MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

IWUMich, I agree with you on the "help defence."  It was there and it was good tonight.  Lots of quick hands, deflections, and Titans diving after loose balls too.  Great overall effort to hold one of the top teams in the CCIW to 44 points.  Pretty amazing really.  Didn't expect a blow-out.

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

After overcoming long odds Wed night and vanquishing the Vikings in Rock Island, the NCC Cardinals will attempt to turn the same trick to trump the Titans tonight in Bloomington.

In so doing, the Cards will employ the same basic battle plan used in Wednesday's triumph. Besides dictating the pace, perimeter defense, and rebounding will be keys. Part of the Cardinals strategy will come in the pre-game phase of the evening when they gently remind tonight's officials that Mike Marietti doesn't know how to set a screen without moving during the process. If you don't believe that, watch some IWU film. 

With some aid from the officials, North Central will also attempt to disprove Ron Rose's First Theorem of IWU Basketball. 
However, if previous comments from Professor Sager are on target, the men from Naperville better hope Fritz Larsen isn't a member of tonight's officiating crew. 

The redbirds left a little Cardinal blood in Rock Island. Will the spots on the Wesleyan floor tonight be Cardinal red or Titan green?

Can I vote for Cardinal brown?

I never would have predicted it, but indeed we did beat the 'crap' out of the Cards tonight!

[Gregory Sager]

Vikings have the start, finally after what seems years, of five guys beginning to play as one. I still see flashes of "street ball" but not a bad thing if playing as "one"

Athleticism and ballhandling are their strengths, and without a big man adept at scoring with his back to the basket -- a factor that would allow the Vikings to play a more conventional offense if they had it -- the whole "street ball" thing is usually their best chance to win. Don't confuse it with a lack of discipline, though. They're actually running what Tom Slyder tells them to run; they don't always run it well, but they're running it. Tonight they played a likewise athletic team that took away the easy fast-break points off of which NPU usually thrives, so the Vikings had to get tough and score by executing in the halfcourt offense more. There was a lot of two-man game in the stretch run with Henry and Robinson, especially on the right side of the floor ... lots of give-and-go and screen-roll stuff, with the occasional quick swing around through Cobbs or Lake to Hutchinson on the weak side. There was nothing "street" about it.

That's one reason why tonight's win was so satisfying. North Park really was taken out of its comfort zone by the Big Blue, and the Vikings had to stretch themselves as a unit by playing a different sort of game. And they succeeded at it.

Aside from tonight, I'm pretty happy with the style of play they're utilizing. It plays to their strengths, and helps minimize their weaknesses. And, you're right -- they are beginning to play as one. And their confidence is sky-high. Sometimes, with a really young team like this, they don't know that they're not supposed to win these kinds of games on the road in this league. God bless the naivete of eighteen- and nineteen-year-old basketball players.

[kenoshamark]

Recap of game and comments

http://athletics.carthage.edu/news/2015/2/7/Mens_Basketball_0207153038.aspx?path=mbball

[Gregory Sager]

From the Carthage game recap:

Carthage's 29 points was the program's lowest point total since losing a 36-23 game to Burlington Junior College on Dec. 4, 1945 in Carthage, Ill.

Yikes.

Kudos to Carthage SID Steve Marovich for doing his job, even when doing it produces the kind of factoid that Red Men fans don't want to see.

[Gregory Sager]

With at least three games left to go in his sophomore season -- possibly more than that, of course -- Juwan Henry now has 964 career points.

[John Gleich]

I vote for "baboon squish."

I'm partial to defenestration.

And I think that's an apt description of what happened in Bloomington...

[GoPerry]

A very welcome win for Wheaton tonight playing without Caleb DeMoss who was down with the flu.  Brayden Teuscher was Brayden Teuscher  with 26 pts as he was aggressive to the basket from the opening tip and got to the foul line early and often going 16/17.  Another outstanding game from Michael Berg (15pts, 14 rebound, 5 offensive, 3 blks, 2 stls).  Pete Smith scored 16 (10/10 from the foul line) and was a big factor in collecting some rebounds late in the game.  Frosh Murad Dillard, playing for Caleb DeMoss, gave a lift to his team on several occasions ending up with 11pts, 5 boards, 4 A, 1blk, 1 stl).

Both teams actually didn't shoot the ball very well from the field(32% for the Thunder - 40% 'Jays) but EC was especially frigid from the 3pt arc (2/16).  Wheaton was an eye-popping 37/40 on free throws. 

Elmhurst is a very good team with all juniors getting the playing time.   Unless they go on a losing streak I'd be real surprised if they don't receive strong at-large consideration provided they don't get the AQ.   They will be formidable , if not the pre-season favorite,  next season.  Wheaton with the win moves up into a 3 way tie for last.

[Gregory Sager]

I vote for "baboon squish."

I'm partial to defenestration.

Why not have both? Get pushed out of a window, land on top of a baboon!

[Gregory Sager]

Brayden Teuscher was Brayden Teuscher  with 26 pts as he was aggressive to the basket from the opening tip and got to the foul line early and often going 16/17.

Based upon this and his performance on Wednesday in the crackerbox, looks to me like Teuscher's gonna be our next CCIW POW.

Elmhurst is a very good team with all juniors getting the playing time.   Unless they go on a losing streak

... a development which I would heartily endorse.

They will be formidable , if not the pre-season favorite,  next season.

Agreed, although Augustana still has quite a lot coming back as well. Of course, I have to keep putting on the brakes and reminding myself that North Park has a lot more to play for this season, because it's tempting to think about where the NPU program could be a year from now.

[toooldtohoop]

It sure was nice to see the Thunder close out a game that they led in the second half.  Much better decision making and far fewer turnovers. 

Elmhurst is a very good team.  They are coached well, and they run their offense crisply.  They hit a cold patch in the second half, and for one of the few times all year, the Thunder executed on key possessions to reclaim and stretch the lead.  Teuscher again unguardable, and Berg played a great game.  Peter Smith really came through tonight as well.  Dillard showing the signs of what he will be capable of.  He has huge upside. 

And as for Wheaton, we will sound like Cub fans....Wait until next year!

[veterancciwfan]

From Augustana/Carthage box: How bad was Carthage tonight? They had more TOs (13) in 1st half than points (12). For the game, the Redmen shot a consistent 13.3 from the floor (6/45) and also on 3s (2/15). Griffin Pils started, played 23 min. with only 3 points. Augie didn't exactly scorch the nets, going 38.3% FG (23/60) and 15.8 (3/15) on 3s.

From Wheaton/Elmhurst box: Wheaton won game at the line, shooting 92.5% on 37/40. Elmhurst made 12 of 16 FTs. But total fouls were only slightly in favor of Wheaton, 23 on Elmhurst and 19 on Wheaton. Teuscher was an amazing 16/17 from line. He has a great talent in drawing fouls while driving to basket. Lucky for IWU he was only 6/8 from line on the Jan. 28 at Shirk and the game went into OT. Teuscher played 38 min. and Berg 37 min. Berg has turned into a monster at the post. He was 9/10 from the line. Look out for those kids from MAN-uh-toe (name of HS is Midwest Central -what a great name for a heartland HS).

A laugher at Shirk. Won't bore you with a myriad of facts, 2 scores will suffice: 33-17 at half and 61-31 with 8:20 left. And no, Fritz Larsen and his 2 clones were not in the building. Lucky me-I got the last copy of Greg's book on Amazon: "Evaluating Basketball Referees via Third Party Interviews."    Haven't read it yet.

5 of the top 19 D3 Hoops teams lost tonight and Wash. U. was pounded last night (not midnight yet in IL) by Carnegie Mellon, a team now only 2-6 in UAA. Wash. U. now 15-4 and has to play at Case Western Reserve tomorrow, a team that beat the Bears in St. Louis on Feb. 1.

[iwu70]

Wheaton could really be the spoiler in these final three games, esp. vs. Augie. 

Yes, Vet, you are so so right -- Fritz Larsen was not needed tonight vs. NCC and also Marietti only got caught once for that infamous sliding screen.  Guess some other factors were at play in that overall stomp'n of NCC at The Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation.  I think I'll pass on Greg's book too.   Greg, I'm cheering for your guys to make the CCIW tournament.  Perhaps Fritz can have his swan song in the CCIW tourney and ref a few games there -- hopefully also @The Shirk. 

Three games to go -- lots of basketball still to be played.

Teuscher for POW -- I'm with you on that.  Or Juwan Henry.  One of these weeks they should give the award to the IWU Offense, in toto, for the Offensive Player (team) of the week.   

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

And no, Fritz Larsen and his 2 clones were not in the building. Lucky me-I got the last copy of Greg's book on Amazon: "Evaluating Basketball Referees via Third Party Interviews."    Haven't read it yet.

Save yourself some bucks and look for it in the sports section of your local used bookstore, right next to A Dunk Is Only Worth Two Points.

[Gregory Sager]

team	W-L	2/11	2/14	2/21
Illinois Wesleyan	9-2	vs. AC	@ NPU	vs. EC
Augustana	8-3	@ IWU	vs. MU	@ WC
Elmhurst	7-4	vs. NPU	vs. NCC	@ IWU
North Central	6-5	vs. CC	@ EC	vs. NPU
North Park	5-6	@ EC	vs. IWU	@ NCC
Millikin	3-8	@ WC	@ AC	vs. CC
Wheaton	3-8	vs. MU	@ CC	vs. AC
Carthage	3-8	@ NCC	vs. WC	@ MU

Carthage also has a contest coming up a week from Wednesday in the Toolshed against IIT (1-19).