MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augiefan]

Of course, the only meaningful #1 ranking is decided in the championship game at the DIII FF. NPU and IWU are the CCIW teams which have enjoyed that pleasure, and it would be great if Augie could make it to the FF again with a shot at winning it all. The Vikings have finished 2nd twice but have never hit the jackpot. Lot's of hard work left to be done to get to that point, but the Vikings have positioned themselves to get a good seeding, if they keep up the good work tonight and in their 3 very tough remaing conference road games.

[Titan Q]

NCC @ Millikin live video...

http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/millikin.portal#


Just underway.

[coebball70]

OK, my fellow board members, here goes a post made with major trepidation.  I believe it is time for a discussion as to what this year's CCIW results reflect on the quality of the coaching in our favorite basketball conference.  Having absolutely been pummeled when I raised this subject several years ago by several of you whom I truly respect for your D3 knowledge and passion for various teams, I want to open a thread on what I think is a great year to really judge the level of coaching talent in the conference.  My observation is Augustana's Grey Giovanine is hands down the best of class.  Tonight he is probably going to win his 300th victory and his team has an excellent chance to be #1 in the country on Monday.  Todd Raridon is really on the verge of proving his ability if he can coach the North Central Cardinals into a conference tourney position with 5 freshmen players making significant contributions.  After watching Elmhurst almost upset Illinois Wesleyan I have to say Mark Scherer is a competent leader who has taken his eye off the never-ending task of recruiting.  He totally out-coached Ron Rose in the final ten minutes to give his team a chance to upset a team that should have won by fifteeen.  Ron Rose, well in my opinion, he's the major disappointment this year.  A coach with such talent, a team that made it to the Elite Eight last year, is scrambling to make the conference tourney looks lost out there.  Believe me, I want to like the man, but his player rotation decisions, IMHO, are so detrimental to long term success he loses much respect among his players.  Next is Bosko Djurickovic, an absolute hero for many of you D3 afficianados.  My take is he is someone who has lost the necessary passion  to be successful.  Yes, he might have three NCAA rings but in the twelve years I have followed Carthage basketball he's had two good years.  Now I know I have left out three coaches but, IMHO, all three are too early in their CCIW career to make a judgement.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts.                       

[TitansIWU]

I can not wait to read the replies to this very brave post!!!

I agree on the player rotation aspect of IWU's coaching staff.

I respectfully reserve the rest of my comments until the season is over.

[Titan Q]

Now I know I have left out three coaches but, IMHO, all three are too early in their CCIW career to make a judgement.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts.                       

So it is too early to make a judgement on Paul Brenegan (7th year at North Park), but you've got the book on Ron Rose (5th year)?  You do realize that sounds odd, don't you?

Rose took IWU to the Elite 8 when the kids from his first two recruiting classes were JR's and SO's.  That's not too bad.  The 2010-11 season is a long way from over...I think it is pretty hard to draw conclusions about success or failure this year until the dust settles.  Lots of big games left to play.  That's my opinion at least.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Since Ron Rose IS in his fifth year, I gotta ask: who recruited all that talent?  As Denny Bridges has said (paraphrased, I can't find the exact quote right now): "80% of coaching is stepping off the bus with the best players."

[iwufans]

Carthage 59-Augie 56 with 34 seconds

[Titan Q]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8g7834rwxM

[augiefan]

Carthage wins 65-58 in Rock Island.

[pgkevin]

Wabash beat #1 Wooster today in OT, at Wooster.  

I am one of the two voters with Augustana #1...the Vikings have a chance to pick up a bunch more #1 votes on Monday (assuming a win over Carthage tonight).  The #1 votes for the current week...

#1 Wooster (20)
#2 Whitworth (3)
#3 Augustana (2)

The Whitworth vs Augustana vote should be very close.

For what it's worth, the Massey computer poll has Whitworth #1...

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cb&yr=2011&sub=NCAA%20III&mid=1

Ahh the poster jinx...cousin to the annoucer jinx.

(I know you quanitified your prediction by saying if Augie beats Carthage, but still)

[augiefan]

Titan accomplished his objective. Can't blame a Titan fan for trying the old jinx the opponent strategy. It certainly worked tonight.

[augiefan]

You might want to amend this to add Augie and to caption it Spots 1-4 outlook.

Spots 2-4 outlook...


North Central (6-2)
@ Millikin
vs North Park
vs Carthage
vs Illinois Wesleyan
@ Elmhurst
vs Augustana

Illinois Wesleyan (6-3)
vs Millikin
@ Wheaton
@ North Central
vs North Park
vs Augustana

Wheaton (5-4)
@ North Park
vs Augustana
vs Illinois Wesleyan
@ Millikin
vs Elmhurst

Carthage (4-5)
@ Augustana
vs Elmhurst
@ North Central
@ North Park
vs Millikin

North Park (3-6)
vs Wheaton
@ North Central
vs Elmhurst
vs Carthage
@ Illinois Wesleyan


Two big games tonight in the conference tournament race...

* Wheaton @ North Park - realistically, this has to feel like a "must win" for both teams...Wheaton cannot afford to pick up loss #5 with 4 to play (including games vs Augustana and IWU - pretty good odds of losing at least one of these)...loss #7 would basically eliminate North Park...the Vikings are a longshot, but they can legitimately tell themselves that they are still in it heading into this home game.  

* Carthage @ Augustana - a win tonight would really change Carthage's conference tournament outlook...I don't think it is a huge stretch to think that Carthage could win out after this game, but 6 losses may be one too many (especially considering the fact Carthage loses a tie with Wheaton), so realistically, Carthage has to feel like this is a "must win"...based on this season's play, I have a hard time envisioning the Red Men winning this one, but with 1st Team All-American Steve Djurickovic in the mix they always have a chance.

[Mugsy]

Wheaton defeats NPU 64-55.  McCrary with another double-double, 19 & 11.  Cahill with 25 for NPU.  Lots of fouls in this one resulting in 62 FTs.

[Titan Q]

Home win = +0
Road win = +1
Home loss = -1
Road loss = +0


+/- Standings through 2/5
North Central +4
Augustana +2
Illinois Wesleyan +2
Wheaton +2
Carthage +0
North Park -2
Elmhurst -4
Millikin -4

(Usually takes +4 to win the title)

Wednesday, 2/9
Elmhurst @ Carthage
Millikin @ Illinois Wesleyan
North Park @ North Central
Augustana @ Wheaton

[wheels81]

Ok there must be a NP hacker (or an overworked sid)who subbed the north park soccer win over wheaton for tonights basketball box score.
It was for the november 6 overtime win 3-2 for the vikings.  Clicked on the boxscore for on Wheaton's site and that's what came up.