MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[voxelmhurst]

Final from Naperville: NCC over Millikin 75-49.

The Cardinals literally led for the entire 40 minutes, as Millikin coach John Scherer failed to get his starting five to the table in the allotted time. Mike Pollack hit the administrative technical free throw prior to tip-off, and thus began the snowball effect.

North Central assisted on 24 of 26 field goals and hit 17 of 40 threes (11-20 in the first half). Matt Cappelletti led the Cardinals with 19, Mike Pollack had 13, Erwin Henry dropped 11, and Blaise Meredith chipped in 10. Alex Sorenson had an off night with just 8 points on 3-8 shooting, but had a game high 9 rebounds. DaVante Harrell and Korbin Farmer each scored 10 for the Big Blue.

Well, if Coach was confused about his own name then it's no surprise his team was late getting out on the floor. 

[lmitzel]

Final from Naperville: NCC over Millikin 75-49.

The Cardinals literally led for the entire 40 minutes, as Millikin coach John Scherer failed to get his starting five to the table in the allotted time. Mike Pollack hit the administrative technical free throw prior to tip-off, and thus began the snowball effect.

North Central assisted on 24 of 26 field goals and hit 17 of 40 threes (11-20 in the first half). Matt Cappelletti led the Cardinals with 19, Mike Pollack had 13, Erwin Henry dropped 11, and Blaise Meredith chipped in 10. Alex Sorenson had an off night with just 8 points on 3-8 shooting, but had a game high 9 rebounds. DaVante Harrell and Korbin Farmer each scored 10 for the Big Blue.

Well, if Coach was confused about his own name then it's no surprise his team was late getting out on the floor. 

Fair point. Fixed my OP.

[voxelmhurst]

Final from Naperville: NCC over Millikin 75-49.

The Cardinals literally led for the entire 40 minutes, as Millikin coach John Scherer failed to get his starting five to the table in the allotted time. Mike Pollack hit the administrative technical free throw prior to tip-off, and thus began the snowball effect.

North Central assisted on 24 of 26 field goals and hit 17 of 40 threes (11-20 in the first half). Matt Cappelletti led the Cardinals with 19, Mike Pollack had 13, Erwin Henry dropped 11, and Blaise Meredith chipped in 10. Alex Sorenson had an off night with just 8 points on 3-8 shooting, but had a game high 9 rebounds. DaVante Harrell and Korbin Farmer each scored 10 for the Big Blue.

Well, if Coach was confused about his own name then it's no surprise his team was late getting out on the floor. 

Fair point. Fixed my OP.

It happens. In summary of a recent EC game, I described a 13-0 run that was capped off by a huge 'drunk'.

[Gregory Sager]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year. Only thing less effective than that is my alma mater's men's and women's programs...

Alas, I can commiserate with you on that last point, D-Mac.

It's been quite an emotional letdown since the high of soccer season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Oh Greg - I can only imagine. That has to be like whiplash... near the highest of highs... and now the opposite.

We haven't had a lot of highs of late, but this is maybe the lowest it has ever been. I just trust in the "new" coaches and their process will eventually help change the culture and turn it around. I miss the good-old-days.

[AndOne]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year.

Given this statistic, it's a wonder that we haven't seen more players lose time to the flu.

The current CDC report lists the flu as "widespread" in every state except Hawaii. The main problem is that this year's most prevalent strain is the H3N2 virus which is resistant to the highest number of available vaccines. Additionally, while most flu is spread by coughing 😤 and sneezing 🤧, it seems the H3N2 brand is among those that can be spread by mere breaths. 💉 😷

[Gregory Sager]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year.

Given this statistic, it's a wonder that we haven't seen more players lose time to the flu.

The current CDC report lists the flu as "widespread" in every state except Hawaii. The main problem is that this year's most prevalent strain is the H3N2 virus which is resistant to the highest number of available vaccines. Additionally, while most flu is spread by coughing 😤 and sneezing 🤧, it seems the H3N2 brand is among those that can be spread by mere breaths. 💉 😷

... or by keeping all of the uniforms in the same bag.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Honestly, my wife's workplace is starting to see colleagues dropping because of the flu and missing time at work. She is nervous she is going to get it. I am being lighthearted about it, but actually am nervous if she gets it I will be down for the count as well. I really can't afford that right now. Really busy with games which are somewhat helping to pay the bills.

[AppletonRocks]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year. Only thing less effective than that is my alma mater's men's and women's programs...

Don't be negative or the Point fans will get on you 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year. Only thing less effective than that is my alma mater's men's and women's programs...

Don't be negative or the Point fans will get on you 

[Gregory Sager]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year. Only thing less effective than that is my alma mater's men's and women's programs...

Don't be negative or the Point fans will get on you 

[kiko]

At any rate, we now have an interesting topic of discussion opened up: Six teams going to the CCIW tournament instead of four, starting next season. Thoughts?

Thoughts for now:

1) The CCIW tournament just got more important. If and when a #5/#6 seed gets hot and wins the tournament and automatic national tournament bid, this scenario won't be kind to the #2 or #3 (or even #1) seeds who play a good but not great regular season and then come up short in the CCIW tournament.

2) Depending on how a given regular season unfolds, there could be up to 3 separate finishing races at the end of the season. The race for #1, the race for a first-round CCIW bye, and the race to get in at #6. In effect, the chances are now much greater that more CCIW regular season games will mean something.

If we really want to ramp up interest, we should add promotion to the WIAC and relegation to the MWC into the mix...

Six teams is better than four, but if you are going to broach the wall enabling a third tourney game for some, I'd like things to go to eight or the full nine teams.  As I noted earlier, #3 benefits from the additional win assuming they can dispatch #6.  This dynamic would help #2 as well.

So, my order of preference is:
1. No tourney; settle it the old-fashioned way in the regular season
2. Big field of 8 or 9
3. Medium field of 6
4. The current four-team arrangement, which is more likely to negatively impact Pool C prospects than any other arrangement and is pretty much the worst system we could use.

[markerickson]

Speaking of the opposite, the Vikings completely sucked last night in their blowout loss to the 1-7 Pioneers.  The Vikes have little offense, and Coach Slyder had Kirby and Lake on the bench for the entire second half of the second half.  The Vikings did not want to rebound or, except Lake - the smallest guy on the court - take a shot in the paint.  Just four guys hanging around the trey line and then no effort to get an offensive rebound.  None.  Carroll had a good scheme of back-door cuts.  The Vikes also could not rotate, defensively.  Like the Sox, Bulls, and Bears, NPU is in full rebuild mode.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I read this year's flu shot is only 10% effective this year. Only thing less effective than that is my alma mater's men's and women's programs...

Don't be negative or the Point fans will get on you 

Just testing out my abilities to use GIPHY

[Gregory Sager]

Saturday's games:
Carthage (10-7, 5-3) @ Augustana (15-3, 7-2)
Elmhurst (11-7, 4-5) @ North Central (13-5, 6-3)
North Park (4-13, 1-8) @ Illinois Wesleyan (15-3, 8-1)
Wheaton (13-5, 6-3) @ Millikin (8-10, 1-8)

Massey sez:

Augustana 74, Carthage 65	AC 80%, CC 20%
North Central 82, Elmhurst 75	NCC 77%, EC 23%
Illinois Wesleyan 78, North Park 63	IWU 93%, NPU 7%
Wheaton 82, Millikin 73	WC 81%, MU 19%