MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I guess no one in the conference have read Q's thoughts and found any flaws. I usually don't have to search out issues.

I will say that getting any plan anywhere all the way through presidents I am finding the "what if." I was talking to some in a completely different conference who had come up with a plan (a day after the presidents had decided to wait until Jan. 15 to vote on anything). They felt good about the idea, but cautioned that it could get changed by the time it gets past the presidents' conversations.

Sadly, normal things about replay allowances, schedule adjustments, etc. I have found over the years have been approved and whatnot from coaches and ADs only for presidents to change everything.

We shall see.

As I read today and plan to keep on hand, "a plan today is a plan today."

[Titan Q]

A very big development for NCC...

https://covid.northcentralcollege.edu/2020/12/14/shield-illinois-covid-19-testing/

https://www.uillinois.edu/shield

[Titan Q]

Here is the status of CCIW MBB/WBB as I understand it...

1) The MBB and WBB coaches have developed a conference-only schedule model.
  * 12 games.
  * Each team plays 2 games per week across 3 possible game nights - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
  * MBB and WBB would basically have the same schedule - location just flipped.  (IWU men at Augie; IWU women host Augie.)
  * I believe the weekend of Jan. 22 is still the planned start date, but I am not 100% sure about that.

2) The schedule goes to the Athletic Directors early this week for review and approval. 
  * It's expected to be approved.  I think the coaches would be very surprised if it's rejected.

3) Then everything goes the the university Presidents later this week.  That's where things become a lot less certain. 
  * This past week, the WIAC Chancellors approved the model developed by the WIAC coaches and ADs.
  * Whether the CCIW Presidents see things the same way...who knows.
  * Obviously the Presidents will make a decision that factors in a lot more than sports.
  * Important to keep in mind the Presidents can approve this...and it still fall apart before or during the season for a variety of reasons.


If the plan is approved, I'd expect an announcement very similar to the WIAC's -- https://wiacsports.com/news/2020/12/11/general-wiac-winter-sports-return-to-play-update.aspx.

The ability to meet testing guidelines is probably the most important component of the plan and making this work.

I believe I heard that a single positive test within a program would shut that team down for a week.  It wouldn't be like the NFL where the positive players stays home and the rest of the team plays.

There is an assumption there will be positives, and I believe a plan to be flexible with the schedule based on how things play out in this regard.  Teams could end up playing each other more or less than as laid out in the original schedule.

I'm sure I am off on parts of this, but overall I'm confident this is very close to what's going on.

It going to be an interesting week in the CCIW.

I've learned the CCIW ADs approved MBB/WBB schedules today.  Huge step.

Now it goes to the university Presidents for review/approval.  I'm not sure what to expect here.

Testing guidelines:
  * If you play 2 games in a week vs same team w/ no more than 1 day in between, only 1 test required. 
  * 2 different opponents in a week requires 3 tests.

At 25 ish people to test (let's say 21 players and 4 coaches, like IWU), $100 per test, safe to say the CCIW schedule be the former.

Option #1 (play 2 games per week vs same team; no more than 1 day in-between)
* 1 test required per week.
* $100 per test = $2,500 per week.
* $2,500 x 8 week season = $20,000

Option #2 (play 2 games per week vs 2 different opponents)
* 3 tests required per week.
* $100 per test = $7,500 per week.
* $7,500 x 8 week season = $60,000

[Titan Q]

I'm hearing test costs range anywhere from $100 to $10, just depending on various options schools are able to find.

Maybe assume $50 per test instead of the $100 I have above.

[Titan Q]

Good news...

https://cciw.org/news/2020/12/17/general-cciw-statement-on-winter-sports-competition.aspx

Still a long way to go, but it had to start this with step.

[WUPHF]

The GLVC is mostly making it work.
The MIAA (D2) is mostly making it work.
The NAIA schools in the Midwest are mostly making it work.

Its time to play basketball.

[Titan Q]

Lots of great detail here from Augie AD Mike Zapolski...

https://athletics.augustana.edu/news/2020/12/17/general-augustana-athletics-update.aspx

Gives you a good idea what schools and student-athletes will be required to do to make all of this work.

[Titan Q]

The GLVC is mostly making it work.
The MIAA (D2) is mostly making it work.
The NAIA schools in the Midwest are mostly making it work.

Its time to play basketball.

It's certainly not easy, but there is a path to making this work. 

I think we're gonna play.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There are so many variables that could change for the better or the worse between now and mid-January ... it is just too tough to say. As I've said for weeks, depending on when you are chatting with me I am optimistic and pessimistic. The schools and student-athleties and their ability to do well is one thing, how things go in their towns, regions, states, etc. is a very different conversation. Sadly, many will not play this season due to circumstances out of their control.

I want to get past New Year's and see where things are before I make a real guess on a season. The holidays are too much of an unknown.

I applaud conferences like the CCIW for coming up with plans that could very easily work. I just fear this isn't going to come down to them...

[Titan Q]

The D3sports.com fundraising drive is at about 50% of goal.

If you enjoy the D3sports.com family of sites (including the chat boards) and want them to continue to exist, please consider supporting.

https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/12/d3sports-needs-your-help

[Titan Q]

https://twitter.com/connorheat22/status/1248352261937430528?s=20

@connorheat22
Extremely excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Illinois Wesleyan University. Super thankful for my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for helping me along the way. Excited for the next journey. Go Titans!

------
Ron Rose and the Titans have landed Connor Heaton, a 6-5, athletic wing from Central A&M.

Heaton averaged 22 pts, 9 reb, 4 assists per game as a Sr.  He was named  1A 1st Team all-state by IBCA and AP, and is a Mr. Basketball finalist.

Another huge addition for IWU.  Ron Rose and staff won a battle vs D3 powers, several D2s, and a late push by D1 Eastern Illinois.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12746499/5e6adba94205f80c84b9cdb3

https://www.wandtv.com/sports/central-a-ms-heaton-named-mr-basketball-finalist/article_a53db3a8-747e-11ea-b6a9-239ac5a4e48f.html

https://www.wcia.com/sports/2020-wcia-3-boys-basketball-player-of-the-year-connor-heaton/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_WCIA3sports

https://app.box.com/s/luh5c9bk1p36ykkkmd1clqbviz2xqx5o

https://apnews.com/b6aaf7961ae5c19c2be2a04dd16ae321

Connor Heaton is re-enrolled at IWU. He should appear back on the roster soon and will be ready to start practice w/ the team on 1/4.

Heaton took the 1st semester off due to everything going on w/ COVID.

He plans to play this season and 4 more.

[Titan Q]

My 2020-21 IWU MBB season preview...

https://www.iwuhoops.com/preview2021.pdf

[iwu70]

Thanks, Q, for your long write-up.  It looks so positive.  Let's hope this edition of the Titans can get on the floor for some kind of season in late January.

Happy holidays to all on the Board here.

IWU'70

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

Thanks for the preview.  I'd love to see a Yoder/Heflen combo. As i recall, they were high school teammates.  Too bad about Wolfe, but I'm sure it's for the best. Hope the seniors get to add some great memories before they graduate.

[Titan Q]

Thanks for the preview.  I'd love to see a Yoder/Heflen combo. As i recall, they were high school teammates.  Too bad about Wolfe, but I'm sure it's for the best. Hope the seniors get to add some great memories before they graduate.

Luke Yoder went to Bloomington Central Catholic; Lucas Helfen to St. Charles North.