MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[all blues]

Millikin    59
Wheaton 55

Same formula as the last 2-deliberate offense leading to good shots (47%), aggressive defense (lotsa fouls, 41%)=W

[Gregory Sager]

EC 89, NPU 84

Juwan Henry: 29 pts (4-7 trey)
Jordan Robinson: 13 pts (2-4 trey), 6 rebs, 3:1 a:to
Michael Hutchinson: 13 pts (4-7 trey)
T.J. Cobbs: 7 rebs, 7:2 a:to
Cam Burnett: 3:1 a:to

Kyle Wuest: 24 pts (3-6 trey)
Erik Crittenden: 13 pts, 5:2 a:to
Will Nixon: 10 pts
Eric Leonard: 10 pts
Bryant Ackerman: 7 rebs

The Vikings had the lead for more than half of the game. But they went 6-11 from the free-throw line in the final 3:05 of the contest, while EC, which shot 31-37 (84%) from the charity stripe for the night, made all ten of its free throws in the final 1:08.

This was a very disappointing loss. The Vikings could've set themselves up in great shape for fourth place with a win. But their inability to close it out tonight means that now they're going to have to go to Shirk and win a pivotal game for the final CCIW tourney slot.

[CCIW >]

With Benedictine and Augustana ranked number one and two in the regional rankings (as well as in the D3Hoops.com poll and Massey), what are the implications for post season matchups?  Let's say both teams win out (this will be a far more difficult task for Augie).  Will one or both of them receive byes in the national tournament?  In an ideal world they wouldn't meet until Salem, but realistically what could we expect from such a scenario?

If both teams win out over the next three weeks, is there any chance of Augustana moving ahead of Benedictine in the regional rankings?

Augie would bet Benedictine by 15+ if they ever played. I'm sure Augie is not t0o worried about if they are in the same bracket

[markerickson]

Yet hope springs eternal.  NPU has once again improved upon the previous season.  Their CCIW losses have all been lower than the loss to UD.  NPU has lost in CCIW play by 12, 13, 3, 3, 6, and 5 points.

I do recognize that depths provide room for improvement.

[kiko]

Rounding out tonight's action...

North Central 95, Carthage 77 in Kenosha

The Red. Men. led by 6 at halftime and this was a three-point game with 11 and change left, before a 15-0 run helped the Cards pull away.

North Central shot 12-of-28 (42%) in the first half, 18-of-24 (75%) in the second half, and 71% for the game from beyond the arc.

[voxelmhurst]

EC 89, NPU 84

Juwan Henry: 29 pts (4-7 trey)
Jordan Robinson: 13 pts (2-4 trey), 6 rebs, 3:1 a:to
Michael Hutchinson: 13 pts (4-7 trey)
T.J. Cobbs: 7 rebs, 7:2 a:to
Cam Burnett: 3:1 a:to

Kyle Wuest: 24 pts (3-6 trey)
Erik Crittenden: 13 pts, 5:2 a:to
Will Nixon: 10 pts
Eric Leonard: 10 pts
Bryant Ackerman: 7 rebs

The Vikings had the lead for more than half of the game. But they went 6-11 from the free-throw line in the final 3:05 of the contest, while EC, which shot 31-37 (84%) from the charity stripe for the night, made all ten of its free throws in the final 1:08.

This was a very disappointing loss. The Vikings could've set themselves up in great shape for fourth place with a win. But their inability to close it out tonight means that now they're going to have to go to Shirk and win a pivotal game for the final CCIW tourney slot.

Hard fought game. A LOT of fouls called in this one.

I thought North Park did a great job of frustrating Elmhurst's offense in the first 31+ minutes of this one, especially Erik Crittenden. Elmhurst seemed to find their composure with around 8:30 to go and got some good buckets in the paint and (as you mention) made their free throws down the stretch. Gritty W for the Jays.

[AppletonRocks]

Did Carroll get ranked in the Midwest just because they were joining this overrated league next year?  I saw nothing there that merits their ranking.  Carroll would lose to anyone in the top half of the WIAC based on my view of recent play.  While they beat Eau Claire early in the their tip-off event, they got drilled by UW-Oshkosh and in conference to St. Norbert College. 

This idea that the WIAC will not compete in 2016 is ludicrous.  CCIW teams best hope they don't draw WIAC team in the tournament.

Have a great day.

[Rafi]

Carroll will dominate this league next year.

Seems to me that a team that will dominate the CCIW should be ranked.

[Augie6]

Carroll will dominate this league next year.

Seems to me that a team that will dominate the CCIW should be ranked.

Rafi - Appleton Rocks is a troll.  You only increase his "jollies" by recognizing/responding to one of his posts.

[badgerwarhawk]

[79jaybird]

I had NPU beating EC last night.  Happy to see the Jays make the clutch shots from the charity stripe.   North Park is much improved and good to see them heading in the right direction.   These last 2 games,  what I would like to see Elmhurst improve on is there consistency and over FG% from the floor.   If they are going to make a run in the CCIW Tourn & big dance, they need to be sharp. 

Elmhurst is honoring 9 seniors Saturday.   Great group and have been fun to watch.

[CCIW >]

I wish NPU could find a way into the tourney this year (And hopefully next year).
Imagine having to play Henry and Robinson in the first round... Might be the scariest matchup possible for a team not familiar with them.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In an ideal world they wouldn't meet until Salem, but realistically what could we expect from such a scenario?

Or we get another Bracket of Death! Hopefully not.

Last year, I thought the committee did a pretty decent job in spreading out strong teams in the Central.  Augie and Whitewater were in the same bracket but St Thomas and Stevens Point were in the diagonal bracket from them (thus the Augie/UWSP final).  Doesn't mean they'll split Augie and BenU specifically but probably no 2009 Bracket of Death repeat.

The committee has been doing a very good job of spreading teams out for the most part the last few years. I think a reference to 2009 is about the last time we had a bad bracket is accurate. The only other one was 2013, but the committee's hands were tied with single-game weekends restricting the 500 mile rule even greater (no middle location to play games).

The other advantage this year is a strong Great Lakes region that will allow some nice cross over and hosting opportunities especially with women hosting the first weekend. I think the committee will get a chance to be very creative this year and I don't imagine any overly-tough early round pods. That being said, just by the nature of the fact there are a lot of good teams in the Central, Great Lakes, and western side of the West will force some good games in the first weekend by default.

[Titan Q]

Regarding IWU vs North Park for 4th place, basically thinking out-loud here...

If IWU beats NPU Saturday, both teams would be tied at 6-7 with 1 game to play.  On Feb 20, IWU hosts Elmhurst, NPU hosts North Central.  So from there...

* If IWU and NPU both win on Feb. 20, and both finish 7-7, the tie-breaker would come down to who has the better win - IWU's vs Elmhurst or NPU's vs North Central.  So, where Elmhurst and NCC finish in the standings comes into play.  In this scenario, IWU needs Elmhurst to finish higher...North Park needs NCC to finish higher. 

* If IWU and North Park both lose on Feb. 20, they would both finish 6-8.  Going through the CCIW tie-breakers:
   1. Head-to-head competition.  (Push)
   2. Record against team(s) above the tie beginning with the highest ranked team. (Push)
   3. Record vs. team or teams in 3rd place. If still tied, go to the next place for determination, et cetera. (Push)
   4. Road record against conference schools. (Push)
   5. Record in their last seven conference games.  I think IWU wins here? 3-4 IWU vs 2-5 NPU?
   6. The point spread of the tied teams' head-to head competition.
   7. Coin toss


Does this sound right?

Obviously if North Park beats IWU Saturday, the Vikings are in.

[Rafi]

Regarding IWU vs North Park for 4th place, basically thinking out-loud here...

If IWU beats NPU Saturday, both teams would be tied at 6-7 with 1 game to play.  On Feb 20, IWU hosts Elmhurst, NPU hosts North Central.  So from there...

* If IWU and NPU both win on Feb. 20, and both finish 7-7, the tie-breaker would come down to who has the better win - IWU's vs Elmhurst or NPU's vs North Central.  So, where Elmhurst and NCC finish in the standings comes into play.  In this scenario, IWU needs Elmhurst to finish higher...North Park needs NCC to finish higher. 

* If IWU and North Park both lose on Feb. 20, they would both finish 6-8.  Going through the CCIW tie-breakers:
   1. Head-to-head competition.  (Push)
   2. Record against team(s) above the tie beginning with the highest ranked team. (Push)
   3. Record vs. team or teams in 3rd place. If still tied, go to the next place for determination, et cetera. (Push)
   4. Road record against conference schools. (Push)
   5. Record in their last seven conference games.  I think IWU wins here? 3-4 IWU vs 2-5 NPU?
   6. The point spread of the tied teams' head-to head competition.
   7. Coin toss


Does this sound right?

Obviously if North Park beats IWU Saturday, the Vikings are in.

Sounds like IWU fans will be cheering for an Elmhurst win Saturday.  Then huge NCC fans the following weekend.......if they can beat NPU this weekend.