MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Titans pretty much in control throughout this one -- final 87-79.

Titan scoring:  15, 9, 8, 13, 11, 6, 6, 5, and 12 -- everyone playing a part.  Nelms and Pennington had good games. 

NPU:  Henry 22, Robinson 25.  Gotta admit it is really fun watching those two guys play, slicing through about any D, and scoring at will.  They just don't have enough support.  But, given the tie-breaker situation, NPU may still get into the tourney. 

IWU at home vs. Elmhurst, should be a great game, esp. after EC takes a beating from NCC tonight.

When the Titan shooters are on, well, this team can be pretty good.  Not enough defense all year.

12-12 now with the rubber match left vs. EC at home, senior night.

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

IWU 87, NPU 79

Jordan Robinson: 25 pts, 12 rebs
Juwan Henry: 22 pts
Michael Hutchinson: 16 pts, 6 rebs

Bryce Dolan: 15 pts
Joel Pennington: 15 pts
Trevor Seibring: 12 pts, 4:1 a:to
Colin Bonnett: 11 pts
Ryan Coyle: 6 rebs
Jaylen Beasley: 6 rebs

Illinois Wesleyan had two big runs, one in the first half that broke open a one-point game, and the other a 12-point streak early in the second half that basically spelled the difference. NPU made a late stab at getting back into the game and actually cut the lead to single digits in the waning minutes, but the hill was simply too big to climb.

The Vikings were ice-cold in the first half, and it was all missed jumpers. They completely went away from their game, which is spreading the floor and attacking the basket. They were far too passive and settled too often for long-range shots, and even if they had hit some of them it would still have been indicative of an offense that wasn't working properly. In the second half, Tom Slyder made sure that they played more intense high-ball pressure, and threw in some press as well, and the Vikes got some easy runouts that helped get their offense going. But, aside from a stretch of about five minutes in the second half, they never slowed down the Titans offense. IWU certainly reclaimed its mojo offensively tonight after a number of bad outings, hitting a truckload of treys and making a lot of easy baskets underneath by patiently waiting for the Vikings to gamble and commit.

Juwan Henry and Jordan Robinson needed more help tonight. Colin Lake was basically a no-show, and barely even played in the second half. Michael Hutchinson did come on late, but for most of the evening it was just the two Vikings stars and nobody else doing the heavy lifting. Robinson, who fought through a stomach virus to play tonight, was especially tough.

Give credit to the Titans, who did what they had to do tonight. North Park didn't. The Vikings have dug themselves a very deep hole. Now they absolutely have to beat North Central in order to make the CCIW tourney. It hasn't slipped away yet, but it looks ominous.

[iwumichigander]

Illinois Wesleyan 87
North Park 79

The Vikings are in free fall.

nothing free and this fall might prove costly! Yet we are watching with 10:25 remaining, a 20 something lead ... And thought we would cough it up ... Again.
Titans got a little oxygen tonight and North Park could be on life support. 
Final conference tourney spot may come down to which team sucks down enough O2, hydrates and goes all out for 40 minutes at both court ends in the last regular season contest.

As far as the hole digging contest, it seems Titans and Vikings are still closer to Hong Kong than Rock Island so IWU70 ...what's for dinner?

[Titan Q]

Final conference tourney spot may come down to which team sucks down enough O2, hydrates and goes all out for 40 minutes at both court ends in the last regular season contest.

As far as NPU vs IWU goes, the IWU/Elmhurst game is meaningless.  The 4-seed comes down to whether North Park wins or loses against North Central.

(NPU wins the 7-7 tie-breaker...IWU wins the 6-8 tie-breaker.)

[Mr. Ypsi]

Final conference tourney spot may come down to which team sucks down enough O2, hydrates and goes all out for 40 minutes at both court ends in the last regular season contest.

As far as NPU vs IWU goes, the IWU/Elmhurst game is meaningless.  The 4-seed comes down to whether North Park wins or loses against North Central.

(NPU wins the 7-7 tie-breaker...IWU wins the 6-8 tie-breaker.)

True, but I'd sure prefer to finish 7-7.  It's hard to have much confidence (or even that much enthusiasm) for entering a tourney where you are 0-6 against the other three teams!

[iwu70]

Lunchtime here -- some good dumplings in soup . . . or maybe later to my favorite Italian restaurant on HK side for good pasta with fresh clams.  OK?

Titans will need to take down EC to close out the CCIW regular season.  Hope they make the tournament -- and for that you get #1 Augie on their home floor.  Not exactly an easy or welcome prize!

IWU'70

[iwu70]

Seems perhaps NCC playing as well as any one in the league right now.  With their record, they sure will want to go after the AQ.

Fun scenes at The Shirk tonight -- for another win for the women, now 10-3 in CCIW play (who would have thunk it?) and the introductions of all the returning players from the 1996 and 2006 Final Four men's teams.  Good TITAN tradition.  I suppose next year, we honor and have the National Championship team return to The Shirk.

Good crowd tonight for Pink Zone games and support.

IWU'70

[izzy stradlin]

Carthage 76
Wheaton 51

With their 19th loss, Mike Schauer's team tied Bill Harbeck's 1989-90 team for the most games dropped in a single season at Wheaton.   They'll probably grab the record alone against Augie on Wednesday. 

[veterancciwfan]

IWU makes 3s and they either win or have a decent chance to beat a good team. Tonight the 3s were falling (11/24 .458) and they won. but still gave up 52 in 2nd half. Of the two opponents on Sat to face NPU and IWU, it appears that IWU is playing a team (Elmhurst) that might have a bit of confidence doubt. NCC playing at a high level with best young players (Raridon a Fr. and Sorensen a Soph) obviously getting better. But IWU game is meaningless as Q stated if NPU pulls the upset. I think NCC has enough weapons to make a deep D3 tournament run. And NCC has chance to get a very good 1st round seed assuming they win Sat. and win 1st game in conf. tournament. So NCC has a lot at stake Saturday.

[Titan Q]

So NCC has a lot at stake Saturday.

I agree.  The Cardinals have a lot to play for Saturday at North Park - 1) they are trying to win a share of the CCIW title, and 2) they want to solidify their Pool C chances should they not win the conference tournament in Rock Island.  If you are an IWU fan that needs North Park to lose, at least you know you're getting a North Central team that's got a lot on the line.  Should be a great game in Chicago.

[Titan Q]

Regarding NCC and Pool C, the Cardinals are 17-6 in D3 games.  A loss at NPU would make NCC 17-7 and then Pool C records (NCC won't need Pool C if they win the tourney) coming out of the conference tournament are either:
  * 18-8 (.692)
  * 17-8 (.680) 

Of the 38 Pool C selections the last two years, only Emory in 2014 had a winning % under .700...

2015 Pool C selections (just my guess at order from Pool C conversations at the time)
1. (GL) Marietta (.893/.519/4-3)
2. (MA) Johns Hopkins (.852/.539/3-3)
3. (C) UW-Stevens Point (.808/.575/2-4) *national champion*
4. (C)  Washington U. (.800/.565/4-2)
5. (GL) Ohio Wesleyan (.815/.537/3-1)
6. (NE) Trinity-Conn. (.792/.535/5-1)
7. (NE) Amherst (.741/.579/6-3)
8. (NE) Bates (.760/.609/4-5)
9. (AT) William Patterson (.741/.565/4-3)
10. (GL) Wooster (.786/.551/3-2)
11. (C) Illinois Wesleyan (.704/.591/5-5)
12. (C) Elmhurst (.731/.551/4-4)
13. (S) Virginia Wesleyan (.815/.554/0-4)
14. (GL) John Carroll (.769/.527/3-3)
15. (W) St. Olaf (.808/.527/1-5)
16. (MA) Catholic (.846/.506/1-3)
17. (NE) Eastern Conn. (.815/.550/0-2)
18. (NE) WPI (.808/.515/2-3)
19. (NE) Springfield (.704/.584/3-5)

2014 Pool C selections (just my guess at order from Pool C conversations at the time)
1. Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW) - .852/.560/8-3   Midwest #2
2. UW-Whitewater (WIAC) - .852/.579/4-2   West #2  *national champion*
3. Wesley (CAC) - .870/.529/5-0   Mid-Atlantic #3
4. Williams (NESCAC) - .846/.567/4-3   Northeast #2    
5. Plattsburgh State (SUNYAC) - .815/.553/4-4   East #2
6. Randolph-Macon (ODAC) - .769/.559/4-3   South #1
7. Babson (NEWMAC) - .769/.567/3-5   Northeast #3
8. Augustana (CCIW) - .731/.555/5-4   Midwest #4
9. Eastern Connecticut (LEC) - .786/.546/3-4   Northeast #4
10. Geneseo State (SUNYAC) - .769/.554/2-4   East #3
11. St. Thomas (MIAC) - .815/.536/4-3   West #3
12. WPI (NEWMAC) - .846/.520/3-1  Northeast #5
13. Hope (MIAA) - .760/.555/2-4   Great Lakes #2 
14. Emory (UAA) - .680/.591/4-5  South #2
15. Wittenberg (NCAC) - .750/.530/3-6   Great Lakes #6
16. Ohio Wesleyan (NCAC) - .741/.541/3-5   Great Lakes #7
17. Dickinson (CC) - .778/.529/2-1   Mid-Atlantic #4
18. Springfield (NEWMAC) - .731/.567/2-4   Northeast #6   
19. Bowdoin (NESCAC) - .792/.529/1-3   Northeast #7


Even at .680, I think NCC's SOS and RRO get them in - I consider NCC to be a great shape right now.  But at .680 or .692, the Cards would still have to dodge upsets - especially ahead of them in the region.  For example, if Benedictine falls in the NACC tourney...or Augie in the CCIW (to, say, Elmhurst)...or if St. Norbert loses in the MWC tourney.

If North Central is the highest Central Region Pool C on the board on Selection Sunday (meaning Augie, Benedictine, and St. Norbert are all Pool A), NCC is an absolute lock in my opinion...even at .680.  There is no way the Central Region gets shut out of Pool C.

[Titan Q]

Regarding the IWU/North Park game at the Shirk Center, the thing that stood out to me the most was that the Titans played with tremendous confidence.  In the midst of a difficult season, that just has not been the case throughout most of the CCIW schedule.  Even miles away watching on video stream, I have felt IWU playing very tentatively game after game.

It was nice to see the Titans play with confidence - it made a lot of difference.

[AndOne]

Final conference tourney spot may come down to which team sucks down enough O2, hydrates and goes all out for 40 minutes at both court ends in the last regular season contest.

As far as NPU vs IWU goes, the IWU/Elmhurst game is meaningless.  The 4-seed comes down to whether North Park wins or loses against North Central.

(NPU wins the 7-7 tie-breaker...IWU wins the 6-8 tie-breaker.)

STRANGE REPORTS FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY

Reports emanating from the Wesleyan Galaxy indicate green clad inhabitants are beginning to report to collection points to board transports, whose auto pilots will be programmed for trips to Starport Chicago.
Further investigation reveals that the purpose of the journey will be to cheer for their usual enemies, the red clad Cardinal troopers as they do battle next Saturday against the evil Vikings of the North Park sub-station. 
This is one of the few, if any, times in recorded history that the Green Galaxy has intended anything but wrath for the Cardinal Nation despite the Cardinals consistent attempts to include the Greenies in the love and understanding that they are renowned for spreading throughout the known Universe. 

[AndOne]

Regarding NCC and Pool C, the Cardinals are 17-6 in D3 games.  A loss at NPU would make NCC 17-7 and then Pool C records (NCC won't need Pool C if they win the tourney) coming out of the conference tournament are either:
  * 18-8 (.692)
  * 17-8 (.680) 

Even at .680, I think NCC's SOS and RRO get them in - I consider NCC to be a great shape right now.  But at .680 or .692, the Cards would still have to dodge upsets - especially ahead of them in the region.  For example, if Benedictine falls in the NACC tourney...or Augie in the CCIW (to, say, Elmhurst)...or if St. Norbert loses in the MWC tourney.

If North Central is the highest Central Region Pool C on the board on Selection Sunday (meaning Augie, Benedictine, and St. Norbert are all Pool A), NCC is an absolute lock in my opinion...even at .680.  There is no way the Central Region gets shut out of Pool C.

The Cardinals 6 losses have been to:

* #17 Chicago by 13
* #30 Aurora by 3
* #13 Alma by 1
* #2 Benedictine by 2
* #1 Augie by 27
* #1 Augie by 8

The "worst" team NCC has lost to is currently 30th in the country. They have lost to current #2, and to current #1 twice. Three of their six losses are by a combined SIX points. HALF of their losses have come to the current #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country!

They have also beaten #7, #9, #2, and another #9.

They play in the #1 ranked toughest conference in the country, and they play the #1 ranked toughest overall schedule in the country.

Whether they get into the national tournament or not, there is absolutely no doubt that they are one of the top 25 teams in the country. Can there be any question of the fact? Yet, there is at least one Top 25 voter who left the Cardinals off his ballot entirely in last week's poll when they came in at #18 (after losing to #1 Augie by 8), AND in the previous week's poll when they garnered enough votes to rank #13. Maybe after beating #9 Elmhurst yesterday (after also previously beating them when they were #2), the Cardinals will appear on every Top 25 ballot, and finish in a spot that accurately reflects their true current strength, the abhorrent total of SIX losses notwithstanding. 

[AndOne]

North Central 79
#9 Elmhurst  64

The Cardinals proved ungrateful guests in Elmhurst yesterday afternoon, throwing a little water on the Bluejays Senior Day festivities which honored NINE seniors who are the backbone of the strong EC teams of the last couple of seasons.
Fueled by the spirit of the excitement generated by the pre-game ceremony, Elmhurst opened with great energy, scoring 9 of the contest's first 13 points. The Cardinals then countered with a 10-0 run that saw them grab a lead which they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. EC did tie the game 3 times before the half, but they could never regain their early advantage, and trailed 33-28 at the half after a last second basket by NCC's Kevin Honn. The Bluejays also managed to tie the score three times in the 2nd half, but could never wrestle the lead from the Cardinals despite their best efforts and the frenzied enthusiasm of the home fans. North Central put the game away by hitting 6 of 10 from behind the arc in the 2nd half before sinking 14 of 15 FTs in the final 2:04
Defense proved the key for the Cards as they forced the Jays into a 31.9% shooting display. Kyle Wuest, frequently mentioned in the discussion for possible first team all conference status, was a woeful 4 for 16 from the field for 8 points.

NCC

* Erwin Henry with a monster game of 28 points (8/11, 2/2, 10/11), and 8 rebounds.
* Jayme Moten, 17 points (3/7, 3/6, 8/8), and 5 rebounds.
* Alex Sorenson with a double-double of 11 points, and 11 rebounds.
* Connor Raridon, 9 points, 7 rebounds
* Kevin Honn, 9 points (3/5, 3/3), and 4 rebounds off the bench.
* Jagger Anderson, 6 assists/2 TOs

EC

* Bryant Ackerman, 12 points (3/12, 2/6, 4/4). The only Bluejay in double figures.
* Erik Crittenden, 9 points (4/10, 1/5).
* Kenny Payonk & Kyle Wuest, 8 points.
* Eric Leonard, 6 assists.

Interesting game sidelights:

* At the 12:11 mark of the first half, a play on which one ref called a block on NCC's Kevin Honn, and another called charging on EC's Jalen Loving. The refs first huddled among themselves, and the with the 2 head coaches for over 5 minutes. Finally, unable to reach accord, they assessed double fouls, one to each player, with possession to EC. This pleased no one and set off a storm of protest from both coaches and both crowds. 

* A continuing physical and verbal battle between EC senior Erik Crittenden and NCC freshman Connor Raridon that featured steady grabbing and pushing by both, including a bit of shorts pulling. The officials appeared to discuss deportment with them during a couple of stoppages of play. Their exchange was topped off by the senior referring to the freshman as "soft." Hardly! 

* A middle-aged, blonde female Elmhurst fan seated in the 2nd row directly across from the NCC bench bellowing loudly throughout. Many of her utterings included the name "Raridon." Among the most amusing was one directed at a certain player accusing him "playing dirty," and several others, directed at a member of the NCC coaching staff, inquiring how much he "paid off" the refs to assure a Cardinal victory. At least one Cardinal fan countered by inquiring whether the lady had perhaps forgotten to take her daily medication!