WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Carrie Snikkers was named one of 40 finals for the WBCA All-America team.

http://www.wbca.org/releases/2010DIIISFCAATFinalistsPR.html

[almcguirejr]

Alan Babbitt opinion piece in the Sentinel:

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/sports_hope/x2102347241/Make-your-mind-NCAA-when-youre-picking-sectional-site

I like the "hoopsfan" reply in the comments section.

[sac]

quote from Babbitt

The Flying Dutch fielded the 2008 and 2009 D-III Women's Basketball Championships. They fell one game short of reaching the Elite Eight, losing to eventual national champions Howard Payne (Texas) and George Fox (Ore.), respectively, away from DeVos Fieldhouse.

I'm sure he meant one game short of reaching the Final Four.

[Usuallywrong24]

There is also Special Olympics and another big event happening at the Shirk on Saturday.  Not sure of the name of it.  It happens this weekend almost every year.  One would think IWU could do it another weekend earlier or later, but it seems to fall on this weekend most of the time.  This could explain some of the hotel issues. 

With all of these events going on in the greater Bloomington area, I could argue that it makes IWU unfit to host.  But thats just for arguments sake  . 

In the Department of "For What It's Worth," I have it on good authority that the Hope fan bus will be staying in Peoria (ca. 35 miles away) because they were not able to secure lodging in Bloomington.  

The 1A & 2A boys bball state shampionships are in Peoria this weekend.  Maybe able to take in extra game or 2 Sat. morning if Hope wins. 

State Championship might explain the lodging challenge in Bloomington this weekend; and, team hotels have likely been blocked out in Bloomington-Normal for some time.  I checked hotels.com last night and still lodging available in Bloomington.  But Marriott, Holiday Inn and Double Tree all whom have multiple properties seem to be sold out.  If you are contemplating IHSA state championship I'd call ahead and see if tickets still available.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

What is the other big event at Shirk? Sort of thing that could go long and impact the ability of the Saturday night game to start on time?

[Titan Q]

I know some here are disappointed Hope is not the host, but how bout we avoid some of the misinformation here. 

* There are hotel rooms available in Bloomington-Normal this weekend.

* There are no "big events" on campus that will affect the Sectional games in any way.


Time to go play basketball, folks.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

This amazing story is floating around on the CCIW board. As frustrated as Hope fans may be Carthage may have reason to be a great deal more upset.

To wit, from Titan Q

"I have it on pretty solid authority that the NCAA miscalculated the mileage from Mount Union to Wash U, and thus, awarded the Sectional to Wash U instead of Carthage by mistake.  According to my source, the NCAA contacted Carthage Monday morning and acknowledged the mistake, but explained it was too late to correct.

Amazing."

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Alan Babbitt opinion piece in the Sentinel:

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/sports_hope/x2102347241/Make-your-mind-NCAA-when-youre-picking-sectional-site

I like the "hoopsfan" reply in the comments section.

Agree that the article lacks a bit of understanding of the D3 selection process.

However, this quote is fascinating if the facts are true:

A tournament committee official didn't think it was fair to let a Final Four host play all of its NCAA postseason games on its home court and told Hope that, a source close to the program told The Sentinel recently.

Of course the infamous "source close to the program" is broad but still interesting.

[Usuallywrong24]

Not sure how many people have been to a Special Olympic event, but I have officiated at them before.  These are not usually just a couple teams showing up to play, there is well over 200 athletes who play in these tournaments.  Then take into effect the caregivers and the people who help put these events on, it could get quite crowded. 

[jspiii]

I'm looking at the Special Olympics State Basketball schedule for Friday and they don't play at the Shirk Center. This is a basketball tournament that encompasses 1,550 athletes at playing sites at Normal & Bloomington. But play is scheduled for the Shirk Center & Horton Field House in Normal on Saturday from 8am-3:30pm. This info was taken off the actual team play schedule that was revised 3/4/10.

This won't affect our teams focus on basketball.

[Erm Schmigget]

I'm looking at the Special Olympics State Basketball schedule for Friday and they don't play at the Shirk Center. This is a basketball tournament that encompasses 1,550 athletes at playing sites at Normal & Bloomington. But play is scheduled for the Shirk Center & Horton Field House in Normal on Saturday from 8am-3:30pm. This info was taken off the actual team play schedule that was revised 3/4/10.

This won't affect our teams focus on basketball.

I wonder how this would effect things like a morning shoot-around Saturday.  Maybe TitanQ could offer some insight into that.

As for "source close to the program", you can get closer to the Hope women's basketball program than the "source" I'm aware of, but any closer and you're on the bench at game time.

[Moser]

I'm looking at the Special Olympics State Basketball schedule for Friday and they don't play at the Shirk Center. This is a basketball tournament that encompasses 1,550 athletes at playing sites at Normal & Bloomington. But play is scheduled for the Shirk Center & Horton Field House in Normal on Saturday from 8am-3:30pm. This info was taken off the actual team play schedule that was revised 3/4/10.

This won't affect our teams focus on basketball.

I wonder how this would effect things like a morning shoot-around Saturday.  Maybe TitanQ could offer some insight into that.

The Shirk Center has at least 4 multi-purpose courts and a practice gym adjacent to the main arena. I assume the Special Olyimpics event would be in those areas, so it will not affect any shootarounds.

http://www.iwusports.com/sports/2009/1/31/GEN_0131091842.aspx?tab=facilities

[Erm Schmigget]

Thanks, Moser.  My unfamiliarity with the IWU facility shows through, but if there are 4 other courts available, I'm sure they've worked it out so the teams playing the Elite Eight game can practice on the floor they'll be playing on.  Good to know.  Hopefully, even parking won't be an issue if the Special Olympics events are wrapped up on time.

[Titan Q]

Thanks, Moser.  My unfamiliarity with the IWU facility shows through, but if there are 4 other courts available, I'm sure they've worked it out so the teams playing the Elite Eight game can practice on the floor they'll be playing on.  Good to know.  Hopefully, even parking won't be an issue if the Special Olympics events are wrapped up on time.

Plenty of parking, plenty of facility space...it's all good.

Time to go play ball.

[ChicagoHopeNut]

Thanks, Moser.  My unfamiliarity with the IWU facility shows through, but if there are 4 other courts available, I'm sure they've worked it out so the teams playing the Elite Eight game can practice on the floor they'll be playing on.  Good to know.  Hopefully, even parking won't be an issue if the Special Olympics events are wrapped up on time.

Plenty of parking, plenty of facility space...it's all good.

Time to go play ball.

Wait! There is going to be a basketball game after all this? There is just too much time in between games for us to gripe and get bored. Looking forward to tomorrow!