MBB: Midwest Conference

[scottie]

Congrats to LU.  Is there any chance that the NCAA would put the next site at a "neutral" site that LU could host?  Another Wisconsin MWC facility perhaps? Probably not, but just a thought...

[Sam Johnson]

Well, since no one could hear the game on the webcast (or so I've been told) I thought i'd post a lil update on how things went from an LU fans perspective.

First off, congrats to the Tommies...there were several times that they could have folded when down big in the 2nd but they didn't toss in the towel.

Thoughts:
1) Refs were pretty good. You could tell that UST wasn't used to that style of refs though...lots of lost looks or outrage.  They didn't handle the end of the game well (lots of confusion on if time ran out before a UST three), but it didn't really matter b/c the shot wouldn't have done anything w/ UST down 4.  Way better than the normal MWC refs we'd usually see.

2) Rosefelt (UST's D-1 transfer stud) is not a physical player inside and that's what hurt him tonight.  Braier, Osland, and the other LU bigs put a body on him and he responded by getting frustrated.  Great athlete though...if he can get free he can hurt you. Loved the LU students chant for him (D-I REJECT!)

3) Schnettler (12) can shoot.  I think he would have preferred not having to run all over the place to try and get open.  MacGillis will do that to you.

4) #3 for UST (Sweeney) has this silly looking rainbow looking 3.  He got hot at the end though.  Tommies never make that run at the end without him.

5) LU had this one in the bag and took their foot off the gas.  I'm not sure why, but we didn't keep on the same pressure.  We were beating UST down the floor for transition layups (while up 12)...thought the game was done, but we let UST hang around.  I'm really proud of them for hanging in.  It would have been easy to let the momentum slip completely away and lose it at the end.  But they got it done.  Mac's three and Kroeger's throws were the definition of clutch.

6) LU was ice cold from the floor in the 1st.  Lots of good lucks with nothing falling

7) Good student support for UST...too bad they had to ruin it by throwing bottles, cans, etc onto the floor after the loss.  I'm sure it was a heartbreaker (especially if you're as wasted as some of them were  ) but no call for that.

8) Time to hope that the NCAA wants to reward excellence instead of taking the $$$.

9) And last but not least, hats of to Braier for cementing his place as the best player in LU history by taking his place as the all time leading scorer in school history.

Hopefully the road to Salem still runs through Alex!

[Mr. Ypsi]

There is a reason that Lawrence is ranked #1 in the country.

But there is also a reason why IWU was formerly (unanimously) ranked #1. 

While IWU didn't perform to expectations, Pat's crew are pretty perceptive - there is obviously a LOT of talent there.  While I'm not crazy enough to claim a 'sweet sixteen' game as the "REAL" title game, I will stick my neck out that the winner of this game should probably be favored in every game the remainder of the tournament.

[Greek Tragedy]

Illinois Wesleyan won handily tonight.  IW lead 47-27 at halftime.  I wonder how the yahoo's who were not at Carroll's game vs IW and yet criticized their effort in a game that was 60-56 with 4 minutes left will analyze this game.  This was also the first ever NCAA appearance for CC and IW has been a fixture for a long time.  Whitewater ATHOME gets manhandled by IW and never really were in the game.  The same UWW that won the WIAC regular season and post seeson tourney.  I think the people that were at the games both nights would almost all be in agreement that Carroll played IW much tougher and closer then Whitewater. 

Admittedly, most IWU fans said their team didn't play very well last night.  They were unstoppable tonight.  Whitewater did cut it to 10 a couple of times but missed free throws to cut into the lead several times (14 of 25 from the line).  If the Titans played that well last night, Carroll would've gotten spanked just as bad. 

Good luck to LU, IWU is pretty awesome.  You need it. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Congrats to LU.  Is there any chance that the NCAA would put the next site at a "neutral" site that LU could host?  Another Wisconsin MWC facility perhaps? Probably not, but just a thought...

Participating school has to host on campus, I believe.

[bigeasy]

Carroll layed an egg!!! I grew up in Waukesha, I played at Waukesha South (with Julian and
Greg) coach was the best coach in the STATE. He built Carroll to where it is now (not very far...how do you lose to a team THREE times and go ONE and out in the tourny that counts?) Coach can build a program but just like at Waukesha West...he can't win when it counts. He had the best player in state Brian Czarniak but he couldn't win in high school.


Carroll had their shot. That's all they're gonna get, I'm sure he told them that before the game. They missed a leader, That was their problem. Who's gonna step up? Drury? please. Drury is a B level player over achieving at a C level place. He's not that good.

He can make a jump shot but can he create his own shot? he lacks height, weight, a dribble. He doesn't have it. Coach got him open and he can hit a jump shot (aka. Steve Novak...just as much of a joke). They missed a leader.

This might be late but this needs to be responded too by a Carroll fan.  

Carroll did not lay an egg.  They got beat by a better team.  

Schultz is building a program.  He is only in his fourth year as the Carroll coach and already has them in the NCAA tournament.  Schultz has brought in quality players and will continue to bring in quality players.  Losing to a team three times who has yet to lose a game is nothing to lose sleep about.   By the way how many state titles did you win at South with three division one athletes.

Obviously you were not at the game on Friday night.  Drury had 8 assists and he set them all up himself by creating off of the dribble.   He has unbelievable handles and can take most players in the MWC off of the dribble.


Congratulations to LU.  Good luck in the tournament.

RMSW who the hell is Brian Czarniak?

[the game]

LU vs IWU. 3 all americans- daukas, ameeliovich and braier. The question is where will the game be played. IWU usually travels in loads however. Did anyone catch Duke-UNC tonight? Tyler Hansbrough is a man. I'm a big Duke fan, but the Blue devils have been exposed. Unathletic, flappable,  vunerable defensively. Really just a 2 and a half man team. 

[Greek Tragedy]

From the CCIW page

The UW-Whitewater A.D. told Scott Trost that the sectional would be at Lawrence and I also heard that Augie's A.D. told their staff the same exact thing.  There must have been some call to the A.D.'s today during which they explained that if Lawrence is part of the Sectional field, they're the host.

I assume we're all traveling to Appleton.

I think more fans deserve to see this sectional, but Lawrence definitely deserves to host.  Congrats...if it's indeed true.  275 tickets for each school, if I'm correct.  I'm sure Augie and the Titans will easily sell those, so don't expect any returns on those...Puget Sound will probably return over 100.

[Titan Q]

larry_u,

While I think LU deserves to host, I think their chances are essentially nil.  The winner of Puget Sound-Occidental has ZERO chance, since the NCAA is not about to fly 3 teams out there instead of one team here.  But Augie and IWU each have THREE times the capacity of Alex - who do you think they will choose?

Chuck, not sure where you got this.  The committee clearly weighs the seeding over the other criteria (accomadations, quality of facility, attendance history/revenue potential).  Five years ago the Sectional field was Illinois Wesleyan, Chicago, Elmhurst, Lewis & Clark.  Chicago was the highest seed and got to host, despite playing in tiny Henry Crown Fieldhouse.  Not sure how you can suggest that LU has almost no chance to host.

And yes, as I posted on CCIW Chat, I've heard it's a done deal...Lawrence will host.  Should be official by the morning.

[Sam Johnson]

larry_u,

While I think LU deserves to host, I think their chances are essentially nil.  The winner of Puget Sound-Occidental has ZERO chance, since the NCAA is not about to fly 3 teams out there instead of one team here.  But Augie and IWU each have THREE times the capacity of Alex - who do you think they will choose?

Chuck, not sure where you got this.  The committee clearly weighs the seeding over the other criteria (accomadations, quality of facility, attendance history/revenue potential).  Five years ago the Sectional field was Illinois Wesleyan, Chicago, Elmhurst, Lewis & Clark.  Chicago was the highest seed and got to host, despite playing in tiny Henry Crown Fieldhouse.  Not sure how you can suggest that LU has almost no chance to host.

And yes, as I posted on CCIW Chat, I've heard it's a done deal...Lawrence will host.  Should be official by the morning.

That's the word I was getting from folks connected to the LU athletic dept, but I'll believe it when I see it.  As far as fans seeing the game, there are strong rumors that part of the way LU has supposedly lined up the sectional with the NCAA's is b/c they'll clear the gym between games (which would help the crowd sizes for each team)...but i guess we'll  need to see.

[The Roop]

Well, since no one could hear the game on the webcast (or so I've been told) I thought i'd post a lil update on how things went from an LU fans perspective.

I heard it just fine and they said there were 135 tickets left at game time that St. Thomas had turned in.

I think more fans deserve to see this sectional, but Lawrence definitely deserves to host.  Congrats...if it's indeed true.  275 tickets for each school, if I'm correct.  I'm sure Augie and the Titans will easily sell those, so don't expect any returns on those...Puget Sound will probably return over 100.

If St. Thomas turned in 135 I think Puget Sound easily turns in over 200.

[hjmphelp]

congrats to Larry and fans! I got it too, laying in my sickbed at bros house scamming the neighbors yfi!

It only gets tougher, but...Go (gulp)Lawrence!!

[The Roop]

Lincoln is still in it too Jeff, they're a modified "System" team, so you can root for them if it hurts you to root for Lawrence too much. 

[Titan Q]

The Sectional will be at Lawrence.

Here are some notes on the matchups...

http://www.iwuhoops.com/PREVIEWS.HTM

[maddog]

OK, I was wrong yesterday when I sad Augie would host the sectional, but I would like to congratulate Lawrence on being selected as the host. They earned it by being undefeated and ranked #1. It should be a great D3 basketball matchup between IWU and LU, really this should be a Final Four type game.