FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

[79jaybird]

"Oh just throw ghost and I a couple positive karma points and we will release our research staff to go home to their families."
BJ4Ever- Plus K for that one. 

With a 2 1/2 and 1 month old at home, I hear/see plenty of crying and tears in our nest.  This one made me chuckle.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

They played a good schedule and the record speaks for itself.  Lack of playoff experience is the biggest hurdle IMO  (there is some value to annual expereince in that arena).  However annually playing NCC/Wheaton are a good measuring stick.

[bluejay4ever]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

I really believe it is about matchups when you get into the playoffs in the early rounds. I think the level of CCIW play is always a plus for any teams from this conference that make the playoffs. For example a team like Benedictine who made the playoffs last year was beat up by CCIW schools in non-conference play. I believe that is why in past the playoff teams usually get through on the first round and then the real cream rises to the top after that round.

[79jaybird]

Agreed. Playoffs is always about matchups and strengths vs. weaknesses.  Certain conferences are strong than others, ala CCIW, OAC, NCAC, are stronger than the NAC or MIAA. IMO, I look at consistency moreso than matchups come playoff time.  Elmhurst's inconsistencies make me worry that they might not get as far as they could possible go.

[NCF]

If Elmhurst and NC win, what would be the odds of them facing each other in the first round?

[Pat Coleman]

Long Post, but definitely worth a read.  This first appeared in a 1999 college student newspaper.  My Dad had sent me this a while back, while i was playing, and i have always kept it close.  I hope you all find it as impactful and as truthful as i have over the years....

Actually, I think it even predates that. That has been floating around Division III since we started running D3hoops.com in 1997. It's not clear we even can definitively identify the author. First places I saw it were on a D-III site in Iowa and at Bridgewater State in Mass.

[ncc_fan]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

At times NCC looks like a team that could feasibly go 4 or 5 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Wheaton & UW-LAX games) when they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

[ncc_fan]

...and if the latter shows up on Saturday in Rock Island they will be a zero and done.

[USee]

I think NCC can make it to the regional final and would have a strong shot at winning the region depending on the draw. They have shown some playoff ineptitude on the road, though, and they seem to lack 1 or 2 real game changers on both sides.

Elmhurst has a shot at a 2nd round appearance. Their offense is legit because of Scottie Williams and a veteran O-Line. Their defense is a sieve so when they go up against a solid playoff defense, they are done. that may happen in round 1 or in round 2 but not later IMO. Regardless, with a win Saturday against a decimated IWU team, Elmhurst fans should be very excited at a shared conference championship and their first NCAA playoff appearance. The rest is the whipped cream.

[ncc_fan]

If Elmhurst and NC win, what would be the odds of them facing each other in the first round?

Zero.  The NCAA avoids first round intra-conference matchups unless it saves a flight.  So it could happen to NWC or SCIAC or ASC teams, but not CCIW teams.

[USee]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

At times NCC looks like a team that could feasibly go 4 or 5 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Wheaton & UW-LAX games) when they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

I have seen the reference to comparing the LAX game to the Wheaton game and I disagree with any comparison. Against LAX, NCC imploded and lost that game by turning it over. They did this while dominating the stats and the game for much of the contest. Vs Wheaton, they were dominated by a better team and the turnovers were much more take aways than give aways. There is a big difference in those two outcomes.

[USee]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

At times NCC looks like a team that could feasibly go 4 or 5 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Wheaton & UW-LAX games) when they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

It's not zero, but it is unlikely. I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the same side of the bracket for a possible round 2 game though.

I have seen the reference to comparing the LAX game to the Wheaton game and I disagree with any comparison. Against LAX, NCC imploded and lost that game by turning it over. They did this while dominating the stats and the game for much of the contest. Vs Wheaton, they were dominated by a better team and the turnovers were much more take aways than give aways. There is a big difference in those two outcomes.

[ncc_fan]

Any neutral (non Kool-Aid laden glassed) parties... how far will NC and EC (assuming these are the two CCIW reps in post season) advance this year?  I have seen (4) Elmhurst games.  At times they look like a team that could feasbily go 2 or 3 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Augie game i.e.) where they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

At times NCC looks like a team that could feasibly go 4 or 5 rounds in the post season.  And then there are times (Wheaton & UW-LAX games) when they look unraveled and would be a one and done.

I have seen the reference to comparing the LAX game to the Wheaton game and I disagree with any comparison. Against LAX, NCC imploded and lost that game by turning it over. They did this while dominating the stats and the game for much of the contest. Vs Wheaton, they were dominated by a better team and the turnovers were much more take aways than give aways. There is a big difference in those two outcomes.

Same result:  one & done.

[79jaybird]

I would not want to face NC again.  CUC and the MIAA champ would be a good game for Elmhurst, and I think EC could pull these out. 

Elmhurst's defense (or lack there of at times) is why I have had my doubts all year about what team is goign to show up?