MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Did anyone get a good look at that foul on Darius Brown with 2 seconds left?  Just seemed extremely questionable -- completely off the ball, 40 feet from the basket, 2 seconds left.

Did North Park get jobbed or was that legit??

I'm checking around via text with some people right now on that. It sounded like Chris and Dan didn't see it, either, but they were sold by the emphatic way that referee Demetrius Randle signaled the call.

If it was a legit foul, then I'm in agreement with Randle's making that call. As I keep on saying, you have to call the game the same way in the final seconds that you do throughout the rest of the game. But if it wasn't a legit foul ...

NPU needs overtime at home to beat woeful Carthage...and then the very next game takes #2-Augie to OT in Rock Island.

I guess that's basketball.

... or the result of effort, or lack thereof. As gung-ho and as solid as Carthage was in the second half on Wednesday, Mark Erickson was right that NPU played like crap. The Vikes were just plain flat, and they were seriously outhustled as well. Tonight there was no lack of effort, obviously, as the Vikes really played hard for all 45 minutes.

[robberki]

Did anyone get a good look at that foul on Darius Brown with 2 seconds left?  Just seemed extremely questionable -- completely off the ball, 40 feet from the basket, 2 seconds left.

Did North Park get jobbed or was that legit??

I can only speculate but coaches run that play a lot, trying to draw that foul on an out of bounds play. I think it's the first time I've ever seen it called...oh well.

[Titan Q]

IWU 69
Carthage 60

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3492&path=mbball

* Bryce Dolan: 14 pts, 3 reb, 4 assists
* Trevor Seibring: 12 pts, 4 reb
* Joel Pennington: 11 pts, 2 reb, 4 assists

* Tony Pierce Jr: 15 pts, 2 reb
* Kiston Lee: 12 pts, 16 reb
* Mike Stevenson: 11 pts, 2 reb


IWU controlled this one for the last 30 minutes.  The Titans present too many matchup problems for Carthage.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Did anyone get a good look at that foul on Darius Brown with 2 seconds left?  Just seemed extremely questionable -- completely off the ball, 40 feet from the basket, 2 seconds left.

Did North Park get jobbed or was that legit??

I didn't see it (long story - I had the game up, but...)... but your comment "extremely questionable --- completely off the ball, 40 feet from the basket" reminds me of one major thing that some don't remember about the rules changes and focuses coaches asked refs this year... free the game up and cut down on amount of restrictive play away from the ball. Furthermore, one of the things that has frustrated me over the years is how much the game has focused on just the ball carrier in terms of fouls being called. I was guilty of the assumption in my younger life. However, if fouls are committed away from the ball... I applaud refs who recognize them and call them. And this season, that has climbed because that is what coaches have asked for to free up the game.

Just my perspective... again, I didn't see this particular play.

[Titan Q]

Did anyone get a good look at that foul on Darius Brown with 2 seconds left?  Just seemed extremely questionable -- completely off the ball, 40 feet from the basket, 2 seconds left.

Did North Park get jobbed or was that legit??

I can only speculate but coaches run that play a lot, trying to draw that foul on an out of bounds play. I think it's the first time I've ever seen it called...oh well.

Trying to get that call was almost Augie's only option...I mean, if they don't get that they're shooting a halfcourt shot. 

[Gregory Sager]

North Park has lost on the road at #6 Elmhurst in overtime and at #2 Augustana in overtime.

A couple more FTs and NPU is 15-5, 7-2, and playing havoc with the upcoming regional rankings.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Pace yourself, Greg... we still have eleven more days until the first regional rankings.

[Titan Q]

On Demand is up - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/augustana/.

Play in question happens at 2:17:25...and is completely off camera.

[Titan Q]

Meanwhile back at the ranch, North Central (8-1) is tied for the CCIW lead with a chance to take sole possession Wednesday at home vs Augustana (8-1). Regardless of the result in Rock Island, I have to believe this game is a "pick 'em."

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

On Demand is up - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/augustana/.

Play in question happens at 2:17:25...and is completely off camera.

From the "doesn't that suck?" department. LOL

[markerickson]

I did not see the phantom call as I was at the cavernous Aragon Brawlroom watching Lamb of God rock the place.

[bbfan44]

Nice effort NPU.  Wish you could have pulled it off.  Would rather have the CCIW tourney in Elmhurst or Naperville....or, NPU for that matter.  Rock Island is too far to travel.....for me.

Where has Coach Schauer been hiding Michael Winowiecki   He scored more points last night than he had scored all year, and looked quite strong doing so.  He brought some energy and some "toughness" that I haven't seen from Wheaton players this year.  He had the green light to shoot, apparently.  A few of his misses weren't really bad shot misses.  At least three shots rattled in and out.  Oh, what could have been....for Wheaton fans.

They shut down Connor Raridon who shot only 1-9.  I'm thinking it was Dillard who guarded him a lot.  Nice job. 

Feeling it for Michael Berg playing his last game in front of his long time critic, he didn't play well, at least statistically.  He always does good things that don't show up in the numbers tally. Alex Sorenson is quite the player !  I guess everyone knows that by now.

Looking forward to Wednesday evening in Naperville. Go Cards!

[Titan Q]

Standings (Through Sat. 1/30)
*Augustana: 8-1   (at NCC, vs CC, vs IWU, at MU, at WC)
*North Central: 8-1   (vs AC, vs IWU, at CC, at EC, at NPU)
*Elmhurst: 7-2   (vs CC, vs WC, at NPU, vs NCC, at IWU)
*Illinois Wesleyan: 5-4   (vs MU, at NCC, at AC, vs NPU, vs EC)
*North Park: 5-4   (at WC, vs MU, vs EC, at IWU, vs NCC)
*Carthage: 2-7   (at EC, at AC, vs NCC, vs WC, at MU)   
*Wheaton: 1-8   (vs NPU, at EC, at MU, at CC, vs AC)
*Millikin: 0-9   (at IWU, at NPU, vs WC, vs AC, vs CC)

+/- Standings (Through Sat. 1/30)
*Augustana: +3   (at NCC, vs CC, vs IWU, at MU, at WC)
*Elmhurst: +3   (vs CC, vs WC, at NPU, vs NCC, at IWU)
*North Central: +3   (vs AC, vs IWU, at CC, at EC, at NPU)
*Illinois Wesleyan: +1   (vs MU, at NCC, at AC, vs NPU, vs EC)
*North Park: +1   (at WC, vs MU, vs EC, at IWU, vs NCC)
*Carthage: -3   (at EC, at AC, vs NCC, vs WC, at MU)   
*Millikin: -4   (at IWU, at NPU, vs WC, vs AC, vs CC)
*Wheaton: -4   (vs NPU, at EC, at MU, at CC, vs AC)

(+1 for a road win; -1 for a home loss)


As usual, we have a very good race. 

- There are 3 championship contenders, with Augustana as the clear favorite.  Even if Augustana loses at North Central Wednesday (a game I see as a pick 'em), the Vikings will be heavily favored in their final 4 games.  Anything can happen, but Augie looks good for at least 12-2.  If Augie wins in Naperville Wednesday, you can send the trophy to Rock Island.

- North Central's path to the title has to start with a home win over Augie Wednesday.  From there, the road is still difficult as the Cards have to go to Elmhurst and North Park.  As discussed here, NCC is also scrapping to get in the Pool C hunt - the game vs Augie this week might be make or break on a couple different fronts (CCIW title and Pool C).  Something NCC can still do that Augie can't - sweep Elmhurst.  NCC could win a 12-2 tie-breaker vs Augustana via 2-0 vs Elmhurst.

- As I see it, Elmhurst (7-2) at NCC (8-1) are effectively in a 2nd place tie.  The Bluejays are right there, but in addition to being a game behind Augie right now, their schedule is also tougher.  EC needs North Central to beat Augie this week...and has to win out for 12-2.  In that scenario where Elmhurst and Augie are both 12-2, I'd have to think more about the tie-breaker - seems like a tie all the way down the line.

- In the race for 4th, IWU (5-4) and North Park (5-4) are in a dead tie anyway you look at it.  Massey has both teams going 2-3 the rest of the way, both finishing 7-7.  Every game night there will be IWU vs North Park drama to keep an eye on.  I think this comes down to which team finds a way to win vs one of the top 3 - one win vs Augie/NCC/Elmhurst would probably do it.

- The result in Rock Island last night - and yes, that call with 2 seconds to play - was enormous in terms of the CCIW race.  If North Park wins that game, the top 3 is a dead heat, and NPU has a significant edge over IWU for 4th.

- Massey has the CCIW finishing this way:
   Augustana: 13-1
   Elmhurst: 12-2
   North Central: 11-3
   Illinois Wesleyan: 7-7
   North Park: 7-7
   Carthage: 4-10
   Wheaton: 2-12
   Millikin: 0-14

[augiefan]

I did not see last night's game, but I am glad you recognized the benefit afforded IWU by the Augie win. The take I have on the game is:

1. I am guessing Augie does not want to play NPU a third time this season but probably will.
2. Jordan Robinson and Juwan Henry are the two best offensive posters in the CCIW and definite first team all conference players.
3. Unless Juwan gets senioritis next season, a maturing NPU should be the preseason favorite to win the CCIW.
4. Augie's death is the thing that has them in first place.
5. The race is far for first place is far from over this season with Augie going to NCC and to Wheaton, a team that almost beat Augie in Rock Island. 

[AndOne]

I did not see last night's game, but I am glad you recognized the benefit afforded IWU by the Augie win. The take I have on the game is:

1. I am guessing Augie does not want to play NPU a third time this season but probably will.
2. Jordan Robinson and Juwan Henry are the two best offensive posters in the CCIW and definite first team all conference players.
3. Unless Juwan gets senioritis next season, a maturing NPU should be the preseason favorite to win the CCIW.
4. Augie's death is the thing that has them in first place.
5. The race is far for first place is far from over this season with Augie going to NCC and to Wheaton, a team that almost beat Augie in Rock Island.

#3--Another team whose name also contains the word "North" might have something to say about the question.
#4--Augie's death won't come until after the season when it loses its large talented senior class. Meanwhile, their depth means death to many opponents.