MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

Chicago gets the upset over Washington University, 86-77.

Regardless of how well Chicago plays during the season, they always find a way of getting up for this game.

Washington University had a 14 point lead before Chicago went on a big run to close out the first half.

By the second half, it seemed as though the end result was never in doubt.  Washington University pulled to within 3-5 on a host of occasions, but Chicago was just so good on the offensive end.  Their ball movement was incredible.  They took advantage of ever switch on the screens.  44% from the perimeter.  Every shot seemed to go in.  Every bounce...

In terms of statistics, everything was close with Chicago getting an ever so slight edge from three point range.  Not to mention rebounds and turnovers.

The Bears had been playing great defense as of late, but were a little slow today.  Foul trouble certainly hurt.  Time to shake it off and prepare for the next game.

[deiscanton]

My picks for the 2017-18 UAA All Association team

First team

Andrew Sanders-- Wash U
Jake Fenlon-- Chicago
Adam Gigax-- Emory
Whitt Rapp-- Emory
TJ Duckett-- Case
Jake Knupp-- Wash U
David Schmelter-- Wash U

Second team

Ross Udine-- NYU
Romin Williams-- Emory
Colin Barthel-- Chicago
Michael Hollis-- Case
Jacob Wittig-- Rochester
Ryan Clamage-- Rochester
Kevin Kucera-- Wash U

Honorable mention

Zach Howarth-- Carnegie Mellon
Latye Workman-- Brandeis
Tucker Knox-- Rochester
Jack Nolan-- Wash U
Jimmy Martinelli-- NYU
Matt Highsmith-- Wash U

Player of the Year-- Andrew Sanders, Wash U
Defensive Player of the Year -- Jake Knupp, Wash U
Rookie of the Year -- Romin Williams, Emory
Coaching Staff of the Year-- Wash U (Mark Edwards, Caleb Lawson, Jason Jabbari, Steve Wilcutt)

As always, any comments would be appreciated.

[WUPHF]

I do think these picks will line up exactly with the coaches picks. These definitely line up with my thoughts. Good work!

[Mr. Mo]

I know you can't put them all in, but Kevin Kucera has meant an awful lot to the Bears this season.  Hate to see him on the second team.

[WUPHF]

I know what you mean about Kucera...

It does look like Kucera sits in fourth all time for career assists with 472.  He is part of an interesting bit of trivia: the UAA will likely finish the season with three point guards in the Top 10 career assists list.  Whitt Rapp is currently in second with 592 while Ross Udine is currently in fifth with 570 assists.

[deiscanton]

I know you can't put them all in, but Kevin Kucera has meant an awful lot to the Bears this season.  Hate to see him on the second team.

The first team all Association is the top 7 players in the UAA as voted by the coaches, while the second team consists of the players ranked #8 to #14.   Players receiving votes but do not crack the top 14 get honorable mention.

I just wanted to let you know that my list is not ranked in exact order, but it is who I believe will be the players ranked in the 1-7 and 8-14 categories along with who I believe will also receive votes.

[Greek Tragedy]

I don't know if there's any unwritten rule with freshmen on the 1st team, but, stat-wise, I could see Williams on the 1st team and Rapp on the 2nd.

[WUPHF]

I don't know if there's any unwritten rule with freshmen on the 1st team, but, stat-wise, I could see Williams on the 1st team and Rapp on the 2nd.

There are a number of philosophical questions that go in to building an all-league team.  Among them: Does the non-conference matter?  Does the career matter?  Statistics vs. the eye test?  Is it possible to compare two players who played significantly different roles...possibly on significantly different teams?

For example, I agreed with the decision to list Collin Barthel on the second team, but is he less deserving of the accolades than TJ Duckett?  Chicago is a better team with more depth in the front court.  How does that factor in?

Is Ross Udine a first-teamer if he has an Andrew Sanders (or Evan Kupferberg) to pass to?

There is certainly a good argument for Romin Williams on the first team and he may well get the honor.

I'll need to go back and look, but in my 10 years following the league and going back through the rookie seasons for Aaron Thompson, Tyler Nading and Troy Ruths, I think the only freshman to make the first or second team was John DiBartolmeo.

I am 99% sure Whit Rapp will make the first team.

[WUPHF]

Not that anyone cares, but I was thinking about the fact that this is my 10th season following the team. 

My first ever game was on January 7, 2008 which was a Monday afternoon game against Webster.  At the time, I was still mostly following my Division II alma mater.

I did got to most conference games that Spring, but the game that hooked me was the Sweet 16 overtime win against BVU.  The atmosphere was among the best I have ever seen at this level.  Hopefan, YJak, did you guys go to that game?

[WUPHF]

Washington University and Emory will host first and second round pods.

Washington University plays Aurora with Nebraska Wesleyan and Maryville (TN) also head to the Gateway City.

Emory plays familiar foe Berry with LeTourney and Hanover also playing in Atlanta.

[y_jack_lok]

Not that anyone cares, but I was thinking about the fact that this is my 10th season following the team. 

My first ever game was on January 7, 2008 which was a Monday afternoon game against Webster.  At the time, I was still mostly following my Division II alma mater.

I did got to most conference games that Spring, but the game that hooked me was the Sweet 16 overtime win against BVU.  The atmosphere was among the best I have ever seen at this level.  Hopefan, YJak, did you guys go to that game?

Yes, I was at that game. After the Bears beat Millsaps the next night to make the final four hopefan talked me into going to Salem with him.

[WUPHF]

That Millsaps game quite the slog, but I still might have gone to Salem if not for the schedule conflicts.

[WUPHF]

I watched a little of the Benedictine-Aurora and if one game is any indication...

Aurora looks like a pretty good team.  They are very quick.  Every offensive possession involves some combination of drive, dish, drive, kick out drive, lay-up. 

They have 5 players that score in double figures and are lead by POY Marcus Myers who averages 20 points per game.  That guy is special.

They shoot a lot of threes (31st nationally in three-point field goal attempts).  They shoot 32% from three on the season, but shot 41% in their last two games.

They are very small.  As I mentioned elsewhere, 6-0 Marcus Myers (7.3 rbg) is their leading rebounder followed by a 6-4 forward (6.8 rbg), followed by a 6-3 forward (5 rbg), followed by a 5-9 guard (5 rbg).  They seem to compensate for height with effort.

That was a great game.

[y_jack_lok]

So Aurora and Wash U each have a player with almost the same name?

[WUPHF]

Marcus Myers and Marcus Meyer...

It sure made the live stream interesting.