MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[kenoshamark]

Although I missed the first 10 minutes of the game, here are some observations from last night:

1)   Steve had an excellent game based on the Elmhurst game plan.   They were not going to let him beat them and so he took on the role of the distributor quite nicely (13 assists).
2)   With Steve not scoring in the first half, I was anxious to see how he (and Bosko) approached the second half.  To their credit, they continued not forcing things.  Steve would make the extra pass when needed and not try to just get his shots off.   I think we all know Steve can pass but his willingness not to try and pad his stats up in a game that was turning into a blowout was very impressive.  The rest of the team spaced well on the floor and he found the correct player to get the ball to. 
3)   Guzman was on fire behind the arc and Pierce had his way inside (as he should have due to the size advantage) but the freshman that intrigues me the most is Mitch Thompson.  This guy was a steal for Carthage....he has athletic ability not possessed by many freshmen in this league.  He had seven blocks last night which, regardless of the opponent, is extremely impressive.  His timing is wonderful and he is quick off his feet.  Three of his more memorable moments were the block at the end of the first half where he came from the baseline and blocked a shot as the first half buzzer was going off.  In the second half he was the recipient of two lob passes from Steve for dunks.  The first was as Steve was dribbling down the left side of the court and just before hitting the free throw line extended, he threw the ball towards the rim as Mitch was running along the baseline.   The pass was a little behind Mitch's head but he was able to grab the ball high above his head and in one perfect motion, slam it home.  Trust me, the pass wasn't as perfect as you would want it to be which makes the dunk even more spectacular.  Moments later, Steve drove the lane and this time, the pass was just above the rim where it was a more conventional dunk, but, nonetheless, very pretty.   Keep an eye on this kid, he is going to have quite a career.
4)   Elmhurst was able to cut a 14 point half time lead to 4 in less than 4 minutes into the second half.  Some ball hawking and bad decisions led to the quick run.  Bosko made a nice decision to bring Pace Bennett into the game at the point to take over for Malcom Kelly.   This helped steady the situation and to me, the game completely got back into control for Carthage.   
5)   Depending how long Cary is out, Carthage needs to find someone who can help at the two guard.   They got some nice production from Cieski and Ideran last night.   Kelly and Hilton have to be productive as well. 

[Viking Blue]

What happened to Fendley from Carthage?

[Gregory Sager]

What happened to Fendley from Carthage?

Kicked out of school for assaulting someone at a party.

[OurHouse]

_{Um ... you do realize, don't you, that IWU is all alone in first place?  Perhaps your trashing of Ron Rose's decision-making could wait for, you know, a loss!}
[/quote]

das ist richtig..
however, the only strong teams they played so far is WashU and ChicagoU in which they lost both so jury is still out - not trashing other than just an observation - it is clear that more minutes does not equal better production for this team. Decision making on substitutions is always in question - a balanced attack is much more productive overall - . It will bite them in the end..
verstehen Sie mich Junge?

MMW'ds

[Gregory Sager]

I see that we've entered into the annual "Gripe About Grey" segment of the season on CCIW Chat. (Of course, I say that as someone who has done his own fair share of complaining about Giovanine going Old Yeller on the sidelines.) It does get a bit old, so remember -- if you're going to grouse about the antics of the Augustana coach, be original about it.

I was doing my typical 2-3 x week visit to the CCIW board when I noticed  - what North Park has now won two conference games?!? Gosh - well done Greg & other North Park faithful!  

I'm trying to find an excuse for a broadcaster to take credit for his team going on a winning streak, but thus far I can't think of one. I'll have to give it some more thought, DP.

Perhaps it's an inverse relationship... the further you are from the court (i.e., perched on the top row of the bleachers doing the broadcasts), the better the team plays?  Just a thought, or is that a coincidence?

If so, it doesn't bode well for the North Park women's team, since as scorekeeper I'm practically right on top of the court. Perhaps they'll have to move the scorer's table to the stage.

[Mr. Ypsi]

_{Um ... you do realize, don't you, that IWU is all alone in first place?  Perhaps your trashing of Ron Rose's decision-making could wait for, you know, a loss!}

das ist richtig..
however, the only strong teams they played so far is WashU and ChicagoU in which they lost both so jury is still out - not trashing other than just an observation - it is clear that more minutes does not equal better production for this team. Decision making on substitutions is always in question - a balanced attack is much more productive overall - . It will bite them in the end..
verstehen Sie mich Junge?

MMW'ds
[/quote]

Ich vestehen.

I've wondered about Connolly's minutes myself, but was assured it was a combined matter of conditioning and inability to defense mobile opponents.

Bist du ein Esel?

[My German is 40 years old, so I'll quit now!   But ragging on the coach seems a bit premature at this point! ]

[mr_b]

_{Um ... you do realize, don't you, that IWU is all alone in first place?  Perhaps your trashing of Ron Rose's decision-making could wait for, you know, a loss!}

das ist richtig..
however, the only strong teams they played so far is WashU and ChicagoU in which they lost both so jury is still out - not trashing other than just an observation - it is clear that more minutes does not equal better production for this team. Decision making on substitutions is always in question - a balanced attack is much more productive overall - . It will bite them in the end..
verstehen Sie mich Junge?

MMW'ds

Ich vestehen.

I've wondered about Connolly's minutes myself, but was assured it was a combined matter of conditioning and inability to defense mobile opponents.

Bist du ein Esel?

[My German is 40 years old, so I'll quit now!   But ragging on the coach seems a bit premature at this point! ]
[/quote]
Das kommt mir wirklich Spanisch vor!

[markerickson]

Assault=Dismissal?  Sounds like a zero tolerance policy that proliferated during 43, but is now being rejected by educational institutions across the nation as quickly as they embraced the stoopid philosophy.

Perhaps the assault's injuries were significant, necessitating the expulsion.

Since Drake dropped over from the MIAC, I think I should go check on the Hamline coach (HS football foe) and the
vaunted St. Thomas club.     

[AndOne]

AndOne said Williams and Crosby dominated down low, but NCC's website indicates "points in the paint" were 52 and 36 for NCC and NPU, respectfully.  Are paint points literally points scored in the painted region or by someone playing either a F or C position.  I ask because NP's F/C people scored 35, and no one scored one point.

Regarding the "outmanned" Cards, their subs played only 23 minutes, which I believed to be rather low.  A quick analysis of minutes revealed that in the five games prior to last night, NCC's subs averaged 42 minutes.  I'm sure there is a logical explanation, e.g., game flow or injury, for the disparity.  Thoughts, AndOne?

Mark---

Re: Points in the paint----From what I have been able to gather in conversations with various individuals "points in the paint" pretty much means exactly that. If a jumper taken and made straight on from the basket and one foot in front of the free throw line, it can be counted as being "in the paint." I think some stat people copunt anything made in the painted lane area as being in the paint, and others confine their description of "in the paint" to within a certain number of feet out from the basket.
I could be wrong, but one rule I believe that always or almost always applies is layups, floaters from close in, and very short jumpers are normally classified as "in the paint." Last night, North Central made a huge number of "regular" layups plus a few floaters on which there would be no question as to their being classified as in the paint.
Going back over the game, I believe 4 of Jonny Knapczyk's points came on layups, 2 of Barringer's points were on a layup and 2 on a very, very short jumper. Of David Twyman's 13 baskets, I bet 11 were either on drives all the way to the basket or put backs off offensive rebounds. Thats 22 more points right there. All 5 of Brian Evans' field goals were layups--10 points, and 3 of Derek Raridon's baskets (6 pts) were either on layups or very short jumpers. Brandon Stanciel's basket was also a layup. Thats 48 points in the "paint" just off the top of my head.


Re--Limited minutes by the bench---My take on things is one sub who did not see any real action until a few games ago has played his way into a couple of short stints a game, mainly to give Barringer a couple of short breaks.  I look for his time to increase a bit in the near future. Another played just over half his average minutes--coaches decision. A third was inserted into the game to execute a specific role. When he failed to do so after 2 or 3 opportunities, he was pulled. A 4th sub, formerly a starter, played the highest number of minutes off the bench for NCC, but only about 40 percent of the minutes he had averaged as a starter.  Thus the limited bench time and contribution. This is one of the things that has to change if NCC is to get "over the hump" in these close games.

Additionally, as was mentioned before, no NCC starters were in severe foul trouble until Derek Raridon picked up his 4th late in the game. So, no substitutions had to be made for this reason.

[AndOne]

Assault=Dismissal?  Sounds like a zero tolerance policy that proliferated during 43, but is now being rejected by educational institutions across the nation as quickly as they embraced the stoopid philosophy.

Perhaps the assault's injuries were significant, necessitating the expulsion.

Since Drake dropped over from the MIAC, I think I should go check on the Hamline coach (HS football foe) and the
vaunted St. Thomas club.     

My understanding was that the victim of the assault did, in fact, suffer rather significant injuries, and this played a part in expulsion rather than suspension. Also, at least shortly after the incident occurred, both criminal and civil litigation was a distinct possibility. However, an out of court settlement may have been made by now with the victim with regard to any possible civil suit, and some type of plea agreement may have been arranged by the player's attorney concerning criminal charges that the States Attorney may have been considering.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

_{Um ... you do realize, don't you, that IWU is all alone in first place?  Perhaps your trashing of Ron Rose's decision-making could wait for, you know, a loss!}

das ist richtig..
however, the only strong teams they played so far is WashU and ChicagoU in which they lost both so jury is still out - not trashing other than just an observation - it is clear that more minutes does not equal better production for this team. Decision making on substitutions is always in question - a balanced attack is much more productive overall - . It will bite them in the end..
verstehen Sie mich Junge?

MMW'ds

Ich vestehen.

I've wondered about Connolly's minutes myself, but was assured it was a combined matter of conditioning and inability to defense mobile opponents.

Bist du ein Esel?

[My German is 40 years old, so I'll quit now!   But ragging on the coach seems a bit premature at this point! ]

Das kommt mir wirklich Spanisch vor!
[/quote]
spoken like a true Spanish professor. 

[mr_b]

Das kommt mir wirklich Spanisch vor!

spoken like a true Spanish professor. 

Vielen gracias

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Das kommt mir wirklich Spanisch vor!

spoken like a true Spanish professor. 

Vielen gracias

Var Så God

[iwumichigander]

^{Hey Q, why have Big Country's minutes the past two games been 6 and 7? Because of the matchups?  I haven't seen a game since the break. I assumed his minutes would be increasing slowly during conference play from the way he was playing earlier.}

Some players are playing a lot of minutes with "ok" production compared to others with less playing time and better production - it would be interesting to see what would happen if those players increased their playing minutes..

..they would win games with a larger margin especailly against "just ok" teams. I would be worried about beating the real "good" teams, especially going into playoffs  ....SFC

MMW'ds

Um ... you do realize, don't you, that IWU is all alone in first place?  Perhaps your trashing of Ron Rose's decision-making could wait for, you know, a loss!

Quote from: OurHouse on Yesterday at 10:52:23 pm
however, the only strong teams they played so far is WashU and ChicagoU in which they lost both so jury is still out - not trashing other than just an observation - it is clear that more minutes does not equal better production for this team. Decision making on substitutions is always in question - a balanced attack is much more productive overall - . It will bite them in the end..

Big Country's minutes in the past two games may have been limited by both the tempo and perimeter attacks of Millikin and Carthage.  Big Country holds IWU's 5th highest scoring average (8.4) while only averaging 11.6 minutes per game.  I think we'll see him get more playing time in the right situations.  Also. if I were Ron Rose I'm a little more concerned getting the Koschnitzky spot locked down.

[Gregory Sager]

Tomorrow is a big day for North Park. Wheaton's coming in for a women's/men's doubleheader, and it goes without saying that when Wheaton is the opponent in any sport it's an important event for NPU. (In case you haven't heard, we Parkers don't hold lots of warm and fuzzy thoughts towards Wheaton.) But this year the stakes are a bit different, because the Vikings are actually playing good basketball and have started the CCIW season solidly (the initial five-minute hiccup at the start of the Augie game notwithstanding). But as Ryan pointed out the other day, the Vikings have yet to beat a strong opponent; none of NPU's eight victims currently sports a winning record (Whittier and North Central are both .500 at the moment). That makes Saturday night's contest against Wheaton a "statement game" for the Vikings.

It's also a big day in the sense that it's the day of the annual alumni game, which will take place before the women's game. But this alumni game will be noteworthy as much for who isn't there as for who is there. Rick Alspach never missed an alumni game in his nine years as a North Park alumnus. Rob will agree with me that in a lot of ways Rick was kind of the heartbeat of the NPU basketball alumni community, and his absence will be acutely felt tomorrow. But Shooter will definitely not be forgotten. Tomorrow night during the men's varsity game against Wheaton a brief ceremony will be held to permanently name the annual reunion contest the Rick Alspach Memorial Alumni Game. His parents will be on hand for the ceremony, and the alumni game itself will be sponsored by the Compass Group, Shooter's former employer. I honestly can't think of a better way for the North Park basketball program to remember Rick and honor his dedication to, and love for, the Vikings.