courtside

Well...how far back are we going? I would say when John Stockton played there... under Dan Fitzgerald....Fitzgerad, also responsible for grooming Monson and Few to great success there. So...I would say early 1980's or a bit after for me...to pay them attention. so, a couple of decades.

Biggest thing I would like to see is more students at games. This falls squarely on Soderberg and Levick. It is first and formeost the place to start...then do your homework and go to other places and see the atmosphere, the sound systems, everything else that goes into the event, It should be an event, win or lose, where people are highly entertained. Soderberg seems to be having enough trouble winning ball games, and scoring 70 points. Part of Levick's job is to get more students at games, period.

IF I or someone I knew had chance to play tennis in the Pac 10 or SLU, it isn't much of a thought. If that person also had a HUGE passion for other aspects of SLU, I would say fine. But from a tennis perspective, it isn't even a conversation. Ever been to a Stanford for example and seen the facilities?...UCLA, etc... Some Big ten schools can compete...not all, but that is it in Midwest. college tennis is very much a West Coast Southeast sport.

Mike Miller? He's a friend of mine. As for womens' tennis, Skip Salzenstein was the previous coach.(his nephew Jeff, probably recognize as current tour player from Stanford) Skip is also a friend of mine. Skip would gladly provide any info needed for this discussion, if asked. Terrific guy. He is former teaching pro, now in private business. Mike and dad Larry Miller , were long time owners of Creve Coeur Racquet club. Skip left SLU because of lack of commitment from the school, combined with his minute compensation. He loved coaching SLU womens' tennis and did a great job. I would recommend any decent level player to try SLU as a walk on to play on back end of the team. ...to give it a shot. I can safely say that at most random D-I schools, even if they have little or no depth, therefore being a dormant program, ...most always have a solid number one player.

Thanks. Big market clubs looking for immediate impact players with pressure to win each year. Ward has the potential to be an elite player in MLS, no question. He needs experience and a good environment. He played one year of college soccer, and this was his first pro season. He has more potential than Will John, due to his size, speed, skill and position he plays. John doesn't have the size, has great quickness good enough speed, but plays in a crowded position. IF he is going to make it, KC is the place for him. Very few college players come in and make an immediate impact in MLS. Some do, sure, but many others need a couple of years. McBride, McKeon, Brad Davis some exceptions....and only Davis played less than four years of college ball.

First of all, no, there is no scholarship waiting for him. There would be enough money to give a full scholarship to MAYBE the top two or three players at most schools ike SLU.And these are comparible in money, size etc...schools that havc far greater tennis programs than SLU. Either one or two kids get all the money, or a handful or larger group of kids split some money. Top schools are the exception in tennis. At a SLU, you get meal money for home game day matches, and obviously full meal/hotel/travel expenses on the road. Some trips are air, others bus. Usually a warm weather trip for Spring Break playing different teams. You obviously get free attire, shoes, etc...whenever need be and rackets with sponsors. Not all players get the racket deals, but all get the rest. There are usually anywhere from 8-10 players on a team. Top 6 at most would get any kind of partial scholarship money or full ride. At a school like SLU, probably more like a couple of people, tops. It is a non-revenue sport, and at a school like SLU...it is a part time coaching gig, while the coach is making money other ways or is also a club pro. I believe the former women's coach, a good friend of mine, made less than 10k to coach the women's team at SLU. This would have been 5 plus years ago. As is the case with any sport, the division I college level is a major MAJOR jump from small college or high school, even in tennis. And as one could imagine, there is are MANY MANY different levels of play on the DI level. Sure, SLU's program is not strong at all, creating more opportunities, but the top couple of players at any d-I school can play, no question. To say that SLU would take anybody, or that it still isn't competitive to play there is an uneducated remark on the sport, that simply isn't true. My question for Vtime would be, what was your local, state, Mo Valley, or regional ranking as a junior player, or how often have you competed against D-I competition? If none of the above apply, you would have to be number one on your team and have an impeccable record of match and tourney play to even have a chance. Sure, there are exceptions, very very few ....Dipsy was from another country, a bit different, but there are exceptions. If you are serious, contact SLU's coach. If you need playwr evaluation of yourself and how well you can do, I have many STL local tennis professional friends who would hit with you and know immediately if you were good enough to play for SLU. As for Nate's comments, colleges use athletes as pieces of meat all the time. I would have to ask Nate how his D-I college athletic career went, and to share his experiences. ...and experience in the recruiting process and playing. You have to look out for yourself first, and do it in an ethical manor. I wouldn't advise anyone to transfer for one year of college anywhere unless they were extremely unhappy, or had a great opportunity to fulfill an interest or dream otherwise unsatisfied. In this particular situation, no, SLU's program imo isn't good enough to warrant the interest for one year, to make that kind of change. However, if you are also considering a degree from SLU, one could transfer to SLU and graduate, and have a SLU degree on their resume, despite only going there for a year plus. I am a big fan of loyalty, but as long as you carry yourself in a professional manor and are honest with people, change is a part of life, and it isn't a bad thing either.

Wichita St beating MO St is to be expected. Mark Turgeon ahs done a good job there. UWM is going to lose a conference game or two, but are likely to win that conference and conference tourney. UIC etc...are down this year. Always tough to win on road in any conference...gonna lose a couple no matter who you are.

Right now they would get two. It will beinteresting if GW and Xavier play well but neither loses in conf tourney. Temple and Cahlotte MUST win the tourney to get in. Big East really could get 8...no other conference has that kind of shot.

West Virginia made over 20 3's. WOW! Close for a long time, WV too much in the end. UDub over UCLA at UCLA, UCLA blowing big lead. Illinois right now looking as though they will squeak by and hang on at home vs Michiagn...up 1 with ball, 19 sec's left.

St. Charles West won a small schools game at L North 40-33. Soderberg had half of his teams points, 20, ...8-10 3-3 on 3's. Brian Maurer virtually scored most of the rest of their points. And that was it.

Not the tastiest grub in town. Though appreciating the sponsorship.

Thanks. Good luck to him. Maybe something is in the water in Chi-town. Former Billikens, Nick Walls and Dipsy Selowanne both struggled to get playing time while there, before departure. Former Billikens player Jackie Jewsbury rode the pine his first year or two in K.C. before blossoming into a nice contributor for KC in the mdifield. The KC Wizards have long been up for sale...over a year, recent talks have mentioned a possible large stadium complex in the suburbs, nothing definite, but Lamar Hunt has patiently waited to see if he could get a local buyer to keep team in that area. Too bad it isn't in the Lou. Lastly, ...former DeSmet/IU soccer star Chris Klein, long time KC Wizards great and U.S. national team player, received an invitation to train for the next three months for a shot at the World Cup team, among several other St. Louisans...good luck to him too.....was becoming a National Team fixture before blowing out his knee....I have long thought he would be terrific on the right side mid for U.S. team...it is a long shot to make it back, but he has a shot.

Thanks. Obviously you need to take into consideration it is one game. With that said, one could have the same comments ou had in most SLU games this season...few exceptions but most are right on. Methodical teams and good defensive teams give GW trouble. This has been the book on Soderberg before he even came to SLU...tough defense, and little offense. He has yet to change any perceptions. The frosh class is encouraging, but as we have discussed on the board before, these are top 100 kids, not top 30 kids, and there is a difference. Liddell will eventually finish his shots...the encouragement is his athleticism, instincts, aggressiveness, etc...the shots will fall next year for him. Lisch may be more of a two year contributor. But he is a solid recruit...his adjustment to the college game will take two years, perhaps a year longer than expected or hoped by many on the board. In order for SLU to turn the corner, Soderberg needs a Liddell caliber talent...not the same style or position, etc...just that level of ability EACH year. So far he hasn't, the hope is that will change. THEN after that, sprinkle in a recruit once every so many years that is even better than that. It is obvious Soderberg can coach, his kids play hard for him etc...but will his teams eventually score enough points night in and night out, and will he recruit each year here on out...or will it be more kids who aren't able to play at the level SLU is aspiring to reach. It is very difficult to maintain the level of intensity, and defensive effort over a long season, if you can't score enough to win. Eventually you wear down. Will be interesting to see how much better some players get come the end of the season.

It will be interesting to see any let downs coming up. It is a learning experience year. Not having a good class until this year's frosh is showing up. SLU is playing for the conference tournament and NIT. Anybody seems to have a shot in the conference tourney, so hopefully after losing the close games, the team will stay the course. With that said, the constant games in the 50's is pretty painful to watch for another year.

I would have to agree with Bauman. It is tired and old. The LAST thing I will say is that my comments were regarding the embarrassingly bad Poplar Bluff Showdown. It would be the equivalent of the Cincy school thumping their chest for winning the Chaminade Christmas Tourney. You post misleading or incomplete things, and say oh well and change the subject and move on...everyone makes mistakes, but with you it is more than pattern. So that, when or if there is any decent info it gets lost. This would be a good example, ....the Pro Bass Tournament this year is a very strong tournament. Kickapoo is the weakest team there. And they aren't a bad team. Vashon's first opponent is legit, and Lathen Wallace, Jefferson's guard, did turn down AZ for Oregon St. They should get 3 good games. But these posts would be much better served on the STL preps board or elsewhere. Posts on specific SLU recruits are another story. As I said, the Pro Bass tourney is a strong tourney, and if anyone is near that area, it would be a good event to attend.

>A lot of the out of state teams that have been scheduled by >area teams are down. I dont think they picked some bums >from out of town to play to pad their records. Thay doesnt >really establish any credibility. I doubt that most area >schools would do that intentionally, its just an unfortunate >reality. And maybe people are just underrating the talent >in this area and state. We have a lot of prospects in this >state, and we arent inferior. In a word, no. Schools know ahead of time when their opponents are going to have a good team or not. MANY of the teams Vashon has played out of state in recent years are not only having down years, they are historically bad teams or average at best teams in their local area. If you make frequent posts over a multiple year period with inciteful enthusiasm leading others to believe the success is more than what it actually is...yes, it is a problem. It is up to YOU to find out how good or not an opponent is before rattling off stats. Then don't make the posts. Pick one or the other. Out of respect to the board I am not going to let you continue to post half-truths at best. If I happen to read something, and know for a fact different, then I will respond. I don't care if the team is little sisters of the poor or Vashon or whomever. Is Vashon scheduling mostly bad teams and sprinkling in some good ones over the past years, yes. And there is nothing wrong with that. However why should I care about individual player stats against far inferior competition, local or out of state? And not just to you, be careful about evaluating a player or team based on one game. I remember that Job Scheyer kid struggling in the shootout last year, and the kid is one of the nation's best in his class, spectacular player. He is still embarrassed by his admission of his shootout performance last year. Vashon has a great team as they do many years...and most of those years that doesn't necessarily transpire into good D-I players, with few wxceptions, AB being one. And everyone here knows my thoughts on high school national rankings in any sport. I won't go there again. Just get more info on who they are playing before perhaps mentioning it on a board. If it is bogus as it was this time, I will probably call it out sometimes, if not, I probably won't post.

Thanks Steve...was curious. Good for you. I have had a lot of close friends come and go from there, and one of my brothers worked in U.S. trade rep's office in the past among other things. I know academically it is ranked ...for whatever rankings are worth, top 50. And I know based on applications and acceptance, tough place to get in for many, especially post-undergrad. Most people I know went there for grad school, law school, or MBA...good friend of mine was your recent MBA student President. Still know some committee staffers and majority clerks etc...was just curious.

Correct me if I am wrong Steve, but doesn't GW have the most non-local student body ratio in the nation? It is one thing to say that GW lacks the facilities, commitment etc...to athletics in general...and another to say commuter school. It doesn't have the type of tradtional college campus..etc.. Say Steve, assuming you are a Pol Sci/Govt or thereabouts major...have you had any internships yet? Where? If not, where are you looking? Just curious.

You made a post touting the great stats of individual players in games against bad at best opponents, when the opponents' level of play was unknown to most of the board because they were out of town teams. It is extremely misleading, and at best incomplete information. You did the same thing last year both here and the STL board. Gee I also can't wait for that Chicago Manley showdown coming up next month for the V....Manley is winless so far in league play and sporting a .500 overall record. Thought I would get that one out of the way early for you.

Didn't we go through this last year? If you can't go to the trouble to find out about the level of competition played...how can you comment on stats? Two of the three teams Vashon played are bad teams...not ranked anywhere near the top 15 in their local area, let alone state. Their championship game opponent is historically a bad basketball team and this year is no different. Winning by 30-40 points was the expectation in their games. As Nate Lasch posted on the STL forum...many of those teams played last year out of state were maybe the 5th or 6th best teams in their conference at best. We've been through this before. It's tired.

Any competiton will be better than the embarrassingly bad, recent Poplar Bluff Showdown. Some brutally bad out of state teams in that one.

That is what happens with young teams, lose early on the road. That will be a challlenge for SLU as well. So tough to win on the road for young teams. SLU will lose their share on the road, even to lesser level teams. You take your lumps. Nebraska is an example of a team that isn't great but at home early in a season against a young team....and there you go. The positive for SLU is that the A-10 isn't the Big East, so there is more of an opportunity to sneak some road wins. Talented young players become veterans late in a season if they play a lot, and they improve before your eyes.

I saw a replay of the game on ESPN Full Court last night. John Rooney did the gasm btw...the new Cards radio baseball announcer...he was solid, Wenzel the color guy was bad...but I have seen worse. Go back a few pages and read the Morrison vs Novak threads. Obviously the 41 points stand out, in particular the variety of ways he score. But the 16 boards jump out at me. AGGRESSIVE. Novak has long had a problem with being too passive at times and letting the game come to him. Sometimes he gets aggressive and can easily drop 25, other times, drift and get 10. An enigma. On television...I saw him drop f-bombs to teammates, fired up etc...the kid has the talent to do more. No, he still can't take it on the floor and finish inside...but the variety of his game ahs picked up. One thing I would say...speed kills. Marquette's two Frosh point guards are extremely quick, and very tough with the basketball, and routinely beat UCONN's guards off the dribble to create more options. We've discussed this with SLU for example...the need for dribble penetration, strength with the ball...etc...If Marquette had a power forward, they would be a top 25 club. They received great role play help last night, but I just don't see it happening with them all the time in the ridiculously tough Big East. That win won't mean much if they lose their next game. But you can see the difference with better athletes and players who can make an immediate impact. As for Novak, ...there aren't too many 6'9 kids who can shoot from as deep as they want...something else I always harp on...FREE THROWS...66 in a row for the kid...all you have to do is mix in 3's with drawing fouls and you can rack up 25 a night like that.

As I said, I don't care where the kids come from. Some years there aren't local level players capable of major D I ball. Fine, go somewhere else to get them. You do have to establish yourself a little in your own backyard first. And yes, you read correctly 3000. There is no reason that cannot happen in the next 5 years or less. None. Raise your expectations. Make the games an event not to be missed by students and young adults, and quit catering to 80 year old men. No offense to any old-timer. But it is about the kids, about the atmosphere, and winning. I expect extreme aggressiveness from Levick.

Cheese, most schools do not get that kind of student turnout. Doesn't mean it isn't realistic to have a goal of 3000 students. I am aware of your correct enrolment figures. Yes, that is a goal that should be out there. Of course getting a 1000 etc...first....but it should be a goal, a realistic goal. I said if Soederberg doesn't make the NCAA's next year or the year after...that would be three more years including this one. Does SLU want a top 25 program within the next 5-10 years or not?