Does the Regular Season Matter in the IBL?

[homeboypla]

Looking over the last few year on the IBL website the team that wins the IBL Championship is never a team that is the regular season power house.

So does winning early in the season mean anything? If so what team in the West and East winning now has a chance to win it all and if not who middle of the pack has a chance to win it all.

I say NO the regular season doesn't matter last year 8 teams were in Oregon playing for the Western Division yet Portland won it all. My money now in the West is on the Explosions or Portand. Vancouver and Bellingham will peak in the season but look at the 5 all stars coming back to both of these teams.

The East Holland team will do great in the season but the Express will do what ever is needed in the final 5 weeks of the season to win another title.

Secret to the IBL ... Pick up talent all season long and peak in the final 5 weeks = Championship.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Looking over the last few year on the IBL website the team that wins the IBL Championship is never a team that is the regular season power house.

So does winning early in the season mean anything? If so what team in the West and East winning now has a chance to win it all and if not who middle of the pack has a chance to win it all.

I say NO the regular season doesn't matter last year 8 teams were in Oregon playing for the Western Division yet Portland won it all. My money now in the West is on the Explosions or Portand. Vancouver and Bellingham will peak in the season but look at the 5 all stars coming back to both of these teams.

The East Holland team will do great in the season but the Express will do what ever is needed in the final 5 weeks of the season to win another title.

Secret to the IBL ... Pick up talent all season long and peak in the final 5 weeks = Championship.

The Elkhart Express aren't or haven't been a regular season powerhouse?!? They sure looked like one when they played Gary at Gary earlier this year.

I think your secret to the IBL can be said for all minor league hoops.

[winds55]

Looking over the last few year on the IBL website the team that wins the IBL Championship is never a team that is the regular season power house.

So does winning early in the season mean anything? If so what team in the West and East winning now has a chance to win it all and if not who middle of the pack has a chance to win it all.

I say NO the regular season doesn't matter last year 8 teams were in Oregon playing for the Western Division yet Portland won it all. My money now in the West is on the Explosions or Portand. Vancouver and Bellingham will peak in the season but look at the 5 all stars coming back to both of these teams.

The East Holland team will do great in the season but the Express will do what ever is needed in the final 5 weeks of the season to win another title.

Secret to the IBL ... Pick up talent all season long and peak in the final 5 weeks = Championship.

The Express were 46 and 6 the last two seasons when they won the Championship. Without a lot of changes to their lineup. If doing what is need in the final 5 weeks means working their tails off, yes, Elkhart will do whatever is needed. The idea is to improve as the season progresses, isn't it? Battle Creek was undefeated when they won the 2005 Championship. Just what is your definition of regular season powerhouse?

[bballnut]

It must have some influence, cause Elkhart has been on of the best during the season, and of course they put rings on there fingers the last two years. DB is a great coach, and he has two of the best in this league. Pleg and Mood. They are vets with a high basketball IQ. Much like there coach. These guys know this game. DB's teams win every where. Holland and Gary showed who they really are this week-end. It look like Elkhart is headed for another IBL Championship.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

It must have some influence, cause Elkhart has been on of the best during the season, and of course they put rings on there fingers the last two years. DB is a great coach, and he has two of the best in this league. Pleg and Mood. They are vets with a high basketball IQ. Much like there coach. These guys know this game. DB's teams win every where. Holland and Gary showed who they really are this week-end. It look like Elkhart is headed for another IBL Championship.

This is a good quote for Gary to refer back to as the season progresses.

[minor league vet]

all you posters out there need to realize that the slam are legit! they have been at this with the same core group of guys for 3 years now. snohomish is the overrated team. a lot of you may not know, but more than half the explosion team tried out for them slam and didnt make it for chemistry issues including powell and murray. the slam have dominated the west in the aba and now they are doing it in the ibl. they play well together and they have everything it takes. toughness, shooters, and very sneaky athletes. i dont know about vancouver but the slam will be there in the end fighting for a championship they are blowing out everybody in the west. they are a solid 8 deep with players who could be starters. snohomish has no chemistry. sure powell and murray will make them better. but the slam beat them by 50 and players are quitting because of chemistry issues. the slam will be the best team to represent the west. hands down. just a good organization who knows how to build a team in minor leagues its not about the most talent because those guys always have agendas, its about chemistry and defense and having good shooters.

[MJHankel]

all you posters out there need to realize that the slam are legit! they have been at this with the same core group of guys for 3 years now. snohomish is the overrated team. a lot of you may not know, but more than half the explosion team tried out for them slam and didnt make it for chemistry issues including powell and murray. the slam have dominated the west in the aba and now they are doing it in the ibl. they play well together and they have everything it takes. toughness, shooters, and very sneaky athletes. i dont know about vancouver but the slam will be there in the end fighting for a championship they are blowing out everybody in the west. they are a solid 8 deep with players who could be starters. snohomish has no chemistry. sure powell and murray will make them better. but the slam beat them by 50 and players are quitting because of chemistry issues. the slam will be the best team to represent the west. hands down. just a good organization who knows how to build a team in minor leagues its not about the most talent because those guys always have agendas, its about chemistry and defense and having good shooters.

I don't know if I agree with you on your "Bellingham Rules" ad Campaign, but I agree with you completely in regards to star players and agendas. A good ballanced team with chemistry is better, more entertaining, and more competitive any day.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

It must have some influence, cause Elkhart has been on of the best during the season, and of course they put rings on there fingers the last two years. DB is a great coach, and he has two of the best in this league. Pleg and Mood. They are vets with a high basketball IQ. Much like there coach. These guys know this game. DB's teams win every where. Holland and Gary showed who they really are this week-end. It look like Elkhart is headed for another IBL Championship.

Yep, a very interesting quote indeed. Gary defeats Elkhart 95-90:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3642519

[winds55]

Yep, a very interesting quote indeed. Gary defeats Elkhart 95-90:

Yeah, I'm glad one of my quotes wasn't on the Gary locker room bulletin board for motivation!

A "cheers" to the Steelheads and see you at the tie-breaker on the 31st.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yeah, I'm glad one of my quotes wasn't on the Gary locker room bulletin board for motivation!

A "cheers" to the Steelheads and see you at the tie-breaker on the 31st.

Oh, oh! Look at what I found:
Gary may be improved, but I don't think they can beat Elkhart, especially not at Elkhart. And the Express has no intention of handing over the top spot. Add all the players you want - Elkhart has a solid core and the bench to back them up. I'm impressed by how well the new players have fit in and how quickly they all learned to work together and support each other's strengths.

I'm surprised this one wasn't displayed on the video scoreboard during Saturday's game. :wink:

[homeboypla]

I tell you the best two team in the IBL are my home town studs the Explosion. These guys are getting well and starting to play some great team basketball keep it up guys.

And the class act Bellingham. I tell you one of the teams will win the West and will win the East team for the Championship.

Bellingham needs to start getting some love they have fans and they put on a good product. I am sure Gary and Elkhart do also but I can tell you that I now do not like going to see games that do not include a good team or organization. Example: Central Ore. - You do not bring your best team, Portland - We will sign everyone for the end of the year before the Playoffs and make a mockery out of the other teams, Tacoma - Thugs of the IBL - You can have the Explosion left over’s as we take your starting Center, and Seattle - we have no home games and that is OK for our fans.

I am becoming a mean spirited blogger also... 107…

I use to like the league and team I now have two hopes Bellingham and Everett (they will always be this to me) Explosion.
Give the SLAM SOME RESPECT they have had a solid bunch of guys all year and they play great basketball.

'SLAM ALL THE WAY in 08'------ If the Explosion do not make it-----

[winds55]

:redface:

Guess that's fair, though, since I used "They may just have what it takes to at least down the Express in Gary." to motivate the Express Nation. Some of whom you were kind enough to capture on film, even. :-D

[sportsnut2000]

Will there be the top 8 teams that will compete in the Western regionals or will it be who wants to show up.

[homeboypla]

The Explosion front office seemed to think that all top 8 teams will attend. Last year was a joke of event in Warner PAC. as this gym is a NAIA Division gym with seats for 100 people.

Game was half full tonight with 800 people and I tried to get extra courtside seats and they are all sold out. Will be interesting to see who wins as my boys and Portland look to be the best talented teams now with all of the over sea players.