MBB: University Athletic Association

[Gregory Sager]

I still remember a cartoon in which some big guy was going on and on about the accomplishments of Chicago and its sports teams and is reduced to tears when the small Cardinals fan says "1908".

I suppose the White Sox championship might have taken the edge off that for some.

Not really, because the Chicagolanders who were pleased by the World Series title of the White Sox are not the same people who are bothered by sarcastic references to 1908. In fact, the Chicagolanders who wear black caps with "SOX" printed above the bill make sarcastic references to 1908 about as frequently as do Cardinals fans -- especially since the events of October 2005.

I don't know about Memphis or New Orleans, but to a Chicagoan, Peoria getting the same offal is an added bonus (at least for those few Chicagoans who have ever heard of Peoria)!

Interesting that you happened to post that, Chuck, since this coming Friday and Saturday will be the only two days out of the year during which Chicagolanders ever notice that Peoria even exists. Yes, that's right ... it's Class AA tourney time here in Illinois.

While most of the rest of America's sports fans will be watching the D1 tourney this weekend, I'll be glued to my set watching Simeon, Thornton, Marshall, Lincoln, Stevenson, Rockford Boylan, Lockport, and O'Fallon duke it out in the Peoria Civic Center.

Go Wolverines and go Commandos!

[fcnews]

By the Way !!! Great season for the Wash U. Bear's. Congrats from your neighbor.

[diehardfan]

Wow, after the last four games in the tournament, I am like totally in love with Wallis, Ruths, and Nading... do they want to transfer to Wheaton

Serously, I love watching this team make plays and pass... they have tremendous talent and players that are 100 percent hustle and effort the entire time they're on the court.

There is nowhere to go but up for Wash U... their roster is sooooo young!!! I can't imagine anyone but them being in the preseason #1 slot. Great season guys... hopefully we'll get to see you in Salem again next year.... as long as it doesn't involve beating Wheaton!

[hopefan]

nononononono diehard  -  they're staying right here in St Louis - and you can come here all next season and watch them with me and we'll munch on an oatmeal raisin thingy dingy or two. 

Great effort by Wash U last night - one or two "if onlys" tipped the scales in Va Wesleyans favor -, great win to complete the season on an upbeat today.

[Ralph Turner]

Wow, after the last four games in the tournament, I am like totally in love with Wallis, Ruths, and Nading...

Oh no!  DHF has turned "valley girl" on us! 

[Ralph Turner]

Wow, after the last four games in the tournament, I am like totally in love with Wallis, Ruths, and Nading...

Oh no!  DHF has turned "valley girl" on us! 

Tyler Nading is listed on the Bears baseball roster, too.

[Gregory Sager]

Wow, after the last four games in the tournament, I am like totally in love with Wallis, Ruths, and Nading...

Oh no!  DHF has turned "valley girl" on us! 

Gag her with a spoon! Fer sure, fer sure!

I mentioned that I'd be watching the Illinois AA tourney this weekend, and it looks as though Chicago has landed itself a pretty solid guard recruit in Stevenson's Jong Lee. His Patriots only finished fourth, but he certainly made a strong impression to everyone who watched their three games against Rockford Boylan, O'Fallon, and Marshall. "The Asian Sensation" should be a nice addition to the Maroons.

[hopefan]

Just a note for some of you who have only recently become familiar with Wash U -  They lost a starter, Danny O'Boyle, in the third or fourth game of the season.  Dan, who is currently a junior, is an outstanding perimeter shooter, and a little more aggressive with the ball than his replacement for the year, Aaron Thompson.   If Dan heals up, my assumption is that he returns to the starting lineup, with Thompson being a 2-3 man and Cam Smith playing even a larger role in the rotation.  Add in Zach Kelly, who looked good in getting more minutes than usual when Ruths ran into foul trouble.  Add that group to incumbents Ruths, Wallis and Nading, each of whom could acheive at an all region level or better, and potential for another run to Salem is clearly there.

St.Louis will really be kicking at the D3 level next year in another way  -  I really feel the SLIAC is on the rise too - Fontbonne, who gave Wash U a very good game for 35 minutes in the first round of the tournament, loses no starters, and should have Guard Cartez Parker back  -  Parker may have the ability to be the best player in the conference, but sat out most of the season (his frosh year), getting his academics in line.  Webster has key big men back, but needs to replace their point guard.  And MacMurray and Westminster also return most of their key individuals.  Believe me, these four teams will be able to compete next year at the next level (with the SCAC, the HCAC, lower CCIWs, the MWC teams that dot their schedule). 

[fcnews]

well put Hope.

[diehardfan]

nononononono diehard  -  they're staying right here in St Louis - and you can come here all next season and watch them with me and we'll munch on an oatmeal raisin thingy dingy or two. 

I definitely can't come ALL next season (I do have a job ya know ) but given that we're talking about me and my silly willingness to hop on a plane and travel anywhere for a d3 game, I wouldn't count once out of the realm of possibility. Besides, I assume I'll be seeing them in Salem again next year anyway. 

Oh no!  DHF has turned "valley girl" on us! 

I've been living out here in SoCal for a year and a half, it was only inevitable that they'd get to me eventually. 

Seriously though? A coworker once described me has having roughly two brain levels: 1) essentially off, and 2) on to the point that it's scary. I have always been grateful that God made me brunette, because I come off as absent minded in my many "off" moments, rather than ditsy. Apparently you caught me an an "off" moment. But in the interest of full disclosure, saying "like totally" is nothing new for me.

Tyler Nading is listed on the Bears baseball roster, too.

We need baseball players even more than tall basketball players! 

[jagluski]

Just a note for some of you who have only recently become familiar with Wash U -  They lost a starter, Danny O'Boyle, in the third or fourth game of the season.  Dan, who is currently a junior, is an outstanding perimeter shooter, and a little more aggressive with the ball than his replacement for the year, Aaron Thompson.   If Dan heals up, my assumption is that he returns to the starting lineup, with Thompson being a 2-3 man and Cam Smith playing even a larger role in the rotation.  Add in Zach Kelly, who looked good in getting more minutes than usual when Ruths ran into foul trouble.  Add that group to incumbents Ruths, Wallis and Nading, each of whom could acheive at an all region level or better, and potential for another run to Salem is clearly there.

St.Louis will really be kicking at the D3 level next year in another way  -  I really feel the SLIAC is on the rise too - Fontbonne, who gave Wash U a very good game for 35 minutes in the first round of the tournament, loses no starters, and should have Guard Cartez Parker back  -  Parker may have the ability to be the best player in the conference, but sat out most of the season (his frosh year), getting his academics in line.  Webster has key big men back, but needs to replace their point guard.  And MacMurray and Westminster also return most of their key individuals.  Believe me, these four teams will be able to compete next year at the next level (with the SCAC, the HCAC, lower CCIWs, the MWC teams that dot their schedule). 

A couple more notes:

1) I would bet next year's starting lineup is Wallis, Nading, Thompson, O'Boyle, Ruths

2) Wallis and Kelly were actually high school teammates

3) Not only were they high school teammates, but Wallis and Kelly were high school teammates of Duke's Jon Scheyer.  That's probably part of the reason Wallis is such a good passer.

[hopefan]

I agree Jagluski with your starting lineup, barring a freshman phenom, but is there enough strength on the boards with that lineup?   I would hate to see that strong offensive inside game and Wallis penetrate and dish game turn into a 3 point fest where on a night that O'Boyle and Thompson are cold, the Bears find themselves down quickly.  Of course Thompson is just a frosh and is likely to put a little more bulk on his frame.  Next year won't get here quick enogh.

[jagluski]

I agree Jagluski with your starting lineup, barring a freshman phenom, but is there enough strength on the boards with that lineup?   I would hate to see that strong offensive inside game and Wallis penetrate and dish game turn into a 3 point fest where on a night that O'Boyle and Thompson are cold, the Bears find themselves down quickly.  Of course Thompson is just a frosh and is likely to put a little more bulk on his frame.  Next year won't get here quick enogh.

Agreed, but Ruths is pretty dominant down low, at least to start.  Kelly/Smith could also start if they need to match up with a big lineup.

As for a 3 point fest when the team's cold, I don't know if you remember back 3-4 years ago when the starting 5 was Matt Tabash, Dustin Tylka, Joel Parrott, Chris Jeffries, and Jarriott Rook.  The first four, especially the first three, launched three's all game.  There's got to be box scores where Joel Parrott went 2-16 from three.  I remember games where he couldn't have thrown the ball into the ocean, but he kept shooting(which he should have, he was a great shooter when on).  More than any other team I've ever seen, that team lived and died by the 3.  At least there's tradition there...

[Greek Tragedy]

"The Asian Sensation" should be a nice addition to the Maroons.

I'm not going to Chicago. 

[diehardfan]

Neither am I...

Except possibly for their tipoff tournament.