MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[robberki]

I'm glad NPU softened up Elmhurst so Wheaton could beat them. Anyway, today's game at the Shirk should be good. I think if NPU can play it's hardest and smartest they will definately win. My strategy almost worked on Wednesday but sometimes luck goes the other way. This time, I'm sure NPU will be able to work some magic at IWU. Chalk it!

[GoRedMen]

Is there a way to watch the streamed games online after they have happend?
or is every thing just on when it is live?

[AndOne]

Above posts by both Wheaton and Elnhurst fans indicate the officiating in that game left something to be desired.

Last night in the NCC-Augie game in Naperville, NCC's Adam Krumtinger got off a short shot in the lane with about a second left and Augie leading 60-59.

From my vantage point in the front row a little towards the NCC basket from center court, it sure looked like Krumtinger had a defender hanging on EACH arm. While it appeared the refs had their choice of either of two defenders on whom to call a foul, they instead swallowed their whistles.

I freely admit by bias in favor of NCC, but I honestly believe (we'll see if I get negative Karma for being honest) there was at least one, if not two fouls on the play. The proof however, would be the opinion of the Augie fans in attendance. Many of them were sitting right under the basket where the final play occured. I'm curious to hear the opinion of any who were in attendance or who might have talked to someone who was at the game.

[79jaybird]

what do you mean by NPU softening Elmhurst???  There was nothing soft about either team at King Arena last night.  I think both W/EC posters would agree with me, that last night's game was a war of attrition between 2 very strong teams.  Simply put, Wheaton executed when it mattered most, and EC made a few costly mistakes.  That doesn't constitute soft.
IWU is going to defend home court this afternoon.  Will they have updates at the Shirk on how the Bears are doing?

[79jaybird]

At this point, it appears Elmhurst and Augie are going to duke it out for the top slots, with Wheaton at the front door, waiting to jump in.    Next Saturday is going to be a day to really clear up the picture as Augie hosts Elmhurst and Wheaton @ NC.  Wow,  a lot can happen that evening.

[ecdubb420]

Wheaton definately pulled off a must win game.  They were the team who was playing with more urgency during this ballgame.
This game was eerily similar to the EC-Augie game last year at Rock Island.  In that game EC was horrendous and was down 27-16 at halftime.  Then the team fell behind by about 16 and then went on a huge run.  They got the lead down to three and then Chris Ihlenfeldt missed a 25-footer at the buzzer.  A tough loss, but a game that they had no reason even having a chance to force OT.  Also a game where they looked TERRIBLE on offense.

Big props to Wheaton on the defensive end.  This was the worst shot selection I have seen out of an Elmhurst team in a long, long time.  They were just awful from top to bottom.

Tonight I saw Ryan Burks take over much like Chris Martin had done over the course of his career.  Burks is a kid who wants to shoot early and often, but the offense doesn't call for him to be the player who be the dominant force who averages 20-22 per game.  Instead he shoots when the team needs him too and when the bigs are struggling/in foul trouble.  His run over the last few minutes was phenonemal and the fact that Wheaton fouled him TWICE while taking THREES was amazing.  Poor, poor play by Wheaton down the stretch.  Luckily they nailed their free throws.

Kent Raymond couldn't buy a bucket but still was the best player on the floor tonight.  Why EC fouled him BEFORE the ball was imbounded with 6.7 to go in the game will continue to boggle my mind.  Unbelievable that you would put Mr. Automatic on the stripe.  He did a great job getting the rest of his team involved.

As stated in earlier posts, the play of Denham and Wiele won Wheaton the ballgame.  Very impressive play by those two men on both the offensive and defensive end.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the officiating was awful, but like many games this year, consistently awful.  No offensive flow was allowed and as a result both teams were poor from the field.  Quick whistles for traveling set the early tempo and continued whistles for questionable falls.  I think the calls were terrible both was, and still wonder why refs won't just let the boys play.

I don't care what Strzemp may have said after the North Park game, but he is not ready to play.  Last year I can count the amount of times he attempted a pull back three last year with zero fingers.  He is just not in the shape he needs to be and as I have stated before is not looking for any contact.  Hopefully he'll come around in the next few weeks.

PS: The north park season ticket comment was a joke eluding the way over inflated attendance figures.

[Titan Q]

In the 12+ year history of the Shirk Center, IWU's smallest home attendance for a conference game is 1500 (2/13/02 vs Wheaton).  I think there will be less than that there today due to the Bears and the unusual timing of a Sunday 3:00pm game.  We shall see.

[Jim Matson]

The Wesleyan video stream looks great.  I am surprised to see North Park up by 6 and really outplaying the Titans.

[AndOne]

Final Score:

NPU: 90
IWU: 81

NPU outrebounded IWU 35-21 and shot 62% on threes.

[mr_b]

North Park 90, Illinois Wesleyan 81 --   Congratulations to the Viking players and coaches on their big victory!  Is that North Park's first win at the Shirk?

[mr_b]

In the 12+ year history of the Shirk Center, IWU's smallest home attendance for a conference game is 1500 (2/13/02 vs Wheaton).  I think there will be less than that there today due to the Bears and the unusual timing of a Sunday 3:00pm game.  We shall see.

The box score shows an attendance figure of 750.

[Gotberg]

The box score shows an attendance figure of 750.

At least from the view provided by the webcast, that number seems very generous.

[Titan Q]

North Park is clearly a better team than Illinois Wesleyan.  Not much more analysis need than than on the game today in Bloomington.  NPU really did play well though -- they'd played smart and with a lot of composure.

[Titan Q]

The box score shows an attendance figure of 750.

At least from the view provided by the webcast, that number seems very generous.

The side of the Shirk Center bleachers that were full (the north sideline) was not visible with that camera angle.  750 is a fair number.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

North Park 90, Illinois Wesleyan 81 --   Congratulations to the Viking players and coaches on their big victory!  Is that North Park's first win at the Shirk?

North Park wins in Bloomington:

1969

1980

1981 (NPC scores the game's last 18 points, holding the Titans scoreless for the final 7:30 and IWU shoots no free throws in a 72-54 NPC win).

1990 (I believe) = The Vikings win in Bloomington and the Titans win in Chicago.  North Park's last NCAA tourney team.

2007 - congrats to the Vikings (a whole lot of good North Park players never won in Bloomington).

MW 70:3