MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

Just an exciting weekend of basketball at Elmhurst College.  Elmhurst really showcased the Regional Well and I think 3 of the 4 schools were very well represented.  Where were the Warhawks' fans? 

Two down to the last shot games was great.  Elmhurst has nothing to hang their heads about as is the same with Lawrence.  They had the ball in their hands for a final shot to tie/win the game, and that's all you can ask for in the closing seconds.

Somebody mentioned getting hosed in the first round re: opponent strength.  I disagree.  I thought both matchups in the first round at RAF Friday Night were great games.  Elmhurst did not with their league, so why should they get a creampuff as a pool C (at large) bid?  Nope, I think UWW was a great opponent and the committee did well with the matchups in both games.

[Pat Coleman]

Elmhurst did not with their league, so why should they get a creampuff as a pool C (at large) bid? 

Others in other regions did.

Back in the 48-team bracket, one year all of the Pool C teams got byes! Pool C teams are better than a lot of the automatic qualifiers.

[Thunder Dutch]

Having played and seen both teams. I give Wheaton a slight edge on any floor.
Panner and Raymond vs. Wallis and Thompson edge to Wheaton. Panner might be one of the most underrated players aroung.

Nading vs. McCrary - very slight edge Nading

Weile v. Wash U. - edge Wheaton.

This could be one of those games that are remembered for a long time.

Anyone have any insight on the Wash U-Wheaton game? I know wallis/thompson/panner/raymond are all great offensive players (even Panner, though he doesn't get as much attention as kent), but how are wallis and thompson defensively? because panner and kent are very good on both sides of the ball. I'm guessing panner will guard thompson and kent will guard wallis..? with maybe jahns/mccrary spotting them?
and how are the WashU post players? will wiele be able to dominate (after skemp, anything should be a tad easier), and will carwell/mccrary be better than their counterparts?

[AndOne]

Thanks for the info.  I'm actually thinking of doing a last minute, expensive alternative & fly down on Saturday AM if UST wins on Friday night. 

As Usee said, its a shorter drive from O'Hare to Wheaton. However, the kicker is money. Southwest usually has the cheapest fares, and they only fly in and out of Midway. If $ is no object, and time is short, O'Hare is more convenient. However, if you go a little bit north of Midway and get on I 55, take it south (west) to I 355, take I 355 north to Roosevelt, and go west on Roosevelt to Wheaton the trip is very manageable. And, no doubt cheaper--especially when you consider last minute air fares on the non discount carriers.

[markerickson]

Southwest Airlines presently offers one way tix for either $45 or $49 between MSP and Midway.  Plus, rental vehicles are cheaper out of Midway.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

Sorry that it is Monday, and rightfully so focus on here is probably for the sectional game.  Ive read the pages since the game on Saturday, and I'd like to touch on a few of the topics that I can remember anyway.

I will start off by saying that I am a UWP Pioneer fan and basketball alumni (please hold the boos).  I want to extend a thank you to the people of Wheaton.  You're facility is top notch, and you're town and what students could be there really back the team.  It was great to see.  It was a top notch weekend both on and off the court.  Should be interesting there this weekend with the students being there.  I was talking with one of the "Campus Security" officers throughout the game and he was telling me where the students sit and all the other fun parts of small college basketball.  You're ball club is an excellent one.  Everyone talks about the unbalance of the bracket, but when they were announced Jeff Skemp went on record by saying "To be the best, you have to beat the best".  He and the Pioneers were not going to make excuses.  Also thank you for your kind words on our team.  I personally think they deserve it, but you guys do as well.

Next, quickly on Raymond's "off" night.  When the clock was down and a shot needed to be made, he certainly hit some very difficult shots.  Certainly an All-American in my book.  I will say that virtually every shot he put up was contested and nothing came easy.  That I believe has to be due to the physical play and solid defense by the Pioneers, especially Charlie Lohoff.  He is a stud.  This was his first year playing the point position, and IMO is the team's MVP.  I know we have Skemp who is an All-American, but this team is not playing when it did or how well it did without Charlie.  I think perfect evidence of this is when he fouled out in the overtime, our shooters had to bring the ball up.  If there is an all-defensive team, Charlie Lohoff is on that list...correction, has to be on the list.

Jeff does sit in and around the lane alot, I know this.  Every coach in the WIAC enters the gym during the 25 minute warmup screaming 3 seconds at the officials.  He is smart enough though that if it ain't broke, why fix it.  It gets called, he clears.  He certainly carried us the other night.  The two jumps shots he put up were something I have never really seen.  Usually if he put up anything outside of 10 feet, it because for some reason he is stuck with the ball and the buzzer is about to go off.

Thats all I can really remember, and I'm a bit lazy to go back and read it again.

Good Luck Wheaton, don't like you very much cuz you sent us home, but I'm willing to cheer for you because of it.   Good Luck to a great team.

[Drake Palmer]

Southwest Airlines presently offers one way tix for either $45 or $49 between MSP and Midway.  Plus, rental vehicles are cheaper out of Midway.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, the $49 dollar fare is for 21-day advance notice. 160.00 one way on Southwest to Midway appears to be the best option, & collecting a "favor" from a UST fan to give me a ride from the airport to Wheaton & back to MN.   

[74impala]

Sorry that it is Monday, and rightfully so focus on here is probably for the sectional game.  Ive read the pages since the game on Saturday, and I'd like to touch on a few of the topics that I can remember anyway.

I will start off by saying that I am a UWP Pioneer fan and basketball alumni (please hold the boos).  I want to extend a thank you to the people of Wheaton.  You're facility is top notch, and you're town and what students could be there really back the team.  It was great to see.  It was a top notch weekend both on and off the court.  Should be interesting there this weekend with the students being there.  I was talking with one of the "Campus Security" officers throughout the game and he was telling me where the students sit and all the other fun parts of small college basketball.  You're ball club is an excellent one.  Everyone talks about the unbalance of the bracket, but when they were announced Jeff Skemp went on record by saying "To be the best, you have to beat the best".  He and the Pioneers were not going to make excuses.  Also thank you for your kind words on our team.  I personally think they deserve it, but you guys do as well.

Next, quickly on Raymond's "off" night.  When the clock was down and a shot needed to be made, he certainly hit some very difficult shots.  Certainly an All-American in my book.  I will say that virtually every shot he put up was contested and nothing came easy.  That I believe has to be due to the physical play and solid defense by the Pioneers, especially Charlie Lohoff.  He is a stud.  This was his first year playing the point position, and IMO is the team's MVP.  I know we have Skemp who is an All-American, but this team is not playing when it did or how well it did without Charlie.  I think perfect evidence of this is when he fouled out in the overtime, our shooters had to bring the ball up.  If there is an all-defensive team, Charlie Lohoff is on that list...correction, has to be on the list.

Jeff does sit in and around the lane alot, I know this.  Every coach in the WIAC enters the gym during the 25 minute warmup screaming 3 seconds at the officials.  He is smart enough though that if it ain't broke, why fix it.  It gets called, he clears.  He certainly carried us the other night.  The two jumps shots he put up were something I have never really seen.  Usually if he put up anything outside of 10 feet, it because for some reason he is stuck with the ball and the buzzer is about to go off.

Thats all I can really remember, and I'm a bit lazy to go back and read it again.

Good Luck Wheaton, don't like you very much cuz you sent us home, but I'm willing to cheer for you because of it.   Good Luck to a great team.

It's too bad we had to play so early in the tournament.  The game had the atmosphere of a FF game.

[usee]

Sorry that it is Monday, and rightfully so focus on here is probably for the sectional game.  Ive read the pages since the game on Saturday, and I'd like to touch on a few of the topics that I can remember anyway.

I will start off by saying that I am a UWP Pioneer fan and basketball alumni (please hold the boos).  I want to extend a thank you to the people of Wheaton.  You're facility is top notch, and you're town and what students could be there really back the team.  It was great to see.  It was a top notch weekend both on and off the court.  Should be interesting there this weekend with the students being there.  I was talking with one of the "Campus Security" officers throughout the game and he was telling me where the students sit and all the other fun parts of small college basketball.  You're ball club is an excellent one.  Everyone talks about the unbalance of the bracket, but when they were announced Jeff Skemp went on record by saying "To be the best, you have to beat the best".  He and the Pioneers were not going to make excuses.  Also thank you for your kind words on our team.  I personally think they deserve it, but you guys do as well.

Next, quickly on Raymond's "off" night.  When the clock was down and a shot needed to be made, he certainly hit some very difficult shots.  Certainly an All-American in my book.  I will say that virtually every shot he put up was contested and nothing came easy.  That I believe has to be due to the physical play and solid defense by the Pioneers, especially Charlie Lohoff.  He is a stud.  This was his first year playing the point position, and IMO is the team's MVP.  I know we have Skemp who is an All-American, but this team is not playing when it did or how well it did without Charlie.  I think perfect evidence of this is when he fouled out in the overtime, our shooters had to bring the ball up.  If there is an all-defensive team, Charlie Lohoff is on that list...correction, has to be on the list.

Jeff does sit in and around the lane alot, I know this.  Every coach in the WIAC enters the gym during the 25 minute warmup screaming 3 seconds at the officials.  He is smart enough though that if it ain't broke, why fix it.  It gets called, he clears.  He certainly carried us the other night.  The two jumps shots he put up were something I have never really seen.  Usually if he put up anything outside of 10 feet, it because for some reason he is stuck with the ball and the buzzer is about to go off.

Thats all I can really remember, and I'm a bit lazy to go back and read it again.

Good Luck Wheaton, don't like you very much cuz you sent us home, but I'm willing to cheer for you because of it.   Good Luck to a great team.

I tell you what, the worst feeling of the night as a Wheaton fan was when UWP had the ball down 1 with about 27 seconds to go in regulation. I was certain they would hold it and try for the win on a last second shot. Carwell came up with a huge steal off the inbounds and Panner hit 1 of 2 FT's (which was the 2nd worst feeling of the night). Skemp hit the tying shot, Wiele missed his layup at the buzzer and we were off to OT....it was an incredible game.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

It's too bad we had to play so early in the tournament.  The game had the atmosphere of a FF game.

It does stink, but you know what?  That was our first trip to the tourney since 98-99.  Plus like my quote of Skemp of beating the best.  At least we know the team that won, earned it.

I tell you what, the worst feeling of the night as a Wheaton fan was when UWP had the ball down 1 with about 27 seconds to go in regulation. I was certain they would hold it and try for the win on a last second shot. Carwell came up with a huge steal off the inbounds and Panner hit 1 of 2 FT's (which was the 2nd worst feeling of the night). Skemp hit the tying shot, Wiele missed his layup at the buzzer and we were off to OT....it was an incredible game.

It doesn't help my feeling either that probably with a little over of a second left on the inbounds you see the ball go up in the air, land in Lohoff's hands and the whistle blow because of the timeout avoiding the 5 second call...which then led to the turnover.  It was great.  The only regret all weekend was going to Rock Bottom restaurant in Naperville after Friday night's game.

[74impala]

The only regret all weekend was going to Rock Bottom restaurant in Naperville after Friday night's game.

You didn't like it?  Its one of my favorite places to go.

[Neverwas]

I really don't understand the complaining about three seconds in the lane.  Yes, he was posting up near the lane all night but yelling at the refs every time down the court to watch it is a little over the top.  He wasn't just sitting in the lane, he was actively moving trying to seal Wiele as the ball was swung around.  

I don't see anything in the rule that says as long as the player is moving and trying to get position, he can stay in the lane more than 3 seconds.

Section 9. Three-Second Rule
Art. 1. A player shall not be permitted to have any part of his or her body
remain in the three-second lane for more than three consecutive seconds
while the ball is in control of that player's team in his or her front court.
a. A team in control of the ball for a throw-in adjacent to a front-court
boundary line may not be called for a three-second violation.
Art. 2. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the three second
lane for less than three seconds, dribbles or moves in immediately
to try for field goal.
a. The player shall not pass the ball instead of trying for goal.

Sorry for not being more clear.  I understand 3 seconds is not called often.  I am simply saying I dont think he scored 38 points because he was camped in the lane.  I thought he did a great job of getting position on a very good defender and, in my opinion, I don't think 3 seconds needed to be called very much.  Also, While watching the game numerous fans were yelling throughout most of the game for the ref to "watch" the 3 seconds as if this persistent yelling will have an affect on what they call...

[Above The Rim]

The only regret all weekend was going to Rock Bottom restaurant in Naperville after Friday night's game.

You didn't like it?  Its one of my favorite places to go.

Pioneer--

Part of the problem might have been that you weren't in Naperville at the time. The local Rock Bottom is in Warrenville.  
And 74 is right about it being a pretty good place

[voxelmhurst]

Just an exciting weekend of basketball at Elmhurst College.  Elmhurst really showcased the Regional Well and I think 3 of the 4 schools were very well represented.  Where were the Warhawks' fans? 

I didn't notice any lack of Whitewater support.  They brought a small student section, plenty of other fans, and their cheerleaders.  I went on Saturday night, and felt they represented just as well, if not a notch better, than Washington did.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

The only regret all weekend was going to Rock Bottom restaurant in Naperville after Friday night's game.

You didn't like it?  Its one of my favorite places to go.

Pioneer--

Part of the problem might have been that you weren't in Naperville at the time. The local Rock Bottom is in Warrenville.  
And 74 is right about it being a pretty good place

Big place, by the AMC?  Ok, I'll say this.  My food was good.  Problem is that we went with a bigger group, our waiter was not ready for us.  We're basically all on a mini-vaction, and I thought he should've split our group with another waiter/waitress.  Drinks are overpriced and clearly not strong enough.  We needed to eat and all that, but our group was probably better off at a smaller setting and probably better off with burgers and fries.  Saturday was better though.  Spent all day at White Tavern and had food delivered to us from Mickeys...much better on the wallet and the stomach.