MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

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. 

Actually, in Aurora's defeat of NCC, the primary reason for the AU victory was not their 3 point shooting (which was very good), but rather the ability of AU's Darrick Leonard to penetrate the middle of the Cards defense and drive the lane. In attempting to stop his speedy bursts into the middle, NCC sent him to the line 19 times, mostly due to reaching in as he went flying by. Of his 19 free throws, he made 17. His ability to penetrate forced the entire defense to collapse back inside  in their attempts to stop him. This further opened up long range shot opportunities for Aurora with the defense sagging back. If NCC had been able to stop Leonard's penetrating the middle, they would also have been able to play up closer to the long range bombers. Lastly, many of Aurora's 3 balls that night were just good shooting as several of their attempts were from a distance where you would almost want them to shoot from as you would normally expect a much lower percentage from such long range.  At one point, it appeared the farther from the basket that the shot was launched, the better the chance it would find its mark.     

[AndOne]

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.

It is real early in the season but of the bunch that you mentioned, Wheaton is the only one that has a chance this year to advance the furthest in the playoffs - isn't that the thing that matters most? It is not who leads in ranking but who can gets a bid for the NCAA tournament and who goes the furthest in the playoffs....who cares about ranking other than bragging rights?

Congrats to Wheaton & Carthage on their improved play so far this season, and their subsequent current rankings.

However, in comparing either of these teams to Augie, I would venture that AC will both have a better chance to make the national tourney, and to advance further if Wheaton and/or Carthage also make it. Just my opinion and not intended to diminish Wheaton's & Carthage's improvement this year.

[dansand]

Dave Wrath's summary of the Augie game does not mention Dain Swatella at all, but given that he started the game for Augie, there must have been an injury. Hopefully, it was not serious, as Augie will not go to far in the CCIW without Dain playing big minutes.

Unfortunately, it's another ankle injury. Hopefully it's not as serious as last year's. Attrition is starting to take it's toll. The Vikes are now without two of their top four front court players.

[The Roop]

Anyone going to the Wheaton/Northwestern game on Thursday evening?  Think we can stay within 20 points?

Last time I recall a match up of similar proportions was in 1980. Northwestern 103 Knox 78. Hopefully Wheaton gets a nice check out of the deal but their time would be better spent on an in-region game.

[Gregory Sager]

Anyone going to the Wheaton/Northwestern game on Thursday evening?  Think we can stay within 20 points?

Last time I recall a match up of similar proportions was in 1980. Northwestern 103 Knox 78. Hopefully Wheaton gets a nice check out of the deal but their time would be better spent on an in-region game.

North Park played Northwestern two years after that, and only lost by 11. I remember the game well, because the Wildcats were using DePaul's Alumni Hall as their home gym at that time, and after the game a bunch of us Parkers played frisbee on the lawn in front of Alumni Hall where DePaul's new library now stands.

I would wager that Wheaton will do better than that long-ago Siwash team fared against the Wildcats, too. Bill Harris is too good of a coach, and Kent Raymond is too good of a player, for Wheaton to lose by 25. I say that the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance goes down in defeat by only 16.

Wish I could be at that game, but an old friend of mine is coming into town that night. Guess I'll have to read the recap in here from whoever attends the game and posts about it.

[joehakes]

Greg,

The other thing about the NP/NW game that you mention is that Northwestern was undefeated at least through that game and if I remember correctly (which is less and less these days) didn't lose in their non-conference schedule.  The 11 point win was the closest game NW had until that point.  Pretty low scoring game I recall.

I should point out that North Park did beat Northwestern in soccer in the early 80's.  For those of you who care.....

[Titan Q]

IWU's last Division I games are below, with the Titans CCIW record/finish noted...

(1993-94, 11-3, 1st)
Bradley 81
IWU 63

(1992-93, 9-5, 2nd)
Northern Illinois 86
IWU 66

(1991-92, 14-2, 1st)
Northwestern 80
IWU 59

(1990-91, 15-1, 1st)
Northwestern 84
IWU 62

(1989-90, 14-2, 2nd)
Northern Illinois 73
IWU 70

(1989-90, 14-2, 2nd)
Northwestern 81
IWU 72

[Titan Q]

I was at 5 of those 6 IWU/DI games -- they were during my four years at IWU and first year out.  They were all a lot of fun, except the 1991-92 game vs Northwestern.  In that game, IWU's returning 1st Team All-CCIW player Dave Kunka tore his ACL in the first half.  It was devastating for Dave and Titan fans.

These game were all competitive.  The 18-22 points losses were games that were all close through early in the 2nd half before the big boys pulled away.  IWU's exhibition vs U. of Illinois was the same way last year -- IWU was tied with 14:00 to play before the Illini went on a big run to separate for good and win by 22.  In that 73-70 loss to Northern Illinois in 1989-90, IWU actually led in the final minute of the game before the Huskies received a little home cooking from the officials. 

After the 1989-90 game vs NU I remember there was an article in the Tribune the next day calling IWU All-American Jeff Kuehl the "best player on the floor."  I am not familiar with Northwestern's current personal, but I think there is a chance that Kent Raymond has a chance to shine in a similar fashion.  He is just so good.  I hope Raymond has a huge game and has the place buzzing about how good the D3 kid is.

[cardinalpride]

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. 

Actually, in Aurora's defeat of NCC, the primary reason for the AU victory was not their 3 point shooting (which was very good), but rather the ability of AU's Darrick Leonard to penetrate the middle of the Cards defense and drive the lane. In attempting to stop his speedy bursts into the middle, NCC sent him to the line 19 times, mostly due to reaching in as he went flying by. Of his 19 free throws, he made 17. His ability to penetrate forced the entire defense to collapse back inside  in their attempts to stop him. This further opened up long range shot opportunities for Aurora with the defense sagging back. If NCC had been able to stop Leonard's penetrating the middle, they would also have been able to play up closer to the long range bombers. Lastly, many of Aurora's 3 balls that night were just good shooting as several of their attempts were from a distance where you would almost want them to shoot from as you would normally expect a much lower percentage from such long range.  At one point, it appeared the farther from the basket that the shot was launched, the better the chance it would find its mark.     

Andone, I was simply drawing a conclusion based on the stats of the two games.  While the source of the problem during the AU game was dribble penetration and pass out to 3pt shooters, the solution to the problem would still be better perimeter D on the ball handler to control the penetration.  Agree? 

Also congrats to Wheaton, Carthage, and Augie for remaining in the top 25!

[knarocky22]

Augie played a very good Southern Illinois team in their first game of the 2004-2005 season and lost 83-59.  If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the game was much closer than that until pretty near the end.  I could be wrong though.

[Mac Attack]

What's up with Korte Long from Millikin? Last night he plays 21 minutes against Illinois College (almost all of that in the first half), goes 0-3 from the field, 0-3 from the line, and three rebounds. From looking at the play-by-play line, it didn't appear that he played much (if any) of the last 16-17 minutes of the game. For someone with his size and ability, he should be getting a double-double every night. Maybe he was hurt or was under the weather. They were down 22 when he sat down early in the second half - maybe that had something to do with it. I've seen him play when he was flat out dominating. Other times, he looks like he's just going through the motions. Has to driving Coach Littrell nuts...

[markerickson]

I vaguely recall that "close" North Park loss to Northwestern @ DePaul game.   Freshman Justyne Monegain scored double digits in the low-scoring affair.  I think Justyne earned a starting position the first game of his freshman year.  

I do recall the failed brakes of the Buick Wildcat in which I was a passenger that nearly led to a major accident en route to Sohlberg Hall.  The driver blew through a red light going over 30mph.

[OurHouse]

Given a new coach, and almost all new players, I have high hopes that IWU will be an opponent's nightmare by February!  (Granted, right now they are this Titans' fan's nightmare! )

I predict: 1. they will make the CCIW tourney. 2. they will win the CCIW tourney (or at least make the finals if that will be good enough to make the national tourney). and 3. they will go to AT LEAST the sweet sixteen in the national tourney.

I'm confident on #1, cautiously optimistic on #2 and 3.

Mr. Yipsi: the only way IWU will do what you say is if:

1) the injuries heal for a couple of IWU's top players coming off the bench
2) they start playing better defense, Gilmore/Harrigan are too slow
3) Rose starts rotating for his starters
4) Rose gets out of "appease mode" to "gotta win" mode

Just my honest opinion after watching the last 3 games

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I vaguely recall that "close" North Park loss to Northwestern @ DePaul game.   Freshman Justyne Monegain scored double digits in the low-scoring affair.  I think Justyne earned a starting position the first game of his freshman year.  

I do recall the failed brakes of the Buick Wildcat in which I was a passenger that nearly led to a major accident en route to Sohlberg Hall.  The driver blew through a red light going over 30mph.

Oh the joy of wonderful memories:

Joe - I believe it was the season opener for both teams.

Adam Lazich made the first two three-point baskets in NP history - the Big Ten experimented with the 3 point shot that year.

David "The Legend" Claerbaut broadcast the game.  He hadn't made reservations with the NW SID office so they would not give him a seat at the courtside table.  He sat in the first row, with his equipment on his knees broadcasting the game.

MW

[AndOne]

Andone, I was simply drawing a conclusion based on the stats of the two games.  While the source of the problem during the AU game was dribble penetration and pass out to 3pt shooters, the solution to the problem would still be better perimeter D on the ball handler to control the penetration.  Agree? 

Also congrats to Wheaton, Carthage, and Augie for remaining in the top 25!

Better perimeter D would certainly help. Integrated with that basic concept is the ability to communicate screens, and to either fight through them or switch effectively.