MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

After Elmhurst's win at North Central (and how tough the Bluejays played at Augie), that home loss to Carthage becomes even more puzzling. I have no idea how that happened.

[iwu70]

Agree on what has been said here about Juwan Henry.  Really a unique, incredible player. 

Also agree with Q on Overstreet.  He's putting together a great season, very consistent, and rebounding the ball very well, especially on the defensive end.  As in previous years, great to see Nelson coming on so strong during the conference season.  The combination of Seibring-Marietti worked very well against NPU. 

Should be a great match-up at Augie on Wednesday.  If the Titans can match Augie in rebounds, shoot a good percentage especially from three, and not turn it over much, they have a good chance against #1.   Too bad WC couldn't put a loss on AC, but gave them one heck of a game.

IWU70

[iwumichigander]

Dylan Overstreet had another strong overall game - 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Through 16 games, Overstreet is IWU's leader in scoring (11.3 per game), rebounds (5.6 per game), and assists (4.7 per game).  I have to believe it's extremely rare in college basketball for one player to lead a team in all three categories.

Very quietly, Overstreet is one of the best point guards IWU has had in the 25 years or so I've been following the program.  He is just such strong competitor and a fantastic leader, and he does so many things well on the floor.

Right, very rare for a point guard to lead in those three categories.  Since the beginning of non-conference, I have wrestled with a point guard leading in the rebound category. 

How does a point guard out rebound our three,  four and fives?  I have rationalized it away with our guys at two or three can handle the point which frees Overstreet to mix it up under the boards.  Yet, I am waiting for one of our 3, 4, or 5's to take it a little personal, be more aggressive and step up!

Last thought, the play late in the game when Overstreet basically "broke the ankles" of his defender with a cut to the basket was a terrific move.

[GoPerry]

WC takes Augie down to the wire but loses 78-74 in Rock Island.  Wheaton definitely had a chance as DeMoss had a wide open 3-pointer while down only 2 with 7 secs left that would have given them the lead but couldn't get it to go. 

The Thunder fought hard, once again without Michael Berg who did not play.  Thunder get crushed on the glass 24-38 including giving up 18 offensive rebounds resulting in 22 2nd chance points.  32 point night for Teuscher who did everything he could to keep his team in it.  It just was not enough.

Even though the record isn't great they are a fun team to watch.  Besides if they can make the tournament and keep improving like they have who knows.
I like the zone they are using this year and we are seeing it more in the cciw this year vs past.  Its a good defense if you get a quick jump to the direction of the ball and the team doesn't fall to sleep in it.

I think they've gone to the zone more out of personnel necessity than anything else.  They really don't have anyone backing up their only two big men, Joel Smith and Michael Berg, and I think the zone is the way to keep them in the game with less chance of getting in foul trouble.  Having said that, the downside is what happened last night, giving up 18 offensive rebounds, and JSmith was in early foul trouble anyhow which made things very tough with Berg sitting out another game.

They're still a longshot to make the Conference Tourney.  But as the season goes on, and as Dillard and Samuelson continue to improve, and hopefully they get Berg back soon, I still think they're capable of doing some damage against the top teams.  Certainly can not be taken lightly.

[Naperick]

Question for AndOne

Any idea what Moten did or said to get the technical foul late in the EC-NCC game?

[Wildcat]

 Moten slammed the ball on the court after a foul was called on him. So the ref slapped him with a T.

[Naperick]

Moten slammed the ball on the court after a foul was called on him. So the ref slapped him with a T.

Thanks for the explanation.

[AndOne]

I'm not a big hoops chat board guy (tend to stay in my football comfort zone) - but damn I love whipping those Cardinals...regardless the sport. Great day to be a Jay!

All you need to look at to know the story of the NCC-EC game is the totals at the bottom of the free throw and rebound columns.

I know its a sin to bitch when you shoot 18 FTs and your opponents shoot 36. So, I'll just ask: 1) How often does one team shoot twice as many FTs as the other, and 2) What would you likely think (be honest) if the other team went to the line 2x as many times as your's did?

Answers to the above questions notwithstanding, Elmhurst certainly earned the victory Sat night. And on the boards is where the battle was primarily won as the men from Elmhurst out-rebounded those from NCC by an embarassing 48-33 margin. Will Nixon had a game high 9 boards.

NCC did have the game's brightest star in Jayme Moten who put on a dazzling display of long range bombing by pouring in 8 three pointers. However, with the exception of a very nice 10 point, 5 rebound effort off the bench by Brandon White, Jayme had little help. No other Cardinal reached double figures. The Bluejays also employed much crisper ball movement, and attacked the basket much more aggressively, thus accounting for a portion of the multitude of NCC infractions.

The Cardinals need to get healthy quickly. They also need more output from their other starters, and a stronger presence with increased production from their bench. A collective pissed off/I'm not gonna take it anymore attitude might help enable the Cards to get back on the victory trail. I think the potential is there.

[veterancciwfan]

Nothing would surprise me the rest of the way. This league is full of good players, coaches and teams. Augie barely beats Elmhurst in Rock Island by 2, Wheaton comes within a 3-point shot with 7 seconds left of beating Augie at Carver and without Michael Berg, Norh Park is behind IWU at Shirk by 6 with 2:34 left, Carthage beats Elmhurst there, Millikin beats a 9-2 North Park team in Chicago in the opener. Anything is possible. I have quit trying to comprehend the results. Augie appears to be in the driver's seat, but it is entirely possible that they could lose 4 of the remaining 9. Or win all 9.

[iwu70]

Vet, you got it.  Pretty much any team can put it together on the night and win in this league this year.  But, someone has got to put a loss on Augie, and soon.  I'm hoping it is the Titans this week.  Sure glad to see NCC and WC with more than one loss already. 

Still amazed at all the shots Juwan Henry made -- from everywhere, in balance, off balance, from near and far, and a good FT shooting too.  A great player.  Titans just had too much size, too many waves coming off the bench for NPU.

Looking forward to the game at Carver on Wednesday. 

IWU70

[Wildcat]

  What is the tie-breaker system for hosting the conference tournament?

[GoPerry]

  What is the tie-breaker system for hosting the conference tournament?

Head to head record of course, and then I believe it's W/L record vs the 3rd and 4th place teams.  Not sure if it's combined record vs 3rd and 4th teams or just 3rd pl then 4th pl individually.

Shaping up to be a very interesting race this year.  Augustana is clearly in the drivers seat and I really think NCC, Elmhurst, and IWU are 2nd thru 4th in some order.  I have a hard time seeing Carthage staying on pace (to be re-evaluated if they beat NCC on Wed).  The Cardinals clearly have less margin for error after this past week and the tougher remaining schedule (only road games vs the other 3).  Titans and their fans should feel like Augustana is ripe for a home upset after squeaking by WC on Saturday.  Rose and crew will need to bring their best game though.  A huge week for them w EC Saturday.

It feels like this week in particular will tell us alot.

[badgerwarhawk]

I'm not a big hoops chat board guy (tend to stay in my football comfort zone) - but damn I love whipping those Cardinals...regardless the sport. Great day to be a Jay!

All you need to look at to know the story of the NCC-EC game is the totals at the bottom of the free throw and rebound columns.

I know its a sin to bitch when you shoot 18 FTs and your opponents shoot 36. So, I'll just ask: 1) How often does one team shoot twice as many FTs as the other, and 2) What would you likely think (be honest) if the other team went to the line 2x as many times as your's did?

How about when you score more baskets, including three pointers, outrebound your opponent and they have 19 fouls to your 17 fouls yet they go 15 of 20 from the free throw line and you go 3 of 5 and lose by six. 

Sometimes strange things just happen.

[WUPHF]

Congratulations to Bosko Djurickovic on career win #500.  As I have posted here numerous times over the years, I think he's one of the good guys around the CCIW - certainly one of the league's strongest advocates.

Quite an accomplishment.

Congratulations to Bosko for sure.

[WUPHF]

Dylan Overstreet had another strong overall game - 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Through 16 games, Overstreet is IWU's leader in scoring (11.3 per game), rebounds (5.6 per game), and assists (4.7 per game).  I have to believe it's extremely rare in college basketball for one player to lead a team in all three categories.

Very quietly, Overstreet is one of the best point guards IWU has had in the 25 years or so I've been following the program.  He is just such strong competitor and a fantastic leader, and he does so many things well on the floor.

I am not sure if this is current, but I believe he led the team in steals too.