MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Trine 51
Millikin 45

T.J. Sims was again a no-show in the box score.

[markerickson]

Dubuque had a lot of size.  North Park shot well from the outside in the first half to grab the lead, and missed too many free throws in the long run.  Dubuque adjusted defenses in the second half. I am thinking Colin Lake scored only a couple if not zero in the second half.  Juwan's penetration shots were clearly altered given Dubuque's height.

[Titan Q]

IWU 92
#25 Texas Lutheran 86

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3482&path=mbball

* Bryce Dolan: 19 points (4-7 3-point)
* Andy Stempel: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
* Joel Pennington: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
* Mark Falotico: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
* Jaylen Beasley: 10 points, 3 rebounds

IWU: 14-31 3-point (.452), +8 rebounds


The Titans played well yesterday in defeating a very talented Texas Lutheran team.  This was as physical of a game as the Titans will play this season - I was shocked at how physical TLU plays (wasn't expecting that).  Both teams played with a lot of energy and intensity, and the game was very chippy from start to finish.  The Bulldogs are an aggressive, in-your-face kind of team that is not shy about mixing it up.  TLU is comparable to a CCIW 3rd place team I'd say.  Their PG, Sterling Holmes (20.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.0 apg), is a 1st Team All-American candidate.

The Bulldogs worked hard to prevent 6-8 Trevor Seibring from touching the ball in the low post, blanketing him with 2 (and many times even 3) defenders.  IWU took advantage of the overplay on Seibring, knocking down 7 of 13 3s in the 1st half and shooting 58% from the field.  But TLU's defense caused IWU problems in the opening half.  They are extremely quick and athletic and really do a nice job rotating and recovering defensively.  They pressure the perimeter aggressively and they get their hands on a ton of passes.  IWU turned it over 8 times in the 1st and went into the locker room down 2.  Seibring didn't have a single FGA in the 1st.

The Titans did a great job taking the fight to Texas Lutheran in the 2nd, coming out with a lot of intensity.  IWU hit TLU with a huge 21-7 run in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half, going up 59-47 with 15:11 to play.  It was an impressive stretch for the Titans...especially against a strong defensive team.

IWU led by 8 with 10:20 on the clock when the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run to take a 68-67 lead with 7:33 to go.  In the next minute and a half, Andy Stempel, who had a great game for the Titans, made two huge plays off the dribble - both resulting in passes to Jaylen Beasley for layups.  IWU's biggest shot of the game was delivered by freshman Mark Falotico, who made a 3 from the right corner with 3:05 to play to push the Titans' lead from 3 to 6.  IWU went 6-6 from the FT line from 1:18 to 0:46 to close it out.

IWU made some nice strides yesterday - the Titans just simply played a lot better than they'd been playing.  They looked confident on the floor.  It was encouraging to see Andy Stempel play so well, and nice to see freshmen Mark Falotico and Colin Bonnett and sophomore Jaylen Beasley play such important roles in a close game.  If the pieces continue to come together like they did yesterday, and if the Titans can get a little healthier, IWU has a chance to do well in CCIW play.

[GoPerry]

IWU 92
#25 Texas Lutheran 86

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3482&path=mbball

* Bryce Dolan: 19 points (4-7 3-point)
* Andy Stempel: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
* Joel Pennington: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
* Mark Falotico: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
* Jaylen Beasley: 10 points, 3 rebounds

IWU: 14-31 3-point (.452), +8 rebounds


The Titans played well yesterday in defeating a talented Texas Lutheran team.  This was as physical of a game as the Titans will play this season - I was shocked at how physical TLU plays (wasn't expecting that).  Both teams played with a lot of energy and intensity, and the game was very chippy from start to finish.  The Bulldogs are an aggressive, in-your-face kind of team that is not shy about mixing it up.  TLU is comparable to a CCIW 3rd place team I'd say.  Their PG, Sterling Holmes (20.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.0 apg), is a 1st Team All-American candidate.

The Bulldogs worked hard to prevent 6-8 Trevor Seibring from touching the ball in the low post, blanketing him with 2 (and many times even 3) defenders.  IWU took advantage of the overplay on Seibring, knocking down 7 of 13 3s in the 1st half and shooting 58% from the field.  But TLU's defense caused IWU problems in the opening half.  They are extremely quick and athletic and really do a nice job rotating and recovering defensively.  They pressure the perimeter aggressively and they get their hands on a ton of passes.  IWU turned it over 8 times in the 1st and went into the locker room down 2.  Seibring didn't have a single FGA in the 1st.

The Titans did a great job taking the fight to Texas Lutheran in the 2nd, coming out with a lot of intensity.  IWU hit TLU with a huge 21-7 run in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half, going up 59-47 with 15:11 to play.  It was an impressive stretch for the Titans...especially against a strong defensive team.

IWU led by 8 with 10:20 on the clock when the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run to take a 68-67 lead with 7:33 to go.  In the next minute and a half, Andy Stempel, who had a great game for the Titans, made two huge plays off the dribble - both resulting in passes to Jaylen Beasley for layups.  IWU's biggest shot of the game was delivered by freshman Mark Falotico, who made a 3 from the right corner with 3:05 to play to push the Titans' lead from 3 to 6.  IWU went 6-6 from the FT line from 1:18 to 0:46 to close it out.

IWU made some nice strides yesterday - the Titans just simply played a lot better than they'd been playing.  They looked confident on the floor.  It was encouraging to see Andy Stempel play so well, and nice to see freshmen Mark Falotico and Collin Bonnett and sophomore Jaylen Beasley play such important roles in a close game.  If the pieces continue to come together like they did yesterday, and if the Titans can get a little healthier, IWU has a chance to do well in CCIW play.

That is a pretty big win for IWU - not just because it came against a ranked team but also because a 5th non-con loss  would have left them no room for error entering CCIW play.

[AndOne]

Trine 51
Millikin 45

T.J. Sims was again a no-show in the box score.

Millikan beat Adrian today 62-57. Still no game appearance by T.J. Sims. 

[Titan Q]

That is a pretty big win for IWU - not just because it came against a ranked team but also because a 5th non-con loss  would have left them no room for error entering CCIW play.

I'm pretty confident that IWU is already 1 non-conference loss past any reasonable at-large bid chances.

[Titan Q]

Texas Lutheran beat Alma today in a thriller, 82-81.  I saw Alma crush Mary Hardin-Baylor yesterday (I think they were up 38 at one point) and left thinking they are a Top 25 team.  (Alma has wins oven North Central, North Park, and Wheaton...and a 2-point loss at Elmhurst.)

[iwumichigander]

That is a pretty big win for IWU - not just because it came against a ranked team but also because a 5th non-con loss  would have left them no room for error entering CCIW play.

I'm pretty confident that IWU is already 1 non-conference loss past any reasonable at-large bid chances.

yes, agree with both of you.  Titans have dug a deep hole. Just might have to find a way to both get into CCIW tournament and the win it to get AQ.  A very big task this season IMHO.

[Gotberg]

Texas Lutheran beat Alma today in a thriller, 82-81.  I saw Alma crush Mary Hardin-Baylor yesterday (I think they were up 38 at one point) and left thinking they are a Top 25 team.  (Alma has wins oven North Central, North Park, and Wheaton...and a 2-point loss at Elmhurst.)

Nice win against Texas Lutheran then, I don't think you should lfeel ucky, assuming that was what you're implying.

[AppletonRocks]

IWU should shut it down and play their grayshirts rest of the year.  Why hurt the psyche of the Shirk mob? 

[AndOne]

That is a pretty big win for IWU - not just because it came against a ranked team but also beicause a 5th non-con loss  would have left them no room for error entering CCIW play.

I'm pretty confident that IWU is already 1 non-conference loss past any reasonable at-large bid chances.

yes, agree with both of you.  Titans have dug a deep hole. Just might have to find a way to both get into CCIW tournament and the win it to get AQ.  A very big task this season IMHO.

After IWU beats MSOE they'll be at 7-4. 11-3 in CCIW play would put them at 18-7, and in the conference tourney. A win and a loss there makes it 19-8, and in receipt of an invitation to the big dance. And, of course, two wins in the conference tourney makes it automatic. 

[iwumichigander]

IWU should shut it down and play their grayshirts rest of the year.  Why hurt the psyche of the Shirk mob? 

No, we greyshirts only play in the early afternoon so we can take a nap before games unless an away game (we can nap on the bus).😃

[Titan Q]

After IWU beats MSOE they'll be at 7-4. 11-3 in CCIW play would put them at 18-7, and in the conference tourney. A win and a loss there makes it 19-8, and in receipt of an invitation to the big dance. And, of course, two wins in the conference tourney makes it automatic. 

Well, that's the problem.  IWU would need 11-3 to be competitive...and 11-3 is generally the record of the team that wins the CCIW.  Pool C teams from the CCIW are generally in the 10-4 or 9-5 range.  At 10-4 or 9-5, IWU would be on the outside looking in.

More importantly, there is the reality that IWU, through 10 games, has not played like a team capable of 10-4 in the CCIW.  I think the Titans certainly could make that kind of push...but the body of work so far doesn't suggest it.

I see IWU being fairly even right now with North Central and North Park in the battle for 3rd and 4th.  (With Augie and Elmhurst 1st and 2nd respectively.)

[Titan Q]

Bosko in pink shorts...live from Puerto Rico.  (Carthage vs York.)

http://www.puertoricocollegesportstours.com/prcstlive.html

[Titan Q]

Final from Puerto Rico...

Carthage 61
York (NY) 32