MBB: University Athletic Association

Gregory Sager · November 19, 2007, 03:37:10 AM

Quote from: Hoop Dreams on November 18, 2007, 09:21:24 PMMatt Corning was, perhaps surprisingly, the Maroons' leading scorer in both games this weekend (19 points vs. Lake Forest, 17 vs. Trinity).

I'm not that surprised. I've always been a big Corning fan; he has a toughness and an intensity level that is rare to see, and he's pretty physically talented as well. Throughout the earlier years of his career he was a walking, talking floor burn -- I have a soft spot for guys who lay out for every single loose ball the way that he does. What he hasn't been throughout his career is healthy; if he can stay in one piece for Chicago for 25 games he could be a real asset at off-guard, especially now that he's looking to shoot more.

I thought that sophomore John Kinsella also looked good coming off of the bench. He might evolve into that additional scorer that I think this Chicago team needs pretty badly.

Quote from: Hoop Dreams on November 18, 2007, 09:21:24 PMI see it as somewhat encouraging, though, that Nate Hainje (2-10) and Jake Pancratz (1-8) shot poorly and Trinity was 8-12 from three-point range, yet Chicago was in this game until the end against a good Tigers team.

The Maroons were really more than just "in this game" -- they led it almost as much as did Trinity, and with four minutes to go the Tigers were only up by one. It was at that four-minute point, however, that the two teams diverged. The Tigers executed very efficiently, while the Maroons did a number of things wrong: They didn't fight through screens, they neglected to pick up dangerous Trinity PG B.J. Moon in transition, they threw a couple of ill-advised passes at the other end, and they tried wading through heavy traffic underneath to get off a couple of layups against the Trinity bigs that really weren't available to them.

There's no shame in losing to a team as good as Trinity; I peg the Tigers as a Top 40ish squad. But I'm sure that Mike McGrath will spend some time in practice talking to his players about the need to maintain focus at both ends of the floor at the end of a tight ballgame.

Gregory Sager · November 24, 2007, 06:06:03 PM

Augustana beat Wash U, 66-60, this afternoon in the Webster Gorlok Classic. Augie held Troy Ruths to only seven points and two rebounds, although Bears fans can take solace in the fact that their team came back from a 19-point deficit to make it a single-possession game in the final minute before Augie FTs iced it.

Anyone from Wash U care to share why Sean Wallis didn't suit up for this game?

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 24, 2007, 06:46:05 PM

Gregory - maybe Sean can tell us in his blog (which is a very good read)!

y_jack_lok · November 24, 2007, 06:50:24 PM

According to a friend of mine who spoke w/Sean Wallis after the Wash U game today, Wallis said he has a broken tibia and torn ACL suffered in the game against Maryville on Nov 20th. Surgery on the ACL is scheduled for Tuesday.

hopefan · November 24, 2007, 07:16:58 PM

I'm the friend Yjak referred to - had a lengthy duscussion with Sean, and that's the story - a real shame.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 24, 2007, 07:21:28 PM

If that is the case... that is really too bad. You never want to see someone injured - especially that severly. Wallis is a tough player to replace... but maybe he can return for two more seasons, instead of just one, after recovering from this!

Only my best wishes to him!

David Collinge · November 24, 2007, 09:51:11 PM

Good grief! He debuts in the Daily Dose and immediately tears his ACL? Is this what the old Hoopsville Curse has morphed into? Terrible shame.

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · November 24, 2007, 10:00:02 PM

David, I would smite you if it would make a difference to your karma

!

I certainly hope it isn't a curse!

ILive4This · November 24, 2007, 10:04:20 PM

Given this news, any changes in people's view of the conference rankings?

David Collinge · November 24, 2007, 10:04:39 PM

Quote from: Dave "d-mac" McHugh on November 24, 2007, 10:00:02 PM
David, I would smite you if it would make a difference to your karma !

I certainly hope it isn't a curse!

Hey, you should be glad The Curse, if it exists, seems to have left Hoopsville and is now Pat's problem--the Daily Dose Curse!

Seriously, though, injuries are no laughing matter, and I hope Sean's recovery is swift and complete.

Marty Peretz · November 24, 2007, 10:18:37 PM

Sean will be damn near impossible to replace. It's an incredibly unfortunate set of circumstances to be in for us die-hard Wash.U. fans, but more importantly for the team and for Sean. My heart really goes out to Sean; he lives for hoops and plays the game the right way. We certainly won't be near the same team without him; the hope now is that we can compensate at least quasi-capably in his absence.

Pat Coleman · November 25, 2007, 02:23:04 AM

Quote from: David Collinge on November 24, 2007, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: Dave "d-mac" McHugh on November 24, 2007, 10:00:02 PM
David, I would smite you if it would make a difference to your karma !

I certainly hope it isn't a curse!

Hey, you should be glad The Curse, if it exists, seems to have left Hoopsville and is now Pat's problem--the Daily Dose Curse!

If so, you should hope it doesn't come for you next, Mr. Blogger.

Mr. Ypsi · November 25, 2007, 08:37:28 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 25, 2007, 02:23:04 AM
Quote from: David Collinge on November 24, 2007, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: Dave "d-mac" McHugh on November 24, 2007, 10:00:02 PM
David, I would smite you if it would make a difference to your karma !

I certainly hope it isn't a curse!

Hey, you should be glad The Curse, if it exists, seems to have left Hoopsville and is now Pat's problem--the Daily Dose Curse!

If so, you should hope it doesn't come for you next, Mr. Blogger.

Well, if we hear that David has to 'retire' due to carpal tunnel, at least we know who to blame!

ILive4This · November 25, 2007, 09:56:25 PM

Brandeis wins another close one today AT Tufts. They led the game by as much as nine in the first half, but then were down 6 with about 3 minutes left, and went on a huge 10-0 run to take a 4 pt lead. The game in my opinion was too close, but then again both teams were shooting lights out from the line, and over 50 % from the floor. Brandeis was out rebounded by a pretty sizeable margin, and I think this was the biggest problem, especially on the defensive glass, and Tufts was able to get a few easy putbacks. Overall with another strong performance from Hollins (21) and Graves Fulgham putting up a team high (23), they are showing that they can still win big games, including come from behind victories with out pre-season all-american DeLuca. Also of note, Rexhepi has been pretty quiet ever since the first game of the season. If he starts to come alive a bit more, I think we will see some large margins of victory for the Judges, even still without Deluca.

Marty Peretz · November 25, 2007, 11:04:52 PM

Any word on when Deluca gets back?

Impressive win today for Wash.U. without Wallis. It proves very comforting to know that we are still a very good basketball team even without our All-American running the show. We will surely miss him a great deal, but don't sleep on WUSTL just yet. Our homecourt advantage will pay great dividends throughout the UAA season....