MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[veterancciwfan]

Regarding Jordan Nelson, his assist to turnover ratio is an off-the-wall 4.7 (33 As/7TOs). He can do a lot more than shoot. He is also a quick defender with the ability to create steals.

[iwu70]

Vet, I agree -- Nelson is a very good defender, with quick hands and feet.  I was surprised to see how well he got to the basket as well and how well he defended some of the CCIW's top perimeter players.  It's gonna be fun watching him the rest of this year and then having Sodemann, Overstreet and Nelson on the floor together as very experienced seniors next year.  Along with Dolan, that's a very experienced backcourt returning.  I guess the JV went 15 or 16-3, had a great year, so some of those guys are going to come up and make good contributions next season too.  Stempel and T. Seibring in particular.  Hope Heyen stays healthy, gets his chance to contribute, too. With Dolan and Marietti back, that's a pretty good core of players to build another excellent season on.

Would it be something if the CCIW gets four teams in this year?  Hope it happens.

Yes, first this year, this team.  Go TITANS!

IWU70

[huckleberry]

Realist--

I honestly don't think the refs saw it happen. In each case, one was still standing next to the Wheaton player who was inbounding the ball, one had already run down to the other end of the court under the Wheaton basket. The third was on the side of the court opposite the benches. Nelson was on the bench side of the court and was turned toward that sideline (away from the ref on the opposite side).

You are 100% right that the game should be fun, and expressionless robots belonging someplace besides the basketball court. However, I believe its entirely possible to have fun playing while at the same time displaying plenty of emotions which don't disrespect your opponent, your school, or yourself. Thats all.

Then we are all okay with Kmiec enthusiasm as he was in Peter Smith's face after blocking the final shot in the NCC / Wheaton game.  (2/15)

[toooldtohoop]

Realist--

I honestly don't think the refs saw it happen. In each case, one was still standing next to the Wheaton player who was inbounding the ball, one had already run down to the other end of the court under the Wheaton basket. The third was on the side of the court opposite the benches. Nelson was on the bench side of the court and was turned toward that sideline (away from the ref on the opposite side).

You are 100% right that the game should be fun, and expressionless robots belonging someplace besides the basketball court. However, I believe its entirely possible to have fun playing while at the same time displaying plenty of emotions which don't disrespect your opponent, your school, or yourself. Thats all.

Then we are all okay with Kmiec enthusiasm as he was in Peter Smith's face after blocking the final shot in the NCC / Wheaton game.  (2/15)

It was not Kmiec.  It happened right in front of me, and it was more than enthusiasm.  I choose to not provide a name.

[titanpride08]

I'm planning on heading to Bloomington for Championship game on Saturday (along with the CCIW Indoor Track Championships), but it's been a while since I was in school down there. Any good, quick places to grab a bite somewhat near campus?

[clemac]

Tommies across the street in the old Memorial Gym building for sandwiches and Lucca Grill downtown for the best pizza.

[AndOne]

Here is my 2014 CCIW All-Conference Team...

1st Team
Tyler Peters (6-4 Sr, PG), Wheaton   20.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg   
Victor Davis (6-5 Sr, F), Illinois Wesleyan   11.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Dylan Overstreet (6-3 Jr, PG), Illinois Wesleyan   10.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.1 apg
Malcom Kelly (6-0 Sr, SG), Carthage   20.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Landon Gamble (6-6 Sr, C), North Central   15.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg

2nd Team
Andrew Ziemnik (6-5 Sr, F), Illinois Wesleyan   11.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Brayden Teuscher (6-3 Jr, SG), Wheaton   16.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg
Hunter Hill (5-9 So, PG), Augustana   14.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg
Nate Haynes (6-6 Sr, C), Wheaton   10.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Vince Kmiec (6-4 Sr, SG), North Central   15.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 apg

3rd Team
Deavis Johnson (6-7 So, F), Millikin   14.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg
Juwan Henry (5-10 Fr, SG), North Park   19.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Jordan Nelson (6-1 Jr, SG), Illinois Wesleyan   11.8 ppg
Nick Sanford (6-5 Sr, F), Elmhurst  11.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg
Marlon Senior (6-5 Sr, F), Carthage   13.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg[/i

The All-Conference team will be announced this afternoon.

* I think Peters, Davis, Kelly, and Gamble will all make 1st team. Kelly is a man among boys. He is a great scorer, but I don't think his overall game is as strong as some of the other top players. I'd put him on my 2nd team, but I think he will end up on the 1st team.

* Overstreet will likely make 1st team as well, but I don't see how he can be chosen over Kmiec.

* I'd put Nate Haynes on my 1st team, but I don't think that will happen in the voting.

* Based on Carthage exceeding expectations, I'd move Senior up to 2nd team. I also think Sanford is a great player who deserves 2nd team status, but with Elmhurst finishing 6th, that probably won't happen.

* Johnson and Henry look good for 3rd team. I'd also have Wuest from Elmhurst or DeMoss from Wheaton on 3rd team.

* I'll bet all the tea in China Nelson won't make all-conference.

[Iwufan]

all conference team posted.

http://www.cciw.org/sports/2014/2/25/MBB_0225143212.aspx?id=881&;

[AndOne]

* Overstreet will likely make 1st team as well, but I don't see how he can be chosen over Kmiec.

I know Wesleyan fans in particular will think the above statement referring to the fact that I think Vince Kmiec should be chosen ahead of Dylan Overstreet is crazy. However, my bias aside, please consider:

Assists--------- Overstreet 1st, Kmiec tied for 9th
FG%----------- Overstreet 6th, Kmiec 14th
Scoring-------- Kmiec 6th, Overstreet 18th
Rebounding--- Kmiec 13th, Overstreet 20th
FT%------------ Kmiec T8th, Overstreet 14th
3 pt Fg made-- Kmiec 3rd, Overstreet does not appear among the leaders
3 PT%--------- Kmiec 11th, Overstreet does not appear
Def Rebounds- Kmiec 9th, Overstreet does not appear
Steals---------- Kmiec 1st, Overstreet does not appear

Above from CCIW stats only which is what counts as far as All-Conference voting

Overstreet is a great player, but I honestly don't think he is better than Kmiec. JMHO.

[AndOne]

2014 Fred Young Most Outstanding Player
Tyler Peters - Wheaton

2014 CCIW Coach of the Year
Ron Rose - Illinois Wesleyan

2014 CCIW Freshman of the Year
Juwan Henry - North Park

FIRST TEAM            
Name     School     Pos.     Yr.     Hometown/H.S.
Victor Davis     Illinois Wesleyan     F     Sr.     Galesburg, Ill./H.S.
Malcom Kelly     Carthage     G     Sr.     Kenosha, Wis./Reuther
Tyler Peters     Wheaton     G     Sr.     Medina, Ohio/H.S.
Landon Gamble     North Central     F     Sr.     Joliet, Ill./Lockport Township
Andrew Ziemnik     Illinois Wesleyan     F     Sr.     Oswego, Ill./H.S.

SECOND TEAM            
Name     School     Pos.     Yr.     Hometown/H.S.
Hunter Hill     Augustana     G     So.     Byron, Ill./H.S.
Vince Kmiec     North Central     G/F     Sr.     Palos Park, Ill./Sandburg
Dylan Overstreet     Illinois Wesleyan     G     Jr.     Paxton, Ill./Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Marlon Senior     Carthage     G     Sr.     Skokie, Ill./Niles North
Brayden Teuscher     Wheaton     G     Jr.     Rockford, Ill./Christian

THIRD TEAM            
Name     School     Pos.     Yr.     Hometown/H.S.
Nathan Haynes     Wheaton     F     Sr.     Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community
Juwan Henry     North Park     G     Fr.     Chicago, Ill./Bogan
Deavis Johnson     Millikin     F      So.     East St. Louis, Ill./Senior
Tayvian Johnson      Augustana     F     So.     East Moline, Ill./United Township
Nick Sanford     Elmhurst     F     Sr.     Decatur, Ill./St. Teresa

[huckleberry]

Realist--

I honestly don't think the refs saw it happen. In each case, one was still standing next to the Wheaton player who was inbounding the ball, one had already run down to the other end of the court under the Wheaton basket. The third was on the side of the court opposite the benches. Nelson was on the bench side of the court and was turned toward that sideline (away from the ref on the opposite side).

You are 100% right that the game should be fun, and expressionless robots belonging someplace besides the basketball court. However, I believe its entirely possible to have fun playing while at the same time displaying plenty of emotions which don't disrespect your opponent, your school, or yourself. Thats all.

Then we are all okay with Kmiec enthusiasm as he was in Peter Smith's face after blocking the final shot in the NCC / Wheaton game.  (2/15)

It was not Kmiec.  It happened right in front of me, and it was more than enthusiasm.  I choose to not provide a name.
Thanks for the correction....easily checked that it was not Kmeic apologies to him

[Iwufan]

all conference team posted.

http://www.cciw.org/sports/2014/2/25/MBB_0225143212.aspx?id=881&

Both made the second team, but easy to put stats in and say one player is "better" than another.  There is more to it than than.  One stat not listed is that Kmiec played 36 mins a game on a 7-7 team, while Overstreet played only 25 min per game on a 12-2 that no one averaged more than 28 minutes a game.   

[AndOne]

Well, IWU does get two 1st team members, but its Ziemnik and Davis rather than Overstreet and Davis. I did think Davis was a touch more productive than Ziemnik this year, but Andrew is a great player and his 1st team selection is well deserved.

I argued that Kmiec was at least as good as Overstreet if not better. Both 2nd teamers, so maybe call it a tie?

I really think Nate Haynes should have been at least 2nd team. The only inside presence on the conference's #2 team, a 10.5 ppg scorer, first in off rebounds, 3rd in def rebounds, 2nd in total rebounds, 2nd in FG%, and 2nd in blocked shots. Pretty impressive.

As Greg Sager said a while ago, Nick Sanford is the best player nobody talks about. I think thats why he got 3rd team. Thought he deserved 2nd.

Hunter Hill is a great scorer, but does he do a great deal else? I think he more appropriately takes Tayvian Johnson's spot on the 3rd team. I think T. Johnson is a year away from true all-conference play.

Speaking of Augustana, what happened to Ben Ryan this year? D3Hoops national newcomer of the year last season, and not even all-conference this year. Hopefully his play wasn't affected by the unfortunate event that crippled his hometown last November. 

[kiko]

Congratulations to all of the players and coaches honored with the announcement of the all-conference team.

Special congratulations to Landon Gamble and Vince Kmiec.  Kmiec was recognized for the second consecutive year, and Gamble becomes the second Cardinal ever to be named first-team all-conference in each year of his four-year career.

I know this season was a bit of a disappointment for many in Cardinal Nation, given the team's extended runs in postseason competition in 2012 and 2013.  Obviously, players like Derek Raridon and Aaron Tiknis are not easy to replace, and the Cards will I'm sure equally feel the loss of this year's senior leaders.  It felt like the Sons of Warden were able to hang with anyone in the conference for 30 or so minutes this year; wins and losses, unfortunately, are measured at a different finish line.

One thing that is easily lost in the disappointment of a .500 conference season is that this is the first time since the mid-eighties in which a group of players enrolled, matriculated, and finished their four-year careers at- or above-.500 in each of their four seasons.  As AndOne pointed out, this year's team needed a strong finish to reach this milestone, and I was quite proud to see the team not mail things in after the slow start to conference play.

2010-11 11-3 / 15-11
2011-12 12-2 / 22-8
2012-13 11-3 / 28-4
2013-14 7-7 / 14-11

The last time that happened:

1983-84 12-4 / 18-10
1984-85 14-2 / 20-7
1985-86 10-6 / 16-10
1986-87 12-4 / 16-10

It was a different era with different hurdles to reach postseason play, but in that span, the Cardinals earned one conference championship and twice reached the NCAA tournament.  (They dropped both opening round games and won one of two consolation games.)

The current team won a pair of regular season conference championships and had an aggregate post-season record of 6-2, with one team reaching the sweet sixteen, and of course last year's squad progressing to the national semifinals.

Gentlemen, the program is on much better footing than when you arrived.  Thank you for all of your efforts and contributions along the way, and best of luck to wherever your future endeavors may take you.

[ecreddevils]

all conference team posted.

http://www.cciw.org/sports/2014/2/25/MBB_0225143212.aspx?id=881&

Both made the second team, but easy to put stats in and say one player is "better" than another.  There is more to it than than.  One stat not listed is that Kmiec played 36 mins a game on a 7-7 team, while Overstreet played only 25 min per game on a 12-2 that no one averaged more than 28 minutes a game.

Valid point--the better statistical measuring stick for the non-percentage stats is per 40 minutes.  Raw numbers are basically useless when you have 892 minutes (Kmiec) vs. 558 (Overstreet).  334 minutes is a lot of time to amass more points, rebounds, and steals (but apparently not assists).