SLIAC

[sully309]

Coach Dub - somehow the smaller Illinois SLIAC schools have to figure out how to recruit more numbers to their programs.  Playing with 7 and 8 on the team is simply not condusive to winning, even though, as you point out, there are some good individuals out there.   Part of the reason those individuals have high numbers is likely because they are forced to do more because of the lack of help from teammates.

It doesnt get any better either - both Eureka ladies are seniors - Abby Lowe from Mac is a junior.  And by the way, if you have a tape of her scoring 30 in a half, ... I'd love to see it

I also would point out that Maryville has only one Senior starter - that's 4 starters returning, plus their first two off the bench + the possibility that 3 year starter Sarah Bartolic who has been out all year in a leg cast MAY return next year to play.  That being said, All those players would be seniors next year, so after next year, the conference could be much more equitable.

So the question is, what team has been using lots of sophs and frosh this year that could be termed a good bet for being a leader in two years.

Careful here, Hopefan. What are you saying? That certain players are playing 1 or 2 on 5? No one averaged 17 and 13 like a certain EC player is doing this season playing 1 on 5.

Are you saying certain players are forcing shots up because their teammates aren't any good? Then why is a certain EC player shooting 52% from the field?

Are you saying certain players wouldn't be playing as many minutes if teams had deeper rosters? Wrong again. Of course the stats I've thrown out here are those of Nicole Fisher of the Red Devils. Time and again, I've seen her dominate the 2nd half of games even though she rarely gets taken out of the game.

Against teams like Fontbonne and Maryville, who most would say have the deepest benches in the league, she has averaged 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 63%. If she was ever going to wear down, wouldn't be against teams running in fresher players against her? So, what purpose does it serve to take her out?

You may have a point about the limited roster making it more difficult to have a winning season. It's a long season and many things can happen.  But don't degrade any individual's accomplishments just because you think teams should have more players available. How many times have you seen Eureka play to make that assessment, anyway? As someone that has seen them play all season I can tell you, the players on Eureka aren't "...forced to do more because of the lack of help from teammates." They are in most cases capable to doing more in the first place and are allowed to do so.

Basketball is a team game. When a player puts up great stats, it's always BECAUSE of their teammates. Not IN SPITE of them!

[sully309]

Keep in mind it's not just numbers. Fontbonne has 20 on it's roster and hasn't touched Maryville yet. And since I've only seen a couple of SLIAC teams I can't judge their talent level.  My brother in law did say Eureka had 2 really good players. He also said they only played 6 kids in the game vs Fontbonne. That's a tough one.

Actually, 7 players got in for Eureka, which was just 2 less than Fontbonne, who played 9, including 1 that barely got in (6 min.). We've tried hard to not use this as an excuse and I'd rather other people not use it either. EC had enough players and talent to win the game, but Fontbonne played better. That should be the focus. Give credit to Fontbonne for playing well enough to deserve to win. Your sentiments are understandable, but also unnecessary.

[hopefan]

Yikes - my remark was not meant in any way to be a condemnation of the ladies mentioned - just a point of logic - if their are few players on a roster, logicly the talent pool may be less, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and the team leader may be asked to do more.

Nothing more than that to my statement.

[NO RESPECT]

Hopefan,

I am sure that the new coaches in this conference as well as the elder coaches are out there recruiting hard for the future. If any of them have a competitive bone in thier body, I am sure that they want to be the one to knock off Maryville (which is not going to be an easy task in the least bit). Lets wait to see what happens.

If you look at the standing, you can already see changes, some of the teams that were picked in the pre season poll to finsh towards the top of the conference are on the bottom, and some selected to finish towards the bottom are up top. Either some coaches are doing a great job with the talent that they have, or there is a cloud of luck floating around.

[HCACBBALL]

Hopefan,

I would agree that on some of these smaller roster sizes the leaders are ask to do more but inturn the other team focuses more on them.  I am sure Fisher from Eureka and Lowe from MacMurray would love to stop seeing junk defenses where they are doubled team, denied the ball physically and are the sole focus for the other team. 

I look at them averaging 17 each as impressive.  It should be a good matchup tomorrow with MacMurray having Evans back who was not at the game at Mac.  Wish I could go but that work thing is getting in the way of basketball.

[jdoug2]

Eureka sid, I was definitely not slighting your school. Looking at the stats and from my Texas scouts, Eureka played a really good game. Once again, my brother-in law said Fisher was a beast. And forgive me for not being able to count. As for Fontbonne playing fewer players, it makes sense. Close game. Late in the season, you shorten the bench.

I also agree with Hopefan. It is tough sledding with only 7-8 players. Practice is tough. Injuries happen. And foul trouble happens. Ideally you want a  big roster and then you figure out your 8 best.

[jdoug2]

My usual cheer for a big Fontbonne game against Maryville tomorrow. Maybe if they keep the to's somewhat in check.... 

GO GRIFFINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[sully309]

Sorry if you thought I blew up at you, Hopefan. That's just a very touchy subject here. It's been tough to practice 5-on-5 this season and with NCAA passing the rule limiting male practice players, it puts an even greater emphasis on having more players next year. Our seniors this year will be missed next year in many ways!

[WU_SID]

here is the live stats link for the Greenville-Webster women's game

http://livestats.internetconsult.com/webster/mbball/xlive.htm

[bcbeaverfan1]

I would have to say I have been keeping track of comments made throughout the season and have never said anything; however, I feel as if it is time for me to speak up.  First of all, I agree that every team in the sliac comes to compete and the games are somewhat of a dog fight, but i believe that there is ONE team in particular that continues to get over looked......

If anyone has said anything about Blackburn this season, it has been about them being a "fluke" or having players that don't actually look like basketball players....two initials BS!

No one has mentioned the fact that last year they finished bottom of the conference last year and have really come at some people this year.  They have remained in the number four spot for a few weeks now and are still a couple games ahead of the teams behind them.

I don't believe that fourth place is up for anyone anymore, i think the blackburn lady beavers have rightfully earned their way into the position and nothing is going to knock them down.....they will be in the conference tournament this year!

Good Luck to all the teams....but especially to the Blackburn Lady Beavers...you have worked your butts off this season to prove something to this conference...and it seems as if your new coach is really giving you the tools to be a successful team.....

SOMEONE has to knock off Maryville.....GO BC!!!

[hopefan]

good job BCbeaverfan1, and welcome to the board - just 2 years ago, I praised Blackburn students for being the most fun, the rowdiest, the most consistent fans in the SLIAC  - the spirit you show in your post is exactly why! 

Glad to see the Beavers will likely make the playoffs, and as you imply, on any given night, upsets DO happen......   Webster did it to Maryville several years ago-it can happen again!!

[hopefan]

Ugh  -  First regional ratings are out  -  no sign of Maryville  -  Wash U is No 3 in Central.

[furbug]

good job BCbeaverfan1, and welcome to the board - just 2 years ago, I praised Blackburn students for being the most fun, the rowdiest, the most consistent fans in the SLIAC  - the spirit you show in your post is exactly why! 

I agree with this and with the sentiments of BCbeaverfan1. I mentioned once before on this site what a competitive team Blackburn has been, in spite of small squads. I would never count them out.

As far as the comment by Hopefan, one of the most fun times I have had was a few years ago at Blackburn. The women had already played, and there was a Blackburn crowd that was really into the men's game. During time-outs in that game, a competition erupted between a Blackburn fan and Jana Elwood of the Webster women's team in doing back flips up the gym floor. There was a lot of acrobatic talent displayed, and we all loved it.

[jdoug2]

Blackburn played Fontbonne really close in the first half of the game I saw. Once Fontbonne figured out they needed to attack their press it got ugly, but they played tough. And who cares what the players look like.

Pre-season predictions? Another who cares about that. If you place in the top 4 you get your shot.

[iwumichigander]

Yikes - my remark was not meant in any way to be a condemnation of the ladies mentioned - just a point of logic - if their are few players on a roster, logicly the talent pool may be less, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and the team leader may be asked to do more.

Nothing more than that to my statement.

I fail to see any logic.  Roster size has nothing to do with talent.  It merely effects the displacement of the amount of water in the pool.  The impact, other than practice problems as eureka_SID stated, is the lack of bench depth when injury, illness, foul troubles, cold shooting or match-up problems occur - particularly against an opponent that can go 8-10 deep.