MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst broke open what had been only a one-point game at halftime, going on a 29-7 spree over the span of about six and a half minutes in the middle of the second half to drive a stake through Transylvania, 97-68, in their season opener in Faganel Hall. Ocean Johnson had a 27 and 8 night, including 5-9 from downtown, while Wesley Hooker had 21 points and Anthony Scales added 13 off the bench. Jonathan Zapinski grabbed a dozen rebounds for the 'jays, who posted a brisk .517/.462/.793 shooting line this evening.

[Greek Tragedy]

"drove a stake through Transylvania..." 

[kiko]

Looks like Ocean Johnson lit them up as well... 

[Gregory Sager]

I'm just sorry that Ocean Johnson plays basketball for Elmhurst, rather than football or soccer. The "Ocean's Eleven" jokes write themselves.

[Gregory Sager]

Two more CCIW teams get things going today, and they'll get it going in the same locale. As previously mentioned, North Central begins its season with a 5 pm showdown up in Waukesha against Dubuque. Following that game at Van Male, host Carroll will take to the floor for the first time in 2022-23 for a tussle with the Whitman Blues (which is not an old lament on an ancient scratchy 78 by Blind Lemon Jefferson or Lightnin' Hopkins about the woes of not finding your favorite piece of chocolate in a sampler box).

Two days ago Whitman held off Carthage at Tarble Arena, 75-67. No doubt the Blues did not fly home to Walla Walla in the meantime, but have instead spent the last 48 hours in southeastern Wisconsin introducing themselves to the joys of string cheese, bratwurst, and Blatz.

[Next Man Up]

Two more CCIW teams get things going today, and they'll get it going in the same locale. As previously mentioned, North Central begins its season with a 5 pm showdown up in Waukesha against Dubuque. Following that game at Van Male, host Carroll will take to the floor for the first time in 2022-23 for a tussle with the Whitman Blues (which is not an old lament on an ancient scratchy 78 by Blind Lemon Jefferson or Lightnin' Hopkins about the woes of not finding your favorite piece of chocolate in a sampler box).

Two days ago Whitman held off Carthage at Tarble Arena, 75-67. No doubt the Blues did not fly home to Walla Walla in the meantime, but have instead spent the last 48 hours in southeastern Wisconsin introducing themselves to the joys of string cheese, bratwurst, and Blatz Spotted Cow, currently the most popular beer in Wisconsin.

Fixed it for you. 

[WUPHF]

String cheese or cheese curds?  You got me curious...

[lmitzel]

Two more CCIW teams get things going today, and they'll get it going in the same locale. As previously mentioned, North Central begins its season with a 5 pm showdown up in Waukesha against Dubuque. Following that game at Van Male, host Carroll will take to the floor for the first time in 2022-23 for a tussle with the Whitman Blues (which is not an old lament on an ancient scratchy 78 by Blind Lemon Jefferson or Lightnin' Hopkins about the woes of not finding your favorite piece of chocolate in a sampler box).

Two days ago Whitman held off Carthage at Tarble Arena, 75-67. No doubt the Blues did not fly home to Walla Walla in the meantime, but have instead spent the last 48 hours in southeastern Wisconsin introducing themselves to the joys of string cheese, bratwurst, and Blatz Spotted Cow, currently the most popular beer in Wisconsin.

Fixed it for you. 

I may or may not have brought 3 six packs home when we went up to Door County this summer (granted, 2 were for neighbors).

[kiko]

String cheese or cheese curds?  You got me curious...

I mean, if they don't visit Mars Cheese Castle while visiting flyover country, then what was the point of the trip?

[kiko]

I am clearly not yet in regular season form as I tuned in at 7p for the 5p tipoff but North Central tops the Fighting Hams of Dubuque, 81-70.

Matt Helwig had 29
Brian Johnson 15 and 10
Shea Cupples with 15

The Sons of Warden shot 48% from the floor and 52% (13 of 25) from behind the arc.

Sam Kilburg's 15 led four Dubuque players in double figures.

Assuming Dubuque plays as advertised this year -- they topped the ARC preseason coach's poll -- then this will be a nice non conference win for the Cardinals.

[lmitzel]

I am clearly not yet in regular season form as I tuned in at 7p for the 5p tipoff but North Central tops the Fighting Hams of Dubuque, 81-70.

Matt Helwig had 29
Brian Johnson 15 and 10
Shea Cupples with 15

The Sons of Warden shot 48% from the floor and 52% (13 of 25) from behind the arc.

Sam Kilburg's 15 led four Dubuque players in double figures.

Assuming Dubuque plays as advertised this year -- they topped the ARC preseason coach's poll -- then this will be a nice non conference win for the Cardinals.

I watched most of the game. A five point halftime lead for the Cardinals really ballooned early in the second half. Biggest lead I saw was 18, though the Spartans cut it to single digits a couple times.

[Next Man Up]

New NCC Head Coach Anthony Figueroa picks up his first win in the Cardinals season opening game as the Napervillians led throughout in posting an 81-70 victory over American Rivers Conf favorite Dubuque.
After being forced to play out of position in the post for the majority of last season, senior Brian Johnson certainly enjoyed the freedom afforded him in NCC's new offensive flow, and responded with an impressive 15 and 10 double-double. His point total included a perfect 3 for 3 from downtown, and 4 for 4 from the line. For good measure he added 4 assists, a block, and a steal. Shea Cupples also turned in a strong performance, matching Johnson's 15 points, and leading the Cards with 5 assists. And, oh ya, picking up where he left off last year, Matt Helwig threw in 29 points on 11-15/5-8/2-3 shooting. 

[CarrollBooster]

Whitman beat Carroll 72-55. Not much to say. Looks like another long year coming for the Pios unfortunately. They were never in the game. 

NCC looked crisp in the first game. Matt Helwig was everything I had heard about and more.

[iwu70]

IWU opens the season tonight -- 8 p.m. -- vs. Yeshiva, in the Jack Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational.  Webster vs. UW Stevens Point in the first game at 6 p.m.

Expected starting line-up for IWU:  Heflen, Sroka, Roper, Mitchell and Wilmsen. 

Big Jack and most all the other IWU All-Americans will be in the house tonight.  New scoreboards and new jumbotrons on display.   

IWU'70

[kiko]

I'm just sorry that Ocean Johnson plays basketball for Elmhurst, rather than football or soccer. The "Ocean's Eleven" jokes write themselves.

You'll just have to be a bit more creative.  If he goes for a double-double of 11 and 12, that window is still wiiiiiide open.