MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[mwunder]

Good pick-up Bluemom, I think Carthage is still very much alive in this thing.  They have Elmhurst and then @NCC before their final stretch of @ NPU, Millikin and @ Wheaton.  That is a far more favorable schedule than North Central has (NPU, Carthage, @Elmhurst and Augie).  Obviously, if they beat Carthage they're fine, but if they drop that game, its a tough road those last two games.  The next four days are pretty crucial and the way Carthage has been playing, it could be very interesting.

I hate to argue about this, but Carthage is 3 1/2 games back with 5 to play.  NCC has North Park and Elmhurst has North Park and Wheaton.  Sure, upsets happen, but Carthage just needs too many dominos to fall into place.  I agree that they are playing well, but playing well hasn't exactly helped the "Wins" column for the Red Men this season.

I see the conference tourney as set with the only questions being the 3 and 4 seeds.  Yes, there is still some basketball to be played and they play each game for a reason, but I don't see anything to affect the top 4 in the standings enough to knock them out of the tourney. 

Unless Ypsi makes another guarantee that is!!   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I wasn't saying it was likely, but it shouldn't be all that suprising if it happens.  We all know Carthage is better than their record.  If they win the next two games (both of which are very winnable) then it gets interesting.  That's all.

[robberki]

I'm glad I didn't read this board as a student athlete. I'd hate to read what Dennis might have written about me and my already fragile ego could have been shattered even further.

[Cardsfan4life]

NCC vs Wheaton was one of the most boring games I have ever been to.  NCC absolutely rolled them.  It was never close.

[iwumichigander]

If Carthage won over Augustana this past Saturday, I thought Carthage had a chance with extreme odds to get into 4th.  Carthage, I think a better team than their record, may have had just too many unexpected changes in personnel this season.  Its awfully had to build team chemistry with the number of impact players involved.  

Regardless, Carthage with five games remaining, could end up at .500 or better and play a role as a spoiler.  It needs wins over NCC, Elmhurst and help from other conference teams to get 4th.

Elmhurst needs to win its four remaining games as does likely North Central.  The Cardinals, which should win over NP Wed., have a tough close out Carthage, Elmhurst (on the road) and Augustana.

Feb 15th might be the pivotal date in shaping the conference tournament: IWU @ Augustana and Elmhurst @ North Central.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

If Carthage won over Augustana this past Saturday, I thought Carthage had a chance with extreme odds to get into 4th.  Carthage, I think a better team than their record, may have had just too many unexpected changes in personnel this season.  Its awfully had to build team chemistry with the number of impact players involved. 

Regardless, Carthage with five games remaining, could end up at .500 or better and play a role as a spoiler.  It needs wins over NCC, Elmhurst and help from other conference teams to get 4th.

Elmhurst needs to win its four remaining games as does likely North Central.  The Cardinals, which should win over NP Wed., have a tough close out Carthage, Elmhurst (on the road) and Augustana.

Feb 15th might be the pivotal date in shaping the conference tournament: IWU @ Augustana and Elmhurst @ North Central.

Didn't I just say this?  Anyway, I'm glad for the reinforcement!

[79jaybird]

The North Central @ Elmhurst game is going to be a big factor, however the EC @ Carthage game is my first priority.  Carthage/EC are arch rivals and I'm sure the Redmen would like nothing more than to knock their rivals out of a prime spot.  Elmhurst has played well up north, and I hope that continues... but the road is tough no matter where you're at. 
I still see it Augie, IWU, EC, NC as the 1-4 tourney slate.
So what happens if Elmhurst finishes higher than NC in the final reg. season standings.  Based on SOS do you think the NCAA would pick NC ( which would be 4th) over the CCIW's 3rd place team (EC)??

[79jaybird]

assuming**  EC/NC doesn't with the CCIW tournament.

[joehakes]

Rob,

Dennis has rarely gone after a North Park player.  It's the coaching that he has had trouble with.  I know, I was one of them.

Dennis' love of soccer came from his undying admiration of the first five years of the NP program with me at the helm.  (Not the Hjelm).  He had me pegged as some sort of Red sympathizer early on.  

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Just a quick note of interest.  Holland, MI (home of Hope College) has a new IBL team this year.  The IBL has a 20 second shot clock and the teams are mostly NAIA, DIII and DII players.  They have a partial roster posted, and Jonathan Stevens (former Wheaton standout) is listed.

http://www.hollandblast.com/roster.htm

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Are they going to play in DeVos?  It seems like that's about the sized venue those minor leagues like to occupy.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Believe it or not, they're going to play in the Civic Center - Hope's ex-gym.  It has a court that is 4 feet short of regulation.  Ought to help with the fast paced  game they play. 

Grand Rapids had a team last year (and will this year as well) and they had several games in the 170's

[robberki]

I doubt that anyone with as wide a body as yours, Rob, would ever have a fragile anything.

Wow, I walked in to that one. Well played sir, well played...

[TitanRailer]

There are currently 87 teams with better in-region records than Elmhurst (10 of which are in the Midwest) and 75 teams with better QOWI's.  If we assume all 41 Pool A and Pool B teams who get bids are above Elmhurst right now, that leaves Elmhurst, at best, with the 47th best regional record and 35th best QOWI of the 18 Pool C bids left.  Considering these are the top 2 criteria for tournament selection, 2 wins the last weekend of February is the only hope.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

There are currently 87 teams with better in-region records than Elmhurst (10 of which are in the Midwest) and 75 teams with better QOWI's.  If we assume all 41 Pool A and Pool B teams who get bids are above Elmhurst right now, that leaves Elmhurst, at best, with the 47th best regional record and 35th best QOWI of the 18 Pool C bids left.  Considering these are the top 2 criteria for tournament selection, 2 wins the last weekend of February is the only hope.

Things change a lot the last few weeks of the season, but you're right, they probably are in trouble.