Central Region Thoughts

[D2Rover]

Had Fort Hays, Emporia (sometimes not worth the $10 for a home game), and SNU all on at once.

Loewe out for Fort Hays, went to DeGarmo at point guard with Weeter and Hollenbeck in together. Really strong defensive line-up and has the potential to be almost unstoppable if they figure out how to play together. Rogers State isn't the toughest competition but they got a job done.

SNU looked solid. Hope I'm wrong, but still not really convinced they're at the same tier as Minnesota State and the tournament teams in the MIAA. The backcourt isn't quite at the level of last year. Still good enough to make someone uncomfortable if they get in. New video boards in the corners?

Doesn't seem like commenting on Emporia v Northeastern State is appropriate in a thread on the regional tournament.

[D2Rover]

MIAA men is way, way down thanks to portal, graduation and coaching losses. Should be a 2-bd league. Women's side is better with Pitt and Hays at the top with Washburn and Western sleepers.

Northwest is coaching losses. Just want to make clear that the previous Emporia State coach wouldn't be doing well this year either.

Might have to throw UNK in at the top of the women, I think Southern and Central are both more likely to make a disturbance than Washburn.

[Stanger86]

Doesn't seem like commenting on Emporia v Northeastern State is appropriate in a thread on the regional tournament.

What's going on with Billeter? Didn't know what he was getting into or I wonder if he expected a bit of a transition?

[D2Rover]

What's going on with Billeter? Didn't know what he was getting into or I wonder if he expected a bit of a transition?

I haven't watched as much as I should this year, but the returning roster would have been bad just from graduations. I think we only had two contributors returning even if nobody transferred, and we weren't great last year.

My early impressions of Billeter are he's the type to want to build his system, and he didn't get the guys to make it translate to wins right away. I'm willing to count this as a year for him to start building and hopefully see a big step next year with a full recruiting cycle.

[LukeMcConnell1]

SNU looked solid. Hope I'm wrong, but still not really convinced they're at the same tier as Minnesota State and the tournament teams in the MIAA. The backcourt isn't quite at the level of last year. Still good enough to make someone uncomfortable if they get in. New video boards in the corners?

I mean, I'm not sure how many teams are in that tier, but you need 8 regardless. Someone's gotta fill those slots. Defense has been fantastic again, offense has just been a struggle. Hopefully things can trend upward. Big one tomorrow vs. SEOSU.

And yes, new video board. Last night was first night for it. Looked great!

[Purple Mav Man]

Pretty happy with the Mustang men so far. We're solid.

Mankato, Concordia, and Minot are also very good. Concordia can really shoot. They play with such reckless abandon.

Haven't seen St. Cloud yet but obviously much improved.

Duluth in the mix. So is Winona

And once Moorhead is healthy , they could easily win every game the rest of the way.

Strong agree with the Mustangs being solid. But I also strong disagree with Mankato men being ‘very good’. It’s a stretch to even call them good. They will definitely not be a factor in the regional conversation. At least they had last year… :)

[NWFanatic]

Central Region thought: the Central region is darn lucky Mac, Bennett, Daniel, Mitch and the 2 Isaiah’s are wearing Blue😎

[Alfred33]

Central Region thought: the Central region is darn lucky Mac, Bennett, Daniel, Mitch and the 2 Isaiah’s are wearing Blue😎

I don’t think Mitch was coming back to NW for another year and Isaia was committed to North Dakota State before McCollum got the Drake job. Had Mac stayed, assuming he would have been able to keep Stirtz at NW, I’m sure we’d still be relevant and part of this discussion. That said, it wouldn’t have been the Drake Bulldogs playing… the MIAA and the Central region would still be the dogfight that it always has been.

[Augieholic]

Central Region thought: the Central region is darn lucky Mac, Bennett, Daniel, Mitch and the 2 Isaiah’s are wearing Blue😎

Wait, you're telling me some of the players for Drake used to play at Northwest Missouri State?!?!?!?! This is the first I'm hearing of this! How has this not been the subject of more threads in the Central Region section of the board?

[Purple Mav Man]

Wait, you're telling me some of the players for Drake used to play at Northwest Missouri State?!?!?!?! This is the first I'm hearing of this! How has this not been the subject of more threads in the Central Region section of the board?

Get a load of this…some of them even start!!

[Try II]

Northwest is coaching losses. Just want to make clear that the previous Emporia State coach wouldn't be doing well this year either.

Might have to throw UNK in at the top of the women, I think Southern and Central are both more likely to make a disturbance than Washburn.

Doty would have the Hornets better than a 6-13 mark.

[Purple Mav Man]

Doty would have the Hornets better than a 6-13 mark.

And preaching his good word to all of us

[D2Rover]

Doty would have the Hornets better than a 6-13 mark.

Maybe 8-11, 9-10, but not significantly better. Unless he would have had better transfers coming in. But I really didn't need to just watch a new group of guys run iso the entire second half anyway.

Watching the first half yesterday against Fort Smith, the team looks like they've improved since the start of the year. I still find men's ball generally annoying (ego to skill ratio is obscene a lot of places), but I think I trust Billeter to be a better guy in charge than Doty once he has a couple years to set his culture up here. What I heard internally (admittedly from only one dude) was Doty wasn't even particularly popular in his own locker room.

[Purple Mav Man]

Quick take on the women’s side:

If the Mav women win their next two (at Northern and at Concordia) they likely win out. They’ll be tough to beat in the NSIC tourney as well. What that does for them? Who knows. But 26-2 entering NSIC tournament would be favorable. However, LOTS of ball to play. Just offering a take.

Well, I did say if…

[LukeMcConnell1]

Well, I did say if…

They'll be fine getting in, as they've got some good wins in non conference unlike last year. But certainly have made their margin for error a lot tighter!