MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[tjcummingsfan]

thegreatest-

In playing basketball, or any sport for that matter, at the college level an athlete does put themselves under the microscope to a certain extent.  I agree there's probably a line when it comes to discussing personal lives, but I think you're getting a little too bent out of shape about a comment regarding pregame drinking.  In my ultimate frisbee playing experience, it was painfully obvious when we played schools that decided to party the night before a tournament, or the night in-between tournament days, because we typically rolled over them.  I think it is a very relevant issue, and something Bosko should probably crack down on, if its true, and it certainly speaks to the leadership skills, or lack thereof, of the more experienced players, when they can't motivate their fellow players to avoid potentially harmful situations the night before a game.  Now this is all speculation on my part, I have no idea whether these Carthage players are drinking at the bars they were allegedly seen at, or if they were even seen at the bars.  I just think you should examine what factors in to how a player performs, and realize that whether they were aware of it or not, putting on the uniform of the college team you're playing for is going to draw attention.

[augie22]

tjcummingsfam-
I certainly agree with you point.  All student-athletes are held and looked at on a different level.  Im not saying its greater then the normal student, but it is different.   For players to be out the night before a game i don't think is to big of a deal, however, being out the night before a game drinking is not the best situation you can put yourself in.  I say this because in most cases they have a target on their back, so in this situation I agree with you.

-gosh were is my headband for my forehead??

[True Basketball Fan]

"what any player at any level of basketball does in their personal time has no bearing on what goes on during the game."  -thegreatest-  Dec. 15, 2005

Anyone else agree, that the above statement might be one of the most stupid ones we've heard in a long time.  I could have a lot of fun with that one, but I'll leave it to the imagination.  Besides, I don't want to read posts from "thegreatest" anymore, they're burning my retina.

[Knightstalker]

Wow, somehow I got negative karma all of a sudden.  I'm going to the doctor.

Joe, they can clear that up with a shot of Penicillin.   

[thegreatest]

ok....let me say this and then i'll be through with this discussion because the logic that some people are bringing to the table is just hilarious. so i'll give everybody a point that drinking the night before games probably isn't the best idea and i totally agree with that but just like mr. prikkel here said you got guys who are all conference first team doing the same things....but of course nobody's going to talk about them because they win right? also i've done a bit research myself on the few carthage games that they lost. its not like they've been getting blown out every time cause the games they did lose they had legit chances of winning. the games have always come down to decision making and lack of smart play. but i'm sure someone will just say something like if they weren't out drinking maybe they will make smart plays right?

[tjcummingsfan]

You'e right, no one is going to criticize someone's judgement if they're performing well, that's pretty typical.  However if the performance isn't what it theoretically could/should be then its worth looking at why.  If I was told that Adam Dauksas was seen out at the bars the night before they beat Wash U. I wouldn't even think twice about it, because he performed well the next day, simple as that.

[correctingtitan]

King Dennis--I am disappointed in you. You left out one la in your post 669.  We cherish accuracy on this board...

[joehakes]

I'm disappointed in KD for much more than that!!

[augie22]

Below is a link found in the Chicago Sun Times about Rick Harrigan.  He has come a long way since leaving Brother Rice overcoming many obsticles.  Its the story that people enjoy reading about other athletes.  Here is the link 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/campus/cst-spt-small15.html

[tjcummingsfan]

And TBF I completely agree, one of the stupidest things I've ever read on this board.

[ScrappyMcTavish]

I have been reading this board for years and truly enjoy it. I feel it keeps me in the loop. One thing has peaked my interest... the posting of what players do off the court. I am completely against it. What they do on their own time is their business. If it hurts the team, it needs to be addressed by the team, not a message board.

I am a former CCIW athlete and former college baseball coach, so I have a feeling that I can see both sides of this issue. Players, if of age, have the right to enjoy themselves after a game and possibly the night before, if done in moderation.

The same can be said for all of us... I would bet that many of you will occasionally have a few drinks and still function properly in the morning. College basketball games are generally at night, so the body has even longer to recover from the effects of the alcohol.

I am not advocating the use of alcohol the night beofre a game, but if we are truly raising these boys to be young men, we need to trust that they will make the right decisions without our hand-holding. If not, we need to seriously consider the type of athlete we are recruiting.

[Mugsy]

There is a new thread under Midwest Region.  It was started by the Carthage SID.  Apparently Carthage assistant coach Earl Trice died on Dec. 13 following a lengthy illness.

Although I didn't know the man, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

[titanhammer]

As Q stated, the kids keep me busy (12 year old daughter, 19 month old son, and another daughter due 2/14), but I manage to keep up with the board.  Not much need for me to post when Q puts everything on here that is relevant and Mr. Ypsi puts everything on here that is irrelevant  in regards to the Titans.  I took the summer off due to frustration with the Titan loss to Hanover.  It made me wonder if this senior class would reach the level that Titan fans hoped they would.  I think they have, but only a trip to Salem can confirm that.  Merry Christmas to everyone.

[joehakes]

I can heckle Greg and he doesn't rise to the bait like Dennis does.  What fun is that?  Prikkel on the other hand always gets riled.


Sorry to hear about Earl Trice.  I met him a couple of times and he just seemed like a genuinely nice man.  It's tough when folks go before their time.

[Mr. Ypsi]

As Q stated, the kids keep me busy (12 year old daughter, 19 month old son, and another daughter due 2/14), but I manage to keep up with the board.  Not much need for me to post when Q puts everything on here that is relevant and Mr. Ypsi puts everything on here that is irrelevant  in regards to the Titans.  I took the summer off due to frustration with the Titan loss to Hanover.  It made me wonder if this senior class would reach the level that Titan fans hoped they would.  I think they have, but only a trip to Salem can confirm that.  Merry Christmas to everyone.

Good to know that I can fill a vital role for you - otherwise you'd be forced to come on and post some of the irrelevant stuff!

IF the Titans can get by both Hanover and Puget Sound, I'm CAUTIOUSLY optimistic they really CAN run the table.  I realize that is NEARLY impossible to do in the CCIW, but I've raised my odds to 25% chance.  IF that happens, we can then discuss how they rank among the all-time great teams (e.g., the NP champions or the Jack Sikma teams), but that is a LONG way into the future.

The Hanover loss WAS one of the most devastating losses ever - I really thought there would be an IWU-UWSP showdown for the 'title' (even if it would come before Salem).  At least it wasn't a loss to an unworthy team.