MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

IWU 82
Wheaton 66

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3485&path=mbball

http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wjbc/media/mp3/Ron_Rose__Andy_Stempel-1452137251.mp3

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/stempel-leads-iwu-past-wheaton/article_7c08add2-978d-5b81-aea4-366f0143c6d4.html


* Andy Stempel: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
* Bryce Dolan: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists
* Ryan Coyle: 13 points, 10 rebounds

* Michael Berg: 22 points, 11 rebounds
* Murad Dillard: 13 points, 3 rebounds


The Titans looked very good tonight...much needed win.

[voxelmhurst]

#5 Elmhurst 77
#1 Augustana 75 (OT)

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2016/1/6/MBB_0106164521.aspx?path=mbball

Kyle Wuest: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Erik Crittenden: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks
Will Nixon: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks

Hunter Hill: 22 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Brandon Motzel: 10 points, 11 rebounds
Ben Ryan: 10 points, 9 rebounds

What a night in Elmhurst. First ever matchup of top 5 schools in RA Faganel Hall, and the game lived up to the billing and then some. Standing room crowd on hand with fans of both schools cheering on through 19 lead changes. Great fun!

Both teams gave each other fits all game. I think Elmhurst turned the ball over in the backcourt in 3 of their first 4 possessions. Augustana forced 21 Bluejay turnovers in all. Elmhurst had 10 blocks, 5 by the new all-time EC blocks record holder Will Nixon. Crittenden with 4. Each of these men had huge blocks down the stretch in OT.

After a flashy Hunter Hill layup (bookending a 17-4 run), Augustana was up 57-51 and in the double bonus with under 9 minutes to play. Coming off a timeout, Kyle Wuest then scored the game's next 7 points, and Elmhurst went on a 14-4 run, capped off by a Wuest 3 pointer. 10 of Wuest's 26 points came in a 3 minute stretch late in the second half which got Elmhurst back to level terms.

Towards the end of the second half, Elmhurst could not collect a defensive rebound to save their lives, but Augustana couldn't ever seem to make the Bluejays pay.

I didn't think the Nixon tip-in at the end of regulation was close, but after looking at the replay, he almost got it off in time. I was worried that the Jays would be a bit deflated going into OT but they kept their composure.

Elmhurst had shot less than 60% at the foul line in each of their last two games. Tonight they were back up to 75% and did they ever need it.

[AndOne]

Elmhurst 69
Augustana 69

Will Nixon tipped in the buzzer-beating game winner -- apparently.

Madhouse at Faganel -- temporarily.

Video review at the table by the refs -- overturned.

Extra session between #1 and #5.

Video review? We have this in the CCIW?
WHO in the CCIW has this?

[sac]

Elmhurst 69
Augustana 69

Will Nixon tipped in the buzzer-beating game winner -- apparently.

Madhouse at Faganel -- temporarily.

Video review at the table by the refs -- overturned.

Extra session between #1 and #5.

Video review? We have this in the CCIW?
WHO in the CCIW has this?

Video review is allowed.   D3 guys don't get the TV time like Ted Valentine so they rarely use it.  I don't think I've ever seen a Hope game with video review and Hope is on actual TV twice a year.


Good read from a few years ago in the MIAA (Holy @#$% 16 years ago):  http://archive.d3hoops.com/notable/01/videotape.htm

[Pat Coleman]

Elmhurst 69
Augustana 69

Will Nixon tipped in the buzzer-beating game winner -- apparently.

Madhouse at Faganel -- temporarily.

Video review at the table by the refs -- overturned.

Extra session between #1 and #5.

Video review? We have this in the CCIW?
WHO in the CCIW has this?

Video review is allowed.   D3 guys don't get the TV time like Ted Valentine so they rarely use it.  I don't think I've ever seen a Hope game with video review and Hope is on actual TV twice a year.


Good read from a few years ago in the MIAA (Holy @#$% 16 years ago):  http://archive.d3hoops.com/notable/01/videotape.htm

Yep, they had a monitor on the live stream at the table and just scrolled it back and paused a couple times. Actually fairly low tech. Very manageable in D-III. Glad they used it because it really was close.

Great game between two top-notch teams. My postgame interviews will be on tonight's Hoopsville.

[GoPerry]

It was a pretty incredible atmosphere at R.A. Faganel for a regular season game in a packed gym(although stifling hot).  I was a little taken aback walking in and seeing how many Augie fans there were- I guess I didn't realize they traveled so well, and mid-week no less, because practically the entire south bleachers was Blue/ Gold and vocal.  Elmhurst had the student section and an overall bigger crowd but not by a large margin. 

As mentioned, it was a really great game to watch even if not exactly a well played game.  By all rights, Augustana should have been able to get the win, and by a decent margin except they shot the ball just plain badly (35%) and had trouble finishing plays close to the rim.  With 2 mins left and up by 1, they had at least 2 wide open shots but couldn't get them to fall.  They kept getting the offensive board(that possession alone was almost a minute and a half) but failed to extend.  At one point early in the 2nd half, it seemed all 5 players on the court were really reluctant to put up a wide open shot because they'd lost their confidence.  Hunter Hill buried his first 2 treys but proceeded to miss pretty badly thereafter.  Elmhurst had a terrible time protecting the ball, turning it over a lot(21), myriad inbounding difficulties.  Both teams play aggressive and tight defense so that explains some of it of course. 

Suffice to say that both teams are excellent and worthy of the high ranking but with contrasting offensive styles.  Augustana is much more disciplined in their attack, working the ball around and looking for the high quality shot, dish off etc.  The 'Jays on the other hand are much more one-on-one reliant in their offense; also passing the ball around some on the perimeter but typically ending up with mostly Wuest, Crittendon, or Ackerman creating their own shot via driving the lane trying to draw the foul or a dribble/pull up J.  Kyle Wuest especially played well – was hot early, cooled off a bit in the middle, got back on track by going to the foul line and then hit a huge trey down the stretch. 

A thought on Augie's last possession in regulation with about 30 secs left and the score tied.  In such situations, how many times do you see a team(typically after a TO)follow a standard procedure of passing or holding the ball, winding the clock all the way down in an attempt to take the last shot, and then ending up with a really bad shot anyway?  It just seems to work out that way much more than getting a clean look, when the refs have swallowed their whistle, the defense is switching on everything, and you've taken your team out of their normal offensive cadence that they've been in for the last 39 1/2 minutes.  That struck me again last night in that particular situation where the Vikes didn't even get a shot off (shot clock violation).

Last note: I give a lot of credit to the official under the EC basket who ignored the madhouse storm-the-court celebration at the end of regulation, and got the other two refs together, (one of whom had signaled good basket) and insisted on getting it right as they did and disallowing the basket.  How many other refs would've have simply ran straight to the locker room instead of disrupting the home court celebration?  Glad the livestream was there to get the assist.

[79jaybird]

Congrats to both teams last night.  Had a playoff type atmosphere and wow!  What a game.   Defensive rebounding is going to be a big key for EC down the stretch, to win these close games more frequently.  I was worried giving Augie 2-3 chances/trip  was going to come back and bite the Jays.  Now no let downs @ Millikin this weekend.  MU has given EC some pivotal losses in recent years that have cost the Jays come season end.

GoPerry-  Augie has always had a good turnout at Elmhurst, I can attest for FB and BB.  IMO, probably because historically they have always recruited the Chicago suburbs hard.  With Elmhurst not too far of a commute,  many mom/pop/sibling/friend etc.  come to watch (X player) locally.  I would guess NC/WC/NPU would be the same? 

While the players have to do it on the court, I think a lot of credit has to go to John Baines who continues to put Elmhurst in position to succeed.  Keep up the great work!

[GoPerry]

GoPerry-  Augie has always had a good turnout at Elmhurst, I can attest for FB and BB.  IMO, probably because historically they have always recruited the Chicago suburbs hard.  With Elmhurst not too far of a commute,  many mom/pop/sibling/friend etc.  come to watch (X player) locally.  I would guess NC/WC/NPU would be the same? 

That makes sense.  I've seen Augie @ Wheaton(numerous times of course), @ NCC  and @ EC before and there didn't seem to be quite the turnout of last night.  It appeared to me to be about a 40/60 Augie/EC ratio and on a weeknight.  This game was much more weighty than average of course so the #1/vs #5 might've brought out that many more travelers ( and neutral observers). 

Congratulations to the BlueJays on a great win.  You could tell the EC really felt the need to protect home court in this key matchup.  Wuest, Ackerman, Crittendon played with mucho intensity.

[Gotberg]

Final from Kenosha:

North Park 87
Carthage 79

Juwan Henry: 28 pts
Colin Lake: 18 pts (4-7 trey)
Jordan Robinson: 15 pts, 13 rebs
Darius Brown: 13 pts
T.J. Cobbs: 9 rebs, 3:0 a:to

Jordan Kedrowski: 16 pts
Brad Kruse: 15 pts, 10 rebs
Mike Leazer: 14 pts
Mike Stevenson: 12 pts, 8 rebs

Any CCIW win's a good win, and any CCIW road win's an especially good one. Nice to wash the bad taste of Saturday night out of the mouth, as NPU now gets set to host Augie on Saturday.

Nice to see Darius Brown make a solid contribution - allows the team to go deeper into the bench.

[CCIW >]

Great game last night with Elmhurst and Augie... I thought it mirrored the Kansas-Oklahoma thriller that D1 fans got this week as well. Lotta guys hitting big shots at big times.

However, someone has to ask the question and it mine as well be me:
Is Hunter Hill anything more than an average PG?! I really don't see him as a 1st team All CCIW selection, let alone an All American...
Am I the only one who feels this way?

[iwumichigander]

Great game last night with Elmhurst and Augie... I thought it mirrored the Kansas-Oklahoma thriller that D1 fans got this week as well. Lotta guys hitting big shots at big times.

However, someone has to ask the question and it mine as well be me:
Is Hunter Hill anything more than an average PG?! I really don't see him as a 1st team All CCIW selection, let alone an All American...
Am I the only one who feels this way?

I think you would be in a very small group - of maybe one!  CCIW teams will double Hill or assign someone to be in his grill and not leave him - no matter what.  He can be a streak shooter at times.  When he is "on" nothing is going to stop him. At the end of the game, you want the ball in his hands - only if you are Augie.

[NC_baller]

Welp, yet another shellacking for the NC Cards in the hangar last night.. After fending off a scrappy team early, if they can continue to put weak teams away last night, like I said, look out ..! But hey lets at least play someone notable first.

NCC definitely needs the bench to pick it up some here soon , but if the starting guards are going to be shooting a combined 50% from three each game anddddd locking up the likes of Juwan and TJ Griffin,,,, good luck to all small guards out there..
Chang will find it and Honn will be there for the big games no doubt. Look out for Jack Bronec to dunk on someone very soon.

For all the good going on though Saturday at King arena will be a nice test for the Cards.. First high pressure conference game on the road, with the bible boys goin crazy.. "Can't wait!!" -- Bart Scott.

[AndOne]

North Central 83
Millikin 54

Seemed like there were two different games  in Naperville last night as opposed to two halves of the same game.
In the first half NCC was very tentative/passive for the majority of the period. They essentially played at Millikn's desired pace, and didn't do much right, or at least not much compared to what they are capable of. They were out-rebounded by 9, and hit only 41.4% of their shots overall, 29.4% from three, and 50% from the line, lower than the visitors in every category.
It was nearly halftime before the Cardinals awoke from their slumber, suddenly, as Batman used to say, switching the engine to power and turbines to speed, and scoring 8 points in the final 1:12 to seize the momentum heading into the locker room.
Continuing as the aggressor to open the 2nd half, the home team quickly turned the game into a rout by hitting 12 of their first 13 shots, seemingly toying with the visitors in the process. The second half saw the Cards increase their shooting precentages to 72.0% overall, 63.6% from three! and 87.5% from the line. Of 30 made baskets on the evening, NCC registered assists on 22.

All 5 of the Cardinal starters scored in double figures with the night's brightest shooting star, Erwin Henry leading the way with 20 points on a perfect 8 for 8, including 4 for 4 from beyond the arc. Alex Sorenson was next with 17 on 8 for 11 shooting. Jayme Moten and Connor Raridon both had 12, and Jagger Anderson had 11. He, along with Raridon tied for the most rebounds with 5, and Raridon led the assist parade with a team high 8.
The game saw the college debut of 6'8" Cardinal freshman Jack Bronec who was injured early after practice started, and only began dressing 2 or 3 games ago as he was finishing his rehab. Jack is expected to slowly become a meaningful contributor as he builds strength and gains experience. At some point in the future, it will not be surprising to see him on the floor at the same time as 6'8" Alex Sorenson.

Millikin's TJ Sims, who did not start, was the only visitor to hit double figures with 16.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

We are back to our normal Sunday and Thursday Hoopsville shows tonight! Now that we are getting back into our routine, we get back into the habit of featuring the East, Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, and West Regions on Thursday night shows (Northeast, Atlantic, Central, and South Regions on Sunday nights). Tonight, Dave McHugh talks with coaches who are succeeding so far this season thanks to a bit of a youth movement. How those squads are either exceeding early expectations or reloading pretty nicely. Dave also gets an assist from Pat Coleman to help cover the much anticipated men's basketball game between No. 1 Augustana at No. 5 Elmhurst which needed overtime to be decided. And Dave talks about the latest Hoopsville partner - the WBCA. With the WBCA coming onboard with the NABC there needed to be some branding changes. You will hear the change almost immediately.

Watch Hoopsville tonight at 7pm ET: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/jan7 - a show that had to be pre-recorded tonight due to other commitments.

Guests and/or topics include (in order):
- Pat Coleman, coverage of No. 1 Augie vs. No. 5 Blue Jays
- Ron Rohn, No. 10 Muhlenberg women's coach
- Lindsay Goldblatt, Cal Lutheran women's coach
- Fajri Ansari, Buffalo State men's coach
- Chris Kibler, Hiram men's coach

You can tune into the podcast after the show airs here::
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

And 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
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

[AndOne]

Would love to be there to see Elmhurst beat Augie, but I have a previous engagement in Naperville. 

Did anyone else have EC over AC last night or was I all alone? LOL.
Not that such early in the conference season games usually fall into the category, but I think, that in the battle for conference superiority, last night's game was more of a must win game for EC than it was for AC. A large part of my thinking is based on the fact, that with the possible exception of IUW, no team gets a bigger boost from its home crowd than does Augie. That's why EC had to take advantage of the home cookin' last night. Odds will favor AC when the teams meet in RI.