MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

For those of you who aren't aware of it yet, there's a CCIW pick 'em contest going on this season, right here on this site. You can reach the pick 'em room via the Midwest Region page of Posting Up.

In years past I've tended to go to the Lee Pfund tourney on Opening Weekend, on whichever night NPU doesn't have a game. This year, though, I think I'm going to opt for the Holiday Inn Select tourney over at the airplane hangar instead. Of course I'm as curious as anyone to see how Wheaton commences the hardwood Thermopylae that will be their 2005-06 season (I probably shouldn't use that metaphor, given that one of the three other Pfund teams is already called the Spartans, but what the heck). And Aurora and McMurry are both solid programs that promise to have interesting teams this season. But North Central should be a better team than Wheaton, and thus a more interesting participant in a four-team tourney, and Wisconsin-Whitewater should be a real powerhouse. Plus, Loras appears to be the team best poised to have a chance at breaking the Wartburg/Buena Vista stranglehold on the IIAC.

I also figure that I'll have a number of opportunities to see Wheaton before New Year's Day, with fewer chances to see North Central.

[The Roop]

When I was living in the Lexington area I remember a case where UK lost a recruit because one of the current players took him to a party in Louisville. Apparently there is a 40 mile range that recruits must stay in during their visits.

My impression is that if the NCAA can't evaluate things on a case by case basis that they have too many rules.

[mactitan]

Just pondering... I love how the Assembly Hall is just a sea of orange at almost every home game, and absolutely blinding at big games.  How does such a tradition start, and can the Shirk Center be "Painted Green."  It is certainly full every game, but what if it was just expected that everyone wears green.  Could it happen?

[tjcummingsfan]

Hey Greg I have a question, that you may, or may not want to answer until after the game, but is your pick of NP over Benedictine because you really think NP will win, or because you don't want to pick against your boys?  Either way I won't argue with the pick, I was just curious, because everyone else (besides me) seems to think NP will lose.

[Titan Q]

TJ, keep in mind that Benedictine lost 6 of the their top 9 players from last year's 21-7 team - Marcus Jackson (14.9 ppg), Will Crawford (14.4 ppg), Zach Ramey (12.5 ppg), Brice Amelianovich (6.9), Mike Shimkus (4.6 ppg), and Adam Hansen (3.7 ppg).  (Jackson and Ramey were All-NIIC last year.)  The Eagles lost their starting point-guard, their starting wing, and their best post players.

BU still has 2-guard Matt Harrison, but they've got a bunch of figuring out to do in the early going.  North Park can play with them.

[Titan Q]

A stab at a preseason All-CCIW team...


1st Team
Keelan Amelianovich (F), IWU (6-6/210, Sr)
Adam Dauksas (G), IWU (6-3/190, Sr)
Chris Martin (F), Elmhurst (6-6/210, Sr)
Jay McAdams-Thorton (F), Augustana (6-3/225, Sr)
Anthony Simmons (F), North Central (6-6/225, Jr)

2nd Team
Zach Freeman (C), IWU (6-7/210, Jr)
Rick Harrigan (G), Augustana (6-3/210, Sr)
Brett Mathisen (F), North Park (6-5/210, Sr)
Nick Michael (C), Elmhurst (6-10/230, Jr)
Daniel Walton (F), North Central (6-5/200, Jr)

3rd Team
David Gershenzon (G), Elmhurst (6-1/180, Sr)
Mike Hart (C), Carthage (6-9/200, Jr)
Cory Jones (F), IWU (6-6/215, Sr)
Brian Schlemm (F), Carthage (6-7/235, Jr)
Nate Swetalla (F), Augustana (6-7/202, Jr)

[tjcummingsfan]

Good to hear, it would be nice for Park to start the season out on a good note.  Its so hard for me being so far away, and not getting to see any games.  If I'm lucky I'll catch one while I'm in Chicago the end of January.  Although I will be tempted to go down to the Shirk and watch my buddies Adam, and Brian play.

[Mr. Ypsi]

A stab at a preseason All-CCIW team...


1st Team
Keelan Amelianovich (F), IWU (6-6/210, Sr)
Adam Dauksas (G), IWU (6-3/190, Sr)
Chris Martin (F), Elmhurst (6-6/210, Sr)
Jay McAdams-Thorton (F), Augustana (6-3/225, Sr)
Anthony Simmons (F), North Central (6-6/225, Jr)

2nd Team
Zach Freeman (C), IWU (6-7/210, Jr)
Rick Harrigan (G), Augustana (6-3/210, Sr)
Brett Mathisen (F), North Park (6-5/210, Sr)
Nick Michael (C), Elmhurst (6-10/230, Jr)
Daniel Walton (F), North Central (6-5/200, Jr)

3rd Team
David Gershenzon (G), Elmhurst (6-1/180, Sr)
Mike Hart (C), Carthage (6-9/200, Jr)
Cory Jones (F), IWU (6-6/215, Sr)
Brian Schlemm (F), Carthage (6-7/235, Jr)
Nate Swetalla (F), Augustana (6-7/202, Jr)

Q,

I 'applaud' your chutzpah - picking all THREE teams before the season even begins!

But you have Cory Jones too low - IF he stays healthy for a change, how can the 2006 CCIW MOP be third team?!   (Sorry, Zach, you don't win it 'til 2007 )

[WHAT?!  ME a 'homer'?  I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked! ]

[Ralph Turner]

Does anyone know if Aurora-McMurry will be broadcast from the Lee Pfund Classic?  WETN?  Thanks.

[Titan Q]

Ralph, WETN would have no reason to cover Aurora/McMurry, but maybe Aurora has a student station doing games now?  I don't think AU has had any radio in the past though.

[Titan Q]

http://www2.ncaa.org/media_and_events/association_news/ncaa_news_online/2005/11_07_05/division_iii/4223n23.html

Council members voted to:

* Oppose a proposal by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin, the Northwest Conference and the University Athletic Association to eliminate from the Division III philosophy statement the emphasis on in-region competition, and to also remove the in-region concept from the selection process for all team championships. The presidents noted ongoing efforts by the Division III Championships Committee to permit more flexibility in counting contests as in-region -- including action to permit designation of games played outside a region during a defined institutional break period as in-region contests -- and strong support for the in-region philosophy indicated in last year's Future of Division III membership survey as reasons for opposing the proposal.

* Oppose a proposal by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin, the Ohio Athletic Conference and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to include a "strength-of-season index" among primary selection criteria for Pools B and C, also basing that stance on recent efforts by the Championships Committee to address concerns about selection criteria.

[IWU DC]

Q

how did IWU's last scrimmage go, i think it was the 13th?  maybe i missed any recaps that were already posted...

[Titan Q]

IWU beat Luther College by 20-something.  Can't remember the score though.

[b_holmgren]

Q -

I would a little surprised if Wheaton didn't get at least one player in the top three teams. SOMEBODY will have to score points, regardless of their final record. My guess is Johnnie Standard ends up doing a lot of that.

As for WETN broadcasting non-Wheaton games in the Lee Pfund. I wouldn't count on it, although it probably would be a nice ratings boost over "the Classiest Moments" or "chapel rebroadcast." 

[Greek Tragedy]

Be sure to head over to the Multi-Regional Topics Board and select your team for the new Survivor Pool! 

You might actually win something! 
Deadline is Friday before the first game's tipoff