MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

IWU's primary school color is green, the Shirk Center is on Emerson Street, and Coach Stein has very little hair.

[markerickson]

To claim that NP "heavily contested" the Carthage shooter(s) beyond the line is a crock.  The two treys that StevieD missed were actually contested, which is a reason why he missed.  Ask Eli.  The shots he made were wide open looks, and, no, they were not 3-4' beyond the arc.  Kelly too had a field day with wide open looks.

I criticized Collins for chucking up and missing NBA treys at critical times versus EC, and Sager criticized me, claiming a shooter has to shoot even if he's missing.  If a shooter needs to keep shooting, especially when he is sinking shot after shot, then deny him the ball or get a hand in his face!!

Carthage has no inside game except for StevieD penetrating and either dishing or shooting.

Elmhurst shot 1-16 from beyond the arc in their Chicago loss.  That performance is not attibutable to contested treys, but that the Blue Jays shot horribly.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

IWU's primary school color is green, the Shirk Center is on Emerson Street, and Coach Stein has very little hair.

IWU run's a primary school?  Wow - cradle to the grave Titans.

do the primary students have a regular workout time at the Shirk Center as well?

[RFMichigan]

Last night in Elmhurst, the visiting North Central Cardinals more closely resembled the Naperville Youth Pee-Wees during the 1st half of play. They handled the basketball like a hot potato, seemingly intent on establishing a new record for turnovers in a half. Additionally, they also appeared to be running in place on defense, being able to barely stay within the same zip code as their man as evidenced by the Blue Jays canning 53.6 percent of their shots including 43 percent of their 3 attempts. Fortunately, they were able to halt the TO total to 12, and to pull within 5 points on a Brian Evans layup with 4 seconds remaining in the 1st half.

However, it was more of the same defensively early in the 2nd period as the Jays built their 5 point halftime lead to a 14 point advantage at 57-43 with 13:32 remaining. At this point, with both frustration and embarrassment registering at peak levels, the Cardinals dug in and went on an amazing 19 point run that left the Jays wondering what hit them. Besides playing almost error less basketball during the stretch, the Cardinals employed a zone (yes, I said a zone) that was largely responsible for turning the 14 point deficit into a 7 point advantage. Elmhurst had no clue against the zone and went without a point from the 13:32 mark until 3:52. At that point, Dustin Bainter of EC canned 2 threes to slash the Cardinal lead to just 1 with 3 minutes to play. NCC pushed the lead back up to 5 with 1:47 left, but Bainter hit 4 straight from the line to again reduce the lead to 1 with 1 minute on the clock.
The Cards Brian Evans was fouled with 24 seconds left, but missed both of the ensuing free throws. Elmhurst then worked the ball to Zack Boyd who drove the left baseline to finish on a nice reverse scoop layup to give the Jays the lead with just 7.2 seconds left.

The Cardinals then called timeout and set up a play with an option of either getting the ball in to Evans or David Tywman with the pass receiver pushing the ball to half court and calling another timeout if he had neither a path to the basket nor a man open that he could get the ball to for a good shot. The inbound pass found Brian Evans foul line extended left, not far inside the side line. Sandwiched between 2 defenders, Evans drove down the sideline and past half court. Still on the dribble, he then cut right toward the basket at a 45 degree angle. At this point, I was looking for the open man as Evans was still tightly covered by 2 defenders. However, as he approached the top of the key, he drove down the left side of the lane, taking the ball strong all the way to the hoop and finishing despite being hammered as he released the ball. The clock read 1.2 seconds with NCC now up by 1. As he stepped to the line, it appeared Cardinal Coach Raridon instructed Evans to just hit the rim, but to miss the shot intentionally. Brian did exactly that. Elmhurst grabbed the ball, but the horn sounded just as they did so.

For the game, NCC freshman sensation Derek Raridon led all scorers with 27. With 10 rebounds, he also registered a double double. Evans game winning basket gave him a career high 18. His spectacular night (he played all 40 minutes) also included a game high 11 rebounds, giving the Cards a 2nd double double on the evening. Reid Barringer added another 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting, including 2/4 on threes.

Elmhurst was led by Bainter, who the Cards seemed to have no answer for, with 25, and Zack Boyd with 15.     

*I think NCC Assistant Coach Mitch Raridon owes Evans dinner. If you were at the game, you know why. 

That, AndOne, is quite a description. (And it sure took me a lot longer to read about the last 7.2 seconds than 7.2 seconds. )

[Titan Q]

IWU's primary school color is green, the Shirk Center is on Emerson Street, and Coach Stein has very little hair.

Still waiting for OurHouse to argue that IWU wears red, the Shirk is on Grove, and Coach Steinbrueck has the locks of Vinnie Chase from Entourage.  Where is he??

[Viking Blue]

This post is not necessarily in response to anyone, but I would like to give Nick Williams credit for his performance on both ends of the floor on Wednesday night for the Vikings.

Nick has had his share of struggles, and we've all kind of been waiting for him to take control of a game since his first 2 years at North Park. But he clearly showed up for a big game, and deserves credit for that.  It would be nice to see that happen more often as he concludes his senior year.  I hope it does.

[CCIWFAN3]

So what's wrong with Steiny's hair, Q?  I always liked it.  You don't have to worry cause your's will never get like that:)   Both you and Ron will never have to worry! 

[Dennis_Prikkel]

So what's wrong with Steiny's hair, Q?  I always liked it.  You don't have to worry cause your's will never get like that:)   Both you and Ron will never have to worry! 

right now my hair is salt and pepper, and if i live long enough will turn white, like my father and brother.

but i have a bad cough and will probably have to stay in the house this weekend - so no games for me on saturday - boo hoo.

[Titan Q]

So what's wrong with Steiny's hair, Q?  I always liked it. 

Oh, I think it's clear Stein has a solid look.  They don't call him the "George Clooney of the CCIW" for nothing.

[Titan Q]

Points per 100 Possessions (CCIW games only, through 7)
1.   Carthage, 122.0
2.   Ill. Wesleyan, 117.1
3.   North Park,  110.6
4.   Augustana, 108.6
5.   North Central, 108.2
6.   Wheaton, 104.3
7.   Millikin, 91.9
8.   Elmhurst, 88.6

Opponent Points per 100 Possessions (CCIW games only, through 7)
1.   Augustana, 93.9
2.   Wheaton, 98.3
3.   Carthage, 104.3
4.   Ill. Wesleyan, 104.8
5.   Millikin, 104.8
6.   Elmhurst, 110.8
7.   North Park, 111.7
8.   North Central, 114.9

Differential
1.   Carthage, +17.7
2.   Augustana, +14.7
3.   Ill. Wesleyan, +12.3
4.   Wheaton, +6.0
5.   North Park, -1.1
6.   North Central, -6.7
7.   Millikin, -13.3
8.   Elmhurst, -22.2

[Titan Q]

Possessions per Game (both teams combined)
1.  Ill. Wesleyan, 132
2.  North Central, 129
3.  Millikin, 126
4.  North Park, 126
5.  Augustana, 125
6.  Wheaton, 125
7.  Elmhurst, 124
8.  Carthage, 122

[mwunder]

Carthage has no inside game except for StevieD penetrating and either dishing or shooting.

Does Carthage have a "true" big-man who sits on the block and plays with his back to the basket?  No, and even if they did, he'd be a fish out of water in the current offense.  That being said, Tyler Pierce is going to be the one getting the majority of looks after Steve leaves.

Pierce is averaging 12.8 pts per games this season.  Prior to the NP game, he had 4 games in a row with double digits in scoring.  And yes, some of those probably can on dishes from Steve, but it's still points in the paint, right?  Or do we take those points away from him because he didn't create them himself?

[mwunder]

Given that the trey option was wide open so often, StevieD did not have to rely on his drive right with the left arm hook.  What bothers me is his incessant whining to the refs that he got fouled on any particular shot.  And why does he have to talk to the student section?  The coach's son had several great flops too, but there was no contact.  Casting the acting aside, he's truly a great player who nails his FTs.  I quibble because I'm jealous.

Wow!!  You must be REAL jealous to quibble that much.  So, to paraphrase, Steve commits offensive fouls on most of his drives, interacts with opposing crowds when he shouldn't, whines too much, flops often...BUT, he is a good actor and makes his free throws.

[AndOne]

Carthage has no inside game except for StevieD penetrating and either dishing or shooting.

Does Carthage have a "true" big-man who sits on the block and plays with his back to the basket?  No, and even if they did, he'd be a fish out of water in the current offense.  That being said, Tyler Pierce is going to be the one getting the majority of looks after Steve leaves.

Pierce is averaging 12.8 pts per games this season.  Prior to the NP game, he had 4 games in a row with double digits in scoring.  And yes, some of those probably can on dishes from Steve, but it's still points in the paint, right?  Or do we take those points away from him because he didn't create them himself?

mwunder (and others)

If a team has a player or players that can receive the ball 5-15 feet from the hoop and can consistently get to the basket and finish, I think you can say they have an inside game. I don't think the definition of "inside game" should necessarily be confined only to a team that has someone who sets up low on the blocks with his back to the basket and takes one dribble to the hole.

Tyler Pierce was very effective "inside" when I saw him. However, he often set up near the foul line, took the pass, and bulled his way to the basket to finish the play.
Because of his ability to do this, I think Carthage has at least a bit of an "inside" game. Certainly more of a stronger influence inside than last year.

[Titan Q]

If a team has a player or players that can receive the ball 5-15 feet from the hoop and can consistently get to the basket and finish, I think you can say they have an inside game. I don't think the definition of "inside game" should necessarily be confined only to a team that has someone who sets up low on the blocks with his back to the basket and takes one dribble to the hole.

Agree.  And I like Tyler Pierce and think he provides a very nice inside presence for Carthage.

It seems to me at all levels of college basketball, the number of teams with a pure "center" is much smaller than it was 10 and 20 years ago.  Most 4 & 5 players now are versatile types who like to face the basket more than they like to have their back to it, and like to shoot from the perimeter.

Look at the CCIW.  How many pure "centers" are there?  IWU's Doug Sexauer is a pure back-to-the-basket player this year (his first two years he was more of a 4).  He steps out and shoots the occassional 3 or 15 footer, but for the most part, he is an old school center (as is his sub, Ryan Connolly).  I believe North Park's Emmanuel Crosby is a back-to-the-basket player, right?  But who else?  I see Kyle Nelson as more 4 than 5...maybe others disagree.

Just seems like there are not many pure "centers" anymore.