MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

Here's a question that's entered my mind a couple of times and surfaced again last night whe I noticed that Millikin has scheduled five SLIAC schools for the non-CCIW portion of it's schedule: Is Millikin a candidate to join the SLIAC? I've read elsewhere that some school is leaving its current conference to join the CCIW. Not that the CCIW can't  grow, but geographically Millikin would be a good fit for the SLIAC.

I've got good connections vis-a-vis Millikin athletics, and I've never heard any such thing even bandied about as a rumor. There was a rumor that floated around about a decade ago that MU might go NAIA, but that turned out to be just a bunch of hot air.

Millikin is a charter member of the CCIW, having been a part of the league's formation in 1946. Everyone connected with the league would be shocked if the Big Blue pulled up stakes and went elsewhere.

Good post, Hope. Enjoyed reading.

Not sure about Millikin joining the SLIAC, would be a step down in terms of reputation, but competitively it makes sense given their recent basketball history: last four years MU has a 6-51 conference record, but 6-1 against SLIAC teams, with an average margin of victory of 10.5 pts.  I don't see it happening; however, especially given that it would leave them without a football home.

Precisely. And football is a key sport from an administrative point of view, not just because it fosters alumni support of the school but for both enrollment and tuition purposes as well. MU just sunk a lot of money into refurbishing Lindsay Field, the home of the gridiron Big Blue, this past summer.

Don't have clue what Millikin's plans are but it is Carroll University leaving the MidWest Conference to join the CCIW.  I believe that they had been a CCIW member prior to joining the MWC so essentially they are rejoining the CCIW.

Yes. Carroll left the CCIW to join the MWC in 1992. Carroll is the fourth prodigal son to leave the league and then return, following in the footsteps of Carthage (left 1952, rejoined 1961), Elmhurst (left 1960, rejoined 1967), and Wheaton (left 1960, rejoined 1967).

It seems as though Millikin would save a lot on transportation costs and time away from the classroom, given their proximity to the SLIAC schools in Illinois and St. Louis.  Even Fulton is not much farther away than Chicago.

Chicago is a very big place, and North Park is located on the wrong side of the city for travel, as far as Millikin is concerned. Westminster is actually closer to Millikin in terms of travel time than is NPU:

Millikin travel times:
Decatur to Bloomington: 0 hr, 55 min
Decatur to Naperville: 2 hr, 39 min
Decatur to Wheaton: 2 hr, 54 min
Decatur to Rock Island: 2 hr, 56 min
Decatur to Elmhurst: 3 hr, 4 min
Decatur to Chicago (60625): 3 hr, 34 min
Decatur to Kenosha: 4 hr, 21 min

Decatur to Jacksonville: 1 hr, 16 min
Decatur to Eureka: 1 hr, 17 min
Deactur to Carlinville: 1 hr, 21 min
Decatur to Greenville: 1 hr, 34 min
Decatur to Webster Groves: 2 hr, 19 min
Decatur to Elsah: 2 hr, 21 min
Decatur to St. Louis (63105): 2 hr, 26 min
Decatur to Mount Pleasant: 3 hr, 27 min
Decatur to Fulton: 3 hr, 28 min
Decatur to Louisville (40203): 4 hr, 48 min

The SLIAC schools are indeed much closer on average to MU than are Millikin's sister schools in the CCIW. Even distant Spalding is roughly comparable to Carthage, as far as MU is concerned (and Carroll will be another four-hour trip when CU joins the CCIW in two years). But there are a lot of reasons that outweigh travel costs that explain why Millikin is unlikely to switch from the CCIW to the SLIAC. Indeed, the fact that Millikin is so geographically close (relatively speaking, since to a Chicagoan like me, nothing downstate appears to be close to anything else ) to the SLIAC schools explains why Big Blue teams always play SLIAC teams so often in non-conference competition, which is what piqued y_jack's interest in the first place. Millikin saves on gas money and time spent off campus by playing a lot of SLIAC teams in non-conference play.

[y_jack_lok]

The SLIAC schools are indeed much closer on average to MU than are Millikin's sister schools in the CCIW. Even distant Spalding is roughly comparable to Carthage, as far as MU is concerned (and Carroll will be another four-hour trip when CU joins the CCIW in two years). But there are a lot of reasons that outweigh travel costs that explain why Millikin is unlikely to switch from the CCIW to the SLIAC. Indeed, the fact that Millikin is so geographically close (relatively speaking, since to a Chicagoan like me, nothing downstate appears to be close to anything else ) to the SLIAC schools explains why Big Blue teams always play SLIAC teams so often in non-conference competition, which is what piqued y_jack's interest in the first place. Millikin saves on gas money and time spent off campus by playing a lot of SLIAC teams in non-conference play.

This is the main reason why the notion entered my head to begin with a long time ago and resurfaced when I counted the five games this year vs SLIAC teams. Two of those are at Elmhurst over a weekend, two at Webster over another weekend. Only the game against Principia is being played at Millikin.

[hopefan]

The SLIAC schools are indeed much closer on average to MU than are Millikin's sister schools in the CCIW. Even distant Spalding is roughly comparable to Carthage, as far as MU is concerned (and Carroll will be another four-hour trip when CU joins the CCIW in two years). But there are a lot of reasons that outweigh travel costs that explain why Millikin is unlikely to switch from the CCIW to the SLIAC. Indeed, the fact that Millikin is so geographically close (relatively speaking, since to a Chicagoan like me, nothing downstate appears to be close to anything else ) to the SLIAC schools explains why Big Blue teams always play SLIAC teams so often in non-conference competition, which is what piqued y_jack's interest in the first place. Millikin saves on gas money and time spent off campus by playing a lot of SLIAC teams in non-conference play.

This is the main reason why the notion entered my head to begin with a long time ago and resurfaced when I counted the five games this year vs SLIAC teams. Two of those are at Elmhurst over a weekend, two at Webster over another weekend. Only the game against Principia is being played at Millikin.

Actually,  Miillikin only plays one game at Elmhurst over that first weekend... The Season begins Saturday the 15th with Millikin playing Westmin and Elmhurst playing Greenville  in the doubleheader at Elmhurst.  On Sunday Westminster plays Elmhurst, but Greenville Does not play Millikin... it's my assumption that Greenville may have a policy of not playing on Sundays....   Greenville comes up to Millikin to play on Dec 8.

[y_jack_lok]

Thanks for that correction.

[hopefan]

Thanks for that correction.

I was VERY surprised when I caught it... just assumed it was 2 Doubleheaders until I reviewed all the schedules....

[Gregory Sager]

The SLIAC schools are indeed much closer on average to MU than are Millikin's sister schools in the CCIW. Even distant Spalding is roughly comparable to Carthage, as far as MU is concerned (and Carroll will be another four-hour trip when CU joins the CCIW in two years). But there are a lot of reasons that outweigh travel costs that explain why Millikin is unlikely to switch from the CCIW to the SLIAC. Indeed, the fact that Millikin is so geographically close (relatively speaking, since to a Chicagoan like me, nothing downstate appears to be close to anything else ) to the SLIAC schools explains why Big Blue teams always play SLIAC teams so often in non-conference competition, which is what piqued y_jack's interest in the first place. Millikin saves on gas money and time spent off campus by playing a lot of SLIAC teams in non-conference play.

This is the main reason why the notion entered my head to begin with a long time ago and resurfaced when I counted the five games this year vs SLIAC teams. Two of those are at Elmhurst over a weekend, two at Webster over another weekend. Only the game against Principia is being played at Millikin.

It's true in other sports, too. Millikin plays a lot of games, matches, meets, etc., against SLIAC schools -- far more than do other CCIW schools.

[WUPHF]

It's true in other sports, too. Millikin plays a lot of games, matches, meets, etc., against SLIAC schools -- far more than do other CCIW schools.

I, like everyone else, do not expect the jump, but I love discussing hypotheticals.  Millikin would probably continue to play 4-5 games against CCIW schools, though I guess they would play 2-3 on the road rather than 7.

I will say that I was a little surprised to see so many St. Louis area players on the basketball and soccer rosters, though I probably should not be.  Illinois privates are often $5,000-10,000 more per year than Missouri schools so recruiting students, other than high need students, from Missouri must a little more challenging.  But what I do know?

Incidentally, it looks like Fontbonne is still open despite the predictions of a miniscule freshmen class.

[Denny McKinney]

WUH- it was a historically low freshmen class. I heard 125.

Good Job Hopefan. Well covered. One note: FU's Coach Hall scheduled one game on this years schedule. SEMO. That schedule is stupid for a team in FU's position.

Boy's Im on the DL for 8-12 weeks. Darn Turf Toe! But, I'll be reading. Should be 100% by 2nd Semester.

Surprise Sliac Team of the Year: Blackburn. Heard they have a large class of athletes coming to Carlinville. Check their roster Hopefan, before making Pool Selections.

Good Luck, Sliac!

[hopefan]

WUH- it was a historically low freshmen class. I heard 125.

Good Job Hopefan. Well covered. One note: FU's Coach Hall scheduled one game on this years schedule. SEMO. That schedule is stupid for a team in FU's position.

Boy's Im on the DL for 8-12 weeks. Darn Turf Toe! But, I'll be reading. Should be 100% by 2nd Semester.

Surprise Sliac Team of the Year: Blackburn. Heard they have a large class of athletes coming to Carlinville. Check their roster Hopefan, before making Pool Selections.

Good Luck, Sliac!

I had communication with BC Coach Baribeau mid sumer, readied a lengthy post regarding his recruits, hit a wrong key and lost the post, and never reposted...  I was aware of 4 or 5 small school all staters (mostly honorable mention level) and a petty good transfer...  add that to 2 or 3 decent returning players, and a nucleus is finally reappearing at BC....  most of the new faces appeared to be guards or small forwards, so size could still be a problem... I'd love to see BC get back in the mix... love that small court bandbox atmosphere!!

[Joevegas]

hope all is well the posters here.  Been out of town and checked the roster for Fontbonne.   Ettinger, DeGeare and Tucker gone from roster.  Wow!  Bud glad to see that Justice and Gentry are back  Can that be true that Ettinger is gone.  He had a great freshman year. 

[Denny McKinney]

Ettinger and Tucker are roommates off campus. Both are attending classes. I heard about Ettinger not playing. DeGeere is at Juco. But why would Tucker come all the way to StL and not play? Head scratcher.

Joe what D2 school did Quinn end up going to?

[hopefan]

The two freshmen on FU roster both had very good numbers, albeit at small schools... Jack Lake averaged 21.7 ppg, Colin Schirmer ave 17.7 ppg and 10.2 rebounds per game... wonder if that's it, or if there are frosh not listed who will be JV...

Disappointed about Ettinger.. if indeed he's still a student at FU, wonder if he didn't fit in with Coach Hall, or if he's catching up on academics, or if it's just quits...  he showed real athleticism last year...

AND notice Rich Dorhauer also not on roster....   DeGeare, Ettinger, Dorhauer have the ability to be playing at most SLIAC schools

oh... Denny mentioned the SEMO game...not in my writeup as it is an exhibition game.. will not count in record....   Denny, take care of that stubbed toe.. I can't take care of this page myself....

[Denny McKinney]

Hopefan, I saw Dorhaur 2 weeks ago. That' a typo. 100%!

No academic problems that I'm aware of. I still have to think we haven't seen the last of Tucker. The Dorhauer with Gentry experiment will be interesting, to say the least. Evan Johnson will give them an outside threat. But, I can't find a win til conference starts. Then you wonder if you aren't down path to another 8-9 win season.

Hopefan, toe will be a 100% by New Year!

[hopefan]

I see Fontbonne as having enough talent to at least be in the mix for a top 4 spot...  Greenlee is a legit 4, Rucker a 3, and there are enough guards (Dorhauer- he is now on the roster, Gentry, Welch, Justice-Chandler, Haywood)  to find working combos.  It would be a huge benefit if one of the two frosh could show that they could be a bonafide rebounder and inside threat...   otherwise, the Griffs have to go small with little help when Greenlee and Rucker need a break or get in foul trouble.  As for the guards, Gentry must continue to create, but be much more under control, Dorhauer and Welch show that they can be consistent perimeter shooters, Haywood with real quicks must show that he can advance to the college level of play, Rio Justice Chandler must make the most of it when he earns a chance...... hint, I liked Justice Chandler, but he saw few minutes last year...

[hopefan]

I received a very optimistic note from Todd Creal at Mac... tough to lose 5 seniors all of whom contributed significantly last season, but Coach Creal had a super recruiting year and also sees some positive changes in his returning players...

Recruits include:
Brock Snarski (is that an intimidating name or what?) Macon Meridian  6'0"   3rd team All State 2A  24 ppg sr year...  penetrator, strong body, mid range shooter... could be point or shooting guard

Tyshawn Willis   Kankakee Bishop Mac   6'3"  Chicago Catholic league    14 ppg   long, athletic.. perimeter shooter..  tough defender... needs to add strength

Alex Bott    Seneca   6'2"   'Big Get' per Creal  strong to the basket, also pull up jumper....  game similar  to Spencer Pratt

Taten Musso  North Mac   6'3"    20.5 ppg   7rpg  outstanding shooter, athletic, needs strength

Lance Buhlig  Payson Seymore HS   6'1"    pg/sg...  16ppg...  outstanding j shot off the dribble... high basketball IQ

Zach Hibbert    Camp Point Central    6'5"   sf/pf    athletic needs strength.... still growing

Coach Creal considers this his best recruiting year ever, with some of these guys contributing as frosh, and all six playing through 4 years.

Creal also praised the off season efforts of his returning varsity players... most notable to me was what he had to say about Clayton Whitlock.... Whitlock had a fantastic sophomore year, just unstoppable around the basket and from 15 feet..  his junior year was flat out abysmal, as he came in very heavy, which contributed to a rash of knee problems.. he never approached the level of play he had shown previously.  Well, per Coach Creal, Whitlock has shed 30 pounds and is running the floor as he did 2 years ago... A return to that form is mandatory, given Mac's graduation losses, if Mac hopes to be a top 4 team again this year.

Coach has made things work with small school Illinois players in the past....  looks like things will continue on.....

Wonder if any CCIW readers are familiar with any of the recruits and could comment further?