IBL use to be Press Heavy now nothing? Seems odd that nothing major is out?

[homeboypla]

It does seem that press and support is (nothing) were? Thanks Slam for Ticket information.

How did all the player try-out camps go? Did they all happen?

What is the IBL doing with the One Flight Promise? I look at Tacoma schedule and see a flight to NY and then Canada how is this a one flight league?

15 days until season starts and no press? really?

Japan team dropped? so what is the over under on if a team from China comes over or this is a local team of China players?

Battle Creek plays USA all stars how many times? (4 times) wow and how is the owner coach of Orgeon Waves T. Dickens also part of player personal for Battle Creek thousand of miles away?? O I get it another IBL owned team.

[Juniper]

Dickins in not only in charge of player personel, he is the Coach at Battle Creek.

[homeboypla]

No way really? how can you be a pro coach of two teams?

How about all these tryouts did they happen?

[confused]

I think Sonnie said they may have had one in Chicago. My question to, how do you coach two teams?

[ALL BETS]

From what I heard is that after the first couple game in Battle Creek Sonnie will become the head coach he has alot of players coming back from last year that want to play for him. I heard the IBL was really impressed with him when he coached at last camp

[Juniper]

Congrats Sonnie,

We look forward to seeing you and the guys from last year. With Coach bringing back the majority of players from last year, they should be the team to beat out east.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Congrats Sonnie,

We look forward to seeing you and the guys from last year. With Coach bringing back the majority of players from last year, they should be the team to beat out east.

That depends. You're talking about Battle Creek vs. strictly PBL talent. Spring/Summer leagues draw talent from all over, including overseas. Remember those blowouts BC suffered against another spring team? If Elkhart plays (and Gary certainly isn't playing this year) then Elkhart is the team to beat by default. 8)

[Juniper]

Elkhart is not playing in the IBL. I know BC got blowen out by your guys. At the same time I remember guys like Rashi Johnson and a couple of other guys were on the bench, per coaches decission. Plus this was the new coaches first game. I did see the team in the PBL, 3 times as a matter of fact. That was a very good team. You had a nice roster in the PBL, but didnt you have guys like Sam Mack. Look at all the teams he has played on. None ever won the big one. If BC brings back the team from last year, they will be hard to beat in the east. On the west coast, where the players get paid, that is another story. As long as LA keeps paying there players big money, they will be the team to beat. Chicago will give BC a test. With the deputy commish coaching the team, you can bet they will have success. I hope he does not get kicked out for mutiple techs. (5 games with 2 techs) However, if you are the guy that handles these problems, what diffrence does it make. What is he going to do suspend himself with pay? Go Sonnie!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Oh, okay. Battle Creek managed to lose by only 7 points to the Steelheads one time IN Battle Creek. Honestly, none of BC's games played in Gary were competitive regardless of the scores. Real garbage times: 8)
http://iblhoopsonline.com/past_results.php

Sam Mack is a recognizable name, but wasn't a factor in Gary. He didn't want to play. Elkhart isn't playing this year??? I've only seen announcements stating they are playing.

[winds55]

Juniper, what are you basing your Elkhart is not playing in the IBL on? The last official thing from the IBL that I've been able to find was their obnoxiously condescending, paternalistic press release stating the Express WAS going to play. I know the team is no longer listed on the website, and the schedule has been changed, but there's been no explanations anywhere that I've been able to find.
Very frustrating for fans that deserve some honesty.

[Juniper]

Winds, you guys have incredible fans. I have seen many minor league games, and your fans are some of the best. Your train whistle, and the noise you fans bring is out of this world. A close friend knows one of the Coaches, and it was passed along. I understand Ekharts leadership was very disappointed they were not able to work something out with the league. Elkhart was one of the best.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Elkhart is not playing in the IBL...

Oh, okay. You were absolutely correct. This is the announcement I was looking for. This news may indeed give the Battle Creek Knights a competitive advantage:
Elkhart Express Bidding Adieu to IBL to Play in ABA (http://www.etruth.com/Know/Sports/Story.aspx?ID=507612)

Beathea said he is still negotiating to keep North Side Gym as the Express' home-game venue, and said his team will be able to work around the schedules of the high school and junior high programs that use the facility in the winter for practices and games.

Good luck with that. High school basketball is king in Indiana. :roll:

At least Coach Beathea is giving himself almost a year lead time now. A 2010 entry into the IBL wasn't enough time to prepare potential season ticket holders and sponsors (outside of McDonald's).

[winds55]

Good luck with that. High school basketball is king in Indiana. :roll:


I have to admit I haven't been to more than a couple high school games in the last ...... well, since high school. ;), but this is my concern also. Comparing the two high school schedules from February, though, it actually looks possible that North Side could be used. At least there's a lot more ABA teams in the area, rather than playing the same teams every other week.

I'm disappointed I won't have any games to go to this spring (guess it will be Silver Hawks for me), but I'll be there next year. I do hope they can keep the ticket prices reasonable - anyone have experience with 'normal' ABA ticket prices?

[homeboypla]

So if Elkhart is out (told everyone this a year ago) and other teams have one coach for two IBL teams, and some teams do fly twice what part of the IBL is really true?

What happens with Terrance D has two teams in the playoff's and he has to coach both teams at same time? What the heck is the Shawn Kemp press releases about, HE NEVER played in the IBL!!! He played in a special all star game that Everett put on not an IBL game.

I puck at every press release they send out with laughter. Please at least be honest about what your saying.

[Pounder]

Homeboy spurs a question in my mind.

What's worse... a person who believes advertising, or someone who WANTS to believe advertising?

[turbocamyes]

What happens with Terrance D has two teams in the playoff's and he has to coach both teams at same time?

Have you bothered to contact the league office, or Terrance, to see if he's coaching both teams? One email would do it. Heck, you could PM the Commissioner through OSC. I email teams all the time. Usually I get answers. What I don't do is assert something on the board without getting my facts straight.

[Juniper]

Turbocamyes, I think that questin has been asked a couple of times on this board. So has the question about him receiving multiple tech's on at least 5 different occations. Those past owners put together a great product. I hope Terrence understands that. How is it that the season is about to start, and there is not one player from the BC area on that team. I just wonder, with the great success that Terrence has had in this league, why he is not moving up? Maybe he is making great money, and the other leagues can't pay him what he is worth.

[sonnie20]

All I know is Terrance is the Knights Head Coach he has signed 3 players so far and none are from last years Knights team. Thats all I know so far and I haven't heard anything else, but I'm ready to get started and hope we will have a good team.

[turbocamyes]

Turbocamyes, I think that questin has been asked a couple of times on this board. So has the question about him receiving multiple tech's on at least 5 different occations. Those past owners put together a great product. I hope Terrence understands that. How is it that the season is about to start, and there is not one player from the BC area on that team. I just wonder, with the great success that Terrence has had in this league, why he is not moving up? Maybe he is making great money, and the other leagues can't pay him what he is worth.

I'm not sure why he hasn't moved up. My involvement with the league is purely on the stat side and has nothing to do with the business end. I’m guessing that he’s important to the success of the IBL and has been asked to help solidify the Midwest. Having a number of good, dependable teams in a region will help with recruiting new teams for next season. And winning back the fans after the PBL experience seems crucial. (My opinion, like I said, I have no inside info.)

As far as sideline demeanor, I can only go on the same reports as you and am reserving my judgment. I’m currently re-reading Loose Balls and just got to the part where Larry Brown got 7 technicals and was thrown out, fined and suspended. It happens. It’s not pretty, and the refs and fans don’t like it, but it is part of the game.

I did hope to get to one of the camps this spring to meet the Mikal and Terrance, but that’ll have to wait until next year.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I have to admit I haven't been to more than a couple high school games in the last ...... well, since high school. ;), but this is my concern also. Comparing the two high school schedules from February, though, it actually looks possible that North Side could be used. At least there's a lot more ABA teams in the area, rather than playing the same teams every other week.

I'm disappointed I won't have any games to go to this spring (guess it will be Silver Hawks for me), but I'll be there next year. I do hope they can keep the ticket prices reasonable - anyone have experience with 'normal' ABA ticket prices?

I'm beginning to see your points. I'm still not keen on fall/winter minor league hoops, but Elkhart is far enough away from Chicago to avoid its sports/entertainment competition. Yes, there are lots of ABA teams near Northern Indiana. The ABA Chicago Steam has some good players (some former IBL Steelheads), but the ABA Lake Michigan team still brings a chuckle (because of the name). I keep having visions of a game played out on the water on a barge.

Notre Dame and high school basketball will still play a factor for young people and people responsible for young people. However, I've always been impressed with the Elkhart fans and organization. This is a HUGE coup for the ABA. So huge that I actually think this move solidifies the ABA as THE fall/winter league (behind the D-League). If a team fails to show then plug-in another team. Same procedure as when in the IBL. I only see Notre Dame and high schools as the biggest hurdles.