MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augie_superfan]

Augie could easily be 1-3 at this point while Carthage has lost by just 9 points for all three conference games combined.  They could easily be 3-0.  Some pretty good and close games so far this year

[rknuppel]

Nice win for the bluejays!!!  Keep it up.

[kenoshamark]

Here is the Box Score:

http://www2.carthage.edu/athletics/mens/basketball/augie1.htm#GAME.BOX

[dansand]

Augie could easily be 1-3 at this point while Carthage has lost by just 9 points for all three conference games combined.  They could easily be 3-0.  Some pretty good and close games so far this year

Here's something even more mind-boggling. IWU is not that far from being 0-4!

[augie_superfan]

Very good point dansand....that is probably the most shocking thing

[iwumichigander]

Augie could easily be 1-3 at this point while Carthage has lost by just 9 points for all three conference games combined.  They could easily be 3-0.  Some pretty good and close games so far this year

Here's something even more mind-boggling. IWU is not that far from being 0-4!

Unfortunately, I can't disagree with you.  IWU is doing a lot of running up and down the court, missing shots and turning the ball over.  Not playing like the same team that went 10 - 0 in non-conference play.  

[Mr. Ypsi]

This conference is insane!!!  Take Millikin, for example: they win AT Elmhurst (which IWU obviously didn't do!), lose narrowly at home to IWU, beat NCC at home, yet lose (at home) to North Park (NP's only conference win to date)!

Can ANYONE explain how that makes any sense?!

In other words, a typical CCIW season!

[titantruth]

iwumichigander  I agree not the same IWU team that went 10-0, but there is a different line up too.  How many games will this go until they try to change it up?!! 

[bluejaybacker1]

Elm 72
IWU 64

The Bluejays really came to play tonight. This was really good game to be at.
Adam Dauskus really carried his team tonight, and minus one confrontation with Ihlenfeldt after a hard foul on his teammate I really have come to appreciate how great of a basketball player he really is. Adam had 28pts. Chris Martin didn't have his usual game he brought the 3 ball tonight in a stretch where he hit 3 3's in a couple of mins he really propelled the bluejays to victory. Nick Michael played a real good game inside especially with how well IWU blocks shots and rebounds down there. He had 21 pts. Ihlehfeldt and Brian Lee really contributed with 10 pts and 12 pts respectively.  Martin had 15 all threes. One thing I noticed was it seemed like Keelan was no where to be found. I don't think he took more than 5 shots. The Jays' really took care of the ball having only 6 turnovers while IWU had 16. Well this was a great win for the Jays' maybe we can get a little run going here, but we can't have a let down at North Park. Congrats to Milikin tonight on the win!

[Brick]

It's pending next weeks games it looks as if Augie is in the Drivers Seat!

[iwumichigander]

iwumichigander  I agree not the same IWU team that went 10-0, but there is a different line up too.  How many games will this go until they try to change it up?!! 

If last season a barometer, about 15 games into the schedule.  However, I do not think its the lineup.  IT seems to me IWU is making a lot of small mistakes which really add up in a large negative way - not showing patience on offense in shot selection, missing too many free throws (particularly the reserves - practice guys under 70% does not make it in this conference), silly turnovers.  These type of mistakes are not due to a lack of skill or ability. These occur from a lack of concentration and in poor decision making - the mental side of the game.  You could have five All Americans on the floor and three on the bench but if their heads are not in the game, if the focus is not there or the communications not there -  you get the same results we have now.

[kenoshamark]

Another tough loss for Carthage and, as someone pointed out, their three losses were by 9 points.  They have been so close with these two home losses - has to be eating Bosko up.

Augie came out strong and was up 9-0 just two minutes into the game.  If not for the continued outstanding play of Kyle Jeffery, this game might have been a blowout.  Jeffery was the best player on the floor last Saturday and he was again tonight.  He continues to make big basket after big basket all from the perimeter and generally with someone in his face.  

It will be tough unless Carthage starts putting some wins together but Jeffery is definitely a first-teamer and as a sophomore, he could be the next MOP from Carthage.

Carthage finally caught up and went ahead by 4 with 6 minutes to go in the second half.  Grey called a timeout and ran a play for Harrigan and he drilled it.  Good move by Grey and great shot by Harrigan...really a turning point for Augie to keep the momentum from really shifting to Carthage.  

Game stayed tight after that and once again, at the three minute mark, Nate Swetalla hit a big three to put them up by one.  

Tough call against Carthage at the minute mark as they called Neb Franciskovic for a bump when he came out on a hedge.  Put Harrigan on the line for two and put Augie up by three.  

Jeffery had a chance to tie and the ball was in and out.  Carthage had one more chance with 6 seconds left but Imani lost control of the ball and never got a shot off.

Augie hit some big shots tonight and I thought the Swetalla brothers really provide them with some nice options to complement Thornton and Harrigan.

[dansand]

It's pending next weeks games it looks as if Augie is in the Drivers Seat!

A tenous driver's seat maybe. Although, they are the only one of the four favorites not to have an unexpected loss so far (IWU to NCC at home; Elmhurst to Millikin at home; NCC to Millikin). Hopefully that won't change this week with home games against the surprising Big Blue and 12-1 North Central.

[dansand]

Kenoshamark,

If you were at the game, did Caricato really play? He's listed in the box, but I was under the impression he's out for the year.

[kenoshamark]

dansand,  I don't recall hearing his name announced.  There was a mixup last week against IWU where they had the wrong player listed so easily could have been a mistake.