MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst beat Augie at Carver, 89-73.

[GoPerry]

#4-Wheaton at #2-IWU, 3/2...

https://www.iwusports.com/news/2021/2/23/mens-basketball-mens-hoops-picks-up-march-2-game-against-wheaton.aspx

This is great news since the Titans and Elmhurst are the only teams Wheaton hasn't played (they have NCC this Thurs/Sat).  Schauer and crew probably don't care that much that it's in Bloomington.  I'm sure the Titans, of course, just want to play games period.

[voxelmhurst]

Elmhurst beat Augie at Carver, 89-73.

Lavon Thomas had his best game of the year. 24 points and 13 rebounds. Militello also had a double-double with 17 and 10. Dominic Genco (15 points) and Ocean Johnson (13 points) have been doing a great job playing full-time in the backcourt with Rhode and Perry out.

Off the top of my head, I believe this is the first Elmhurst victory against Augustana in Rock Island since 2005.

[augie77]

Is there any word on how seedings will be determined for the conference tournament?  For example, if Wheaton and IWU both finish undefeated, will Wheaton receive the top seed based on more games played?  They will be playing each other, but it apparently won't count as a conference game.

[petemcb]

Is there any word on how seedings will be determined for the conference tournament?  For example, if Wheaton and IWU both finish undefeated, will Wheaton receive the top seed based on more games played?  They will be playing each other, but it apparently won't count as a conference game.

And along with that.....any talk of how the hosting might work? Higher of the two seeds? All teams in a one campus Orlandoesque "bubble"?

[Next Man Up]

Elmhurst beat Augie at Carver, 89-73.

Lavon Thomas had his best game of the year. 24 points and 13 rebounds. Militello also had a double-double with 17 and 10. Dominic Genco (15 points) and Ocean Johnson (13 points) have been doing a great job playing full-time in the backcourt with Rhode and Perry out.

Off the top of my head, I believe this is the first Elmhurst victory against Augustana in Rock Island since 2005.

Vox,

Thomas is a beast. I'm more often surprised when he doesn't have a good game than when he does.
You're right about Genco and Johnson doing well. You also mention the absence of Rhode and Perry. We all know the level of excellence Rhode adds to the Jays attack. If he was healthy, both Genco and Johnson would likely be seeing at least some degree of decreased PT. As a strong EC fan who is very familiar with their personnel, what I'm wondering is whether you feel the loss of Perry has really made that much of a difference? Especially, as you said, considering the strong play of the Genco-Johnson combination. Perry is a very good assist man. However, his shooting usually seemed to detract from EC's overall potential output. My understanding is some opponents game plan concerning Perry was to let him take all the shots, especially threes, that he wanted. That way his most productive offensive weapons, creating an effective offensive flow with his ball handling, plus his top notch distribution/passing/assist skills, would effectively be diminished, especially considering his shooting percentage wasn't usually in the lights out category. Given that, it seems the Genco-Johnson combo likely makes up for Perry's loss. Interested in your assessment.

[kiko]

Is there any word on how seedings will be determined for the conference tournament?  For example, if Wheaton and IWU both finish undefeated, will Wheaton receive the top seed based on more games played?  They will be playing each other, but it apparently won't count as a conference game.

And along with that.....any talk of how the hosting might work? Higher of the two seeds? All teams in a one campus Orlandoesque "bubble"?

If they go with the bubble approach, my vote for location is Manito...

[augie77]

All the corn in Manito would be made available for the tourney champ!

[voxelmhurst]

Elmhurst beat Augie at Carver, 89-73.

Lavon Thomas had his best game of the year. 24 points and 13 rebounds. Militello also had a double-double with 17 and 10. Dominic Genco (15 points) and Ocean Johnson (13 points) have been doing a great job playing full-time in the backcourt with Rhode and Perry out.

Off the top of my head, I believe this is the first Elmhurst victory against Augustana in Rock Island since 2005.

Vox,

Thomas is a beast. I'm more often surprised when he doesn't have a good game than when he does.
You're right about Genco and Johnson doing well. You also mention the absence of Rhode and Perry. We all know the level of excellence Rhode adds to the Jays attack. If he was healthy, both Genco and Johnson would likely be seeing at least some degree of decreased PT. As a strong EC fan who is very familiar with their personnel, what I'm wondering is whether you feel the loss of Perry has really made that much of a difference? Especially, as you said, considering the strong play of the Genco-Johnson combination. Perry is a very good assist man. However, his shooting usually seemed to detract from EC's overall potential output. My understanding is some opponents game plan concerning Perry was to let him take all the shots, especially threes, that he wanted. That way his most productive offensive weapons, creating an effective offensive flow with his ball handling, plus his top notch distribution/passing/assist skills, would effectively be diminished, especially considering his shooting percentage wasn't usually in the lights out category. Given that, it seems the Genco-Johnson combo likely makes up for Perry's loss. Interested in your assessment.

Some CCIW fans may not realize that Genco is a senior, as his college career didn't start at Elmhurst and this is his second season with the team. He is an adept ball handler, passer, and he can drive and score. In my opinion, he has more than made up for the loss of Perry in Elmhurst's first 6 games this season. That being said, Perry has faced much tougher CCIW competition over the years, and his experience in big games could really be missed if Elmhurst goes deep in the CCIW tournament.

If we do get to see a healthy Rhode in 2021/22, him and Ocean Johnson are going to make quite the (literal) 1-2 punch.

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (4-0) vs Millikin (1-9), 7:00 pm Thursday...

#2-Illinois Wesleyan (4-0)
G - Luke Yoder, 6-0/170 So.
G - Keondre Schumacher, 5-11/175 Jr.
G - Pete Lambesis, 6-4/195 Jr.
F - Doug Wallen, 6-5/210 Sr.
F - Matt Leritz, 6-7/235 Jr.

Millikin (1-9)
G - Jake Hampton, 6-0/170 Jr.
G - Sam Stichnote, 6-2/185 So.
G - Demarcus Bond, 6-4/170 Fr.
G - Calvin Fisher, 6-6/200 Jr.
F - Michael Akinwumi, 6-7/205 Jr.


Pantagraph - https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/watch-now-illinois-wesleyan-basketball-set-for-senior-night-against-millikin/article_ab951aea-0c03-500e-80fd-fb1db99df5d3.html

IWU Game Notes - https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/iwusports.com/documents/2021/2/24/Game05_Millikin.pdf

Video - https://www.iwusports.com/watch/?Live=117&type=Live

Live Stats - https://www.iwusports.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary


This is Senior Night for the Titans.  They will honor a great class:
-Charlie Bair
-Colin Cheaney
-Doug Wallen
-Grant Wolfe

I'm really glad the parents of the seniors will be there.

[iwu70]

Congratulations and thanks to all the TITAN Seniors. 

Go TITANS!

iwu'70

[Next Man Up]

Two more CCIW games added for Tues, 3/2;

North Central @Elmhurst—-Time to be determined
Carroll @ Millikin 6:00

[Next Man Up]

I've been advised that seedings for the conference tournament will be posted after Saturday's games. The 3/2 games will then not figure in calculating the seeding order.

I also inquired as to whether the starting date of the tournament had been determined, whether the top seeded team would get a first round bye, and if the tourney would be played at a one location "bubble" type atmosphere, or at the various higher seeded schools, but all I got was a very curt "right now we are busy trying to keep our student-athletes safe." Well, geez, I hope so!
Evidently such probing questions fall outside of the protective ring of safety. 

[Pat Coleman]

I also inquired as to whether the starting date of the tournament had been determined, whether the top seeded team would get a first round bye, and if the tourney would be played at a one location "bubble" type atmosphere, or at the various higher seeded schools, but all I got was a very curt "right now we are busy trying to keep our student-athletes safe." Well, geez, I hope so!
Evidently such probing questions fall outside of the protective ring of safety. 

Well, in fairness, whatever they are going to communicate they will communicate to more than one person. I wouldn't get my nose bent out of shape as a fan if a conference or a school declines to give you a scoop on whatever they've decided.

[lmitzel]

North Central @Elmhurst—-Time to be determined

Important to note since it's now officially announced is that the site is TBD as well. My understanding of the CCIW Tournament is that there will be an 8 vs 9 game, and if the NCC women end up as the 8, we would be hosting on the 2nd. If they end up the 9, Elmhurst would come to the hangar.