MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

Don't all coaches complain every trip up and down the floor?? 

No. Not all.

[tjcummingsfan]

Don't all coaches complain every trip up and down the floor??  Bosko gets singled out because it's his son?  You're telling me that Raridon doesn't complain when his son doesn't get calls?  Perhaps it's because the ball is in Steve D's hand's so often that your perception is thrown off?

No.  I don't believe they do.  I am not a homer, and I believe several will back me up on this.  Paul Brenegan tends to be about as cool a cat as they come.  If he's voicing his disagreement, you know it's legit.

Please note, I also said I was extremely impressed with the kid.

I definitely agree.

[Naperick]

Yes....on behalf of the Elmhurst fans, thank you North Park!

I like to believe that Elmhurst was capable of getting the job done in Wheaton this Saturday, but...I am not complaning that we've clinched going into the tournament.

Really wanted to get out to RAF tonight but just couldn't.  I am very glad to hear that Jared had a great game on his own personal Senior Night. 

C'mon the Jays! We're going to Rock Island!

A big thank you to North Park!  Winning at Wheaton on Saturday is not going to be easy.  Now Bluejays fans don't have to worry about a CCIW tourney berth.

Jared did have a very nice game.  The EC guards found him open a lot close to the basket.  He had at least 3 old fashion three point plays last night.

NCC tried many different defenses in the first half and none of them worked.  I have only seen 4 Elmhurst games this year and it was the best game I had seen them play.  I get the feeling they had nice games at U.W.-Osh Kosh and against Hope in Orlando.  But it just seems like everything was working offensively for the 'Jays last night.

After Sherer made an adjustment on NCC's Barringer, the Cardinals had more trouble scoring.  Rogers and Drennan got their points but most of Drennan's came in the 2nd half when the game was decided.

[Late nite]

That would be me--- I think that it is quite ironic that those who were praising Bosko and the Redmen at that time, have very little to say about the collossal collapse in the second half---I posted at the time that the Redmen had caught much of the league by surprise in the first half and the second time through the league there would be adjustments made ---Some adjustments by other teams and some by Coach Bosko---His CCIW counterparts found some answers and made those adjustments to find some success against the surprising Redmen---Bosko's adjustments?---"We need to get better players"--- 

One more observation from last night:

This was my first opportunity to see Djurikovic play, and I certainly was impressed.  If you saw this kid walking down the street, you would be hard pressed to believe that he was good enough to dominate in a video game.  But his first step is as quick as any I have seen in a long time.

That being said, I have read several posts relating to his father's ranting and raving about every call (or non-call) relating to his son.  I wanted to see for myself before making a decision.

Man, the posters were right on.  Not that I can blame Bosko.  It's not difficult to pick out who a player's parents are in the stands by listening to their gripes at the officials.  Just so happens that this parent is the red-faced one on the sidelines.

And, much to the shagrin of Paul Brenegan, Bosko's incessant whining did pay off in several occasions, leading to less-than-touch fouls being whistled on NP defenders who were crazy enough to even dream of guarding the immortal freshman.

Just an observation....

[Naperick]

Congrats to Augustana on grabbing the #1 seed for the CCIW tourney for the 3rd straight season!  That is an amazing accomplishment!  I admit that I am an Elmhurst fan first but I do root for the rest of the CCIW to do well.  With that said, I hope Augustana does not win the CCIW tourney so ELM, WHE, or IWU can win the CCIW tourney title and get the conference's automatic bid.  I think Augie is a lock to make the D3 field now.  Especially if the Vikings take care of business in Naperville on Saturday night.  That won't be an easy game for Augie.

[augiefan]

How was the crowd support for Augie last night?  I would hope with the conference title on the line, Viking supporters would outnumber their Titan counterparts.

I see there were 1707 fans in attendance per the Augie website, which is much higher than the average attendance at Augie weekday games, but it's hard to tell how many were Titan fans.  Maybe Titan Q can make an estimate.

I do know that number is far short of the 2400 capacity at Carver. I guess the capacity will be reduced to 1900 with the renovations being contemplated. The reduced seating is suppose to bring fans closer to the floor and that could make it even a tougher venue for visting teams.

[Naperick]

3 CCIW Tourneys

Augustana has made it 3 times
Elmhurst has made it 3 times
Wheaton has made it twice
IL Wesleyan has made it twice
North Central has made it twice

Any chance Carthage, North Park, or Millikin can join the club next year?

[Titan Q]

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/02/21/sports/college/doc47bd06515f222214286021.txt

"We don't want to share it. I'm not going to lie," said senior forward Dain Swetalla, who led Augie with 17 points and eight rebounds. "And (Illinois Wesleyan) is one team, especially, that we don't want to share it with. They played hard, but we feel like we're a much better team. We've got better players, and we want to prove it."


Dain seems to get fired up to play the Titans.  Here are his 7 career games against IWU...

2/20/08 @ Augie - 17 pts, 8 reb
1/30/08 @ IWU - 12 pts, 5 reb
2/14/07 @ IWU - 10 pts, 9 reb
1/24/07 @ Augie - 18 pts, 4 reb
2/24/06 @ Augie - 23 pts, 15 reb (conf tourn)
2/15/06 @ Augie - 20 pts, 7 reb
1/25/06 @ IWU - 8 pts, 4 reb

I only get to see the Dain Swetalla above.  I am amazed he could have games like the two league games prior to last night's...

2/16 @ Millikin - 0 pts, 4 reb
2/13 @ Wheaton - 5 pts, 3 reb

[Titan Q]

How was the crowd support for Augie last night?  I would hope with the conference title on the line, Viking supporters would outnumber their Titan counterparts.

I see there were 1707 fans in attendance per the Augie website, which is much higher than the average attendance at Augie weekday games, but it's hard to tell how many were Titan fans.  Maybe Titan Q can make an estimate.

I do know that number is far short of the 2400 capacity at Carver. I guess the capacity will be reduced to 1900 with the renovations being contemplated. The reduced seating is suppose to bring fans closer to the floor and that could make it even a tougher venue for visting teams.

My play-by-play partner Eric Stock estimated 60/40 in favor of Augie fans on the air.  I'd say 65/35 is very close.

[Titan Q]

I imagine the Elmhurst @ Wheaton game Saturday will be a great battle.  I'll have the video stream up at the Shirk. 

There is a lot on the line in that one -- the difference between facing Augustana on their home floor and facing IWU on a neutral court. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I imagine the Elmhurst @ Wheaton game Saturday will be a great battle.  I'll have the video stream up at the Shirk. 

There is a lot on the line in that one -- the difference between facing Augustana on their home floor and facing IWU on a neutral court. 

Well you know the Jays have incentive - having been swept by Augie but splitting with the Titans.  The Thunder may have mixed feeling, being swept by IWU but splitting with Augie (including a big win at home and a narrow loss in Rock Island), but I suspect they will still try to win the game!

[Naperick]

I imagine the Elmhurst @ Wheaton game Saturday will be a great battle.  I'll have the video stream up at the Shirk. 

There is a lot on the line in that one -- the difference between facing Augustana on their home floor and facing IWU on a neutral court. 

It should be a great battle in Wheaton on Saturday.  I think it's a nice matchup.  Elmhurst must find a way to slow down Raymond a bit.  I think the Thunder are a slight favorite.  They won at Elmhurst in January.

[iwumichigander]

First, I want to congratulate Augustana on the win last night and, the regular season conference title (I don't see Augie losing Sat so I'll concede the title).  Augustana took it to Wesleyan and, frankly, the Titans did not respond. 

I knew IWU was in trouble with 6 turnovers with less than six minutes ticked off the clock.
And, well, when your point guard is your leading rebounder (7) and team dead ball rebounds (5) second; you are not going to win a ball game. 

Like Q, this Titan team has accomplished a lot more than I thought it would so far this season.  Very impressive the progress made to date.

I still think the Titans have 2-3 more CCIW wins in them. And, who knows -- third time is sometimes the charm!

[Naperick]

First, I want to congratulate Augustana on the win last night (and, the regualr season conference).  Augustana took it to Wesleyan and, frankly, the Titans did not respond.  I knew IWU was in trouble with 6 turnovers with less than six minutes ticked off the clock.

Like Q, this Titan team has accomplished a lot more than I thought it would so far this season.  Very impressive the progress made to date. I still think the Titans have 2-3 more CCIW wins in them.

And, who knows -- third time is sometimes the charm!

I do want to also give the Titans some credit on their amazing season so far.  Very few CCIW observers could have predicted the season they are having so far.  IWU is doing it with youth and should be a dangerous team for years to come.  Replacing Gant will be very hard but I have a feeling IWU basketball is back.

[Naperick]

I want 79Jaybird's report on last night's EC-NCC game.  I enjoy his well thought game summaries.