MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Agree on Straughter.  He played very well tonight.

'70

[Gregory Sager]

If you're an Elmhurst fan, you've gotta like the fact that Dubuque just won the IIAC tourney.

[AndOne]

If there was one player who really stood out in this game, to me it was Jawon Straughter. I said the other day that I didn't think he was All-CCIW material, and, in terms of the regular season, I stick with that assessment. But he followed up a good game yesterday with an even better game today. He had a number of successful slashes to the basket in the second half that really seemed to stem potential IWU runs. In fact, he seemed to be the one guy on the floor for either team who was money when he got to the rim.

Agree on Straughter.  He played very well tonight.

'70

Make that 3.
I, too, opined that Straughter did not belong on the all-conference team. Based on his regular season performance, I also stick with my original assessment. However, credit is due him for 2 very nice games in the conference tourney.

[Mr. Ypsi]

If there was one player who really stood out in this game, to me it was Jawon Straughter. I said the other day that I didn't think he was All-CCIW material, and, in terms of the regular season, I stick with that assessment. But he followed up a good game yesterday with an even better game today. He had a number of successful slashes to the basket in the second half that really seemed to stem potential IWU runs. In fact, he seemed to be the one guy on the floor for either team who was money when he got to the rim.

Agree on Straughter.  He played very well tonight.

'70

Make that 3.
I, too, opined that Straughter did not belong on the all-conference team. Based on his regular season performance, I also stick with my original assessment. However, credit is due him for 2 very nice games in the conference tourney.

Make that 4.  And I also concur that as of the time they voted, he didn't belong.

[AndOne]

Did Jordan nelson dress tonight? If so, he didn't play. The IWU guard subs were Pennington, Rose, and Nelms. Pennington, who didn't play much at all during his first 2 years, and Rose, a freshman, were on the floor at the end of tonight's game as opposed to the former D1 player. Something terribly amiss with that picture.

[AndOne]

Don't know how anyone else feels, but to me, at least, with the highly skillful teams IWU has fielded over the last several years, it is simply amazing that they have not won a conference tournament title. 

What has happened to Ryan Coyle this season? He began the year as a starter. He had a scoring average of 12.2 at the end of November. Gradually, his minutes and performance both declined to the point where tonight, in the tourney championship game, he played a total of 7 minutes off the bench, during which, he did not score a single point.

[Gregory Sager]

True, although his alter ego Alec Bausch has correspondingly improved as the season's gone along.

The vibe I'm getting after today's results is that it's looking better for Elmhurst ... but, then again, I'm not one of the numbers-crunchers who really make a science out of studying Pool C possibilities.

[iwumichigander]

I think Elmhurst, too, Greg.  I am just not sure what a DePauw win did tonight to upset that regional apple  cart?
Is it me? 'Cause I am thinking another bracket (or two) of death?

[iwu70]

I really hope Elmhurst gets in.  John Baines and his squad have had a great year, such good improvement.  They will be really tough next season with all returning.

IWU70

[veterancciwfan]

Jordan Nelson has dressed for every game this season in which he did not play except the 2 games in the Rhodes College (Memphis) Thanksgiving tournament when he was recovering from an injury. However, he and his father traveled to Memphis to watch the 2 games and to be part of the team. He dressed tonight, looked great in warmups and was an animated and encouraging teammate while IWU was in time-outs, talking to his teammates and really into the game mentally with a lot of sideline energy and smiles.  But he did not play.

[veterancciwfan]

IWU now 0-6 in CCIW Tournament championship games, 0-1 under Trost and 0-5 under Rose. Ron Rose waits for the NCAA Tournament where his record is 14-5 with most of the games on the road or at neutral sites. Kind of amazing that Rose has had opposite results in CCIW Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Just proves how tough this league is. The old line with IWU fans is the Titans always happy to get out of league play and start playing NCAA Tourn. games where opposing coaches are at a disadvantage compared to opposing CCIW coaches. Also proves how every CCIW team has a very good or great coach. And think how good the league will be next year with Augustana and Elmhurst returning their junior laden teams, NPU a real threat and the probability that IWU and NCC will continue to field good teams.

[Titan Q]

Don't know how anyone else feels, but to me, at least, with the highly skillful teams IWU has fielded over the last several years, it is simply amazing that they have not won a conference tournament title. 

I'd say it's just "one of those things."  IWU has been very good in the weeks immediately following the conference tournament over the course of the last 9 years...

CCIW NCAA Tournament Wins (2006 through 2014)
Illinois Wesleyan: 19 (4 Elite 8s, 3 Final 4s)
Wheaton: 11 (1 Elite 8)
Augustana: 7 (1 Elite 8)
North Central: 6 (1 Elite 8, 1 Final 4)
Carthage: 2

I'd certainly love to see IWU win a CCIW tournament - it's definitely frustrating as a fan that the Titans have not gotten it done in that setting (especially the 2 they hosted).  But if I'm picking, I'll take the program's NCAA tournament success over conference tournament results.

[Titan Q]

What has happened to Ryan Coyle this season? He began the year as a starter. He had a scoring average of 12.2 at the end of November. Gradually, his minutes and performance both declined to the point where tonight, in the tourney championship game, he played a total of 7 minutes off the bench, during which, he did not score a single point.

Coyle got off to a very good start in non-conference play, but he really started struggling during the CCIW season.  Just started having trouble finishing around the basket, making jumpshots, and even FTs.  Meanwhile, the guy behind him (Alec Bausch) has played better and starting earning more minutes.

Probably not the first time in the history of college basketball a talented player has gone through some struggles over the course of a season.

[Titan Q]

Did Jordan nelson dress tonight? If so, he didn't play. The IWU guard subs were Pennington, Rose, and Nelms. Pennington, who didn't play much at all during his first 2 years, and Rose, a freshman, were on the floor at the end of tonight's game as opposed to the former D1 player. Something terribly amiss with that picture.

Again, probably not the first time in the history of college basketball - or the CCIW - that a player and coach have not been on the same page.  Jordan Nelson and Ron Rose are both good people - it is what it is right now.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jordan Nelson play a lot and do very well in the NCAA tournament.  Or maybe he is just completely done for the season.  We'll see.

[veterancciwfan]

Spoke to Fritz Larsen as he came to the championship game. He just had a knee replaced. His comment: That's what happens after 20 years of running up and down hard floors. He said he would be good to go when the 2015/16 season starts and that he would ref for "a couple more years." Don't know here he lives, but if it's Chicago area, he and his fellow ref friend came a long way to see a CCIW classic matchup. I heard "What a great D3 game" from 2 fans during the course of last night's game. IWU missed a lot of layups in the 2nd half, some contested heavily and others not so much. One very bad call that went against IWU was the obvious goaltending not called on Augie for slapping the backboard (I think in 1st half). But there was another obvious call that went against Augie so no complaints overall. Next year Fritz and Tom Flynn can ref the tournament (hopefully).