MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[mactitan]

Does anyone remember the last CCIW or IWU triple-double? Who are the top candidates to get one in the CCIW?  I would argue for Dauksas, the points are no doubt, and as a point guard, I would think 10 assists wouldn't be too much to ask for.  The rebounds would be tough, but he looks like he is pretty strong, and could scrap for some if he wanted to.  The problem might be that it just isn't his job to get boards, since he is always the first option on the outlet pass.  I think if he wanted to get one, he could. 

[rknuppel]

Chris Martin almost averaged a triple double a couple seasons ago (or maybe last year).  Well, maybe that's a little over the edge.  But he's a candidate every night to get a triple double.  Points and Rebounds are a sure thing, night in and night out.  And he's had several games in his career near the 10 assist mark.  I believe he came real close a year or two ago.  Anyone remember?

[ScrappyMcTavish]

For what it's worth, the Massey computer ranking has Carthage's schedule as the toughest in the CCIW by a fair margin and the third toughest in D-III. I think "brutal" would be an apt description.

Where do the other CCIW treams fall in terms of schedule strength?

[dirtyboy]

How do you go about getting the Massey rankings? Is there a website you can go to?

[augie_superfan]

The Massey ratings can be found at www.mratings.com

I would 't put too much faith in those rankings at this point although they are fun to look at.  It has Augie ranked about 150th out of all divisions.  I think Carthage has played a difficult schedule but I wouldn't let the Massey Strength of Schedule be your measuring stick because it has Augie having a harder schedule than IWU...and we all now that is just not true.  The more games played, the better his rankings will end up looking although I think strength of schedule plays a huge role in his ranking system.  It seems just about every year that there are a bunch of WIAC teams in the top 15 due to the fact that they usually have the toughest schedules in the nation due to their conference

[augie_superfan]

For example, in last year's final rankings, it had St. John Fisher (28-1) ranked 28th in division III due to its schedule ranking of 213

[bluejaybacker1]

Martin came close three times last year. And the year before was an assist shy.

12/13/03 vs. UW-Stout
19pts, 12brds, 9 assists.

12/04/04 vs. Blackburn
14pts, 10brds, 8 assists

12/08/04 vs. Alma
10pts, 9 brds, 8 assists

12/30/04 vs. UW-Plattville
14pts, 9brds, 8 assists

Not as close as the rest but a nice line against a team who went to the NCAA's last year was his effort in a win against Wheaton.
2/16/05 vs. Wheaton
17pts, 8brds, 7assists, 7 steals.

[Titan Q]

Here's how I'd rank IWU's opponents to date, from best to worst...

(IWU margin of victory in parenthesis)

1. St. Xavier (IWU by 20)
2. Hanover (11)
3. Olivet Nazarene (19)
4. Wabash (12)
5. Wash U (27)
6. Chicago (4)
7. Texas-Dallas (13)
8. Illinois College (28)

Yes, it is odd that the closest game by far was against the team I have at #6, but that's how I see it.  I struggled with how to rank Wabash, Wash U, and Chicago...they're all about even but there is something intangible about the Wabash team I like.

[Titan Q]

D3hoops.com #5 Puget Sound will be a great test in the opener of the Tom Byron Classic (12/29).  The Loggers are a full court trapping, run and gun team.  Per Puget Sound stats, the Loggers...

* Average 96.6 points per game
* Force 32 turnovers per game
* Opponents' assist to turnover ratio is .44 to 1.0
* Average 27 3-pt attempts per game, 43 2-point attempts
* FG% = .478, opponent FG% = .537

Puget Sound is not Grinnell - totally different type of up-tempo play.  Grinnell's stats in comparison to above....

* Average 126.4 per game
* Force 29 turnovers per game
* Opponents' assist to turnover ratio is .98 to 1.0
* Average 61 3-pt attempts per game, 37 2-pt attempts
* FG% = .436, opponent FG% = .573


That Puget Sound opponent assist to turnover ratio of .44 to 1 is as low as I've ever come across in looking at a Titan opponent's stats.  I wonder if anyone can come up with a lower (better) number for a D3 team, or a D1 for that matter?  Somehow the Loggers must manage not to give up a ton of 3 on 1 type breaks off their trap like Grinnell does (the kind of breakouts that lead to an easy assist and basket). 

Some really good analysis of Puget Sound from Point Special on the Top 25 board on 12/9 (UW-Stevens Point faced PS in the playoffs last year, winning 81-63, and in 2004, winning 100-79.

http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=4097.270

[True Basketball Fan]

I'm also wondering when the NCAA statistics for DIII will be posted.  I'd like to see where everybody stands.  DI is up for this year, but nobody else.

[Titan Q]

IWU has weathered the 8-game suspension of Matt Arnold.  The Titans went 8-0 without their starting 2-guard from last season's final 15 games.  He'll play in California vs Puget Sound and Westmont/Berry.  Great timing as Matt is really IWU's only varsity point-guard after Dauksas...he'll be needed vs Puget Sound's pressure.

In CCIW play last year, Matt averaged 9.5 pts and 2.5 assists per game.  He shot .613 from the field (49-80), .553 from 3-pt range (21-38), and .875 from the FT line (14-16).  Matt had some big games for IWU, like the games @ Wheaton (12 pts, 5-6 FG), @ Millikin (20 pts, 8-9 FG), and @ North Central where he went 4-4 from the FT line in the final 0:20 to nail down a 3-point win over the Cardinals.

Matt is a significant player on this team...it will be interesting to see how he is used now.  Overall, Jason Fisher and Mike McGraw have been very good at the 2.

[Rose Basketball]

Well, on the CCIW pickems NO one picked RH.  It's true that most pickers are biased, and obviously ANYone entering a game has a chance (otherwise why play the game?!), but the odds don't seem good.

Beyond that I know almost nothing about either team.

Rose is most certainly the underdog in this game. It will take a very well executed gameplan for the Engineers to have any shot of knocking off the 13th ranked Vikings.

It will be interesting to see how Rose decides to defend both Harrigan and McAdams-Thornton.

[Jim Matson]

You there Greg?

[ScrappyMcTavish]

Puget Sound knocks off D1 UC-Riverside tonight 115-111. Sets up a great showdown for the holidays.

[ScrappyMcTavish]

Here is a link to the game review. Enjoy.

http://www.athletics.ucr.edu/mbasketball/mbk122105.html