MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bopol]

Yep, as someone who did the commute for a decade down I94 from Lake County to Chicago, that drive sucks.  So, no, most 18 year olds won't commute there and there aren't commutable public university options for the Northern/NW Suburbs.  Frankly, UIC on the Metra is a better option than NEIU, which is in a terrible location to serve the needs of anyone who isn't served just as well by UIC.

Definitely agree, and, aside from some very specific grad programs, UIC has a better academic reputation than NEIU as well. Livelier campus and closer to downtown, too.

(Two weeks from Tuesday the North Park baseball team will be playing an exhibition game against UIC at the Flames' Granderson Stadium for the second season in a row. I'm really looking forward to it, because watching a game at Granderson is a great experience. UIC says it has "the best batter's eye in all of college baseball," and they're right.)

UIC is an excellent university.  Granderson Stadium is awesome.  I'm looking forward to baseball season.

[markerickson]

Seeing as Richardson came from Northfield, MN, home of Carleton College, I wonder if the college employs either or both parents.

[Gregory Sager]

Could be. Northfield is also the home of St. Olaf, so they could be employed by the Oles instead of the Knights.

[blue_jays]

Yep, as someone who did the commute for a decade down I94 from Lake County to Chicago, that drive sucks.  So, no, most 18 year olds won't commute there and there aren't commutable public university options for the Northern/NW Suburbs.  Frankly, UIC on the Metra is a better option than NEIU, which is in a terrible location to serve the needs of anyone who isn't served just as well by UIC.

Definitely agree, and, aside from some very specific grad programs, UIC has a better academic reputation than NEIU as well. Livelier campus and closer to downtown, too.

(Two weeks from Tuesday the North Park baseball team will be playing an exhibition game against UIC at the Flames' Granderson Stadium for the second season in a row. I'm really looking forward to it, because watching a game at Granderson is a great experience. UIC says it has "the best batter's eye in all of college baseball," and they're right.)

UIC is an excellent university.  Granderson Stadium is awesome.  I'm looking forward to baseball season.

I echo this sentiment about Granderson Stadium. The view from the field and press box is amazing.

[Gregory Sager]

The expected snowstorm on Wednesday is likely to play havoc with travel, and CCIW schools are already adjusting their athletic schedules in response. Wednesday's NPU @ IWU women's game has been moved up to tomorrow night, and discussions are in progress to move the Carroll @ NPU men's game to either Tuesday or Thursday night. I think it's likely that similar conversations are going on around the league at the moment, so keep checking the athletics websites of the nine CCIW schools for updates.

[Gregory Sager]

The Carroll @ North Park game has been moved up to 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

[iwu70]

After the two losses this week, IWU drops to #13 in the 10th week poll. 

Carthage in the driver's seat now.

Lots of basketball still to be played.

'70

[GusD]

After the two losses this week, IWU drops to #13 in the 10th week poll. 

Carthage in the driver's seat now.

Lots of basketball still to be played.

'70

And, unfortunately for the Green Weenies, those two losses may well mean the chance to host the CCIW Conference Tournament. 
But, as '70 says, lots of basketball still to be played.

[GusD]

Also with, surprisingly to many, losses in their two most recent games, North Park likely played themselves out of contention for the National Tournament, save winning the Conference Tourney.

[Gregory Sager]

I'm a bit surprised that the other three games are standing pat with the Wednesday schedule. Winter Storm Iliana (yes, they name major snowstorms now) is predicted to dump 5" to 8" of snow on northern Illinois Wednesday. Good luck with the Firebirds getting to and from Naperville, the Bluejays getting to and from Rock Island, and Wheaton getting to and from Decatur in the middle of that mess. Those six teams are apparently banking on a possible postponement to Thursday as their insurance policy -- which would mean two extra days of prep for Saturday's games for Carroll, Illinois Wesleyan, and North Park, for what that's worth.

[lmitzel]

I'm a bit surprised that the other three games are standing pat with the Wednesday schedule. Winter Storm Iliana (yes, they name major snowstorms now) is predicted to dump 5" to 8" of snow on northern Illinois Wednesday. Good luck with the Firebirds getting to and from Naperville, the Bluejays getting to and from Rock Island, and Wheaton getting to and from Decatur in the middle of that mess. Those six teams are apparently banking on a possible postponement to Thursday as their insurance policy -- which would mean two extra days of prep for Saturday's games for Carroll, Illinois Wesleyan, and North Park, for what that's worth.

Issue for NCC is that men's volleyball is home on Thursday. I guess it's possible they could shift times around with that match; I just don't know how much time the facilities folks would need to turn stuff around (I've seen them turn around a basketball game for volleyball practice reasonably quickly but I don't know if games would complicate matters.)

[Gregory Sager]

After the two losses this week, IWU drops to #13 in the 10th week poll.

Carthage, with 35 points, leads the ORV category and trails #25 Trinity (TX) by only five points.

[bopol]

A

Also with, surprisingly to many, losses in their two most recent games, North Park likely played themselves out of contention for the National Tournament, save winning the Conference Tourney.

A win at IWU would definitely push them to the bubble, but history isn't great on 9 loss teams making the Tournament.  North Park probably played too tough of a nonconference schedule taking 4 losses there - albeit against good teams and getting a win over Top 50 Anderson.

[GusD]

A

Also with, surprisingly to many, losses in their two most recent games, North Park likely played themselves out of contention for the National Tournament, save winning the Conference Tourney.

A win at IWU would definitely push them to the bubble, but history isn't great on 9 loss teams making the Tournament.  North Park probably played too tough of a nonconference schedule taking 4 losses there - albeit against good teams and getting a win over Top 50 Anderson.

They're currently sitting at 14-8. Even if they run the table in their remaining regular season games, and win two more in the Conference Tournament, that would make them 19-8. IWU finished with that record last season and wasn't invited to the Big Dance. And a loss in the Tournament Championship game would result in a final record of 19-9 almost assuredly removing any possibility of dancing. All signs point to the necessity of winning the CCIW Tourney or watching rather than playing in the National.

[GusD]

Still no word on movement of the Carthage @ NCC, Wheaton @ Millikin, or Elmhurst @ Augie games. The visitors might be able to get to their respective destinations OK but, in light of the projected forecast, getting home again might be a matter of life and death. Of course, there are a multitude of hotel rooms in Naperville, Decatur (poor Wheaton), and Rock Island.