MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

Congratulations to Bill Harris and the Thunder on the 2009 CCIW championship!  We are all set...

#1 Wheaton vs #4 North Central
#2 Elmhurst vs #3 Augustana

Good luck to all!

[Mr. Ypsi]

GO AUGUSTANA!

GET THE WIN HOWEVER YOU HAVE TO!!!

Perhaps a banana peel and Dough Sexauer's porch would do the trick

jk 

Doug had only 8 points tonite (half his average); did you follow through with your plan?  You fiend!

[shepherd]

Congratulations to the Thunder on the CCIW championship.  Good luck in the tournament and playoffs.  North Central gave a great effort and will be a formidable opponent next week in the conference tournament. 
Ps You got to love the football team storming the court after the game.  The linemen with their shirts off.  Fat is back in. 

[augiefan]

After putting themselves behind the 8 ball going into the final week, the Augie Vikings had things fall their way almost perfectly. The previous Augie-Elmhurst ghames went down to the wire, so this one on a neutral court should be a dandy. The Wheaton-NCC match should also be ihard fought also given the success the Cardinals have had against Wheaton recently. These should be two really tough games showcasing 4 teams that are among the best in DIII basketball. I can't wait, but. of course, I'll have to.

[Gregory Sager]

Millikin 65, North Park 58

Nick Williams, 13 pts, 10 rebs
D.J. Cooper, 12 pts
Roshawn Russell, 11 pts
Phil Schniedermeier, 10 rebs

Tunde Ogunleye, 23 pts, 9 rebs
Robert Burton, 15 pts, 11 rebs
Joscar Demby, 10 pts, 6 rebs

NPU was out-toughed tonight. Millikin wanted to finish in sixth place more than NPU wanted to get off the schneid, and the Big Blue won just about every physical test between the two teams. They outwrestled the Vikings for loose balls, fought their way through to grab more contested rebounds, dished out more contact to NPU shooters, and finished more shots while in contact. Given the fact that Millikin's lineup is all seniors and juniors, while NPU is almost all freshmen and sophomores, it was truly the men against the boys tonight.

Aside from the physical aspects, however, North Park just did not play well at all. Defensively the Vikings did better on the perimeter than usual, but they let too many weakside cutters leak loose along the baseline to pick up passes from the post. That helped explain why, for such a small team, the Big Blue managed to shoot a very high percentage of its shots from six feet and in. At the other end, they did an excellent job of denying the post -- all of Phil Schniedermeier's eight points came off of putbacks -- and they dared the Vikings' perimeter players to beat them. They couldn't -- NPU shot 36% for the night, and only 21% from downtown.

Millikin led most of the game, but NPU didn't let the Big Blue run away. MU did get out to a 15-point lead at one point, but NPU cut it on three different occasions in the second half to a five-point deficit ... including with 2:33 left. But the Vikes kept putting the wrong guy on the line, as Tunde Ogunleye went 6-6 from the stripe from that point onward, and MU managed to keep a two-possession-lead minimum down the stretch.

NPU played very poorly tonight, but that shouldn't take anything away from Millikin. The Big Blue looked very solid, much better than they did in the previous contest in which I saw them back in November. They earned that 6-8 CCIW record, which was a much better finish than I think any of us saw coming, fair and square. With everything that's gone wrong with Jimmy Millikin in recent years, I think that Marc Smith deserves a little credit for the job that he did this season -- 16-9 is nothing to sneeze at, considering that three of the best players on the MU campus (Drew Gensler, Zach Ott, and Rob Rexroade) don't wear blue-and-white uniforms anymore.

Thus ends a disastrous season for NPU in which everything managed to go wrong. Looking at the silver lining, at least the Park will have the league's most-experienced sophomore class next season. And NPU also returns more of its minutes, points, rebounds, and pretty much everything else than does any other team in the league. What the Vikes need to add, however, is defensive acumen and muscle -- and a lot more toughness, both mental and physical.

[Gregory Sager]

Congrats to Wheaton upon winning the CCIW championship.

Also, congrats to Roshawn Russell. He went 2-2 from the free throw line tonight, finishing the season 105-116 to set a new NPU record with a .905 FT%, breaking Jack Ecker's old mark of .875 set in 1994-95. Russell also finished the CCIW slate with a .905 mark (57-63), winning the FT% title in the conference.

Nick Williams, alas, finished the night with 13 points, which means that he's going to have to sit on 999 career points for the next nine months.

[usee]

I was in attendance at King Arena tonight for Wheaton's first CCIW title in 10 years. It was a great game. First let me say how impressed I am with North Central. They are a very good basketball team. Wel coached, disciplined, together, excellent defense. The worst thing about the CCIW tourney is Wheaton has to turn around and play them again. That will be a tough test.

Tonight both teams played really well. I thought there were 2 big factors in the outcome. Matt Rogers was limited to 24 minutes due to foul trouble the whole game. He still scored 10 pts. But by far the biggest factor was #24. Bill Harris decided to match him up against Drennan down low and Kent held Drennan to 6 points while scoring 29 on the other end and getting 8 rebounds. Raymond was a huge difference maker in this game. Carwell played really well with 11 pts and 7 boards. Wiele had 10 and 8. North Central got a great performance from #40 Mark Adams who came from nowhere to score 12 pts in 16 minutes.

I thought the officiating was atrocious as we have come to expect. They were terribly inconsistent letting collisions at the basket go uncalled and the next possesion calling ticky tack hand checks on both teams.  there was a great crowd (2,452) as well.

The football team was in full force and shirtless under the basket. My favorite moment was when they all sat down during an NCC free throw and one of them stood up wearing only a speedo (ala the old cameron crazy story from Duke) and did a dance during the free throws. Funny stuff.

Wheaton is playing the CCIW tourney for a chance to host the NCAA tournament for as deep as they can go I would think.

[markerickson]

Thanks, Greg, for the kind words for Ventura.  He always played hard and I have to believe he hustled during practice.  Kudos, Mike.  Thank you!

Tonite, Milliken grabbed too many offensive rebounds, NP took too many bad outside shots, and NP (once again) did not look to the low post often enough.  When Milliken's starting guards each had four fouls and Ogunleye guarded NP's best scoring threat, Nick Williams got the ball one time in approx. 10 minutes during the close second half.  Nick and Phil worked so hard in the paint in the second half, but rarely saw a pas.  It was extremely frustrating to watch.

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst 76, Carthage 53

Looks to me like Ryan Burks (20 pts, 5 rebs) has earned that first-team slot alongside Ruch, Djurickovic, Raymond, and Drennan. The 'jays held Steve Djurickovic to a season-low 15 points tonight, so some Elmhurst perimeter player deserves a big pat on the back for that.

Wheaton 70, North Central 60

Todd Raridon's voodoo doll finally ran out of juju tonight. The Cards held Wheaton to only 1-11 from downtown, but it didn't matter. Kent Raymond probably eliminated whatever doubt still existed that he was going to become the third triple-MOP-winner in CCIW history by scoring 29 points (in spite of the fact that he hit only one trey and only went to the FT line four times), and NCC star Chris Drennan was held to only six points. The big mystery to me is how the heck Jake Carwell managed to go to the line 11 times. I noticed that Dominique King didn't play for the third straight game for NCC; freshman Mark Adams seems to have taken all of his minutes.

Augustana 74, Illinois Wesleyan 65

Chandlor Collins wrapped up the conference rebounding title in high style, grabbing 14 caroms this evening. Looks like Alex Washington is finishing with a flourish, too, as he led all scorers with 18. It's interesting that Augie, which has had trouble putting the ball in the basket, outshot IWU, for whom shooting has not been the problem this season, 45% to 40% from the field and 50% to 29% from downtown.

[Ralph Turner]

Friends, I saw the North Central on Video-stream versus McMurry in December in Las Vegas. I saw the end of the NCC-WC game tonight.

What has changed about NCC in last 9 weeks since I saw them last?

Better team?  Hitting their stride? Hitting the plateau?

Thanks.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Congratulations to Wheaton!  And to Elmhurst, Augie, and NCC (who gets a chance at 'instant' revenge).

[Savor while you can the worst 3-year stretch of Titan basketball in the CCIW's history.  To paraphrase 'Ahnold': We'll be back!  But that's for the off-season; tonite belongs to the winners.]

Since I have now officially switched from IWU fan to CCIW fan, may at least 2-3 of you go deep into the national tourney! 

And barring any new injuries (NO! ), I expect to pick Wheaton to go all the way to walnut-and-bronze.

[andrewmp]

Wheaton 70, North Central 60

Todd Raridon's voodoo doll finally ran out of juju tonight. The Cards held Wheaton to only 1-11 from downtown, but it didn't matter. Kent Raymond probably eliminated whatever doubt still existed that he was going to become the third triple-MOP-winner in CCIW history by scoring 29 points (in spite of the fact that he hit only one trey and only went to the FT line four times), and NCC star Chris Drennan was held to only six points. The big mystery to me is how the heck Jake Carwell managed to go to the line 11 times. I noticed that Dominique King didn't play for the third straight game for NCC; freshman Mark Adams seems to have taken all of his minutes.

I'll tell you 5 of them real quick. 4 of the free throws were at the end of the game, when NC was trying to foul (anyone but Raymond it seemed).  One was on one of Jake's most exciting plays of the season, where he had a free lane at the free throw line, took it strong to the hoop for an impressive dunk, and got hacked in the process. 

I felt like Wheaton could have opened this game up early in the second half, but NC had good perimiter defense and Wheaton just couldn't get the three pointer to fall.

Kudos to Harris for his defensive strategy.  Although NC got points elsewhere, they pretty much stopped their bread and butter.  Raymond had a lot of help down low, but he did a great job denying Drennan the ball, and Drennan simply didn't have that many opportunities.  Both he and Rogers would face a collapsing defense, which did allow NC to score some easy buckets.  Raymond, although 2 inches shorter, is able to limit Drennan better because Raymond is that much quicker than Weile or Carwell.  Drennan always seemed to kill us in the past with a fade away jumper, but he just didn't get that off tonight, and when he did, he was really frustrated. 

I think it will be another great game Friday between these two teams.  Wheaton comes in with the monkey off it's back and confidence at home, riding a 7 game win streak.  They are playing for more than getting into the national tournament; they are play for momentum and a chance to host some games.  North Central will come in with a chip on their shoulders, knowing that they can beat this team, but probably frustrated that both Rogers and Drennan were held to quieter games.  It was a physical game tonight, with Drennan and Rodgers both getting an elbow from Carwell on a pivot off a defensive rebound (and Rodgers was clearly agitated).  Raymond was also very physical on the smaller guards and in denying Drennan.  Although his outside shooting was poor, he posted up very well, and used his size and strength to his advantage.  I think NCC will come back very physical and fired up for the next game.
Surprisingly, no bench points for Wheaton, but a very well balanced game after Raymond from the other starters. 
I expect all three games this weekend to be very enjoyable to watch. 

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton 70, North Central 60

Todd Raridon's voodoo doll finally ran out of juju tonight. The Cards held Wheaton to only 1-11 from downtown, but it didn't matter. Kent Raymond probably eliminated whatever doubt still existed that he was going to become the third triple-MOP-winner in CCIW history by scoring 29 points (in spite of the fact that he hit only one trey and only went to the FT line four times), and NCC star Chris Drennan was held to only six points. The big mystery to me is how the heck Jake Carwell managed to go to the line 11 times. I noticed that Dominique King didn't play for the third straight game for NCC; freshman Mark Adams seems to have taken all of his minutes.

I'll tell you 5 of them real quick. 4 of the free throws were at the end of the game, when NC was trying to foul (anyone but Raymond it seemed).  One was on one of Jake's most exciting plays of the season, where he had a free lane at the free throw line, took it strong to the hoop for an impressive dunk, and got hacked in the process.

Thanks. He'd only gotten to the line 35 times in 24 games prior to tonight.

[CCIWchamps]

I thought the officiating was atrocious as we have come to expect. They were terribly inconsistent letting collisions at the basket go uncalled and the next possesion calling ticky tack hand checks on both teams.  there was a great crowd (2,452) as well.

I agree.  Wheaton held a 6-1 call FOR advantage several minutes into the first half.  Then in the 2nd half, where the refs seem to like to take over WC-NCC matchups, the calls became even more inconsistent.  Drennan was flopping on every play imaginable- covering Wiele, helping over on back door cuts, when contesting rebounds against Carwell- and getting the calls.  Meanwhile, #11 is all but mounting Raymond as Kent's establishing a low post.  On one play he straight arm shoved Kent.  And after all of this, he still had the nerve to talk to Carwell after Carwell knocked Rogers down with an elbow.  Granted he was probably mad at Kent for the 29 points, but the calls being made vs. the ones being missed were not the right ones.  The refs seemed to back off a little by the last 5 minutes, and I was glad to see the 2nd half play out in a normal time span as compared to the previous matchup.

Other than those notes, it was a good game to watch.  Both ways.  It was a huge crowd, and I'm looking forward to next weekend's matchups with hopefully as large of a turnout.     
 

[coebball70]

I, too, attended the Cardinal/Thunder game and would like to add my observations.  Both teams deserve congratulations on an excellent game and achieving the most important accomplishment, making the CCIW tournament.  Usee said it correctly, Kent Raymond was the difference in this game...at both ends of the court.  Also, IMHO, Coach Raridon came up short this evening in several ways.  First, when it was apparent that Wheaton was going to double-team down low and aggressively take away the low-post offense of both Drennan and Rodgers, he did not adjust offensively.  His son, who obviously has been around the game his whole life did....he kept the Cardinals in the game with 17 first-half points by confidently launching outside shots.  It was agonizing watching the Cardinals, specificly Twyman and Prince, pass up many 14-18 foot open shots to constantly look inside.  We all know an inside game opens up when outside shots start to fall.  It is obvious to me that the Cardinals absolutely fear the result...a bench view of the game...if they risk shooting against the Coach's directions.  Ironically, in the second half it took a freshman, Adams, to launch the open mid-range jump shots to keep them in the game.  Even as late as the final two minutes Coach Raridon was emphasizing to go inside first.  Unfortunately, I believe Coach Raridon's decision to keep Rodgers on the bench with four fouls was far longer than necessary.  The 26-36 deficit in rebounds hurt the Cardinals.  Even though Adams was scoring effectively, he made two out of three critical turnovers at crunch time resulting in Wheaton possessions and points.  Finally, I observed marginal clock-management by the Cardinals.  Several times in the last three minutes Mitch Raridon looked to the bench for direction to foul the the Thunder to stop the clock and make them earn the win at the line.  Unfortunately, stopping the clock by fouling did not occur until about 55 seconds left.  When the clock is against you and you are down, you better manage the time left in the best fashion possible.
Now for the dichotomy.  With this said, I believe Coach Raridon did the second best job in the CCIW this year preparing and motivating a team to play well-beyond their expected potential.  After watching the early NCC vs UW-Whitewater game I, as well as many others, thought it was going to be a low CCIW finish for the Cardinals.  It is going to be a wonderful rematch of two fine teams this Friday.  My only wish is for the Cardinals to use all their offensive potential, inside and out, to make it a great game.