MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

We all remember this about U. of Chicago's big recruiting news a year ago...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2011/11/a_true_recruiting_coup.html


It certainly looks like 6-4 guard Jordan Smith (Whitney Young H.S.) is the real deal.  Through his first 3 collegiate games he is averaging 18 ppg.

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/mbk-bios-2012-13/mbk-bio-2012-13-smith.htm

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/teamcume.htm


Mike McGrath's Maroons could be a big-time sleeper in the UAA and Midwest region this year.

[toooldtohoop]

for what its worth after watching a few games this week....

I can see why our "green" friends have been concerned about guard play.

wheaton is better than I thought. 

Chicago has good one on one offensive talent and with their youth might be fun to follow.  Defensively, they looked unimpressive.

[Gregory Sager]

We all remember this about U. of Chicago's big recruiting news a year ago...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2011/11/a_true_recruiting_coup.html


It certainly looks like 6-4 guard Jordan Smith (Whitney Young H.S.) is the real deal.  Through his first 3 collegiate games he is averaging 18 ppg.

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/mbk-bios-2012-13/mbk-bio-2012-13-smith.htm

http://athletics.uchicago.edu/mensbasketball/teamcume.htm


Mike McGrath's Maroons could be a big-time sleeper in the UAA and Midwest region this year.

I watched the Maroons play today. I have to agree with toooldtohoop; right now the Maroons are playing a lot of one-on-one ball. It's quite a shock to the system for those of us who over the years have gotten used to watching Chicago play some of the most meticulously-patterned basketball in the region (with the triple post set, in particular). Now the Maroons are very wide open and try to beat you off the dribble -- no surprise, when you consider that they have Whitney Young alumnus Jordan Smith, Westchester St. Joe alumnus Wayne Simon (who played two years of D1 ball at American), and the fleet-footed Royce Muskeyvalley on the team, all of whom are excellent slashers. Kudos to U of C coach Mike McGrath for recognizing that he has more perimeter athletic talent right now than he's ever had before -- or is ever likely to have at 56th and Ellis -- and adjusting his team's style accordingly.

And, yeah, they do look unimpressive on defense. But that's a function of their youth. Smith and fellow former Whitney Young Dolphin Nate Brooks are freshmen, as is sharp-shooting guard John Steinberg, and Muskeyvalley's only a sophomore. It's a young team, and young teams usually don't defend well.

[D-3 watcher]

A O,  quit using injuries as an excuse for poor play in the early games last year. NCC had 4 all CCIW players, and a fifth who in my opinion, should have made one of the teams. (Kevin G.) . They lost, that's it. As far as beating your team last year, didn't do it,  but when you come see the new banner hanging, tell me which you would rather have, 2 in season victories over IWU, or a final four appearance. I'm greedy, I would want both, but if I have to choose, I'll take Salem. Instead of trying to pick apart the Titans 2 wins, be happy NCC just beat one of the best teams in the country. That's a great win. And I was there at your sweet 16 loss, and I don't remember what Greg S. said, but I can remember them just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals. Kinda like your guys did to the Titans both games.

[AndOne]

Aaron Tiknis was injured and unable to play in that game and Kevin Gillespie had not played in the previous game as was nowhere near 100%.
Nevertheless, last year's loss to Simpson in Iowa was probably NCC's 2nd crappiest game of the year after the complete and utter debacle which took place in Platteville, WI.

So sometimes in the non-conference season a team that might end up to be a pretty good team later in the year might struggle and lose a game they shouldn't to a mediocre team (especially when injuries are involved).  I get it.

But what exactly is your point about IWU's 12-point win over Loras, in a game the Titans led by 23 at halftime and never by less than double digits the final 26 minutes?  (Considering this is an IWU team working to figure out a completely new perimeter cast, and dealing with 3 key injuries at perimeter spots.)

Or were you just kind of doing your AndOne thing of getting things stirred up.  I guess the use of "Green Weenies" was a dead giveaway on that one huh?

1. To answer your question---My point is merely that when the 2nd favorite in he CCIW goes up against the 5th pick in the IIAC, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would be good enough to win by 12 points. You made it seem like Wesleyan played an especially fine game to be able to post a 12 point win.
Actually, if they were ahead by 23 at the half, couldn't it be argued that they should have actually won by something more than 12?

2. You can't be pretending to be upset by my use of "Green Weenies." Half the board has used that terminology to refer to the boys from Bloomington at one time or another. Its just a nickname, and certainly not meant in a disrespectful manner. You want to refer to the Cardinals as the "Napervillians" or SoDuP, as several posters have, or even something like the "Bumbling Birds," I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape. I'm curious why you seem to be or why you even brought it up. Its a long-standing tradition. 

[Gregory Sager]

And I was there at your sweet 16 loss, and I don't remember what Greg S. said, but I can remember them just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals.

You remember incorrectly. I saw that game online. It was very evenly played -- NCC's biggest lead was nine, Wittenberg's biggest lead was seven (and that came early in the first half). Wittenberg won by three points, with the Cardinals missing a chance to tie the game at the buzzer. That does not fit any reasonable definition of "them [Wittenberg] just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals", because I'm sure that Witt head coach Bill Brown did not want to have that game go right down to the final buzzer.

[newCCIWfan]

Final from the airplane hangar:

NCC 60
Hope 49

Derek Raridon had 21 and Landon Gamble had 10 for NCC.

It was back-and-forth until the last five minutes or so, at which point Hope stopped scoring and the Cards slowly opened up the lead.

It was a real foulfest, too. All four NCC bigs finished with four fouls apiece. Hope's star inside player Nate Snuggerud, who had four fouls in the first half alone, fouled out while only playing about ten minutes all night, while 6'10 Nate VanArendonk and west suburban product Brock Benson had four fouls apiece for the Dutch.

http://miaa.org/mbb/stats/1213/mbk02.htm
NCC held Hope to 1 FG in the games final 10 minutes........which was one less than the number of FG's NCC scored in those same minutes.  From 46-44 it was nearly all Ft's for both teams. 

Sort of an unusual finish to a game.

An unusual finish to be sure.

However, much more well played by NCC than Hope in that the Cardinals dictated play by going right at Hope.
Over the last 3:52 of the game, NCC went to the line 7 times, making 6, as compared to no FT attempts by Hope. This was a tactical error by the visitors as in addition to creating a chance or chances from the line, they could have disqualified one or more of the Cardinals, 4 of whom had 4 fouls apiece by that time. No NCC player wound up fouling out.

Any reason that Landon Gamble did not start?

[USee]

Aaron Tiknis was injured and unable to play in that game and Kevin Gillespie had not played in the previous game as was nowhere near 100%.
Nevertheless, last year's loss to Simpson in Iowa was probably NCC's 2nd crappiest game of the year after the complete and utter debacle which took place in Platteville, WI.

So sometimes in the non-conference season a team that might end up to be a pretty good team later in the year might struggle and lose a game they shouldn't to a mediocre team (especially when injuries are involved).  I get it.

But what exactly is your point about IWU's 12-point win over Loras, in a game the Titans led by 23 at halftime and never by less than double digits the final 26 minutes?  (Considering this is an IWU team working to figure out a completely new perimeter cast, and dealing with 3 key injuries at perimeter spots.)

Or were you just kind of doing your AndOne thing of getting things stirred up.  I guess the use of "Green Weenies" was a dead giveaway on that one huh?

1. To answer your question---My point is merely that when the 2nd favorite in he CCIW goes up against the 5th pick in the IIAC, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would be good enough to win by 12 points. You made it seem like Wesleyan played an especially fine game to be able to post a 12 point win.
Actually, if they were ahead by 23 at the half, couldn't it be argued that they should have actually won by something more than 12?

2. You can't be pretending to be upset by my use of "Green Weenies." Half the board has used that terminology to refer to the boys from Bloomington at one time or another. Its just a nickname, and certainly not meant in a disrespectful manner. You want to refer to the Cardinals as the "Napervillians" or SoDuP, as several posters have, or even something like the "Bumbling Birds," I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape. I'm curious why you seem to be or why you even brought it up. Its a long-standing tradition. 

Wow did it get chippy on here early! I'm in.

Just because people from other schools have used a term for a long time doesn't make it a tradition! (See "Wheaties). Also, is it just me or do you tend to post more after a big NCC win than a loss.  I don't seem to remember many posts the past two non-conference seasons.  Just askin....

[Titan Q]

1. To answer your question---My point is merely that when the 2nd favorite in he CCIW goes up against the 5th pick in the IIAC, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would be good enough to win by 12 points. You made it seem like Wesleyan played an especially fine game to be able to post a 12 point win.
Actually, if they were ahead by 23 at the half, couldn't it be argued that they should have actually won by something more than 12?

2. You can't be pretending to be upset by my use of "Green Weenies." Half the board has used that terminology to refer to the boys from Bloomington at one time or another. Its just a nickname, and certainly not meant in a disrespectful manner. You want to refer to the Cardinals as the "Napervillians" or SoDuP, as several posters have, or even something like the "Bumbling Birds," I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape. I'm curious why you seem to be or why you even brought it up. Its a long-standing tradition. 

Mark, I don't have much interest in debating silly things with you. 

[AndOne]

And I was there at your sweet 16 loss, and I don't remember what Greg S. said, but I can remember them just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals.

You remember incorrectly. I saw that game online. It was very evenly played -- NCC's biggest lead was nine, Wittenberg's biggest lead was seven (and that came early in the first half). Wittenberg won by three points, with the Cardinals missing a chance to tie the game at the buzzer. That does not fit any reasonable definition of "them [Wittenberg] just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals", because I'm sure that Witt head coach Bill Brown did not want to have that game go right down to the final buzzer.

Thank you, Greg. Obviously D-3 won't believe me. Maybe he'll believe you.

[AndOne]

Aaron Tiknis was injured and unable to play in that game and Kevin Gillespie had not played in the previous game as was nowhere near 100%.
Nevertheless, last year's loss to Simpson in Iowa was probably NCC's 2nd crappiest game of the year after the complete and utter debacle which took place in Platteville, WI.

So sometimes in the non-conference season a team that might end up to be a pretty good team later in the year might struggle and lose a game they shouldn't to a mediocre team (especially when injuries are involved).  I get it.

But what exactly is your point about IWU's 12-point win over Loras, in a game the Titans led by 23 at halftime and never by less than double digits the final 26 minutes?  (Considering this is an IWU team working to figure out a completely new perimeter cast, and dealing with 3 key injuries at perimeter spots.)

Or were you just kind of doing your AndOne thing of getting things stirred up.  I guess the use of "Green Weenies" was a dead giveaway on that one huh?

1. To answer your question---My point is merely that when the 2nd favorite in he CCIW goes up against the 5th pick in the IIAC, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would be good enough to win by 12 points. You made it seem like Wesleyan played an especially fine game to be able to post a 12 point win.
Actually, if they were ahead by 23 at the half, couldn't it be argued that they should have actually won by something more than 12?

2. You can't be pretending to be upset by my use of "Green Weenies." Half the board has used that terminology to refer to the boys from Bloomington at one time or another. Its just a nickname, and certainly not meant in a disrespectful manner. You want to refer to the Cardinals as the "Napervillians" or SoDuP, as several posters have, or even something like the "Bumbling Birds," I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape. I'm curious why you seem to be or why you even brought it up. Its a long-standing tradition. 

Wow did it get chippy on here early! I'm in.

Just because people from other schools have used a term for a long time doesn't make it a tradition! (See "Wheaties). Also, is it just me or do you tend to post more after a big NCC win than a loss.  I don't seem to remember many posts the past two non-conference seasons.  Just askin....

USee,

To be perfectly honest, I have little doubt I tend to be a bit more verbose following a victory as opposed to a loss.
Continuing in that same vein, I'd say I believe its a pretty natural thing to do, and a majority of posters are probably "guilty" of the same transgression.
Wouldn't you agree?

[AndOne]

A O,  quit using injuries as an excuse for poor play in the early games last year. NCC had 4 all CCIW players, and a fifth who in my opinion, should have made one of the teams. (Kevin G.) . They lost, that's it. As far as beating your team last year, didn't do it,  but when you come see the new banner hanging, tell me which you would rather have, 2 in season victories over IWU, or a final four appearance. I'm greedy, I would want both, but if I have to choose, I'll take Salem. Instead of trying to pick apart the Titans 2 wins, be happy NCC just beat one of the best teams in the country. That's a great win. And I was there at your sweet 16 loss, and I don't remember what Greg S. said, but I can remember them just doing what they wanted to against the Cardinals. Kinda like your guys did to the Titans both games.

D-3,

An excuse? Go back and read again what I said. I merely stated a fact in that Tiknis was hurt and didn't play in that game, and Gillespie hadn't played in the previous game (and probably shouldn't have played at Simpson).
What I did say was "Nevertheless, last year's loss to Simpson in Iowa was probably NCC's 2nd crappiest game of the year........." Does saying we played a crappy game really sound like an excuse? I think not.

And, speaking of excuses, I believe you're the guy who, lets say, strongly suggested that the way IWU's semifinal game was called strongly favored Cabrini.

And yes, D-3, we're all aware that Wesleyan got hot at the right time last season and advanced to the final four. And I'm sure the banner looks pretty hanging in your rafters. And hell yes, I wish that my team had one too, as I'm sure all the other posters and fans of all the other teams do. So, I'll give you what you're obviously looking for and say congratulations again. And before you also mention it again I DO also remember that you ARE the guy with the private jet and personal pilot who has made it to Salem every time the Titans have participated. By the way, hows the recent election result looking as far as your future taxes are concerned?   

Moving forward, I hope you'll join us in the room more often. Hopefully, you'll enlighten us with some insightful analysis and stimulating discussion. After all, you wouldn't want us confusing you with Rob Roy's Archibald Cunningham, and thinking the only purpose of your infrequent forays into the room are but to climb on top of the hill and crow. 

[Titan Q]

And before you also mention it again I DO also remember that you ARE the guy with the private jet and personal pilot who has made it to Salem every time the Titans have participated. By the way, hows the recent election result looking as far as your future taxes are concerned?   

D-3 watcher, I could use a pickup Tuesday here in Lincoln, NE for the Illinois College game.  Can you send the jet?  E-mail me...thanks.

Also, I know a good tax guy here in Nebraska -- per AndOne, it sounds like you have some Obama-based tax problems.  I can have him jump on the plane and maybe you guys can chat at the Shirk while the Titans face the Blue Boys?  Let me know.

[D-3 watcher]

Q,  topping tanks off today

[D-3 watcher]

Greg, what I remember is that they played the game they wanted to play, don't remember the score, but they wanted a slow, grind it out game. They just kept going inside time after time. But I drink sometimes, might be that I'm wrong. I do know that I didn't want to face NCC again.