MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AppletonRocks]

Does Greg Sager do pre-game interviews for CCIW games like Craig Sager?   Does he use the same haberdasher? 

[Gregory Sager]

Augustana 81
UW-Stevens Point 58

Augie just carved up the Pointers tonight. Aside from an indifferent job at the FT line, Augie looked unstoppable against a UWSP team that I'm pretty sure is going to hit the 20-win mark again this season.

Augustana has beaten UW-LaCrosse by 28, UW-Whitewater by 20, and UW-Stevens Point by 23. I can't remember any outsider ever stampeding through WIAC competition quite so convincingly before.

[markerickson]

Since there were only two lead changes, which happened very early, I thought NPU played a truly underwhelming game.  They shot poorly, and I didn't see much intensity on D.  As Greg said, a win is a win.

[Gregory Sager]

Washington University and Illinois Wesleyan are tied 21-21 at the half.

Ugly, ugly basketball.

Boy, I'll say. I started focusing on this game when it became obvious by early in the second half that UWSP was not going to make any sort of a run against Augustana. Aside from a stretch of about five minutes or so in the final quarter of the game in which Wesleyan got extremely hot from beyond the arc, it seemed as though neither team could put the ball in the basket. Wash U couldn't hit a shot, and IWU couldn't protect the ball.

Admittedly, this is the first time I've seen your Bears this season, WUH, and I was in and out of this game as a viewer, but I have to agree with the Titans radio commentator who said that, as gritty as the Bears play on defense, they just don't seem to have the offensive talent that they've had in recent years. But, again, my perspective on the Bears is pretty limited.

[Titan Q]

IWU 67
#14-Wash U 57

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3478&path=mbball

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/no-washington-u-bows-to-wesleyan/article_1c5ba0ad-da9e-5fb3-9cb6-6a6ac28b2acd.html

http://www.wjbc.com/2015/12/05/marietti-return-fuels-illinois-wesleyan-win-over-no-14-wash-u/


* Brady Rose: 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
* Joel Pennington: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
* Bryce Dolan: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
* Alec Bausch: 6 points, 9 rebounds

* Kevin Kucera: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
* Luke Silverman-Lloyd: 11 points, 3 rebounds

Very good win for the Titans tonight vs the 14th-ranked Bears.  It was a balanced effort with a lot of guys making big plays in this one.  This was a physical, halfcourt basketball game - very CCIW-like.  It was just 21-21 at the half.  It wasn't pretty most of the way.

Having 6-8 F/C Mike Marietti back makes a big difference for IWU on both sides of the floor. 

Big game for Brady Rose.  In the stretch where the Titans pulled away for good in the 2nd, he hit two big 3s.

IWU's 3 St. Louis guys in the rotation (Joel Pennington, Bryce Dolan, Alec Bausch) combined for 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists tonight.

IWU turned it over a crazy 26 times - need to get that cleaned up quickly.

This feels like a swing game for the Titans.  4-2 coming off a nice win over Wash U should create some confidence and momentum...3-3 would have been rough.

[Gregory Sager]

Since there were only two lead changes, which happened very early, I thought NPU played a truly underwhelming game.  They shot poorly, and I didn't see much intensity on D.  As Greg said, a win is a win.

"Truly underwhelming" is a good way to put it. I did think that NPU's defense was decent for the most part, but the aspect where the Vikings really didn't execute was the defensive boards. The Scarlet Hawks only shot 41% from the field, but almost a third of their points came off of offensive rebounds. NPU gave up a lot of size to IIT, but they'll give up a lot of size against every opponent they face, so that's no excuse. IIT should not have gotten 16 offensive boards; the Vikes simply need to box out better and get to the boards more aggressively.

[Titan Q]

Augustana has beaten UW-LaCrosse by 28, UW-Whitewater by 20, and UW-Stevens Point by 23. I can't remember any outsider ever stampeding through WIAC competition quite so convincingly before.

At this point in the season, it seems to me that the WIAC is way down from its typical level.  The top half of the league (Stevens Point, Whitewater, Oshkosh, River Falls) seems very thin - Stevens Point might be a the only top 25 team, and I don't see Stevens Point as a top 10 team. Whitewater, as usual, is working transfers in (7 this year, including a kid who started for UW-Milwaukee) so they will probably get better as the season goes on.  But yesterday they went to OT at Beloit (picked 8th in MWC).    And the bottom half of the league (Platteville, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stout) seems pretty so-so in terms of a bottom 4 for a great league.

[Gregory Sager]

Oh, I totally agree, Bob. In fact, the WIAC room regulars are saying the same thing over there. But what Augie has done to WIAC competition is still very noteworthy. Even UWW and UWSP teams that are somewhat down from their usual standards don't get flattened like that by outside competition.

[iwu70]

Seems a good win for the TITANS, with the team deciding wisely that it might be a good idea to play defence.  Glad to have Marietti back.  Always love the line for Pennington, very efficient with his minutes.  Rose and Dolan had pretty good second half minutes.  Need to get Coyle and Bausch healthy now.  Hope no more injury bugs coming the TITANS' way. 

WUH, guess my exorcism travel to Hong Kong was sufficient enough to take out the Bears. They are not as good as their ranking seemed to indicate.   I don't expect more TITAN fan migration for this season, but you never know.  I'm happily back at CUHK, on Tolo's shores, enjoying some of the best food in the world, temps about 70 yesterday.  I guess if this is exorcism, I'll happily take it each December. 

Augie is awesome, no doubt.  WIAC surely down, but what AC is doing is pretty special.  Titans and EC and others have a long way to go to be able to challenge the level that AC has put up so far.

IWU70 -- on the Far Side

[Titan Q]

Final from Alma, MI...

Alma 67
North Central 66

http://alma.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/boxscores/20151206_mrgt.xml


Alma is picked 4th in the MIAA...NCC is picked 4th in the CCIW.

[iwumichigander]

Oh, I totally agree, Bob. In fact, the WIAC room regulars are saying the same thing over there. But what Augie has done to WIAC competition is still very noteworthy. Even UWW and UWSP teams that are somewhat down from their usual standards don't get flattened like that by outside competition.

Agree with two of those teams ranked as well. Up, down or sideways, it is rare any team outside of the WIAC wins 3 with one WIAC team to go as yet.  Looking at Augustana remaining non-conference schedule - it looks like only WashU might be considered competitive.  Augustana should be well rested when the conference starts.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Teams are finally settling into the season, but that doesn't mean things have gotten easier. Tonight on Hoopsville, Dave returns from the Wendy's Classic where he talked to those who helped wrap up the historic tournament. He also chats with those showing heir strength early in the campaign and pulling off upsets.

Hoopsville hits the air at 7PM ET! www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/dec6

Guests include (in order):

- Guy Kalland, Carleton men's coach
- Bob Quillman, Central Region Reporter
- Jimmy Smith, Texas Lutheran men's coach
- Anthony Ewing, No. 10 Univ. of New England women's coach
- Scott Hemer, SUNY Geneseo women's coach
- Luke Flockerzi, Rochester men's coach
- J.C. DeLass, East Region Reporter

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
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AND our podcast as been approved for iTunes!!! You should be able to find it... but here is a link, just in case: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

[veterancciwfan]

Breakout game for Brady Rose Sat. A semi-ugly win (especially in 1st half). I've seen Wash U. play at least 35 games over 45+ years and in my opinion this Wash U team is one of thin talent. They are not very athletic. I do give IWU and Ron Rose credit for a vastly improved defensive effort which had a lot to do with the Bears' anemic offensive performance. Bonnett, IWU's 6'3" freshman, is fearless and does a lot of things well. Pennington nearly perfect (4/5 FG incl. 2/2 on 3s and 4/4 from line) + a game high 4 assists. Bonnett and Pennington are significant contributors off the bench at guard. And Marietti ran court well with no apparent discomfort. 4-2 with rest of nonconf schedule on road (incl. Chicago) or on a neutral court.

[iwu70]

Vet, agree about Pennington and Bonnett.  I think it would be hard to find two such talented and consistent back up guards in the CCIW or anywhere in the country, IMHO.  Hope Bausch and Coyle get healthy, and Marietti stays healthy and gets fully into game shape and form.  This team could be very good if they play D like Saturday vs. Wash U and all the pieces and parts come together.  Dolan overall has been best so far.  If we keep up this fine, high percentage trey shooting and Trevor Seibring gets closer to 10 and 10 each nightg, this team has almost the full deck.  Hard to defend.  Now to some good road games.   

IWU'70

[WUPHF]

Admittedly, this is the first time I've seen your Bears this season, WUH, and I was in and out of this game as a viewer, but I have to agree with the Titans radio commentator who said that, as gritty as the Bears play on defense, they just don't seem to have the offensive talent that they've had in recent years. But, again, my perspective on the Bears is pretty limited.

This is definitely true.

I do think this team would have looked substantially better with David Schmelter and Michael Bregman in the game.  The team simply does not have the depth to compete with the CCIW without them. 

Our best front court scoring option in sophomore Andrew Sanders played a mere 17 minutes, as he picked up two quick fouls and played for several minutes with a fourth foul. 

The starting line-up included just one starter from a season ago.  The other four starters combined played 25 minutes, averaged 8 points, and 3 rebounds with only Matt Highsmith featuring heavily in conference play.  But, I guess I mentioned that a few times.

I think we have lots of reasons to be optimistic including Kevin Kucera and Clinton Hooks, but after the trap game against Webster on Wednesday, I am not sure that this will be apparent on Saturday.