MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Andone - sorry, can't really get in to details about Jorge, he's a great kid though.

I understand. I was actually inquiring more about Durham though. Perhaps u can't also go into details re him either. Just thought I'd ask as I was pretty familiar with him last year and followed him pretty closely.

[AndOne]

I think that's a pretty safe bet, possibly with Tone, or Gordon, or Capalbo bringing the ball up in infrequent scenarios. 

I think this entry by tj pointing out this many possibilities speaks to NPU's good depth at the position. Nice "problem" to have.

[tjcummingsfan]

Let's hope that's what it means, and not the opposite...

[Gotberg]

I really like when Oziminski is running the point. 

He's not flashy, but controls the pace of the game well and also communicates well with his teammates on the floor.  To some degree, I think with Oziminski running the point, NPU may be a more well rounded team this year.  It's hard to say, with extra experience, what Durham could have brought to the team in future years.

[tjcummingsfan]

Luckily Dan is only a sophomore

[tjcummingsfan]

North Park up 3 at the half against Knox.  Flashes of brilliance (especially defensively), and flashes of horror (3 travel calls on 1 player).  I don't think we'll lose this game, but it shouldn't even be this close.  Knox is smaller, slower, and not as athletic. 

[Titan Q]

North Park up 3 at the half against Knox.  Flashes of brilliance (especially defensively), and flashes of horror (3 travel calls on 1 player).  I don't think we'll lose this game, but it shouldn't even be this close.  Knox is smaller, slower, and not as athletic. 

FYI, Knox is 3-4, including a 21-point loss @ Millikin.  Wins are against 3-5 Ripon, 5-5 St. Norbert, and 2-7 Eureka...

http://www.d3hoops.com/school/KNOX/mens/2008

[mr_b]

North Park holds on to win 62-56.  The Vikings led 28-25 at the half and were up by as much as 10 points.  Jason Gordon led the team with 16, Antonio Stevens had 13, and Joe Capalbo and Nick Williams added 9 apiece.  Dan Oziminski started at PG, by the way.  The Prairie Fire were paced by Clint Moore with 16 and Rusty Baker with 10.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

North Park holds on to win 62-56.  The Vikings led 28-25 at the half and were up by as much as 10 points.  Jason Gordon led the team with 16, Antonio Stevens had 13, and Joe Capalbo and Nick Williams added 9 apiece.  Dan Oziminski started at PG, by the way.  The Prairie Fire were paced by Clint Moore with 16 and Rusty Baker with 10.

An ugly win !!!

North Park could not have made 40% of their free throws - and they took a lot - and would have won by 25.

They allowed Knox' reach and grab and hold on defense to rattle them and make them lose their composure.

The Knox coach yelling to one of his players during a North Park free throw attempt "to break the guy's arm" was a little over the top - as was one of the Knox deep reserves sitting right next to his coach yelling during every North Park free throw attempt (thought I was watching Augie for a minute - it was soo bush.)

But North Park's athleticism won out in the end - some nice rebounding and defense in the closing minutes when the Siwash (oops Prairie Fire - now what kind of nickname is that - sort of like Thunder, I guess) got it close.

Jay Alexander was as good on the defensive end as he was bad on the other.  The Vikings got nothing (zero - zilch) from the number five position - and a couple of the reserves looked like deer caught in the headlights.

Wheaton assistant coach Nate Frank had to be drooling as he watched the Vikings struggle against a team that wouldn't win a game against any CCIW team this year.

DoS

Kudos to North Park coach Paul Brenegan for reading the Knox coach the "Riot Act" at the end of the game - the way the Knox coach and his player acted in the final seconds of a close game was really "Bush".

[mr_b]

An ugly win !!!

North Park could not have made 40% of their free throws - and they took a lot - and would have won by 25.

According to my tally, the Vikings finished up 20 of 36 (56%) from the free throw line, but you are on the mark with your observation.  They were 2-of-9 in the first half and actually had a solid run of maybe ten made to start the second, but they missed many toward the end of the game, which cost them some breathing room to close out the contest.

The Knox coach yelling to one of his players during a North Park free throw attempt "to break the guy's arm" was a little over the top - as was one of the Knox deep reserves sitting right next to his coach yelling during every North Park free throw attempt (thought I was watching Augie for a minute - it was soo bush.)

I couldn't believe what I heard, either.  Wow.  I couldn't tell who was yelling at the Viking shooters -- I thought it must have been one of their fans.

Kudos to North Park coach Paul Brenegan for reading the Knox coach the "Riot Act" at the end of the game - the way the Knox coach and his player acted in the final seconds of a close game was really "Bush".

I thought Coach Brenegan handled it well.

[augiefan]

Illinois College beat Millikin this afternoon 86-84 in double overtime. The days of the CCIW owning the MWC seem to be ending to some extent, even if Millikin is a likely candidate for 8th place in the CCIW.

[AndOne]

As expected, Elmhurst takes care of Benedictine, but prob by less than expected (82-72)

http://www.ben.edu/athletics/mens/basketball/STATS/bumbb12.htm

[Sakman 1111]

Actually the Elmhurst game really wasn't that close....Bluejays led by double figures most of the game and shot real well. Burks and Strzemp led the way with 19 each. It will be interesting to see with the short turnaround with a 4:00 P.M. game at home tomorrow....

[hoops2007]

Just curious... In the Herald and Review, a quote from Millikin Head Coach Marc Smith.. "We have so many players who haven't played at the college level before, and it showed tonight."  When I look at their box scores, all of them are letter winners or have played atleast a year at the college level...  very interesting excuse!! GO BLUEBOYS!!

[79jaybird]

As Sakman notes, the Elmhurst/Benedictine game was not very close.  The Eagles had spurts and a chance to cut the lead down to 6 late in the first half, but overall Elmhurst led comfortably by 8-10 points most of the night. 
I do have to compliment Jared Bailey for his 33 point performance.  What a great player!  I heard that was his 3rd 30+ point game of the year. 

For Elmhurst, great to see other players getting involved.  9 different Bluejays scored.  Elmhurst moved the ball well, shot very well from the field, and was able to work through the press well.

Looking at Elmhurst the real key is going to be turnovers and their defense.  Elmhurst has minimized their turnovers the last few games, but also have been guilty of playing "giveaway" many times earlier in the season.
However, if Elmhurst is able to get 9 players involved, that adds another dimension to the Jays offense.