MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Naperick]

As things stand currently, I just don't see any team with 6 or more in region losses getting a Pool C bid from any region. 

I think you are right.  79Jaybird is also right.  Augustana has a great chance at a pool C bid.  The rest of the CCIW needs to win the conference tourney to get a D3 bid.

[Naperick]

I think the following have a shot at making the first team all CCIW team.  I apologize if I left a deserving qualifier off my list.  I know their is a week of regular season play remaining.

1. Darius Gant - IWU
2. Matt Rogers - NCC
3. Chris Drennan - NCC
4. Kent Raymond - WHE
5. Steve Djurickovic - CAR
6. Ryan Burks - ELM
7. Brent Ruch - ELM
8. Brett Wessels - AUG
9. Tunde Ogunleye - MIL
10. Nick Williams - NPU
11. Andy Wiele - WHE

I think it's a tough year to just pick 5 players.

[Titan Q]

So here is what I'm thinking about the Pool C chances of CCIW teams.  Let me know if you think I'm far off. I think only Auggie and IWU have a chance at a Pool C bid.  Augustana has the best chance to get a Pool C bid, and will pretty much wrap it up with a win on Wed. night.  Even two losses at the end of the year (which is unlikely) wouldn't be enough to drop them out of the tournament.  If IWU wins on Wednesday and Saturday, then they should get one (as long as Auggie wins the tournament - I don't think there will be two CCIW Pool C teams, and Auggie would go in before IWU).

OK - So given the fact that any speculation is just that - speculation - I am interested in what others, who know more than me, think about the situation.

I've looked at the Pool C situation pretty closely.

* Augustana is just about a lock - they'd have to lose their final 3 games to not make it.  Augie has a great in-region winning % (.773) and a strong Opponents' Winning Percentage (OWP), .581.

* IWU has the second best chance right now, but it might take winning out (@ Augie, vs NPU) before losing at home in the tourney to get in good position.  I'm not sure 2-2 the rest of the way will do it.  The Titans might have to go 3-1 to get a Pool C.  IWU's case rests on its terrific OWP, .608, which is one of the best among Pool C candidates.

* I don't think Wheaton can get a Pool C bid.  Wheaton's in-region winning % is too low (13-6, .684)...to be a Pool C, they'd have to lose another game, and that next loss would be the final dagger.  The killer for Wheaton is playing 3 games that were completely worthless - @ IIT, vs Dickinson, and vs Rivier (the final two at Cal Tech over the holidays).  Had Wheaton played 3 decent in-region teams instead, and won, they'd be 16-6 (.727) in-region and in great shape.  (The fact the Calvin game doesn't count hurts too, but that is what it is - it's been that way for a number of years now.)

* I don't think Elmhurst can get a Pool C bid.  EC's OWP is too low.  The Bluejays have an OWP of .509...for reference, IWU is at .608, Wheaton is .574...Augie at .581.  Elmhurst is really hurt by their in-region games against 6-17 Simpson, 3-19 MacMurray, 8-14 Eureka, 9-14 Mount St. Joseph, and 4-19 Manchester.  Under the old Quality of Wins Index system (QOWI), these games would have probably helped.


CCIW coaches need to adjust to the new OWP/OOWP system.  Playing multiple really bad teams in-region can kill the OWP.  And foregoing opportunities to play decent in-region competition by scheduling NAIA or out-of-region D3 teams instead can also be a big negative.

[Naperick]

CCIW coaches need to adjust to the new OWP/OOWP system.  Playing multiple really bad teams in-region can kill the OWP.  And foregoing opportunities to play decent in-region competition by scheduling NAIA or out-of-region D3 teams instead can also be a big negative.

I think that last paragraph says it all.  Does anyone know if CCIW schools are having any trouble finding quality "in region" teams to play?  Are other schools afraid to schedule CCIW teams?

[Titan Q]

Of teams that are not currently in sole possession of 1st place in their league, I see 9 Pool C front-runners:

1 Mass-Dartmouth* (NE) - 21-2 (0.913), 0.564 OWP, 0.529  OOWP
2 Brandeis (NE) – 17-4 (0.810), 0.591 OWP, 0.586 OOWP
3 Rochester (East) – 16-5 (0.762), 0.637 OWP, 0.561 OOWP
4 Gettysburg (Mid Atl) – 17-2 (0.895), 0.531 OWP,    0.522 OOWP
5 Trinity, CT (NE) – 16-5 (0.617), 0.617 OWP, 0.549 OOWP
6 Widener (Mid Atl) – 16-3 (0.842), 0.550 OWP, 0.534 OOWP
7 Augustana* (MW) – 17-5 (0.773), 0.581 OWP, 0.556 OOWP
8 UW- Stevens Point* (West) - 17-4 (0.810), 0.575 OWP, 0.525 OOWP
9 Occidental* (West) - 12-2 (.857), .506 OWP, .541 OOWP

* note - tied for 1st in conference right now (could be the A)

After these, it is a toss up.  I have...

10 Bowdoin (NE) – 19-5 (0.792), 0.572 OWP, 0.528 OOWP
11 Virginia Wesleyan (South) – 18-4 (0.818), 0.543 OWP, 0.525 OOWP
12 Middlebury (NE) – 16-5 (0.762), 0.602 OWP, 0.522 OOWP
13 Brockport St (East) – 15-4 (0.789), 0.556 OWP, 0.537 OOWP
14 Loras (West) – 15-3 (0.833), 0.499 OWP, 0.541 OOWP
15 Rhode Island* (NE) - 18-5 (0.783), 0.550 OWP, 0.536 OOWP
16 Cortland State (East) - 16-5 (0.762),    0.583 OWP, 0.517 OOWP
17 Millsaps (South) – 16-2 (0.889), 0.476 OWP, 0.496 OOWP

18 Illinois Wesleyan* (MW) – 14-6 (0.700), 0.608 OWP, 0.546 OOWP
19 Cal Lutheran* (West) – 15-3 (0.833), 0.488 OWP, 0.531 OOWP
20 UW-Whitewater* (West) – 17-4 (0.810), 0.498 OWP, 0.539 OOWP


There are 17 Pool C bids available.  This list does not include all of the current conference leaders who could stumble down the stretch of their leagues or in conference tournaments and become a lock Pool C.  There will probably be 3-4 of those.  And remember, the "*" indicates there are several teams above that won't need a Pool C.

Just a snapshot as of today - still lots of games to play.  Take all of this for what it's worth...which may not be much!

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I think the following have a shot at making the first team all CCIW team.  I apologize if I left a deserving qualifier off my list.  I know their is a week of regular season play remaining.

1. Darius Gant - IWU
2. Matt Rogers - NCC
3. Chris Drennan - NCC
4. Kent Raymond - WHE
5. Steve Djurickovic - CAR
6. Ryan Burks - ELM
7. Brent Ruch - ELM
8. Brett Wessels - AUG
9. Tunde Ogunleye - MIL
10. Nick Williams - NPU
11. Andy Wiele - WHE

I think it's a tough year to just pick 5 players.

Another interesting topic:

I think Gant, Raymonds, Djurickovic and Ruch are a lock - let the debate begin.

DoS

[usee]

Another interesting topic:

I think Gant, Raymonds, Djurickovic and Ruch are a lock - let the debate begin.

DoS

I don't see how you leave wessels off. especially if they end up as the regular season champ. I would think rosenkranz probably should be on the list somewhere. I would vote for rogers over drennan only because of the destruction rogers has caused thunder fans and drennan's early season injury woes.

I think the first team is:

Gant
Raymond
Djurickovic
Ruch
Wessels

[Naperick]

I think the first team is:

Gant
Raymond
Djurickovic
Ruch
Wessels

I think that's a good bet.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I can't recall - does the CCIW make any attempt to 'field' a legitimate 'team' (like Pat does with the AA teams), it is it just the five 'best' regardless of position?

With Raymond and Djurickovic as 'locks', that might affect Wessels' chances.

[Titan Q]

I can't recall - does the CCIW make any attempt to 'field' a legitimate 'team' (like Pat does with the AA teams), it is it just the five 'best' regardless of position?

With Raymond and Djurickovic as 'locks', that might affect Wessels' chances.

5 best...no regard for position.

[Naperick]

5 best...no regard for position.

Yep!  The 5 with the most points in the voting.  Good chance for 3 guards this year.

[usee]

5 best...no regard for position.

Yep!  The 5 with the most points in the voting.  Good chance for 3 guards this year.

If IWU wins wednesday you could make an arguement for rosenkranz or dwyer over wessels (though dwyer doesn't have the offensive numbers he has the respect of the voters as a defensive go to guy including sweeps over the other two guards on the team).

[Elmhurst_Mom]

Hey Dennis - it was really nice to meet you in person - i've been following this site for the last 5 years...and just to set the record straight...Nick played in Ireland, it was Chris Martin that played in Luxembourg - although they will be playing this summer together and I believe that both their intentions are to get back to Europe in the fall....I can't help myself and still attend the CCIW games...just love the game....had the pleasure of meeting Titan Q at the games at IWU and met him at a few others...how can you not be a fan!!  But have also really enjoyed the posts of Ypsi, Coleman, April and Sager---I've learned a lot by reading (was always too embarassed to ask too many questions) but enough people post that you get your questions answered.  This is a great site and thanks for keeping it going!  I'll see you I'm sure!

[Titan Q]

5 best...no regard for position.

Yep!  The 5 with the most points in the voting.  Good chance for 3 guards this year.

If IWU wins wednesday you could make an arguement for rosenkranz or dwyer over wessels (though dwyer doesn't have the offensive numbers he has the respect of the voters as a defensive go to guy including sweeps over the other two guards on the team).

I think Sean Johnson is the IWU guard that has the best chance of making the All-CCIW team.  Sean's CCIW-only stats:

12.8 ppg
2.6 rpg
2.8 apg
1.1 spg
32-77 3-pt (.416)

Here are Jordan Delp's numbers from last season:

12.5 ppg
2.3 rpg
2.0 apg
1.1 spg
28-62 3-pt (.462)

Delp made the 2nd Team in 2006-07.  I think Johnson's contributions for IWU this year have been almost identical to Delp's for Augie last year.  He has made so many big shots for the Titans to help get them to this position.

[sac]

Hey Dennis - it was really nice to meet you in person - i've been following this site for the last 5 years...and just to set the record straight...Nick played in Ireland, it was Chris Martin that played in Luxembourg - although they will be playing this summer together and I believe that both their intentions are to get back to Europe in the fall....I can't help myself and still attend the CCIW games...just love the game....had the pleasure of meeting Titan Q at the games at IWU and met him at a few others...how can you not be a fan!!  But have also really enjoyed the posts of Ypsi, Coleman, April and Sager---I've learned a lot by reading (was always too embarassed to ask too many questions) but enough people post that you get your questions answered.  This is a great site and thanks for keeping it going!  I'll see you I'm sure!

Definately top ten material Q.