MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

North Park's next two games are in a holiday tournament in Huntington Beach CA.  Who will participate and who is the host?

I live in Huntington Beach and there is no D3 school near here. The closest would be Chapman which is about 15 miles away. I am guessing that they are playing at one of the local junior colleges in town... possibly at Goldenwest College.

[True Basketball Fan]

Harris Stowe?!?  That might be the most embarassing loss in the CCIW for a LoooooOOOONG time!  D3hoops has them listed as Harris Stowe State University, which makes them sound like they are bigger or something.  This tiny NAIA in the St. Louis area has about 3 or 4 hundred strong in the whole school.  Anyway,  Harris Stowe is annually a bottom feeder, with some startling season records these past several seasons.  They are 4-10 this year, were 4-27 last year, 6-23 the year before, and 1-31 the year before that.  To sum it all up, Harris Stowe is 15-91 in the last 4 seasons, with one of those 15 wins coming against North Central, the defending CCIW Tourney Champs & pre-season favorite to win the conference championship in the ever-so-tough & very proud CCIW.  WOW!  What a blow to the league!  I still can't believe it.

Hey GS, I don't even think North Park has embarassed the league this bad, or have they?  Let us know.

Get ready for a defending rage from cardinalpride, I'm looking forward to reading it.   

[RodneyKnuppel]

Congrats to former Midwest Central star and Elmhurst College sophomore Ryan Burks for winning CCIW player of the week!

[Dennis_Prikkel]

The night was damp.

North Park played much of the game like it was asleep on the moors, but the Vikings closed with a 21-9 run over the last 7 minutes to win the game.

The Eagles dressed only eight players (and 2 of those played scant minutes when it mattered).

North Park looked lethargic defensively most of the game and on the other end of the court like they lost two seconds on the shot clock for every point lead they had, squandering an early 17 point lead in the 2nd half, that shrunk to 5 with 6:30 to play, with a wide and varied assortment of outside bricks and bad non-chalant unforced errant passes.

Anthony Lenoir didn't make the trip - but the Vikings spread the points around.  Jay Alexander had a nice game and was really the catalyst several times in stretching North Park's lead when the Eagles got close.

MW

[Gregory Sager]

NPU 74, Judson 57

http://www.judson-il.edu/about/athletics/index.aspx?id=2372&mID=81

Nick Williams: 19 pts, 11 rebs
Jason Gordon: 19 pts, 5 rebs
Jay Alexander: 18 pts, 8 rebs

As Dennis said, the Vikings did a collective sleepwalk through this road contest against a thoroughly hapless Judson team. The Vikings didn't trail from the first two minutes onward, but they didn't put away the Eagles until late in the game. Judson was only down five with 8:30 left when the Vikings finally stepped it up and went on a run that put the game away with enough time left to empty the bench in the waning minutes.

Sheldon Evans had an absolutely horrific shooting night -- 0-9 from the field, and 2-6 from the line -- but like any great player he found a way to contribute even as his offense went south on him, as he dished out four assists and grabbed three steals and didn't turn the ball over once. Jay Alexander and Jason Gordon really played well, although Gordon turned the ball over a bunch, and surprise starter Nick Williams had probably the best night of his embryonic career.

This is two straight rather ugly results for the Park against wretched teams, but they're also two wins, which is really all that matters. And, as Dennis noted, this is the second straight game in which one of the Vikings stars was absent, as Anthony Lenoir missed the contest (I'm not sure why yet, although I'll find out tomorrow -- if anyone at NPU gets the scoop before me, pass it along here on CCIW Chat). The key will be to get everyone back in uniform at the same time (although Mike Church and Keith Willert still haven't suited up yet for the Vikes) and to dial up the intensity in the Huntington Beach tourney, which will be the last two tests the Vikings have before they open up the CCIW slate at Augie on the third of January.

As far as I can tell there is no host playing in the tournament.  North Park, Coe, Dominican and Lake Forest will be there.  NPU faces Lake Forest in the first round.  This may just be an excuse to go someplace warmer in the middle of winter.

Good guess, HF, because that's exactly what this tournament is -- four snowbirds manufacturing their own excuse to catch some rays rather than rely upon some SCIAC team to host them. Lake Forest coach Chris Conger arranged the entire affair via long-distance phone calls.

I live in Huntington Beach and there is no D3 school near here. The closest would be Chapman which is about 15 miles away. I am guessing that they are playing at one of the local junior colleges in town... possibly at Goldenwest College.

I actually think that they're playing in a local high school gym, although I'm not 100% certain about that.

[buck14]

congrat to ryan burks. looks like all the hard work in the manito cage has paid off for the kid!!!


Also, for only watching 1 half of the NCC/Hariss Stowe game; i was very disappointed in NCC and Simmons. I felt that the team played just like there leader and came out to cocky. My personal opinion may not mean much but i think NCC will have trouble when teams apply intense gaurd pressure in conference play. Not taking anything away from them, they are good but young

[AndOne]

Also, for only watching 1 half of the NCC/Hariss Stowe game; i was very disappointed in NCC and Simmons. I felt that the team played just like there leader and came out to cocky. My personal opinion may not mean much but i think NCC will have trouble when teams apply intense gaurd pressure in conference play. Not taking anything away from them, they are good but young

Buck-----

I didn't see the game and just wondered----

Were you disappointed with Simmons' 18 points, his 9 rebounds, or just his cockiness? Was there any specific behavior that you felt was of a cocky nature? What about any of the other players?

[Gregory Sager]

Also, for only watching 1 half of the NCC/Hariss Stowe game; i was very disappointed in NCC and Simmons. I felt that the team played just like there leader and came out to cocky. My personal opinion may not mean much but i think NCC will have trouble when teams apply intense gaurd pressure in conference play. Not taking anything away from them, they are good but young

I think it's pretty much a universal consensus by now that NCC has some serious questions in the backcourt. Now that Todd Raridon has apparently demoted his seniors and turned to his freshman duo of Smith and Barringer, tongues will no doubt be wagging as to whether he made that move too soon or too late.

I noticed that Simmons almost fouled out of the Harris-Stowe game and did foul out against RMCS. Did Corley Lee of RMCS and whatever big man Simmons had to face for Harris-Stowe cause that, or was it more a matter of Simmons having a bad weekend?

[Dennis_Prikkel]

The Big "D" and I were both told the same tale that Lenoir had a "family emergency" which kept him from the game.

Having spent some time on the beautiful California coast in December I can tell you there's nothing like going to the beach on Christmas Day when its 84 degrees.

I would also suggest that a meal at Duke's on the boardwalk in Huntington Beach is a must.

UC-Irvine is fairly close to HB as is the Orange County Airport.

Anyhoo it sounds like a great place to get away from a damp December in Chicago.

and.....

for the first time in several years, the Vikings will have a winning record going into Christmas.  Merry indeed!

[RodneyKnuppel]

congrat to ryan burks. looks like all the hard work in the manito cage has paid off for the kid!!

Heck yeah. Ryan has done a nice job in his first year playing big time Varsity minutes for the Blue Jays! Keep it up Ryan. I can't wait to come see Ryan and the Jays play Sunday in the Classic.

[buck14]

AndOne, that is a good stat line for the game. Like i said in my previous post i was only there for 1 half and that is what i saw. I am guessing they played a better 2nd half if they cut the lead down to 6. The one half i saw Walton was trying to get his team going but picked up his 3rd foul.

Rodney, i was thinking about heading up to the classic on sunday too. For sure heading up on the 30th for the Beloit Game.

[cardinalpride]

Harris Stowe?!?  That might be the most embarassing loss in the CCIW for a LoooooOOOONG time!  D3hoops has them listed as Harris Stowe State University, which makes them sound like they are bigger or something.  This tiny NAIA in the St. Louis area has about 3 or 4 hundred strong in the whole school.  Anyway,  Harris Stowe is annually a bottom feeder, with some startling season records these past several seasons.  They are 4-10 this year, were 4-27 last year, 6-23 the year before, and 1-31 the year before that.  To sum it all up, Harris Stowe is 15-91 in the last 4 seasons, with one of those 15 wins coming against North Central, the defending CCIW Tourney Champs & pre-season favorite to win the conference championship in the ever-so-tough & very proud CCIW.  WOW!  What a blow to the league!  I still can't believe it.

Hey GS, I don't even think North Park has embarassed the league this bad, or have they?  Let us know.

Get ready for a defending rage from cardinalpride, I'm looking forward to reading it.   

You know TBF you're right.  It was an embarrassing lost to say the least.  No way on God's green earth does NCC lose that game a year ago.  It was like watching Tyson vs. Douglas only in the basketball sense.  Harris Stowe shot 63% from 3pt.  They're season avg.  going into the game was 29%.  They shot 53% from the field.  Season avg going into the game was only 41%.  The only conclusion I can come up with is poor defense and  turnovers (23) by NCC (which could have led to easy baskets) along with a great night by Harris Stowe.  Another interesting stat in the game was fouls committed.  According to the stat sheet, Stowe only committed 9 fouls for the entire game.  That's unbelievable considering how seemingly aggressive they play defensively (12 steals) and how NCC likes to go inside.  NCC committed 21 fouls and I know some of those were the come from behind type.  Stowe also held a 24 to 6 foul shot advantage.  All in all NCC lost a game it shouldn't have and they have to learn from it and move on.  Another interesting statistical comparison is the following day Stowe played tournament host Greenville and all of a sudden they shoot 42% from the field (34-81) and 33% from 3pt.(9-27).  Also, Their fouls seemingly increased from 9 to 24 and their foul shots decrease from 24 to 12.  Greenville, on the other hand, committed 15 fouls and went to the line 26 times.  You guys draw your own conclusion.  By the way, Greenville still lost the game 80-78. 

In NCC 2 losses, they haven't defended the 3pt. very well.  Aurora shot 50% from 3 (14-28) and Stowe shot over 60%.  They need to tighten up the perimeter D. 

[RodneyKnuppel]

I will definately make the classic on Sunday, then I hope to get to IWU on Feb. 3 to see the Jays and Titans.

[OurHouse]

I will definately make the classic on Sunday, then I hope to get to IWU on Feb. 3 to see the Jays and Titans.

..well, that game won't be much to see especially if IWU has anymore injuries - right now, IWU is hurting and they will have a tough time against good teams in the conference this season ( includes that one against the Jays) - will not be fun to watch especially for those IWU fans - just my humble opinion (hope for the best in healing)!!

[REDMENFAN]

I know it doesn't mean much right now, especially since conference play has not started yet, but I just wanted to congratulate Carthage, along with Augie and Wheaton on their rankings.  After losing their leading scorer to UW-Parkside and a rough few years, I don't think anyone could have predicted that they would be in the top 25 a few weeks into the season. Will they be able to keep it up, who knows, but reguardless its nice to see them doing well again up to this point.