SLIAC

[y_jack_lok]

Thanks for that info e_sid. For what it's worth, and we all know these historical comparisons may not mean much, Grinnell was 9-14 (7-9 in their conference) last year. Their total number of games is 23 (not the allowed 22 ) and they did not make the 4 team MWC conference tournament. Blackburn was 11-15 and came in 4th in the SLIAC last season with a 9-7 conference record. The score of this year's Blackburn win over Grinnell was 68-55. I guess all this really says is that this year a top four SLIAC team from last year is better than a bottom 4 (Grinnell finished 4th from the bottom) MWC team from last year.

I'm hoping this also means that Blackburn is improved from last year. I know Webster is. We've heard that FU lost its post players and doesn't have anyone to replace them, so they will likely be playing a different kind of offense. As for the rest of the conference, we'll have to wait and see. e_sid, what can you tell us about Eureka?

[sully309]

Y Jak, good research. The limit for the MWC might be 23 then. I know it's less than the 25 allowed by the NCAA. Come to think of it, 23 does sound correct. Whatever it is, it's the same for men's too.

Anyway, This is certainly a rebuilding year for the Red Devils.  So much so that in the season opener, all 5 EC starters were starting their first ever game for Eureka.  There is some talent, but it is very inexperienced.  I'm expecting to see some wild ups and downs as we go along here.

Monmouth has had its way with EC over the last 5 years or so even when Eureka had experienced teams, so even though Eureka lost to Monmouth by 7 to begin the season, I was impressed that the game was tied with a minute to go. Then, Monmouth goes on and blows out Augie by almost 30, but Eureka lost to Concordia Chicago Wednesday by 15.

Kim Downs is probably the best all-around player on the team this year, even though she might not even be one of our top 5 scorers.  There are several skilled post players that will give some teams fits that are undersized.  The sticking point will be at guard since our best guards at getting the ball into the post are not the greatest shooters and the best shooters are not the greatest at getting the ball into the post.

EC was picked 8th in the preseason and that's probably where they will start the year. I know the coaches and players have greater expectations, but I am choosing to measure success this year by how much improvement I see before the end of the season.  Hopefully by the end of the year, they will be better than the 8th best team.  That won't help much in the standings this year, but it will for the coming years if they stick together.  Without having seen any other teams in the SLIAC, I would guess EC has the personnel to stay competitive with most of them.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if EC knocks off a first division opponent, but it will probably come on the 2nd time through the league in Feb.

[HCACBBALL]

Here is what I know.  Even though Blackburn lost Polston (spelling?) they brought in some quality players.  Jasmine Robinson from Lincolnland CC is a point guard that create off the dribble as well hit a three if needed.  Ariel Hawkey from T Town and Lakeland CC is a tremendous guard and I would look for her to put up some big points later in the year.  I know nothing about Gregory, a transfer from Alabama but she looks to be a strong guard.  Blackburn with Shipley will be much improved.

The other team that I know of is MacMurray.  Mac brought in Krystal Gundy, lakeland cc, Taylor Vallomer, Johnwood cc, and Megan Nutter, Danville cc.  Vallomer was at Mac her freshman year and was newcomer of the year.  Krystal Gundy is a 3/4 player that can shoot the 3 and score in the block.  Nutter is a good all around player.  You will not see terrific numbers in the box score but does all the little things.  These three will help Abby Lowe and I imagine will surprise some conference teams.

[y_jack_lok]

Thanks e_sid and HCAC. Good info. Sounds like Webster is not the only team with a lot of young and/or new players. Webster's youth showed itself more in the 72-68 OT win over Rose-Hulman than it did in the opening game loss to UW-Platville. In the opening game one of the freshmen guards scored 27 points. In the 3 games since she's scored a total of 16. The other freshman guard has been a bit more consistent, scoring in double figures in three of the 4 games, but her shooting percentage dropped considerably after the first game. Still the upside potential for Webster is excellent so it will be interesting to see how the season unfolds.

[jdoug2]

The good home cooking did not seem to help my niece's ankle. She was still limping this past weekend and said after Sunday's practice she still can't run without pain. I hate she is having issues in her senior year. Hopefully she will be back at 100% soon. Or at least 80.

[y_jack_lok]

Definitely a bummer when that happens your senior year.

[sully309]

Major props to Principia's Christina Speer for being named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American for volleyball.  For those unfamiliar with this process, there are only 2 divisions for all the student-athletes in the country: the university and college divisions.  Division III gets lumped into the "college" division, which includes many Division II and NAIA scholarship schools. From there, the country is divided into 8 districts. Anyone on the 1st team all-district team is then moved on to the running for all-american. This is the premiere academic all-american process in the country and is voted on by SIDs and other members of CoSIDA.

It is a great accomplish just to be placed on the 3rd team All-District in this procress. Speer not only was 1st team in the dictrict, she made the 1st Team for the ENTIRE COUNTRY. She was one of only 6 players in the college division on the 1st team.

I see from the official release she carries a 3.97 as a Math, Computer Science and Spanish major. As a former math major myself, I know exactly how hard you have to work just to keep a 3.70 and have no idea how she could have that high of a GPA and still have other majors AND play 2 sports at an all-conference and Player of the Year level.

It's this kind of story - Academic All-American, 2-sport all-conference athlete with a 3.97 GPA in 3 majors that makes Division III so great.  It's the special athletes that come along every so often that do things that you swear it would take 2 or 3 normal humans to accomplish.

Unfortunately due to a quirk in the scheduling, I never actually got to see Christina play volleyball in a match, but I can imagine by the statistics she put up and how she plays basketball, it was an impressive display.

Congrats, Ms. Speer on this tremendous honor. You are a fantastic representative for your school and the conference.  All fans of the SLIAC and its teams are priviledged to be able to watch you play.  8)

[y_jack_lok]

Very nice tribute to Christina Speer, E_sid. I have seen her play volleyball a number of times the past four years. She is outstanding in all phases of the game. Not only can she elevate and make ferocious kills, she serves well, receives serve well, passes well, makes excellent digs, and I might say she can set well also, however she was almost always the recipient of a set.

I had no idea how that All-AMerican process worked, so thanks also for the explanation. And congratulations to Christina.

[jdoug2]

Lauren will not be playing tonight. She had her ankle re-evaluated yesterday and was told to stay the course. Try to keep off it and continue treatments. She is chomping at the bit to play. I hate this is a conference game.

Good luck to the rest of the team tonight vs Blackburn.

[jdoug2]

Fontbonne wins first conference game of the season vs Blackburn  93-85. It would appear defense was not either team's high priority. But glad to see Fontbonne get the win.

Elsewhere Westminster pulls out a close win over Webster 77-74 and Greenville beats Eureka 47-40.

[y_jack_lok]

jdoug, I was at the FU-BC game. You hit the nail on the head -- zero defense. This was wide open, old fashioned, up and down, street basketball with lots of turnovers. Both teams have plenty of speed and quickness and decent athleticism. It will be interesting to see how each team fares against a team that decides to take defense seriously. An entertaining game to watch. I expect these two teams each has a good shot at being in the top four in conference.

And Lauren did not look happy sitting on the end of the bench.

[sully309]

Greenville slipped past Eureka tonight 47-40. VERY conservative game plan from both camps in this one.  Both teams will improve greatly as the season moves on. Lots on new faces added to this long time rivalry. Greenville has a long way to go to get into the top 4, but they just might get there. Personally, I would put them behind the likes of Westminster, Webster and Principia at this point. But again, they can and perhaps will prove me wrong. Coach Mulholland knows his stuff and should not be underestimated.

Horrendous foul trouble for EC tonight was the undoing. Eureka needs to play a tad smarter and not pick up easy over the back calls. Both teams had several players sitting out with fouls, but Greenville is a deeper team and that helped them pull this one out.

[jdoug2]

Thanks for the info jack. You'd think since both teams have some athletes one team could play a little D. Sometimes a game has it's own flow and neither team decides to go against it.

Fontbonne sure the heck should be playing for the top 4 in the conference.

As for Lauren.... she has never been one to take sitting on the bench well. Hopefully she can play soon.

[jdoug2]

Fontbonne loses a tough one 85-84 to Rust. Webster defeated Rust the day before. Not sure what that means if anything.

Niece is hoping to get cleared to play this week. Maybe even tomorrow.

[y_jack_lok]

jdoug, I saw the last 12 minutes of the game. Here's how it went down at the end. It was 83-83 and Fontbonne was inbounding the ball with about 19 seconds left after just having called a time out. Amber Karnes received the inbounds pass behind the mid-court line, sized up the situation, drove the lane missed a layup but got fouled. She made the first free throw, missed the second and Rust got the rebound with about 10 seconds left. For some reason I don't remember if Rust called a time out or not, but I think they did. Anyway Fontbonne left a Rust player open under the basket, they got a pass to her and she made a basket just before the buzzer sounded.

Every game is different. I wouldn't make an predictions about the outcome of a Fontbonne-Webster game based on what I saw yesterday and today.