MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I agree about the officiating... it didn't favor anyone in terms of a bias or anything... but it was one of the most physical and loosely officiated games I have ever seen. And while many say it favored Cabrini... IWU was allowed to be just as physical and were. There were some battles inside for position that the refs simply told the players to stop instead of blowing the whistle.

Q broke down the game extremely well, but I wanted to add a couple of other notes:

- Reason it was so hard to stop Boyd... it made a couple of threes from beyond NBA range and hit at least two others with Zimmer in his hip pocket. The guy was just on from the opening whistle. And as Q mentioned, when he started driving to the hoop, he was just too fast for anyone to stop.
- Zimmer played a very good game and dealt out as much physical punishment as he was getting. He got some great looks from downtown and hit some very difficult shots as well. He was very impressive since there was a double-team on him nearly ever time he touched the ball.
- Other guys from IWU stepped up as well and you could see plenty of production from a number of guys. I think one of the key parts was a guy that doesn't even get that much playing time for Cabrini, Jon Miller. The 6-6 center played some big minutes for Cabrini and I think made a difference inside to allow the perimeter guys to then collapse or keep guyus like Zimmer from getting the ball.
- One of the reasons it was so hard for IWU to get the ball into the paint is the quickness of Cabrini players to get their hands into the passing lanes or tip balls. They were even quick enough to strip IWU players so fast IWU wasn't sure what happened.

Final note about tonight's game... if Cabrini goes up-tempo on UWW, the Warhawks could be in trouble. Chris Davis played a great game last time - one of the best I have seen a big guy of his style play since Ben Gibbs of Otterbein... but he was tied going up and down the court minutes into the game and he slowed down through out the game practically to a walk. If Cabrini goes after him and keeps UWW running... it might be too much.

However, if UWW can do what IWU did early in the second half and slow things down and handle the press offense (more on my thoughts on that press later)... UWW is cleary the bigger team that can handle the quickness from Cabrini.

[TitansIWU]

Yeah, the broadcast is good overall, but the Kozanitsky is driving me crazy.

Borderline forgivable for student announcers in the regular season; unforgivable in the FF.

I agree, talk about doing your homework as we have heard Greg Sager say so many times...

FYI - since I was on the call, we did do our homework and both my broadcast partner and I heard Coach Rose say to both of us John Koschnitzky's name as Kosh... not Kuz. He and I were under the impression it was Kuz until chatting with him a few hours before the game and we both heard him say it like Kosh. I know this simply because we commented to one another that we were under the wrong impression in the first place.

So, before assuming we aren't doing our homework - and did you even realize I was on the call? - understand we did do our homework and were given the wrong impression.

We corrected our mistake, but assuming we aren't doing our job is not be fair to us, either. There was no one from IWU here except the coaching staff to answer many of our questions (or at least no one came to us except coaching staff).

Congrats to IWU on a terrific run in the tourney and season. It wasn't the way I know many wanted the ride to end, but they ran into a buzz saw in Cabrini. Coach Rose made a great coaching move to start the second half to slow things down and it rattled Cabrini. But Coach Kahn made a terrific counter-move in adding the press and changing the tempo again. It was great to watch.

Also, there is a spot(s) available for the losing teams of the semifinals in the All-Star Game. I know MIT does not have any players eligible to play since almost all of their "seniors" actually have a year of eligibility available they plan to use next year while in graduate school. There are two players, but they weren't high in the NABC balloting, so no player from MIT will take part tomorrow. As for IWU, they have the ability to have at least one player (maybe more) play if they so choose. There will be at least 9 players from each team (there is an extra player on the West squad listed, but Georgia Milligan ended up being a scratch due to an injury he suffered last weekend - one report I got is he broke a bone in his foot).

Hope I get to see some more IWU play tomorrow, in this case.

I for one did realize you were on the call, as I tune in to Hoopsville and I am familiar with your work. You did look different because you were sporting a fancy suit for the big game!

My "homework" post probably came off as being pretty harsh, so for that I apologize...

Anyway, I was more commenting on Greg Sager's comments every time someone messes up a name. He says, and it is true, "do your homework." As I said in my initial post, overall, I thought you guys did a pretty good job and anyone else outside of those who follow IWU on the radio may not have even known it was being mispronounced.

It did stick out like a sore thumb to me, and I am unfamiliar with your broadcast partner, but he was the one really, really screwing it up. He did at times seem a little too happy when Cabrini would do something good, but that might be my misty, green-tinted, glasses speaking, I am really not sure.

The only change I would like to see in how it is broadcast would be that when they go to a timeout, maybe have the announcers keep talking with some background info about the teams rather than just go silent. There were a few Buick commercials, but they didn't have a commercial every break. Maybe just plug in all the commercials. I am pretty sure you don't run that part, but I just felt like saying it.

I guess you have to have a break from talking at some point, so that is probably not a fair thing to ask for.

[Titan Q]

A couple days ago I mentioned how well the teams are treated here in Salem.  Here is an article from the front page of the Roanoke Times today about the role of the host families, which is a big part of that great treatment...

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/306344


"The players do feel like they're something special," said Mike Wagner, associate athletic director for Illinois Wesleyan. "There's not a whole lot of glamour in Division III sometimes. It does make them feel a little like rock stars for a couple of days."

[Titan Q]

On the IWU/Cabrini game, from the Roanoke Times...

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/306347

[Titan Q]

Congratulations to the CCIW's two D3hoops.com All-Americans - Wheaton's Tim McCrary (1st Team) and IWU's Jordan Zimmer (3rd Team).

http://www.d3hoops.com/awards/all-americans/men/2012

[Titan Q]

IWU's last 3 NCAA tournament losses have been to the eventual national champion.  Will Cabrini make it 4?

2010-11: St. Thomas (Round 2)
2009-10: UW-Stevens Point (Round 4)
2005-06: Virginia Wesleyan (Round 5)

[AndOne]

A huge factor in this game was how it was officiated. The whistle was completely even on both sides, but the consensus from all of the D3 coaches I spoke to afterwards was that this was the loosest whistle they'd ever seen in a tournament game.  To say they "let 'em play" would be an enormous understatement.  The amount of contact (pushing/shoving/grabbing) they allowed, in my opinion, crossed the line.  One of the coaches called it "way outside acceptable parameters."  Again, while the whistle was even and fair, the game called that way favored Cabrini bigtime.  They might be the shorter of the two teams, but they play an incredibly physical, rugged style...much more physical that IWU. 

THESE ARE QUESTIONS RE THE GAME ABOUT SOMETHING I'M CONFUSED ABOUT, NOT A CRITICISM OF IWU.

1. If the whistle was "even and fair" on both sides why not just say so and add that several D3 coaches advised it was the loosest whistle they had ever seen. By making such a big deal out of the officiating, it appears to an outsider that an attempt is being made to provide an excuse for IWU's loss.
2. Something I'm confused by--help me out here. In the 8 years I've been heavily involved with the CCIW, I've  always heard, observed, and been under the impression the the CCIW was a pretty tough league where bruising inside play was the norm rather than the exception. I've seen many games where the refs, if they had wanted to, could have easily disqualified the majority, if not all, of the 2 team's combined 6 front court players by the game end. With players like Davis, Reed, and Ziemnik, a bruising, rough and tumble, loosely called game would seem to almost favor, rather than hinder the Titans. Yes? No? Why?

My personal opinion about Wesleyan this year was that one of Ron Rose's battle tactics was to almost have his bigs foul on purpose initially to see what they could get away with. If the refs were lax in calling fouls, great and, if they called it more closely, with IWU's depth (something that has rightfully been touted as a major IWU strength from the very beginning of the season), Rose could just sub in another player without losing much. This brings up another question--maybe the IWU bigs should have even played rougher and dished out more punishment last night. I mean it was obvious that it was almost going to take a body slam to warrant a foul being called. An opportunity the Titans failed to capitalize on?

Again, I'm just asking questions here based my being a NCC/CCIW follower/observer/fan. If I'm all wet here, I'd appreciate you IWU insiders or others pointing out the flaws in my analysis. Thanks.   

[AndOne]

As far as blocked shots, Cabrini might have been shorter than IWU, but they are way more athletic overall - a guy who can jump out of the gym can make up for 2-3 inches in height difference pretty easily.

As far as IWU taking a ton of 3's, I think that illustrates how hard Cabrini's perimeter pressure makes it to enter the post.  The Titans had a lot of trouble getting the ball to big guys on the blocks...and when they did get it there, Cabrini would make it very difficult to make a move.

Just looking at a roster is very misleading in terms of Cabrini.  They may start 5-9, 5-10, 6-3, 6-4 at the 1-4 spots, but they are an incredibly quick, athletic, and physical team.

In the end aren't the underlined points TQ related above, plus the Titans inability to protect a 9 point lead with less than 7 minutes to play the primary reasons why Cabrini won the game?

[AndOne]

With regard to the call of the IWU/Cabrini game, I understand the "kuz" question and what led to the misunderstanding.

The thing I noticed was that is seemed the broadcasters were referring to Eliud Gonzalez as "Elliott." I was watching/listening on my computer so maybe it was the equipment rather than mispronunciation on the part of the broadcast team. 

[AndOne]

IWU gets a rebound with 40 seconds left and the score tied but makes a bad pass and turns it over in the Cabrini end, and they score to go up 78-76. Now after a timeout, IWU ties it up on a shot by Rudnicki with 14 seconds  to go. Cabrini comes down after a time out and Jeremy Knowles buries a three with 3 seconds left. IWU inbounds and quickly gets it upcourt and a long three by Gonzales is off the mark. Cabrini wins 81-78. Tough loss for the Titans.

What a great and incredibly athletic move under (BOTH mental and physical) pressure by Stephen Rudnicki.
With the game on the line he gave IWU a last chance by driving in a short distance along the baseline left. As he when up for his shot, he was strongly challenged by a Cabrini defender who was slightly inside him. Stephen then twisted his body to the left (away from the basket) to avoid contact, moved his hands to the right, and lofted a great shot to tie the score. Exceptional!

[und63]

Help!  I just got an ipad2 and easily get the D3Hoops feed, hit video for the IWU games, the NCAA
Site loads with a black screen.  No picture, am I missing an app or program needed?

[AndOne]

Tremendous season by IWU! 

We had a saying when I played in the WIAC... "Just let us get in!"  All you need is a shot in the tournament, and in a league like the CCIW, even in a season where, on paper, it seems like the league might be down, the programs are run in such a way to peak at the right time.

All ya need is a chance and great things can happen.  Great run by IWU and the other CCIW schools this season!

A great run for sure in a "down" season. While the CCIW's record against other leagues might have been a little down this season, overall, it seems like the CCIW ultimately enjoyed a pretty successful season.

Millikin, yes, is pitiful.
North Park was highly disappointing given their 2 previous D1 players.
Elmhurst was improved and proved a tough out in several games.
Carthage failed to live up to expectations and relied too heavily on one player (many picked them to at least make the CCIW tourney).
Augie, the nation's pre-season #1 team had their starting center quit and then basically fell apart despite having several players who it seemed, at least collectively, should have been able to replace him.
Wheaton, who probably wasn't given enough credit early played great and advanced to the Final 16.
North Central, lightly regarded mainly due to problems concerning their depth despite being picked for 2nd in the coaches poll, won BOTH the regular season AND conference tournament titles AND also advanced to the Final 16.
IWU, despite finishing 3rd in the league and losing their conference tourney semi-final, peaked at the exact right time, won 4 national tourney games, and made the Final Four!

Overall, then, it seems like the CCIW as a whole, may have been down a bit this year, but with 3 teams in the Final 16 and Augie still a dangerous team, not down as much as might be perceived, 

[D-3 watcher]

And one, I would have loved to see your coments after that game, if it was your team. I've read your rants after NCC games you thought you were gettig a bad whistle. I, and Q never said it wasn't fair, it was just different. Maybe you and Our House can share a few thoughts over a beer sometime. But it will never be in Salem, because that's where Final Four teams play!

[markerickson]

I always appreciate the responses.  Thanks, guys.

Six more minutes before the D1 wrestling championship matches begin.  Unfortunately, Pedophilia State University has already locked up the national championship.

[AndOne]

And one, I would have loved to see your coments after that game, if it was your team. I've read your rants after NCC games you thought you were gettig a bad whistle. I, and Q never said it wasn't fair, it was just different. Maybe you and Our House can share a few thoughts over a beer sometime. But it will never be in Salem, because that's where Final Four teams play!

Well, Mr, Johnny Come Lately, who appears to have just jumped on the bandwagon since IWU began their great tourney run, you really put me in my place!

As far as any "rants" following any NCC games in which I felt the Cardinals got screwed, if you had read the entire post, I'm pretty sure that in the majority of cases that "rant" would also indicate that crappy officiating was not the sole cause of the loss.

As far as today's posts, where did I criticize the Titans in any way? I merely inquired why, if the officiating was "even and fair" why such a big deal was made of it. I also asked why a loosely officiated game would favor the quicker team rather than the bigger, more physical team. I also complimented Stephen Rudnicki on successfully completing perhaps the most highly pressurized shot of the year. I mentioned IWU peaking at the right time to be able to make a charge into the Final Four. My questions and comments were made on the basis of a more thoughtful analysis than your obviously limited comprehension of the game of basketball would allow.
Actually, Watcher, it appears your only motive was to come on and distribute a little hate mail. Well, as with the junk mail thats regularly received in my mailbox at the curb, your crap is being tossed aside with the rest of the garbage.   

As far as Our House and I sharing a beer at some point, I doubt he'd want to share anything with the likes of me.