SLIAC

jdoug2 · December 12, 2006, 03:53:09 PM

Thanks fcnews. She's always played hard, even whe she's been a little banged up. She hasn't mentioned the wrist deal. Must be pretty minor. I spoke with her Sunday after the Millikin game and she was a little down. They're 2-4 and she hates to lose. I know she's never been on a team that has lost more than a few games per year. It's all about the conference games. When those and you move on.

y_jack_lok · December 12, 2006, 04:23:51 PM

jdoug2, fcnews will be your best source of info on Lauren.

to fcnews, I didn't realize Fontbonne's undergrad population was that small. I learn something new every day. Maryville's enrollment appears to be about 1,500 and Webster's 2,500 -- although I wonder if that is traditional undergraduate students, or includes grad students as well as older adults going back to school.

jdoug2 · December 12, 2006, 05:36:24 PM

It's good to have an unbiased source of info.

And a correction in my last posting. I meant, " Win those and move on. " I should read a little more carefully before I post.

jdoug2 · December 13, 2006, 11:03:29 PM

Fontbonne defeats Eureka. Not sure of the score, just spoke with my niece and she wasn't sure about the final. Lauren and several teammates were headed to Applebee's for half price appetizers. Starting to miss my college years. 8)

And from checking out the scoreboard on D3 looks like Wash U beat Maryville.

sully309 · December 13, 2006, 11:23:29 PM

According to the call I got from our coach, Fontbonne defeated Eureka 72-64. EC led by one at the half. I also heard that the scoreboard wasn't working. It seemed fine when I was there Saturday. Although I was not there, this has to be the best game the Red Devils have played this season. I agree with those that have said Maryville and Fontbonne should be the top 2 teams this year. I would like to think Eureka will be a strong contender for one of the tournament spots, but a lot of basketball is to be played. I have seen Greenville and they look much improved over last year. Prin, Mac and Webster will have a say in this as well. Actually, it's tough to say any team is out of it at this point. EC had some time off, but comes back with Monmouth and Maryville after the break HELLOOOOO!!!

Getting back to the enrollment issue. Certainly, enrollment is a factor, but there is not a large difference in enrollments within conference schools. Sure, Eureka is under 600 and Webster is over 2,000 I believe, but EC has continually competed strong over the years with the Aurora's and Benedictine's of the world in the NIIC, both have larger enrollments than the biggest SLIAC school I think. I think a bigger factor is institutional support of women's sports. At Eureka, I feel women's sports are supported very well and we are blessed with veteran coaches in volleyball, basketball and softball, which makes a huge difference.

y_jack_lok · December 14, 2006, 12:14:59 AM

I saw the 2nd half of the Maryville-Wash U game. Wash U was up 44-34 at the half. Maryville played them well in the second half, but didn't have enough weapons. Final was 76-63 I think. Wash U is not nearly the team they were last year after losing Kelly Manning, Danielle Beehler, and Katie Benson. This year's seniors aren't nearly as talented, although they saw plenty of minutes last year.

Maryville also lost some real talent from last year. The have two seniors this year, one of whom starts. They should win the SLIAC this year and be geared up for an even better season next year.

Next SLIAC team to go into the Wash U Bears den is Fontbonne on Saturday. This could be a measuring stick of how close Fontbonne is to Maryville as a contender for the top spot in the SLIAC.

fcnews · December 14, 2006, 02:16:00 PM

At Fontbonne University the Women's Teams get the exact same institutional support as the men's. That's probably why the FU volleyball and softball have been dominate lately and have got some national attention.

FU's Lady Griffins bball team has had it's run of conference dominance, similar to what MU is seeing.

It's not to long ago that FU stopped Wash U's 83 game winning streak (one win shy of Coach Wooden's record at UCLA) and went on to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. They beat the #1 and #2 teams in the region that year. Upset Millikin @Millikin in the second round.

jdoug2 · December 14, 2006, 04:02:54 PM

I think it's great that the women's teams get the same support as the guys teams at Fontbonne. One small complaint, could they update their website every now and then. Have a little more info. I end up going to rival school's sites to get box scores and such.

And my niece had her college career high of 17pts last night. 8)

mark_reichert · December 14, 2006, 06:46:58 PM

Quote from: fcnews on December 14, 2006, 02:16:00 PM
It's not to long ago that FU stopped Wash U's 83 game winning streak (one win shy of Coach Wooden's record at UCLA) and went on to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. They beat the #1 and #2 teams in the region that year. Upset Millikin @Millikin in the second round.

This probably won't do my karma rating any good, but that's 81 game winning streak (seven shy of Coach Wooden's record at UCLA).

Drill down through NCAA Record books at

http://www.ncaasports.com/history

P.S. WashU went on to win its last Championship to date that year.

fcnews · December 14, 2006, 07:06:51 PM

Mark, I'll take your word on it. And, yes, the Lady Bears did go on to win the Championship. That made FC's victory that much more impressive.

y_jack_lok · December 14, 2006, 11:30:43 PM

Might as well take every opportunity to cite the very limited number of SLIAC women's accomplishments. The '01-'02 Webster team went to the Sweet 16 and lost in a very competitive game to eventual national champ UW-Steven's Point. Also the team two years ago beat Wash U at Webster by 19 points. Granted, Wash U was playing without Kelly Manning and Hallie Hutchens. Still it was WASH U and Webster truly outplayed them. All that was 2 coaches ago.

Last year's Maryville team advanced to the second raound of the NCAA tournament.

y_jack_lok · December 14, 2006, 11:33:32 PM

And congrats, jdoug2, on your niece's good game on Wednesday night. I may go over for Fontbonne's Saturday games at Wash U.

jdoug2 · December 15, 2006, 09:46:20 AM

Thanks Jack. And if you do go to the game, please cheer for Fontbonne. I'm sure we'll be outmanned, although Lauren's parents will be there. First trip up that way for us Texans.

There is one player we wouldn't mind doing ok for Wash U. Lauren's former teammate is a freshman point. She hasn't played much at all this year, but you never know.

pantherpride06 · December 15, 2006, 11:38:05 AM

I caught the first half of Maryville @ Wash U and then jumped across the road to see the Eureka @ Fontbonne game.

I thought Maryville did a good job of staying right with Wash U. Maryville is fueled by Kasey Schultz. She just kept Maryville moving on the offensive side of the ball.

As for Fontbonne/Eureka, after watching FU dismantle Greenville last week, watching them play like they did in the first half was shocking. Just throwing the ball everywhere. And Eureka played very good... sad to see Eureka playing well and Fontbonne playing bad and Eureka having a 1 pt. 1st half lead. Second half was what I was expecting through the whole game.

y_jack_lok · December 15, 2006, 11:46:37 AM

jdoug2. Not to worry, I always root for SLIAC teams over Wash U.

Your niece's former teammate may be in a better position to see some minutes this time as Wash U's sophomore point guard from Hawaii ( a 5' 2" dynamo of a player) went down with a knee injury early in the 2nd half against Maryville.