MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Yogao]

Great first half by IWU.
Great second half comeback by NCC.
Great last play resulting in a 2 pt win by IWU.

We hope you enjoyed the action even if you didn't enjoy the final result. 

I enjoyed the result!  Q and 70 did, too!  For that matter, probably most the posters on this board did other than yourself.  .   

Posters or not, I sense few fans, other than those who like to dress in green, liked the result that well.

But, yes, enjoy it you should. After all, it was the first time you've been able to enjoy the result of a meeting with the Cardinals in almost three years! 

Au contraire.  Since NCC was picked to finish 2nd (while IWU was picked for 4th), I suspect fans of nearly every school not located in Naperville were pleased.

I wasn't a fan of the outcome, but only because I have a sister that wore the green colored lenses. They say the second child learns from the mistakes of the first 

[mwunder]

Carthage still has a long way to go to be a contender in the league.  Despite "hanging with" Augie for most of the game on Saturday night, I never felt like they were a threat to protect the home court against the more seasoned Vikings.

Poor decision making--I can recall at least 3 air-ball '3' attempts launched with more than 10 seconds remaining on the shot clock.  Some of that has to do with Augie's length, but better decisions have to be made by the younger Red Men.  39% for the game and 21% from beyond the arc isn't going to get it done in this league.

Free throws--The biggest statistic that sticks out on the early season resume is free throw shooting.  57% against Augie's 87%.  Making 5 fewer FTs despite getting to the line more than your opponent is unacceptable.

I wonder how long it's going to take Bosko to start Johnson over Leazer with the numbers that Leazer is putting up?

[Gregory Sager]

Add pretty decent to the list of words and phrases that the CCIW fans cannot agree on. #significant

LOL!

Seriously, though, low-level or not, "pretty decent" is still a compliment. I just didn't think that it was deserved, and I said as much. That's all. I didn't expect a sort of Spanish Inquisition ...

[kiko]

Add pretty decent to the list of words and phrases that the CCIW fans cannot agree on. #significant

LOL!

Seriously, though, low-level or not, "pretty decent" is still a compliment. I just didn't think that it was deserved, and I said as much. That's all. I didn't expect a sort of Spanish Inquisition ...

It would be more of a complement if O'Neill were a rising sophomore, but as best I can tell, he's just a regular sophomore... 

[Gregory Sager]

... but both "rising sophomore" and "regular sophomore" could be abbreviated as "R-So.", so isn't that just confusing the matter?

[kiko]

... but both "rising sophomore" and "regular sophomore" could be abbreviated as "R-So.", so isn't that just confusing the matter?

Maybe that's why we're having such an extended sturm-und-drang.

[iwu70]

Greg, I somehow think you will survive the "inquisition" just fine.

As to O'Neil, yes, he's a sophomore and I assume two more years in the IWU program.   Burdine the senior will be gone after this year.  I'd venture to say, though I'm not wishing to start another "sturm und drang," that O'Neil will by his senior year be performing at or near the level of Sorenson, when all is said and done.  My comments were all said in the context of our worry at the beginning of the season that IWU did not have a strong presence or solution at the 5, with the departure of the ever dependable and consistent Trevor Seibring.  Now, we know that O'Neal will, barring injury, more than fill the bill there over the next several seasons, filling in a good piece of the Titan offensive puzzle with all the other shooters and slashers on the perimeter -- from Knoblach, to Curry, to Wolfe, to Bonnett, to Coleman, and others rising from the JV ranks (which I hear is a strong group) . . . and when Brady Rose comes back to his normal production, as he surely will, in the next few games.  I think O'Neal will, in fact, do more than a decent job in matching up with "bigs" around the league, esp. vs. Augie's "bigs." Danny Baker will be asked to replace Beasley's rebounding and toughness in future seasons, my guess.   We'll see, in time, of course, how O'Neil develops.  As the ever reliable shill for the IWU program, I'm optimistic. 

IWU's good challenge upcoming is trying to win at home vs. ranked Wash U, then taking on Emory in Atlanta.  Other good games in between.

IWU'70

[iwumichigander]

70, with all due respect to you and O'Neal. he will not even come close to Sorenson. (There AndOne I beat you to it).
I suspect O'Neal is not a post or 5 player but a 4.  He is playing the 5 because honestly right now the Titans do not have much choice. He is more mobile, a little better jumper than Burdine right now..

There are several ways he was a 5 at Creighton (and, I have watched .Creighton quite a bit over the years including last weekend)and those all start with "no".  I have doubts he was a 5 at the D2 school ( but I have been wrong before - rarely).

With regards to Baker, I think he will continue to dvelop with varsity minutes, could surprise some and might have a shot at most improved player at the end of this season.  He has a higher ceiling than present IMHO.

[iwu70]

iwumichigander, I respect your views.  I saw O'Neil for several games early on this season, in person, and was pleasantly surprised.  Soft hands, good court vision.  Weaknesses on defense and on rebounding timing.   Yes, he can play away from the basket, doesn't have all the well-developed and strong post moves yet, but with the right coaching and improvement, some additional weight work, I think he has a pretty good upside, too.  I share your views about Baker, as he is just a tough guy with a lot of tenacity.  Reminds me of several other previous TITANS who played above their physical abilities . . . due to tenacity and grit.  Time will tell.  AO can jump all over me if he wishes.  I see what I see.  Of course, Sorenson as a veteran and senior is a great player, all-CCIW 1st teamer very likely.  No one is doubting that.  We'll see how it goes in the second game IWU vs. NCC @The Shirk later in the season. 

Enjoy the upcoming games -- some really good ones.  #11 Wash U at home for the TITANS a great opportunity.

Happy holidays to all my D3 basketball comrades.

IWU'70

[Titan Q]

70, with all due respect to you and O'Neal. he will not even come close to Sorenson. (There AndOne I beat you to it).
I suspect O'Neal is not a post or 5 player but a 4.  He is playing the 5 because honestly right now the Titans do not have much choice. He is more mobile, a little better jumper than Burdine right now..

Alex O'Neill is not a 5? He's about as pure of a 5 as you will find nowadays.

And he is a "more mobile, a little better jumper than Burdine"?
  * Trevor Seibring ('16-17 CCIW play): 11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg
  * Alex O'Neill ('17-18 CCIW play): 11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg

[titanalum94]

Add pretty decent to the list of words and phrases that the CCIW fans cannot agree on. #significant

LOL!

Seriously, though, low-level or not, "pretty decent" is still a compliment. I just didn't think that it was deserved, and I said as much. That's all. I didn't expect a sort of Spanish Inquisition ...

It would be more of a complement if O'Neill were a rising sophomore, but as best I can tell, he's just a regular sophomore... 

Actually a junior by nature, this is his third year of college from what I can tell.

[iwu70]

I think O'Neill has two more years of eligibility after this season -- am I right?  He has time to develop, surely more upside. 

Interesting comparison with Seibring.  Thanks Q.  Seems like he's doing a pretty decent job to me.  I love Burdine and his energy, hustle, great guy and fun teammate,  but O'Neill surely an upgrade offensively to what we would have had if Tyler was the starter.  Burdine has given some good minutes on the bench, for sure. 

Let the inquisition begin!      LOL

'70

[titanalum94]

I think O'Neill has two more years of eligibility after this season -- am I right?  He has time to develop, surely more upside. 

Interesting comparison with Seibring.  Thanks Q.  Seems like he's doing a pretty decent job to me.  I love Burdine and his energy, hustle, great guy and fun teammate,  but O'Neill surely an upgrade offensively to what we would have had if Tyler was the starter.  Burdine has given some good minutes on the bench, for sure. 

Let the inquisition begin!      LOL

'70

Yes two years of eligibility left, just older than other sophomores in the league it appears due to his previous enrollment at two other institutions.

[iwu70]

Thanks, 94.  I'll keep my bet on O'Neill's further development and contribution -- esp. by the time he's a senior.

Hope the Titans can really play well vs. #11 Wash U this Sunday.

Good luck to all Titans on exams this week.  Play hard, study hard . . .

'70

[iwumichigander]

70, with all due respect to you and O'Neal. he will not even come close to Sorenson. (There AndOne I beat you to it).
I suspect O'Neal is not a post or 5 player but a 4.  He is playing the 5 because honestly right now the Titans do not have much choice. He is more mobile, a little better jumper than Burdine right now..

Alex O'Neill is not a 5? He's about as pure of a 5 as you will find nowadays.

And he is a "more mobile, a little better jumper than Burdine"?
  * Trevor Seibring ('16-17 CCIW play): 11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg
  * Alex O'Neill ('17-18 CCIW play): 11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg

ok I will concede to your qualifier "nowadays". I will also note 3 games not true comparison to a full Seibring 16-17 CCIW where he was hurting early due to getting beat up in Staten Island tourney.
Where he needs to improve free throws @.500 at the bottom of the IWU FT% totem pole going to lad to "hack a Shaq " defense.  Where I see potential - he has a nice 10-12 shot with a little fall away that is hard to defend.  If you could set that up with Rose driving them with Beasley positioned for a miss and put back it is tempting.