MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augiefan]

Augie has three tough road games to finish the season, so they are not exactly pulling away. However, I believe tonight's win does guarantee them a spot in the CCIW tourney.

Augie was down 4 with 21 seconds to go in regulation, but Nolan Ebel made two baskets to tie the game. Henry missed two FTs after the first Ebel basket to allow Augie to tie and send it into OT. Very lucky to win, but a critical win with nothing but road games left all against serious contenders for the conference tourney. Ebel was hardly on the radar coming into the season, but he has become a starter and scored 26 points tonight to pretty much carry Augie to the win.

[iwumichigander]

Despite an IWU win over Elmhurst by 87-60, this was not a pretty win.  Not that the final decision was really ever in doubt, the 50 fouls evenly - and frequently - whistled left no flow to the game.

We will take the win along with the other conference outcomes tonight.

[iwumichigander]

Augie has three tough road games to finish the season, so they are not exactly pulling away. However, I believe tonight's win does guarantee them a spot in the CCIW tourney.

Augie was down 4 with 21 seconds to go in regulation, but Nolan Ebel made two baskets to tie the game. Henry missed two FTs after the first Ebel basket to allow Augie to tie and send it into OT. Very lucky to win, but a critical win with nothing but road games left all against serious contenders for the conference tourney. Ebel was hardly on the radar coming into the season, but he has become a starter and scored 26 points tonight to pretty much carry Augie to the win.

the other part of the Augie story has to be Orange and Sortillo in single scoring digits at the end of regulation.  If Ebel did not have a big, if not career night, Augie does not post a "W" IMO

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage 91, North Park 88 (2 OT)

Jordan Robinson: 24 pts, 6 rebs, 6 blks, 7:3 a:to
T.J. Cobbs: 20 pts, 6 rebs, 7:4 a:to
Billy Kirby: 15 pts, 3:0 a:to
Colin Lake: 14 pts, 5:2 a:to
Joe Biko: 6 rebs
Darius Brown: 3 stls

Mike Stevenson: 22 pts
Jordan Thomas: 18 pts
Kienen Baltimore: 18 pts
Brad Kruse: 13 pts, 6 rebs, 6:1 a;to, 3 blks
Kevin Kozil: 10 pts, 5:3 a:to
Brad Perry: 10 pts

Double overtime or not, it was a heartbreaking way to lose a ballgame. With 21 seconds left and the Vikes down by two, Jordan Robinson was fouled. Even though it was double OT, NPU was still only in the one-and-one. Nevertheless, Robinson made the first ... and then short-rimmed what would've been the tying free throw. Carthage rebounded, Brad Kruse hit a pair of free throws, and then blocked Robinson's trey attempt to send the game into a third overtime. It's hard to call Jordan the goat in that situation, because ... well, c'mon, look at his line score for the game, for crying out loud. But still ... that missed free throw could really end up haunting the Vikings at the end of the season.

It marked the second straight game that the Vikings have fallen short in a nailbiter. In Saturday's game, North Central led by more than two possessions for a little less than two minutes, and North Park led by more than two possessions for a little less than a minute. In tonight's game, the Red Men had a lead bigger than two possessions for exactly 35 seconds in the first half, and that was it. The rest of the game was, again, played within two possessions. The Vikings are grinding ... they're just not closing it out.

Big kudos to T.J. Cobbs, who not only tied the career scoring high he had at Albion last season, but who played a fine all-around game as well. Problem is, Tom Slyder is looking for another player to step up and do enough positive things on the floor for the coaches to feel comfortable with using that player as the seventh double-digit-minutes guy, and nobody's done it yet.

This was a big loss in terms of tiebreakers, as the Vikings are now effectively in third place even though they're tied with Carthage, on account of the Red Men having swept them. I don't think it's going to get any easier in King Arena on Saturday, either.

[4samuy]

Augie has three tough road games to finish the season, so they are not exactly pulling away. However, I believe tonight's win does guarantee them a spot in the CCIW tourney.

Augie was down 4 with 21 seconds to go in regulation, but Nolan Ebel made two baskets to tie the game. Henry missed two FTs after the first Ebel basket to allow Augie to tie and send it into OT. Very lucky to win, but a critical win with nothing but road games left all against serious contenders for the conference tourney. Ebel was hardly on the radar coming into the season, but he has become a starter and scored 26 points tonight to pretty much carry Augie to the win.

the other part of the Augie story has to be Orange and Sortillo in single scoring digits at the end of regulation.  If Ebel did not have a big, if not career night, Augie does not post a "W" IMO

No question about it.  I felt bad for Henry missing those FTs. He and Sorenson were fantastic. I said in an earlier post that Ebel reminds me a lot of Hunter Hill plus 4 inches.  He has made a good amount of clutch shots this year, including the winner against Wheaton earlier in the year.  I still believe 12-4 wins the regular season.  I said earlier that Carthage could be the team in the pack to run the table. They have won their last three in OT.  Is it destiny?  This weekend IWU at Carthage is must see.

[Gregory Sager]

Titans now climbing back into the CCIW tournament and championship picture.

Illinois Wesleyan would have to win out, and Augustana would have to lose each of its last three games, in order for IWU to gain a share of the championship. You're seriously delusional if you think that that's going to happen.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Titans now climbing back into the CCIW tournament and championship picture.

Illinois Wesleyan would have to win out, and Augustana would have to lose each of its last three games, in order for IWU to gain a share of the championship. You're seriously delusional if you think that that's going to happen.

I'm willing to give Mark the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant the tournament championship.  The probability of the regular season championship is approximately 0.000001.  Unfortunately, IWU is also 0 for 11 in the conference tourney.  Unless we make the conference tourney (NOT guaranteed) and finally break through, we're relying on Pool C.  Fortunately, that has led to Salem 3 times in the last 11 seasons.

[Gregory Sager]

Why would he say "CCIW tournament and championship picture" and mean "tournament championship" by it when the first word directly implies the second?

Wait ... on second thought, don't answer that. I don't think I really want to know, after all.

[AndOne]

X + Y + Z = LOSS

X = 55% on FTs
y = 18 Turnovers
z = Can't get the ball in bounds

[iwu70]

I'm aware of the numbers, the IWU situation.  I meant to get to the CCIW tournament and have a chance to compete for the AQ.  Of course, it's unlikely that almost anyone but Augie will now win the regular season crown.  I just said IWU pulling themselves back into contention, into the top four conversation.  NPU seems to be fading . . .

IWU'70

[iwu70]

Not to worry.  We all know where teams are in the standings.  Greg, no one is delusional.  IWU has to make the CCIW tournament first.  Nothing guaranteed at this point, as IWU has four very tough games remaining as well. 

IWU's game at CC surely a very big game now. 

'70

[Gregory Sager]

NPU seems to be fading . . .

I know that it's lunchtime in Hong Kong right now, Mark, so here's a little light reading for you as you enjoy your midday meal:

http://athletics.northpark.edu/documents/2017/2/4/12-7mbb.htm

http://athletics.northpark.edu/documents/2017/2/4/1-25mbb.htm

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats to former NPU point guard Ro Russell upon being named athletic director at St. Rita:

http://www.stritahs.com/news/russell-ad-presser

That's some nice work, making AD at the ripe old age of 26.

[iwu70]

Greg, thanks for your lunchtime tidbits.  I missed them, as I'd already gone for my lunch in a very pleasant two-IWU-win mood.    I've been aware of those sour tastes you sent along for some time.  Your boys are surely better so far this season.  I was only pointing out NPU's recent losses, surely fading further from Augie's impressive regular season lead now.  And, now my Titans are only one game behind your illustrious team.  Those are the facts.  No delusions.  Tough stretch run for my guys, as surely they have two very tough road games and then two very tough home games as well.  IWU could go 0-4 though I'm hoping for at least 3-1.  Seems IWU will need to finally win the Conference tourney and get the AQ, as their record won't likely be enough to make a Pool C selection this year.  IMHO.  Glad to see them in the regional rankings, but with 2 or 3 more losses, they will fall out of consideration, it seems to me. 

IWU70

[lmitzel]

X + Y + Z = LOSS

X = 55% on FTs
y = 18 Turnovers
z = Can't get the ball in bounds

I watched the final minute or two of regulation and a little ways into overtime after the women's game finished up. I spent probably half that time screaming at my phone to "MAKE YOUR [expletive] FREE THROWS!" NCC had a chance to go into Rock Island, steal a win, and stay in fourth place, just half a game out of second with three to play.

Instead, X + Y + Z.