MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 05:51:13 PM

Emory won to clinch the UAA Pool A spot, and Wash U won, so the Bears will likely claim one of the early Pool C spots. That shouldn't affect anything as far as the rest of the Central Region Pool C hopefuls are concerned, I don't think. This was not unexpected.

iwumichigander · February 28, 2015, 05:55:05 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 28, 2015, 05:51:13 PM
Emory won to clinch the UAA Pool A spot, and Wash U won, so the Bears will likely claim one of the early Pool C spots. That shouldn't affect anything as far as the rest of the Central Region Pool C hopefuls are concerned, I don't think. This was not unexpected.

i am thinking along the same lines. But, the UChgo loss should keep them below NCC. I had thoughts that a UChgo win might let them slip up into the ranked CE teams in final secret rankings.

iwu70 · February 28, 2015, 06:19:32 PM

A perfect Sagerism: "If you aren't tense in pre-game, then you don't care enough."

Go TITANS!

'70

kiko · February 28, 2015, 07:12:41 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 28, 2015, 05:08:31 PM
Quote from: AndOne on February 28, 2015, 01:47:29 PM
Whether Connor Raridon is 6'5", 6'6" , or 6'7" will not be the primary determining factor as to whether he has a successful college career or not. Lets wait until next season and see what he is listed at on the official roster.

Quote from: USee on February 28, 2015, 01:53:40 PM
That just means Derek was actually 6-4. So Connor is probably 6-5. They both play an inch taller with shoes on so 6-5 is 6-6 on the floor.

Never trust a listed height on the official roster. That's practically basketball gospel.

(And if the center looks a little chubby, don't trust his listed weight on the official roster, either. )

I always assume that both of those metrics are aspirational rather than actual for basically any sport at any age level above junior high school.

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 08:45:57 PM

The MWC tourney goes chalk, as St. Norbert follows up an undefeated run through the league with a tourney championship win over Grinnell. That's good news for the CCIW's Pool C aspirants.

Mr. Ypsi · February 28, 2015, 08:47:08 PM

Halftime at Carver: Augie 46, IWU 39. Augie jumped out early to an 11-point lead, but the Titans came roaring back (kicked off by back-to-back 3s by Dolan and Rose) and actually took the lead by 2 w/ just under 5 to go. Augie then went on a 7-0 run; an exchange of baskets sets the halftime margin. Titans go very sloppy late in the half with three consecutive unforced TOs.

Appropriately, the two best players on the floor have been the co-MOPs: Hill leads all scorers with 10 (though, uncharacteristically, he has two fouls, both offensive); Overstreet has 8 points and 5 assists.

AndOne · February 28, 2015, 09:08:36 PM

Quote from: augiefan on February 28, 2015, 04:57:20 PM
There may be more to the Jordan Nelson story than Coach Rose just playing the best five guys and subs with Nelson out of the mix, but none of us know for sure. If that is the reality, then I will be surprised, if he is not on the court and a contributor in tonight's game.

My investigator's instinct tells me there is indeed more to this story than meets the eye. Additionally, I suspect there have been problems over the course of the season as opposed to solely the recent troubles which have been exposed. Remember, early in the season, Nelson was inexplicably suddenly withheld from a game. I believe TQ reported that the reason was to enable Nelson "to get his head on straight," or something very similar. It appears the goal may not have been achieved in this case. Perhaps more details will be revealed after tonight's game.

Mr. Ypsi · February 28, 2015, 09:16:56 PM

A real heavy-weight battle at Carver - Titans up by 1 w/ 12 to go. Augie was a sloppy at the beginning of the second as IWU was at the end of the first, but both also look (much of the time) like teams that, with a friendly bracket, excellent play, and the necessary good luck, could meet for a fourth time - in Salem.

Mr. Ypsi · February 28, 2015, 09:27:00 PM

The last three/four minutes (now just under 8 to go) BOTH teams have suddenly gotten horribly sloppy.

Tied up at 65 at the moment.

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 09:30:43 PM

Use the updates room, please.

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 09:48:17 PM

Augustana 78
Illinois Wesleyan 74

Mr. Ypsi · February 28, 2015, 09:52:55 PM

Odd game. Both teams shot very well from the field (IWU 49%, Augie 51%) yet both teams also missed more bunnies than Elmer Fudd. Much of the time the game looked like a slugfest between two national contenders, yet for several minutes each team (and occasionally both teams) looked like a battle for the basement in a lesser league.

Congratulations to Augie - when it mattered most, you were the better team.

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 09:54:23 PM

Interesting game, and a very entertaining one. This was one of those odd games in which it seemed as though it was easier to get a basket from out on the floor than from right at the rim. Both teams blew a ton of layups and point-blank bunnies.

The difference was at the free-throw line. In spite of Hunter Hill's final-minute hiccups, the Doggies knocked down 18 of their 21 throws for a sparkling 86%. In both games this weekend Augie shot free throws like a team that plans to go deep into the dance.

If there was one player who really stood out in this game, to me it was Jawon Straughter. I said the other day that I didn't think he was All-CCIW material, and, in terms of the regular season, I stick with that assessment. But he followed up a good game yesterday with an even better game today. He had a number of successful slashes to the basket in the second half that really seemed to stem potential IWU runs. In fact, he seemed to be the one guy on the floor for either team who was money when he got to the rim.

Gregory Sager · February 28, 2015, 09:54:59 PM

Wow, Chuck. Great minds think alike.

iwu70 · February 28, 2015, 09:55:53 PM

Great game, great teams both. A heavy-weight encounter for sure. Get to 78 win the game. Sadly, for my TITANS it was Augie who got to 78. Congrats to Augie on the league and tourney championships. Both teams played like champions.

IWU a bit sloppy in the last four or so minutes. Could have won the game taking care of the ball and using a few head fakes. Augie did a great job blocking shots. IWU played much better D in the second half.

Augie is very tough, very balanced and all their starters played well.

IMHO, not quite sure why Coyle is in the rotation just now. No use of Nelson. Lots of use of Nelms tonight, resting Overstreet. With 30 or so seconds to go and IWU with a chance to tie with a trey, Overstreet passes to Seibring under the basket for a two attempt (which was missed or tipped). Don't get that one for sure.

Well, congrats to both squads on a very exciting, overall well-played championship game. Greatly enjoyed, save for the final score. Good luck to both teams in the D3 dance.

Congrats to Ron Rose and all the Titans on an excellent, D3 tournament worthy season.

IWU70