MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Dennis_Prikkel]

congratulations to augie for a great overtime win tonight

congratulations to IWU for another 20-win season

[A Lover of the Game]

Tough loss for the Titans, just couldn't get over the hump tonight against a very fine Tommies team.  Congrats to them.  And, congrats to Augie for making it, barely in OT, into he Sweet Sixteen against a tough Hope foe.

And, warm congrats to Coach Rose and all the Titans on a superb season, kicking and scratching all the way to the end.  Working through injuries and disruptions to the rotation all year, still coming out with a 20 win season.  Congrats and thanks . . . and warm good wishes especially to the departing seniors for all their dedication and good work over the years of their IWU basketball careers.  Wishing them all best wishes for future endeavors.

IWU men's basketball has a very bright future . . . with all the returning players coming up.

Thanks again for a great season.

Well said and I second that. I truly enjoyed watching the seniors play. I logged a great number of miles on my little green machine to support the Titans.  Thank you, Titans, for welcoming my son in with open arms. I hope that he and the rest of the guys make you guys proud in the years to come. 

[A Lover of the Game]

Congrats to Augie.  Represent the CCIW well!!

[Titan Q]

I thought the big stretch in the IWU/St. Thomas game was when Tyler Nicolai had that big 3-point barrage midway through the 1st half.  That opened the game up for the Tommies, and in the NCAA tournament, it is just so much easier to play from ahead.  St. Thomas basically held that 8-10 point lead the rest of the way.

St. Thomas also did a great job on Doug Sexauer inside.  They doubled him, but did a nice job of recovering on the perimeter guys.

Not a great performance by the Titans, but that was a good St. Thomas team playing on its home floor.  This is one of those games where you just tip your cap I think.

Thanks to Sean Johnson, Doug Sexauer, Travis Rosenkranz, Matt Schick, Duncan Lawson, and Edmond O'Callaghan.  Six really impressive young men who have made Illinois Wesleyan proud already, and will continue to do so.  This alum has really enjoyed watching you play...it's hard to believe it's been 4 years.

[Titan Q]

Good luck to Augustana in the Sectionals.  I am 99% sure Augie is hosting and if so, a trip to Salem is a strong possibility.

Most national championship runs include a miraculous moment or two somewhere along the way.  IWU had the Bryan Crabtree shot in 1997 vs Rose-Hulman...maybe Augie's was that Brian DeSimone 3 to send the game to OT.

[Titan Q]

I was doing OK with all of this finality until I read Sean Johnson's Facebook status update just now...


Playing college basketball was my dream, unfortunately tonight I woke up. I don't know the exact number of points scored, shots made, shots missed, or any statistical number from the years I have played; I do know that tonight when I took my jersey off I was proud to say I played my hardest every time I played the game. That is what I will remember the most. To all my teammates- Thank you. It's been an amazing ride.

[TitansIWU]

Sean's final shot as a Titan, a good three pointer at the buzzer.

Poetic.

[iwu70]

Augie has a tough path -- MHBaylor, then either Point or the Tommies.  Obviously, at this point in the Dance, no easy evenings.  I hope Augie gets to dance at home. 

Same on the women's side for our Titans -- first Coe, then likely Point. maybe George Fox.  No one said the road back to a "home Final Four" would be an easy road.  Talk on boards is that the Sectional will be at Coe?

Thanks again to Coach Rose, all the assistant coaches, and all the Titans for a great season.  Given who is coming back, the development of the freshmen, I think IWU basketball has a very bright future. 

[A Lover of the Game]

I was doing OK with all of this finality until I read Sean Johnson's Facebook status update just now...


Playing college basketball was my dream, unfortunately tonight I woke up. I don't know the exact number of points scored, shots made, shots missed, or any statistical number from the years I have played; I do know that tonight when I took my jersey off I was proud to say I played my hardest every time I played the game. That is what I will remember the most. To all my teammates- Thank you. It's been an amazing ride.

After reading your post, Q, and listening to my son speak so passionately about his teammates I am truly moved.  Deciding on a school, especially when you're a student/athlete, is not easy.  My husband and I were a little concerned when we learned that my son decided to re-open his recruitment after being accepted into Wharton (PENN's Business School).   After listening to him talk about his academic experience this year (he made the Dean's List first semester) and about his teammates, it is clear to me that he made a wise decision. From what I hear Sean, Travis, and Coach Rose gave a pretty impressive speech last night and from the way my son sounds, their words have resonated in his heart.
 
Congrats to the senior class. I really enjoyed watching those guys play.

[augiefan]

Augustana will host one of next weekend's sectionals. The other hosts are Rochester, Williams and Wooster.

[augiefan]

Thanks to Brian DeSimone it was a great weekend in Rock Island. Certainly nerve wracking to watch the Vikings blow their early second half 12 point lead but all's well that ends well. Will Bowser of Hope certainly did a number on the Augie defense but he missed a couple of FTs in the final minute or so gave Brian his opportunity to make the kind shot in a big game that you dream of when you are little kid shooting hoops with your buddies.

Hope has a good squad with a great tradition, but next weekend things get much more challenging. I really know nothing about Mary Hardin Baylor other than the fact that like IWU they seem to make the DIII version of the "big dance" pretty often. UW Stevens Point and St. Thomas are always DIII powers, so this should be a heckuva weekend in the QC. Being a die hard Midwesterner I am guessing the winner of this sectional will win the NCAA title.

Go Augie and in closing congrats to IWU and their great senior class for 4 years of excellence in representing their school and the CCIW.

[HopeConvert]

Augie is a very good team. They have what it takes, I think, to make a run to Salem.

[iwumichigander]

From where I sit, I think Augustana has a good opportunity to make it to Salem.  Hosting the sectional should be an advantage for Augustana. 

It is a long trip from Texas to Rock Island.  I like Augustana in that contest.  I think UWSP will prevail over St. Thomas.  Stevens Point vs. Augustana will be as challenging as Hope.  If STU prevails over UWSP, I like the Vikings over the Tommies.

In short, if the Vikings stay focused, control tempo and play their game, they are going to Salem.

[spencer1988]

If Augustana hosts, I think they will make it to the final four.  Congratulations to Coach Rose and the Titans.  Another 20 year win and two consecutive NCAA appearances.  Great job!!

[iwu70]

Good luck to Augie this weekend.  Hope they can keep it rolling at home, and put up a high mark for the CCIW.  No easy outings now.