MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

I reaize this is the men's board, but I think this deserves wider attention than the women's board gets.

Many of you probably know that Beth Baker (Wheaton) and even more so Lori Kerans (MIllikin) dominated CCIW play for most of its 24 year history.  Only oldtimers (or history buffs) will recall that Diane Schumacher dominated the early years at Augie (who have since fallen on VERY hard times).  Tonight, Mia Smith (IWU) concluded the finest 3-year stretch in the history of the CCIW - the Titans 97-43 win over NPU puts them at 40-2 for the last three years (Augie went 45-3 in 89-91)!

Congratulations to the Titans and Mia Smith.   Now go do something that ONLY Millikin and Lori Kerans have done: bring the (women's) walnut-and-bronze home to the CCIW!

[usee]

We also have a chance to see 2 others go at least 10-4 which is often a record that wins this league. It will be interesting to see how Carthage and any other CCIW reps fare in the postseason.

Actually, I don't think anyone has ever won the league at 10-4.  11-3 is usually the record that gets it done.  But yes, 12-2 or better is always very impressive.

Actually in 1965 and 1966 IWU won the conference with 10-2 records so you are right!   They also won in 1960 with a 9-3 record and again in 1961 with a 7-3 record. So no 10-4 records I stand corrected.

[Mr. Ypsi]

We also have a chance to see 2 others go at least 10-4 which is often a record that wins this league. It will be interesting to see how Carthage and any other CCIW reps fare in the postseason.

Actually, I don't think anyone has ever won the league at 10-4.  11-3 is usually the record that gets it done.  But yes, 12-2 or better is always very impressive.

Actually in 1965 and 1966 IWU won the conference with 10-2 records so you are right!   They also won in 1960 with a 9-3 record and again in 1961 with a 7-3 record. So no 10-4 records I stand corrected.

Don't give up so easily - 10-4 is better than 7-3!

[mr_b]

Congratulations to the Vikings on a big home win tonight against Illinois Wesleyan, 70-67.  North Park finishes 13-12 -- a nice turnaround from last season and very encouraging for next year!

[usee]

NPU 70-67 over IWU.

IWU had the ball 2x in the last 20 seconds and didn't score. Nick Williams with a huge block and then Shaun Collins with a block of a Jordan Zimmer 3 at the buzzer to seal the win.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Even if they advance to the finals, I think IWU is now very much a 'bubble' team.  The CCIW may be a one-team conference unless someone takes down Carthage.

[usee]

Wheaton 82 Elmhurst 21 at Elmhurst. Ben Panner scores 34 pts with no turnovers and 2 steals on 12-20 from the field including 8-12 from beyond the arc. McCrary with 18 pts, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Zack Boyd led Elmhurst with 22 pts and 10 rebounds. No other Bluejay was in double figures.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

congratulations to north park on a winning season

[sac]

congratulations to north park on a winning season

When was the last one?

[thunderstruck88]

Wheaton over Elmhurst 82-61.

It was actually a 3-point game at half, but Wheaton opened the second half with the hot hand and an 11-0 run.

Ben Panner scores 34 points for what I'm going to guess is the most productive offensive night of his career (beats his previous high of 30, all on 3-pointers last season in Kenosha).

[Mr. Ypsi]

congratulations to north park on a winning season

When was the last one?

Actually, overall they were 14-11 as recently as 2007, but it has been a decade or more in conference play.

Still, Hope would hate to play them - they have FIVE banners!   (And I'd bet the Cameron Crazies could be as obnoxious as Calvin fans. )

[Moser]

Wheaton over Elmhurst 82-61.

It was actually a 3-point game at half, but Wheaton opened the second half with the hot hand and an 11-0 run.

Ben Panner scores 34 points for what I'm going to guess is the most productive offensive night of his career (beats his previous high of 30, all on 3-pointers last season in Kenosha).

Is there still any debate over whether Panner deserves first team all-CCIW? There shouldn't be.

[Titan Q]

Just got home and all I see is the score of the IWU/NPU game. 

I'm pretty sure IWU has to win the conference tournament to get in now.

[usee]

Wheaton over Elmhurst 82-61.

It was actually a 3-point game at half, but Wheaton opened the second half with the hot hand and an 11-0 run.

Ben Panner scores 34 points for what I'm going to guess is the most productive offensive night of his career (beats his previous high of 30, all on 3-pointers last season in Kenosha).

Is there still any debate over whether Panner deserves first team all-CCIW? There shouldn't be.

Of course there is. There are several deserving candidates and it is very hard to get 2 players on the 1st team especially when you aren't the conference champion. There are several players to argue over the last 3 spots for 1st team.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just got home and all I see is the score of the IWU/NPU game. 

I'm pretty sure IWU has to win the conference tournament to get in now.

As an incurable optimist, if IWU makes the finals, I think they are still on the high side of the 'bubble'.  Root for the favorites in other conferences!