MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

petemcb · January 13, 2011, 12:54:22 PM

That means there are five conference teams where starting Connolly could be a viable option. I'm taking Millikin as a given. I'll throw in Elmhurst and Wheaton as likely favorable matchups, and suggest that Carthage and North Park have not shown much in the paint that Connolly wouldn't have a chance against. It seems like other than his own team, only Augie and possibly NCC have shown a presence at the 5 spot that might be a difficult matchup this season.

havej · January 13, 2011, 03:51:31 PM

Per this recent discussion on various bigs at IWU, what happened to season opener starter Kevin Reed?

Gregory Sager · January 13, 2011, 04:43:22 PM

Given that I am NPU's broadcaster and I am thus liable to say something about the team that I will later regret, I will refrain from commenting upon last night's disaster against North Central.

I'll just say this: The difference between what last season led me to believe that NPU was capable of achieving in 2010-11, and what this team has actually turned out to be, is the difference between day and night.

Mugsy · January 13, 2011, 07:35:02 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 12, 2011, 03:31:28 PM
I'm stumped for an explanation. He hasn't gotten involved in any contretemps here or on the football board, as far as I can tell -- and if he hangs out anywhere else on the site, it's news to me.

I think he was on the verge of an important milestone, like his five-thousandth post or something like that ... so perhaps he hit 5,000 and turned into a pumpkin.

If I were to give a complete wild guess, I'd say perhaps USee has taken his already tight relationship with Wheaton to the next level, such that he needs to severe it tie to D3 boards.

Mr. Ypsi · January 13, 2011, 08:37:49 PM

Quote from: Mugsy on January 13, 2011, 07:35:02 PM
Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 12, 2011, 03:31:28 PM
I'm stumped for an explanation. He hasn't gotten involved in any contretemps here or on the football board, as far as I can tell -- and if he hangs out anywhere else on the site, it's news to me.

I think he was on the verge of an important milestone, like his five-thousandth post or something like that ... so perhaps he hit 5,000 and turned into a pumpkin.

If I were to give a complete wild guess, I'd say perhaps USee has taken his already tight relationship with Wheaton to the next level, such that he needs to severe it tie to D3 boards.

He gave an explanation (sort of) on the football board. He basically didn't want to hit 5,000 posts and risk the sort of brain damage from overposting like Mr. Ypsi!

augiefan · January 13, 2011, 09:02:32 PM

I think all of us are surprised at how poorly NPU has played this season. As I recall they only lost one senior/starter from last year and seemed destined to show big improvement this year.NCC on the other hand seems to ber the surprise contender in the early going.

Hoosier Titan · January 13, 2011, 09:51:13 PM

It was great to see Ryan Connolly's performance against Millikin. He has a really nice soft touch near the basket and when he's on, he's a real asset. As Q mentioned, though, he just hasn't always played at that level. Even against NCC two games ago, he was simply not effective. That was the night that Sexauer was hobbling on an obviously painful foot. BC came in to spell him, going 0 for 3 with two personal fouls, two rebounds, and a turnover in 11 minutes. Sexauer came back in and was better at both ends of the court, even though obviously injured.

Connolly at his best would be welcome every game. As Titan fan, I hope the BC from last night shows up on Saturday, but I don't blame Ron Rose for being wary at this point.

titanhammer · January 14, 2011, 01:02:20 AM

Is it OK to post about a D1 player that is the son of a former CCIW player? Luke Sikma has played very well tonight for the Portland Pilots on ESPN2. I wonder if his dad ever had a three pointer, alley oop dunk thrown to him (which only counted two points), and three charges taken...in the same game. They did show a side by side of Luke and his dad (one of his college pictures)...and ESPN showed Illinois Wesleyan AND the Titan mascot symbol.

iwumichigander · January 14, 2011, 11:20:57 AM

Quote from: Hoosier Titan on January 13, 2011, 09:51:13 PM
It was great to see Ryan Connolly's performance against Millikin. He has a really nice soft touch near the basket and when he's on, he's a real asset. As Q mentioned, though, he just hasn't always played at that level. Even against NCC two games ago, he was simply not effective. That was the night that Sexauer was hobbling on an obviously painful foot. BC came in to spell him, going 0 for 3 with two personal fouls, two rebounds, and a turnover in 11 minutes. Sexauer came back in and was better at both ends of the court, even though obviously injured.

Connolly at his best would be welcome every game. As Titan fan, I hope the BC from last night shows up on Saturday, but I don't blame Ron Rose for being wary at this point.

"BC came in to spell him, going 0 for 3 with two personal fouls, two rebounds, and a turnover in 11 minutes." --- good example, Hoosier of the inconsistency Titan Q cited previously. Until Connolly brings his best every game, Rose is correct to bring him off the bench. And, the other challenge as I noted yesterday, should Sexauer and BC both become starters --- 1) What then does Ron Rose do with all the 4's ?; and, 2) What changes would he have to make to his substitution pattern ?

iwumichigander · January 14, 2011, 11:34:36 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 13, 2011, 04:43:22 PM
Given that I am NPU's broadcaster and I am thus liable to say something about the team that I will later regret, I will refrain from commenting upon last night's disaster against North Central.

I'll just say this: The difference between what last season led me to believe that NPU was capable of achieving in 2010-11, and what this team has actually turned out to be, is the difference between day and night.

I think many are a little puzzled (but not necessarily surprised) at NPU thus far this season. I thought, coming in this season, that NPU could contend for a CCIW Tournament spot. I now don't think this is going to happen.

Dennis_Prikkel · January 14, 2011, 02:17:07 PM

Quote from: iwumichigander on January 14, 2011, 11:34:36 AM
Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 13, 2011, 04:43:22 PM
Given that I am NPU's broadcaster and I am thus liable to say something about the team that I will later regret, I will refrain from commenting upon last night's disaster against North Central.

I'll just say this: The difference between what last season led me to believe that NPU was capable of achieving in 2010-11, and what this team has actually turned out to be, is the difference between day and night.
I think many are a little puzzled (but not necessarily surprised) at NPU thus far this season. I thought, coming in this season, that NPU could contend for a CCIW Tournament spot. I now don't think this is going to happen.

ditto

wheels81 · January 14, 2011, 04:47:11 PM

Looking forward to the Chicago vikings visiting tomorrow. Don't understand vikings in kilts thing but it's always great to watch. Maybe Luke Moo will make an appearance to rouse the the parkers

Gregory Sager · January 14, 2011, 05:08:33 PM

Quote from: wheels81 on January 14, 2011, 04:47:11 PM
Looking forward to the Chicago vikings visiting tomorrow. Don't understand vikings in kilts thing but it's always great to watch. Maybe Luke Moo will make an appearance to rouse the the parkers

There won't be any Parkers there, aside from the women's basketball team (which plays Wheaton in the earlier game) and a few stray alumni such as myself. NPU is still on winter break. Classes don't start until next Tuesday.

Titan Q · January 14, 2011, 06:07:48 PM

An article on IWU's former home, Fred Young Fieldhouse...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/article_87b4c076-1fae-11e0-b639-001cc4c03286.html

There is a quote in there about FYF "smelling good." I'll never forget the way that place smelled when you walked in the door - some combination of popcorn and basketball that was just absolutely perfect.

petemcb · January 14, 2011, 06:23:49 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 14, 2011, 05:08:33 PM
Quote from: wheels81 on January 14, 2011, 04:47:11 PM
Looking forward to the Chicago vikings visiting tomorrow. Don't understand vikings in kilts thing but it's always great to watch. Maybe Luke Moo will make an appearance to rouse the the parkers

There won't be any Parkers there, aside from the women's basketball team (which plays Wheaton in the earlier game) and a few stray alumni such as myself. NPU is still on winter break. Classes don't start until next Tuesday.

Not to fear. Attempts are in motion to rouse the local students, quite a few of whom have been on and off campus several times over break. There may be some future alumni in the house as well as the ghosts of NPC that still flit around the campus. Dennis, seat backs out in Crusaderland make it a more comfortable viewing experience, even if you're a little uncomfortable with the actual on-court product from time to time......