MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

The UAA won the so-called UAA/SCAC Challenge hosted by the University of Chicago.

Washington University 69, Trinity 51
Washington University 85, Southwestern 54

Chicago 74, Southwestern 71
Chicago 64, Trinity 49

[Ethelred the Unready]

The UAA won the so-called UAA/SCAC Challenge hosted by the University of Chicago.

Washington University 69, Trinity 51
Washington University 85, Southwestern 54

Chicago 74, Southwestern 71
Chicago 64, Trinity 49

Nice

[jaybird44]

From the first two Wash-U games:  Bears gathered 41 rebounds in each of the two games, and got 23 points from Alan Aboona.  Aboona was a combined 9-15 from the floor, and 4-9 from 3-point range.  If he can provide timely threes along with Ben Hoener, that will help provide more room for the inside trio of Chris Klimek, Matt Palucki, and Robert Burnett.

They don't need a lot of 3s, just enough to keep opposing defenses honest.

The "Wydown Showdown" with Fontbonne is tomorrow night at 7:30 CST.

[martin]

From the CCIW Board:

We all remember this about U. of Chicago's big recruiting news a year ago...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2011/11/a_true_recruiting_coup.html


It certainly looks like 6-4 guard Jordan Smith (Whitney Young H.S.) is the real deal.  Through his first 3 collegiate games he is averaging 18 ppg.

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/mbk-bios-2012-13/mbk-bio-2012-13-smith.htm

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/teamcume.htm


Mike McGrath's Maroons could be a big-time sleeper in the UAA and Midwest region this year.

I watched the Maroons play today. I have to agree with toooldtohoop; right now the Maroons are playing a lot of one-on-one ball. It's quite a shock to the system for those of us who over the years have gotten used to watching Chicago play some of the most meticulously-patterned basketball in the region (with the triple post set, in particular). Now the Maroons are very wide open and try to beat you off the dribble -- no surprise, when you consider that they have Whitney Young alumnus Jordan Smith, Westchester St. Joe alumnus Wayne Simon (who played two years of D1 ball at American), and the fleet-footed Royce Muskeyvalley on the team, all of whom are excellent slashers. Kudos to U of C coach Mike McGrath for recognizing that he has more perimeter athletic talent right now than he's ever had before -- or is ever likely to have at 56th and Ellis -- and adjusting his team's style accordingly.

And, yeah, they do look unimpressive on defense. But that's a function of their youth. Smith and fellow former Whitney Young Dolphin Nate Brooks are freshmen, as is sharp-shooting guard John Steinberg, and Muskeyvalley's only a sophomore. It's a young team, and young teams usually don't defend well.

Jordan Smith has had a great start - 17.7 ppg and 4.7 boards - in three games.  It is rare for freshmen to have an impact.  I do not count Steve Djurickovic - he never really was a freshman.  Adam Dauksas started as a freshman and was good but on a good team where he could blend in.  The last CCIW freshman to have a big impact was Drew Carstens in 2000-1. 

Is it easier for a guard than a big man?  I think Chicago's Nate Brooks has enormous potential but is not at Smith's level yet.  Keelan Amelianovich did little as a freshman - played limited minutes in 18 games.  As a sophomore he was MOP in the CCIW.  But then Derek Reich was UAA Player of the Year all four years.

Maybe the point is that it takes a special player to have an impact as a freshman.

[Titan Q]

Something I posted on the CCIW board...

I will get to see my first in-person D3 action of the season today.  #21 Wash U plays Austin College (TX) here at Nebraska Wesleyan's tournament.  It looks like Mark Edwards has a really good team this year, starting...

G - Alan Aboona, 6-1 Jr - 13.3 ppg, 4.0 apg
G - Tim Cooney, 6-3 Jr - 6.7 ppg, 3.7 apg
F - Matt Palucki, 6-6 So - 8.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg
F - Chris Klimek, 6-5 Jr - 13.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg
C - Robert Burnett, 6-7 Sr - 12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Sports/BasketballMen/Pages/default.aspx

Imagine if they still had Wheaton's Brayden Teuscher (16.3 ppg) at the SG spot.

I did in fact watch Wash U play yesterday.  Here is the boxscore from their win over D3 Austin College...

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Stats/TeamStats/basketball-mens/2012-2013/game4.htm

Austin College is a really bad team, but I'm still convinced that I saw a Wash U team that is underrated at #21 and a legitimate national championship contender this season.  (The Bears are picked to win the UAA.)

The Bears are huge, with that frontline of 6-6/6-5/6-7.  They are not terribly athletic at those positions but they're very skilled.  6-6 SF/PF Matt Palucki is very long and has nice shooting touch from 15 feet and around the basket.  6-5 PF Chris Klimek scored 31 pts yesterday on 14-17 shooting --  he scored layup after layup on the same set play that got him the ball on the block, in position to turn and score.  Austin College just didn't have anyone who could guard him.  6-7 Robert Burnett is a big body who can beat you if you don't pay attention to him.  Led by this frontline, Wash U out-rebounded AC 47-23.  Through 4 games, the Bears have a per game rebounding margin of +20, which is crazy.

Wash U's starting guards are not great, but they're very solid.  Alan Aboona does a good job handling the ball at the point and Tim Cooney does a lot of things well on the floor.  Neither is what you would call a "pure shooter" but I suspect both are capable of getting hot from 3-point range on any particular night.  If Wash U still had Wheaton's Brayden Teuscher at the SG spot...wow.

The Bears are also really deep at the perimeter spots.  They bring PG Ben Hoener and combo guard Kevin Bischoff off the bench - these two would start for a lot of good D3 teams.  Last night I didn't see a lot from their backup posts, but it was only one game. 

Finally, Wash U is extremely well coached as always.  Mark Edwards is one of the best in the business and here in the very early going he has him team playing like it's late-January.

Again, Austin College was really bad, but I'm pretty sure Wash U is going to have an outstanding season.  I believe the Bears are every bit as good as #6 North Central.  In terms of where they stack up vs #8 IWU, Wash U is a better team than the Titans have been through 3 games.  Personnel wise, IWU vs Wash U is a push, but Wash U has things all meshed together already while the Titans seem to be putting the pieces together still.

I really hope IWU and Wash U face each other at the Lopata Classic next weekend.  I'm pretty sure IWU's strength and athleticism would give the Bears a much better test than they've had so far.  Some great frontline matchups: Andrew Ziemnik vs Matt Palucki, Victor Davis vs Chris Klimek, and Kevin Reed vs Robert Burnett.

[WUPHF]

If Wash U still had Wheaton's Brayden Teuscher at the SG spot...wow.

This point cannot be overstated.  The Bears will get a good reminder of what they lost when they travel to Wheaton on December 8th.

Incidentally, while Washington University and Wheaton are very strong in academics and athletics, in terms of campus cultures, the two institutions are on the opposite ends of the spectrum.  In Division III, it is hard to imagine a bigger shift.  Maybe Washington University to the Coast Guard.

[Pat Coleman]

Or Macalester to the Coast Guard.

[Gregory Sager]

Oberlin to Maranatha Baptist.

Checkmate.

[magicman]

New D3hoops poll is out and the UAA has three teams in the Top 25. Washington U is the highest ranked team moving up 5 spots to #10 with 366 points. Rochester enters the rankings at #17 with 162 points and NYU is ranked #22 with 114 points. They tie the NESCAC conference with the most entries at 3 each. Here's the link: 

    http://d3hoops.com/top25/men/2012-13/week1     

[WUPHF]

Oberlin to Maranatha Baptist.

Checkmate.

I was going to counter the Macalester-Coast Guard move with Concordia Moorhead and Rust College, but Oberlin-Marantha Baptist...game over.

[WUPHF]

In honor of its silver anniversary, the University Athletic Association has announced its 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Team.

http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/Basketball/MBasketball%2025th%20Anniv.pdf

[hopefan]

In honor of its silver anniversary, the University Athletic Association has announced its 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Team.

http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/Basketball/MBasketball%2025th%20Anniv.pdf

VERY impressive list, and lots of memories...

[Ethelred the Unready]

In honor of its silver anniversary, the University Athletic Association has announced its 25th Anniversary Men's Basketball Team.

http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/Basketball/MBasketball%2025th%20Anniv.pdf

VERY impressive list, and lots of memories...

Would love to see these guys play each other in their prime .  Come on MIT/CalTech .....let's get on that, eh?

[mck99]

29th Annual Lopata Classic at Washington University Loaded With Local Talent in 2012. http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012112928007/several-high-school-graduates-are-playing-at-washington-universitys-lopata-classic/

[WUPHF]

Washington University prevails over Wilmington College 73-62.  The Bears needed about ten minutes to get going offensively and struggled against the press throughout.  Wilmington had 14 steals and forced 23 turnovers.  I am going to blame the mustaches.  Washington University pulled down almost everything, outrebounding Wilmington 43-18.  Alan Aboona went 14-14 from the line en route to 26 points.