MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The NCAA men's basketball regional advisory committees released their third set of rankings, and as expected, the Atlantic Region was among those getting shuffled. Here's the full list: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[dunkin3117]

How are Regional rankings determined?  Is it the same committee that votes Top 25?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

How are Regional rankings determined?  Is it the same committee that votes Top 25?

Feel free to brush up here: http://www.d3hoops.com/interactive/faq/ncaatournament

Top 25 has nothing to do with this... as it doesn't for any NCAA tournament in any division.

[Smitty Oom]

Wartburg sneaks into the 8 slot for the regional ranks this week, which is big for Loras and NWU as it gives them a couple more results versus RRO. Especially since this is one of the two ranks that count for selection sunday in terms of results versus RRO.

Other places, Augsburg, who is ahead of Loras currently (and beat them H2H) also beat Wartburg so it is another result for them. If Wart loses in the semis, they could fall out and Bethel could sneak in if they have a solid MIAC tournament. This would give Augsburg 2 more results versus regionally ranked opponents.

Alot of scenarios and not a whole lot of hoops left. Will be clear on who will be in the NCAAs really soon!

[Hoosiersfan2323]

Awesome night of IIAC hoops tonight. As a side note, does anybody know why the IIAC appears to be behind most other conferences around the country when it comes to releasing post season awards?

[dunkin3117]

Might be waiting until after the conference tournament.  Believe this was the case last year as well.

[Smitty Oom]

Awesome night of IIAC hoops tonight. As a side note, does anybody know why the IIAC appears to be behind most other conferences around the country when it comes to releasing post season awards?

I know the MIAC usually has the coaches sumbiit their ballots and votes after the regular season ends. Then the playoffs for  takes precedent this week and they are usually released the following.

Probably the same for the IIAC.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Awesome night of IIAC hoops tonight. As a side note, does anybody know why the IIAC appears to be behind most other conferences around the country when it comes to releasing post season awards?

All conferences do this differently. I see a fair share who release them before the tournaments and a fair share who release them after tournaments. Usually the voting is still held prior to the tournaments in all cases, but how they are released is not set by a particular timing. IIAC is not alone in that manner.

[Smitty Oom]

Central goes into Loras and knocks them off, which unfortunately will probably end their season. They will be back next year with a lot of talent returning, but really thought they could do some damage in the NCAAs this year if they qualified.

Personally rooting for NWU to get the AQ, as I think this team can go on the road and make it out of the first weekend. They really have been rolling lately now that Nate S is healthy and back into his groove he showed last year.

[dunkin3117]

With a win from Loras last night, it was looking like the IIAC was finally going to be a 2 bid league.  After taking one on the chin, those chances are SLIM.  Central was in control from start to finish last night.  Loras had virtually no answer for Centrals PG, as he was able to get the lane time after time.  A bit of a disappointing end to what was a pretty solid season for the Duhawks.  I'd imagine this group will be quite motivated heading into next season after losing just 1 senior.

Championship prediction...NWU by 21.

[Hoosiersfan2323]

With a win from Loras last night, it was looking like the IIAC was finally going to be a 2 bid league.  After taking one on the chin, those chances are SLIM.  Central was in control from start to finish last night.  Loras had virtually no answer for Centrals PG, as he was able to get the lane time after time.  A bit of a disappointing end to what was a pretty solid season for the Duhawks.  I'd imagine this group will be quite motivated heading into next season after losing just 1 senior.

Championship prediction...NWU by 21.

Loras' defense, which was its weakness all season long, cost the team a chance at a conference championship last night. Hard to win a game when you give up 58 points in a half and get out-rebounded by 12 on the game. Loras already has two posts committed for next year, including a terrific shot-blocker. Should be right there again next year.

[rlgyank]

As a Nebraska Wesleyan fan, I was glad to see them come back and win last night. But for the first 30 minutes of the game, Central was playing like the better team. I think Wesleyan came out a little tight, and Central took advantage of that. I don't know what the Central head coach does when the conference tournament comes around, but whatever he does, he knows how to get the team ready to play in the tournament. The Wartburg head coach does a good job also.

Looking at the national boards on here, it looks like the IIAC might get 2 bids. If they do, hopefully Wesleyan and Loras both do well in the tournament, I think that would really help the conference long term.

The conference needs to increase their budget for post season trophies. That was not a very impressive trophy.

On another topic, I thought the officiating in the league had taken a step forward this year as compared to last year. Then came the 2 tournament games. The Wesleyan - Wartburg game on Thursday night was not very well officiated, and the Wesleyan - Central game last night was bizarre. If these are who the conference thinks are the best officials, I would disagree with them. Last night there was 1 official who did not call 1 foul on Wesleyan the whole game. Then there was another official who only called 1 foul on Central the whole game. This same official also gave Cooper Cook his 3rd foul of the game on a call where he did not commit the foul. There was a foul on the play, but it was by another Wesleyan player. This greatly contributed to him eventually fouling out.

Hopefully Loras gets a 2nd bid for the league tomorrow, and the league does well in the tournament.

[Alfredeneumann]

All Conference announced http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2018/2/27/iiac-2017-18-mens-basketball-all-iowa-conference-team-announced.aspx

Most Valuable Player(s)    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Josh Ruggles    Loras    Jr.    G    Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton-Warrenville South
Ryan Garver    Nebraska Wesleyan    Jr.    F    Lincoln, Neb. / Lincoln Northeast
Sam Amsbaugh ! &    Simpson    Sr.    F    Sheffield, Iowa / West Fork

First Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
David Jeffries ^ ~    Buena Vista    Sr.    G    North Las Vegas, Nev. / Legacy
Kyle Smith *    Central    Sr.    F    Ionia, Iowa / New Hampton
TJ Lake    Dubuque    Sr.    G    Peosta, Iowa / Western Dubuque
Ryan DiCanio &    Loras    Jr.    G    Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett
Cooper Cook >    Nebraska Wesleyan    Jr.    F    Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley North
Nate Schimonitz &    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Omaha, Neb. / Omaha Creighton Prep
Conor Riordan    Simpson    So.    G    Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny
Jaran Sabus ~    Wartburg    Jr.    G    Urbandale, Iowa / Urbandale

Second Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Thomas Wisecup *    Buena Vista    Sr.    G    Sergeant Bluff, Iowa / Sergeant Bluff
Jamel McKnight    Central    Jr.    G    Austin, Texas / Hendrickson
Malik Wildermuth    Central    Sr.    F    Normal, Ill. / University
Spencer Williams    Coe    Sr.    F    Monticello, Iowa / Monticello
Jamaree Atwater *    Dubuque    Sr.    F    Moline, Ill. / Moline
Deion Wells-Ross *    Nebraska Wesleyan    Sr.    F    Omaha, Neb. / Midland University
Cam Kickbush    Wartburg    Jr.    G    Reinbeck, Iowa / Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Nate Woeste # ~    Wartburg    Sr.    F    Atkins, Iowa / Benton Community

Honorable Mention    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Billy Sparks    Buena Vista    So.    G    Las Vegas, Nev. / Northwest Career Tech Academy
Rowan McGowen    Loras    Fr.    G    Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North
Jack Hiller    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Olathe, Kan. / Olathe East
Tyler Stumbo    Simpson    Jr.    F    Milford, Iowa / Okoboji
Previous Honors
& - 2016-17 First Team All-Conference
*- 2016-17 Second Team All-Conference
~ - 2016-17 Honorable Mention
> - 2016-17 Most Valuable Player
^ - 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year
! - 2015-16 First Team All-Conference
@ - 2015-16 Second Team All-Conference
# - 2015-16 Honorable Mention
$ - 2014-15 First Team All-Conference
% - 2014-15 Second Team All-Conference
^ - 2014-15 Honorable Mention

[Hoosiersfan2323]

All Conference announced http://www.iowaconference.com/news/2018/2/27/iiac-2017-18-mens-basketball-all-iowa-conference-team-announced.aspx

Most Valuable Player(s)    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Josh Ruggles    Loras    Jr.    G    Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton-Warrenville South
Ryan Garver    Nebraska Wesleyan    Jr.    F    Lincoln, Neb. / Lincoln Northeast
Sam Amsbaugh ! &    Simpson    Sr.    F    Sheffield, Iowa / West Fork

First Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
David Jeffries ^ ~    Buena Vista    Sr.    G    North Las Vegas, Nev. / Legacy
Kyle Smith *    Central    Sr.    F    Ionia, Iowa / New Hampton
TJ Lake    Dubuque    Sr.    G    Peosta, Iowa / Western Dubuque
Ryan DiCanio &    Loras    Jr.    G    Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett
Cooper Cook >    Nebraska Wesleyan    Jr.    F    Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley North
Nate Schimonitz &    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Omaha, Neb. / Omaha Creighton Prep
Conor Riordan    Simpson    So.    G    Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny
Jaran Sabus ~    Wartburg    Jr.    G    Urbandale, Iowa / Urbandale

Second Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Thomas Wisecup *    Buena Vista    Sr.    G    Sergeant Bluff, Iowa / Sergeant Bluff
Jamel McKnight    Central    Jr.    G    Austin, Texas / Hendrickson
Malik Wildermuth    Central    Sr.    F    Normal, Ill. / University
Spencer Williams    Coe    Sr.    F    Monticello, Iowa / Monticello
Jamaree Atwater *    Dubuque    Sr.    F    Moline, Ill. / Moline
Deion Wells-Ross *    Nebraska Wesleyan    Sr.    F    Omaha, Neb. / Midland University
Cam Kickbush    Wartburg    Jr.    G    Reinbeck, Iowa / Gladbrook-Reinbeck
Nate Woeste # ~    Wartburg    Sr.    F    Atkins, Iowa / Benton Community

Honorable Mention    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown / High School
Billy Sparks    Buena Vista    So.    G    Las Vegas, Nev. / Northwest Career Tech Academy
Rowan McGowen    Loras    Fr.    G    Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North
Jack Hiller    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Olathe, Kan. / Olathe East
Tyler Stumbo    Simpson    Jr.    F    Milford, Iowa / Okoboji
Previous Honors
& - 2016-17 First Team All-Conference
*- 2016-17 Second Team All-Conference
~ - 2016-17 Honorable Mention
> - 2016-17 Most Valuable Player
^ - 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year
! - 2015-16 First Team All-Conference
@ - 2015-16 Second Team All-Conference
# - 2015-16 Honorable Mention
$ - 2014-15 First Team All-Conference
% - 2014-15 Second Team All-Conference
^ - 2014-15 Honorable Mention

Good for all involved, but interesting/odd that the IIAC decided to name three Co-MVPs. Especially when Ruggles' season was basically in a class of its own when compared to others in the league. No matter - seems like the league got everything else right.

[J-Hawk]

Interesting that you say Ruggles' season was in a class of it's own. While he certainly had an outstanding season and deserved to be named MVP, a quick look at the numbers shows Garver's stats weren't too shabby either. Being surrounded by a deeper team probably kept his total numbers down. Percentage-wise, his stats were as good or better than Ruggles'. I don't think he should be downgraded for playing on a good team, and it's not as if Ruggles doesn't have talent around him as wel. Amsbaugh's numbers were also solid. All three are different types of players. Congrats to all 3 players on fantastic years. Here is a look at their numbers (Conference Only, for the purpose of this discussion).

Player      Pts   Reb      FG%         FT%    3Pt%   Ast/Gm Steals
Ruggles      23.3   4.8   49.8%   92.9%   49.1%   3.6      <6
                        
Garver      16.6   4.9   60.8%   82.2%   54.3%   4.0       43
                        
Amsbaugh      18.7   7.4   49.5%   78.8%   28.1%   3.9    13