MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Some on this board had doubts. 

Many didn't think he'd be this good, this soon.  Not many freshman PGs have played this well, this fast.   

Only a certain freshman PG on the IWU national championship team comes to mind. 

(No, I'm not predicting that Fridman will be that good).

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Who on this board had doubts about Fridman? I've re-read this board going back to last spring, and I didn't see anything of the sort.

I certainly didn't have doubts. I follow Illinois high school basketball. I knew he was good. What's more, there are NPU basketball alumni who coach in the suburbs who told me from first-hand experience of coaching in games involving Fridman that he was good. What I objected to was the hype surrounding him; not because of him in particular but because I grow weary of hearing Titans fans in various sports anoint their freshmen with that kind of can't-miss-superstar boosterism. You'd think that the excellence of Titans recruits would be self-evident, because, after all, the kid chose Illinois Wesleyan, so how could someone that smart, that perceptive, that loaded with good taste and refinement and everything else worth applauding, not be a great athlete as well?

And now, because I'm tired of discussing Fridman, I'm going to change the subject. Does anybody have a read on Augustana this season? I've watched the Rock Islanders play twice via livestream, but I'm interested in everybody else's thoughts, particularly since I'm calling the Augustana @ NPU game late this afternoon.

[y_jack_lok]

I grow weary of hearing Titans fans in various sports anoint their freshmen with that kind of can't-miss-superstar boosterism.

I have to agree with this. I only frequent a couple of other of the D3boards in football and basketball, but I don't see this kind of thing occurring on those boards. Sure, there's an occasional comment about a promising player or some excitement about a particularly good game performance by someone. Those things are natural for any social media environment. It's great to support your team and its players. It's also good to be aware of being too zealous about it.

[iwu70]

We all know Greg has a thing about the Titans and their boisterous pro-Titan fans.  He can't get over it. He can't help himself. I don't remember any particular "hype" about Fridman . . . and he wasn't even starting at the beginning of this season.  Some of us watching him obviously pointed out his promise.  I don't think that is "hype."   His promise is now coming to fruition.  We'll see how high he goes.

Greg, can't help you on Augie.  We've seen the women here recently and that program has just fallen through the floor.  Sad to see really.  I thought CCIW games on both sides -- men and women -- should be competitive, but that one wasn't at all.  I felt sorry for them.  I know the Titan women are good this year, but it should not be like that.  They are really bad. 

I'm pretty sure IWU men will have their hands full with NCC this afternoon.  No "hype" from me, though I do hope Fridman scores 25 or 30 this afternoon! 

'70

[WUPHF]

I do not mind fans hyping their players, but returning later to brag about it multiple times as if the potential was not obvious...

[lmitzel]

Does anybody have a read on Augustana this season? I've watched the Rock Islanders play twice via livestream, but I'm interested in everybody else's thoughts, particularly since I'm calling the Augustana @ NPU game late this afternoon.

Thought they played fairly well when they came to Naperville a month or so ago. Augie outscored the Cardinals 28-16 in the paint in what was a pretty physical game; they took advantage of their size and the fact that the stripes more or less let guys play.

[Green Beer]

The start if triple overtime.
Having sat through the women's game too, my butt is wearing out.

[Gregory Sager]

North Park 87
Augustana 73

Rico Powell: 18 pts (5-6 trey), 10 rebs
TJ Gardner: 18 pts, 3 stls
Davante Robinson: 15 pts
Lance Nelson: 13 pts (3-4 trey), 4:1 a:to
Taijon Barry: 4 blks

Tyler Knuth: 25 pts (5-10 trey), 3 stls
Evan Ambrose: 11 pts
Staishaun Kelley: 11 pts
Chase Larsen: 3 stls

North Park put on a dominating display of shooting, posting a .527/.579/.750 line and scoring 20 more points than Augie had been allowing on average this season. Aside from some hiccups in terms of ball control -- some credit goes to Augie's smart and aggressive defense -- it was one of the best games the Park has played this season, as they also ruled the boards, 36-28.

Vikings now go into their bye still tied for first with IWU at 5-1, with 4-1 Carthage a half-game back.

[Green Beer]

Titans pull it out. Keys to the game, Anderson dominating the paint, Bolt draining 2 treys at pivotal moments, free throws.

[Gregory Sager]

In a big battle between the two teams tied for third just a half-game out of first place, Carthage outlasted Millikin in Kenosha, 64-55. Carthage led for the entire first half, only to see Millikin jump out to a 42-31 advantage with 13:10 to go. But the Firebirds were able to answer with a 15-2 run over the next four and a half minutes to take a 46-44 lead. The game seesawed until the last couple of minutes, when the Firebirds were able to put some two-possession daylight between themselves and Jimmy Millikin. The Johnson brothers continued to wreak havoc for the Firebirds, with  AJ scoring 21 and Ryan contributing 21 and 10. Griffin Daun added 11 and 8 in the winning cause, as the Firebirds admirably made up for a horrific afternoon for Riley Brooks (0-9 shooting and zero points in 33 minutes). Carthage was only whistled for six fouls the entire game. Millikin was led by Demarcus Bond's 14 points, with JT Welch scoring 12 and Nate Straughter 11. Drake Stevenson and Lane Thomann had 9 and 7 boards, respectively.

In a battle of teams winless in league play, Carroll withstood a second-half Wheaton run that reduced what had been a 16-point Pioneers lead to only four, building it back up down the stretch to prevail, 74-58, at Van Male. Eric Victorson scored 22 points on 7-13 shooting from range, while Eckahelo Simpson added 13 and Jacob Naber grabbed 13 caroms. Wheaton was led by Soren Richardson's 22 points and Noah Hedrick's 16.

[iwu70]

Green Beer is right -- great game.  Won by Roper, Williams and Anderson, with key treys from Boldt tonight.  Who knew?  Fridman didn't score 25, only 11, but 8-8 from the line and running the IWU offense most of the night. 

For NCC, an incredible effort:

Helwig 14 and 7 (such a smooth, talented player).
Swierczek 14
Bullock 14
Di Silvio 13
Molly 13
Moncrief 11

NCC at 39%, 50% from three, 79% from the FT line.  NCC made 14 threes, keeping them in the game.
But losing the rebounding line 39 to 52.


For IWU:

Roper 29 and 9, 11-13 from the FT line
Williams 20, 6-6 from the line
Fridman 11, 8-8 FTs.
Anderson, the man of the game, 19 and 12, 7-8 from the FT line.  Many key plays, steals and rebounds.  His best game yet, confirming again my notion that he should be starting over Funk. 
Boldt, the two key threes

IWU at 40%, 28% from three, a robust 87% of all those FTs.

NCC was indeed a very tough test.  I always say, get to 78 and win the game.  This one was tied after regulation at 68, and it took most of those 3 OTs for IWU to get over the top and get past 78 and the win.

A key home win.  IWU escapes . . .

IWU'70

p.s. WU, you a funny guy.  Love your graphics.  Keep them coming.  I can use the laughs.  '70

[iwu70]

That mentioned former freshman PG on the IWU National Championship team, Korey Coon, was in the house tonight, along with Bryan Crabtree and many other former IWU players from teams' past -- all there to enjoy the triple OT victory and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Shirk Center.  The entire Shirk family was honored at half time with former IWU coach Dennie Bridges, providing the well-deserved plaudits and kudos to the Shirk family for this amazing facility for IWU athletics and for use by the entire Bloomington/Normal community.  Thank you Shirk family and the Shirk Foundation!!!

A thankful Titan
IWU'70

[iwu70]

Chicago over #5 Wash U 71-66.  Final.

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Wednesday
Augustana (1-4) @ Wheaton (0-5)
Elmhurst (2-3) @ Carroll (1-4)
North Central (3-3) @ Carthage (4-1)
Illinois Wesleyan (5-1) @ Millikin (4-2)

North Park (5-1) has the bye.

All games are 7 pm tipoffs.

[GU1999]

Wednesday
Augustana (1-4) @ Wheaton (0-5)
Elmhurst (2-3) @ Carroll (1-4)
North Central (3-3) @ Carthage (4-1)
Illinois Wesleyan (5-1) @ Millikin (4-2)

North Park (5-1) has the bye.

All games are 7 pm tipoffs.

good information, but lacking in Fridman performance speculation v. Millikin.