MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[mactitan]

This could be very complicated.  The four teams in the sectional are: IWU, Carthage, UW-SP, and UT-Dallas.  I would think Dallas is out because of travel restrictions.  IWU, Carthage, and UW-SP all had their women's team advance too.  IWU and UW-SP are in the same sectional in both men's and women's tournament.  

According to the text I get from IWU sports information, the decision is made tomorrow - not sure what time.

[Mr. Ypsi]

OK!  Let the speculation begin.  Where's the IWU/Carthage game going to be?!

My money's on Kenosha, but Stevens Point is also a possibility.

[iwumichigander]

thanks to the titans - north park still the only 3 in a row d3 champion

UR welcome  

[CCIWFAN6]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

[John Gleich]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

Point and Carthage both have better bodies of work too.  IWU won't host for the men.  It's between Point and Carthage.

[CCgrad2004]

Too bad Wheaton lost tonight in a close game, having three teams in the conference in the sectional would of been awesome. 

Anyone have the story with that game?

[John Gleich]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

There is precedence that IWU's women likely won't host... I think IWU/Point women will go to Hope.

[mactitan]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

I'm not sure how the women's Final Four and the men's sectional have anything to do with each other.  They are different weekends.  If anything, it seems like people are saying the Titan women won't get to hose the sectional since they are hosting the Final Four, which leaves the door open for the men to host. 

If the Carthage women host, then I think IWU men would have a pretty good shot at hosting based on travel time.  It seems to me that the number one criteria the NCAA uses to pick sectional hosts is travel distances.  Kenosha is centrally located between Steven's Point and Bloomington, but if the Carthage women host, then Bloomington is actually seven miles closer to Kenosha then Stevens Point, and closer to Dallas then the other three (though I'm not sure if that matters since I think they would fly to any of the three sites).

[mwunder]

One comment about the Carthage / Anderson game tonight.

Anderson's last field goal  : 7:22 remaining in the 2nd half.  Wow!!



For those not keeping track, Stevie D now had 1977 pts for his career.  He has a shot at becoming the all-time leading scorer in the CCIW.  He would need a 4th consecutive 600 pt season to get it done, but he has a chance.

[The Roop]

They are more likely to look at it from the stand point of what is a flight and what isn't. Since the only flight is UT-Dallas; Point is the favorite to host based on merit/ranking.

[John Gleich]

I have to believe that with IWU hosting the Women's Final Four, that location for the men is out for the round of 16.  I could be wrong but that would seem to be tough

I'm not sure how the women's Final Four and the men's sectional have anything to do with each other.  They are different weekends.  If anything, it seems like people are saying the Titan women won't get to hose the sectional since they are hosting the Final Four, which leaves the door open for the men to host. 

If the Carthage women host, then I think IWU men would have a pretty good shot at hosting based on travel time.  It seems to me that the number one criteria the NCAA uses to pick sectional hosts is travel distances.  Kenosha is centrally located between Steven's Point and Bloomington, but if the Carthage women host, then Bloomington is actually seven miles closer to Kenosha then Stevens Point, and closer to Dallas then the other three (though I'm not sure if that matters since I think they would fly to any of the three sites).

Distance in and of itself is not a criteria in terms of closeness... the only thing that matters for distance purposes for the NCAA in the NCAA tournament is under 500 miles or over 500 miles.  If it's over, then the NCAA foots the bill for a plane flight.  If it's under 500 miles then the NCAA foots the bill for a bus ride. 

I think Wash U's women would host over Carthage, though I haven't seen any numbers other than overall records.

[mactitan]

As much as I wish it weren't true, I'm guessing that Dennie Bridges Court at the Shirk Center will be empty this weekend.

[John Gleich]

As much as I wish it weren't true, I'm guessing that Dennie Bridges Court at the Shirk Center will be empty this weekend.

I think so... but I guarantee it will be rocking the next weekend!

[CCIWchamps]

OK!  Let the speculation begin.  Where's the IWU/Carthage game going to be?!

Way to go IWU!  Exacting revenge for Wheaton and LOTS of other teams over the last 2 years.

[Titan Q]

IWU 75
Wash U 70

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/mensbball/NCAA3.HTM

* Sean Johnson: 24 pts, 6 reb, 3 assists
* Jordan Zimmer: 17 pts (7-9 FG)
* Doug Sexauer: 16 pts, 9 reb (6-6 FT)

* Aaron Thompson: 20 pts
* Spencer Gay: 14 pts, 13 reb


A really impressive performance by Ron Rose's basketball team tonight in St. Louis vs the two-time defending champs, and #1-ranked, Wash U Bears.  Illinois Wesleyan executed well on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes.  Wash U had only one lead in the game (36-34, 19:19 2nd half), and the average IWU lead was 5-6 points throughout the game.

First I have to say that junior guard Sean Johnson is one tough little S.O.B.  Some of the shots he made tonight (let alone had the guts to take), in a game that big vs a team that good, were the kind that elevate a player from "good" to "special."  Johnson was the heart and soul of IWU's performance tonight.

Offensively, the Titans were a load.  On Wash U's homecourt, IWU shot 27-53 (.509) from the field.  Besides Johnson, IWU got another big game out of 6-7 center Doug Sexauer.  The Bears either had to double Sexauer to take it out of his hands (which led to open perimeter shots for the Titans) or give up a basket.  6-5 sophomore Jordan Zimmer also had another big game, finishing with 17 points.  Junior post reserved Duncan Lawson very quietly had a big 15 minutes, finishing with 7 pts (3-4 FG) and 4 rebounds.  Duncan has really come on in the last 30 days.  And while the boxscore may not show it, IWU point-guard Travis Rosenkranz had another great game.  Travis just does such a great job running IWU's offense.

On the defensive end, IWU did a great job making the Bears take tough shots.  Wash U got their share of easy ones, as they always do, but the Titans made them work.  All-American point-guard Sean Wallis had just 2 points in the contest.

As well as IWU played the entire game, the Titans still had close it out...and having blown a 4-point lead late at Carthage one week earlier (not to mention a shaky final minute of play 24 hours earlier), I'm sure every IWU fan was anxious about how the final minutes would play out.  Wash U cut the lead to one (68-67) with 1:46 to play, but Sexauer quickly countered with a basket in the post.  With :25 to play and IWU clinging to a 2-point lead, Sexauer was fouled and headed to the line for 2.  He made both, making it 72-68.  The Bears scored to make it 72-70 and then fouled Jordan Zimmer after a timeout.  Zimmer made the first.  He missed the second long, but Sexauer came through once again, grabbing the rebound.  He was fouled and knocked down both FT's, putting IWU up 5 and securing the win.

I'm pretty sure most neutral fans at the game tonight left feeling like the better team won.  As good as Wash U is, and as special as Sean Wallis and Aaron Thompson are, Illinois Wesleyan is just incredibly balanced and deep. 

The Titans are growing up pretty quickly and it's fun to watch.