MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[thundermike11]

Wheaton blasted Chicago 84-52 tonight. Chicago is a team that is playing discouraged right now. If they can catch a break, it will turn their season around.

Kent Raymond had 20, Andy Wiele had 17, Jake Carwell had 12, and Jeremy Pflederer and Ben Panner both had 10. Very balanced scoring for the Thunder.

A great defensive performance for Wheaton tonight. Chicago was forced into some very, very tough shots. The Maroons would not have gotten to 50 points except for Wheaton emptying the bench at the end.

I think this was the best all-around game Wheaton has played so far this year.

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst 67, UW-LaCrosse 54

Brent Ruch notches 20 points and is joined by his frontline mates Rob Strzemp (14) and Ryan Burks (12) in double figures as the Bluejays dominate UWL in all three shooting categories, while outrebounding, out-assisting, and out-stealing the Eagles and having fewer turnovers to boot.

http://elmhurst.edu/~athletic/Home/M-Basket/stats/2008-2009/melm06.htm

UW-Whitewater 62, North Central 54

The combined personal foul and technical foul on Reid Barringer with 40 seconds left in a game that the Cardinals only trailed by three might've indeed proved to have been NCC's undoing in this one, as UWW made all four ensuing free throws and the Cards couldn't get any closer than four points as the clock wound down. Barringer led the Cards with 15 points and was joined in double figures by Chris Drennan (12), Matt Rogers (11), and Mitch Raridon (10). The Warhawks badly outrebounded NCC, 35-20, and limited the Cards to only 35% from the field and 25% from downtown, but NCC appears to have remained competitive by winning the turnover battle, as UWW coughed up the ball 18 times to North Central's ten. Why did only 220 people turn out to watch the second-ranked team in the country play?

http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/athletics/stats/basketball_m/08-09/MBK05.HTM

Wheaton 84, Chicago 52

Wheaton didn't take its first lead until the game was seven and a half minutes old, and didn't push that lead into double digits until there was only a minute and change remaining in the first half, but in the second stanza the visitors ran away and hid in the Ratner Center. Chicago reverted back to no-defense mode in its every-other-game pattern of affliction, as Wheaton shot a ridiculous 60% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc (and went 18-19 from the line as well, making it about as outstanding a night of shooting from one team as you're likely to see). Kent Raymond scored 20, Andy Wiele added 17, Jake Carwell chipped in 12, and Jeremy Pflederer and Ben Panner had ten apiece, as Wheaton outrebounded Chicago by more than two to one, outassisted Chicago by almost two to one, and had eight fewer turnovers than the Maroons. Again, though, were there really only 285 people on hand to watch this game? That tells me that the Maroons faithful must be abandoning the ship already, and that Wheaton is continuing its long-standing tradition of not traveling well.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/mbball/mbbstats/mwhe4.htm

[coebball70]

i]UW-Whitewater 62, North Central 54[/i]

The combined personal foul and technical foul on Reid Barringer with 40 seconds left in a game that the Cardinals only trailed by three might've indeed proved to have been NCC's undoing in this one, as UWW made all four ensuing free throws and the Cards couldn't get any closer than four points as the clock wound.

This is a difficult post because I believe poor officiating usually balances itself out in a basketball game with both teams suffering from the ineptitude.  Last night North Central suffered greatly from an official who decided his power/control/ego or whatever was more important than the game.  The call was a classic block/charge decision on Barringer.  After missing the call badly, Barringer anticipated the offensive move and was rock solid set for more than a count, the referee compounded the blunder by quickly calling a technical when Barringer offered a critical word or two.  When the game is on the line, officials rarely, if ever, call a technical in this instance.  But this incompetent...and I have struggled with identifying the man but decided against it...should never call a CCIW game in the future.  Yes, the better team won last evening, but it was not without significant help.  UW Whitewater had an 'off' game but North Central's outstanding effort and tight defense kept the game close all night.  FWIW, I too was amazed at the poor attendance at the game, especially by North Central students.  The Cardinals could be in for a long season.

[79jaybird]

The key to last night's Elmhurst win was A) Rebounding, the Bluejays crashed the glass well and most everybody was attempting to pick up the loose boards  B) Points of the turnovers-  I think Elmhurst had 17 POT's?  C) Strzemp and Boyd stepping up their play to take the heat off of Burks and Ruch.

Overall, a solid outing by the Jays.  UW-L is a pretty good team.  I was also happy to see to Prospect (HS) Alums playing for UW-L! 

On to UWSP should be a good matchup. 

[dansand]

Another very impressive win last night for the Thunder. I think they have a great shot at entering the CCIW slate undefeated. Although good programs, I'd be surprised to see either of the MIAA teams beat the them at Wheaton. It's not out of the question for Elmhurst to run the non-conference table either, but they have a tougher road with Stevens Point and probably Wash U. (both at home), and what is apparently a pretty good Anderson team on the road.

[Sakman 1111]

Ruchs, Burks, and Strzemp are playing very solid for the Bluejays in their first 6 games.....Guard play is still weak but hopefully with the freshman getting more time it will improve. When the three seniors are not on the floor the team struggles to score....Strzemp especially playing very well after double knee surgery....

[jschreur]

Again, though, were there really only 285 people on hand to watch this game? That tells me that the Maroons faithful must be abandoning the ship already, and that Wheaton is continuing its long-standing tradition of not traveling well.

yeah, wheaton didn't travel well... there were maybe 10 or so students. and u chicago is only 45ish minutes away! a couple alumni and parents were there too... but other than that, not a whole lot of wheaton support.

but yes it does seem that chicago fans are abandoning ship because there really were very few fans. by my estimation, i'd be surprised if there were more than 100-150 chicago students there. and not very vocal at that. it could have been a neutral-site game for all intents and purposes

[Scots4]

UW-Whitewater 62, North Central 54

The combined personal foul and technical foul on Reid Barringer with 40 seconds left in a game that the Cardinals only trailed by three might've indeed proved to have been NCC's undoing in this one, as UWW made all four ensuing free throws and the Cards couldn't get any closer than four points as the clock wound down. Barringer led the Cards with 15 points and was joined in double figures by Chris Drennan (12), Matt Rogers (11), and Mitch Raridon (10). The Warhawks badly outrebounded NCC, 35-20, and limited the Cards to only 35% from the field and 25% from downtown, but NCC appears to have remained competitive by winning the turnover battle, as UWW coughed up the ball 18 times to North Central's ten. [bWhy did only 220 people turn out to watch the second-ranked team in the country play?][/b]

Was it perhaps because of the weather?

[79jaybird]

Hey Dansand how are you doing? Hope all is well.  Yes,  UWSP, Wash U Anderson, and you could pencil in Fontbonne on the road as difficult tune ups for EC.  I am not overlooking UWSP, but I think Wash U is going to be the tougher test.   
Sakman,  I actually thought the Elmhurst bench did an ok job (not great), of maintaining the lead and not collapsing as has been the case in past years.

[Sakman 1111]

I agree the bench did a good job last night but still the guard play on offense and trying to guard the ball is not good. I shutter to think what will happen when we face a solid press....

[thundermike11]

Again, though, were there really only 285 people on hand to watch this game? That tells me that the Maroons faithful must be abandoning the ship already, and that Wheaton is continuing its long-standing tradition of not traveling well.

yeah, wheaton didn't travel well... there were maybe 10 or so students. and u chicago is only 45ish minutes away! a couple alumni and parents were there too... but other than that, not a whole lot of wheaton support.

but yes it does seem that chicago fans are abandoning ship because there really were very few fans. by my estimation, i'd be surprised if there were more than 100-150 chicago students there. and not very vocal at that. it could have been a neutral-site game for all intents and purposes

I was one of the 10 Wheaton students there. Here are some things to consider about the low attendance (for Wheaton, not UC). First is the unpredictable traffic. I can see why students wouldn't want to drive down to UC during heavy traffic hours. Add to that the weather last night and the roads were not exactly in best condition. Another factor is that with only a week and a half left in the semester, I lot of people are walking around with that "I have not time to do anything but write papers and take exams" mentality. This is not necessarily meant to excuse the poor attendance, but just provide some possible explanations for it.

As gar as the UC students go, it is far to early to abandon ship. The Wheaton players were commenting on their surprise at the lack of hostility at the Ratner Center. 

And I think the fans not showing up is starting to wear on the team. One of the Chicago players picked a up a ridiculous technical foul late in the game. He obviously flopped trying to draw an offensive foul on Ben Panner around midcourt, and then mouthed off to the official to pick up the T. I think it is far to early for this team to raise the white flag. Especially when you consider how the UAA season went last season.

[AndOne]

UW-Whitewater 62, North Central 54

The combined personal foul and technical foul on Reid Barringer with 40 seconds left in a game that the Cardinals only trailed by three might've indeed proved to have been NCC's undoing in this one, as UWW made all four ensuing free throws and the Cards couldn't get any closer than four points as the clock wound down. Barringer led the Cards with 15 points and was joined in double figures by Chris Drennan (12), Matt Rogers (11), and Mitch Raridon (10). The Warhawks badly outrebounded NCC, 35-20, and limited the Cards to only 35% from the field and 25% from downtown, but NCC appears to have remained competitive by winning the turnover battle, as UWW coughed up the ball 18 times to North Central's ten. [bWhy did only 220 people turn out to watch the second-ranked team in the country play?][/b]

Was it perhaps because of the weather?

Scots/Gregory----

The weather at the NCC-Whitewater game didn't have much, if anything, to do with the low attendance at last night's game. It was snowing very lightly when I arrived at the NCC "hanger" at 7:15. When I went out to my car at about 9:30, there was a little ice on the windshield, but NOT ONE snowflake on the car, and the streets were wet, but completely free of snow. I believe the low attendance was due to two other factors.

1. I can't speak for the UWW fans, but the forecast during the afternoon was for about 2 inches of snow in Naperville by about 10 PM, and about 4 inches in Whitewater by then. That may have discouraged some UWW fans from making the trip. I think most of their fans were family members. From my house in Naperville to Whitewater Lake is normally 2 hours. Another 10 minutes to the Whitewater campus. I talked to some of the UWW players after the game and they told me it took 2 1/2 hours to make the trip down. Only 20 mins longer in a big bus than is normal in a car.

2. With regard to the attendance by NCC students/fans----On Thanksgiving day, NCC, which is on trimesters, began an approx 6 week break until school resumes on 1/5/09. Unless you are taking an interim 4 week course, or are an in-season athlete, you are gone home. The campus looks like a virtual ghost town as compared to normal. So being on break is the primary reason for low NCC attendance, at least by the students.
HOWEVER, after attending all but 1 or 2 NCC basketball games over the previous 4 years, and most of the football games, its my opinion that NCC student attendance at athletic events is piss poor. Granted there are many more activities, both sports and otherwise, available than when I was in school back in the Dark Ages, but the NCC alums support the teams more strongly than do a vast majority of the students. I estimate there are about 1,100 (undergrad) students living in campus housing. Add to that probably 400 more in apartments around campus. NCC has lots of commuter students, prob 500-600. However, thats still 1,500 on or surrounding campus. If there are 400-450 at a football game, thats a lot. For basketball, I'd bet the average student attendance is 100-150. Theres just so much to see and do in beautiful downtown NaPPerville as we locals like to call it. Maybe attendance will improve when renovations on the "hanger" are completed, hopefully for 2010-11.

I hope to have a little more analysis of the game itself shortly.

[79jaybird]

Speaking of attendance, I thought the Elmhurst students were well represented.  I also thougth UW-L had a good following too.  I don't blame the students (at Wheaton or others) as much as the Meterologists who made it seem like we were going to get slammed with 5-6" of snow and it was a mere light snow. 

[augiefan]

Another very impressive win last night for the Thunder. I think they have a great shot at entering the CCIW slate undefeated. .

The question might be is Wheaton going to go undefeated in CCIW conference play? They look pretty unbeatable if everyone stays healthy. Has anyone ever finished undefeated in conference play? Generally it would be virtually impossible to win them all, particularly with Elmhurst, Augie and others being pretty darn good this season,  but this Wheaton team is special.

[thundermike11]

Another very impressive win last night for the Thunder. I think they have a great shot at entering the CCIW slate undefeated. .

The question might be is Wheaton going to go undefeated in CCIW conference play? They look pretty unbeatable if everyone stays healthy. Has anyone ever finished undefeated in conference play? Generally it would be virtually impossible to win them all, particularly with Elmhurst, Augie and others being pretty darn good this season,  but this Wheaton team is special.

If Wheaton plays every game with the defensive intensity that they had last night, I don't think they will lose many (if any games). But how realistic is that? Also in a league where you have four teams ranked in the top 13 in the nation, there will never be an easy game and it's asking a lot for a team to go 14-0.