MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[lmitzel]

Surprised I'm the first one to this. I somehow still have a voice this morning after freshman Mike Pollack hit a three with 1.1 ticks left to beat Benedictine 82-79. Both teams blew double digit leads (BenU led by 15 late in the first half, but the Cardinals cut it to 2 at the half; NCC led 74-60 with a few minutes left, but let the Eagles come back to tie it at 79).

But really, any time you can win with Alex Sorenson giving you basically nothing (2 points, 2 rebounds in 13 minutes due to foul trouble) you'll take it. Pollack finished with a team high 25, including said three that was one of those "No, no, no, no, YES!" type of contested threes.

[AppletonRocks]

Will the WIAC /CCIW Challenge get any coverage on ESPN?

[Titan Q]

Augustana's Pierson Wofford (14.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.0 apg) suffered a torn ACL in the loss to the Illini last night...

http://www.qconline.com/sports/college_sports/wofford-injury-adds-to-tough-night-for-vikings-in-loss/article_fc62f068-cdfd-5bc9-acbe-c2407d489292.html

Really a big blow for the Vikings. 6-4 Wofford, a natural 3, had been starting for Augustana at the 4. He brought unique athleticism to the floor and the ability to score in a variety of ways. Through 3 games, he had more than double the rebounds (35) of anyone else on the team. 

Augie has had a lot of success moving 3s to the 4 in recent seasons (Wofford, Jacob Johnston last year, Tayvian Johnson before that). 6-6 G Brett Benning, definitely a 3 by nature, probably now moves into the starting lineup at the 4.  The D2 transfer is very talented and should do well, but the Vikings will lose a lot without Wofford's do-it-all skill set on the floor.

The Vikings are still loaded of course should still, as I see it, be considered the favorite.  But I think both North Central and Illinois Wesleyan are right there with the Vikings.  I do not see much separation.

[GoPerry]

Augustana's Pierson Wofford (14.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.0 apg) suffered a torn ACL in the loss to the Illini last night...

http://www.qconline.com/sports/college_sports/wofford-injury-adds-to-tough-night-for-vikings-in-loss/article_fc62f068-cdfd-5bc9-acbe-c2407d489292.html

Really a big blow for the Vikings. 6-4 Wofford, a natural 3, had been starting for Augustana at the 4. He brought unique athleticism to the floor and the ability to score in a variety of ways. Through 3 games, he had more than double the rebounds (35) of anyone else on the team. 

Augie has had a lot of success moving 3s to the 4 in recent seasons (Wofford, Jacob Johnston last year, Tayvian Johnson before that). 6-6 G Brett Benning, definitely a 3 by nature, probably now moves into the starting lineup at the 4.  The D2 transfer is very talented and should do well, but the Vikings will lose a lot without Wofford's do-it-all skill set on the floor.

The Vikings are still loaded of course should still, as I see it, be considered the favorite.  But I think both North Central and Illinois Wesleyan are right there with the Vikings.  I do not see much separation.

Wow - unbelievably bad news for Pierson, Augie and everyone in the league.  Doesn't matter who you root for, you never want to see a season ending injury for anyone much less a key player for one of the top teams.  That it happens so early before the season really gets going is especially brutal.  Similar to NCC and Raridon last year.  Wishing him a good and full recovery.

[augiefan]

If it were not for bad luck, Pierson Wofford would not have any luck at all. Very sad that this  injury happened in a meaningless exhibition game. Augie still has a good team, but losing the guy who in the first 3 games was their best player is pretty disastrous. They may still be in the mix for the conferenc3 title run, but their NCAA tourney hopes probably went down the tubes last night.

[iwumichigander]

If it were not for bad luck, Pierson Wofford would not have any luck at all. Very sad that this  injury happened in a meaningless exhibition game. Augie still has a good team, but losing the guy who in the first 3 games was their best player is pretty disastrous. They may still be in the mix for the conferenc3 title run, but their NCAA tourney hopes probably went down the tubes last night.

Deep tourney run maybe but way too early to write-off making the tourney. A whole lot of basketball to be played.

[Yogao]

They didn't have Pierson Wofford last year and made a nice run in the tournament. They only lost Johnson from that team, and with everybody coming back with an additional year of experience they could still do some good things this year.

[4samuy]

Yeah,  although you have to feel bad for Wofford who was playing at a such a high level, IMHO, Augustana will be just fine.  If you've seen any of the first three games they've played (take away the Illinois game) they are light years ahead of where they were defensively this time last year.  They have always hung their hat on the defensive end and that will continue.  Yes, Wofford was a part of that, of course, and his rebounding will be missed, especially on the offensive glass.

The three guys that continue to make strides,  and showed a few nice things last night (and I mean a few) were The three Sophmores 6'11 Micah Martin, 6'9 Donovan Ferguson and 6'9 Roman Youngblut.  Both Ferguson and Youngblut are freakish athletically and long and Martin is just really long.  They won't get a ton out of them offensively (at this point)but boy as a threesome they will continue to progress on the defensive end and thru the first three games I don't believe Augie has let any offense get out of the 60s.

Yes, Brett Benning will need to step up and play a little bit more down in the paint, but if you look at their stats over the last couple of years they team rebound at a pretty high level, with their three headed guard group of Orange, Sortillo and Ebel making solid contributions. Wofford is freak offensive rebounder, and yes he was averaging double digit boards, because he is quick with long arms at 6'4, but I'm sure the Augustana coaches will use their depth and talent to make adjustments.

Augustana still has their veteran back court, which is important when you lose guy like Wofford and his versitility and I'm sure the coaches are preaching "next man up"

As an aside,  from everything I've heard Wofford is extremely well liked by his teammates so unlike last year, when he was unable to participate, this year he will be a part of the team as he goes thru his recovery.  Wish him luck on his rehab

[AndOne]

If it were not for bad luck, Pierson Wofford would not have any luck at all. Very sad that this  injury happened in a meaningless exhibition game. Augie still has a good team, but losing the guy who in the first 3 games was their best player is pretty disastrous. They may still be in the mix for the conferenc3 title run, but their NCAA tourney hopes probably went down the tubes last night.

Augiefan,

I think you are being too hard on your boys.
All the guys that returned from last year did so with another year of experience and development under their belts.
WITHOUT Wofford, and WITH 8 losses last year they still made the national championship game.
Orange may not have been the best player on the team to date, but you can bet on the fact that by the end of the regular season, he will be playing at an All-American level.

[Titan Q]

If it were not for bad luck, Pierson Wofford would not have any luck at all. Very sad that this  injury happened in a meaningless exhibition game. Augie still has a good team, but losing the guy who in the first 3 games was their best player is pretty disastrous. They may still be in the mix for the conferenc3 title run, but their NCAA tourney hopes probably went down the tubes last night.

I believe Augie still has the talent to win the CCIW, make the NCAA tournament, and make a deep run in the tournament.  But that is dependent on how things shake up at the 4. Last year Jacob Johnston did a little bit of everything from that spot - 13 points and 5 rebounds per game and played great post defense. This year, through 3 games, Wofford was similarly doing a ton of great things.

Do they go 6-6 Brett Benning (who is definitely a pure 3)? Or do they maybe go with a true 4, like 6-9 Roman Youngblut.  I saw Youngblut in the IWU/Augie JV game last year in Bloomington and was really impressed. Augie could come out of this way bigger - imagine starting 6-9 and 6-11 in the post.  I think they need a rebounder and post defender at the 4...so I think they go Youngblut.

I don't think 6-9 Donovan Ferguson will be the answer.  I think they like having 40 minutes of 6-11 Micah Martin and 6-9 Ferguson at the 5. Putting Ferguson in the starting lineup seems to mess up their 5 rotation.  I could be wrong though.

The Vikings have plenty of talented pieces to still be great.

[hopefan]

Carthage comes down to the Webster tourney tonight, facing a tough South Region opponent in Centre... looking for a great game!!!

Any Carthage posters coming south to see the game?  Look for hopefan.. I'll be wearing Hope sweatshirt across the court from benches, top row!!!!

[AndOne]

After Wednesday's flight and encampment in the Honolulu Embassy Suites, and yesterday's Hawaiian Thanksgiving luau-festival feast, North Central is preparing to take on traditional western region power Whitworth tonight at 7:30 Central time, and Lewis & Clark tomorrow at midnight Central. The Cards need to step things up over their initial performances. I understand video will be available for both games.
The Cardinals will enjoy the sights and surf Sunday and Monday before returning home Tuesday.

http://www.collegetournamentshawaii.com/2017-classics/

[all blues]

Millikin has now won as many games this season as last.  Down 2 at the half to Sarah Lawrence, the Blue blitzed the boys from Bronxville 43-18 in the second half. A tougher test tomorrow against UW-Platteville in the thin Colorado air...

[hopefan]

Had to share this little tidbit form my writeup of the Webster tourney "action" over in the SLIAC room:

Highlight of the night... with just a couple of minutes left in Carthage game, Carthage way up, a Carthage guard throws an errant entry pass into the big man in the middle.. Centre intercepts and everyone runs the other way.. Coach Bosco D fires whatever he has in his hand (FIRES, like a 95 MPH fastball) towards the scorers table... it richochets off the table over towards the foul line in several pieces, Asst Coach Stevie D shows he still has great quickness, scampers out behind the game action, picks up two or 3 pieces, and scampers back to the bench, totally unnoticed by the officials...  a PRICELESS memory!! (OK, it was probably just a pen)

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (3-0) vs Millsaps at (1-2) at Rhodes College, 1:00pm...

Illinois Wesleyan (3-0)
G - Nick Coleman, 6-2/185 Jr.  9.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 apg
G - Brady Rose, 6-3/185 Sr.  20.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg
G - Colin Bonnett, 6-4/190 Jr.  9.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
F - Jaylen Beasley, 6-6/185 Sr.  6.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg
C - Alex O'Neill, 6-9/245 So. 7.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg

G - Zach Knobloch, 6-2/180 So.  18.0 ppg, 16-26 3-point (.615)
G - Jason Gregoire, 6-4/205 Jr.  6.7 ppg
F - Miles Curry, 6-6/205 So.  5.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg
G - Grant Wolfe, 5-11/175 Fr.  4.0 ppg, 4.7 apg
F - Danny Baker, 6-6/220 Jr.  3.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg
C - Tyler Burdine, 6-9/235 Sr.  1.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg

Millsaps (1-2)
G - Joshua Miller, 5-10/190 Fr.  8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg
G - She'Chem Grant, 5-11/170 So.  19.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.0 apg
G - Michael Sullivan, 6-2/170 Jr.  9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.0 apg
G - James Turner, 6-4/190 So.  9.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
F - Buck Blanz, 6-4/210 So.  8.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg

F - Sam Kohnke, 6-4/200 Sr.  9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg
G - Saxton Becker, 6-3/195 So.  2.3 ppg
F - Tysin Meads, 6-5/200 Fr.  1.7 ppg, 2.3 ppg
G - Cameron Carvelli, 5-10/160 So.  0.7 ppg


Pantagraph - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/iwu-basketball-to-face-two-foes-in-memphis/article_70a41137-66b6-55f5-acd3-3c9f942dd9ff.html

WJBC Radio - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/

Live Video/Stats - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/rhodes/

IWU season preview: http://www.iwuhoops.com/preview2017-18.html