MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[D-3 watcher]

Ypsi, you have that luxury..........you live in a far away land

[Rafi]

Good win NCC.
If there was any questions who the better team was, it was clear Sat. night.  It was also clear why D. Raridon was chosen the POY in the CCIW.
Jack Burchett is and has been lately a great weapon off the bench, he will be a problem to all the teams, that NCC faces.

And One, you know how to reach me, if you or any other posters need a room, I have some. They are in downtown Salem. When it was just 4 teams, the teams stayed downtown, I don't know if that's the case now that there  are 8.
There are some good restaurants and bars within walking distance.
I don't really need the rooms now, so if some NCC fans need them, I'd like to help.

But that's all I can do. And even though, I can't say or find anything wrong about any of the NCC players, I can't bring myself to root for you. I won't be rooting against the boys, I will stay neutral.
The main reason, really the only reason is, IWU and NCC recruits against each other. As do most of the CCIW schools.
Sorry, just being honest.

I have give all the IWU fans a ton of credit for how they've reacted to the loss on Saturday night.  You've shown nothing but great sportsmanship.

And, D-3 Watcher, your offer to keep your hotel rooms for NCC fans to take was a great gesture......I know that you sent the same offer to the NCC coaches.  I have to be honest.....I'm not sure that would have been my first thought if NCC had lost.

I would have taken you up on your offer, but I think the rooms you had were too far from the team hotel.  But, thanks anyway.

Lastly, I don't blame you one bit for not being able to root for NCC.....it would be hard for me to root for IWU had the result been the reverse.

[Rafi]

D-3 Watcher

Watched the whole game on NCTV and really didn't see significant impact from the POY.  He hit a couple of shots in the flow of their offense which got him some good looks, and he made a few nice entries to Gamble for layups. 

Dortch had his way with him on the defensive end and at one point the broadcaster said he "looked silly" trying to guard him.  Wouldn't have reached double figures if not for 4 free throws drawn by "flailing" on some contact.

Maybe I missed something by not being in attendance.

Burchett was the difference with his scoring inside on only 10 FGAs.

One thing to keep in mind is that Raridon was in foul trouble when Dortch was attacking the basket......Normally, Derek is a very good defensive player, but I think he had to give up a lot of ground because of his fouls.  With that being said, Dortch and Davis both looked strong attacking the basket......every time they did it, they were successful in the 2nd half.

[AndOne]

D-3 Watcher

Watched the whole game on NCTV and really didn't see significant impact from the POY.  He hit a couple of shots in the flow of their offense which got him some good looks, and he made a few nice entries to Gamble for layups. 

Dortch had his way with him on the defensive end and at one point the broadcaster said he "looked silly" trying to guard him.  Wouldn't have reached double figures if not for 4 free throws drawn by "flailing" on some contact.

Maybe I missed something by not being in attendance.

Burchett was the difference with his scoring inside on only 10 FGAs.

havej----

I hope you're not honestly disparaging Derek Raridon for scoring "only" 13 points, shooting 44.4% from the field including 50% from three, hitting all 4 of his FT attempts, making 3 steals, and handing out 7 assists compared to only 1 TO. Many professional analysts will tell you a good assist is as good as scoring the basket yourself.

One reason the Cardinals are as good as they are, especially lately, is that they don't always have to rely on the same guy or guys every game. Players who are not usually the game's statistical standouts have stepped up big time lately. Brandon Williams was the #1 star against UWW, and Jack Burchett and Pat Rourke were dominant and outstanding Sat night. The same is true for the great work turned in by Dortch and Davis (sounds like a law firm  ).

Derek did what he had to against IWU, and was certainly a positive force for his team. I'm sure Ron Rose would have loved for one of his usual stars to have duplicated Derek's performance.
POY doesn't mean you need to score 20 every night to be effective. Derek made his teammates better Sat night. That sounds kinda like a "significant impact."   

[AndOne]

Good win NCC.
If there was any questions who the better team was, it was clear Sat. night.  It was also clear why D. Raridon was chosen the POY in the CCIW.
Jack Burchett is and has been lately a great weapon off the bench, he will be a problem to all the teams, that NCC faces.

And One, you know how to reach me, if you or any other posters need a room, I have some. They are in downtown Salem. When it was just 4 teams, the teams stayed downtown, I don't know if that's the case now that there  are 8.
There are some good restaurants and bars within walking distance.
I don't really need the rooms now, so if some NCC fans need them, I'd like to help.

But that's all I can do. And even though, I can't say or find anything wrong about any of the NCC players, I can't bring myself to root for you. I won't be rooting against the boys, I will stay neutral.
The main reason, really the only reason is, IWU and NCC recruits against each other. As do most of the CCIW schools.
Sorry, just being honest.

D-3

Agree, and thank you re your comments concerning Raridon & Burchett.

Understand completely about your need to remain "neutral." 

I'll IM you about the rooms and another question.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Don't mistake my mellowing on intra-conference rivalries for losing feistiness in defending the CCIW from 'the infidels'.   A NESCAC poster posted in their room: "3 NESCACs in the Elite 8 ... shows how this league is the Toughest in the Country."  My response: "Thank geography and the NCAA bean-counters.  I'm pretty sure no conference in the (geographical) midwest has ever had the opportunity to put three teams in the Elite Eight (I know that is true of the CCIW)."

We did come awfully close in 2001: IWU knocked out conference-champ Elmhurst in the Sweet 16; Carthage made the Elite 8 (and missed the Final Four by 2 stinkin' points to ONU).  Since IWU beat #1 (and home-court) Chicago by three times as much as they beat Elmhurst, I have little doubt that if the order of our opponents had been reversed, Elmhurst would have joined IWU and Carthage in the E8.

[AndOne]

Don't mistake my mellowing on intra-conference rivalries for losing feistiness in defending the CCIW from 'the infidels'.   A NESCAC poster posted in their room: "3 NESCACs in the Elite 8 ... shows how this league is the Toughest in the Country."  My response: "Thank geography and the NCAA bean-counters.  I'm pretty sure no conference in the (geographical) midwest has ever had the opportunity to put three teams in the Elite Eight (I know that is true of the CCIW)."

We did come awfully close in 2001: IWU knocked out conference-champ Elmhurst in the Sweet 16; Carthage made the Elite 8 (and missed the Final Four by 2 stinkin' points to ONU).  Since IWU beat #1 (and home-court) Chicago by three times as much as they beat Elmhurst, I have little doubt that if the order of our opponents had been reversed, Elmhurst would have joined IWU and Carthage in the E8.

Indeed, Mr Y. Indeed.

[bopol]

Don't mistake my mellowing on intra-conference rivalries for losing feistiness in defending the CCIW from 'the infidels'.   A NESCAC poster posted in their room: "3 NESCACs in the Elite 8 ... shows how this league is the Toughest in the Country."  My response: "Thank geography and the NCAA bean-counters.  I'm pretty sure no conference in the (geographical) midwest has ever had the opportunity to put three teams in the Elite Eight (I know that is true of the CCIW)."

We did come awfully close in 2001: IWU knocked out conference-champ Elmhurst in the Sweet 16; Carthage made the Elite 8 (and missed the Final Four by 2 stinkin' points to ONU).  Since IWU beat #1 (and home-court) Chicago by three times as much as they beat Elmhurst, I have little doubt that if the order of our opponents had been reversed, Elmhurst would have joined IWU and Carthage in the E8.

Yeah, what they've done is pretty amazing,  but man, can you have an easier path to the Elite 8 than Middlebury.  Curry, Cortland St and Ithaca.  Massey has Cortland at 29, Ithaca at 74 and Curry at 123. 

Amherst had Plattsville St at 66 and Randolph Macon at 16, which is comparitively easy as well (though I would say they earned an easy path to the Elite 8).

Williams went through Wesley (43), Catholic (22) and Va Wesleyan (20), which isn't an extraordinarily tough path.

Compare that with North Central, who took out Centre (65), Whitewater (3) and Il Wesleyan (7).

Others:
Cabrini: Hampden-Sydney (9), Ohio Wesleyan (30) and Wooster (31)
St Thomas - Aurora (76), Wheaton (11) and Calvin (4)
MHB - Concordia (18), Whitworth (14)
St Mary's - MIT (67),  Alvernia (23), Morrisville St (121)

For this weekend, I like Amherst, St. Thomas and North Central, but I have no clue what to do with MHB and St. Mary's

[A Lover of the Game]

Nice picture of Dortch and Raridon having a discussion about offense and defense:     http://www.pantagraph.com/gallery/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/photos-iwu-vs-north-central-ncaa-d-iii-third-round/collection_e4eef972-8eac-11e2-8030-001a4bcf887a.html#2


Wishing NCC good luck in Salem.  Represent the CCIW well!!!!!!

[markerickson]

We all agree that the CCIW is one of the top D3 bball conferences in the nation.  As I completed my DI brackets for the office pool where "bragging rights" are the prize, which I hope to win again, I was (once again) stunned by the futility of the DI basketball programs in Illinois operating within institutions of higher learning.  Final Sagarin ratings are abysmal.  Six of twelve Illinois schools fared poorer than S.C. Upstate, a school I've never heard of.  Six DI Illinois programs finished above Army.  Army?  Only four DI IL programs (U of I, ISU, WIU, and UIC) finished above .500.  The overall record of the twelve schools was 155-207.  Gotta love D3 Hoops.

[Gregory Sager]

We all agree that the CCIW is one of the top D3 bball conferences in the nation.  As I completed my DI brackets for the office pool where "bragging rights" are the prize, which I hope to win again, I was (once again) stunned by the futility of the DI basketball programs in Illinois operating within institutions of higher learning.  Final Sagarin ratings are abysmal.  Six of twelve Illinois schools fared poorer than S.C. Upstate, a school I've never heard of.  Six DI Illinois programs finished above Army.  Army?  Only four DI IL programs (U of I, ISU, WIU, and UIC) finished above .500.  The overall record of the twelve schools was 155-207.  Gotta love D3 Hoops.

D1? What's D1? 

There's probably a couple of reasons why you've never heard of USC-Upstate. South Carolina-Upstate used to be called South Carolina-Spartanburg; it changed its name nine years ago. The other thing about that school is that this is only the fifth school year in which it's been a D1 school. Prior to that, it had been D2.

[magicman]

Don't mistake my mellowing on intra-conference rivalries for losing feistiness in defending the CCIW from 'the infidels'.   A NESCAC poster posted in their room: "3 NESCACs in the Elite 8 ... shows how this league is the Toughest in the Country."  My response: "Thank geography and the NCAA bean-counters.  I'm pretty sure no conference in the (geographical) midwest has ever had the opportunity to put three teams in the Elite Eight (I know that is true of the CCIW)."

We did come awfully close in 2001: IWU knocked out conference-champ Elmhurst in the Sweet 16; Carthage made the Elite 8 (and missed the Final Four by 2 stinkin' points to ONU).  Since IWU beat #1 (and home-court) Chicago by three times as much as they beat Elmhurst, I have little doubt that if the order of our opponents had been reversed, Elmhurst would have joined IWU and Carthage in the E8.

Yeah, what they've done is pretty amazing,  but man, can you have an easier path to the Elite 8 than Middlebury.  Curry, Cortland St and Ithaca.  Massey has Cortland at 29, Ithaca at 74 and Curry at 123. 

Amherst had Plattsville St at 66 and Randolph Macon at 16, which is comparitively easy as well (though I would say they earned an easy path to the Elite 8).

Williams went through Wesley (43), Catholic (22) and Va Wesleyan (20), which isn't an extraordinarily tough path.

Compare that with North Central, who took out Centre (65), Whitewater (3) and Il Wesleyan (7).

Others:
Cabrini: Hampden-Sydney (9), Ohio Wesleyan (30) and Wooster (31)
St Thomas - Aurora (76), Wheaton (11) and Calvin (4)
MHB - Concordia (18), Whitworth (14)
St Mary's - MIT (67),  Alvernia (23), Morrisville St (121)

For this weekend, I like Amherst, St. Thomas and North Central, but I have no clue what to do with MHB and St. Mary's

bopol,
The numbers you are quoting from Ken Massey's rankings are numbers that are through games of March 17th. The teams that were beaten by the Elite Eight have all dropped lower in Massey's rankings than they were at the time the games were played. For instance Amherst played Plattsburgh State and Plattsburgh was ranked at #58 instead of their current ranking of #66. Not a big difference but still 8 spots from where they were on game day. Plattsburgh, despite their ranking, actually gave Amherst a better game than Randolph-Macon did.  When Middlebury played Cortland, Massey had Cortland ranked higher than Middlebury and predicted that Cortland, who he had ranked at #21, I believe, would beat the Panthers by 8 points. Since Middlebury won that game and then beat Ithaca, the Panthers have moved up to #19 from the mid 20's and Cortland has dropped to #29.  Ithaca was not ranked because they lost a number of games when they were missing several of their key starters. The fact that they beat Rochester, who was the #1 team in the country as late as Feb. 3rd, and held one of the premier players in D3 to 2 points shows how good they were. It's not Middlebury's fault they played an unranked Ithaca team instead of #18 Rochester. Rochester by the way is now ranked #33 by Massey. This numbers game is true for some of the other teams that you mention in your post as well, but I just wanted to mention a few examples so that you could see the difference between then and now.      

[NCF]

We all agree that the CCIW is one of the top D3 bball conferences in the nation.  As I completed my DI brackets for the office pool where "bragging rights" are the prize, which I hope to win again, I was (once again) stunned by the futility of the DI basketball programs in Illinois operating within institutions of higher learning.  Final Sagarin ratings are abysmal.  Six of twelve Illinois schools fared poorer than S.C. Upstate, a school I've never heard of.  Six DI Illinois programs finished above Army.  Army?  Only four DI IL programs (U of I, ISU, WIU, and UIC) finished above .500.  The overall record of the twelve schools was 155-207.  Gotta love D3 Hoops.

D1? What's D1? 

There's probably a couple of reasons why you've never heard of USC-Upstate. South Carolina-Upstate used to be called South Carolina-Spartanburg; it changed its name nine years ago. The other thing about that school is that this is only the fifth school year in which it's been a D1 school. Prior to that, it had been D2.

D1 is what we are going to be watching during lunch this week . 

[TitansIWU]

Nice picture of Dortch and Raridon having a discussion about offense and defense:     http://www.pantagraph.com/gallery/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/photos-iwu-vs-north-central-ncaa-d-iii-third-round/collection_e4eef972-8eac-11e2-8030-001a4bcf887a.html#2


Wishing NCC good luck in Salem.  Represent the CCIW well!!!!!!

Some really great pictures, my favorite being the photo of Ziemnik with his hair straight up. If he were to use some hairspray and just freeze it like that, he could legitimately go 7 feet 2. 

[AndOne]

Daily Herald article on the North Central/Wesleyan game:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130316/sports/703169747/?interstitial=1