MBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Willy Wonka]

Anderson and McPartland dominating. I'm open to discussion but i think the gusties might have the best bench play this year and its not even close.

You might want to watch a few other MIAC teams before you make that statement. I'm thinking specifically about the Tommies. If their bench isn't flatout better, it's at least far more athletic.

[Gacman]

Gusties win 77-72 in OT.

WW they may be more athletic but the gusties have 4 players who come off the bench that all have scored in double figures at least once in only 6 games. I think that puts them up there, and then add that Blacklock is a rebounding and blocking machine and you have a really good bench. That doesn't even count the two talented freshmen from Edina.

These gusties could be tough as the season goes on with their depth, and the experience they are gaining in all these close games.

[VOJ]

Some interesting games last night across the league...two overtime and a game which was a little closer than the final score would indicate...


GAC  proved their metal with a road win over Aug...great performace from the bench for GAC with 32 points...27 from Seth Anderson and Paul Blacklock who also grabbed 12 rebounds, give Gustavus credit they jumped on the Auggies  at the start of OT and never let up...Augsburg got balanced scoring from their guards but not much help down low. 


Barnburner in the West Gym...   Oles fight back from a double digit 1st half deficit to build a 5 point lead, but Knights responded...interesting that the MIAC's leading FT shooter missed 1 of 2 at the line in the closing seconds.  Mark Torrell has started to evolve into a solid offensive contributor, second straight 20+ game, good balanced scoring overall from the starters...major minutes for the Knight starters...and production too, Biewen struggles from the perimeter 1 for 7 from behind the arc...

Johnnies tried to put the Scots away a few times last night but there is more fight in the Scots this year than last year and some good young talent as well. Andy Bowman is developing nicely, he will interesting to watch over the next few years...I also like Pierce Peters from Minnewaska who led the Scots with 15... Mac shot 50 percent in the seond half last night ending a span of 4 halves where they made less than 10 FG per half...not many outside shooting threats for the Scots who are very disciplined with their offense, patience is their main strength. 

[Drake Palmer]

GAC 77-AUG 72 OT.  Fun ball game at Si Melby last night. It was an interesting contrast in styles with two similarly sized teams, with a slight edge in size going to Gustavus.  Both teams appear to be perimeter oriented this year.  Augsburg tends to use the dribble drive to set up a scoring pass while Gustavus uses the passing offense to set up a quick hitter (Other than to SP  ), or one dribble & shot.

However, both teams received solid contribution from their post players but not necessarily their featured guy.  Augsburg's Andy GG & Sam Paulson from Gustavus both struggled last night & it was left to the Dawgs' Cory Polta (5-8 FGA,10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 blks)  & GAC's Ryan McPartland (7-10 FGA 17 pts, 7 rebs) & Paul Blacklock (3-4FGA, 9 pts, 12 rebs) to do the heavy lifting.  I think we could be seeing more minutes from Blacklock as the season progresses. He's tall & thin, 6-7 190lbs like Andy GG from Augsburg, but he just seems to have a knack for getting rebounds.  Speaking of heavy, after I was singing the praises of Augsburg's Marcus Brumm  on Monday night – it appeared  his legs were heavy last night & he had no lift on his shot at all.   :-[He missed 3-4 layups when he came up 2-3 inches short on his shot.

GAC's Seth Anderson was quietly very impressive & efficient.  He handled the ball well under pressure, was effective going into traffic & scoring, coming off short screens, running little curls & hitting the mid-range jumper in traffic extremely well. 8-11 FGA, 2-2 FT, 18 pts, 2 assists, 1 TO - Very impressive.  I'll have to follow his progress this season to see if this was a one game anomaly against shorter defenders, or if he can sustain this level of play.  He appears to be the scoring & distributor type of PG while Dan Schmidtknecht is more of a distributor & defender.

I understand David Olson from Augsburg sustained a nose or head injury against UST on Monday night which limited his play against the Tommies & against Gustavus. He still played 25 minutes & was 5-8FGA, 2-3 3FGa, 12 pts, 1 steal & 1 assist.  Jon Cassens got dinged in the head toward the end of OT & hopefully his injury isn't too serious.  AUG's Ben Flavin gets the energizer hustle award – the kid has got a tremendous motor.

Good ball game.  Round 2 in St. Peter should be a barnburner! Augsburg will need to be able to counter the post play of McPartland, Blacklock, & or Paulson, & keep fighting through those screens.  GAC will want to keep doing what it's doing, hope the young guards keep developing, & not let Augsburg spread the floor & beat them with their quickness.

Ok I can't be totally serious in a post.  Willy - I think I might have to start compiling a year-end list of league hotheads. There are a couple of players who wear black& gold who are early favorites to make that list.

STO 80 - 77 OT CARL - Interesting turn of events in Northfield. The Oles win in OT.  St. Olaf's Markl Torell says – "Bobby Who?"  In his last 3 games which happens to coincide with Fong's absence from the lineup, Torell has been on a roll. 20 pts against UST, 27 pts against Hamline, & 21 in the OT win over Carleton.  In the past, the rap on Torell has been that he's a streaky shooter, but this looks like this could be developing into something.  

Ho-hum.. SJU beat Mac. 71-54.  4 Johnnies in double figures led by Andy Burns with 14 points.  Last game for the Jays for the calendar year & according to VOJ, Todd Herman returns to action after the first of the year.  

MAC's FY forward Pierce Peters leads all scorers with 15 points & collects 8 rebs to lead the Scots. MAC is slowly making progress, & so far, their losses are not the blowouts that we cringed & read about last year.

[Willy Wonka]

However, both teams received solid contribution from their post players but not necessarily their featured guy.  Augsburg's Andy GG & Sam Paulson from Gustavus both struggled last night & it was left to the Dawgs' Cory Polta (5-8 FGA,10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 blks)  & GAC's Ryan McPartland (7-10 FGA 17 pts, 7 rebs) & Paul Blacklock (3-4FGA, 9 pts, 12 rebs) to do the heavy lifting.

Ok I can't be totally serious in a post.  Willy - I think I might have to start compiling a year-end list of league hotheads. There are a couple of players who wear black& gold who are early favorites to make that list.

Two quick things before I hit the road.

1. Did you just call Paulson GAC's "featured guy," especially over McPartland? I've never been a huge McPartland supporter, but that's a pretty ridiculous statement. Paulson has reached double digits in just one game this season and his scoring average is essentially doubled by McPartland...

2. I'm going to assume you were referencing my take of "the scuffle." I saw Wirtjes steal the ball and then Olson landed on him as they went to the floor. My buddy, who's a former journalist, tells me Olson was also yapping during this time. He used rather colorful language to describe Olson after the exchange.

If you're saying it happened otherwise, please describe YOUR take rather than hiking up your skinny jeans to show us all your purple tights

[Drake Palmer]

However, both teams received solid contribution from their post players but not necessarily their featured guy.  Augsburg's Andy GG & Sam Paulson from Gustavus both struggled last night & it was left to the Dawgs' Cory Polta (5-8 FGA,10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 blks)  & GAC's Ryan McPartland (7-10 FGA 17 pts, 7 rebs) & Paul Blacklock (3-4FGA, 9 pts, 12 rebs) to do the heavy lifting.

Ok I can't be totally serious in a post.  Willy - I think I might have to start compiling a year-end list of league hotheads. There are a couple of players who wear black& gold who are early favorites to make that list.

Two quick things before I hit the road.

1. Did you just call Paulson GAC's "featured guy," especially over McPartland? I've never been a huge McPartland supporter, but that's a pretty ridiculous statement. Paulson has reached double digits in just one game this season and his scoring average is essentially doubled by McPartland...

2. I'm going to assume you were referencing my take of "the scuffle." I saw Wirtjes steal the ball and then Olson landed on him as they went to the floor. My buddy, who's a former journalist, tells me Olson was also yapping during this time. He used rather colorful language to describe Olson after the exchange.

If you're saying it happened otherwise, please describe YOUR take rather than hiking up your skinny jeans to show us all your purple tights

WW- you'd look for the gnat in a camel's eye wouldn't you?  

Ok let me say "one of the featured guys." Is that better? And coming out of HS, Paulson was the more heavily recruited player & I believe was offered a scholie by NDSU.

But, let's take a look at last year.  During conference play Paulson & McPartland both averaged approximately 24 minutes per game, 10.2 ppg/5.2 rpg for Paulson & 10.3ppg/5.8 rpg for McPartland.  Pretty close statistically if you ask me.  Both players also made All Conference Honorable Mention.

Now if you were to ask which player I think is more effective, you might get a different response.  Plus, as I mentioned in my earlier post, with the emergence of Paul Blacklock, Paulson's minutes might (are going down)  go down this season which accounts for his lower numbers.  

Regarding the Scuffle: (I prefer to think of it as the love-in) Olson had the ball near the top of the key, Wirtjes tried to rip the ball away, the ball popped loose for a second, Olson dove on the floor to retrieve it, and Wirtjes dove on top of Olson & the ball.  Instant bonding took place   & teammates had to step in to separate the two.  They both stood up, a player blocked my point of view for a second, Wirtjes continued to verbally express his dismay at the separation, while Coach Hanson gave his version of the Tubby Smith stare to young Phil.  Hanson then motioned Wirtjes over the bench & sat him down. Hanson crouched down & spoke sternly (?) to Phil while the assistant coaches looked away in fear.  I chuckled.  

Purple tights?  Did I not give full props to your beloved Gusties in my post? I was  impressed by their play last night & said as much. By the way my tights (long underwear) are navy blue.  

[Nites]

Drake,

What was your impression of Zack Eastman of the Auggies?  He didn't get a whole lot of PT, but he apparently drained a few shots.

[columbianmaffia]

Are you sure Sensei?  I thought that Rule 542 was:   No posting when boombalahties are in season.

C-Mob would never post if that was the case, because he'd be the first to tell you that boombalahties are always in season.

Not necessarily, because Rule 770 created by CMob amended Rule 542 to read as follows:   No comprehensible postings when boombalahties are in season. 

Hence, the origin on the MIAC board of what is affectionately known as "Greekspeak". 

Exactly. Since boombalahties are always in season, C-Mob posts in Greekspeak 24-7-52.

συμφωνήθηκε

+K to Sense and Nights!!!

not only did they both come up with the correct answer to my question but they spoke to one another in Greek

nothin better in this world than some Rack-O-Boombalahty

im glad we are all on the same page and im sure some of the new posters now understand why some of my posts can be slightly wierd...wax on wax off

anyone asking for anything cool for christmas?  nick (i call santa nick cuz we have a good vibe) told me over a couple beers that ralph sampson III asked him for a red rider bee bee gun

[Gacman]

Looks like Bethel continues their tough non-conference schedule against Crown tonight. 

[Willy Wonka]

Perhaps you missed it, DP, but the 2009-10 basketball season actually started a few weeks ago. As such, don't you think it's fair to use those stats rather than the outdated ones? Tell me which player would appear to be the "featured guy" based on the latest information:

Player A: 11 PPG, 4.2 RPG 67% shooting, team's leading scorer
Player B: 5.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 45% shooting, team's 7th leading scorer

Per your previous request, I've used the overall stats above. If you prefer conference-only numbers, that disparity only grows 

*************

At what point do SID's stop taking their job seriously? I mean, everyone knows it's a rather thankless position and all, but night work is expected six or seven days a week with that gig in exchange for the summers "off."

Crown College, from the vaunted UMAC, hosted Bethel tonight. No game story or box score is available on the CC web site...but Bethel actually posted a decent story without that information — which is a little surprising in and of itself given its performance over the last few years.

Oh, and Bethel survived another rigid non-conference test to escape with a 71-51 victory 

[AO]

*************

At what point do SID's stop taking their job seriously? I mean, everyone knows it's a rather thankless position and all, but night work is expected six or seven days a week with that gig in exchange for the summers "off."

Crown College, from the vaunted UMAC, hosted Bethel tonight. No game story or box score is available on the CC web site...but Bethel actually posted a decent story without that information — which is a little surprising in and of itself given its performance over the last few years.

Oh, and Bethel survived another rigid non-conference test to escape with a 71-51 victory  

In Crown's case, the site might have been updated a little quicker in the event of a purple storm win.  The coach is also the SID.

[Drake Palmer]

Perhaps you missed it, DP, but the 2009-10 basketball season actually started a few weeks ago. As such, don't you think it's fair to use those stats rather than the outdated ones? Tell me which player would appear to be the "featured guy" based on the latest information:

Player A: 11 PPG, 4.2 RPG 67% shooting, team's leading scorer
Player B: 5.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 45% shooting, team's 7th leading scorer

Per your previous request, I've used the overall stats above. If you prefer conference-only numbers, that disparity only grows  

*************

Fact:  Players A & B in your examples were the 2nd & 3rd leading scorers on their team last year.

Since both players returned for their senior season and no known injuries, conventional wisdom would suggest that Players A & B would once again be the featured post players on the Gustavus team this year.

Fact:The conference season is still young and most MIAC teams have played less than 20% of their games.

Very few MIAC fans outside of the GAC faithful have even seen the Gusties play this season, let alone, even knew that a younger post player has emerged and is pushing the senior player for playing minutes.  Now we do.

Next.  

***
Nites - Zach Eastman – his father is from your old stomping grounds right?  Eastman is a nice, solidly built 6-0,180lb combo guard. Decent handles, so-so quickness for a player of his size, & a good looking left–handed jumper.  On a few occasions he ran the PG spot when Cassens was out of the game, but I think his role will be to take over the 2G spot next year when David Olson graduates.

***
Awfully quiet from the Bethel camp.  Nate Robertson is back in the lineup, but still no word on Taylor Hall or JD Robinson.

And whatever happened to FY 6-6 Taylor Sparkman?  He was the 3rd Minnehaha Academy player to enroll at Bethel this fall.  He, along with fellow frosh Greg Meyer and David Burnham were key starters on their HS team the last couple of years.   With Hall & Robinson's absence, 6-4 wing Meyer has carved out a spot in the starting lineup while Burnham has also seen some minutes.  The only time I saw Bethel play this year Sparkman was on the bench in street clothes.  I've heard Sparkman had injuries throughout his HS career, but the few times I saw him play last year, he certainly seemed like he could have been a real nice MIAC forward. Good inside-outside game.

If Bethel's not careful, they could be surprised by Martin Luther on Saturday. ML upset UW-Superior earlier in the season.  Sensei Sager was touting UW-Superior as a darkhorse for the Top 25 earlier this year.

[VOJ]

Perhaps you missed it, DP, but the 2009-10 basketball season actually started a few weeks ago. As such, don't you think it's fair to use those stats rather than the outdated ones? Tell me which player would appear to be the "featured guy" based on the latest information:

Player A: 11 PPG, 4.2 RPG 67% shooting, team's leading scorer
Player B: 5.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 45% shooting, team's 7th leading scorer

Per your previous request, I've used the overall stats above. If you prefer conference-only numbers, that disparity only grows  

*************

Fact:  Players A & B in your examples were the 2nd & 3rd leading scorers on their team last year.

Since both players returned for their senior season and no known injuries, conventional wisdom would suggest that Players A & B would once again be the featured post players on the Gustavus team this year.

Fact:The conference season is still young and most MIAC teams have played less than 20% of their games.

Very few MIAC fans outside of the GAC faithful have even seen the Gusties play this season, let alone, even knew that a younger post player has emerged and is pushing the senior player for playing minutes.  Now we do.

Next.  

***
Nites - Zach Eastman – his father is from your old stomping grounds right?  Eastman is a nice, solidly built 6-0,180lb combo guard. Decent handles, so-so quickness for a player of his size, & a good looking left–handed jumper.  On a few occasions he ran the PG spot when Cassens was out of the game, but I think his role will be to take over the 2G spot next year when David Olson graduates.

***
Awfully quiet from the Bethel camp.  Nate Robertson is back in the lineup, but still no word on Taylor Hall or JD Robinson.

And whatever happened to FY 6-6 Taylor Sparkman?  He was the 3rd Minnehaha Academy player to enroll at Bethel this fall.  He, along with fellow frosh Greg Meyer and David Burnham were key starters on their HS team the last couple of years.   With Hall & Robinson's absence, 6-4 wing Meyer has carved out a spot in the starting lineup while Burnham has also seen some minutes.  The only time I saw Bethel play this year Sparkman was on the bench in street clothes.  I've heard Sparkman had injuries throughout his HS career, but the few times I saw him play last year, he certainly seemed like he could have been a real nice MIAC forward. Good inside-outside game.

If Bethel's not careful, they could be surprised by Martin Luther on Saturday. ML upset UW-Superior earlier in the season.  Sensei Sager was touting UW-Superior as a darkhorse for the Top 25 earlier this year.

Sparkman has not practiced since early October...he is injured and has not been able to give it a go since then, no timetable for his return...

[Buddo]

MIAC weekly notebook is out

http://miac-online.org/news/2009/12/10/MBB_1210095221.aspx

[miacsuperfan]

wow, the vipes are coiled to go 1-3 today if they should lose to the cobs---after a long trip through the frozen tundra.  not a great start, considering that they have will have played none of the top four teams in the process. 

so on an exciting umac vs miac super saturday,         

gusties should really stick it to an undersized bethany outfit. this could be ugly early.  bethany has absolutely nothing inside to contend with gac's bigs.  paulson should rack up a double-double.

the M*A*S*H* unit vs. mlc?  royals should win at home despite their (recent) short-handedness, as vavra and robertson should be enough to get the job done.

st. scholastica lost to crown, of all teams, so they will go down to the knights when carter biewen breaks loose for 20.  he is due.