Based on the pay package and the lack of flexability w/ assistant coaches, as well as the sense that you would be the outsider in the good ole boys IWU athletic network who would be able to pull the trigger on that job ?  Not a seasoned vet with a family and alot of coaching ability.

My guess is Raridon and Tharp were thrilled to jump at the opportunity and less than thrilled once they were presented the actual opportunity.  They backed out based on the set up of the job.

The job pays ~ 62k plus the few thousand from running the camps in the summer.  Not much if you want to get someone to stay for a long period of time.  The salary sets up a stepping stone situation.

Based on the total package Rose would take a pay cut when you consider the retirement benefits.

Quick thoughts on IWU/CC game last night.  IWU had alot of intensity the entire game and really caught CC napping to start the second half.  Zach Freeman played similar to the manner of which Shaq plays.  To Freeman's credit he played inspired ball all night,  but my take is he was playing against such inferior talent physically that if you were not at the game you would think the Titans played well.  Freeman totally bailed out a team subpar performance.

The only criteria that matters in a one & done format is winning and IWU did accomplish that.  Which team shows up tonight ?

My guess is that Freeman and Walton showed up on at least one 1st team ballot making Adam & Keelan not unanamous picks.  If you are coach Raridon it would be difficult to leave Zach Freeman off your 1st team vote.  He was the best IWU player against NCC.

Q,

I agree with you 100% on the Simmons for MOP award.  A player deemed MOP should have a strong start to a season, carry their team in the dark days of JAN and FEB when many bodies hit the physical wall and most importantly.....finish the deal at the end.  Augie 22,  you are absolutely correct that Augie would not be a .500 team without Harrigan,  but neither would NCC without Simmons, IWU without Dauksas or Keelan as would Elmhurst without Martin.

Harrigan comes in a close second because he couldnt be at 100% physically down the stretch which cost the Vikings some mo.

As an IWU "fan" here are a few observations while attending last night's game:

* IWU's pre-game laser like focus they had versus Augie was not present
* 4 assists for an entire game ?  Not easy to do.
* Coach Raridon's strategy to run the shot clock down each possession starting at the 18 min mark of the second half.....thank you.
* The constant pi**ing and moaning about the refs makes enjoying the game almost impossible any more.
* Both teams had difficulty with their shooting legs due to playing in back to back games.
* Trost did an excellent job with in-game adjustments.
* who is the better all around player....Simmons or Harrigan ....who would you start a CCIW team with ?  Simmons or Harrigan ?  Although Harrigan is a terrific scorer and competitor I think the result of the CCIW tourney reinforces the nod to Simmons.  CCIW stats: 4th in scoring, 7th in rebounding and most impressive is 4th in assists per game.

Lets keep our fingers crossed for IWU's pool C bid.

I spoke with one of the refs after the IWU/EC game last night and asked him if he was surprised that EC did not foul at the end of regulation.  He said that Sherer told the refs coming out of the timeout that they were going to foul and not allow a shot.  Looked to me that there were plenty of opportunities to take a foul and for whatever reason the players just could not/would not execute the plan.

Any good coach uses the dead ball time during both teams free throw attempts as his extra timeouts during the game to instruct his players on what he needs them to execute.  With that said,  " if " it looks or appears like he is excessively yelling while his opponents are shooting FT's,  that would render him semi-bush league in his behavior which has nothing to do with his ability to coach.

After seeing another IWU game last night,  it is clear that the entire team continues to play tight and their basketball skills are diminished because they are playing the game in fear of making a mistake.  

Talent and X's and O's will not get it done in a competitive league.  The 3rd ingredient must be the mental part of the game.  Personal and team confidence starts at the top and is just as important as talent and execution.  

I am curious to know how many fast break points IWU had last night.......not many if I recall.  Credit EC's heart/desire and IWU's lack of confidence.