BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season. 

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  ( Sarcasm!! )

Great bulletin board material, there.

You're reading my mind, Mr. B. In fact, I can imagine Luke Johnson printing copies of that post and distributing it to his players.

[BigG296]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season. 

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  ( Sarcasm!! )

Great bulletin board material, there.

You're reading my mind, Mr. B. In fact, I can imagine Luke Johnson printing copies of that post and distributing it to his players.

Do coaches really put up random quotes from a message board as bulletin board material? Serious question.

[BigPoppa]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season.  

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  ( Sarcasm!! )

Great bulletin board material, there.

You're reading my mind, Mr. B. In fact, I can imagine Luke Johnson printing copies of that post and distributing it to his players.

If I know Luke Johnson, and I do, he already has copies in the hands of his players. He and I spent some time together coaching in the Dominican Republic and I was very impressed with his professionalism and ability to motivate players. It seems that someone else has just motivated the "pitiful half" of the CCIW for the coaches.

[BigPoppa]

Do coaches really put up random quotes from a message board as bulletin board material? Serious question.

I never did simply for the fact that they were usually right. We were terrible and I never wanted my players to see that others thought that about them.

[BigG296]

What are everyone's preseason predictions for CCIW Player and Pitcher of the year?

[BigPoppa]

What are everyone's preseason predictions for CCIW Player and Pitcher of the year?

Pitcher of the Year- Mike Giovenco (NPU)
Player of the Year- Brian Kolb (Wheaton)

[Mr. Ypsi]

IF he is 100% recovered, don't count out Kulavic.

[BigG296]

Pitcher of the Year-Danly from Carthage (I've heard he is 100% healthy and has absolutely filthy stuff)
Player of the Year-Kolb

However, if I have a sleeper pick it would have to be Moore from IWU....got to see him play a couple times and just remember his quick hands at the plate and glovework in the field-reminded me a lot of Kolb.   I think he has the potential to put up one of the best overall 2B years in CCIW history (offense and defense)- very comparable to Kolb's 2008 year at SS.  Again, a shot in the dark, but what's the fun in just guessing the favorites??

[upandin]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season.  

The IIAC has had multiple contenders for years.  
IIAC Regional appearances in the past 10 years:  Wartburg, Luther, Coe, and Simpson.  
CCIW Regional appearances in the past 10 years: Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana
IIAC vs CCIW (Head to Head) in the regional competition in past 10 years IIAC 6  CCIW 7
IIAC World Series Appearances: Wartburg 2
CCIW World Series Appearances: Carthage 3, ILL Wesleyan 1

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  
( Sarcasm!! )

When I spoke of multiple teams copntending, I was speaking of more than one in a season. Every conference, regardless of strength, is given one team into the NCAA regional every season. The fact that the IIAC has 4 teams and the CCIW has 3 no relavence.

The CCIW has has 3 seasons since 2000 with multiple bids including 2007 when they had 3 teams get in. The IIAC and SLIAC have had none.  The MWC has done it twice with two bids in 2003 and 2009.

Since 2000:
CCIW: 14 NCAA bids
IIAC: 10 NCAA bids
MWC: 12 NCAA bids
SLIAC: 10 NCAA bids

That is my point.  How do teams get into the regional?  In-region record!  Rack up wins VS poop conference teams.  That is how you get in.   It is all about W-L record for pool B and Pool C bids........other conferences just need more crappy teams.

[CCIWFAN6]

What are everyone's preseason predictions for CCIW Player and Pitcher of the year?

My stance on POY's is the same as my stance on MVP's in major sports. I think you have to be on a winning team in order to be considered for this award.  That might be unfair for some, but I dont think you can be considered if your play didn't lead to a winning team.  Along with that, Pitcher of the Year has a better chance of coming from a good team because their win-loss record naturally will be better.

With that being said, I looked at the three teams I thought were going to be at the top in Carthage, IWU, and Wheaton. My picks:

Pitcher of the Year: Tim Urbanowicz (Wheaton)- Has been extremely competitive since freshman year. Should win a lot of games for this Wheaton team.

Player of the Year: Kraig Ladd (IWU)- Two time 1st Team All CCIW.  A little concerned that his numbers dropped quite a bit from his Sophomore to Unior year, but how can you argue with a two time 1st teamer.

[BigPoppa]

Upandin... you are digging yourself a hole here. Are you trying to say that the lower half of the CCIW is not as good as the lower half of the IIAC, SLIAC and MWC?

OUT OF CONFERENCE RECORDS IN 2009:
*Elmhurst, the last place team in the CCIW in 2009, was 9-8 out of league. Northpark was 10-7, North Central was 4-12 and Millikin was 6-8. That puts the CCIW's bottom four at 29-35 (.453%).

The IIAC's bottom four were 24-38 (.387%)

The MWC's bottom four were 25-40 (.384%)

The SLIAC's bottom four were 14-30 (.318%)

[Captain Morgan]

Upandin... you are digging yourself a hole here. Are you trying to say that the lower half of the CCIW is not as good as the lower half of the IIAC, SLIAC and MWC?

OUT OF CONFERENCE RECORDS IN 2009:
*Elmhurst, the last place team in the CCIW in 2009, was 9-8 out of league. Northpark was 10-7, North Central was 4-12 and Millikin was 6-8. That puts the CCIW's bottom four at 29-35 (.453%).

The IIAC's bottom four were 24-38 (.387%)

The MWC's bottom four were 25-40 (.384%)

The SLIAC's bottom four were 14-30 (.318%)

Dang!
I warned you Upandin. You called out BigPoppa and he brought down the thunder. Poppa, great work on the stats. I think we can all see that the CCIW is on top followed by the Iowans, the Midwesterners and the St. Louis guys in last.

If I could give karma, I would Poppa. I am sure someone will reward you for your quick strike on Upandin.

[TurtleHead]

Upandin... you are digging yourself a hole here. Are you trying to say that the lower half of the CCIW is not as good as the lower half of the IIAC, SLIAC and MWC?

OUT OF CONFERENCE RECORDS IN 2009:
*Elmhurst, the last place team in the CCIW in 2009, was 9-8 out of league. Northpark was 10-7, North Central was 4-12 and Millikin was 6-8. That puts the CCIW's bottom four at 29-35 (.453%).

The IIAC's bottom four were 24-38 (.387%)

The MWC's bottom four were 25-40 (.384%)

The SLIAC's bottom four were 14-30 (.318%)

BP,
     I see what you are trying to show here, but as you know it all depends on what teams they played.  Elmhurst may have had a winning record, but if they did it by playing the Helen Keller institute of Technology it doesn't mean all that much.  I would be much more interested in how each conference has done against each other.  (Like you already requested under the Central region board)

As far as Upandin,
  In Region wins are nice, but strength of schedule does a lot more for your team.  St Norbert got in last year because of strength of schedule not by beating up on horrible teams.  Bethany Lutheran did not get in the midwest due to poor strength of schedule.

[mr_b]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season.  

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  ( Sarcasm!! )

Great bulletin board material, there.

You're reading my mind, Mr. B. In fact, I can imagine Luke Johnson printing copies of that post and distributing it to his players.

If I know Luke Johnson, and I do, he already has copies in the hands of his players. He and I spent some time together coaching in the Dominican Republic and I was very impressed with his professionalism and ability to motivate players. It seems that someone else has just motivated the "pitiful half" of the CCIW for the coaches.

I can't say for sure whether Coach Johnson (or any other coach, for that matter) pays any attention to postings (whether informed missives or random ramblings) on the boards.  Luke Johnson is just too busy getting the team ready for play -- the Vikings' season starts in just two weeks!

[Mr. Ypsi]

The CCIW is top heavy with 3 teams.  Everyone knows that.  Carthage, Ill Wesleyan, and Augustana are the only teams with an above average recent history.  Wheaton has had 2 good seasons and is trying to prove they can join the party.  Those teams rack up wins VS the poo at the bottom on the conference. The other teams.....  North Park, North Central, Millikin, Elmhurst........Pitiful at best.   None of these teams have had a winning season since 04.  And before 08, I'm not sure when Wheaton last had a winning season.  

Judging by these numbers I can see why people think the CCIW "dominates" all other conferences in the Central Region.  ( Sarcasm!! )

Great bulletin board material, there.

You're reading my mind, Mr. B. In fact, I can imagine Luke Johnson printing copies of that post and distributing it to his players.

If I know Luke Johnson, and I do, he already has copies in the hands of his players. He and I spent some time together coaching in the Dominican Republic and I was very impressed with his professionalism and ability to motivate players. It seems that someone else has just motivated the "pitiful half" of the CCIW for the coaches.

I can't say for sure whether Coach Johnson (or any other coach, for that matter) pays any attention to postings (whether informed missives or random ramblings) on the boards.  Luke Johnson is just too busy getting the team ready for play -- the Vikings' season starts in just two weeks!

I can't confirm whether or not any (or all) baseball coaches read the message board, but we have clear evidence that at least some of the football and basketball coaches do - they've referred directly to posts in their postgame interviews!

And, against the right opponent, that sure looks like bulletin-board material to me!