Calls at the end of the game do not have the same impact as those in the first quarter, I don't care what anyone says. The officials felt the pressure of the crowd late in the game- and knew who the higher ranked team/who was "supposed" to win was. It is human nature and part of a home court advantage. The travel calls that were called in the last couple of minutes but were ignored on Hope's end were an example. Was Shanks' a travel in the corner with 3 min left? I think it was, but so were Hope's EVERY time their guards shot faked on the perimeter against the zone and then put the ball on the floor after picking up their back foot. Hope's pressure defense was very aggressive and how many fouls were they called for in the last 4/5 minutes? None. The officials felt the crowd and that is part of the game. But do not try and act like the officials "evened this out" by not calling some fouls on IWU in the first half.

Not too many surprises tonight around the league

Wheaton crushes North Central, their size way too much of a mismatch, making it nearly impossible for North Central to score.

Good game in Kenosha as IWU holds off Carthage.  Ehresman and McGraw come up big, and Merritt plays well with facemask for broken nose.  Schneider also with a good game.  For Carthage, was impressed with Kaelber and the shooting ability of Gilbert.  The Lady Reds off to a hot start at 19-6 but the press gets the Titans right back in the game.  Is the tournament location in Bloomington regardless of their game Tuesday?  I realize a loss puts them in a tie, but both teams will have then split with Elmhurst and each other.  What is the next criteria in the tiebreak?

Thanks for the welcome and great conversation everyone!
RogK, have seen Harris play and really like her game.  Great player who is hard-nosed and gets things done.  Very deserving of all-conference.
GoPerry, I get what you are saying about it being Eppard's turn in the eyes of some.  No doubt a great player and has been for her career.
Imitzel, thanks for the numbers, it does help to show different values, but like you said, it is hard to compare guards and forwards.

I think what it boils down to for me is how much better Ehresman makes others around her.  In my mind when thinking about these types of awards, I always ask myself "Who would I want to start a team with?" and in this case, I say Ehresman, she just seems to be at a different level based off the eye test.  I know that is a totally different argument, but just my opinion and what are these boards for after all right??? 

Very sad news for IWU regarding Shanks.  A very good player and one that will be missed.  We will see who can step up.  Awards are nice, but it is the team award at the end of the season that means the most.  Still a lot of basketball to be played.

I would certainly think both IWU and Wheaton have great chances at a bid, the AQ and the team that loses in the championship is deserving of an at-large.  The conference has been a two team race with these teams in front for the past 3 years, looking to be the same as we come down the stretch.  Would have a hard time believing either team could lose to anyone other than each other.

Dealing with MOP, it has to go to Rebekah Ehresman from IWU.  Anyone who has watched every team multiple times can clearly see she is the most dynamic player in the league.  Not sure I have seen a guard her size rebound, pass, attack, and defend the way she does.  Leads the conference in everything a PG should (Assists, Steals, A/TO Ratio). Her scoring is not as high as other top players, but if you look at IWU's season when playing against the top teams (Chicago, Whitewater, Wheaton, WashU), she has her highest scoring games, while many IWU games have been blowouts.  Eppard and Frazier are great players as well, but I don't believe they are as versatile or do as much as Ehresman.