MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Titans4ever, yes, would be great if the Titan Pep Band could travel to Wash U, even in a diminished 25 member version.  They are, esp. at full strength, the best pep band in the country, bar none, IMHO. They have two full bands, that can actually play in sequence, one group for the women's game, one group for the men's game!   Of course, my reference to the "Titan band" turning out for the game was a reference to the Alma Wesleyana song, of "a mighty little Titan band", meaning the Titan nation of fans and supporters, who will, very likely, turn out in good numbers at Wash U -- the bused group of mature middle-aged fans!, plus others, plus students.  Though, as you likely know, Spring break starts March 8th and the campus will be pretty empty March 8-18, so many students heading out, for service trips, to build Habitat houses in Texas, take various private trips East coast and West, visit prospective grad schools upcoming, heading home, to warmer non-snowy climes, I'm sure.  Perhaps some will follow our Titans to St. Louis, and hopefully beyond, but I'd assume most students already had other plans, unless they happen to be from the St. Louis area like Mike Mayberger.  Let's hope Mike has another chance to shine -- like he did in the first game this year with Wash U -- in front of his family and "home" crowd.  Glad in this upcoming game we have Vic Davis back in the lineup and that Pat Sodemann is healthy and in the starting lineup as well.  Both teams surely much better, stronger, more settled in what they do best, than during that first game way back in the early part of the season.  As I recall Wash U won that game 67-57 against a rather different, rather diminished Titan squad that evening.  We'll see how the teams stack up now at a much different point in the season, with much more on the line, to say the least.

Good luck to WC and NCC this weekend as well.  Sure would be great to see the CCIW go 3-0 again and land three teams in the Sweet Sixteen.  My prediction is that NCC and IWU find a way to get through, but I doubt that Wheaton can find a way in MSP against the Tommies.  We'll soon see.

Happy travelling to the "mighty little Titan band" of fans, heading for St. Louis.  Travel safe, with the snow still on the ground in mid-March.  (That moisture turns to mighty fine corn and soybeans come May/June -- yes, even in Manito!).   

IWU70

[Pat Coleman]

At this time, I do not believe the NCC-UWW game is scheduled to be televised.
NCC's arrangement for video is with Naperville Community Television (NCTV). As the game is not being played in Merner Fieldhouse in Naperville, but rather in the Dan & Ada Rice center in Lisle, the likelihood is that viewers are out of luck. I will continue to look into the possibility of video availability. As the facilities are less than 3 miles apart, maybe things will change. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. 

At this time, it sounds like NCTV is indeed expecting to do this game, just to set the record straight.

[veterancciwfan]

Useless D3 stats unless you are a firm believer that Midwest D3 teams are generally better than D3 teams in other parts of the country-these numbers deal with the 16-year period, 1997-2012:

There are 8 D3 regions. If the teams of all 8 regions were equal in talent, coaching and luck, it might be assumed that during this 16-year period each region would have won the D3 title twice. I know, The Cubs prove that logic can't be used to predict championships and there are many reasons why this logic is flawed. However, during this time, the Midwest Region has claimed 3 titles (IWU once and Wash. U. twice) and the West Region has won 7 (6 by WIAC teams and once by St. Thomas). So these 2 regions have won 62.5% of national championships during this time period. In 2013, it appears that Amhurst, which has made 4 Final 4s and won one championship during this 16-year period, may be the most talented D3 team. Glad to get an analysis of the 3 NESCAC teams.

[AndOne]

At this time, I do not believe the NCC-UWW game is scheduled to be televised.
NCC's arrangement for video is with Naperville Community Television (NCTV). As the game is not being played in Merner Fieldhouse in Naperville, but rather in the Dan & Ada Rice center in Lisle, the likelihood is that viewers are out of luck. I will continue to look into the possibility of video availability. As the facilities are less than 3 miles apart, maybe things will change. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. 

At this time, it sounds like NCTV is indeed expecting to do this game, just to set the record straight.

Well, that would be a good thing, and would make sense given the close proximity of the 2 facilities. However, between the "Bracket Of Death," and not being able to use the basketball court during the national basketball championship tournament because of a track meet, not much has made sense lately. Accordingly, I still maintain some degree of pessimism with regard to what would seem to make sense.
Maybe my angst stems from the fact I'm still ticked over just finishing the 3rd shoveling of the driveway today a half hour ago! Grrrrrr

[NCF]

At this time, I do not believe the NCC-UWW game is scheduled to be televised.
NCC's arrangement for video is with Naperville Community Television (NCTV). As the game is not being played in Merner Fieldhouse in Naperville, but rather in the Dan & Ada Rice center in Lisle, the likelihood is that viewers are out of luck. I will continue to look into the possibility of video availability. As the facilities are less than 3 miles apart, maybe things will change. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. 

At this time, it sounds like NCTV is indeed expecting to do this game, just to set the record straight.

Well, that would be a good thing, and would make sense given the close proximity of the 2 facilities. However, between the "Bracket Of Death," and not being able to use the basketball court during the national basketball championship tournament because of a track meet, not much has made sense lately. Accordingly, I still maintain some degree of pessimism with regard to what would seem to make sense.
Maybe my angst stems from the fact I'm still ticked over just finishing the 3rd shoveling of the driveway today a half hour ago! Grrrrrr

I love basketball as much as anyone, played through college and coached after, but to say the basketball team can't use their home court because of "a track meet" does a disservice  to the athletes in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSIP meet this week-end. If it were just another meet, it would have been moved to Friday or it would have not involved the use of Merner and would have taken place on the same day. I think this happened last year during the CCIW Inoor Conference Championships. The track meet was held during the day and basketball at night. I hope you were just tired from shoveling snow (I know I am), as hosting this meet is a big deal, not only for the Cardinal track team and coaches, but for the whole North Central community as well. Besides, the college was awarded this meet over a year ago, it wasn't something that popped up out of nowhere. It's too bad the basketball game couln't be played on Sunday afternoon, unless  that wasn't an option due to an NCAA restriction. Go Cards!

[kiko]

I want the Cards to win as much as anyone, but again, hosting the national track championships and making sure the participants in that event have a first-class experience is a much bigger deal than hosting a second-round basketball tournament game.

To NCF's point, North Central submitted its bid for the track hosting privileges over a year ago.  Looking at the talent on the basketball team, I'm sure they were eyes-wide-open about the potential implications on their men's basketball team.  At the time, they were giving up the opportunity to host the sweet sixteen pod rather than just a single game.

Nobody forced the Cards to host the track meet - this is their own choice.  And even in hindsight, knowing that it means playing a neutral court game instead of a home game, I think taking on the opportunity to do so is an absolute no-brainer.

[clemac]

As a parent of one of those track athletes I feel no sympathy for you losing your hoops site. These tracksters have been preparing for this since last summer.

[USee]

The matchup for the Thunder this weekend is a formidable one. The Tommies are 27-1 on the year with their lone loss @Concordia-Morehead by 2 (CM is 18-8 on the season). they Beat CM at home by 29 earlier in the season. Their closest home game was a win over 22-5 UWSP by 5 and a win over lowly St. Olaf by 5 late in the year. I suppose Wheaton fans could point to their schedule and say they havne't played as many tough opponents. That gives us a glimmer of hope. On to the matchps;

UST features:

"We" Will "Rock-you" Deberg          6-0, Sr, G, 12.4pt, 2.3 reb, 1.5 A/TO, 41% 3pt (64-156), 86% FT
Tommy "Amaker" Hannon               6-7, Sr, C  11.4pts 6.7 reb
John "Larry" Nance                         6-3, Sr, G, 9.7pts, 3.0reb, 42% 3pt
Zach "Randolph" Riedeman            6-4, Jr, F,   9.3ppg, 3.5 reb, 39% 3pt
Erik "Spoelstra" Tengwall               6-1, Jr, G,    6.1ppg, 2.7 reb, 41% 3pt

Off the bench they bring:

"Joachim" Noah Kaiser                   6-5, Sr, F    6.9ppg, 2.0 Reb
Conner "Elin" Nord "Egren"           6-6 soph, F
Marcus "Muhammed" Ali-pate       6-0, soph, G

The Tommies are shooting 42% from 3 pt land for the season on an average of 16 attempts a game. So you can expect them to make 6-9 3's. Their defense is clearly at a high level. Only 2 teams have scored 70pts on them all year. Their lone loss came when they managed only 52 pts and shot 37%. If the Thunder wants to have a chance, they better play the best defense they have played all season and they need to shoot a really high percentage from the perimeter. Tough duty against a veteran squad.

[NCF]

As a parent of one of those track athletes I feel no sympathy for you losing your hoops site. These tracksters have been preparing for this since last summer.

A very modest parent indeed. His athlete is an outstanding, accomplished runner. Good luck this week-end to everyone who earned a spot in the meet. Only  the top 13 individuals and 10 relay teams even get to participate-very elite and should be very exciting to watch.

[clemac]

Aw shucks, thanks.   

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Aw shucks, thanks.

well deserved, +K for you and good luck to your off-spring

[Rafi]

As a parent of one of those track athletes I feel no sympathy for you losing your hoops site. These tracksters have been preparing for this since last summer.

I can appreciate your support for the track athletes competing this weekend.  But saying you have no sympathy for the basketball team losing their home venue is quite cold, to say the least.  The basketball team has been preparing for their championship run as much as the track athletes and the only reason the basketball team is removed from their home is simply because the track venues are planned farther in advance than the basketball venue.  That's a hard pill for those kids to swallow.

[Gregory Sager]

Benedictine has a great video setup for home games. Hopefully they will be able to do the game.

As NCC and BU obviously have a good relationship, perhaps arrangements can indeed be made. While BU and NCC no longer play football, the rivalry continues on the basketball court as the teams play for The Battle Of Chicago/Maple Ave trophy every year.
BU AD Mark McHorney is a very accommodating guy, and I'm sure he would entertain the possibility. The BU/NCC relationship is further fostered by the fact that head BU basketball coach Keith Bunkenburg's better half is the NCC head volleyball coach. In addition, ass't BU basketball coach Frank Janczak is a NCC alum.

... and a former NCC basketball player and assistant coach, as well.

In 2013, it appears that Amhurst, which has made 4 Final 4s and won one championship during this 16-year period, may be the most talented D3 team.

Granted, I've only seen a limited amount of both teams via webcast, but from what I've seen I'll take St. Thomas over Amherst by a slight margin, based upon the "defense wins championships" principle. They're both excellent teams, though, and if they both get to Atlanta it'll most likely be a barnburner.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

As a parent of one of those track athletes I feel no sympathy for you losing your hoops site. These tracksters have been preparing for this since last summer.

I can appreciate your support for the track athletes competing this weekend.  But saying you have no sympathy for the basketball team losing their home venue is quite cold, to say the least.  The basketball team has been preparing for their championship run as much as the track athletes and the only reason the basketball team is removed from their home is simply because the track venues are planned farther in advance than the basketball venue.  That's a hard pill for those kids to swallow.

Let's keep something in mind... it isn't like these student-athletes don't know what is going on. I am sure their coaches and others have kept them informed of the possibilities especially since the track and field championships were booked for NCC's campus. These students are informed the same way that if NCC's men and women happened to be in the NCAA tournament together and both eligible to host a pod of games like in traditional years - one of them is hitting the road. Be thankful NCC is hosting, even if it is a Benedictine, because if they were to host a pod of games (Sectionals), then they wouldn't be hosting at all I suspect. The basketball games at home are a big deal to be sure... but hosting the national championships of a sports is far bigger for the school and such. It sucks they can't be in their own gym, but at least they are sleeping in their own beds.

[Pat Coleman]

As a parent of one of those track athletes I feel no sympathy for you losing your hoops site. These tracksters have been preparing for this since last summer.

I can appreciate your support for the track athletes competing this weekend.  But saying you have no sympathy for the basketball team losing their home venue is quite cold, to say the least.  The basketball team has been preparing for their championship run as much as the track athletes and the only reason the basketball team is removed from their home is simply because the track venues are planned farther in advance than the basketball venue.  That's a hard pill for those kids to swallow.

This is the "national championship game" in track. I have to say that takes precedence.