MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry to respond now to something from 3-4 pages ago, but it's been a hectic day!

AUGIE2000, no, I do not know how anyone could 'take' my post the way you did when I specifically said "I am not crazy enough to take a Sweet Sixteen game as the 'real' title game" (emphasis added).  And why wouldn't the winner be favored (again a far cry from 'don't bother playing the games, they are the champs) - you've got #1 Lawrence vs former UNANIMOUS #1 IWU: who exactly would the winner be underdogs against?

augiedad, thanks for being a voice of reason!

Titanhammer, while I will not deny your general point (I admittedly DO go over the top from time to time), this was an awfully strange time to make that point!  While it is the wrong sport, 15 yards for a late hit!

Interesting that my defender was from Augie, while the misguided supporter of T2Ks reading deficiences was a Titan - maybe the 'green nation' is not the threat some make it out to be!

[Hoosier Titan]

I don't doubt that Appleton has great places to eat, that there is sufficient parking, or that Alexander gym has character and charm.  I do find it frustrating that it appears that most fans attending will only be able to see their team's game. 

This isn't a whine that the Shirk Center would be better because it would be more convenient for me--IWU's chances for hosting were lost with their six conference losses.  All I would like is to be able to see both games, and for all who want to see both to be able to.

[veterancciwfan]

I'm assuming that IWU fans headed to WI might be able to buy a ticket for the first game Friday at the Augustana or Puget Sound venue for selling their allotted tix. I know some IWU fans got scarce tix at the U. of Chicago sectional in 2001 from the U. of Chicago, including me. Puget Sound probably won't sell more than 40 of its tix. The PSU team is very entertaining to watch. The IWU/PSU game in Santa Barbara was one of the most entertaining games I have ever seen. PSU is a good team with a very rugged and skilled back to the basket post player (McVey, a 6'6" Sr.) and a 3-point shooter (Curtiss, a 6'2" Sr.) who has one of the quickest shot releases ever. PSU runs about 4 or 5 offensive plays and runs them to perfection. Every player has his spot on the floor. Their spacing is very wide and they use all of the floor at the offensive end. Curtiss almost always launched his rapid-fire 3 point attempt from the left corner. Even though PSU averages over 90 a game, they get many of their points in transition off the 30 turnovers they create per game. Their half-court offense is really fairly patient.  They often make over 5 passes in the half court. They are very good at making post entry passes to McVey who is often doubled and McVey is  a great passer who will find the open man. Very similar to Anthony Simmons except McVey doesn't have the 3-point
shot. And they absolutely wear you out mentally and physically. Augie better have at least a 15 point lead on them at half because PSU will outscore you in the 2nd half. I hope Augie's practices this week are more like track practice than b'ball practice because IWU's players had very tired legs and lungs in the last 10 minutes in CA.
They love to trap around the mid-court line. Augie fans-don't miss this PSU game as you will love seeing it.

[Brick]

Ypsi
You are telling me that because larry is undefeted they are favorites...I buy this, but the fact that IWU was a UNANIMOUS #1 does not make them a favorite...since that time they have lost 6 count them 6 games...2 of which are to AUGIE so I would say that since 1/3 of their losses are to Augie they are not a favorite over the vikes..

[iwu70]

This time of year, all good teams, strong programs, so I don't think it really matters who's a favorite and who isn't.  All the chips are on the table now.  Win or go home, so it's just who happens to focus and play their best when it counts most.  I have no doubt that PSU, Larry and Augie are all very worthy Sectional teams, so let's see how it all comes out on one weekend in northern Wisconsin.  Should be a great set of games.  Go CCIW. 

[pennstlbu]

Nothing too big, but it's UPS. Not PSU.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ypsi
You are telling me that because larry is undefeted they are favorites...I buy this, but the fact that IWU was a UNANIMOUS #1 does not make them a favorite...since that time they have lost 6 count them 6 games...2 of which are to AUGIE so I would say that since 1/3 of their losses are to Augie they are not a favorite over the vikes..

I notice you have dropped the part about claiming I said the IWU-Lawrence game was the 'title'game.

I only said that the Lawrence-IWU winner would be regarded as the 'favorite' in all later games.  With NO disrespect intended to Augie, if IWU beats Lawrence, they WILL be regarded as the favorite over Augie, even though Augie won 2 out of 3.  IWU won the most recent game (AT Augie), and seems to have recovered the form that made them #1 (solidly beating two top 25 teams, including the WIAC champ on their home court).  If they then beat the #1 team as well, yes, they will be favored (over anyone).  While you have a case, I would hardly consider it a compelling case.

[Pat Coleman]

Good thing is, the other six regions are not going to just forfeit in the face of the mighty IWU/Lawrence winner, so we'll have an opportunity to see the rest of the season play out.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good thing is, the other six regions are not going to just forfeit in the face of the mighty IWU/Lawrence winner, so we'll have an opportunity to see the rest of the season play out.

et tu, Pat?

I specifically said they would be favored (which I believe is probably true), not that they WOULD win.  Is everyone TRYING to misread what I say?

Exactly whom would you say would be FAVORED (NOT might win) over the Lawrence-IWU winner?

I can see lots of teams that COULD beat them - anyone from the Witt sectional, the winner of VaWes-Lincoln, Amherst; but who amongst them do you think would be favored to win?

I make plenty enough really stupid posts - I'm tired of getting beaten up for the ones that are NOT stupid!

[diehardfan]

Well, I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here, but it seems obvious that Pat thinks the answer is Hope. "And so, finally, Hope fans, there's your banner."

Just a thought.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Well, I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here, but it seems obvious that Pat thinks the answer is Hope. "And so, finally, Hope fans, there's your banner."

Just a thought.

Yeah, April, I thought about putting in Hope-Witt as the one exception, but I thoght it just muddied up my point.

When you've got the #1 playing the former #1 (who is finallly playing like they were supposed to be playing) - THAT'S the lead story!  (But it is true that ANY of the GL/South teams could screw up the story!)

[Sam Johnson]

I don't doubt that Appleton has great places to eat, that there is sufficient parking, or that Alexander gym has character and charm.  I do find it frustrating that it appears that most fans attending will only be able to see their team's game. 

This isn't a whine that the Shirk Center would be better because it would be more convenient for me--IWU's chances for hosting were lost with their six conference losses.  All I would like is to be able to see both games, and for all who want to see both to be able to.

I'd like to see both too...but of the 3 options the NCAA had, this is the most fair IMO. 1) Deny LU the right to host which no one disputes that they earned and give it to IWU or Augie. 2) Give it to LU, go with one set of tickets, and severely limit the # of seats available to UPS, Augie, and IWU based on logistics. 3) Give it to LU, split the sessions, and over double the seats available for Augie and UPS.  IWU has their seats nearly doubled. I'm not debating that LU also recieves a solid advantage in this scenario.  I suppose choosing #2/#3 as "better" is up for debate, but I think its nice that more than 185 fans for each of the 3 traveling teams can see their guys play.

Appleton has been hosting the NCAA D3 baseball championship finals for the last bunch of years, so they know how to make people feel welcomed.

If you are looking for dinner in Appleton and want to try a local place rather than the big chains, try Seven Angels Family Restaurant right around the corner from Alexander gym, or Los Compadres Mexican Grill in the strip mall next to Walmart near the corner of 441 and Calumet/KK.  You will find plenty of other choices off all the exits from 41 and 441.

An interesting fact - years ago, the court at Alexander gym was perpendicular to where it is today.  That would have allowed bleachers on both sides of the court, and a bigger seating capacity.  My guess is they switched it because the court couldn't be regulation length with that configuration.

Not only would the court not be up to NCAA standards, but I have heard that players had to finish their layups in the lobby when driving to the south hoop or into the wall when driving to the north. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The place to be next weekend for quality basketball: MSG or Appleton, WI?  Never thought people would have to make a choice like that one, huh?


This regional is going to be fantastic.  I wish I could figure out a way up there.  I doubt there will be three games in the same venue as good as these this weekend.  Maybe Salem, but that's a long shot.

[Brick]

SO are you saying that none of the other West/Midwest teams can screw up your story?  Why don't we just send the winner of the Almighty IWU/Larry U game to the final four and not even play the elite eight game?

[augie22]

Is Larry's gym worse then NPU box in Chicago?  Only being able to fit 1000 fans in a gym and also not being able to watch both games this Friday would be a huge disservice to the fans and schools.