MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[John Gleich]

There are only 5 DII schools in OH, 4 in IN, 2 in IL, 1 in WI, and 2 in IA.

For a complete list of DII schools. click on the link:

http://www.siue.edu/ATHLETIC/d2/state.html

Nine from Michigan, we're still in the Midwest.

There are a bundle in Minnesota (9) and Missouri (11), too.  Like was said, Winona State won a couple of National Championships, Michigan Tech was ranked #1 in the country for most of two years back earlier in the aughts, and Findlay (OH) is undefeated and ranked #1 this season.  Also in the top 10 are two schools from Missouri and one from Minnesota.  D2 top 25

[Neverwas]

What are the thoughts for the weekend in Wheaton this weekend?

I saw D3hoops picked Wheaton to win it all...could that be the kiss of death?

I'm interested in hearing what the rest of the CCIW sees as Wheaton's biggest weakness heading into the playoffs.  I quickly glanced at UW-Plateville's roster and it looks like they have a lot of experience and a very quality big man (Assuming a win against Hope and Fontbonne).  Wheaton can match that no doubt with experience and Wiele but for some reason I believe Wheaton could struggle against a big, physical team.  Also, Kent is amazing but what happens to the Thunder if he has an "off night" like last Saturday?  Are they good enough to get through this tough bracket? 

Just a few questions I had as I read the board over the past few weeks...

[79jaybird]

Just my two cents here- Wheaton doesn't have many weaknesses, however I think 1 area that could cost them a game in the pinch would be Free Throws.  They showed signs of being erratic at the FT line in their first game at home vs. Elmhurst.

I think Wheaton cruises to the Sweet 16 and from there who knows what happens?

[usee]

Wheaton's success in the tournament will begin and end with defense. While its true they lost 2 of their 3 games in part due to free throw problems but in their 3 losses their opponents shot over 50% from the field and in 23 of their 24 wins their opponents shot less than 50% from the field. The one abberration was @Carthage and it took a record 10 3pters from Ben Panner to pull that victory out or they would certainly have lost their too.

Wheaton will play exclusively man to man and they will front all post players as well as deny all passes to the wing. If they force a team to shoot jumpers they are usually contested and result in poor shooting percentages. If a team can execute and make the extra pass, beat wheaton occasionally on back cuts and consistently get the ball into the post for points, the Thunder could be in trouble.

[BRLHSFAN]

There may be some tix available at Elmhurst because I had a message this morning that the other 3 schools were returning some.

[Neverwas]

I like the analysis USee.  I have not noticed the fronting of the post this year.  So, the biggest weakness may just be a hot shooting opponent.  I am not so confident to see them breezing to the round of 16.

On another note, how much advantage does Wheaton lose by spring break beginning tonight?  I think the community support should be strong but it is a lot different than 18-21 year olds, right?  Usually you can count on a few points for the home crowd but not sure about this weekend.  At least they still get to stay in their own bed and not a hotel...

[thunderstruck88]

I think it's safe to say that the two games of the CCIW conference tournament will end up being the best Wheaton crowds this season. I think Wheaton will draw a good crowd tonight, since many students won't be leaving until Saturday, but that might be their last packed house the rest of the way. The only exception I see is next Saturday if they can keep winning and host again. Students will be returning from break and have no studies or academic excuses to get in the way 

That's not to say Wheaton won't have a vocal following in the postseason, but I don't think it will stack up to the intensity of last weekend's CCIW games!

[thunderstruck88]

Some people have been wondering about TICKETS for the two games tonight (Hope vs. UW-Platt and Wheaton vs. Fontbone). I just spoke with the Athletic Department and was told that tickets will not be a problem for tonight's games, since none of the three teams have used their full allotment of tickets.

So in case anyone was concerned, there shouldn't be any problem getting tickets at the gate.

[shepherd]

IMHO: When Wheaton plays a team with smaller guards like Fontbonne they create a mismatch.  This has been pretty much the case all year.  Tomorrow will be a different story.   UWP should match up with Wheaton as good as any team.  The key is for Wheaton to frustrate the UWP guards while trying to shut down the huge center.  Wiele should see a lot of minutes tomorrow and will need the help of McCrary.  Lets pack King arena in and don't forget to wear orange.   

[CCIWchamps]

As a Wheaton fan who has seen the video of Elmhurst fans in action, I would like to invite all of them to King Arena tomorrow to support their fellow CCIW team at 7pm.  With Wheaton students going out of town, we could use the numbers...

Come exact revenge on another Wisconsin team for Elmhurst by cheering for the Thunder!

(I saw people cheer after Raymond's 3, so I know it's possible! )  Just wear orange and we'll swear you in as fans.  Your rowdiness will do the CCIW and the state of Illinois proud!!

[voxelmhurst]

Just took a bittersweet walk home from RA Faganel. 

I am really proud of the effort Elmhurst gave tonight.  The loss is gutting, but Elmhurst was down 11 points in the second half and they had UWW's Myles McKay looking unstoppable.  His first half performance was up with with any performance I've seen in DIII and I want to say that he had 25 of his 30 in the first half.  Elmhurst found a way to shut down UWW when they needed to in the second half and climb back in the game.  I have to take my hat off to the Bluejays tonight, in spite of the loss, simply for their "No Surrender" attitude.

It was a 2 point loss...and the stats ended up nearly even.  There is not much more anyone can say about this one. 

So sad to see the Elmhurst careers of Ruch, Burks, and Strzemp end in this fashion, but all three of them did all they could to extend them by one more game.  I've been watching Elmhurst ever since the Vince Doran/Chauncey Bell days...and these three men will always be amongst my Elmhurst favorites.   

The students and atmosphere were great inside the RAF tonight and they clapped the team off the court chanting "EC".  It was a fitting end to the season.  Congrats to Whitewater...they have a great team.


Finally...and I apologize for this not being consistent with the rest of my post....I can't believe the balls on some neutral fans at tonight's game that were telling the Elmhurst fans to sit down during the last two minutes of a national tournament game.   

[usee]

I watched both games at King arena last night. For Wheaton they dispatched Fontbonne in the first 5 minutes by going out 15-0 and it was never in doubt after that. The biggest stat for Wheaton is the fact that only freshman McCrary played more than 20 minutes (he played 25) so the team should be fresh and ready to go for tonights battle with UWP.  I think Raymond had more open looks in the first half than he had the entire season in CCIW play.

As far as Platteville, the Thunder will have their hands full against the Pioneers. UWP is big and their guards are aggressive defenders. If you take them off the dribble they run you right into 6'10" Herman Munster who blocked everything Hope tried to bring to the rim. Platteville has 3 guards that can score and defend and their big guy is a formiddable force.

[usee]

I think Wheaton matches up well with Platteville. UWP struggled to get the ball into the big guy at times as Hope aggressively fronted him and gave help over the top. The Pioneers were patient and took the opportunities that were given to them in exectuing their offense efficiently. Wheaton will likely play Wiele on Big Country and try to front him with help over the top from Carwell. Carwell needs to stay out of foul trouble and Wheaton needs to try to limit the Pioneers penetration by their guards. UWP is versatile. Their guards can all penetrate and score, they can shoot the 3 and their big guy has a polished post game.

Platteville will play aggressive defense on Raymond and it will take at least 2 other guys to step up and have big contributions for Wheaton to beat this team. Platteville is very impressive and shot 65% vs Hope. They pass the ball well (especially from the post) and play a team game. If Wheaton can hold them to under 50% they will win. The key to this game is Wheaton's defense and their ability to keep Platteville out of their offense and force them into 1 on 1 situations.

[wheels81]

UC,  I have to take issue with a couple of points about UWP.  I don't think their big guy is not much more than big.  He is a smart player and takes up a lot of space but he isn't mobile.  He made only layups had not game outside of 5 feet and Hope made some easy layups when their guards who looked faster for most of the night penetrated.    12 (Shsw) seems to be their 3 shooter but again he didn't hit anything big until game was decided in 2nd half. All four 3's came after they were up by 17 in 2nd half.   Hope was decidedly outmanned underneath but managed to score almost half their points in the paint and made  it a game for the first 15 min.  Overall Pioneers didn't look like anything stronger than CCIW.  Maybe they were playing down to their competition.
Nevertheless should be a great game tonight as now they have seen each other play in person.
I have always wondered why the #1 seed in tournaments play later that makes it a disadvantage for 2nd game the following day as the lower seed will be more rested.  But since most of wheaton's starters played less than 20 shouldn't matter.

[Titan Q]

UC,  I have to take issue with a couple of points about UWP.  I don't think their big guy is not much more than big.  He is a smart player and takes up a lot of space but he isn't mobile.  He made only layups had not game outside of 5 feet and Hope made some easy layups when their guards who looked faster for most of the night penetrated.  

He was the co-Player of the Year in the WIAC!

http://www.wiacsports.com/mbasket/09AllConference.html