  It's been pounded into their head they don't lose to Cornell.  See Luther game on Wednesday night, but maybe add 15-20 onto that score total.

Wartburg at Central - Another game I'd love to see the home team win, but don't see it happening.

Krazy,  in my opinion Luther is the worst team in the conference even though they have wins over Central and Cornell.  Subtract 20+ and I think you will have the margin of the Coe game.  

I think the rest of your picks are right on.  That should scare you because I am never right.  

If you are going to the game we'll see you there.

[Bird Dog]

Proving once again that I shouldn't make predictions.

[hoop_junkie]

It's hard to figure out those bottom 3 teams. Cornell is much improved from a year ago and has some good freshman. Central can score tons of points but also gives up a ton. Luther plays decent defense but seriously lacks depth and a 3rd scorer. To me Central is deeper than Luther but Luther's 2 best kids are better than anyone Central has. Makes for an interesting fight for the 7-8-9 spots as we head down the stretch.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Let's try to get some more picks this week, I'll even go early.

Central at Dubuque - Two teams struggling.  I'll go with the home team here.

Coe at Loras - Duhawks might have payback on their mind from a few weeks ago, but Coe just had 43 and 29 point wins this week.  I look for a 15-22 point Coe win.

Cornell at Wartburg - Rams can't recover from the beating the Kohawks gave them.  Knights are a decent team and need wins to stay ahead of the Kohawks.

Luther at Simpson - Storm are good and the Norse aren't.  Simpson could win this by 50, but I see a 25-30 point win.

[doolittledog]

Dubuque gets a lopsided win at home Wednesday

Coe remembers their last trip to Dubuque and doesn't let that result happen again with a win over the Duhawks

Wartburg beats Cornell...just because

Simpson wins, and they win big over a surprisingly bad Luther team

[Kohawk Krazy]

Dubuque gets a lopsided win at home Wednesday

Coe remembers their last trip to Dubuque and doesn't let that result happen again with a win over the Duhawks

Wartburg beats Cornell...just because

Simpson wins, and they win big over a surprisingly bad Luther team

Don't be stealing my picks.

They are pretty clear cut tomorrow night, on paper anyway.

[hoop_junkie]

Central @ UD
Coe @ Loras
Cornell @ Wartburg
Luther @ Simpson

Agree with everybody except for the Coe/Loras game. I think Loras will have a slight edge being at home. Even if Coe wins, I still don't see this being a blow out.

Doolittle, I know many are surprised to see Luther in the state that they're in but if you've looked at their last 2 recruiting classes it's easy to see why they are where they are. That team has NO depth!

[Bird Dog]

Let's try to get some more picks this week, I'll even go early.

Central at Dubuque - Two teams struggling.  I'll go with the home team here.

Coe at Loras - Duhawks might have payback on their mind from a few weeks ago, but Coe just had 43 and 29 point wins this week.  I look for a 15-22 point Coe win.

Cornell at Wartburg - Rams can't recover from the beating the Kohawks gave them.  Knights are a decent team and need wins to stay ahead of the Kohawks.

Luther at Simpson - Storm are good and the Norse aren't.  Simpson could win this by 50, but I see a 25-30 point win.

On page twenty nine 11-6-08 and I quote Krazy

"Wow!  8th place for the Kohawks.

I'm betting this one is getting posted in the Locker Room.

I look for the Kohawks to finish no worse than 3rd place.  While they lost some key seniors, the recruits that Coach Peterson brought in are pretty good.  Look for the Kohawks to open some eyes this year.'


WOW I HOPE LORAS DOESN'T  POST THAT 15 TO 22 PT. WIN PREDICTION IN THE LOCKER ROOM!  I consider Loras a dangerous team.  They were picked to finish 2nd in the league in the preseason coaches picks.  They have some excellent shooters, but are missing a post.

What happened to Mindy Meyers, I think she would have helped in the middle.  I was impressed with the progress she was making.  Against Coe last year she averaged 10 pts. and 8 rebounds in the three games.

[hoop_junkie]

I heard Meyer quit the team because she didn't get along w/coach Heinzen. Loras also lost their only other returning post player in Makeda Queen, who transferred to a school closer to home I believe. And yes Loras is a dangerous team. I think they match up pretty well w/Coe, although Coe might have a slight edge in the talent department, they also have a couple kids in the lineup who don't look to shoot much and so many teams can play 5 on 3 against them in the halfcourt and get away with it. I guess we will see what happens tonight....Looking forward to a good IIAC battle!!!

[Bird Dog]

I heard Meyer quit the team because she didn't get along w/coach Heinzen. Loras also lost their only other returning post player in Makeda Queen, who transferred to a school closer to home I believe. And yes Loras is a dangerous team. I think they match up pretty well w/Coe, although Coe might have a slight edge in the talent department, they also have a couple kids in the lineup who don't look to shoot much and so many teams can play 5 on 3 against them in the halfcourt and get away with it. I guess we will see what happens tonight....Looking forward to a good IIAC battle!!!

Where did you come up with that 3 on 5 statistic.  Coe has 5 players averaging between 9.1 and 14 pts. per game.  They have had 5 different players that have been the leading score at least twice this year.  Three have scored 23 to 28 pts and the other two led with 16 to 19.  

I think anyone of those five have the potential to put up 20+ points a night. 

[hoop_junkie]

Breitbach doesn't/can't shoot. If that's your starting PG and she's not a threat to score, those guarding her can play off her and help on players like Waskow, Lincoln and Anciaux. I said that teams can play 5 on 3 vs Coe because I've seen it happen. You want to beat Coe, sit in a 2-3 and don't even guard Breitbach or Rolston. And that Ware kid is a very streaky outside shooter. She is either on or off. That's where I come up with my assessment that Coe can be beat by being gimmicked in the halfcourt.

[Bird Dog]

Breitbach doesn't/can't shoot. If that's your starting PG and she's not a threat to score, those guarding her can play off her and help on players like Waskow, Lincoln and Anciaux. I said that teams can play 5 on 3 vs Coe because I've seen it happen. You want to beat Coe, sit in a 2-3 and don't even guard Breitbach or Rolston. And that Ware kid is a very streaky outside shooter. She is either on or off. That's where I come up with my assessment that Coe can be beat by being gimmicked in the halfcourt.

Waskow  14 pts. per game
Lincoln     10 pts. per game
Ware       10 pts. per game
Anciaux      9.7 pts per game
Rolston       9,1 pts. per game

All five are in the top twenty two scorers in the league.  Specificly #8 through #22
Coe can afford to have a defensive specialist.  Could be that is why Coe is Number 1 in scoring defense. 

[hoop_junkie]

What about Breitbach? She leads Coe in minutes played. She rarely shoots and is limited from the perimeter and when she tries to get in the lane everyone knows she's going to pass and Ralston is shooting %15 from 3 pt range. I'm pretty sure I'm right on when I say that you can beat Coe by playing zone and playing 5 defenders against Waskow, Anciaux, Lincoln or Ware depending on who is in the game. YOU DO NOT have to guard Breitbach or Rolston on the perimeter.

[Bird Dog]

What about Breitbach? She leads Coe in minutes played. She rarely shoots and is limited from the perimeter and when she tries to get in the lane everyone knows she's going to pass and Ralston is shooting %15 from 3 pt range. I'm pretty sure I'm right on when I say that you can beat Coe by playing zone and playing 5 defenders against Waskow, Anciaux, Lincoln or Ware depending on who is in the game. YOU DO NOT have to guard Breitbach or Rolston on the perimeter.

Rolston got thirteen points last night in the post.  She is a post player that shoots very few threes.  Thats not her role.  

Brietbach line last night 3points, 7rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover, and 2 steals, which is a good line.  

This year I've seen Coe  play 21 games .  Out of curiosity which ones did you see, maybe the girls had an off night that night. .

In parting I refer you to the sage of the north Doolittledog's Feb. 2, 2010, posting and the quote at the bottom of the page.  Author unknown but attributed to Mark Twain.  I will take the sage's advice and comment no more (until the next time).

P.S.  I am enjoy debating with you, the reference to the quote is in jest.  I respect your opinion but choose to disagree.