MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AppletonRocks]

From the looking way ahead dept.: Suppose that on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2014, WSP and IWU are the 2 best teams in D3. Is it possible that the D3 Tournament Committee would give each a bye and put them in opposite brackets? I'm guessing no due to geography and travel costs. But last year, the committee arranged the brackets so that 3 teams from the NESCAC made it to the
quarterfinals (elite 8), so the committee can do anything it wants. I'm guessing that travel costs were a positive factor in the 3 out of 8 NESCAC result in 2013.

There is a strong Eastern bias in the selection process.  I just know it. 

[matblake]

Merry Christmas to all! It's been kind of a rough year, so I thank you for the discussion, laughs, and friendship through this great site!

[bopol]

From the looking way ahead dept.: Suppose that on Sunday, Mar. 2, 2014, WSP and IWU are the 2 best teams in D3. Is it possible that the D3 Tournament Committee would give each a bye and put them in opposite brackets? I'm guessing no due to geography and travel costs. But last year, the committee arranged the brackets so that 3 teams from the NESCAC made it to the
quarterfinals (elite 8), so the committee can do anything it wants. I'm guessing that travel costs were a positive factor in the 3 out of 8 NESCAC result in 2013.

There are a lot of teams in New England/Northeast that let's the committee spread out the strongest teams without having to worry about geographic concerns

In the midwest (here I'm talking Grand Rapids and to the west), you have the strong CCIW and WIAC, along with Wash U, the Hope/Calvin thing and stud teams like St. Thomas last year, without the sheer number of weak conferences to help backfill the brackets.  So, it'll take the committee thinking outside the box to make what you suggest happen.

[AndOne]

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy Holidays to all my fellow posters.
Special greetings to the gentlemen I most frequently spar with on these pages.
And extra special greetings to the Angel(s?) of Smite who lately have been visiting daily/nightly.
Peace and a Happy 2014 to all.

[iwu70]

Happy New Year to all my fellow chatsters, CCIW fans and loyalists, especially all the good friends in the Titan Nation.  Hope you have New Year filled with happiness, prosperity and good health.  And, yes, the upcoming year is the Year of the Horse.  Did I mention that?

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Here is how Massey sees the CCIW as of 12/27...

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=cb2014&sub=11620

Illinois Wesleyan (4)
Augustana (6)
Wheaton (23)
North Central (44)
Carthage (78)
Elmhurst (152)
Millikin (245)
North Park (371)


I have watched a lot of games online this non-conference season, and this is generally how I would stack the league up at this point as well.

IWU and Augustana seem to be the top two teams.  These are both balanced and deep teams with basically no significant weaknesses to speak of.  The Titans have shot the ball incredibly well (.504 from the field, .459 from 3), but the Vikings have shot it even better (.533 from the field, .486 from 3).  Both are strong defensive and rebounding teams.  The only CCIW game Massey has IWU an underdog in is the game @ Augie (with the Titans a 1-point favorite @ Wheaton).  Massey has Augie an underdog @ IWU and @ Wheaton.

I agree with the Massey calculation that there is a gap between IWU/Augustana and Wheaton.  The Thunder are just too thin in the low post, and thin in general (just not a very deep team).  Wheaton will probably look amazing on nights when jumpshots are falling and Tyler Peters is getting to the rim...and not so amazing when those same shots are not falling and when the opponent is able to contain Peters a little.

I agree that NCC, Carthage, and Elmhurst will battle for 4th -- I believe the Bluejays are closer to NCC and Carthage than Massey indicates.  I think Elmhurst is pretty talented and dangerous.  These three teams could all give the top 3 problems.  At the same time, I would be very surprised if NCC, Carthage, or Elmhurst won the league - each has holes that will cause problems over the course of 14 games.

I'm not sure what to think of Millikin yet.  Seems like 7th is a fair pick for now, but it won't surprise me if the Big Blue get their act together a finish 6th.

North Park appears to be a very clear #8.  The Vikings will enter every CCIW game as a significant underdog.

[bopol]

Massey is missing NCC's loss vs. Buffalo St and Carthage's win vs. E Conn St.  and Wheaton's win vs. NW St.

Elmhurst is 7-2 vs. D3, but the best team they played (by Massey) is Lawrence at #166.   The gap between them and Carthage (4-3 vs. D3 Top 100) makes sense.

For grins and giggles, here's what you get for conference play if you add up Massey's predictions (wins):

IWU          11.64
Augie   10.86
Wheaton   10.12
NCC           7.89
Carthage   6.87
Elmhurst   4.44
Millikin   3.49
North Park   0.69

[iwu70]

Very reasonable assessment, Q.  The conference champion this year may win at 11-3 or even 10-4.

Happy New Year to all CCIW fans, chatsters.

IWU'70

[AndOne]

Whoa! Hold on a minute there fellas.
Last year the Illinois Wesleyan Titans went 23-6 overall, 13-1 in conference, and finished ranked #9 in the nation.
This year, after losing only 1 starter and adding a DI transfer, they have reached even greater heights and have evolved into The World's Best DIII Team Ever Assembled (to again borrow from Mr. Sager), and currently sit at #3 nationally with a 9-1 record. 

Accordingly, how can a prediction of anything less than last season's 13-1 conference record be made? 
Shouldn't we be seeing a prediction of 14-0 in conference? What's this 11-3 or 10-4 nonsense?       

[iwu70]

AndOne, AndOne, my friend, come to your senses dear boy.  Be realistic about how tough the CCIW is, even for the superteam, IWU.  Of course, we'll gladly take 12-2, 13-1, even more gladly take 14-0 -- though that hasn't happened for anyone for 4+ decades, and not for IWU since my days as a student -- yes, that's my dear 1970 team, my graduating class, undefeated in CCIW play.  IWU, no doubt, is strong, but even I don't have such deeply green glasses as that.  If we get to 13-1 or 14-0, I shall be coming to you, thanking you for your smart prediction and glorious support for my Titans.  (Probably only Ypsi would predict 14-0).   

AndOne, lay of the bubbly, OK?

IWU'70

[Titan Q]

Whoa! Hold on a minute there fellas.
Last year the Illinois Wesleyan Titans went 23-6 overall, 13-1 in conference, and finished ranked #9 in the nation.
This year, after losing only 1 starter and adding a DI transfer, they have reached even greater heights and have evolved into The World's Best DIII Team Ever Assembled (to again borrow from Mr. Sager), and currently sit at #3 nationally with a 9-1 record. 

Accordingly, how can a prediction of anything less than last season's 13-1 conference record be made? 
Shouldn't we be seeing a prediction of 14-0 in conference? What's this 11-3 or 10-4 nonsense?       

Anything positive to contribute at any point, Mark?

[Viking Mike]

Anyone know if tonight's Augustana/UW-Lacrosse game with be broadcast on the internet?  I know the 2 schools will not have it, and I'm not familiar with with the "Just A Game Fieldhouse" set-up at the Dells.

[veterancciwfan]

AndOne: It appears you may be turning green with envy and I know you would hate that. Or maybe a better color would be red for angry. I don't recall very many non-NCC supporters on this site bashing your very talented and well-coached NCC powerhouse last year. Happy New Year, and I emphasize happy!

[John Gleich]

Anyone know if tonight's Augustana/UW-Lacrosse game with be broadcast on the internet?  I know the 2 schools will not have it, and I'm not familiar with with the "Just A Game Fieldhouse" set-up at the Dells.

It doesn't appear that there is...

http://www.uwlathletics.com/index.aspx


LAX's website has a place in their website for various media...and all of them are ghosted for tonight's game.

[AppletonRocks]

Anyone know if tonight's Augustana/UW-Lacrosse game with be broadcast on the internet?  I know the 2 schools will not have it, and I'm not familiar with with the "Just A Game Fieldhouse" set-up at the Dells.

Expect a listless performance if the teams came in last night--nothing but casinos, waterparks and cheap cigarettes in Wisconsin Dells. And the Just A Game Fieldhouse, which is nice.