MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

Good luck to the Titans tonight in Chicago @ North Park University!   

I'll be at The Shirk watching the big women's game --
IWU'70

In all good humor, IWU70, are you on someone's list, or are you an employee? IE: how are you getting into Shirk?

[iwu70]

I'm a geezer alum.  Yes, on someone's list . . . to attend games.   Sadly, the crowds are thin, given the new protocols, though students, staff, faculty and I think 6 people per player and coach can attend. Some games, the student section has been pretty good, the Titan Band there some games as well.  Shirk is open for regular campus use, and for card-holding alums to work-out, walk, lift etc. . . I go there almost every day to do my workouts, lifting and putting  . . . and many other events with required masking continue to be held there . . . like the State Farm Classic, youth basketball and gymnastic events . . . and last night some games for the McLean County High School Basketball Tournament.  So, it's not shut down entirely, masks required, and just some restrictions, and always announcements urging folks to mask up and social distance, though compliance is surely not 100 %.  I'd say 80-85% compliance now, with announcement made all the time about the IWU, CCIW and State of Illinois mandates for such indoor events.  Compliance and enforcement could be better, but it's going along, allowing for these events and games to take place . . .  Let's hope Omicron doesn't overwhelm the area, and area hospitals further, and cause even these limitations and mitigations to be overtaken . . . shutting down things entirely. IWU students and faculty/staff are up at about 97% vaccination rates, so that is encouraging when visiting campus, for these Shirk events or more generally.  Virtual or in-person teaching options basically up to the faculty concerned now, given their health conditions and wishes . . . most students back on campus, in residences . . . though a good portion of the courses are in virtual mode still.  That's the situation as I understand it.  You can see the Covid policies, mitigations and infection numbers on the Covid dashboard on the IWU website. . . 

IWU'70

[Gregory Sager]

Jalen Boyd is still on Covid protocol, so he's out again. That's hardly ideal for the Vikings, but at least the other missing players from Saturday are back. What I don't know is whether or not Gabe, Jordan, Jonathan, and Karl were able to practice over the past three days or not.

We'll see what happens.

[unanimous22]

 31-31 after a disgusting first half for both teams in Chicago. 

[WUPHF]

Upset alert!

Millikin leads Wheaton in Decatur, 71-47 with 3:18 left in the game.

[WUPHF]

Millikin defeats Wheaton by a score of 76-51.  Wow!  Four guys in double-figures with Calvin Fisher leading the way with 21. 

[Gregory Sager]

Illinois Wesleyan 63
North Park 58

Ah, to get a missed layup here and there back ...

[duckfan41]

The men do not have better luck and get embarrassed at Millikin. Not much to say about it but wow did Millikin dominate this game. Credit to them! Schauer said it after the win against NCC on Saturday, this team has a lot to figure out defensively and they need to figure it out soon.

[Gregory Sager]

IWU 63, NPU 58

Gabe Johnson: 15 pts
Karl Polk, Jr.: 13 pts
Michael Osborne: 11 pts, 6 rebs
Jordan Boyd: 6 rebs
Izaiah Sanders: 6 rebs

Cory Noe: 11 pts
Matt Leritz: 10 pts, 10 rebs, 4 blks
Peter Lambesis: 10 pts, 5 stls
Cody Mitchell: 10 pts, 8 rebs

Great effort by the Vikings tonight, but just not enough juice on the offensive end to get it done down the stretch. The game was played at NPU's pace, and the Vikings got more than their fair share of fortuitous bounces, but they simply couldn't get any closer than a basket in the closing minutes.

Four straight home losses now for the Vikings. On the one hand, they're fading in the standings while looking at a tougher second round-robin in terms of home and road. But on the other hand, if they can play as tough as they did tonight, and get the entire starting five, if not the entire rotation, back on the floor, they can still make a run at a CCIW tourney slot.

[Next Man Up]

North Central 89
Carroll           81

It was Blaise Meredith night in Waukesha as he poured in 33 to lead the Cardinals to the win.
Ethan Helwig just missed a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Matt Helwig was "held" to 17.
Justin Gruber had 17, Justin Steinike 14, and Josh Hudgens 13 for Carroll.

Defense was absent for much of the contest as NCC shot 52.7% and an even better 63.2% from downtown. Carroll shot 55.2% overall, including 53.8 from three.
The Cardinals seemed to give up a lot of open looks, and not to employ a "high hand" as often as might have been desirable.
A large chunk of the Redbirds victory was due to a 36-17 domination of the boards.

[Next Man Up]

Illinois Wesleyan 63
North Park 58

Ah, to get a missed layup here and there back ...

Ah, to get Jalen Boyd back too? 

[iwu70]

Looks like a very tough battle for the Titans up at NPU.  Good to see Cory Noe back in the line-up.   When the Titans shoot less than 30% from three, you know they could be in trouble . . .  nowhere near getting to 78 points in this one.   

Four away games for the Titans . . . with the fourth the re-match @Elmhurst.  A very tough, tiring stretch with lots of hours on the buses, including two trips to Wisconsin.   I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

A totally satisfying evening to be a Titan . . . two Ws, and both teams on top the CCIW standings.

IWU'70

 

[GoPerry]

Millikin defeats Wheaton by a score of 76-51.  Wow!  Four guys in double-figures with Calvin Fisher leading the way with 21.

Missed the game.  But looking at the box score.

Shooting 15/52 from the field for 28.8% combined with -10 on the boards is not a winning combo.

The Thunder are taking on water and need to find the leaks - and right quick.

[izzy stradlin]

The men do not have better luck and get embarrassed at Millikin. Not much to say about it but wow did Millikin dominate this game. Credit to them! Schauer said it after the win against NCC on Saturday, this team has a lot to figure out defensively and they need to figure it out soon.

They scored 51 tonight and shot 15-52 from the field.   I'd focus on the offense. 

[Gregory Sager]

Illinois Wesleyan 63
North Park 58

Ah, to get a missed layup here and there back ...

Ah, to get Jalen Boyd back too? 

Definitely. The last time that Tom Slyder had all five of his starters available was on December 11 against Elmhurst.