MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[larry_u]

It won't surprise me if Augustana wins the national championship...and it won't surprise me if they lose tomorrow night (to Wash U or Wooster).  Brett Wessels is going to have to take on that "go-to guy" role in the tournament.  I agree with everything that has been said here - the biggest question surrounding Augie is whether or not they have enough offensive fire power. 

I think Wheaton is in a "pick 'em" game tonight vs MWC champ Lawrence on neutral court.  What contrasting make-ups.  Wheaton has a superstar and two other good players, but just not much at all outside of those 3 guys, including a very thin bench.  Lawrence has a legitimate 10-man rotation. 

Lawrence had trouble with IWU's big guys on both ends of the floor in the 2006 Sectional semifinal in Appleton...

http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/mbb2006/ncaa3.htm

* Zach Freeman: 21 pts (7-9 FG), 12 reb* Cory Jones: 9 pts, 8 reb

I'm guessing this Lawrence team does not have a ton of size down low either.  While 6-8 Andy Wiele should cause Lawrence a lot of problems, Wheaton doesn't really have that second big guy to complement him as IWU did with Cory Jones (and Chris Jones).  Lawrence may be able to throw enough bodies at Wiele to contain him...the question is, can Carwell do something offensively?  Also, IWU's 2006 big guys did it with athleticism vs LU - Freeman and Jones were leapers.  Wheaton doesn't have much athleticism and Lawrence is very fundamentally sound in terms of defensive positioning, helping in the post, boxing out, etc.  They will make it tough on Wiele, I am sure of that.

Intriguing matchup at UW-Whitewater!

That also could have been because the ref's decided to swallow thier whisles and Braier and company were getting tackled the last 10 minutes of the game.  They took lettinig them play to a whole another level in that game..it was brutal.  You should have seen the bruises on Braier and MacGillis's arms the next day....but I digress


I don't know what to think about tonight.  It really could go either way depending on who shows up to play.  I wish I could say I think LU will win, but they could easily come out and lay an egg, get down early and have a tough time coming back.  I also could see them get hot early, shut down Raymond and lead by 15 at the half.  I'm hoping for an LU win, but I sure as hell won't guarantee it. 

[knarocky22]

Getting ready to head out to the QCA for the games tonight.  Good luck to both Wheaton and Augie.  Hopefully the CCIW can come out of tonight 2-0.

[Greek Tragedy]

I don't know what to think about tonight.  It really could go either way depending on who shows up to play.  I wish I could say I think LU will win, but they could easily come out and lay an egg, get down early and have a tough time coming back.  I also could see them get hot early, shut down Raymond and lead by 15 at the half.  I'm hoping for an LU win, but I sure as hell won't guarantee it. 

Weren't they down 15 to Carroll at half?  With Kroeger and Dekker capable of launching 3s and their defense always working hard, don't "turn off the radio" if they are down big early!  Plus, two years ago (?) at Lawrence, Point was up double digits midway through the second half and LU stormed back and should've won, but their lay up came off the rim at the end.

[larry_u]

I don't know what to think about tonight.  It really could go either way depending on who shows up to play.  I wish I could say I think LU will win, but they could easily come out and lay an egg, get down early and have a tough time coming back.  I also could see them get hot early, shut down Raymond and lead by 15 at the half.  I'm hoping for an LU win, but I sure as hell won't guarantee it. 

Weren't they down 15 to Carroll at half?  With Kroeger and Dekker capable of launching 3s and their defense always working hard, don't "turn off the radio" if they are down big early!  Plus, two years ago (?) at Lawrence, Point was up double digits midway through the second half and LU stormed back and should've won, but their lay up came off the rim at the end.

I think  the key parts of that post were At Lawrence.  For some reason this team can come back from some major defecits at Alex that they in my opnion haven't been able to do on the road.  Hopefully they can get  the bounce and the sightlines of Whitewater's gym down quick, but they won't have the feel for it like they do at home, which when coming back from being down big makes a big difference. 

I think the crowd will play a big role too.  I hope lots of LU fans are heading down since it's not too far a drive, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Wheaton fans as well.  I think LU pulls it out in a close game, or at least I hope thats what happens.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think the crowd will play a big role too.  I hope lots of LU fans are heading down since it's not too far a drive, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Wheaton fans as well.  I think LU pulls it out in a close game, or at least I hope thats what happens.

True enough, home court helps and Whitewater, IMO, is dark, so put those miner hats on!  Considering your handle, I don't think you need to tell us what you hope happens, Larry_U. lol.

[jschreur]

I don't know what to think about tonight.  It really could go either way depending on who shows up to play.  I wish I could say I think LU will win, but they could easily come out and lay an egg, get down early and have a tough time coming back.  I also could see them get hot early, shut down Raymond and lead by 15 at the half.  I'm hoping for an LU win, but I sure as hell won't guarantee it. 

Weren't they down 15 to Carroll at half?  With Kroeger and Dekker capable of launching 3s and their defense always working hard, don't "turn off the radio" if they are down big early!  Plus, two years ago (?) at Lawrence, Point was up double digits midway through the second half and LU stormed back and should've won, but their lay up came off the rim at the end.

I think  the key parts of that post were At Lawrence.  For some reason this team can come back from some major defecits at Alex that they in my opnion haven't been able to do on the road.  Hopefully they can get  the bounce and the sightlines of Whitewater's gym down quick, but they won't have the feel for it like they do at home, which when coming back from being down big makes a big difference. 

I think the crowd will play a big role too.  I hope lots of LU fans are heading down since it's not too far a drive, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Wheaton fans as well.  I think LU pulls it out in a close game, or at least I hope thats what happens.

I don't know about there being a lot of Wheaton fans. Spring break started today for them... so I doubt there will be more than a few... unfortunately.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I think Bill Harris at Wheaton is a great coach - no one gets more out of his guys than Harris does.  Their play is a testament to his toughness.

Kent Raymond is the real deal and I've enjoyed watching him play.

I just don't think Wheaton has enough talent beside Raymond to step outside the CCIW against conference champion competition to go very in the tournament.

I hope I'm wrong - but I don't see it.

DoS

[kiltedbryan]

Will Augie update the live stats for the Wooster/Wash U. game?

[Titan Q]

Will Augie update the live stats for the Wooster/Wash U. game?

http://www.augustana.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm

[kiltedbryan]

Will Augie update the live stats for the Wooster/Wash U. game?

http://www.augustana.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm

Thanks- for some reason it wouldn't refresh for me; (it had the IWU-Augie game still up).  I probably linked to it too early.

[armywife]

The Augie game will be broadcast live tonight.  The link is at the Augie mens basketball web site.

[Titan Q]

Half:

Lawrence 34
Wheaton 33

Wiele: 8 pts, 8 reb
Panner: 8 pts (3-5 FG)

Raymond has just 4 on 2-9 FG...I don't see that continuing.

Lawrence controlled the entire 1st half, leading by as much as 11 I think.  Wheaton finished the half on a big run.

[petemcb]

Thanks for the update Q.  Is that game being broadcast online anywhere, either video or just audio?

[petemcb]

..........and that's interesting about Raymond's first half performance.  You have to figure he'll get untracked in the second half.  Congrats to the Thunder for only being down one at the half with only 4 pts. out of Raymond.  Seems like it would bode well for the final outcome.

[Titan Q]

Thanks for the update Q.  Is that game being broadcast online anywhere, either video or just audio?

http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/

Raymond is really having a rough game so far.

49 - 43 Lawrence, 14:00