MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

North Central knocks off Wheaton in two overtimes, 88-82. I watched the second OT, and it was the first time in 25 years that I saw a Wheaton team get outconditioned, as the Cards had legs and WC didn't. That's a tribute to Wheaton's program under Bill Harris and Mike Schauer -- and to this shorthanded North Central team.

As far as legs are concerned, in addition to missing it's acknowledged star for an extended period now, the Cardinals also played tonight without their fastest set of legs. Starting PG Jagger Anderson, probably the fastest guy with the ball in the conference, was not available. No timetable set yet regarding his return.

[Gregory Sager]

Jordan Robinson has now topped the 30-point mark in three straight games: 34 versus Elmhurst, 31 versus Manchester, and 31 tonight against Millikin. I only go back as far as the threepeat era with North Park, so I can't say for certain that none of the great Vikings scorers of the distant past such as Phil Johnson, Greg Crawford, or Keith McDonald ever broke the 30 barrier for three consecutive outings ... but I highly doubt that it's ever happened before.

It's not as though he's chucking 'em up, either. His shooting stats over that three-game stretch are 36-53 (.679) from the field, 6-15 (.400) from downtown (which is actually far below his season average of .526), and 18-26 (.692) from the stripe. In other words, he's scoring with efficiency. His rebounding? He's pulled down 11.7 rpg over the course of those three games, and for good measure he's also added eight assists, four blocks, and five steals.

Jordan Robinson's playing all-around ball at a level I can remember very, very few players ever reaching in this league.

[Gregory Sager]

North Central knocks off Wheaton in two overtimes, 88-82. I watched the second OT, and it was the first time in 25 years that I saw a Wheaton team get outconditioned, as the Cards had legs and WC didn't. That's a tribute to Wheaton's program under Bill Harris and Mike Schauer -- and to this shorthanded North Central team.

As far as legs are concerned, in addition to missing it's acknowledged star for an extended period now, the Cardinals also played tonight without their fastest set of legs. Starting PG Jagger Anderson, probably the fastest guy with the ball in the conference, was not available. No timetable set yet regarding his return.

I think Juwan Henry's the fastest guy with the ball in the conference, but Anderson's in the ballpark. Anderson's absence makes NCC's win even more impressive.

I just can't get over seeing Wheaton get outrun like that in the second overtime. No matter what talent level Wheaton has in any given season, you just don't see the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance lose their legs like that before their opponent does. I agree with GoPerry, though, that the second overtime consisted of a lot of the four-man stand-around offense for Wheaton. The ongoing risk of any team that has a high-volume shooter who has no conscience from anywhere within 30 feet of the basket is that he'll turn his teammates into spectators -- even though Francis is actually a pretty good assists guy (third in the league in assists in CCIW play, tied for fourth in the league in overall play).

[AndOne]

At least once on the Wheaton video feed I noticed someone on the NCC bench with a cast on.  I'm assuming that is Raridon.  If he still has a cast on today, playing Saturday seems like a stretch, no?  Even if it comes off tomorrow or Friday, that seems like a potentially unnecessary risk, both physically, and execution-wise (as good as Raridon is, I can't imagine he could jump right back in at game speed).

You mean that (blue) elastic-cloth wrap. Being a colorful guy, Connor opted for bright blue over the traditional white or otherwise bland light tan/flesh color on his last checkup. 😉

[tjcummingsfan]

You mean that (blue) elastic-cloth wrap. Being a colorful guy, Connor opted for bright blue over the traditional white or otherwise bland light tan/flesh color on his last checkup. 😉

Yes, that's exactly what I meant.  It definitely looked like a cast from all the way out here in Vancouver.  Very sneaky Mr. Raridon!

[Gregory Sager]

Carroll's upset win over Carthage puts a real crimp in the Red Men's plans to keep pace at the top of the standings. Worse, since it came at home it partly negates the strong showing that the Red Men have had on the road, where they've beaten both North Central and North Park. Alas, NPU's been there, done that. But at least the Vikings have managed to secure no worse than sole possession of second place at the end of the first round-robin; at 6-2 they're currently a half-game back in the loss column behind league leader Augustana, with the road win over the Doggies already in hand, heading into the Park's bye-that-isn't-a-bye on Saturday.

Carthage, meanwhile, drops into a three-way tie for third at 4-3 with Ilinois Wesleyan and Carroll, with North Central and Wheaton still hanging around a game behind that triumvirate at 3-4 apiece. As augiefan said, tonight's double-OT win was absolutely huge for NCC, as it keeps the Cards within a game of the tourney cutoff point. If Wheaton wants to get serious about an actual run at the tourney, it's gonna have to start on Saturday evening at home against Carthage. As for the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance's opponents, the Red Men now have to make up for that upset loss at home tonight by winning at King Arena on Saturday just to keep pace.

[iwumichigander]

Looking at Augustana's remaining schedule , I just do not see any result other than a first place finish.  If I am right, it is a race for 2-4 with NPU having a slight advantage.  But it is IMHO, an open race for 2-4.  It looks like another,groan, CCIW tournament in Rock Island.

[tjcummingsfan]

Looking at Augustana's remaining schedule , I just do not see any result other than a first place finish.  If I am right, it is a race for 2-4 with NPU having a slight advantage.  But it is IMHO, an open race for 2-4.  It looks like another,groan, CCIW tournament in Rock Island.

Certainly Augie is in a good spot, but they still have to travel to North Park, IWU, Carthage, & Carroll... none of those are going to be easy trips. 

[AndOne]

I know that Mark's going to sit on whatever inside info he has, but, since I know that some source internal to Elmhurst has the Bluejays already expecting to see Connor Raridon suit up against them in Faganel Hall on Saturday, the question is whether or not Wheaton needs to concern itself with a possible uni-clad Connor Raridon sighting in King Arena tonight.

I love all the speculation about when Connor Raridon might return. Obviously, Wheaton didn't have to worry about it last night (not that the Cardinals needed him anyway  ), and I assure you that nobody at or associated with Elmhurst has a clue.

And, while nobody is going to cry for the Cardinals, its unfortunate that the team has been unable to compete as they were constructed at the beginning of the season prior to the extended personnel losses they have sustained through both preventable and unpreventable circumstances.
Without Connor (and others), NCC has lost 5 games by a total of 30 points, or an average of 6 points a game, meaning they've hung pretty tough without a top tier player. I'd venture that with #32 (and others) in the lineup the Cardinals would currently be sitting at a minimum of 13-3, and quite possibly at 14-2.

[AndOne]

Looking at Augustana's remaining schedule , I just do not see any result other than a first place finish.  If I am right, it is a race for 2-4 with NPU having a slight advantage.  But it is IMHO, an open race for 2-4.  It looks like another,groan, CCIW tournament in Rock Island.

Certainly Augie is in a good spot, but they still have to travel to North Park, IWU, Carthage, & Carroll... none of those are going to be easy trips.

Spot on, tj.
Plus, based on what we have already seen within the conference on several occasions so far, it seems like the phrase "on any given night" is applicable to about 90% of the remaining games.

That said, based on what I've seen so far, I'd pick Augie to win if I had to place a bet.

[Gregory Sager]

Let's put all of the second round-robin cards upon the table, then, just to see if Augie really is a lead-pipe cinch to win the CCIW title.

First of all, here's the current standings:

team	CCIW overall	CCIW home	CCIW road
Augustana	6-1	3-1	3-0
North Park	6-2	2-2	4-0
Carroll	4-3	2-1	2-2
Illinois Wesleyan	4-3	3-1	1-2
Carthage	4-3	3-1	1-2
North Central	3-4	1-3	2-1
Wheaton	3-4	1-3	2-1
Millikin	1-6	1-2	0-4
Elmhurst	1-6	0-4	1-2

Saturday's games that will conclude the first round-robin:

Illinois Wesleyan @ Carroll (4 pm)
North Central @ Elmhurst (4 pm)
Augustana @ Millikin (7 pm)
Carthage @ Wheaton (7 pm)

...and here's the second round-robin:

Augustana	vs. EC	@ CC	@ WC	vs. MU	vs. NCC	@ CU	bye	@ NPU	@ IWU
North Park	vs. IWU	@ ECC	bye	vs. NCC	@ CC	@ WC	@ CU	vs. AC	vs. MU
Carroll	vs. CC	@ MU	@ NCC	@ IWU	bye	vs. AC	vs. NPU	vs. WC	@ EC
Illinois Wesleyan	@ NPU	bye	@ MU	vs. CU	vs. EC	@ CC	@ WC	vs. NCC	vs.AC
Carthage	@ CU	vs. AC	@ EC	bye	vs. NPU	vs. IWU	vs. NCC	@ MU	vs. WC
North Central	vs. MU	vs. WC	vs. CU	@ NPU	@ AC	vs. EC	@ CC	@ IWU	bye
Wheaton	bye	@ NCC	vs. AC	vs. EC	@ MU	vs. NPU	vs. IWU	@ CU	@ CC
Millikin	@ NCC	vs. CU	vs. IWU	@ AC	vs. WC	bye	@ EC	vs. CC	@ NPU
Elmhurst	@ AC	vs. NPU	vs. CC	@ WC	@ IWU	@ NCC	vs. MU	bye	vs. CU

Looks to me that, if Augie's gonna clinch home court for the tourney, it'd better do so before it reaches the bye. Traveling to North Park and Illinois Wesleyan to close out the regular season is a tough way to have to clinch something, especially since NPU already has won at Augie.

That said, based on what I've seen so far, I'd pick Augie to win if I had to place a bet.

Well, of course. Your 90% dictum notwithstanding, who among us who isn't a member of the Millikin team or coaching staff really believes that Augustana is going to lose on Saturday night? There's not much doubt that the Rock Islanders are going to finish the first round-robin in sole possession of first place, with only one team within a game of them. That's a fantastic position in which to find yourself halfway thru the slate.

[Gregory Sager]

And, while nobody is going to cry for the Cardinals, its unfortunate that the team has been unable to compete as they were constructed at the beginning of the season prior to the extended personnel losses they have sustained through both preventable and unpreventable circumstances.

Stuff happens. I'd venture that each program in this league has had a season like this, and for most, if not all of them, it's happened multiple times over the course of league history. I can cite you chapter and verse on seasons when NPU has simultaneously lost key players. NCC's not even the D3 team that's had it the worst this season; try trading places with an Alma fan, Mark.

Without Connor (and others), NCC has lost 5 games by a total of 30 points, or an average of 6 points a game, meaning they've hung pretty tough without a top tier player. I'd venture that with #32 (and others) in the lineup the Cardinals would currently be sitting at a minimum of 13-3, and quite possibly at 14-2.

North Central's done an admirable job of upholding the "next man up" principle, no doubt about it at all. The fact that NCC is even within a game of a playoff slot right now is testimony to that; the Cards could've folded and lost last night's game, which would've put them in the tough spot of sitting in seventh place, two games out of a playoff spot. But your assertion about where the Cards would be with Raridon, Fehrle, and Anderson bumps right into your previous 90% "on any given night" dictum.

[bbfan44]

At least once on the Wheaton video feed I noticed someone on the NCC bench with a cast on.  I'm assuming that is Raridon.  If he still has a cast on today, playing Saturday seems like a stretch, no?  Even if it comes off tomorrow or Friday, that seems like a potentially unnecessary risk, both physically, and execution-wise (as good as Raridon is, I can't imagine he could jump right back in at game speed).

You mean that (blue) elastic-cloth wrap. Being a colorful guy, Connor opted for bright blue over the traditional white or otherwise bland light tan/flesh color on his last checkup. 😉

AndOne....are you "playing" with people again?  Elastic-cloth wrap?  Looked more like a "soft-cast" to me.  But, either way, I'd let him have another week off to make sure it is solid.

[AndOne]

North Central 86
Wheaton 82

Aston Francis  24 pts, 7 rebs, 6 stls, 9 turnovers
Jake Mlagan  12 pts, 5 rebs, 2 stls
Spencer Peterson, 13 pts, 5 rebs

Alex Sorenson, 23 pts, 15 rebs (9 off)
Aiden Chang, 19 pts
Matt Cappelletti, 13 pts, 13 rebs (5 off)
Tommy Koth, 12 pts, 8 assists

The Thunder had their chances to win, despite really atrocious rebounding(-14) including -10 on the offensive glass (and that seems low).  The only Wheaton player capable of checking 6'8" 240lb jr Alex Sorenson down low was 6'5" 230lb freshman Spencer Petersen, but giving up 3 inches was an awful lot to ask.  Both teams had golden opportunities to win in the 1st OT but freshman Jake Mlagan couldn't get the 2nd free throw tiebreaker to go with 8 secs left.  NCC then took it straight down the court but Jaquan Phipps missed a wide open layup with 1 second left.  The 2nd OT was NCC executing well and Wheaton not so much – 4 guys in white looking for Francis to do something resulting in missed shots and turnovers.

Aiden Chang is very solid.  He hit some huge baskets down the stretch, broke down the defense with some drives, and really played well in the OTs.  NCC played with more poise overall and more offensive weapons.  For Wheaton, Ricky Samuelson had a tough shooting night, 2/9, and if he's not hitting, then the offense really gets too Francis-centric.  Despite the missed free throw, freshman Mlagan continues to play well, rewarded with deserved minutes at crunch time.  Overall, consistent defense continues to be a challenge for the Thunder.

* With Wheaton having little to no low post presence on either end of the floor, NCC's Alex Sorenson dominated with 23 and 15.
* Rapidly developing freshman Matt Cappelletti celebrated his 1st college start by posting a noteworthy double-double with a matching pair of 13s.
* Several of Aiden Chang's 19 points came at pivotal points in the game, often stopping a WC mini run. It seemed like the assembled members of the Wheaton peanut gallery, seated behind what I believe is the east basket, took particular delight in haranguing Mr. Chang throughout the evening. In acknowledgment of their "love," Aiden gave the obstreperous assemblage a one fingered salute (👉) on his way back down the court after his most important three of the night.
* The most obvious differential in the energy level between the two teams was displayed by NCC's "JQ" Phipps who went at the Wheaties 100% flat out every second of his 33 minutes of PT.
* It appeared that at least some of the "stand around" Wheaton offense, previously referenced by other posters, was by design. On several possessions, the NCC staff could be heard yelling "ISO" as the home team brought the ball up. This was a signal that the upcoming play call was one where Aston Francis would end up on one side of the floor with his teammates on the other side, and Francis would take a pass and try to create a 3 chance off the dribble. Yes, there were times when everyone was in the flow, but those occasions usually saw the Cardinals flying around and through the slower and less mobile Wheaties.
* Jay Spencer looks like, especially if he can add at least a few ounces of muscle, he could develop into a nice player for WC. But for now, he needs to realize that, with last night's two, he has a grand total of six made threes in his college career and instead of acting like a goof when he makes one, get back and play some defense.
* 6'5" 230 pound WC freshman Spencer Peterson might want to think about looking for work within a mile or so of the basket rather than hanging out south of the 3 point line and going 4 for 12.
* A large factor in the final outcome was NCC's domination on the boards. Their 57 to 43 advantage helped offset their rather putrid 36.3% shooting.
* Only 8 Cardinals saw action in the double OT game last night. Each gave a great effort and in some way contributed to a much needed Cardinal win. However, following the dictum that "you win with defense," my #1 star of the game goes to Tommy Koth, the primary defender on Wheaton star Aston Francis. Francis did score 22 points from the field, but took 21 shots to do so. On top of that, again primarily as a result of Koth's D, Francis was harassed into an astounding 9 Turnovers, thus basically giving back up to 18 of the 22 points he scored. As icing on the cake, Tommy served up a game high 8 assists.

[sac]

And, while nobody is going to cry for the Cardinals, its unfortunate that the team has been unable to compete as they were constructed at the beginning of the season prior to the extended personnel losses they have sustained through both preventable and unpreventable circumstances.

Stuff happens. I'd venture that each program in this league has had a season like this, and for most, if not all of them, it's happened multiple times over the course of league history. I can cite you chapter and verse on seasons when NPU has simultaneously lost key players. NCC's not even the D3 team that's had it the worst this season; try trading places with an Alma fan, Mark.

Alma has lost to season ending injuries
starter 6-8 C Doug Bradfield
starter 6-5 F Kevin Gamble
starter 6-1 G Chase Fairchild

lost projected starter 6-0 G Jason Beckman who transferred last summer

Currently playing 5 Freshmen as part of their regular rotation.