BIG upset tonight up at Wheaton.
Big Blue 69
Wheaton Thunder 67
in OT

I didn't get a chance to see the game, but Lindsay Ippel (my pick as player of the year, in my opinion) led the team with 26 points.  She also led the game with those 26.  She was 16 of 18 from the FT line and hit 2 with one second left to win the game.  I didn't catch much else because I'm surrounded more by MU enthusiasts and barely got a chance to check the box score, but I'm sure it was a great match up.  I just want to get out my opinion, though, that Millikin wouldn't have this lucky chance if they did not have Lindsay Ippel.  I really do believe she is the reason that Millikin has pulled out the wins they have.  But then again I have to say, one person can't play for more than one person.  Anyway, that's my opinion for the night.  Someone that was at the game tonight, how was it?  Was it as close and exciting as I think it was?

Quote from: buf on January 25, 2006, 11:02:42 PM
wbbfan32-

Why aren't Blackburn and Vollmer on the team anymore?  Injured? Quit? Kicked-off?  Just curious!!!

Sorry I haven't gotten back to this sooner, I've been busy.

I do not want to say much, but I do know that both Blackburn and Vollmer left the team.  They weren't injured or sick.  I think it might be a little obvious if anyone looks at the box scores from their Freshman year to the San Fran Tourney.  Their playing time went down each year, yet their numbers went up.  No one can say that they have gotten worse...they got better.  I guess it just wasn't recognized in time.  You can't overlook people and expect them to be there.  (Just another little fact: Anyone notice how the roster for MU has a lack of upperclassmen other than the seniors?  Since it's hard to know the original roster since it's always changing, I can't really tell.  But, I do know that there have been recent modifications)

Other news:  Millikin lost to IWU tonight by at least 10 points.  Someone tell me how your top player has about 27 points (almost half of the teams points) and yet the next highest scorer on the team has about 7 points?  Your top player can't do it all.  She can only give enough heart and soul for herself...she can't play for more than one person at a time!!  When MU started this season, I did have my doubts about how well the leadership was going to be this year, but I did not see this.  There seems to be no leadership out on that court and more selfish playing than I have ever seen.  Turnovers seem to happen more often than assists and rebounds put together at times.  I want to point out that they have only lost ONE STARTING player from the National Championship team.  Obviously, there are still four starters from that National Champ team.....so if it's not talent that's missing, it's leadership.  I'm not afraid to state that opinion now and anyone who has seen an MU game can see by just watching everyone on the court that it seems leadership is missing.  I have witnessed players fighting (more like yelling) at each other on the floor; leaders can't do that.  I am an MU fan, but this is just getting pretty sick to watch.

It has been an interesting CCIW this year, that's for sure.  I'm just sad that Augie isn't getting a better chance; it seems like everyone else is.

What's happening at Millikin?!  I will be honest:  I did not think the team would have as great of a year as they did last year...but this?!  I thought they would at least keep their presence in the top of the CCIW and the Top 25.  But after 3 conference losses, I don't know what they're going to do.  With it being so early in conference play, it looks like they might not make it to the conference tournament.  The Wheaton game was, personally, a very big let down.  It should have been so much closer.  If Millikin had cut down their turnovers and picked up a few more rebounds, the game would have been much better.  It was very frustrating to see so many silly mistakes in a game that had so much hype.  Hopefully, the girls can pick it up and do better in the next few conference games; get their feet back under them.

Side note:  Does anyone think that the outcome might have been different if Millikin still had scoring threats in Vollmer and Blackburn?  Two constant scorers not on the team anymore?  In my opinion, I think they would have...

I DO know of Coach Keran's credentials....it was just an expression.  I know she knows what she's doing at Millikin.  I was just wondering what was happening with the team.  I mean, they've been doing great and then they have some weird loses (weird because they were predicted to beat those teams).  I am in NO WAY commenting on Coach Keran's lack of ability to coach these girls; like I said, I know her stats and records and I know players that have played for her and she is a great coach.  I was just commenting on how the team seems to be hot and cold at very difficult times so far this season.  That's all...

As for the conference title, I think it will be a close one.  I'm picking Wheaton or Millikin for the top; but that all depends on how they handle their first conference game today (MU vs. NP).  If the Millikin I'm used to watching shows up, then I will choose MU or Wheaton for the top.  If not...it's going to be a rough and very surprising season to watch.

Man...what's goin on at Millikin?  Actually getting the chance to see this team in the beginning of their season, it seemed like they were going to dominate their pre-conference games.  But they already have two loses:  one to Illinois College and the other to Luther.  I'm sorry, but I've seen this team play hard and well, and I don't know what went wrong.  It is a different team than last year, but those that have stepped in are doing very well:  Lindsay Ippel has already been named a CCIW Player of the Week and is doing well, Christi Blackburn who has recently sat out due to a horrific eye incident is doing well, along with Angela Vollmer who has seemed to cut down on her turnover rate from last season.  Andrea Riebock may not be Audrey Minott, but she has taken over Minott's position well for a sophomore.  It's just a little sad to see this team that has great, young talent (you should check out a jv game...they have a very talented squad of freshmen) pick up two losses so quickly within each other to teams they should/could have beat.  I just hope Coach Kerans knows what she's doing down there in Decatur and that the women step it up.  Hopefully, their break before the San Diego tournament will get them to relax and prepare; that tournament is not a walk in the park and it will be a real test for the Big Blue.  Let's just hope it's a test they can pass...