You know the music that the players run out to "Bring 'em out, Bring 'em out, Bring 'em out", well tonight they should change it to "Welcome 'em back, Welcome 'em back, Welcome 'em back".
After 9 of their first 13 games on the road, and a Christmas stuck in Omaha, the Tigers finally get to play some home games! Six in a row to be exact! It starts tonight verse Cardinal Stritch. They are ranked #23 in the NAIA polls, but well surely end up higher than that by the end of the season. They return all starters from last years team and Coach Hemmenway believes this will be the toughest team the Tigers have played this season.
For those of you watching the game on the web you are in for a unique treat. College Fanz Sports Network is broadcasting the entire Fulton State Bank tournament as part of their "NAIA Game of theWeek". The will have multiple camera angles, high tech graphics, and professional broadcasters. I will post a link to the website where you will be able to read about the production and watch it.
This will be a very important home stretch for the Tigers. They realistlic will need to go 5-1, or at worse 4-2, to stay rated in the top 20. 3-3 would probably knock them out of the top 25 completely. So, lets do all we can to help out and get out to these game and cheer them on.
DWU Athletics Write-up
College Fanz Network Game of the Week (Webcast)
Daily Republic Write-up
Tuesday, December 29
Monday, December 21
St. Xavier Tournament - St. Francis University verse DWU @ 6.pm.
Tough test tonight as Dakota Wesleyan is in Chicago starting the St. Xavier University Basketball Tournament. The first round opponent will be St. Francis University out of Indiana.
St. Francis is 9-3 on the season and ranked #20 in the NAIA Div II poll. Their last game out they upset #2 Walsh College 86-75. This will be a tough game for the Tigers. Should be a fun one to listen to. I couldn't find any gamecast so if anyone finds one please leave a comment on where to go.
RadioCast - Tim Smith Play-by-Play
DWU Athletics Game Tournament Write-Up
St. Francis is 9-3 on the season and ranked #20 in the NAIA Div II poll. Their last game out they upset #2 Walsh College 86-75. This will be a tough game for the Tigers. Should be a fun one to listen to. I couldn't find any gamecast so if anyone finds one please leave a comment on where to go.
RadioCast - Tim Smith Play-by-Play
DWU Athletics Game Tournament Write-Up
Thursday, December 10
A Team and a Program to be proud of
I don't have much time to blog before work, but I wanted to let everyone know how proud I was to be a DWU fan last night. This isn't some kind of post that people might write because they are bitter about the loss. The Tigers played well, lost to a good team on the road, the loss not a big deal.
What is a big deal is the differnce in class and respect that DWU showed as a University. If you were keeping track of points based on class, instead of baskets, the score would have been a blow out.
I have so many examples of things that happened last night that had me shaking my head and saying "I am glad our players don't do that". Which always followed with my wife saying "Do you know what Hemenway would do to them if they did!" (point taken - 90% of the time players actions are an indication of the coach)
Like I said I do have lots of examples from coaches, players, and fans that were very sad. I don't like to call college players out, because they are just that college players, but I may update this blog and list the things I saw later today.
Be proud of the University and the program we have at DWU. From the Atheletic director, to the coaches, to the players, and the fans. We might not win every game be we have a great program to be proud of. If I was a fan sitting on the other side last night I don't think I would be able to say the same.
What is a big deal is the differnce in class and respect that DWU showed as a University. If you were keeping track of points based on class, instead of baskets, the score would have been a blow out.
I have so many examples of things that happened last night that had me shaking my head and saying "I am glad our players don't do that". Which always followed with my wife saying "Do you know what Hemenway would do to them if they did!" (point taken - 90% of the time players actions are an indication of the coach)
Like I said I do have lots of examples from coaches, players, and fans that were very sad. I don't like to call college players out, because they are just that college players, but I may update this blog and list the things I saw later today.
Be proud of the University and the program we have at DWU. From the Atheletic director, to the coaches, to the players, and the fans. We might not win every game be we have a great program to be proud of. If I was a fan sitting on the other side last night I don't think I would be able to say the same.
Wednesday, December 9
DWU @ USF: Top Ten Showdown Men 8 p.m. - Women 6 p.m.
No Game Cast tonight for the game. Radio only. If you are going over its going to be a cold one. Temperatures this morning are down to -30 degrees wind chill. Two weeks ago I was deer hunting and it was 60 out! Roads should be fine by this afternoon, so I am guessing the game will be played as scheduled.
USF comes into tonights game with a respectable 10-2 record (4-0 in the GPAC). They have a 7 point win verse Briar Cliff and a 14 point win verse Morningside. Looking at their season statistics they play about 8 or 9 players that seem interchangable by the number of differnt starting line-up they have had. Parkston Freshman David Maxwell was playing under 10 minutes a game early in the season and has been in the starting line-up the last three games. They don't shoot three's very well, but they also don't shoot that many. They do however get to the free throw line a lot.
The big game story will be if Matt Malloy is able to play or not. He has been out the last three games with a ankle injury. The initial reports were 2-3 weeks, which would still have him on the sideline. I am sure if there is anyway he can go he will be playing. How effective he will be is another story. Players that rely on their quickness usually have a tough time if not at 100%.
DWU wins if: they can make enough outside shots to keep USF from doubling Preston and Brady. On defense they need to force USF to take outside shots and not bail them out with cheap fouls on penetration.
Prediction: I really have a feeling this will be a break-out game for DWU. It is a rivalry game so it will be close, but I see DWU pulling away at the end with an 8 point victory.
Link to Live Radio
USF comes into tonights game with a respectable 10-2 record (4-0 in the GPAC). They have a 7 point win verse Briar Cliff and a 14 point win verse Morningside. Looking at their season statistics they play about 8 or 9 players that seem interchangable by the number of differnt starting line-up they have had. Parkston Freshman David Maxwell was playing under 10 minutes a game early in the season and has been in the starting line-up the last three games. They don't shoot three's very well, but they also don't shoot that many. They do however get to the free throw line a lot.
The big game story will be if Matt Malloy is able to play or not. He has been out the last three games with a ankle injury. The initial reports were 2-3 weeks, which would still have him on the sideline. I am sure if there is anyway he can go he will be playing. How effective he will be is another story. Players that rely on their quickness usually have a tough time if not at 100%.
DWU wins if: they can make enough outside shots to keep USF from doubling Preston and Brady. On defense they need to force USF to take outside shots and not bail them out with cheap fouls on penetration.
Prediction: I really have a feeling this will be a break-out game for DWU. It is a rivalry game so it will be close, but I see DWU pulling away at the end with an 8 point victory.
Link to Live Radio
Monday, December 7
DWU up one spot to #8 in polls
DWU gained one spot to #8 in the polls. USF moved from #17 all the way up to #6. Dordt drops from #4 to Not Rated. Dordt went from Not Rated to #4 and then back to Not Rated in 3 consecutive weeks.
What does all this tell us? First it tells us that voting for NAIA polls is somewhat of a best guess science. The second thing it tell us is, although a high-early ranking is nice it really means nothing until the final poll!
NAIA rankings are based are primairly on coaching voting per conference. What I mean by that is all GPAC coaches vote for the conference and then the conference sends their rankings to the NAIA to determine the national rankings. Essentially the conference almost has a pre-determined place in the rankings. This is why Dordt could jump so much. They were voted #1 by the Conference - since the GPAC is good conference the National Polls placed them at #4. They probably dropped this week off the top 4 in GPAC conference voting by the coaches, thus dropping out of the national polls.
Does it seem kind of like a messed up system? Somewhat, but without national exposure and the ability for voters to see a majority of the teams play, it is probably the only way to do it. Whats important to remember about the top 25 poll is that it determines who makes the National Tournament. What determines the 25 poll is the conference rankings. That is why doing well in the conference is so vital and winning conference games becomes so important.
What does all this tell us? First it tells us that voting for NAIA polls is somewhat of a best guess science. The second thing it tell us is, although a high-early ranking is nice it really means nothing until the final poll!
NAIA rankings are based are primairly on coaching voting per conference. What I mean by that is all GPAC coaches vote for the conference and then the conference sends their rankings to the NAIA to determine the national rankings. Essentially the conference almost has a pre-determined place in the rankings. This is why Dordt could jump so much. They were voted #1 by the Conference - since the GPAC is good conference the National Polls placed them at #4. They probably dropped this week off the top 4 in GPAC conference voting by the coaches, thus dropping out of the national polls.
Does it seem kind of like a messed up system? Somewhat, but without national exposure and the ability for voters to see a majority of the teams play, it is probably the only way to do it. Whats important to remember about the top 25 poll is that it determines who makes the National Tournament. What determines the 25 poll is the conference rankings. That is why doing well in the conference is so vital and winning conference games becomes so important.
Saturday, December 5
Concordia verse Dakota Wesleyan: Women 2 p.m. - Men 4 p.m.
Sorry for now new posts following the Mt. Marty game. Really probably was a good game to not alayze. They came came down to the guards not playing very well and Brady and Preston playing like All-Americans like usually.
Concordia comes in 3-0 in conference play. They have a win over the pre-season #1 team in NAIA Division One. They will pose a tough matchup today. The starting guards will have to play better than they did verse Mt.Marty for the game to go to the win column. They have the 3 post players that are 6-6 or bigger and I am sure the game plan is to try and wear down Preston and Brady and make DWU's guards beat them.
Prediction: DWU by 8.
Webcast - Courtesy of Daily Republic
Concordia comes in 3-0 in conference play. They have a win over the pre-season #1 team in NAIA Division One. They will pose a tough matchup today. The starting guards will have to play better than they did verse Mt.Marty for the game to go to the win column. They have the 3 post players that are 6-6 or bigger and I am sure the game plan is to try and wear down Preston and Brady and make DWU's guards beat them.
Prediction: DWU by 8.
Webcast - Courtesy of Daily Republic
Wednesday, December 2
GPAC Home Opener verse Mount Marty - Women 6 p.m. - Men 8 p.m.
This is the first time this season that I am more excited to watch the Women's game then the Men's.
The Lancer Men are 1-9 on the season but in their last conference outing made it a close game with Northwestern only losing by 3, 65-62. They are led by Jared Wall a 6'9 Center who is averaging 15 points a game. I would desciribe him as a poor mans Brady Wiebe. If DWU gets out to an early lead they should be able to cruise to an easy victory.
Mount Marty's Women team comes in rated #9 in that nation with a 8-1 record. They started the season with a 8 gaming winning streak beating 3 top 10 teams before losing by 13 to Northwestern. They are lead by Michelle Amundson who is averaging 17 points per game and is 23-38 for 3's. (Yep that is an impressive 60.5 percentage for those doing that the math in your head)
All that should make for a good game, but the reason I am most impressed and excited about watching the Women Lancer's is their head coach Tom Schlimgen. Coach Schlimgen is a great story about a high school coach who coached for Scotland High School for 30+ years that decided to take a shot in the college ranks. In his first season at Mt. Marty he led them to a school record 24 wins and a trip to the National Tournament. This year he seems to have them right back on the same path.
Give credit to Mt.Marty who saw the best coach available and went out and got him. It was a bit of gamble hiring someone who has only coached high school, but so far everything has panned out well. It goes to show that there are many differnt paths to becoming a college coach and although I will be cheering against Mt. Marty tonight - I hope they have a great rest of the season.
Webcast - Courtesy of Daily Republic
DWU Athletics Men's Game Story
DWU Athletics Women's Game Story
The Lancer Men are 1-9 on the season but in their last conference outing made it a close game with Northwestern only losing by 3, 65-62. They are led by Jared Wall a 6'9 Center who is averaging 15 points a game. I would desciribe him as a poor mans Brady Wiebe. If DWU gets out to an early lead they should be able to cruise to an easy victory.
Mount Marty's Women team comes in rated #9 in that nation with a 8-1 record. They started the season with a 8 gaming winning streak beating 3 top 10 teams before losing by 13 to Northwestern. They are lead by Michelle Amundson who is averaging 17 points per game and is 23-38 for 3's. (Yep that is an impressive 60.5 percentage for those doing that the math in your head)
All that should make for a good game, but the reason I am most impressed and excited about watching the Women Lancer's is their head coach Tom Schlimgen. Coach Schlimgen is a great story about a high school coach who coached for Scotland High School for 30+ years that decided to take a shot in the college ranks. In his first season at Mt. Marty he led them to a school record 24 wins and a trip to the National Tournament. This year he seems to have them right back on the same path.
Give credit to Mt.Marty who saw the best coach available and went out and got him. It was a bit of gamble hiring someone who has only coached high school, but so far everything has panned out well. It goes to show that there are many differnt paths to becoming a college coach and although I will be cheering against Mt. Marty tonight - I hope they have a great rest of the season.
Webcast - Courtesy of Daily Republic
DWU Athletics Men's Game Story
DWU Athletics Women's Game Story
Tuesday, December 1
Tiger fall to number 9 in NAIA Div. 2 Coaches Poll
The Tigers fell to #9 in the NAIA Div. 2 Coaches Poll that came out Monday. The biggest suprise in the poll was Dordt's jump from Un-rated to #4. Briar Cliff came in at #16 and USF at #17 rounding out the GPAC rated teams.
Top 25 Poll
Daily Republic Write-Up
Top 25 Poll
Daily Republic Write-Up
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