MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Q, you are being too kind.  The Griz and Decatur are both dumps.  Let's face some real facts here, Ypsi or no.  Ypsi, trust me, the Griz is pretty bad.  I may not have been to a game at the CrackerBox, but I sure know a dump when I see one!   And, I don't think the Griz is going to have any big crowds, any electricity like IWU-MU games of old any time soon, either. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks, Q.  The Griz is definitely not the dump I attended!  Of course, I don't know the overall set-up/atmosphere, but that looks like a place that deserves to have some electricity.  (Sorry, Mark.)  May the Blue resurrect themselves to at least middle-of-the-pack (just don't even dream of beating the Titans)!

[Titan Q]

And, I don't think the Griz is going to have any big crowds, any electricity like IWU-MU games of old any time soon, either.

Ron Rose recently told me that for the first time in his tenure at IWU, he is having to recruit against Millikin.  That instead of kids saying, "Coach, I'm down to Augie and Wesleyan", for example, that he is hearing kids say, "I'm either going to your place, Augie, or Millikin."

I've heard from several other people that Nadelhoffer is on the recruiting trail in a huge way - that he's all over the place every night.  And Millikin has something to offer that most of the other CCIW schools do not - playing time.

I'd bet that Coach Nadelhoffer lands a couple good classes in a row and starts to turn it by 2014-15.  I think they have the right guy in place down there.  There is plenty of talent in Central and Southern Illinois for Millikin to pull from (local kids like Zack Boyd and Nick Sanford, for example) -- mix in a couple Chicago kids every now and then, and you've got a good roster.

[AndOne]

Congrats to Wheaton on their hard fought win in Naperville last night.

Going into the game, I was confident of a NCC win based primarily on the fact that the Crusaders, er Thunder, only won by 2 in double OT @ Wheaton, and NCC was without the services of CJ Goldthree in that game.

Among the things about the game that stood out to me:

* Wheaton had a great total of only 8 TOs, and the Cardinals did even better with only 6.
* Wheaton's defense was able to hold 2 of NCC's starters to only 2 points each.
* Wheaton had no answer to Landon Gamble's inside game.
* WC employed only 3 players off the bench and NCC only 2. Both numbers seemed surprising.
* WC won the board battle by 10.
* With NCC holding a late 3 point lead, and a bit later with the game tied, NCC failed to close out on the perimeter thus allowing Pflederer and Garriott to hit huge threes. Pflederer's came from the deep left corner. Another 2 inches back, and he would have been out of bounds. Garriott didn't really have a special game, but certainly hit a special, difference making shot.

I was initially impressed with the size of, and the organization within the Wheaton student cheering section, and enjoyed the verbal battle between them and the NCC students on the opposite end. However, at the end of the game, about 1/2 of the Wheaton students felt compelled to storm the court for some reason. Perhaps they failed to realize that, last night at least, they won nothing but a single regular season basketball game. No conference championship, no conference tournament game, no conference tournament championship, no national tournament game.   Sorry guys.

[iwu70]

Q, I hope you are right and that Millikin gets back to some level of decency and respectability within 2-3 seasons, regardless of what we may or may not think about the Griz and the surrounding confines of Decatur. Hard to get good crowds back after the MU program has declined so so far.  Yes, playing time is certainly something some incoming newbies would be happy to see available right away.  I wish the new coach well . . . seems a good guy, a real gentleman. 

My congrats to Coach Ron Rose on his 100th victory as Titan coach up in Kenosha Saturday night.  He and all the staff, all the Titan players are having a good season this year for sure.  Hope it continues through the conference tourney and into a post-season run.  I won't be visiting the Griz myself this Tuesday, but surely hope the Titans come away with another CCIW road win, come home vs. Elmhurst and the final home game/senior night with real momentum for the conference tourney upcoming.

Zimmer now tied for 3rd all time in trey shots made, with Edmundson.  He'll certainly make it to 3rd all-time outright and has a shot at running down Korey and Keelan too, but will likely need some extra games beyond the tourney to do that.  We'll see.  On offense, one of the all-time great careers in IWU hoops history.

IWU70 

[John Gleich]

I was initially impressed with the size of, and the organization within the Wheaton student cheering section, and enjoyed the verbal battle between them and the NCC students on the opposite end. However, at the end of the game, about 1/2 of the Wheaton students felt compelled to storm the court for some reason. Perhaps they failed to realize that, last night at least, they won nothing but a single regular season basketball game. No conference championship, no conference tournament game, no conference tournament championship, no national tournament game.   Sorry guys.

Personally, I think it should only be done on a buzzer beater against a top-ranked opponent or to celebrate breaking a Cal-Techian-type slump.

I know it had been several years since Wheaton won at NC... but come on...

[WheatonFanChris]

Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the WC/NCC game due to work, and did not realize how embarrassed the Wheaton students should be for rushing the court. Wheaton prides itself on being smart, rushing the court was not that. I truly hope the players went into Saturday's game and will go into the next (hopefully) two games in the Hanger planning on winning. I fully agree that rushing the court should be reserved for games in which a team is not given a chance to win, or a national title game.

On the other hand, it has been wonderful to see attendance up for both home and away games over the last few weeks. It's really been since Wash U. came to King Arena and knocked out the #1 nationally ranked team in Spring '09 that there has been a great atmosphere behind the players.

And even though it may just be one solitary conference game, it was a HUGE win for the Thunder from a mental and confidence standpoint. Schauer and McCrary accomplished something that Mr. Raymond never did. There is a huge monkey off the back in Wheaton's locker room when in Naperville now, which should lead to a confident entry into the tourney.

[TitansIWU]

Q, I hope you are right and that Millikin gets back to some level of decency and respectability within 2-3 seasons, regardless of what we may or may not think about the Griz and the surrounding confines of Decatur. Hard to get good crowds back after the MU program has declined so so far.  Yes, playing time is certainly something some incoming newbies would be happy to see available right away.  I wish the new coach well . . . seems a good guy, a real gentleman. 

My congrats to Coach Ron Rose on his 100th victory as Titan coach up in Kenosha Saturday night.  He and all the staff, all the Titan players are having a good season this year for sure.  Hope it continues through the conference tourney and into a post-season run.  I won't be visiting the Griz myself this Tuesday, but surely hope the Titans come away with another CCIW road win, come home vs. Elmhurst and the final home game/senior night with real momentum for the conference tourney upcoming.

Zimmer now tied for 3rd all time in trey shots made, with Edmundson.  He'll certainly make it to 3rd all-time outright and has a shot at running down Korey and Keelan too, but will likely need some extra games beyond the tourney to do that.  We'll see.  On offense, one of the all-time great careers in IWU hoops history.

IWU70

Zimmer is tied for 4th with Edmundson and will probably tie with or takeover 3rd from Sean Johnson in the next game.


3-point field goals made
1. 252         Keelan Amelianovich (104 games) - 2002-06
2. 245         Korey Coon (109 games) - 1996-00
3. 238         Sean Johnson (111 games) - 2007-11
4. 235         Mark Edmundson (113 games) - 1986-90
   235         Jordan Zimmer (99 games) - 2008-12

Thank God he is still at it, would have been a terrible shame to end in 5th place due to an injury. If they possible see some post season play, he has a fair shot at the top!

[CCIW]

Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the WC/NCC game due to work, and did not realize how embarrassed the Wheaton students should be for rushing the court. Wheaton prides itself on being smart, rushing the court was not that. I truly hope the players went into Saturday's game and will go into the next (hopefully) two games in the Hanger planning on winning. I fully agree that rushing the court should be reserved for games in which a team is not given a chance to win, or a national title game.

On the other hand, it has been wonderful to see attendance up for both home and away games over the last few weeks. It's really been since Wash U. came to King Arena and knocked out the #1 nationally ranked team in Spring '09 that there has been a great atmosphere behind the players.

And even though it may just be one solitary conference game, it was a HUGE win for the Thunder from a mental and confidence standpoint. Schauer and McCrary accomplished something that Mr. Raymond never did. There is a huge monkey off the back in Wheaton's locker room when in Naperville now, which should lead to a confident entry into the tourney.

I didn't see anything wrong with Wheaton fans rushing the court.  There are no rules when it comes to these things.  In fact, I thought it added to the drama and enthusiasm of the game.  The only people who would see this in a negative light would be the NCC fans.  And I understand, it is hard to lose a game like that on your home court.  This will pass. 

[augie_superfan]

I'm not a big fan of any visting fans rushing the court under any circumstances.  At home, yes, totally fine, let the kids have some fun.  Just not seeing why they feel the need to do it on the road however.

[matblake]

I'm against rushing the court anywhere unless you have won something (conf tourney champ game, regional/sec champ game, and certainly nation champ game) but other than that it should be another victory.  Too many celebrations IMO. 

[iwumichigander]

April, a very good move passing up the Griz and Decatur.  I got criticized for never making it to the CrackerBox for a loud, raucous game with the NPU Crazies.  Now I'm commending, complimenting you on your good judgement in never making it to the Griz and Millikin!  Not much reason to go there these days for basketball, unless of course you are more a fan of the women's game.  Just say'in.  (But Wheaton and Haaarvard?  Come on!!!).  When are Kent Raymond or Mr. McCrary joining the Knicks?  Gotta love (Harvard) Linsanity.

Considering how many former Wheaties that have connections to the NBA, and the fact that I am pretty sure that the Knicks were the team that showed interest in Joel Kolmodin, I think you just proved my argument  Sort of...

Since I get so much static for my (admittedly) perfunctory attendance in recent years (i.e., the last 40+! ), I'll take this opportunity to show my student credentials!  I went to Decatur all four years (and the Griz IS a bit of a dump ).  Of course, three of those four years I got to watch Jesse Price, arguably the greatest CCIW player ever.

I'll grant that in recent years there is little reason even for Titan folks to take the drive south.  Millikin MBB has fallen to the depths of NPU football - I sincerely hope that both are on the right track to redemption.  The conference is so much more interesting without a perennial Caltech or Earlham.

the griz open about 1971 ot 72 - prior to that the big blue played most of their home games in the historic stephen decatur gym in downtown decatur, which no longer exists.  Jesse Price never played in the griz - unless he was an alum.

Actually facility completed in 1970 along with Kirkland Fine Arts Center, according to Millikin web site.  Other interesting facts in "gee I did not know category" - The Old Gym (built 1911) was the original site of the IHSA Basketball State tournaments, ..."The Old Gym would fit in the pool area of Griswold."
"The first football game played at night under lights in the state of Illinois was held at Millikin on November 2, 1928."
The impressive thing I remember about Griswold was three basketball courts in the same building along with a 6 lane swimming pool.  Not atypical of small colleges in 1970. The least impressive - the area designated for radio and sports information - was and is just terrible; and, like Fred Young Fieldhouse it gets really hot high in the bleachers of the Griz whose steps and seats 'bounce' as you climb up

[augie77]

Two of my most memorable Augustana games of all time occurred during the 1973-74 season, my freshman year.  Midway through the conference season Augie and Millikin were undefeated in conference play in late January when Augie took to the road and played at Millikin.  Augustana had just gone 16-0 in the conference the previous season while finishing third in the old NAIA tournament.  Millikin was obviously a formidable opponenent and featured 6" 10" Leon Gobczynski the nation's leading scorer.  In front of a turnaway crowd of 4200 at Griswold Gym, Millikin prevailed by a score of 80-68, with "Gob" scoring 43--a typical number for him.  The energy and atmosphere in the gym was just what one wouild expect--electric.

Very late in the season Millikin made a return visit, with just the one loss between the two schools.  Augustana's gym was also filled to capacity with 3500 in attendance.  I and some friends had arrived an hour early and the place was alread 2/3 full.  Anyhow, Augustana Coach Jim Borcherding inserted a diamond and one defense specifically designed to slow down the Gob.  Final outcome: Augustana 91-73 (if memory serves), and Gobczynski's contribution??  ZERO POINTS despite being healthy and playing most of the game!  Millikin lost its final CCIW game against IWU and thus finished 14-2, just behind Augustana at 15-1.  Augie went on to the the NAIA national tournament before losing to eventual national champion St Marys of Texas in the quarterfinals.  The following year most of the CCIW schools (Carroll and IWU excluded) joined the new fangled NCAA Division III, in which Augie finished third in 1975 and 1976.

[iwu70]

IWUTitans, thanks for the correction on where Zimmer stands on the race to treyville glory.  How could I overlook Sean Johnson!?!?  My bad for sure.

Augie77, great memories of the Millikin glory days with Gob.  Wish I'd seen him play.  Holding Gob scoreless is indeed a memorable game.  Let's hope somehow MU can return to some level of respectability, even glory and electricity again in the Griz at some point.  A long long road back, it seems to me.  Gotta wish the new coach well . . . hope he finds some talent and gets the necessary support from the University.  Likely not much electricity in the Griz tomorrow night . . . all I hope for is another Titan road win, moving right along.  Titans need 19-6, then a good performance in the CCIW tournament. 

IWU70

[Dennis_Prikkel]

April, a very good move passing up the Griz and Decatur.  I got criticized for never making it to the CrackerBox for a loud, raucous game with the NPU Crazies.  Now I'm commending, complimenting you on your good judgement in never making it to the Griz and Millikin!  Not much reason to go there these days for basketball, unless of course you are more a fan of the women's game.  Just say'in.  (But Wheaton and Haaarvard?  Come on!!!).  When are Kent Raymond or Mr. McCrary joining the Knicks?  Gotta love (Harvard) Linsanity.

Considering how many former Wheaties that have connections to the NBA, and the fact that I am pretty sure that the Knicks were the team that showed interest in Joel Kolmodin, I think you just proved my argument  Sort of...

Since I get so much static for my (admittedly) perfunctory attendance in recent years (i.e., the last 40+! ), I'll take this opportunity to show my student credentials!  I went to Decatur all four years (and the Griz IS a bit of a dump ).  Of course, three of those four years I got to watch Jesse Price, arguably the greatest CCIW player ever.

I'll grant that in recent years there is little reason even for Titan folks to take the drive south.  Millikin MBB has fallen to the depths of NPU football - I sincerely hope that both are on the right track to redemption.  The conference is so much more interesting without a perennial Caltech or Earlham.

the griz open about 1971 ot 72 - prior to that the big blue played most of their home games in the historic stephen decatur gym in downtown decatur, which no longer exists.  Jesse Price never played in the griz - unless he was an alum.

Actually facility completed in 1970 along with Kirkland Fine Arts Center, according to Millikin web site.  Other interesting facts in "gee I did not know category" - The Old Gym (built 1911) was the original site of the IHSA Basketball State tournaments, ..."The Old Gym would fit in the pool area of Griswold."
"The first football game played at night under lights in the state of Illinois was held at Millikin on November 2, 1928."
The impressive thing I remember about Griswold was three basketball courts in the same building along with a 6 lane swimming pool.  Not atypical of small colleges in 1970. The least impressive - the area designated for radio and sports information - was and is just terrible; and, like Fred Young Fieldhouse it gets really hot high in the bleachers of the Griz whose steps and seats 'bounce' as you climb up

i've mentioned the IHSA basketball trivia on this board a couple of times.  The old gym, like most of that era, had a running track suspended above the main floor.  Never saw a basketball game in the old gym at Millikin, but I saw several in the old gym at Augie (last game Feb. 1971) and in that gym shots from one corner definitely came from under the track.  Bleachers were on opposite side.

North Park's old gym (now Hamming Hall) which once boasted the oldest indoor swimming pool in Chicago (built in 1915), had bleachers only on the stage at one end and the balcony on the other.

Elmhurst's old gym had a staircase in one corner leading to the basement.

dgp