MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Good thing they didn't decide to feature the book Great Expectations, because as has been stated many, many times on this board, this FIRST PLACE, TOP SEEDED, FRESHMAN DOMINATED, UNEXPECTED, Cardinal team had none of those.

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.             

Now, there's a rant that deserves a response.



I think it was the use of "pedestrian" that put it over the top for me.

IWU didn't finish fourth, it finished in a tie for third, but I don't want to be the one who rains on your parade here, Mark.

I should have made it clear that I was referring to their being the 4th seed in the conference tourney as opposed to finishing 4th in the league. In that regard, I failed.

[TitansIWU]

There goes the last of my hard earned Karma.

Be assured, Titan, that any decrease in your K was not by my hand. I don't play like that. Frankly, I enjoy our verbal sparing.  

Truth be told, I have nowhere near the CCIW knowledge required to truly spar, but I will admit it is fun to take a few jabs before I sit back on my stool and watch.

[Gregory Sager]

Final from Shirk:

Illinois Wesleyan 70
Augustana 68

Doug Sexauer hit a baseline jumper with one second left to win it.

Next Friday in Naperville:

#2 Augustana (22-3) vs. #3 Wheaton (18-7)
#4 Illinois Wesleyan (18-7) @ #1 North Central (15-10)

CCIW historians... is North Central's 15-10 the "worst" record for a conference champion?

No. The 1959-60 Illinois Wesleyan team that shared the league title with North Central -- both teams finished league play with a 9-3 record (it was the first season after Wheaton had been kicked out of the league) -- wound up with a 9-11 overall record. To put that into perspective, though, NCC only finished 14-10 that year. And the 1963-64 Illinois Wesleyan team that also shared the conference title at 9-3, this time with Carthage, went 12-10 overall.

It's far too busy right now... but this spring or summer, when things cool down, can you revisit this?  I knew Wheaton left the league... but Ididn't know they were kicked out... and why were they let back in if they had been tossed out?

Again, for another time... but I just read this and was interested in the details therein.

They were kicked out because the CCI (no 'W' at that point) passed a mandatory-dancing bylaw.

Seriously, though, this was waaaay before my time. It was so long ago that it even predates Dennis Prikkel. From what I've been told, Wheaton simply got too big for the circuit. When Wheaton got the heave-ho in 1959, the Crusaders had gone four straight years without losing a CCI basketball game and had won outright or shared the last seven championships in football (and hadn't lost a game in close to three years). I'm not sure if Wheaton was asked to leave or told to leave (Dennis?), but I do know that it was the result of a very obvious athletics imbalance.

By the time Wheaton came back into the league nine years later the status quo was very different. Either the rest of the league got better in the interim, or Wheaton got worse, because the Crusaders were no longer anywhere close to dominant in the league's two major sports. In fact, Wheaton wouldn't win another title in either sport until the mid-'90s.

I should have made it clear that I was referring to their being the 4th seed in the conference tourney as opposed to finishing 4th in the league. In that regard, I failed.

This specific problem seems to be a problem for people named Mark.

[Titan Q]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

[Hardwood]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

I thought I was the Ass clown...Can I leave my room now?

[petemcb]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

I thought I was the Ass clown...Can I leave my room now?

+k

[petemcb]

There goes the last of my hard earned Karma.

Be assured, Titan, that any decrease in your K was not by my hand. I don't play like that. Frankly, I enjoy our verbal sparing.  

I don't think any of the regulars on this board can be accused of "verbal sparing"  -  verbal sparring maybe.....but never "verbal sparing".  It just doesn't happen on this board.  

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good thing they didn't decide to feature the book Great Expectations, because as has been stated many, many times on this board, this FIRST PLACE, TOP SEEDED, FRESHMAN DOMINATED, UNEXPECTED, Cardinal team had none of those.

I can see that I'm clearly not the only one who's decided to take a whiz in AndOne's cornflakes today.

And also clearly not the only one full of compliments.   

Besides, I didn't have Cornflakes today. I enjoyed some Wheaties. You know, the breakfast of (co) CHAMPIONS.     

No, no - the Wheaties only tied for third.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Final from Shirk:

Illinois Wesleyan 70
Augustana 68

Doug Sexauer hit a baseline jumper with one second left to win it.

Next Friday in Naperville:

#2 Augustana (22-3) vs. #3 Wheaton (18-7)
#4 Illinois Wesleyan (18-7) @ #1 North Central (15-10)

CCIW historians... is North Central's 15-10 the "worst" record for a conference champion?

No. The 1959-60 Illinois Wesleyan team that shared the league title with North Central -- both teams finished league play with a 9-3 record (it was the first season after Wheaton had been kicked out of the league) -- wound up with a 9-11 overall record. To put that into perspective, though, NCC only finished 14-10 that year. And the 1963-64 Illinois Wesleyan team that also shared the conference title at 9-3, this time with Carthage, went 12-10 overall.

It's far too busy right now... but this spring or summer, when things cool down, can you revisit this?  I knew Wheaton left the league... but Ididn't know they were kicked out... and why were they let back in if they had been tossed out?

Again, for another time... but I just read this and was interested in the details therein.

They were kicked out because the CCI (no 'W' at that point) passed a mandatory-dancing bylaw.

Seriously, though, this was waaaay before my time. It was so long ago that it even predates Dennis Prikkel. From what I've been told, Wheaton simply got too big for the circuit. When Wheaton got the heave-ho in 1959, the Crusaders had gone four straight years without losing a CCI basketball game and had won outright or shared the last seven championships in football (and hadn't lost a game in close to three years). I'm not sure if Wheaton was asked to leave or told to leave (Dennis?), but I do know that it was the result of a very obvious athletics imbalance.

By the time Wheaton came back into the league nine years later the status quo was very different. Either the rest of the league got better in the interim, or Wheaton got worse, because the Crusaders were no longer anywhere close to dominant in the league's two major sports. In fact, Wheaton wouldn't win another title in either sport until the mid-'90s.

I should have made it clear that I was referring to their being the 4th seed in the conference tourney as opposed to finishing 4th in the league. In that regard, I failed.

This specific problem seems to be a problem for people named Mark.

asked to leave would be correct - they left after the 1959 football season.  besides dominating in both football and basketball they won 12 of 13 track titles as well, and all four wrestling titles.  Their track team included an olympic athlete.  (as did North Central's swim team at that time).

[Gregory Sager]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

I thought I was the Ass clown...Can I leave my room now?

I think it's great that this room is trying to spice up Friday night's IWU @ NCC semifinal the way that the coaches have already spiced up the Wheaton vs. Augustana semifinal.

[petemcb]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

I thought I was the Ass clown...Can I leave my room now?

I think it's great that this room is trying to spice up Friday night's IWU @ NCC semifinal the way that the coaches have already spiced up the Wheaton vs. Augustana semifinal.

muckraker.   

[TitansIWU]

As opposed to the preseason number 4 ranked in the country Titans, who undoubtedly entered the season with LOFTY EXPECTATIONS given that they are a VETERAN DOMINATED team. But, who finished not tied for FIRST like the Cardinals, but in FOURTH PLACE, and who had to struggle to even make the conference tournament. The same team that when the current seniors entered 4 years ago, we were told multiple times would likely win the conference championship each of the next 4 years, contend for the national championship every year and, in fact, almost assuredly win at least 1 national crown if not more. The same team I'm betting that would love to switch places now with the Cardinals, have an 11-3 conference record rather than a truly "pedestrian" 9-5 mark, be the co-league champion rather than the FOURTH PLACE TEAM, and be HOSTING the conference tournament RATHER THAN DRIVING TO IT. You know, all those things that were EXPECTED of the Titans BUT THAT THEY FAILED TO ACHIEVE.            

I know you are very excited about your Cardinals, Mark...but please stop being an assclown.  You were so much more fun to read when NCC was losing non-conference games (when you weren't posting).

I will take a little blame credit for him being an assclown, as I admit to provocation.

But, he enjoys our verbal sparring, so I think it's acceptable to have two fans engaging in verbal assclowning.

[Mr. Ypsi]

As BOTH IWU/NCC games have gone to OT, I'm not sure how much 'spicing up' is necessary!

[Gregory Sager]

As BOTH IWU/NCC games have gone to OT, I'm not sure how much 'spicing up' is necessary!

You can never have too much spice.

(That credo, plus my brown eyes, is proof positive that I do not share the Swedish heritage of many of my fellow North Park alumni.)

This Friday's IWU @ NCC matchup is going to be the Szechuan kung pao chicken of basketball games. And the Wheaton vs. Augustana showdown will be the Malaccan devil pork of basketball games.

[petemcb]

As BOTH IWU/NCC games have gone to OT, I'm not sure how much 'spicing up' is necessary!

You can never have too much spice.

Enough with the Beckham quotes.  I thought this was a basketball board.