MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

IWU is in Orlando for a tournament at the RDV Sportsplex.  Schedule...

* Tonight vs Mississippi College, 7:00pm ET/6:00pm CT

* Tomorrow vs Hope, 3:00pm ET/2:00pm CT

Pantagraph article on the FL games - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/iwu-to-play-a-pair-of-games-in-florida/article_f1c7273a-4b1f-11e2-962e-0019bb2963f4.html

Last night Mississippi College defeated Hope 82-73 - http://www.hope.edu/athletics/mbb/stats/1213/1220miss.htm.

IWU (6-2) will once again be without perimeter players Mike Mayberger (10.1 ppg) and Brady Zimmer (9.2 ppg).  Hard to know what the expect in this game considering that the Titans have been so inconsistent in the non-conference, and that these are two very differenct teams that just don't know much about each other.

Hard to know what to expect from IWU w/o its full compliment of players.
Also, not much known about Mississippi College up here in CCIWland, but I believe they have traditionally fielded very athletic teams that featured an up-tempo/run & gun style with several players capable of really getting up and cleaning the glass.
Curious to know what Hope will offer. This is a team which was ranked #7 to begin the season, but has slipped to a very unexpected 4-5 mark with last night's loss.   

[petemcb]

Word is that Heiden will be playing tonight.  He is one of the better shooters we will see this season.  The Vikes cannot give him open looks.  Greg, who would be their designated Gary Payton-type glove to shadow Heiden? 

[petemcb]

And, by the way, where will you be doing your pre game meal?  I've had Smoque BBQ on Pulaski recommended to me several times.......

[petemcb]

Last night was my first view of Elmhurst this season.  Other than their 6'9" 270 lb junior transfer, who doesn't have any previous college listed by his name on the roster (?), none of their big men appear to be CCIW factors.  The Bluejays don't appear to be a very disciplined squad.  Dumb turnovers, dumb fouls, and questionable decisions against a Benedictine team I have now had the misfortune of seeing three times this season: versus Wheaton, NPU, and now Elmhurst.  They are one of the worst D3 teams I have seen in years.....except possibly for the rag tag Rockford team I watched Wheaton annihilate in a scrimmage back in November.  hard to take much away from last night's game in Elmhurst except that I give Mark Scherer credit for continuing to ride his players and not allow them to coast once they established their 20 point lead in the second half, presumably in an attempt to prepare an inexperienced squad for the rigors of conference play coming with the turn of the next calendar page.

[Gregory Sager]

Word is that Heiden will be playing tonight.  He is one of the better shooters we will see this season.  The Vikes cannot give him open looks.  Greg, who would be their designated Gary Payton-type glove to shadow Heiden?

Probably Zach Cassita.

And, by the way, where will you be doing your pre game meal?  I've had Smoque BBQ on Pulaski recommended to me several times.......

I'll have to try that place out sometime, but I'll likely be doing the ritual post-game meal at Charcoal Delights.

Other than their 6'9" 270 lb junior transfer, who doesn't have any previous college listed by his name on the roster (?)

Alex Morgunov played two years of juco ball at College of Lake County. He had nice numbers last season for the Lancers, averaging 13.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 2.4 bpg. One interesting thing about him is that he may be the only home-schooled player in the CCIW this season. The "school" that is listed as his high school, American Christian Academy in Sacramento, CA, is more of a curriculum provider for home-schooling parents, as well as a testing, grading, and transcript agency for them. Some of the other "schools" in the league in which ACA plays, the California Home School Sports League, do offer on-site classroom sessions once or twice a week.

I love what the league calls its annual post-season tournament: March Gladness.

[Mr. Ypsi]

NPU hosts UW-LaCrosse tonight in an early 6 pm start. The Eagles are 8-1, with their lone loss coming at the hands of UW-Whitewater. Given what Tom Slyder has available to work with, and the desultory play of the Vikings in their two recent losses, I do not have high hopes for this game. I am completely open to the Vikings providing me with a nice Christmas surprise, of course , but NPU has to be seen as a significant underdog in tonight's contest.

UWL actually doesn't put a ton of size on the floor in terms of starters, which is a break for undersized NPU:

Lucas Morrissey	6'4, 220, Sr.	11.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Lucas Collum	6'5, 210, So.	8.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Luke Tweed	6'6, 195, Jr.	12.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Braden Tice	6'1, 175, Jr.	8.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Jeff Heiden	6'0, 165, Sr.	13.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg

Way too many guys named Luke on that team.

The key reserves are 6'3, 190 sophomore Connor DeBruin (2.4, 2.0), 6'4, 245 senior Brock McMullen (2.0, 4.0), 6'9, 190 sophomore Cale Zuiker (5.1, 1.8), 5'8, 165 sophomore Johnny Coenen (1.7, 0.4), and 6'3, 195 sophomore Trent Schmidt (0.7, 0.6). Zuiker is a transfer from Youngstown State, although I don't know if he was scholarship or walk-on for the Penguins; his playing time for YSU last season was pretty modest. Heiden didn't play at all in UWL's last game two weeks ago; Coenen started in his place.

Rob and I will be on the call for tonight's webcast. We're looking to call a nice big upset tonight.

Maybe the Vikings will catch a break and LaX will go all "Cold Hand Luke" tonight!

[Gregory Sager]

If so, UWL head coach Ken Koelbl might blame it on a failure to communicate.

[veterancciwfan]

Mississippi College lists 15 players, 10 of which came from either junior colleges or 4-year colleges (Alcorn State and E. Baptist U.). They are super quick and impressive rebounders but a little disorganized on offense. They beat Hope by 12 last night with Hope's star (Nate Snugggerud who scored 40 against IWU last year) sitting much of the game with foul trouble. I heard from an impartial trainer not affiliated with any of the 3 teams that the officiating was terrible and slanted in favor of MS Collge. This will be a difficult game for the undermanned Titans.

[Titan Q]

I'm guessing that the turnover stat line will be the biggie for the Titans tonight.  IWU has really struggled with turnovers during the non-conference season as they've been working in an entirely new perimeter group, and dealing with some key injuries.  I've heard from a few who saw the Mississippi College/Hope game, and they described the Choctaws as a "long", "athletic" team that really pressures the basketball.  These same people tended to say that if you take care of the ball against MC, you get good shots.

We'll see if IWU continues to struggle with turnovers or can turn the corner a little.  Should be a good test.  If IWU can keep turnovers to say, 13 or less, I think they'll win the game convincingly.  If they turn it over 15+ times it will be hard to win.

Eric Stock, who is a very good play-by-play guy, should be on the air soon with the WJBC broadcast - http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/wjbc.portal#.

[Titan Q]

Here is a pic of the RDV Sportsplex, tweeted by Eric Stock a few minutes ago...

https://twitter.com/WJBCTitans/status/282269504812236800/photo/1


The is the Orlando Magic's practice facility.  Will probably be the smallest crowd IWU plays in front of all year.  It's not really set up for spectators.

[sac]

This seems to be set up for livestats for the IWU/MC game

http://livestats.hope.edu/bb/

[Mr. Ypsi]

Here is a pic of the RDV Sportsplex, tweeted by Eric Stock a few minutes ago...

https://twitter.com/WJBCTitans/status/282269504812236800/photo/1


The is the Orlando Magic's practice facility.  Will probably be the smallest crowd IWU plays in front of all year.  It's not really set up for spectators.

WOW!  I hope that was shot FROM the stands towards the team 'benches'!  If they could seat 100 fans, I'd be surprised.

[Mugsy]

Ummm.... IWU leading 37-5 with 4 minutes left in the half?  Seriously?

Is that a Livestats glitch or a brutal discrepancy in bball skill?

Mississippi is 1 for 20 from the field.  A whopping 5% shooting, which one could almost do with their eyes closed.

[Titan Q]

Ummm.... IWU leading 37-5 with 4 minutes left in the half?  Seriously?

Is that a Livestats glitch or a brutal discrepancy in bball skill?

It's an absolute boatrace.  It's 41-5 IWU right now.

How did this team beat Hope??

[Mugsy]

IWU leads 44-9 at the half.  Ouch!