MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

WUPHF, I agree probably not happening, Coach Rose not likely taking my suggestion.  However, it has happened a bit already with Wallen now starting and Lambesis and Leritz getting minutes.  Don't think O'Neal can find his way back this season, hopefully next.  And Charlie Bair too.  IWU needs those guys to produce more next year.  Big question will be how do you replace all that scoring from Rose and Bonnett.   A disappointing year so far.  Maybe the TITANS will surprise us down the stretch, and have a great CCIW tournament, assuming they make it in.  It's do or die now for the seniors -- Rose, Bonnett, Baker and Gregoire.  Titans are in a pretty deep hole.

'70

[voxelmhurst]

Elmhurst 74, Millikin 67 at Faganel

Elmhurst snaps a 5 game losing streak with this home win. Ryan Patton (who was last year's #3 scorer on the Jays) led the Jays scoring with 14 points off the bench. Rhode had 13, Ireland 12, Dotlich 10, and then 6 other Bluejays combined for 25. Just what was needed against a tough and physical Millikin team who usually gives Elmhurst a lot of trouble. Jays were noticeably out-rebounded on the night (37-25) but they did well to force 20 turnovers while only committing 10. Elijah Henry had 19 and 6 for Millikin. Calvin Fisher with 12, Jack Marinko with 11. Jordan Cunningham grabbed 11 rebounds.  I wouldn't want to have to face either of these teams in the play-in round of the CCIW tournament.

[Pat Coleman]

If I were Coach Rose, I'd think about the future and start playing the underclassmen more, giving them more experience and playing time, sitting the seniors for rest and recreation.  That would mean Leritz and Lambesis getting more minutes, hoping that somehow O'Neil finds a way to get back to some better form.

No way this happens.

This is the sort of thing which could be done in a subtle way, without super tarnishing the seniors' senior season.

[voxelmhurst]

Looking at the standings as of today, there are up to 4 different playoff races playing out, and all teams are involved in at least one, if not multiple races.

Race for #1. Until Augustana (11-0, 19-1) loses, it sure looks like the CCIW tournament will be in Rock Island for 4th time in 5 years. That being said, a huge game looms Wednesday night at North Central (9-2, 17-3), who have won 6 in a row. If NCC wins Wednesday, it's fair to say the title race is on again.

Race for #2. Whomever wins the spot doesn't have to battle a dark horse in an extra game just to advance in the CCIW tournament. North Central (9-2, 17-3) and Wheaton (8-3, 15-5) seem to have the only shot at the #2 spot.

Race for #4. Home court in the play-in round. If season ended today, Elmhurst (5-5, 10-9) would have the privilege to host Illinois Wesleyan (4-6, 11-8) in the first round, but these teams have another game in Bloomington and there's still a long way to go. Millikin is not out of this race either.

Race for #6. Millikin (4-7, 10-9) has the spot for now, but Carroll (3-8, 7-13), Carthage (2-8, 7-12), North Park (2-9, 4-16) are a small winning streak away from being back in the race.

[WUPHF]

IWU can win the conference tournament. That is most certainly the goal and Rose is going to coach accordingly.

[Gregory Sager]

Looking at the standings as of today, there are up to 4 different playoff races playing out, and all teams are involved in at least one, if not multiple races.

Race for #1. Until Augustana (11-0, 19-1) loses, it sure looks like the CCIW tournament will be in Rock Island for 4th time in 5 years. That being said, a huge game looms Wednesday night at North Central (9-2, 17-3), who have won 6 in a row. If NCC wins Wednesday, it's fair to say the title race is on again.

Race for #2. Whomever wins the spot doesn't have to battle a dark horse in an extra game just to advance in the CCIW tournament. North Central (9-2, 17-3) and Wheaton (8-3, 15-5) seem to have the only shot at the #2 spot.

Race for #4. Home court in the play-in round. If season ended today, Elmhurst (5-5, 10-9) would have the privilege to host Illinois Wesleyan (4-6, 11-8) in the first round, but these teams have another game in Bloomington and there's still a long way to go. Millikin is not out of this race either.

Race for #6. Millikin (4-7, 10-9) has the spot for now, but Carroll (3-8, 7-13), Carthage (2-8, 7-12), North Park (2-9, 4-16) are a small winning streak away from being back in the race.

This is all sound analysis of the different scenarios in terms of what the standings say and which games are left. But, as I said last week, I think that the ability gap between Millikin and the three teams at the bottom of the standings is pretty sizeable, and I'd be very surprised if Carroll, Carthage, or NPU managed to sneak into the tourney.

Keep in mind, too, that Millikin has already swept Carthage, and the Big Blue will get Carroll and NPU at home in the Griz in the second round-robin, having already defeated both teams on the road in the first round-robin.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Well, things certainly escalated quickly! Upsets a plenty. Conference races tightening. At the same time, some more clarity? Maybe not.

There will be plenty to talk about on Sunday's Hoopsville.

Join us as Dave and his guests work to figure out what has happened in just the last few days, plus get a sense of what's to come. We will talk to teams who are near the top of their conferences races in the Northeast, Atlantic, South, and Central regions. Plus, we hear from a coach who continues to give back to the NABC and trying to improve how Division III is perceived within the coaching ranks.

Oh, and how will the Top 25s shake out on Monday?

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. You can watch Sunday's show starting at 7:00 p.m. ET right here: http://bit.ly/2FQFb7v (or via Facebook Live and Periscope simulcasts).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to hoopsville@d3hoops.com or use any of the social media options below.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Randy Tuggle, Greensboro women's coach
- Nicole Sarcone, Staten Island women's coach
- Gary Stewart, Stevenson men's coach (NABC Coach's Corner)
- Tod Murphy, Gordon men's coach
- Mike McGrath, UChicago men's coach
- Bob Quillman, IWUHoops.com (Top 25 Double-Take)

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[voxelmhurst]

Looking at the standings as of today, there are up to 4 different playoff races playing out, and all teams are involved in at least one, if not multiple races.

Race for #1. Until Augustana (11-0, 19-1) loses, it sure looks like the CCIW tournament will be in Rock Island for 4th time in 5 years. That being said, a huge game looms Wednesday night at North Central (9-2, 17-3), who have won 6 in a row. If NCC wins Wednesday, it's fair to say the title race is on again.

Race for #2. Whomever wins the spot doesn't have to battle a dark horse in an extra game just to advance in the CCIW tournament. North Central (9-2, 17-3) and Wheaton (8-3, 15-5) seem to have the only shot at the #2 spot.

Race for #4. Home court in the play-in round. If season ended today, Elmhurst (5-5, 10-9) would have the privilege to host Illinois Wesleyan (4-6, 11-8) in the first round, but these teams have another game in Bloomington and there's still a long way to go. Millikin is not out of this race either.

Race for #6. Millikin (4-7, 10-9) has the spot for now, but Carroll (3-8, 7-13), Carthage (2-8, 7-12), North Park (2-9, 4-16) are a small winning streak away from being back in the race.

This is all sound analysis of the different scenarios in terms of what the standings say and which games are left. But, as I said last week, I think that the ability gap between Millikin and the three teams at the bottom of the standings is pretty sizeable, and I'd be very surprised if Carroll, Carthage, or NPU managed to sneak into the tourney.

Keep in mind, too, that Millikin has already swept Carthage, and the Big Blue will get Carroll and NPU at home in the Griz in the second round-robin, having already defeated both teams on the road in the first round-robin.

Agreed - I'd be surprised too if one of the bottom 3 lept up to #6. It's just interesting to see how the new postseason format is making it's impact on the final month of the season, and the ways in which it changes the weight of certain games down the stretch.

Perhaps the most intriguing playoff race is for #2. Previously, the jockeying for position at #2 and #3 didn't mean all that much, as the two teams were bound to meet at a neutral court. Now, the reward for finishing #2 instead of #3 is significant.

I imagine there will be a tight race for the #4 seed and a home playoff game as well.

[Gregory Sager]

Perhaps the most intriguing playoff race is for #2. Previously, the jockeying for position at #2 and #3 didn't mean all that much, as the two teams were bound to meet at a neutral court. Now, the reward for finishing #2 instead of #3 is significant.

Good point.

[kiko]

Perhaps the most intriguing playoff race is for #2. Previously, the jockeying for position at #2 and #3 didn't mean all that much, as the two teams were bound to meet at a neutral court. Now, the reward for finishing #2 instead of #3 is significant.

Good point.

Adding to this... and it didn't just push that nothingburger further down the seedings.  Unlike with the four-team tourney, there's now a meaningful benefit for each seed versus those below them.

1 vs 2 ===> the reward is hosting the tourney
2 vs 3 ===> the reward is a bye
3 vs 4 ===> the reward is avoiding the Augie Doggies
4 vs 5 ===> the reward is a home game versus a road game
5 vs 6 ===> the reward is facing a lesser seed in the quarterfinal round

[AndOne]

As far as Rose not playing his seniors or playing them less—-Ridiculous. As someone said, he wants to put IWU in the best possible position that he can for the conference tourney. Besides he isn't going to reduce his own son's playing time.

I would also be surprised if Carroll, Carthage, or NPU makes the conference tourney. With only 2 conference wins Carthage and NPU just have to far to go. And, to me, Carroll has actually looked like the least skilled conference team overall from what I've seen so far this year.

[Gregory Sager]

As far as Rose not playing his seniors or playing them less—-Ridiculous. As someone said, he wants to put IWU in the best possible position that he can for the conference tourney. Besides he isn't going to reduce his own son's playing time.

Your first two sentences are right on point. As WUPHF said, Ron Rose is going to use the best resources he has to get his team the most favorable seed in the conference tourney it can get -- and, let's make no bones about it, for as much of an egg as Illinois Wesleyan has laid this year, the Titans still have an outside shot at winning the tourney, even at Carver. A couple of hot nights of shooting (and IWU certainly is capable of getting collectively en fuego from downtown) and they could make it happen. Plus, Ron Rose has demonstrated a knack in past seasons for getting the most out of his teams in the second half of February and into March.

Your third sentence makes no sense, though, because you inserted the word "own" in it and ruined what would've otherwise been a perfectly good point. Brady Rose is one of the best players in the league, and no coach in his right mind would ever play him less than 30 minutes per game, blood ties or not -- and a good coach would give him more minutes on top of that 30, too. Nepotism is no more of a factor for Ron Rose playing his son than it is for Todd Raridon playing his son.

Did our old friend iiwwwuu hijack your account?

[Pat Coleman]

Poll:
https://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2018-19/week8

[Gregory Sager]

Interesting. Augie edged out NebWes for the top spot by 12 points; NCC finally made its way back into the Top 25 at #22; and Wheaton stayed right where it was, at the tail end of the ORV list with six points.

[duckfan41]

All men's and women's games in the CCIW scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed because of the bitter cold that will sweep through the Midwest.

https://twitter.com/cciw_athletics/status/1089978429884137472?s=21