MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WUPHF]

WUPHF, I don't think anyone is comparing Peterson's absence to WashU without Justin Hardy. JH is a tremendous basketball player and a better person.

I am 100% sure that Ryan was not comparing Peterson to Hardy or anyone else I mentioned.  I was simply responding to a legitimate what if scenario with another legitimate what if scenario.

If there was a comparison to be made, it would be Peterson with Bloedorn.

[GU1999]

The Maine South HS to CCIW path stays strong with Julian Triffo committing to North Central.  Triffo, F (6' 7") led Maine South in scoring and rebounding was honorable mention all-state.  He is a very good high post player with nice range for a big man.  Shot 39%+ from 3.  Was first team Central Suburban - South, arguably the toughest 4a league in the state this year.   

2nd half of season highlights. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12121002/621513dcd45e0b05409ee78f

[Next Man Up]

The Maine South HS to CCIW path stays strong with Julian Triffo committing to North Central.  Triffo, F (6' 7") led Maine South in scoring and rebounding was honorable mention all-state.  He is a very good high post player with nice range for a big man.  Shot 39%+ from 3.  Was first team Central Suburban - South, arguably the toughest 4a league in the state this year.   

2nd half of season highlights. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12121002/621513dcd45e0b05409ee78f

https://twitter.com/JulianTriffo/status/1501412628849172488/photo/1

This is excellent news for the Cardinals. This season Julian averaged 18.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, AND 1.5 APG.

North Central has now landed three of it's top targets in this years class and, in doing so, is also addressing the lack of height which was a major problem this season.

1. Johnny Riva, 6'5" SG/PG from LaSalle-Peru
2. Justin Jakstys, 6'8" Wing F from Yorkville
3. Julian Triffo, 6'7" SF/PF from Maine South

[GoPerry]

Three years ago in the last NCAA D3 tourney to actually crown a champion, Wheaton went on the road in the Sweet Sixteen.  They were underdogs facing the CCIW regular season champ Augustana Vikings who did not receive the conference AQ having lost to North Central in the CCIW tournament.  As a Pool C Augustana hosted the opening 1st/2nd rd weekend that year. 

Just an observation of some interesting similarities.

[iwu70]

GoPerry, are you coming down for the game?

Yes, almost Game Day:   Williams vs. Wabash at 4:30 p.m. at The Shirk, then clearing the gym, and a separate session IWU hosting Wheaton yet gain, at 7:30 p.m. 

I expect another close, hard-fought game.  WC will need to try to take Leritz out of his normal game this time.  He scored 31 last time.  May come down to how well the other Titans play -- esp. Mitchell and Noe offensively, Yoder and Lambesis defensively.  Last time, the Titans switch around quite a bit in guarding Adom, and Yoder had him and played him pretty well some of the game.  Lambesis likely guarding him too, but also Cruickshank as well.  Alioth was in foul trouble last time, so we'll see how that plays out in this game.  He shoots the 3 very well, so Leritz or Mitchell likely pulled away from the basket more in this one. 

Home court perhaps not as great of an advantage in this one, as Spring break starting and many students likely to be heading off campus . . .  let's hope a big turnout from the normal, long-time Titan faithful and all the townies. 

Great to have the Sectional at The Shirk.

Good luck to Elmhurst tomorrow as well.  Let's hope two CCIW teams into the Elite 8. 

IWU'70

[matblake]

Congrats to Nyameye Adom and Matt Leritz for being named finalists for the Jostens Trophy
https://odaconline.com/jostens/2022/releases/031122-jostens-finalists

[USee]

Here is a special "sweet 16" edition of tonight's lineups:

Illinois Wesleyan Titans
#0, 6-7, SR, F, Matt "Puttin on" Leritz
#2, 6-4, SR, G, Pete "Photo" Lambesis
#3, 6-2, Sr, G, Corey "The First"  Noe "L"
#4, 6-0, Jr, G,  Luke "I am your Father" Yoder
#23, 6-7, Jr, G, Cody "Donavon" Mitchell

Reserves:
#14, 6-5, So, G, Ryan "Seacrest" Sroka
#5, 6-2, Jr, G,  Lucas "Doncic" Heflon
#12, 6-7, Fr, G, Nick "Goat" Roper

Wheaton College Thunder
#20, 6-1, Sr, G, Nyameye "Hunchback of Notre" Adom
#13, 5-11, Sr, G,  "Iron Mike" Tyson "Chicken" Cruichshank
#2, 6-6, Sr, F, Cade "David and" Alioth
#22, 6-4, Jr, G, "The Book of" Eli Considine
#3, 6-1, Sr, G, Collin "One for" Uveges

Reserves:
#24, 6-3, Sr, G, Luke "Carmelo" Anthony
#12, 6-4, So, G, Nick "At Night" Schiavello

[WUPHF]

I would have used Collin "What happens in...stays in" Uveges, but otherwise I still love these. 

Two of the best games I watched this season were IWU at Wheaton and Wheaton at Washington University.  This is definitely a must-watch game for #d3hoops fans.

[USee]

Aaaah. That's way better. I should have thought of that! You should take over the next round!

[GoPerry]

I would have used Collin "What happens in...stays in" Uveges, but otherwise I still love these. 

Two of the best games I watched this season were IWU at Wheaton and Wheaton at Washington University.  This is definitely a must-watch game for #d3hoops fans.

The winning formula for Wheaton this year has been 55 pts / 20 rebs for the Adom/Cruickshank/Alioth combo.  If they can secure or surpass those #s, they'll have a chance.  Short of that will make things tough unless they get a better than average performance from Luke Anthony, Schiavello, Considine. 

Also, a tightly called game will favor the Titans who have more fouls to expend. 

[WUPHF]

Aaaah. That's way better. I should have thought of that! You should take over the next round!

I got lucky with that one to be honest.

That game prediction makes sense to me.

[iwu70]

Usee, great work, as usual!

The two IWU-WC games were surely some of the best games I saw all year, so expect another great D3 game tonight. 

If Leritz has a strong game, and Mitchell plays like he has the last two, I think IWU wins by 5.  Not much home court advantage tonight with all the students now on Spring break . . .  Leritz needs to stay out of foul trouble, stay more on the floor, not on the bench. 

I'll be over earlier to watch the first session too -- Williams vs. Wabash.  Looking forward to checking out both teams.

'70

[USee]

Interesting tidbit from the IWU notes:

The Titans' five losses have another commonality besides below average shooting from three point land: free throw attempts. In its five losses, opponents are averaging seven more free throw attempts than the Green and White. Furthermore, in each of those losses, opponents are also averaging 6.4 more points from the free throw line than the Titans.
Illinois Wesleyan is 13-0 this season when attempting more free throws than its opponent, compared to 8-5 when the opposition attempts more FTs

In Wheaton's win this season they were aggressive getting to the basket and putting the Titans in foul trouble. In their 2 losses (dating back to last spring), IWU was the aggressor and Wheaton spent more time missing from deep.

I think the team that can defend the paint without fouling while getting into the paint and to the line at the other end has a huge edge.

[Next Man Up]

Usee, great work, as usual!

The two IWU-WC games were surely some of the best games I saw all year, so expect another great D3 game tonight. 

If Leritz has a strong game, and Mitchell plays like he has the last two, I think IWU wins by 5.  Not much home court advantage tonight with all the students now on Spring break . . .  Leritz needs to stay out of foul trouble, stay more on the floor, not on the bench. 

I'll be over earlier to watch the first session too -- Williams vs. Wabash.  Looking forward to checking out both teams.

'70

When I read this my immediate thought was "so does Alioth" which was picked up on by USee.

[Next Man Up]

Interesting tidbit from the IWU notes:

The Titans' five losses have another commonality besides below average shooting from three point land: free throw attempts. In its five losses, opponents are averaging seven more free throw attempts than the Green and White. Furthermore, in each of those losses, opponents are also averaging 6.4 more points from the free throw line than the Titans.
Illinois Wesleyan is 13-0 this season when attempting more free throws than its opponent, compared to 8-5 when the opposition attempts more FTs

In Wheaton's win this season they were aggressive getting to the basket and putting the Titans in foul trouble. In their 2 losses (dating back to last spring), IWU was the aggressor and Wheaton spent more time missing from deep.

I think the team that can defend the paint without fouling while getting into the paint and to the line at the other end has a huge edge.

For about as long as I have been following the CCIW, probably the #1 overall criticism of IWU by the combination of both IWU fans and posters from other teams alike has been FT shooting. As well as IWU has performed over an extended length of time, the one aspect of their game that seems to have elicited the most unfavorable mention overall over the years has been their FT shooting.

With regard to be the coincidence of the #7 being significant, in IWU's recent loss to NCC in the Conference Tournament, the Cardinals won that game, in which they shot seven more FTs than IWU, by seven points. 
Will history repeat?