MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

The Pantagraph article never mentioned it - anyone know why Jordan Nelson didn't play yesterday?  And whether or not he will play today?

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/nelson-accepts-reduced-role-with-titans/article_3342af9b-ac9c-5b28-b41e-5b86d2fd94b5.html

Thanks, Q - I hadn't seen that article.  I wasn't surprised that Dolan replaced him as a starter, but was surprised that he disappeared from the rotation entirely.

He wasn't in the rotation during the Saturday 2/21 game vs Elmhurst either.

[AndOne]

The Pantagraph article never mentioned it - anyone know why Jordan Nelson didn't play yesterday?  And whether or not he will play today?

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/nelson-accepts-reduced-role-with-titans/article_3342af9b-ac9c-5b28-b41e-5b86d2fd94b5.html

Thanks, Q - I hadn't seen that article.  I wasn't surprised that Dolan replaced him as a starter, but was surprised that he disappeared from the rotation entirely.

He wasn't in the rotation during the Saturday 2/21 game vs Elmhurst either.

I only saw the 2nd half of the IWU/EC game last night. I noticed Mr. Nelson didn't play, but I did not notice if he was even dressed for the game.
Did Nelson dress last night and receive a BNPCD, or did he not even dress for the game?
If not, it seems the question arises as to whether he will dress tonight.

[AndOne]

Has anyone seen the youngest Raridon son play? Does he do all the things that his brothe Derekr did, only better?

Derek was a much better shooter, but Connor does just about everything else better (in comparison to Derek as a senior in high school.) 
Stronger and more physical
Handles the ball as well as a point guard (often times brings it up the floor for his high school team)
Great at creating shots off the dribble (Forces you to place a shorter and quicker defender on him)
Likes to then post up on the shorter guards (Very similar to Peters from Wheaton)
Shoots a lot of free throws and I assume that will continue in college

However, what is really impressive about him is his defense and rebounding.  Two things never used to describe his older brother. 
Always will guard the best player on the floor, even centers if he has to and Always goes hard to the glass.
I expect big things from him over the next four years. His bball IQ is very high

Just to clear things up, I am pretty sure Connor Raridon is 6'5". He may be 6'6". He is not 6'7".
I don't know if Derek was a better shooter in HS. I do know Derek was awful darn good, as is Connor. Connor may be a better all around player, maybe not. You need to remember that Derek was not only a great shooter, but he was a very good assist man as well. At any rate, NCC will be lucky to get Connor, as they were lucky to have Derek previously.
Here are some statistics on Connor Raridon through yesterday--16.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 52 three pointers, 84.0% FTs (116/138).
If there is an overall difference between Connor and Derek, it may be that Connor has a bit more of an "edge" than did Derek. 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/chi-boys-basketball-connor-raridon-nets-teamrecord-40-for-neuqua-valley-20150127-story.html

[iwumichigander]

kiko....I think there were several games this year that both  Burchett and Rosenberg were missing in action due to being hampered by ref's who didn't appreciate their strong style of play.  It's a pity, but it happened.  Didn't see tonights game, so can't comment on it.

ypsi....It was a surprise that Moten was not selected to the all CCIW team.

Perhaps the folks doing the voting need to spend a bit more time reflecting on the method of selection they employ.
And, wouldn't it  be nice if the fans could vote for the all Conference team much like fans vote for NBA and MLB All Star teams !

I can't find the guideline but I recall a 75% guideline for post season conference honors, i.e. ! must play in 75% of conference games.  Could it be with games missed Moten fell just short?  And, bear in mind each coach submits the names of his players for consideration of post season honors.

[CCIW >]

Has anyone seen the youngest Raridon son play? Does he do all the things that his brothe Derekr did, only better?

Derek was a much better shooter, but Connor does just about everything else better (in comparison to Derek as a senior in high school.) 
Stronger and more physical
Handles the ball as well as a point guard (often times brings it up the floor for his high school team)
Great at creating shots off the dribble (Forces you to place a shorter and quicker defender on him)
Likes to then post up on the shorter guards (Very similar to Peters from Wheaton)
Shoots a lot of free throws and I assume that will continue in college

However, what is really impressive about him is his defense and rebounding.  Two things never used to describe his older brother. 
Always will guard the best player on the floor, even centers if he has to and Always goes hard to the glass.
I expect big things from him over the next four years. His bball IQ is very high

Just to clear things up, I am pretty sure Connor Raridon is 6'5". He may be 6'6". He is not 6'7".
I don't know if Derek was a better shooter in HS. I do know Derek was awful darn good, as is Connor. Connor may be a better all around player, maybe not. You need to remember that Derek was not only a great shooter, but he was a very good assist man as well. At any rate, NCC will be lucky to get Connor, as they were lucky to have Derek previously.
Here are some statistics on Connor Raridon through yesterday--16.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 52 three pointers, 84.0% FTs (116/138).
If there is an overall difference between Connor and Derek, it may be that Connor has a bit more of an "edge" than did Derek. 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/chi-boys-basketball-connor-raridon-nets-teamrecord-40-for-neuqua-valley-20150127-story.html

Standing next to each other Connor is noticeably taller than Derek... Derek was listed his whole NCC career at 6'6. Soooooo...

[AndOne]

Whether Connor Raridon is 6'5", 6'6" , or 6'7" will not be the primary determining factor as to whether he has a successful college career or not. Lets wait until next season and see what he is listed at on the official roster. 

[USee]

That just means Derek was actually 6-4. So Connor is probably 6-5. They both play an inch taller with shoes on so 6-5 is 6-6 on the floor. 

[DFLDWarriorsCCIW]

Unbelievable 2nd half of the 2nd semi game last night.  We got "Hunter Hilled".
Rosenberg did everything he could and Moten surely proved he belonged on that
3rd team all CCIW.  Especially since one of the guards voted on that team wasn't
regarded highly enough by his own coach to even play in their most important
game of the year.  Great comparison by markerickson of the Henry slight for MOP
to The 1977 baseball MVP.  Although Carew (who was physically abused as a kid
and used to change his stance just to irritate pitchers) scored 128 runs, stole
23 bases and had a W.A.R. of 8.6 to Cowens 5.0.  In fact, to make Mark's point
even further, Cowens didn't even lead his team in W.A.R. That season...Mr. Pine
Tar had a 7.6.  Based on the upsets already posted, looks like Big Jack has
played his last Game at NCC.

[AndOne]

kiko....I think there were several games this year that both  Burchett and Rosenberg were missing in action due to being hampered by ref's who didn't appreciate their strong style of play.  It's a pity, but it happened.  Didn't see tonights game, so can't comment on it.

ypsi....It was a surprise that Moten was not selected to the all CCIW team.

Perhaps the folks doing the voting need to spend a bit more time reflecting on the method of selection they employ.
And, wouldn't it  be nice if the fans could vote for the all Conference team much like fans vote for NBA and MLB All Star teams !

I can't find the guideline but I recall a 75% guideline for post season conference honors, i.e. ! must play in 75% of conference games.  Could it be with games missed Moten fell just short?  And, bear in mind each coach submits the names of his players for consideration of post season honors.

Jayme Moten played in 11 of 14 conference games. Thats 78.6% so he exceeds the 75% guideline if that even exists for consideration for all-conference honors. For the conference only portion of the season, Jayme was 7th in scoring at 14.3 PPG, 15th in FG percentage at 44.7% despite taking a vast majority of his shots from beyond the arc, 5th in three point percentage at 43.3%, and 1st in three point shots made with 39. For the 23 games in which he played this season, Jayme made 82 three point shots.

There is no doubt Jayme Moten was one of the top 16 players in the CCIW this year. He was more deserving than several of the players appearing on the all-conference list. That he was not included is solely a function of the fact NCC finished 4th in the conference and in voting for all-conference honors, the voters traditionally vote the spoils to the winners. NCC already had 2 all-conference performers in Jack Burchett and Charlie Rosenberg who both richly deserved the honor. However, with a fourth place finish, this precluded the Cardinals from having a third player make the team.

The truth be known, in several of the games Jayme did play, he was at far less that 100%. Jayme himself would never use this as an excuse. However, in reality, he hasn't been 100% since his original injury. Last night he spent several minutes in the 1st half at the end of the Cardinal bench worshiping the large plastic trashcan. In the 2nd half he spent the majority of his time during timeouts stretching out cramps in his calves. In between these medically related interruptions, he played his heart out on the court to the tune of even surpassing the conference co player of the year. On the evening he was the game high scorer with 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting including 8 of 12 three pointers. Not one of the top 16 players in the CCIW my posterior. 

[AndOne]

My apologies to all of the North Central fans for my previous post..............especially AndOne.

Just looking at this scenario through my "Bluejay" glasses.

No need to apologize Naperick. You gotta pull for the scenario that most helps your team. I would expect nothing less. I would look at it in the same manner.

[AndOne]

Good Titan win tonight.  And One looks tense in pre-game.

As both a fan and a friend of the players, I always have nervous energy before a game, especially a big one. I had it as a player, I have if as a fan. It lasts throughout the game. Nothing I can do about that.
The only big game that NCC played recently at all that I wasn't nervous about was the 2013 quarterfinal game against Middlebury in Salem. I had studied the opposition, and had told Mitch Raridon beginning several days before the game that I was confident we were going to win. 

[augiefan]

There may be more to the Jordan Nelson story than Coach Rose just playing the best five guys and subs with Nelson out of the mix, but none of us know for sure. If that is the reality, then I will be surprised, if he is not on the court and a contributor in tonight's game.

Seems like IWU has more to play for, which should give them a slight psychological edge. Plus after going 0-7 in previous CCIW Tourney finals, the law of averages would appear to be on their side. If Augie loses, I do not see fatigue being the reason.

[Gregory Sager]

Good Titan win tonight.  And One looks tense in pre-game.

As both a fan and a friend of the players, I always have nervous energy before a game, especially a big one. I had it as a player, I have if as a fan. It lasts throughout the game. Nothing I can do about that.

Same here. I am always wired before a North Park game. The way I see it, if you aren't tense in pre-game, you don't care enough.

[Gregory Sager]

Whether Connor Raridon is 6'5", 6'6" , or 6'7" will not be the primary determining factor as to whether he has a successful college career or not. Lets wait until next season and see what he is listed at on the official roster. 

That just means Derek was actually 6-4. So Connor is probably 6-5. They both play an inch taller with shoes on so 6-5 is 6-6 on the floor. 

Never trust a listed height on the official roster. That's practically basketball gospel.

(And if the center looks a little chubby, don't trust his listed weight on the official roster, either. )

[Naperick]

Good Titan win tonight.  And One looks tense in pre-game.

As both a fan and a friend of the players, I always have nervous energy before a game, especially a big one. I had it as a player, I have if as a fan. It lasts throughout the game. Nothing I can do about that.
The only big game that NCC played recently at all that I wasn't nervous about was the 2013 quarterfinal game against Middlebury in Salem. I had studied the opposition, and had told Mitch Raridon beginning several days before the game that I was confident we were going to win. 

Thanks for understanding!

I like what Titan Q posted earlier, not impossible for Elmhurst to get in and North Central still has a chance.
The favorites need to win their conference tourneys.