MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[clemac]

Right now if the first 5 Titans versus the 2nd 5 is almost a toss up. It looks like depth isn't going to be a problem again.

[Gotberg]

North Park 77
Eureka 66

Juwan Henry: 21 pts (4-5 trey), 6:2 a:to, 4 blks
Colin Lake: 17 pts, 5 rebs, 5:3 a:to, 5 stls
Jordan Robinson: 16 pts, 7 rebs, 3 blks
Garrett Gatz: 12 pts, 3 stls

I hope that the first-half audio difficulties were cleared up. The audio will be linked with the video for both halves in the archived copy of the game, so those of you who can't live without hearing my dulcet tones on a game call, fear not.

Saw a little of the game on video last night - quick scrappy team - enjoyed watching NPU play.

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton needs to get Nate Frank on the color commentary way more often.  So much insider knowledge of the game and the way it is coached and played.

I'm not even a Wheaton fan, but I listened to a couple of broadcasts from WC last year on which Nate Frank was doing color, and I thought him excellent.

I heard a game that he did last year, and thought to myself, "Yep, Nate's the new gold standard for color commentators." Of course, nobody who knows Nate is surprised by that. I'd love to work a game with him sometime.

I had no problem with the NP Viking audio, but could not figure out the Livestream chat option.  I am registered yet the screen said "Moderator Only."  Could this mean Greg Sager, on-line analyst?

No, I'm not in chat mode during a game. I have a hard enough time hitting the right buttons on the screen to activate the broadcast, let alone typing while also watching the game and speaking into the mic. Berki likes to respond to e-mails during a game, so perhaps when Rob returns to the booth the Livestream chat option will become operational.

I forget over the course of a spring, summer, and fall how much I enjoy calling a men's basketball game. Bob, I gotta imagine that you must really miss doing this. But I also forget how much work men's basketball PBP involves -- especially when I don't have a color guy and I have to fly solo, as was the case last night. The pace is so much faster than a football game that the transition over to hoops is always a bit of a shock in the home opener. I did an NPU women's basketball game last week, and that did not prepare me for the pace, either -- both because I had a color guy for that game and because the women's game is typically played at a much slower tempo than the men's version.

I was proud of myself for using the adjective "doughty" on the air to describe Eureka's refusal to fold last night. But I also had a mortifying experience that I hope will never happen again. At one point Colin Lake utilized a jab-and-lean move to create space for himself on the perimeter before knocking down a shot, and to my horror I found myself calling it a "dipsy-doodle." Fortunately, the evil spirit of Dick Vitale immediately left my body -- subsequently entering a herd of pigs and forcing them to run over a cliff and drown in the sea, no doubt -- and I managed to recover by making a quick remark about a "Lake shake-and-bake." But, boy, was that scary. If anyone ever catches me referring to Jordan Robinson or Colin Lake on the air as "diaper dandies," please run me over with a truck and put me out of my misery.

Greg and the Vikings performed admirably tonight.  I am sorry to have personally missed the home court victory as victories this year will be few with this team.  Last year I attended more football games than basketball games; I am hoping to not repeat.

Thanks, Mark!

[Gregory Sager]

The full scoreboard from last night:

Carthage 73, UW-Platteville 64
Illinois Wesleyan 97, MSOE 63
Millikin 76, Principia 63
North Central 67, Aurora 63
North Park 77, Eureka 66
Wheaton 86, Benedictine 73

The CCIW improved to 23-8 (.742). The league is on pace to have one of the best non-conference records in league history. We'll see how it holds up, though, as a glance at the composite sked indicates an uptick in the quality of opponents.

[AndOne]

The full scoreboard from last night:

Carthage 73, UW-Platteville 64
Illinois Wesleyan 97, MSOE 63
Millikin 76, Principia 63
North Central 67, Aurora 63
North Park 77, Eureka 66
Wheaton 86, Benedictine 73

The CCIW improved to 23-8 (.742). The league is on pace to have one of the best non-conference records in league history. We'll see how it holds up, though, as a glance at the composite sked indicates an uptick in the quality of opponents.

Such is certainly the case for NCC, as last night they played their final home game of 2014. They don't play in the friendly confines of The Hangar again until 1/3/15 when they host current #8 IWU. In the meantime, they travel to #11 Stevens Point on Saturday. Then the Cardinals Road Warriors travel to California for 2 games, followed by a tournament in Pennsylvania, where they'll face #7 Dickinson, a trip down Maple Ave to Benedictine, and finally, another tournament in Ohio against two MIAA teams.

[veterancciwfan]

The following stats compare IWU's production from the two post positions for the first four games of last season and the current season. IWU's 3 post players last year for the initial four games were Victor Davis, Andrew Ziemnik and Nick Anderson. The 3 post players for the initial four games of this season are Mike Marietti, Trevor Seibring & Ryan Coyle.

Combined avg. stats for last year for the three post players: 24.1 minutes per game; 5.2 rebounds per game; 12.2 points per game and a 64.8% FG %. Nick Anderson was really effective in these games.

Combined avg. stats for the current season for the three post players: 19.8 minutes per game; 5.7 rebounds per game; 9.1 points per game and a 53.8% FG%.

Most IWU fans thought the key to the 2014/15 season would be post play considering that Seibring and Coyle had played scant varsity minutes previously. Perhaps IWU's first four opponents for this season were on average weaker than the first four opponents last year. But last year's three post players were seniors with a wealth of prior varsity experience. Opinion: IWU's post play this year has been good and should get better as Seibring and Coyle gain experience. Keeping Marietti healthy is vital.

[veterancciwfan]

Mark: OK, we know you don't like Jordan Nelson. How many posts have you made telling us that? At least 10. Suggestion: Just give us your helpful insight to NCC b'ball and forget your angst about Nelson. I assume you don't watch D1 basketball where the real trash talking and personal gratification actions occur every minute.

[Gregory Sager]

As Dennis and Gotberg pointed out, North Park is scrappy. The Vikings try to make up for their lack of size in a number of ways, including a lot of run-and-jump press and constant ball pressure. It's like watching a pack of terriers go after a rabbit -- although sometimes, terriers being terriers, they run the wrong way or bump into each other.

Jordan Robinson and Colin Lake are going to be very good CCIW players when it's all said and done. Robinson is a strong kid who plays bigger than he is and who has a real knack for scoring. Like a lot of freshmen, he needs to learn how to play defense without fouling; this will be especially key for him, as he'll almost always be guarding someone who's bigger than him in CCIW play. Lake is a whirling dervish of a point guard who has an uncanny knack for creating shots for himself; he's also a decent passer right now, but when NPU finally gets some weapons inside his distributive skills will become even better. His career as a shooter has started slowly (except for at the free-throw line), but I've seen enough video of him to know that he can shoot. The most outstanding things about Lake, though, are his hands; as quick as he is on his feet, he's even quicker with his hands. He picks pockets like a Paris street urchin.

Juwan Henry looks very happy to finally have some teammates who can put the ball in the basket with regularity. He had six assists last night, and he can have more of that kind of night as long as he's got Robinson and Lake filling up the basket at the other end of those passes. His ability to score continues to impress me; he sat out a big chunk of the first half last night, but in the second half he lit it up for 14 points in 20 minutes, mostly from behind the arc. Given his ability as both a shooter and a driver, you're gonna have to pick your poison with him.

Of course, this team's lack of size is a headache that is not going to go away. NPU did break even on the boards last night, but Eureka had a lot more offensive rebounds than did the Vikings. No matter how well Lake, Robinson, and Henry are clicking, it's always going to feel like an uphill battle, what with the Vikings having so little game under the basket at either end. Michael Hutchinson's a good blue-collar worker, but he's undersized even for a CCIW power forward, let alone a CCIW center. It reminds me of the North Park team from about a decade ago that had Aaron Coleman at center and Javier Sanchez at power forward -- a team that was tough and hard-working but that just gave away too much size to be competitive.

Nevertheless, on the day before Thanksgiving I should be following Bing Crosby's advice to accentuate the positive. I am very grateful and excited to have three underclassmen the caliber of Juwan Henry, Colin Lake, and Jordan Robinson in the NPU program. Here's to hoping that they form the core of a group of players that will turn things around for the Park.

[AndOne]

Mark: OK, we know you don't like Jordan Nelson. How many posts have you made telling us that? At least 10. Suggestion: Just give us your helpful insight to NCC b'ball and forget your angst about Nelson. I assume you don't watch D1 basketball where the real trash talking and personal gratification actions occur every minute.

Lanny,

1. Whatever the number of posts I've made on the subject, it evidently hasn't been enough as his behavior continues.
2. Partially because it's on so much, I do watch a good amount of D1 b-ball. Doing so helps me appreciate the difference between the levels. Fortunately, Nelson's antics are much more closely associated with D1 rather than D3 action.
3. If personal gratification is the subject, Mr Nelson no doubt enjoys a very high level of delectation.
4. As a knowledgable fan who appreciates great action and classy play, I'd be surprised if you honestly don't think Nelson's actions are somewhere over the top.

Think back to another great IWU shooter, Sean Johnson. I, and other fans, didn't appreciate his smirk and fist pump after a dagger-like long 3. However, the pump was a single, quick action which was done close to his body and while I didn't love seeing it, it really said "yeah, I can do it," rather than "look at me, I'm the greatest" like Nelson's antics do.

[Titan Q]

Lanny,

1. Whatever the number of posts I've made on the subject, it evidently hasn't been enough as his behavior continues.
2. Partially because it's on so much, I do watch a good amount of D1 b-ball. Doing so helps me appreciate the difference between the levels. Fortunately, Nelson's antics are much more closely associated with D1 rather than D3 action.
3. If personal gratification is the subject, Mr Nelson no doubt enjoys a very high level of delectation.
4. As a knowledgable fan who appreciates great action and classy play, I'd be surprised if you honestly don't think Nelson's actions are somewhere over the top.

Think back to another great IWU shooter, Sean Johnson. I, and other fans, didn't appreciate his smirk and fist pump after a dagger-like long 3. However, the pump was a single, quick action which was done close to his body and while I didn't love seeing it, it really said "yeah, I can do it," rather than "look at me, I'm the greatest" like Nelson's antics do.

Mark, I think you've adequately made your point.  I also don't know how many posts you have dedicated to this over the course of the last 12 months, but it's a big number.  I think everyone knows where you stand.

Regarding the gesture Jordan Nelson makes after he makes a 3-pointer, it's a light hearted thing that happens across all levels of basketball that someone dubbed "3-goggles."  Google "3 goggles" and you will find pictures of a wide variety of basketball players doing it.  In addition:

* Here is a Wall Street Journal article on it - http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704893604576200631584014292

* Here are some giveaway goggles - http://isportsweb.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/04/Three-Goggles.jpg

* Here is a T-shirt - http://tshirtbandit.com/products/81377.jpg

Do I think it's kind of silly?  Sure.  But do I think Jordan Nelson is the devil for doing it?  No, I don't.  And do I think Jordan Nelson embarrasses IWU fans by doing it?  I am an IWU fan and can only speak for myself, but no, I am not embarrassed at all.

You assume Nelson's motives are really bad when doing this -- "look at me, I'm the greatest."  Let's be clear - you have no idea what his motives are.  None of us do.  Can't it just be a kid having fun while playing a fun game (basketball)?  Does it really have to be as over-the-top awful as you suggest? 

What I didn't realize until now is that you are expecting to change Nelson's behavior through your frequents posts on the topic.  While I appreciate your efforts to right this terrible wrong in the CCIW, the simple fact is that no CCIW player or coach is going to come to the chat board for advice and direction.

So we hear you...loud and clear.  But Jordan Nelson is a good kid from a good family, so can you stop dragging him through the mud on this?  Please?

[AppletonRocks]

If one of my players does any of the 3 point acts discussed above, or holds a pose, he is off the floor. Period. 

I think it should be a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, or the basketball equivalent.

[iwu70]

Q, good post.  All this stuff about Nelson's gestures is just stupid.  He doesn't do it all that often and no one is concerned, no one giving him a T or anything.  He's gotta find his stroke this year and I'm pretty sure he will.
 
I saw the IWU game vs. MSOE and the Titans were awesome, truly hitting on all cylinders.  The second five is as good as the first, and the third five didn't play badly either.  I very much liked the looks of John Carroll, Derrick Streety and Brady Rose, guys sitting way down the pine, but some pretty good players to be sure.  Future of the Titan program looks very very strong to me. 

As for this team, many players still finding their roles, getting into total game shape, etc.  Some came in ready to go and others will find their stroke, fitness level in a few more games.  When all goes well for the Titans, this is going to be a very very good team.  The ball movements, assists, and trey shooting was all on clear display last Tuesday night.

Most impressive to me so far is the strong play of Trevor Seibring, on the boards, with very strong interior D, being in the right position, setting great screens, running the floor, passing the ball well, soft hands for assists from Overstreet and others.  He and Marietti (when fully healthy) will be a very strong combo 5.  Another plus, impressive addition is the energy and play of Bausch.  Kinda reminds of the off the bench energy of Eric Dortch.  He's going to be a great plus off the bench.  The Titans do have lots of depth, two totally strong units of 5 with some other guys in the third five perfectly capable, willing and ready to compete, to contribute. 

Really too bad the women lost, missing 20 FTs, going 12-32 in a tough loss vs. WW.  A game they should have won. 

I'm very optimistic about the men's prospects and don't expect a small celebration from Jordan Nelson now and then to rain on the Titan parade one bit.  Get over it, AO.  When he finds his shot and contributes like he did toward the end of the season last year, we'll all be celebrating with him. 

IWU70

[AppletonRocks]

When some Wheaton or Augustana player goes all "long distance call" on IWU sometime this year, we better not hear about it. 

[kiko]

Shorter Titan Nation: "It's okay because it's one of our guys doing it.  We can't possibly know what his motivation is for celebrating the successful completion of an activity that is done a half-dozen times in practically every D3 game played across the country each season, but I can assure you that this is lighthearted, jocular fun.  He's not embarrassing his institution by doing something that is more or less absent from the D3 game.  He's not showing disrespect for our proud basketball heritage, or its legacy of a-dunk-only-counts-as-two-points by not acting like he's been there before.  In fact, you're piling on him by calling him out for a long track record of this sort of thing.  You should only discuss unsportsmanlike behavior if it involves a rival coach chucking his sportcoat a few minutes into the game."

[WUPHF]

Washington University over Carthage, 84-49.