MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[petemcb]

NPU tanked in the Midwest Invitational title game, losing to Coe, 70-56. That's a bad loss, and no way at all for the Vikings to wrap up their non-conference slate.

Greg, maybe you'll feel a little better about the loss if you switch over to the dark side and think of it as a "pre-season" loss.......

[dansand]

DS:  Which paper? 

Given that their coach has essentially quit, perhaps the players will cease to play.

It was in the Moline Dispatch/Argus. In fairness and to put it in context, I think the reporter was quoting an outburst from the bench when Rebsome was complaining about a foul call late in the game. It wasn't from a post-game interview or anything like that. Not that that excuses it. Still pretty harsh.

All things considered, I have a strong suspicion that Rockford coach Ryan Rebsome has already made his trip to Kinko's to print out new copies of his resume.

Augie's well-lubricated student section commented at length on his impending firing and actually had him chuckling about it.

[Gregory Sager]

Whoa nelly,  what ever happened to having faith in your team?  Sheesh!  With a coach's attitude like that, no wonder guys don't want to come and play for him. 

To be fair to Rebsome, I doubt that even John Wooden could entice anyone to come to Rockford and play basketball at this point. Keep in mind that the school is barely treading water and might have to close its doors when spring semester ends. Who wants to be the rat who jumps onto the sinking ship?

Augie's well-lubricated student section commented at length on his impending firing and actually had him chuckling about it.

He was probably chuckling over the thought of being fired from a school that offers him zero job security even if he stays.

Is North Park going to be a contender this season in the CCIW?  They have played well as of early but do they have to dogs to keep it up in a tough conference all year?

The Vikings need a lot more consistency from their starting backcourt, which is their strength, and the team as a whole needs to shoot much better. Whether it's shot selection or just plain misfiring, NPU needs to solve the problem -- that sub-40% team FG shooting percentage in their last two non-conference games, and the 25% or worse trey shooting percentage they logged in the last three games, just won't get it done when the CCIW season starts on January 3.

There's a lot of big front lines in the CCIW this season, which means that the significantly smaller Vikings are going to struggle to get rebounds. That means that they have to maximize their possessions -- and a sub-40% performance from the field is a formula for nights filled with one-and-dones in CCIW play.

One big problem is that the team's best shooter, 6'4 junior Mike Church, has been sitting on the sidelines in street clothes all season. He has a significant back injury, and he may not suit up at all this year. Paul Brenegan might have to lean more heavily upon freshman Joe Capalbo to help pick up the slack in terms of establishing a perimeter shooting threat.

NPU tanked in the Midwest Invitational title game, losing to Coe, 70-56. That's a bad loss, and no way at all for the Vikings to wrap up their non-conference slate.

Greg, maybe you'll feel a little better about the loss if you switch over to the dark side and think of it as a "pre-season" loss.......

LOL!

[Gregory Sager]

Aurora beat Millikin last night in the western suburbs, 90-75. Drew Gensler led the way for the Big Blue (5-4) with 17, Joscar Demby came off the bench to add 15 and grab 7 boards, and Mike Gavic chipped in 10 points. Rebounds and turnovers were fairly even; Aurora blistered the nets to the tune of a .561 FG percentage, which was the difference. It also looks like Millikin had no answer for All-American Larry Welton (29 pts), and Mike Leonard added 20 as well for the Spartans.

[Gregory Sager]

I'll be offline for the next few days, so I'll take this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to all CCIW Chat posters and lurkers!

[Pat Coleman]

What? Offline??? What's that??!!??

[goodknight]

I'll be offline for the next few days, so I'll take this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to all CCIW Chat posters and lurkers!

This is Sager's sneaky way of wishing all a "pre-season" greeting.

[sports]

Are there any radio broadcasts of the games played at the Orlando shootout?

[Titan Q]

Final:

North Central 66
Gwynedd-Mercy 44

(Daniel Walton: 13 pts, 14 reb)


NCC was on WONC as usual.  Wayne Randazzo, WONC's play-by-play man, is very good.

Not sure if Elmhurst vs Albion (coming up right now from the same tourney) is on the net anywhere.

[ecdubb420]

the scores for the Orlando tourney have been popping up really quick, so hopefully we'll have a result for the EC game around 4:30-5.
i'll take a listen to all the teams down at the tourney and see if anyone is covering the EC game.
don't bother with WRSE.com, the EC broadcasters were unable to attend the tournament. 

[79jaybird]

"don't bother with WRSE.com, the EC Broadcasters were unable to attend the tournament"
What?  Where's the loyalty?  hehe just kinding  Florida is a lot further than MI or some of the football games I have driven to for broadcasts.  hehe

[usee]

There's a lot of big front lines in the CCIW this season, which means that the significantly smaller Vikings are going to struggle to get rebounds. That means that they have to maximize their possessions -- and a sub-40% performance from the field is a formula for nights filled with one-and-dones in CCIW play.

Greg,

why does this have to be true? it wasn't true for Wheaton in Evanston last week. They dominated the bigger, more athletic Northwestern on the boards. maybe I'm wrong but rebounding seems to me to be equal parts technique, skill and DESIRE.

[ecdubb420]

unfortunately the loyalty tends to run dry when one is covering 100% of the bill.  though, i guarantee a broadcaster will be at all remaining games.  I wish I could guarantee we will be on air, but as history shows, finding reliable people to watch the in-studio board is another story (and even more out of pocket expense).

Go BlueJays.  

[79jaybird]

Usee, I agree with you about desire.  Many teams have the talent but lack the desire and the "drive" to put the extra-- to ordinary = extraordinary. (I know, corny analogy, but still true)   Every CCIW champion has that 1 player that puts that extraordinary effort and charisma to get his team to the top.  IWU Dauksas  EC Knuppel, etc.  guys that just put that extra "oomph" into their play.

[79jaybird]

ecdubb420  "unfortunately the loyalty tends to run dry when one is covering 100% of the bill"
Next year will be my 7th year doing play-by-play for EC football and all 7 years have been 100% covered by yours truly.  Why?  I don't do this for the money, the spotlight, or anything like that.  I do what I do because my heart and love is there.
Ex. Olivet trip last year.  Gasoline, hotel room, food, etc.  I am sure the costs were over $150.00.  But the memories, fun times in a local Ma/Pa shop in Charlotte, MI and a EC win over Olivet- you can't put a price on that.
I know many times local broadcasters are discouraged by your points.  I see it all the time.  It's still a shame though.