MBB: University Athletic Association

[Jacketfan2011]

I would say Dominiak is the best pure shooter I've seen in years.  When he is on he is automatic from anywhere.  He hurt his wrist in practice before the CWRU game a month or so ago and while it is not his shooting wrist, it has had an impact on what he does best - catch and shoot.  That beng said, his defense  while getting better, is still not up to the level of say...World B. Free.  But man can he shoot...

[theBroadcaster]

As a side note what does everyone think for the all conference teams this year I have to think the Judges will get atleast Joe Coppens on in a 2 or 3 spot.

Obviously this can all change over the next 3 games, but as of now here's how I would break down the all-conference teams as of now.  I'm not assigning specific positions, but I'm keeping it so that its 2 guards and 3 bigs per team(though in some cases I might be counting a swingman who plays the 2 and the 3 as a guard just because there's not as many good pt guards this yr and sometimes have 3 forwards instead of 2 and a true center).  Also, if two players are basically even, then I think their team's record should count for a tie-breaker.

First Team:
F-Nate Hainje Chicago
F-Troy Ruths Wash U
F-Uche Ndubizu Rochester
G-Joe Coppens Brandeis
G-Spiros Ferderigos Emory

Second Team:
C-Greg Gonzalez Carnegie Mellon
F-Tyler Nading Wash U
F-Jon Onyiriuka Rochester
G-Matt Corning Chicago
G-Rob Dominiak Rochester

Third Team:
F-Terrell Hollins Brandeis
F-Ryan Einwag Carnegie Mellon
F-Anthony Fernandez Emory
G-Steve Young Case
G-Jake Pancratz Chicago

Player of the Year:Troy Ruths Wash U
Rookie of the Year:Richie Polan NYU
Most Improved:Kevin Olson Brandeis
6th Man:Tie b/w Danny O'Boyle Wash U and Andre Roberson Brandeis
Coach of the Year:Mark Edwards Wash U

Though I've seen every team in the UAA play this season, I've obviously seen/paid attention to a lot more of some teams than others, so I'd love to hear what other people think about this.

[Hugenerd]

In the new regiona rankings:

WashU is first in the Midwest
Rochester is 2nd in the East
Brandeis is 3rd in the Northeast
Chicago is 4th in the Midwest

The fact that everyone moved up besides Rochester is a good sign that all 4 teams have a chance of making the field.  I think, but am not sure, that all 3 teams ranked ahead of Chicago are up for Pool A bids, so they could be the first C bid out of the region if they stay where they are.

[Hoop Dreams]

Chicago is very much a bubble team right now.  The Maroons' NCAA chances may depend on what happens in the CCIW tournament.  The CCIW has a four-team tourney to determine its automatic qualifier.  Right now it looks like the participants will be Augustana (#2 MW region), Illinois Wesleyan (#5), Wheaton (#6) and Elmhurst (#7).

If Augustana wins the CCIW tourney, Chicago would appear to have the edge over the other three CCIW teams.  But projecting Chicago as a Pool C contender assumes that the Maroons will suffer another loss -- if the Maroons win out, they earn the Pool A bid.  Who knows how that additional loss would affect the rankings.

Head-to-head against the CCIW, Chicago owns a 15-point home win over Illinois Wesleyan and a 2-point loss at Wheaton without Nate Hainje.

[iwumichigander]

The fact that everyone moved up besides Rochester is a good sign that all 4 teams have a chance of making the field.  I think, but am not sure, that all 3 teams ranked ahead of Chicago are up for Pool A bids, so they could be the first C bid out of the region if they stay where they are.

The problem is all three teams ranked above UChgo could also become Pool C candidates.

UAA - WashU likely becomes a lock for Pool C if it does not win the conference title (AQ).

MWC - Lawrence @ Carroll the last regular conference game then likely face each other again the MWC Tournament to decide their AQ.   If Lawrence wins the conf game but has a loss to Carroll in the MWC Tournament - Lawrence likely a Pool C.

CCIW - IWU @ Augustana (Wed - tonight); Elmhurst @ Wheaton (Sat);  IWU and Augie are in the CCIW Tournament but Elmhurst and Wheaton needs W's to lock up their spots. Augie win tonight (and I hope they do not) but loses in the conf tournament then Augie likely a Pool C

In short, Chicago really needs to go 3-0 and with a home court advantage has a chance to do that.  If Chicago goes 2-1 then the game I would think they do not want to lose is vs. WashU which has a 3 pt. home win over IWU and a 4 pt loss to Augustana.

[Hugenerd]

In short, Chicago really needs to go 3-0 and with a home court advantage has a chance to do that.  If Chicago goes 2-1 then the game I would think they do not want to lose is vs. WashU which has a 3 pt. home win over IWU and a 4 pt loss to Augustana.

If they go 3-0, the win the conference, so Pool C no longer matters (see earlier post).  So the real question is, can they get a Pool C bid with 8 losses?

[NYBB]

Second Team:
C-Greg Gonzalez Carnegie Mellon
F-Tyler Nading Wash U
F-Jon Onyiriuka Rochester
G-Matt Corning Chicago
G-Rob Dominiak Rocheste

-You're CRAZY if you think Onyiriuka is 2nd team.  That kid is the most powerful player i've seen in d3 this year.

[Hoop Dreams]

In UAA play, Onyiriuka is averaging 11.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG and has 6 blocked shots in 11 games.  That does not scream dominance to me.  This for a team that is tied for 4th.

[Ralph Turner]

Second Team:
C-Greg Gonzalez Carnegie Mellon
F-Tyler Nading Wash U
F-Jon Onyiriuka Rochester
G-Matt Corning Chicago
G-Rob Dominiak Rochester

-You're CRAZY if you think Onyiriuka is 2nd team.  That kid is the most powerful player i've seen in d3 this year.

I will give you one statistic about Onyiriuka that is telling.

2008 season  FT 30-78 38.5%

I need a better statistic in the clutch from my first team forward. 

[theBroadcaster]

I will give you one statistic about Onyiriuka that is telling.

2008 season  FT 30-78 38.5%

I need a better statistic in the clutch from my first team forward. 

BINGO!  That's exactly why I put him on second team and Uche on first.  Rochester's guards are good from the line, but their big guys inability to make FTs is one of the biggest reasons they're slumping.  Also, while Uche might not be great from the line himself, at least he does lead the conference in FG%, a good 17% higher than Onyiriuka. 

[ILive4This]

Yeah but I am fairly certain ndubizu is similar or worse at the line. I personally would put Onyiriuka over Ndubizu for first team, but honestly I would maybe put Dominiak over both considering how he has played in UAA games. I think your guards should be coppins and dominiak, then 3-5 would be nading, ruths and onyiriuka/hainje only because I feel weird having two UR players on my first team when they have not really shined in conference. Wash U def deserves two players on this team, and has two players deserving of the status. How about rookie of the year? Emory had one kid who I remember being nasty, I am blanking on the name though.

[Jacketfan2011]

Yeah but I am fairly certain ndubizu is similar or worse at the line.


Uche is at 59.2% for the season.  Not great, but he has gotten better.

[ILive4This]

nuts, both games I have watched/listened to, he has been well under 30%

[Jacketfan2011]

Oh, he's capable of that, no question.  But every so often he tosses in an 8-10 night.

[ILive4This]

I remember listening to the UR/Brandeis game at UR and while it is typical to foul in a close game with a minute left, the Judges were fouling him with more than 3 minutes to go, because he was shooting so poorly. Even at 50% I am not crazy impressed, although that seems to be about what his team puts in most nights. The UR/Deis game at deis the big men seemed to be reversed as Jon was actually making a fair percentage.