MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

OK, to put all the speculation that might ensue to rest before things have a chance to go off in a dozen different directions all of which might be a galaxy away from actuality, here is the skinny on NCC, both since the season began, and currently. Some of this will undoubtedly be taken as an excuse by some because that is some peoples' nature. I don't really care. Believe what you want.

1. As everyone knows, NCC went into the season with very high expectations. My personal opinion, after frequent observation and subsequent analysis was that the expectations for a very good season were valid, but that the Cards were a year away from Elite Eight or Final Four status.

2. Ever since practice began, NCC has battled several nagging injuries to key players. Injuries that no matter whatever treatment modality was employed, just never seemed to get completely healed. The Cards had players on the court tonight playing st less than 100%. That might be chronic.

3. It was learned last week that Sam Fehrle, NCC's 6th man early in the season, would be lost for the season. Big loss.

4. Now, yes, Connor Raridon does have a broken hand. A through-and-through fracture that will keep him out for at least 4 weeks. Unfortunately, there is a good chance he will be unavailable even longer, with the possibility of his year being finished. No shedding of any tears from opposing players, coaches, and fans I'm sure. Even bigger loss.

5. It's natural for all us fans to promote our team to the fullest extent possible, myself included. It's also natural for opposing fans to label a valid explanation as to what might be adversely effecting another team as an excuse no matter how close to the team a reporter might be, or how accurate his information and/or analysis is. Accordingly, many will think this hocus pocus, but here goes. As I said, think what you want. But before you laugh too loud, ask Greg Sager who is closer to the team and likely to know what's going on. As you probably know, NCC is on trimesters. First term finals were the Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving. Holiday vacation began 11/24 and runs until 1/3/17. Ever since Thanksgiving, which is almost 3 weeks now, the NCC kids have had no regular schedule. No classes that everyone else was still going to, nothing really that they have had to do most days except practice. Lots of time to kill, and to sit around being bored. If you know anything about college age kids, you know most of them respond and preform better in at least a semi-structured enviorment. As Yogi said, you can look it up. As much as I have tried to "explain" things, the fact is the Cardinals have had some lackluster performances (see Platteville, Carthage, AND Millikin). While UWP and CC played very well and deserved their victories, knowing the team as well as I do, I can't help but think part of their sleepwalking during the 2 losses and even the win over MU, was due to so much time, so little to do.

6. Perhaps with the loss of a super sub, and now, with arguably the most complete player in the conference, the Cards will be kicked into a higher gear. JQ Phipps will need to be the defensive demon his strength, athleticism, and quickness have him in a position to be. Newbies like Nick Chambers and Matt Cappelletti will need to take advantage of their newfound opportunities and to develop more quickly than the original plan likely called for. Jack Bronec will need to give Alex Sorenson effective relief. Jagger Anderson will need to continue to play both smart and well as he did tonight, be the senior leader the team can look to, and the glue that holds them together. The other starters will need to play as well as they are capable of, and to do it consistently, and everyone will need to be aggressive, intelligent, and most of all together to overcome the large obstacles they have unexpectedly found in their collective way. The competition will only get tougher. Hopefully the Cards can build on tonight. There are no slow dances left on the card.

[AndOne]

LaCrosse has played exactly one team with a winning record, and they lost that game. If Massey thinks Augie is only going to beat UWL by 3 points, how can he rank AC as high as 16th?
And, IWU above NCC who beat them?

Take it up with HAL. I just report the data.

Well it appears HAL blew at least one giant fart out his butthole tonight! 👎 🦃

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I suppose let the speculation begin? How long is an injury like a broken hand usually keep a basketball player out? A month, two months, the season? Then we're talking about redshirting? Well, expensive school? Probably can't afford another year? Who knows? It will be interesting as this progresses what the details will be.

I'm guessing Rairdon's got a pretty good fin aid package.

[D3_Commenter]

I suppose let the speculation begin? How long is an injury like a broken hand usually keep a basketball player out? A month, two months, the season? Then we're talking about redshirting? Well, expensive school? Probably can't afford another year? Who knows? It will be interesting as this progresses what the details will be.

Young Raridon broke his middle finger on his shooting hand and will be out about 4 weeks (Depending on feel). The injury occurred while trying to take a charge in the Milikin game.

So far it looks like the young Cards had a good response!

This injury should give a few bench players and young guys a chance to showcase their skills and gain a little experience.

[D3_Commenter]

North Central leads Albion at the half, 32-26, but the noteworthy thing about this game is that Connor Raridon is sitting on the bench in street clothes with what appears to be either a cast or a wrap on his shooting hand.

Also, I noticed that Sam Fehrle is no longer on the NCC roster.

Sam has been ruled academically ineligible for the season, hopefully the young man can get back on track to graduate, priorities!

[robertgoulet]

I suppose let the speculation begin? How long is an injury like a broken hand usually keep a basketball player out? A month, two months, the season? Then we're talking about redshirting? Well, expensive school? Probably can't afford another year? Who knows? It will be interesting as this progresses what the details will be.

I'm guessing Rairdon's got a pretty good fin aid package.

In the early 00's children of NCC employees could attend NCC free of tuition, not sure if that's still the case.

[GoPerry]

I suppose let the speculation begin? How long is an injury like a broken hand usually keep a basketball player out? A month, two months, the season? Then we're talking about redshirting? Well, expensive school? Probably can't afford another year? Who knows? It will be interesting as this progresses what the details will be.

I'm guessing Rairdon's got a pretty good fin aid package.

In the early 00's children of NCC employees could attend NCC free of tuition, not sure if that's still the case.

I'd be shocked if it isn't the case.  Heavily subsidized or even free tuition for faculty is fairly standard procedure for much of higher education.  Even if Todd Raridon doesn't have a faculty appointment, the benefit is often extended to all staff as well.  It's a key 'soft' benefit to attract and retain faculty.

[Gregory Sager]

Raridon's injury is a tough loss for North Central, to say the least. I don't want to see the Cardinals succeed in January and February, of course, because they're an obstacle to NPU. But I also don't like to see anybody get injured, and I'd much rather have the Vikings beat a full-strength foe than one that's missing a key component.

As Mark said, nobody who roots for another team is going to shed any tears for the Cardinals. But I also wouldn't take them lightly. Even without Raridon, that's still a very solid team -- probably not a Top 15 team, but a very solid team, nonetheless, and one that's capable of winning in any CCIW gym on any given night. The rest of the teams in the league need to go full-out to take care of business against NCC; otherwise, if Raridon returns to the Cards in late January, he might find himself back in the lineup of a team that's still contending for a CCIW title.

Losing Fehrle will certainly hurt as well, but Bronec arrived last year with his own amount of hype. This is his chance to live up to it. Cappelletti and Chambers, who weren't hyped, look like they belong in a CCIW rotation. They're a key reason why I think that NCC isn't going to go away, even with Raridon out.

However, I'm not buying into the "too much free time" thing. That sounds more like an excuse than an explanation. First of all, aren't any of the Cardinals taking D-Term classes? Second, NCC's got plenty of veterans on the roster. Those veterans should be well aware of the rhythm of the school year at NCC, and accordingly should not only know how to manage that rhythm but how to be on top of their younger teammates who find themselves with a surplus of free time. Third, this smacks of a "get out of jail free" card that North Central fans could use every year at their discretion if their team is not performing well in late November and/or December, whereas it would never be brought up if the team is performing successfully. And, fourth, there are four CCIW schools that have a 4-1-4 academic calendar that features an optional J-term in January, paralleling North Central's D-term. In the close to two decades that this board has been around, none of the fans of those other schools have ever put forward the assertion that a lull in the personal academic calendars of their teams' players has hampered their performance on the court in January.

[D3_Commenter]

Raridon's injury is a tough loss for North Central, to say the least. I don't want to see the Cardinals succeed in January and February, of course, because they're an obstacle to NPU. But I also don't like to see anybody get injured, and I'd much rather have the Vikings beat a full-strength foe than one that's missing a key component.

As Mark said, nobody who roots for another team is going to shed any tears for the Cardinals. But I also wouldn't take them lightly. Even without Raridon, that's still a very solid team -- probably not a Top 15 team, but a very solid team, nonetheless, and one that's capable of winning in any CCIW gym on any given night. The rest of the teams in the league need to go full-out to take care of business against NCC; otherwise, if Raridon returns to the Cards in late January, he might find himself back in the lineup of a team that's still contending for a CCIW title.

Losing Fehrle will certainly hurt as well, but Bronec arrived last year with his own amount of hype. This is his chance to live up to it. Cappelletti and Chambers, who weren't hyped, look like they belong in a CCIW rotation. They're a key reason why I think that NCC isn't going to go away, even with Raridon out.

However, I'm not buying into the "too much free time" thing. That sounds more like an excuse than an explanation. First of all, aren't any of the Cardinals taking D-Term classes? Second, NCC's got plenty of veterans on the roster. Those veterans should be well aware of the rhythm of the school year at NCC, and accordingly should not only know how to manage that rhythm but how to be on top of their younger teammates who find themselves with a surplus of free time. Third, this smacks of a "get out of jail free" card that North Central fans could use every year at their discretion if their team is not performing well in late November and/or December, whereas it would never be brought up if the team is performing successfully. And, fourth, there are four CCIW schools that have a 4-1-4 academic calendar that features an optional J-term in January, paralleling North Central's D-term. In the close to two decades that this board has been around, none of the fans of those other schools have ever put forward the assertion that a lull in the personal academic calendars of their teams' players has hampered their performance on the court in January.

Mr. Greg = the excuse police - NOT UP IN HERE!!!

We don't embrace excuses, we embrace solutions... Sign those kids up for class AndOne!!

[D3_Commenter]

5. It's natural for all us fans to promote our team to the fullest extent possible, myself included. It's also natural for opposing fans to label a valid explanation as to what might be adversely effecting another team as an excuse no matter how close to the team a reporter might be, or how accurate his information and/or analysis is. Accordingly, many will think this hocus pocus, but here goes. As I said, think what you want. But before you laugh too loud, ask Greg Sager who is closer to the team and likely to know what's going on. As you probably know, NCC is on trimesters. First term finals were the Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving. Holiday vacation began 11/24 and runs until 1/3/17. Ever since Thanksgiving, which is almost 3 weeks now, the NCC kids have had no regular schedule. No classes that everyone else was still going to, nothing really that they have had to do most days except practice. Lots of time to kill, and to sit around being bored. If you know anything about college age kids, you know most of them respond and preform better in at least a semi-structured enviorment. As Yogi said, you can look it up. As much as I have tried to "explain" things, the fact is the Cardinals have had some lackluster performances (see Platteville, Carthage, AND Millikin). While UWP and CC played very well and deserved their victories, knowing the team as well as I do, I can't help but think part of their sleepwalking during the 2 losses and even the win over MU, was due to so much time, so little to do.

Take a step into the spin-zone here - No classes = more free time, more free time = more gym time, more gym time = better players, better players = more wins.

At least I am thinking that is how Coach Raridon likes to draw it up however, as we all know college students are easily distracted and sometimes do what they want instead of doing what is in the best interest for themselves/ their team so, its definitely understandable to see where you are coming from with that post. I just hope the players can make the best of their time away from class! Time will tell....

[Gregory Sager]

We don't embrace excuses, we embrace solutions... Sign those kids up for class AndOne!!

Maybe Mark could offer his own non-credit seminar ... perhaps Introduction to Investigating, or The Arboriculture of Nebraska.

[WUPHF]

A little bored at work today and looking at Massey...

Wheaton had the distinction of being the highest ranked team with three losses at 32 (No. 10 strength of schedule), but then Augustana stole that from them today as they remain in the Top 25 with a No. 24 ranking.

[lmitzel]

I suppose let the speculation begin? How long is an injury like a broken hand usually keep a basketball player out? A month, two months, the season? Then we're talking about redshirting? Well, expensive school? Probably can't afford another year? Who knows? It will be interesting as this progresses what the details will be.

I'm guessing Rairdon's got a pretty good fin aid package.

In the early 00's children of NCC employees could attend NCC free of tuition, not sure if that's still the case.

I'd be shocked if it isn't the case.  Heavily subsidized or even free tuition for faculty is fairly standard procedure for much of higher education.  Even if Todd Raridon doesn't have a faculty appointment, the benefit is often extended to all staff as well.  It's a key 'soft' benefit to attract and retain faculty.

To the best of my knowledge it still is. I had a couple friends when I was at NCC whose dad is a psych professor there, and I'm pretty sure they got to attend for free. I'd imagine kids of the coaches get similar perks.

However, I'm not buying into the "too much free time" thing. That sounds more like an excuse than an explanation. First of all, aren't any of the Cardinals taking D-Term classes? Second, NCC's got plenty of veterans on the roster. Those veterans should be well aware of the rhythm of the school year at NCC, and accordingly should not only know how to manage that rhythm but how to be on top of their younger teammates who find themselves with a surplus of free time. Third, this smacks of a "get out of jail free" card that North Central fans could use every year at their discretion if their team is not performing well in late November and/or December, whereas it would never be brought up if the team is performing successfully. And, fourth, there are four CCIW schools that have a 4-1-4 academic calendar that features an optional J-term in January, paralleling North Central's D-term. In the close to two decades that this board has been around, none of the fans of those other schools have ever put forward the assertion that a lull in the personal academic calendars of their teams' players has hampered their performance on the court in January.

I'm not going to blame D-Term for NCC's struggles. I don't remember a ton of heavy lifting in a lot of those classes (I took an Excel class for the credits one year, my wife took a philosophy class or something like that, and we took the Math of Square Dancing which was more interesting than you'd think it would be.) And they can't take a ton of courses over D-Term either based on how the credit hours are arranged. Still leaves a fair amount of free time, but I don't think it creates a huge lull or anything. Last year they struggled before conference play, but the year before they went 10-1, and they ran the table in November/December the year they went to the Final Four. Makes for an easy scapegoat, sure, but given the evidence I don't think it's a very good one.

[D3_Commenter]

We don't embrace excuses, we embrace solutions... Sign those kids up for class AndOne!!

Maybe Mark could offer his own non-credit seminar ... perhaps Introduction to Investigating, or The Arboriculture of Nebraska.

Arbroculture of Nebraska

[AndOne]

5. It's natural for all us fans to promote our team to the fullest extent possible, myself included. It's also natural for opposing fans to label a valid explanation as to what might be adversely effecting another team as an excuse no matter how close to the team a reporter might be, or how accurate his information and/or analysis is. Accordingly, many will think this hocus pocus, but here goes. As I said, think what you want. But before you laugh too loud, ask Greg Sager who is closer to the team and likely to know what's going on. As you probably know, NCC is on trimesters. First term finals were the Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving. Holiday vacation began 11/24 and runs until 1/3/17. Ever since Thanksgiving, which is almost 3 weeks now, the NCC kids have had no regular schedule. No classes that everyone else was still going to, nothing really that they have had to do most days except practice. Lots of time to kill, and to sit around being bored. If you know anything about college age kids, you know most of them respond and preform better in at least a semi-structured enviorment. As Yogi said, you can look it up. As much as I have tried to "explain" things, the fact is the Cardinals have had some lackluster performances (see Platteville, Carthage, AND Millikin). While UWP and CC played very well and deserved their victories, knowing the team as well as I do, I can't help but think part of their sleepwalking during the 2 losses and even the win over MU, was due to so much time, so little to do.

Take a step into the spin-zone here - No classes = more free time, more free time = more gym time, more gym time = better players, better players = more wins.

At least I am thinking that is how Coach Raridon likes to draw it up however, as we all know college students are easily distracted and sometimes do what they want instead of doing what is in the best interest for themselves/ their team so, its definitely understandable to see where you are coming from with that post. I just hope the players can make the best of their time away from class! Time will tell....

We don't embrace excuses, we embrace solutions... Sign those kids up for class AndOne!!

Maybe Mark could offer his own non-credit seminar ... perhaps Introduction to Investigating, or The Arboriculture of Nebraska.

I've observed several of the players often staying after practice to work on their shooting or other aspects of their game so you can stick your theory on that you know where. 

It would be pretty hard to take one of my classes with having to go to practice at noon every day. 
Also, I think some of the kids are working part time in the PM to pick up a little extra $. College isn't cheap.