MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bbfan44]

Oh to have been at St Norbert last night to see a 1 point upset and a 3 OT upset; especially when so many games around the country seemed to be lopsided scores.

[iwu70]

Thanks for the comments, speculation about sectionals.  I, too, had the thought that IWU might have a chance to host, given the bracket they are in.  Point is a huge obstacle, challenge.  Seems IWU has a size, paint advantage again in this game, but probably haven't faced as balanced and cohesive a unit as Point.  They look solid all 'round, though not very deep.  The tourney timeout schedule surely helps teams that have depth issues.  Titans are going to have to have an "A" game performance to advance over Point.

Good luck to all the CCIW teams -- would love to see three in the Sweet Sixteen.

IWU70

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In case anyone wants to know... the NCAA will NOT pay for three flights when two of the teams will be a bus trip away. It really isn't worth considering if the NCAA would do it... they won't. They have just tried to solve a $2.1 million shortfall... they are not going to throw money at flights for the heck of it.

As for Augustana to Wooster... the official mileage is actually 501 IF you are going Augustana to Wooster... it is 500 if you are going Wooster to Augustana... either way, it is a flight on paper even if the team chooses to bus.

[Mr. Ypsi]

And, unless Northwestern can pull out back-to-back miracles, Elmhurst should be headed to the Sweet Sixteen.  Predicted attendance tomorrow night: 47.

I will take the under. 

I'll take the over. It'll be great weather for driving and Northwestern fans, especially, have to be thrilled at having a team advance.

I'd take the over also - I was exaggerating for comic effect.  But I would bet it will be very nearly a record-low attendance for a tourney game.

[Greek Tragedy]

And I responded for comic effect. Hence the smiley face.

[Greek Tragedy]

But I would bet it will be very nearly a record-low attendance for a tourney game.

May not be near the attendence out in Washington to watch two WisconsiN teams play in the Elite 8 back in 2004.

[Wildcat]

I was at  St,Norberts  last night. It was it was a fantastic double header. Both games gave the fans their moneys  worth and then some. The St.Norberts student  section kept shouting Elmhurst Who? before the game last night. I guess they know now, who Elmhurst is. The guys displayed great focus and intensity last night. Several guys stepped up in crunch time, Eric Leonard, Nathan Rogers was huge in the second half.  Un forgetKyle Wuest , Will Nixon, everybody had something to do with it last night. Un forgettable game, Chris Martin told me after. "Best game I,ve  ever been involved in at Elmhurst College. Can't argue with that Chris. Good Luck tonight guys, oughtta be a tough one again tonight.

[newCCIWfan]

Looking at Augustana's chances to host a sectional, here are the relevant seeding numbers in Augie's Sweet 16 grouping...

(I'm looking at this from an Augie perspective, so assuming a win over DePauw.)

Augustana: .852/.584/7-2 (Central #1)

Mount Union: .786/.555/4-5
Calvin: .800/.511/3-1

Defiance: .769/.478/0-1
St. Olaf: .808/.527/1-5

Marietta: .893/.519/4-3 (Great Lakes #1)
Wooster: .786/.551/3-2

The first question is, who is the highest seed?  Marietta is the only one of these teams that could be a higher seed than Augie...but I'm confident Augie's numbers have the Vikings as the higher seed of the two.  So Augie is in great shape as far as seeding - the Vikings seem to very clearly be the highest seed in the Sweet 16 grouping.

So then we look at geography.  Using Massey to pick winners, let's say...
* Augustana (Rock Island, IL)
* Mount Union (Alliance, OH)
* St. Olaf (Northfield, MN)
* Marietta (Marietta, OH)

This is two flights either way.  Either Augie and St. Olaf have to fly to the Ohio schools, or vice versa.  So Augie wins as the highest seed.

Now where it gets interesting is...
* Augustana (Rock Island, IL)
* Mount Union (Alliance, OH)
* Defiance (Defiance, OH)
* Marietta (Marietta, OH)

Defiance as the sectional host would require zero flights - all 4 schools are within 500 miles.  But I just don't see Defiance as a realistic option based on seeding.  I think it comes down to Augustana or Marietta.  Marietta would mean just 1 flight...Augustana would mean 2 (Defiance can bus to Rock Island).  And Marietta might be close enough to Augie as a seed to justify saving the $$ and giving it to Marietta.

So bottom line, if you are an Augie fan, you are a big St. Olaf fan tonight.  As long as St. Olaf is in the Augie Sweet 16, providing another "west" anchor, Augie is a lock to host the sectional.

Hope I'm not missing something obvious, but that is how I see it.

Bob --- would Defiance's gym be big enough to host next weekend? D3 hoops lists it as capable of seating 1800, but having watched a game there before, there is absolutely no way that is an accurate number (perhaps if you include floor seating for graduation or a concert).

[Pat Coleman]

But I would bet it will be very nearly a record-low attendance for a tourney game.

May not be near the attendence out in Washington to watch two WisconsiN teams play in the Elite 8 back in 2004.

Exactly. How quickly people forget!

[Titan Q]

Bob --- would Defiance's gym be big enough to host next weekend? D3 hoops lists it as capable of seating 1800, but having watched a game there before, there is absolutely no way that is an accurate number (perhaps if you include floor seating for graduation or a concert).

The Site Selection section is on pages 19-20...

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/PreChamps_DIII_MBasketball_2015_Revised3.pdf

----------
The Championships Committee has prioritized the following site-selection criteria for all championships:
1. Complete bid;
2. Quality and availability of the facility and other necessary accommodations;
3. Geographical location (which may include such factors as rotation of sites, weather, accessibility and transportation costs);
4. Seeding; and
5. Attendance history, hosting history and revenue potential, which shall be considered necessary to assure fiscal responsibility.

In addition, the Men's Basketball Committee requires each host to record all contests at its site, with the intent to make available to each team a copy (DVD format) of the contest in which it participated. The committee also prefers sites that will not host conflicting events during the championship practice and competition. Sites will also be evaluated as to the availability of appropriate practice times for all competing teams. To host first-round, second-round or sectional contests, a regulation court as defined in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 NCAA Men's Basketball rules and Interpretations must be used. To host sectional competition, arena seating for at least 1,000 spectators is required. Please also review the host operations Manual for a detailed list of facility requirements.
----------

As long as that gym can hold 1000, Defiance is OK. 

For me, I just struggle with the thought of such a low seed being considered.  Defiance wasn't even in the Great Lakes regional rankings.  And their numbers (.769/.478/0-1) just are not competitive at all with any of the other potential sectional teams -- especially Augustana and Marietta.  I know how cost conscious the NCAA is with these sectional sites, but I'd still be really surprised if Defiance got the nod in that scenario.  (Marietta - that's another story.  I could easily see them getting it.)

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah, in all honesty, geography trumps all and it always has. As long as Defiance filed its paperwork and has indeed the minimum seating (and wins tonight), it'll host if the geography dictates.

[Titan Q]

Yeah, in all honesty, geography trumps all and it always has. As long as Defiance filed its paperwork and has indeed the minimum seating (and wins tonight), it'll host if the geography dictates.

Bottom line, if you are an Augustana fan, you are rooting really hard for St. Olaf tonight (against Defiance).

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah, in all honesty, geography trumps all and it always has. As long as Defiance filed its paperwork and has indeed the minimum seating (and wins tonight), it'll host if the geography dictates.

Bottom line, if you are an Augustana fan, you are rooting really hard for St. Olaf tonight (against Defiance).

As recently as last year, remember, Mary Washington hosted because of geography even though it was ranked No. 8 of nine listed in the Mid-Atlantic.

[markerickson]

St. Norbert has been a successful program for years now.  Maybe the best private D3 in the state over the last five years.  What is their formula?

[Titan Q]

IWU's postgame press conference from last night...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0hKM9k3GUU