The best college basketball Cinderella story you won’t hear about in March (St Thomas Tommies)

Correct.

Tommies need a presence in the paint, primarily defensively. They get beat up a lot on the boards. Physical, rim protector, rebound, doesn’t need to score much.
I was in junior high back in the early 70's and remember St. Thomas being the first dominant area team. It was the Gophers and NAIA (NIC & MIAC... trying to get to nationals in KC). Tommies had a 7 footer named Rosier (I thought his first name was Tom, but it was Bob Rosier. I kept thinking, last night, if only Rosier was around.
 

I was in junior high back in the early 70's and remember St. Thomas being the first dominant area team. It was the Gophers and NAIA (NIC & MIAC... trying to get to nationals in KC). Tommies had a 7 footer named Rosier (I thought his first name was Tom, but it was Bob Rosier. I kept thinking, last night, if only Rosier was around.
They definitely need a banger. Someone that plays like Frank Mitchell would be perfect. Big body, energy, hustle, gets garbage buckets off missed shots.
 

They definitely need a banger. Someone that plays like Frank Mitchell would be perfect. Big body, energy, hustle, gets garbage buckets off missed shots.
They don't need a frank mitchell. They need a guy like this


Oscar Cluff - South Dakota State 6' 11" 260 C - but worked out of the FT line area and could pass and shoot, but also had a ton of low post moves.

Averaged 17.6 PTs, 12.3 Rebs and also led the team in assists

In their big games:
- 21 pts / 15 rebs against Alabama on 8/15 shooting
-23 & 14 against long beach state
19 & 14 against Boise on 7-10 shooting
 




Summit is a blood bath of losing transfers. Surprised SDSU got a good one from Washington State. ND, SD, SDSU, St.Thomas, ND, Oral Roberts have all lost good players in the last 5 years. Will be interesting to see what these guys on Omaha do, as well as St.Thomas. I'd imagine most of St.Thomas stays together to make the tourney next year, but they could lose 1 or 2 for the $$$.
 

Why even make a statement like this? They just won their league in a D1 low major, obviously they would be top notch in D2. I bet the Gophers would be top notch playing a league down as well. Brilliant.
Northwest Missouri State would beat UST as would Minnesota State - Mankato. Nothing wrong with calling UST a top notch D2 school. There are a number of declared D1 schools that would lose to the best D2 schools.
 

They don't need a frank mitchell. They need a guy like this


Oscar Cluff - South Dakota State 6' 11" 260 C - but worked out of the FT line area and could pass and shoot, but also had a ton of low post moves.

Averaged 17.6 PTs, 12.3 Rebs and also led the team in assists

In their big games:
- 21 pts / 15 rebs against Alabama on 8/15 shooting
-23 & 14 against long beach state
19 & 14 against Boise on 7-10 shooting
Would be a home run to get a guy with Cluff's abilities, but I'm thinking most big dudes in free agency will be more like Frank than Cluff.
 




I was in junior high back in the early 70's and remember St. Thomas being the first dominant area team. It was the Gophers and NAIA (NIC & MIAC... trying to get to nationals in KC). Tommies had a 7 footer named Rosier (I thought his first name was Tom, but it was Bob Rosier. I kept thinking, last night, if only Rosier was around.
Don't forget Bethel College NAIA teams led by Stevie Scroggins!!!! Mechanic Arts High School alumni!
 

Why even make a statement like this? They just won their league in a D1 low major, obviously they would be top notch in D2. I bet the Gophers would be top notch playing a league down as well. Brilliant.
Summit is solidly mud-major according net rankings etc. Sure, a one bid, one and done like all conferences from 10 to 30 whatever.
 


Northwest Missouri State would beat UST as would Minnesota State - Mankato. Nothing wrong with calling UST a top notch D2 school. There are a number of declared D1 schools that would lose to the best D2 schools.
Bizarro Tommyboy here.
 



Northwest Missouri State would beat UST as would Minnesota State - Mankato. Nothing wrong with calling UST a top notch D2 school. There are a number of declared D1 schools that would lose to the best D2 schools.
I am a Maverick alumnus, and I have a hard time buying this statement. Could they beat UST? Sure, the Gophers even beat Wisconsin once every 10 years. It was clear you compared them to a lower division to intentionally diminish their accomplishments this season if using your previous comments as a baseline. I have no stake in UST whatsoever, but I find the over the top reactions to them very weird.
 

I am a Maverick alumnus, and I have a hard time buying this statement. Could they beat UST? Sure, the Gophers even beat Wisconsin once every 10 years. It was clear you compared them to a lower division to intentionally diminish their accomplishments this season if using your previous comments as a baseline. I have no stake in UST whatsoever, but I find the over the top reactions to them very weird.
Fair enough. I find threads about St Thomas on a Gopher discussion board weird.
I also stand by my observations regarding UST in the past two games. The Summit League is not good this year.
 

it won’t happen every year. As I said they lost Rhode two years ago, nothing last year (ajani lee was close to nothing (akin to losing carrington / Henley). But they are filling out there roster with players from teams who are losing guys…the portal sucks should be the takeaway
 

fwiw, there is a St Thomas discussion forum but it is a closed slack channel by invite only to keep the deranged lunatics out. Yours truly is the founder of it.

And there is a good discussion over there about the potential next Gopher HC. Ironically, nobody is complaining about the chatter 🙃

If you are not a deranged lunatic (and are a St Thomas fan interested in engaging with intelligent banter with other St Thomas fans), drop me a message and I'll vet you for an invite.
 
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fwiw, there is a St Thomas discussion forum but it is a closed slack channel by invite only to keep the deranged lunatics out. Your truly is the founder of it.

And there is a good discussion over there about the potential next Gopher HC. Ironically, nobody is complaining about the chatter 🙃

If you are not a deranged lunatic (and are a St Thomas fan interested in engaging with intelligent banter with other St Thomas fans), drop me a message and I'll consider an invite.
I thought deranged lunatic was required for admittance to St Thomas. 🤔😏
 

I like St. Thomas' future. They've gained a lot of profile and notoriety with their success this year. That'll put them in the living rooms of some talented guys.
I think that's what makes UST most relevant to a Gophers board - they will likely be going head to head for some local recruits in the future. I wish them success and am frankly elated that there is a second DI team in town - this will help grow the game and potentially give the Gophers a real non conference rival.

Glad this thread exists. There have not been too many good reads on this board this year with our performance under CBJ so it's nice to be able to talk ball.
 


I think that's what makes UST most relevant to a Gophers board - they will likely be going head to head for some local recruits in the future. I wish them success and am frankly elated that there is a second DI team in town - this will help grow the game and potentially give the Gophers a real non conference rival.

Glad this thread exists. There have not been too many good reads on this board this year with our performance under CBJ so it's nice to be able to talk ball.
Take it to the St Thomas board.
 

Northwest Missouri State would beat UST as would Minnesota State - Mankato. Nothing wrong with calling UST a top notch D2 school. There are a number of declared D1 schools that would lose to the best D2 schools.
St. Thomas would crush those two teams.... bigger, faster, more athletic players. Now yes some of those D2 players could transfer to D1, but ST.Thomas, Omaha, NDSU, SDSU are no slouches. Then you have some years where South Dakota and Oral Roberts (sweet 16) are good.
 

St. Thomas would crush those two teams.... bigger, faster, more athletic players. Now yes some of those D2 players could transfer to D1, but ST.Thomas, Omaha, NDSU, SDSU are no slouches. Then you have some years where South Dakota and Oral Roberts (sweet 16) are good.
I watched the last two St Thomas games. The best D2 schools would stick right with them.
Tauer runs some nice offensive sets, but let's not kid ourselves about how bad the Summit League was this year. It was a bottom basement league in D1 basketball.
 

I watched the last two St Thomas games. The best D2 schools would stick right with them.
Tauer runs some nice offensive sets, but let's not kid ourselves about how bad the Summit League was this year. It was a bottom basement league in D1 basketball.
It’s literally mid-pack. You’re exposing yourself on how little you understand the game of basketball. Primarily the difference between a D1 and D2 recruit..
 

I watched the last two St Thomas games. The best D2 schools would stick right with them.
Tauer runs some nice offensive sets, but let's not kid ourselves about how bad the Summit League was this year. It was a bottom basement league in D1 basketball.

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