courtside

Well, As I said, nothing surprises me in NCAA soccer. I have glanced at the brackets a few times, and sure there are places where SLU couple and should have gotten in over some others. People on here know I am pretty objective and am in no way a sour grapes person when it comes to this. Those are just facts. With that said, SLU certainly didn't help their own cause. Hosting the conference tourney and having to go to pk's twice against solid but nothing special teams wasn't a strong result. I will be the first person to say upsets occur all the time in conference tourneys just like other sports. Is it too late to not join the A-10? Maybe SLU can play soccer in another conference? If you win a share of your reg season title(and techincally beating the other two, you win it), and losing in pk's in your conference tourney title game,...and you can't get in? This of course was the concern going into the A-10. And yes as I stressed pre-season, the early non-conference games are everything...SLU had 4-5 big ones early in back to back weekends....I guarantee you, if they beat ND instead of losing in 2 ot...ND is out and SLU is in, or they both are in...that is just one example... Pre-season, SLU was not ranked, with some of it having to do with last year's season. So it was imperative to get results early on. SLU hammered SMU at a time when everybody else did. They did tie IU 1-1 a good result, but losing to Tulsa and ND hurt them. Tulsa and ND faded. Speaking of SMU, goes to show you how much more the NCAA thinks of the new C-USA than the A-10. I also think the NCAA was looking for SLU to dominate the A-10, and they had to fight and scratch in most A-10 games, and this was somewhat surprising. Realistically they could or should have gotten in, and played either a play in game, winning and losing to a top ranked fie second round, or losing first round. It wasn't as if they were going far, but you never know once you get in. As for the recruit mentioned...are you talking about the Holmes kid from Priory? Nice story for Priory, winning state small schools undefeated, etc...I know some sour grapes folks cried they played a soft schedule.(this means they didn't play any large school powers and take their lumps like a Trinity does, etc...) but they won every game they played, first school in MO soccer history at any level. Holmes finished with 43 goals. The positive is he has played recently with Scott Gallagher the past few years...the negative..his high school competition was not top notch, ....their coach seemed even surprised at how much he improved his senior year...prior to that ...he was looking at Loyal Chi, UIC, etc...not exactly strong soccer schools. He verbaled to SLU last week. You may be talking of someone else I hope. To be honest I am just uncertain if he can play at the big time D-1 level. Maybe he can...I'll have to talk with some old Gallagher friends and see what is up with him. ..at least it's a forward...lol. It is a solid commitment, but I wouldn't even begin to expect results from him until junior year. It would be a pleasant surprise to get more than that. Oh, btw ...last year's MO plyer of the year, couldn't even start most of the season at non NCAA team Stanford, although played a lot. What I am saying is there are hits and misses everywhere, and very few kids can come in and make an immediate impact. SLU didn't have any this year, Dado and Sweetin included.

As I said, you break it down for days if you want...does SLU deserve to get in...imo yes. Would it shock me if they didn't, no based on a number of things. Do I think they will get in, yes. As for SLUballs question....I have no idea why Duquesne was ranked throughout the season. It certainly wasn't based on their schedule. Sure, Dan Diego St is a good opponent, but Duquesne lost to them 3-0. I am at a loss to see why they were ranked, other than beating lesser teams. I will take SLU's schedule and results of tying then #1 and current top 5 Indiana 1-1, and crushing top 10 SMU in non-conference. ...two traditional powers. Maybe the A-10 only gets one team...but if they get two and one isn't SLU...maybe I should stop following men's college soccer.

Thanks Bob. Well, it wasn't a good draw. The win over Stanford is solid. SLU lost 2-1 to SCU in reg season in tight game. There were plenty of other choices closer to home to send them. Notre Dame would have been a similar result...but Nebraska or Tenn/Miss area ...etc.. Certainly a great season, and they finally made the NCAA's and won a game. Something to build on. Next step is to keep scheduling Duke, Santa Clara, etc...during reg season. Good ranked teams, and gotta beat one or two of them, and it changes your draw and seed. SLU needs to jump into the top 25, and will only do it with beating ranked teams home or road. Again a great season, and somewhere to start.

I realy try hard to be objective on this topic or any other for that matter. I have seen a lot of soccer this year from other teams in other markets, let alone SLU. I can say without hesitation that SLU is good enough to make the NCAA. Will they? They are clearly a bubble team. I do think they will get it, and get a fierce, tough road game, round one. It would say absolutely little of the conference if only RI got in. SLU beat Duquesne, and Duquesne lost in conference semis. If Duquesne gets in over SLU, it will be wrong, mostly due to the above mentioned but also that Duquesne doesn't have a standout elite non-conference resume. I for one was down right puzzled and shocked how the adidas poll had SMU 10 last week. Did I miss something? Sure, SMU had been rolling lately...but their big wins are Memphis and Tulsa. SLU crushed them as did everyone else early. I will give them credit for a fierce non-conference schedule, but they lost all of those games. I digress. Back to SLU. If you win your reg season conference(yes, #1 when you beat both other co-teams)...and go to conf tourney finals and lose in pk's and not get in....there is something wrong and you need to sit down with the NCAA committee and get it done or play soccer only in another conference. Reading some of the posts here, first, Donigan will be back. It is a non-issue, end of discussion. He is as likely to return to SLU as Kevin Lisch is in hoops next season. It is a non-topic. Done finsished, the end. If SLU doesn't make the NCAA this year and next year, I will entertain discussion and he will get one more after that. Donigan has earned the right to return, and will, answers both questions. The inability to have effective interior passing and possession, and attractive attacking soccer, has caught my attention for sure. The team...it just isn't a great team talent-wise. Let's repeat that. A few elite players can change a team. SLU needs a stud elite central midfielder, and someone who flat out scores goals in any way shape or form. You can work with role players in other areas. I know people get caught up in some things...but SLU is a top 40 team, not a top ten team...and frankly, not a top 20 team....somewhere between 20-40. As for the former coach, it was Joey Clarke, and what happened to him was a case of the old guard not up with the times. Clarke didn't even have a full time assistant coach. SLU admin and ath dept were slow to recognize that the rest of the nation has caught up in soccer. Freakin New Mexico, for example is a soccer power. NEW MEXICO...say it out loud. And a top local player has sen this and is going there next year....and a lot of their kids are local and regional there...there are many other examples... He never had the resources that Warming or Donigan had. SLU needed to beat ND, lost in 2 ot. and one or two more solid ones...early to get an early ranking. They didn't. Conf tourneys can be crap shoots....the amazingly good ACC was decided today when the 5th seed and 6th seeds played...yes 5th and 6th seeds, Duke beat Carolina 5-4 on pk's. Neither was a top 4 seed. SLU is bubble bound. I think they should and will squeak in. Will they? ...nothing the NCAA does surprises me anymore in soccer.

This probably better on the other board. But for many years now, Kansas City and Columbia have had a stranglehold on HS football. STL generally produces a few very good skill position guys, and some others, but it isn't by any means a football hotbed. average. Hoops, again similar....with exceptions as well...for the state as a whole. Not a lot of major D I talent most years. Enjoyable high school games. DeSmet beat SLUH for the state hoops title in 1982...and until I believe last year or year before from at least 1986(or possibly earlier than that) SLUH played DeSmet minimum twice a year and lost every game. They were good in the early to mid 80's and before. But they have not been good since. Long time coach since Mimlitz retired, Don Mauer was let go a few years back, and went out and landed at MICDS and won a small schools state title immediately after zero success at SLUH. John Ross has been the coach last so many years...and he prefers up tempo ball, plays with smart scrappy, less talented kids up til this point. All of the MCC coaches know each other and all of their systems and tricks backwards and forwards. Frankly the conference has been down for a few years.

The Dallas Morning News has always had a good sports section. I would agree St. Louis' is very poor. And I would agree also on Vahe. I read a lot of papers...I usually can't say I like someone's section completely, so I have to pick and choose and sift through.

Well...Without getting a chance to look at the full brackets yet...based on the four teams mentioned, I don't like the draw. One, it is a long trip. Two, it is a local game for Stanford, though not at home field. Stanford is solid, some close tough 1 goal losses to to ranked teams...which would put them similar to SLU's results...with a giant "but" in there. They beat Santa Clara, who defeated SLU...a top 5 team at the time. And they tied another top 5 teamin UCLA. They play in a tougher conference, and have some strong opponents on their schedule. Are they beatable, sure. SLU can beat any non top 10 team imo. And if the stars align, a top 10 team. Not sure they could do it more than once. I am not a fan of Santa Clara in 2nd game if, if that happened. I would be pretty pissed if I was Stanford having to play them again, if they beat SLU. And though SLU played and lost 2-1 to Santa Clara in close game....I am more of a fan of getting someone new and different for them to play. Sure it could have been worse...the draw...but I think better too. SLU could win both games, but has to play mistake free in both, especially against SCU, or they will lose a 2-0 type game. It is a great opportunity for SLU women to show they belong by winning both games. I think SLU would get crushed by Notre Dame, UNC and some others,(teams with much different styles, UNC skilled fast everywhere, ND has some big strong girls etc..) so ...in that regard a decent draw, but by no means will they be favored to beat Stanford. Even matchup ability-wise, slight edge to Stanford, and big edge to Stanford in results against better competition. SLU can play with both teams...that isn't the issue....if they come back with a hard fought 2-1 loss...it will be same ol same ol...but, something to build on by making the tournament, and thus a successful season. ...would be nice to feel better about yourself after steam-rolling the A-10 however to beat some tough CA schools.

Dayton lost 1-0 to Temple.

SLU defeated Richmond 3-0 today at Richmond and Duquesne lost to Charlotte 1-0. SLU earns at least a tie with Dayton, who didn't have to play SLU or Duquesne. Dayton is playing Temple right now. Also congrats to SLU women. SLU women will have won both reg season and A-10 crown. This will get them in the tournament and hopefully a home game first round. To be objective, SLU didn't register a win over a ranked team, and this will and should hurt them in post-season seedings. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they didn't get a good draw. They are in, which is what's important. They now have an opportunity to prove themselves in the NCAA tournament. Their chances to beat Santa Clara and Duke fell short both times, add in unexpected loss to OU...Duke lost this weekend in ACC semis to Carolina, after finishing the reg season 4th in the powerful ACC. Santa Clara is strong. I have seen enough of women's top 25 teams this season to comfortably say SLU women on any given day can play with most ranked teams. IMO, they can be as good as a 15-25 ranked team this year. Nothing better than that...but that is pretty good. They unfortunately get a few ranked opponents a year. And despite hard efforts, they are still coming up short against the ranked opponents 2-1 etc...they have rolled the A-10, but level of competition will change quickly soon. They definitely have a chance to win a couple of games in the tourney, as they can play with most teams if they play mistake free.

For SLU to win the reg season conference, they need a win at Richmond today, and a tie or loss for Duquesne at Charlotte. A Duquesne win, gets them the reg season title outright. Dayton who has neither played SLU nor Duquesne this year can tie for first with a win at Temple, a SLU win, and Duquesne tie or loss. It would help SLU's cause to win both the reg season title and the all important conference tourney next weekend in St. Louis.

With regard to Polk...my comments were in reference to the original question of this thread. What would it take for Polk to have a breakout year? I never said I thought he would do some all or none of the above. I would have to see how much improved he is this season. If he isn't stronger, and doesn't get into the lane more and distribute from there...and doesn't shoot better, his speed won't matter. Obviously he doesn't possess the skills or talent of a Robinson type player...he needs to at least be a lights out shooter, terrific passer or something to stand out as a reason for him to run the offense and get time. He is not a two guard.

...or man "on" man defense, or hand checks.... Refreshing to know I can always come to billikens.com for my high brow deep intellectual discussions.

Ideally Skip, your 2guard can do everything the wing player can do. Doesn't always happen that way. Stereotypically, the two guard is a lights out jump shooter, and the wing a slasher,....the point penetrates and distributes...but it doesn't always wwork out that way based on what you have.... If SLU wants to be successful Polk will have to have improved strength and ability to get into the lane and create opportunities for others...if he improves his outside shooting, it is an added bonus...his strength is quickness...his job is to start the offense nowhere near half court and create problems with dribble penetration.

Sheraton, Westin, Renaissance, Hyatt are four good ones. Downtown St. Louis is not that big...Hyatt and Sheraton are next door to the arena, Westin is next to Busch Stadium a further walk, and the Renaissance is next to the dome where the Rams play, but on a long block of restaurants, clubs, bars. A couple of dollar 2 minute cab ride tops. You wouldn't need or want to drive to game. Any of these are very nice places to stay, and deals are much better than in bigger cities for the same types of places. I always recommend McGurk's and the Soulard to out of towners, for suds, also Washington Ave downtown.

It will be a breakout year for Polk if he can get into the lane with strength and consistency on penetration...for comparison sake...a Nate Robinson if you will. And two, consistently shoot the long or at least medium jumper. He has the speed, experience, etc... He has to "at least" do one or the other of the above to make a major impact or have a break-out year.

I would disagree that "all" the best soccer programs lose their best players prior to graduation. This simply isn't true. Ibisevic left in late summer just before the start of the season and certainly caught everyone off guard. As far as "time for a change"...first, it is never going to happen this year. Donigan would be on the hot seat if SLU didn't make the NCAA's and be a strong club next year. Despite the long SLU soccer tradition, the little revenue sport of soccer means it will take more than two mediocre seasons for a head coach to lose his job. A LOT of strong college programs have "bad" years in soccer. ...a LOT... Flying off of the handle is silly. The post above mentioned tying LaSalle for example...sure a disappointing result...but I suppose it was a disappointing result for Indiana to tie SLU this year or when SLU rolled ranked SMU as well for a lopsided win? Can't have it both ways. Nothing will be done to Donigan after this season, and nothing should. With most of the young team returning for next year, a year in which SLU will host the Final Four under Donigan's watch...expectatons will be deservedly high. If SLU isn't a top 25 club, NCAA club next season...I would entertain more debate as to the direction of the program after next season, but not until then.

yes...it seems this topic has been beaten to death...As recently as the past few weeks, I spoke with multiple head coaches in the MCC conference and AAU circuit, and it is the big mystery. Nobody knows. His folks are all hoops all Jarod all the time.

...and once again, I will be objective pointing out to you that Donigan recruited those players as an assistant coach, and some other good ones he recruited after Warming left. These are "two" mediocre" seasons, and it has long been debated why. Donigan vs Warming is NOT the answer to SLU's problems, but thanks for playing. As most on here know I am "very" objective when it comes to SLU soccer and most anything else. And I am as fairly tough on Donigan as anyone...but I am going to have to point out the many positives you seem to skip over...like sure a couple of national quarterfinals...in which SLU was screwed on home field advantage...just ask regular posters, Skip, Sluballs, etc...in which SLU was a game from Final Four and lost close ones on road...possible different story at home, and everyone knows final four is even steven. With that said, making the quarterfinals and finishing top ten are exceptional results, not the old...let's skip over it it quickly to point out the negatives. And before anyone else wants to jump in and say the hoops team would kill for those results...that is apples to oranges...expectations are higher for men's soccer based on past, recent and current state of the program. In all actuality GW was a pre-season ranked team and has solid talent. That game was going to be their toughest conference game, more so than Duquesne. Losing to them on the road was always going to be a possibility. If you want to debate specifics, that'd be fine. Throwing out wild generalizations without any sort of specifics or support for what you say, doesn't bode well for the credibility of your repeated tired posts on Warming v Donigan. SLU needs someone who can control the game in the midfield, and they need an elite finisher. I'll take their other guys...and a healthy good keeper...and I'd do well with that team.

Not looking good right now...was hoping to visit some friends for the weekend and head to the game Fri. in D.C. ...In the region this week. Big game for SLU.

SLU plays GW in soccer at GW.

I think timing helps...in wins over Michigan and Duquesne, having a week to prepare helps. The season has gone accoring to most predictions...a young inexperienced team taking early lumps vs the nations top tier teams...and dominating their conference and hopefully conference tourney gaining momentum and experience for a crack at the NCAA's and rol the dice and see what happens in the tourney. SLU just isn't as good as they were a couple of years ago when they had a string of several top 10 teams etc...but they are still a solid team that can play with most teams and are a dangerous opponent to the top teams. Any road win is tough in soccer, just like hoops.

Last two cents on the topic for me: I believe Torch's post has merit. Ahearn's dad has a horrible reputation in particular. He was a rare DeSmet kid who put himself ahead of the team according closely informed people, and his defense was in question. He had some bad influences. Where kids are from means zero to me. I would be fine if SLU had ZERO local players. Who cares? I don't. You want to win, period. ...not at all costs, but you want to win. I think everyone would like to say Ahearn wasn't good enough to play for SLU and wouldn't have played for various reasons, thus not helping the team. Unfortunately I can't agree with that based on the past couple of SLU teams. If SLU were much better with other guys, sure, but they weren't, period. I admittedly didn't read some of the above posts to avoid people's pissing wars...but I will say this...so I am not really sure what was discussed about geography in this thread...and I really don't want to know....but off topic a bit...I greatly appreciate the posts from those far away, across the country...and finding out what is going on in their backyard. Again, .......off topic.

Some of the coaches of his former high school conference told me as recently as a few weeks ago that it is the big mystery. Nobody knows. He "vanished," they joked. His family is all about his hoops career. Past reports had him looking at prep schools.

Roy, Do you honestly think Ahearn wouldn't have played the past two years and this year for SLU had he been on their team over some others. Share the Kool-Aid. It is a bit different doing it in practice, or another venue, than doing it in high pressure D-I games. Not even comparable. If Ahearn can get to the line OFTEN, and shoots free throws like he does, hw would get playing time at many places, period.

I knew before opening it, it was about free throws, as everyone else did. I am assuming it wasn't posted to take a jab at anyone...I didn't take that way. Maybe I am wrong. ...free throws are the most underrated part of the game, and if you can get there often, they make a big difference. Bottom line is he has averaged double digit points at SMS, now Missouri State, his first two seasons. There were a lot of questions abut his defense, footwork, selfishness, and ability to play at a high D-I level. He has proven a lot of people wrong to this point, like it or not...I am neither a fan or hater. I do find the info interesting as it is an STL kid, and also someone in the past mix for SLU recruiting. I actually read these kinds of posts. People could always ignore threads if they have no interest.