The Bethel/Augsburg game was unbelievable. There's no other way to put it. It was a battle from start to finish and no matter what you say about that call at the end, Madson still had to make an unbelievable shot. And for those of you talking about Cassens being sick, Madson was not feeling any better. I heard him talking after the game and he could barely say anything and you could definitely tell that he was not his normal self. All this talk about Cassens having a gutty performance but the guy who made it happen in the end was Madson. On a side note I've never seen a player get fewer calls than him. Especially yesterday as he got absolutely murdered with no call and Cassens throws up the same shot and gets bailed out a couple of times. Hard to put my finger on why that is considering he's the person I'd take to shoot the game winner. All in all I'm hoping for a BU/UST showdown in the semis.

 Laugen has got a stress fracture in his foot and will be out until after Christmas Break. Good for Bethel that they only play one more game before that. This was a huge win for the Royals and gives them confidence heading into the break and I think they realize what it's going to take to win in the MIAC. The other guys are starting to realize the intensity that it takes and I think it only means good things for the Royals. Similar to last year Bethel started off the conference season very slow and then got it going after Christmas. I still expect us to be right at the top of the league and this win helps significantly in getting to where this team wants to go.

 I know this was a few days ago but I've been busy staying on top of the Royals Football team. Anyway Reck had a mild concussion most likely he'll play tomorrow against the Pipers and what is normally a pretty loud place should be dead silent as all the students, myself included, will be down watching the football game. Bethel has got to pick it up. I was at the game against Crown and the defenses was not great but it was not horrible. Crown made some plays and hit some J's in people's eyes. I'm still baffled why Moberg isn't dominating down low. Crown tallest guy most of the game was 6-4 at the tallest. In order to be at the top of the conference they'll need him to play better and they'll have to implement some sort of rotation as right now it's very inconsistent and Westlund is really just trying to see what he's got to work with, being that he only has four guys back. I expect to see a lot of parity in the MIAC and I'm wondering if someone ever is going to slow down Brady Brink?

Willy Wonka and Drake please stop hating on Bethel's football team, because they have beaten you the last two years and are going to beat you in basketball when the time comes. Bethel always seems to struggle definsively early in the year, they always give up lots of points. As for Moberg it will just be a matter of time before he gets in the groove again. You have to realize that Bethel has only 4 players back from last year's team that saw minutes (Madson, Moberg, Laugen, and Reck). Yes they have talent, but it's going to take a few games to get things figured out chemistry wise before they really get in the groove. The Morris loss should wake them up and get them playing at the level where they belong.

1. Bethel (10)
2. Gustavus (1)
3. St. Thomas
4. (tie) Carleton
5. (tie) Saint John's
6. Augsburg
7. Concordia
8. (tie) Macalester
9. (tie) St. Olaf
10. Saint Mary's
11. Hamline

This ranking is rather puzzling as St. Olaf is ranked low after advancing to the MIAC semifinals last year and I think Macalester will surprise some people this year. I'll give you my rankings based upon my gut feeling for this upcoming year...
1. Bethel
2. Gustavus
3. Carleton
4. St. Johns
5. St. Olaf
6. Macalester
7. St. Thomas
8. Concordia
9. Augsburg
10. St. Marys
11. Hamline

Should be an aweome year can't wait to get things rolling...but first things  first we got the MIAC football championship up for grabs this weekend.

It's been a long time coming, but MIAC basketball season is almost back. The best time of year no doubt and can't wait for the season to get started. Bethel scrimmages St. Cloud State this afternoon at 4 p.m. in the Robertson Center at BU and it will be interesting to see how things are progressing for the Royals who have to be one of the favorites coming into the year as they return First team all MIAC players Tim "Lights Out" Madson, and Mike "Big Daddy" Moberg. Both should continue where they left off last season. So it will be interestig to see how they match up against the Huskies. Should be a fun year and can't wait to get things started.

I have also heard that Bethel has a pair of 6-8 players coming in this year.  One I believe is from Lakeville and the other from somewhere else down south.  With those two and Peter Rolando (6-7) and Mike Moberg (6-8) that's a pretty big front line for the Royals!


Any idea on the names of those big guys?

From what every one was saying it sounded like a party at St. Thomas and who would've expected any differet. I still can't believe how many people were turned away it is crazy and makes for an interesting situation when next Saturday rolls around. Maybe if St. Johns is there they will send there buses a little earlier this time. But whose saying that this is automatic that it will be St. Johns and St. Thomas. Most likely that will be the case but if Bethel beats St. Olaf and Gustavus beats Carleton, then you have two teams who each beat the higher seeded team in the regular season. Not to mention that Bethel lost at St. Johns by only 4 points and could've very easily swept the season series. What I'm saying is nothing is for granted and it will be interesting to see what happens on Monday and then if all goes how it should even more interesting to see what happens on Wednesday.

Everyone loves playoff time and I'm excited that it is almost upon us. I took the last few days off from here to get my mind straight so I don't make any more stupid mistakes or assumptions. Anyway we're going to get an early taste of playoff atmosphere Saturday over at St. Thomas. It should be a good time and hopefully an even better game. On too playoffs, I see Bethel and Carelton advancing on to Wed. I think Carleton will get the job done they made the tourney last year and I think they're itching to have another shot at St. Thomas. I think Gustavus will be looking forward to that game a little too much and I think Carelton will prevail. Even though GAC just beat St. Thomas at home, I'm picking Carelton in the upset. As for the other QF Bethel plays way to well at home and will be ready to play in front of the craziest student section in the conference. Be prepared for a white out in the Robertson Center on Monday. Yes we are talking about playoffs.

I was also hoping on getting over there for that game. I know Tommie/Johnnie is always a big deal but with a conference championship on the line it's even bigger. Personally my guess is that St. Thomas will destroy St. Johns, if they have a healthy Dwyer. Although his numbers aren't overly impressive he does many things that don't show up in the boxscore. In a conference championship game you'd rather have experience running the show rather than the Freshmen Tuma. Ike will dominate the Schafer's and whoever they throw at him. Also I think Keating will step up because I think there's some extra motivation because of his brother playing at SJU. If Schnettler gets hot early watch out. I played with Schnett in high school and the kid works as hard as anyone I've ever seen. He went from being recruited by one school (Superior) out of high school to being the all time leading 3 pt shooter in Miac history. Congrats to him and I think he will be in for a big day. He hit a buzzer beater over Lieser in the section semis senior year and I anticipate more of the same come Saturday.

Long time reader first time poster. I've been following Bethel all this year and although they had a tough game against St. Thomas they responded well this past week winning all three of their games and putting themselves in a position to clinch the #3 seed. Some of you have been talking about Charles taking a step backward this year but you also have to realize with the emergence of Madson and Moberg, he was not going to be the only focal point of the offense. Which was what he was most of last year and was the reason that we made it into the playoffs. Charles is a 3 year starter and he's averaging about 14 or 15 poins and around 7 rebounds a game not bad numbers. It should be an interesting finish and playoffs couldn't come soon enough. Don't count out Carleton yet either. Although I don't see them contending for the tourney championship, they have enough weapons to be dangerous and most of them have been there before. It should be an exciting last week of the regular season.