MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CCIW]

Interesting reverse stat of Wheaton UT game.  UT usually averages 25 3 attempts a game has 5.  Wheaton average 14 a game has 14 in first half.

Attended the game between the Thunder and UT-Dallas tonight in Richardson, TX.  The Thunder played hard, but they could not stop the barrage of back door layups by UTD.  They had a real shot to win the game because they were hitting threes, but they got very little going inside against the UTD big bodies.  What killed the Thunder at the end of the game was very poor ball handling and sloppy passing....resulting in turnover after turnover.  Disappointing loss, but the Thunder gave it their best shot.  There appears to be quite a drop off in talent after the first three or four guys and the Panner kid will be missed.  Was big number 40 injured?  The Thunder sure could have used a big body like his in this game.

I have been going to a number of HS games here in DFW this season.  This game reminded me that the DIII guys play for the love of the game.  There are certainly some HS teams here that would beat either of these teams.  They have D1 recruits on their HS teams who would dominate with their quickness, explosiveness, lights out shooting, athleticism and size.   But it is just fun to watch teams play the game with discipline, effort and without the "attitudes".  

 

[Titan Q]

The Pantagraph's article on the game...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/article_38f9362c-29a2-11df-9d0c-001cc4c002e0.html


"You've got to tip your hat. Wesleyan played a great game. This has always been a great rivalry. We just came up short," said Washington coach Mark Edwards. "We wish them the best of luck. Now it's their chance to chase their dream.
"We've had our opportunities and our rewards. It's somebody else's turn."

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"We're such a resilient group," Sexauer said. "We've grown up together, and we know how to win together."

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"They remind me a lot of our team my sophomore year," Wallis said. "Everybody is telling them they're a year away, but they are a great team. I was hoping we wouldn't run into them until the second weekend because of how tough they are."

[Titan Q]

Two more quick mentions...

First, congratulations to IWU head coach Ron Rose.  With the players from his first two recruiting classes as juniors and sophomores, Ron has his team in the Sweet 16.  That's pretty hard to do.  The future of Illinois Wesleyan basketball is very bright and that all starts with Ron Rose.

And a huge congratulations and standing ovation from this Division III basketball fan to the Wash U senior class.  Sean Wallis and Aaron Thompson are two of the best Division III players I've ever seen.  Cameron Smith was a completely unsung hero on great teams for 4 years.  Zach Kelly has been a solid, consistent presence on the inside for Wash U.  And not many know who Ross Kelley is, but those of us who go to Salem every year sure do (with Sean Wallis hurt, Kelley manned the point for Wash U's first national championship team).  Congratulations on great careers - you've done your school and Division III proud.

[Titan Q]

In the last 10 years, Illinois Wesleyan has met 5 #1 or #2-ranked teams (D3hoops.com Top 25) in the tournament...

* March 6, 2010 - IWU 75 (#1) Wash U 70 (@ Wash U)
* March 10, 2006 - IWU 63 (#1) Lawrence 59 (@ Lawrence)
* March 6, 2004 - IWU 77 (#2) Hanover 67 (@ Hanover)
* March 8, 2003 - IWU 85 (#2) Wash U 73 (@ Wash U)
* March 10, 2001 - IWU 77 (#1) Chicago 68 (@ Chicago)


5-0 in those games - all on the other team's floor - is pretty impressive.

[Mr. Ypsi]

In the last 10 years, Illinois Wesleyan has met 5 #1 or #2-ranked teams (D3hoops.com Top 25) in the tournament...

* March 6, 2010 - IWU 75 (#1) Wash U 70 (@ Wash U)
* March 10, 2006 - IWU 63 (#1) Lawrence 59 (@ Lawrence)
* March 6, 2004 - IWU 77 (#2) Hanover 67 (@ Hanover)
* March 8, 2003 - IWU 85 (#2) Wash U 73 (@ Wash U)
* March 10, 2001 - IWU 77 (#1) Chicago 68 (@ Chicago)


5-0 in those games - all on the other team's floor - is pretty impressive.

Bob, I had noticed that also.  Any chance you can talk Pat into a special edition of the d3hoops.com poll to vote Carthage into the #1 or #2 slot before Friday?   (While the Sectional may be at UWSP, my money is on Kenosha.)

[Pat Coleman]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

There is precedence that IWU's women likely won't host... I think IWU/Point women will go to Hope.

Actually, not really. One year Hope's regional ranking was lower and the other year Hope was not within 500 miles for Oglethorpe. No precedent has actually been set here.

[Titan Q]

From the Championship Handbook on site selection...

The Championships Committee has prioritized the following site-selection criteria for all championships:

1. Quality and availability of the facility and other necessary accommodations;
2. Geographical location (which may include such factors as rotation of sites, weather, accessibility and transportation costs);
3. Seeding; and
4. Attendance history and revenue potential, which shall be considered necessary to assure fiscal responsibility.

(page 7)

http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/champ_handbooks/basketball/2010/10_3_mbasketball.pdf

[Titan Q]

Here is how I see the 3 CCIW-related site selection choices...

Women - Illinois Wesleyan, UW-Stevens Point, Hope, Carthage
It seems to me the only way this wouldn't go to IWU is if there is in fact some kind of unwritten rule that a school cannot win a national championship without leaving campus.  I don't believe there is that kind of unwritten rule.  As Pat points out, the Hope women were sent on the road the last 2 seasons (Hope was the Final Four host) due to geography and seeding...which are 2 considerations clearly laid out in the Handbook.  If the unwritten rule really does exist, the NCAA is basically penalizing a school for hosting the Final Four.

My pick: IWU hosts.  (I believe IWU is a higher seed than Hope...everything else is pretty equal.)


Women - Carthage, George Fox, Wash U, Mount Union
In the final Midwest regional rankings, Wash U (#2) was higher than Carthage (#3).  But, Mount Union can drive to Kenosha, but would have to fly to St. Louis.  (George Fox has to fly to either...and we know they aint flying everyone to George Fox.)  This one is interesting.

My pick: Carthage hosts (due to Mount Union travel issue)


Men - Illinois Wesleyan, Carthage, Stevens Point, UT-Dallas
What we know:
* UT-Dallas has to fly somewhere
* IWU's gym might not be available (women hosting?)
* Carthage's gym might not be available (women hosting?)
* IWU, Carthage, and Stevens Point are all within 500 miles of each other

What we do not know:
* Who is the overall higher seed, UW-Stevens Point or Carthage?  

In the final regional ranking, Carthage (18-3 in-region, .857) was #2 in the Midwest and Stevens Point (22-4 in-region, .846) was #2 in the West.  We have no way to know who is considered the higher seed between the two though.  I think seeding might basically be a toss-up between Carthage and UW-SP.

My pick: UW-Stevens Point hosts (due to Carthage women hosting)


Each year, it seems we know the sites by about 11:00am CST Sunday.

[Titan Q]

By the way, my preference...

The Big D, baby.

That would be tremendous.  (Unfortunately the NCAA is too cheap to allow that to happen.)

[Ralph Turner]

By the way, my preference...

The Big D, baby.

That would be tremendous.  (Unfortunately the NCAA is too cheap to allow that to happen.)

It should be warm enough for golfing next weekend in Dallas. 

[Titan Q]

By the way, my preference...

The Big D, baby.

That would be tremendous.  (Unfortunately the NCAA is too cheap to allow that to happen.)

It should be warm enough for golfing next weekend in Dallas.  

I should reconsider my preference - a trip to Dallas would probably cost me over $100 in golf course losses.  The same  "unsavory B-N resident" who took $60 from me in one-on-one Texas Hold 'Em between Weber Rd and O'Hare last Friday (not a great distance...check the map) would pose golf course problems as well.

(In retrospect, going "all in" with a pair of 4's was probably not sound.  It was the equivalent of being down 15 late in the 2nd half and taking a real bad shot.)

[usee]

Congratulations to the Titans and Redmen. To think we werte only 2pts from 3 CCIW teams in the sweet 16 in a "down year". It reminds me of how fortunate we are to watch such quality bball night after night. I am really impressed witht the Titan win in St Louis. Since Sean Johnson's ofer vs the thunder in bloomington he has looked great. And I'm happy the redmen sent the anderson coach home til next year

[usee]

Cciw- thanks for your reflections on the UTD/Wheaton game. Sounds like a well played game. I have to say I disagree with your assessment that any HS team could beat a D3 playoff team. I don't think there are any HS teams that can compete with a top 25 D3 team. I understand many of these teams have 1 or more D1 caliber players but I just don't think that's accurate (I know its not true in football but I believe its true for bball as well. I may be wrong)

[Titan Q]

IWU women hosting.

[CCIWchamps]

And so it ends.   A rebuilding year at Wheaton leads to a playoff appearance AND playoff victory.  Congratulations to Coach Schauer on making it through his rookie campaign successfully; to Ben Panner for stepping out of his "Scottie Pippen" role of the last few years to carry the team down the stretch and cap a great career; to Jake Carwell for a finish to a career that brought energy and momentum changing plays to the Thunder; and to Tim McCrary for taking his game to another level in the offseason, such that I'm really looking forward to what he looks like next season.