MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[cardinalpride]

Is it the same high ankle sprain that's been hampering him over the past week or two, or is it a new injury? I ask because Simmons has attemped to play through that ankle sprain over the past few games.

Well Greg, from talking to the coaches, that ankle sprain that occurred during the Benedictine game last monday was x-rayed yesterday and a slight fracture was found in his ankle.  Early prognosis is 4-6 weeks.  I believe Simmons is going for a second opinion.  We'll see what happens.

[Gregory Sager]

Is it the same high ankle sprain that's been hampering him over the past week or two, or is it a new injury? I ask because Simmons has attemped to play through that ankle sprain over the past few games.

Well Greg, from talking to the coaches, that ankle sprain that occurred during the Benedictine game last monday was x-rayed yesterday and a slight fracture was found in his ankle.  Early prognosis is 4-6 weeks.  I believe Simmons is going for a second opinion.  We'll see what happens.

Wow. That's a serious blow to NCC if the initial prognosis is upheld. A four-to-six-week layoff for Simmons would mean that he'd miss anywhere from seven to eleven CCIW games -- and there'd be no guarantee that he'd be back at full speed upon his return. It would also mean that the preseason conference favorites are clearly facing an uphill battle to live up to their advance billing ... and the up-and-down performance by the Cards in non-conference play, plus their lingering backcourt questions, have already led to some doubt surrounding Raridon's squad.

[cardinalpride]

Is it the same high ankle sprain that's been hampering him over the past week or two, or is it a new injury? I ask because Simmons has attemped to play through that ankle sprain over the past few games.

Well Greg, from talking to the coaches, that ankle sprain that occurred during the Benedictine game last monday was x-rayed yesterday and a slight fracture was found in his ankle.  Early prognosis is 4-6 weeks.  I believe Simmons is going for a second opinion.  We'll see what happens.

Wow. That's a serious blow to NCC if the initial prognosis is upheld. A four-to-six-week layoff for Simmons would mean that he'd miss anywhere from seven to eleven CCIW games -- and there'd be no guarantee that he'd be back at full speed upon his return. It would also mean that the preseason conference favorites are clearly facing an uphill battle to live up to their advance billing ... and the up-and-down performance by the Cards in non-conference play, plus their lingering backcourt questions, have already led to some doubt surrounding Raridon's squad.

Simmons absence is a big blow to my beloved NCC.  According to the staff, their hoping the initial doctor was a bit conservative with his/her prognosis and Simmons can return in the 2 to 4 week range.  While his injury is huge, the coaching staff has confidence in the rest of the team to play and win with out him.  After hearing their optimism, I did my own research.  Here's what I found:

Simmons has missed 11 games to date going back to his freshman year.  My Cardinals are 11-0 in his absence.  3-0 under coach Taylor (Simmons was moreso a reserve player) and 8-0 under coach Raridon (Simmons was/is best player and leading scorer).  That's a credit to the rest of the team and staff.  Hopefully the success can continue until he returns.

[AndOne]

It seems the doctor that was available today (Thurs) was NOT an orthopedic specialist.
Accordingly, a specialist will be consulted, prob Friday. From his movement and degree of pain last night, it seems there is some possibility that the injury is a hairline crack as opposed to a more extensive fracture. If so, with the modality of treatment available from a specialist, recovery time may shortened to 2-3 weeks. A good lateral aspect view x-ray will be needed, possibly an MRI,  to obtain a clear picture and accurate diagnosis. This will be especially true if the injury does indeed prove to be of a less serious nature, particularly if the damage is to the cuboid or intermediate or lateral cuneiform area.

[Gregory Sager]

It seems the doctor that was available today (Thurs) was NOT an orthopedic specialist.
Accordingly, a specialist will be consulted, prob Friday. From his movement and degree of pain last night, it seems there is some possibility that the injury is a hairline crack as opposed to a more extensive fracture. If so, with the modality of treatment available from a specialist, recovery time may shortened to 2-3 weeks. A good lateral aspect view x-ray will be needed, possibly an MRI,  to obtain a clear picture and accurate diagnosis. This will be especially true if the injury does indeed prove to be of a less serious nature, particularly if the damage is to the cuboid or intermediate or lateral cuneiform area.

Good points, but there's another factor that needs to be mentioned: Healing rate. Not everybody heals at the same rate, and there's a full spectrum of individual responses in terms of recovery time as it relates to specific foot/ankle-based basketball functions (running, jumping, landing, pivoting, pushing off, etc.).

Simmons has missed 11 games to date going back to his freshman year.  My Cardinals are 11-0 in his absence.  3-0 under coach Taylor (Simmons was moreso a reserve player) and 8-0 under coach Raridon (Simmons was/is best player and leading scorer).  That's a credit to the rest of the team and staff.

Yes, it is. But that 11-0 mark may be a case of drunk-leaning-on-a-lamppost statistics (i.e., used more for support than illumination).  You alluded to this somewhat by making a distinction between the three games under the Benjinator in which Simmons was a freshman reserve and the eight games under Raridon in which Simmons was the team's star and offensive linchpin. But you have to go farther than that; the six games out of those eight that were played during Simmons' sophomore and junior years (he missed five games as a sophomore, one as a junior) featured a stable, experienced, and skilled Cardinals backcourt -- Adam Teising and Mike Vicario last year; Teising, Vicario, and Mike Wilson when Simmons was a soph.

Plus, there's also the matter of who the Cardinals played in those eleven games, particularly the eight games in which he was both starter and star. No sampling of eight games taken from the past 2 1/2 years of North Central basketball is likely to be the same as any other sampling in terms of competition. And in this particular case, the eight-game sample in question is highly prejudicial in terms of competition. How so? Well, here's the teams NCC has played when they haven't had Simmons in uniform:

2004-05:
Marietta (3-22)
Franklin (18-10)
Knox (12-11)
Chowan (14-12)
Cabrini (14-13)

2005-06:
IIT (3-26)

2006-07:
East-West (4-11)
Albion (2-7)

Not a CCIW team in the bunch, and, aside from that Franklin team two years ago, not a lot of quality of any kind among those eight opponents.

What I'm saying is that the team context concerning Simmons' various absences shifts, because the NCC roster (like everyone else's) shifts from year to year, and the situation in terms of opponents shifts as well. Some years -- and some games -- more is expected of a team's superstar, some years less. It would seem to me that more is expected of Anthony Simmons by the Cardinals faithful this season than was the case the past two seasons, simply because of the uncertainty in the NCC backcourt. And it's certainly the case that the Cards are going to need him more for the gauntlet that we all know and love as the fourteen-game CCIW schedule than they did for the likes of IIT last season, or East-West and Albion this season.

[Jim Matson]

Wheaton finishes out their pre-con schedule with 2 games out East this weekend at the College of Staten Island Tourney.  Tonight's game has Wheaton against Nazareth College (Rochester, NY).  Naz is 4-2 on the season and seems to be a team with an aggressive style - they scored in the 90s in their last game.  They've a freshman guard, Corey McAdam (6-2) who has captured some recognition already this year due to his leadership on the team.  After the Northwestern game, I think we can cover anyone, but Panner may have his hands full with McAdam.

Naz also runs with a 6-7 center, Tyler Smith, who also is a strong leader on the team.  I noticed he had 11 assists in his last game - and scored in double figures.

Maybe Wheaton slows this game down?  I think the Thunder defense can hold anyone under 60 points, but unless someone else besides Raymond gets hot, this might be a tough game.

[cardinalpride]

Yes, it is. But that 11-0 mark may be a case of drunk-leaning-on-a-lamppost statistics (i.e., used more for support than illumination).  You alluded to this somewhat by making a distinction between the three games under the Benjinator in which Simmons was a freshman reserve and the eight games under Raridon in which Simmons was the team's star and offensive linchpin. But you have to go farther than that; the six games out of those eight that were played during Simmons' sophomore and junior years (he missed five games as a sophomore, one as a junior) featured a stable, experienced, and skilled Cardinals backcourt -- Adam Teising and Mike Vicario last year; Teising, Vicario, and Mike Wilson when Simmons was a soph.

Plus, there's also the matter of who the Cardinals played in those eleven games, particularly the eight games in which he was both starter and star. No sampling of eight games taken from the past 2 1/2 years of North Central basketball is likely to be the same as any other sampling in terms of competition. And in this particular case, the eight-game sample in question is highly prejudicial in terms of competition. How so? Well, here's the teams NCC has played when they haven't had Simmons in uniform:

2004-05:
Marietta (3-22)
Franklin (18-10)
Knox (12-11)
Chowan (14-12)
Cabrini (14-13)

2005-06:
IIT (3-26)

2006-07:
East-West (4-11)
Albion (2-7)

Not a CCIW team in the bunch, and, aside from that Franklin team two years ago, not a lot of quality of any kind among those eight opponents.

What I'm saying is that the team context concerning Simmons' various absences shifts, because the NCC roster (like everyone else's) shifts from year to year, and the situation in terms of opponents shifts as well. Some years -- and some games -- more is expected of a team's superstar, some years less. It would seem to me that more is expected of Anthony Simmons by the Cardinals faithful this season than was the case the past two seasons, simply because of the uncertainty in the NCC backcourt. And it's certainly the case that the Cards are going to need him more for the gauntlet that we all know and love as the fourteen-game CCIW schedule than they did for the likes of IIT last season, or East-West and Albion this season.

Now Greg why did you have to throw a harpoon through the zero of my 11-0 record with out Simmons?...bursting my bubble    That's cold man
I knew the teams they've beaten without him were less than stellar, but I wasn't going to tell the rest of you guys.   Good stuff as always.

[AndOne]

It seems the doctor that was available today (Thurs) was NOT an orthopedic specialist.
Accordingly, a specialist will be consulted, prob Friday. From his movement and degree of pain last night, it seems there is some possibility that the injury is a hairline crack as opposed to a more extensive fracture. If so, with the modality of treatment available from a specialist, recovery time may shortened to 2-3 weeks. A good lateral aspect view x-ray will be needed, possibly an MRI,  to obtain a clear picture and accurate diagnosis. This will be especially true if the injury does indeed prove to be of a less serious nature, particularly if the damage is to the cuboid or intermediate or lateral cuneiform area.

Good points, but there's another factor that needs to be mentioned: Healing rate. Not everybody heals at the same rate, and there's a full spectrum of individual responses in terms of recovery time as it relates to specific foot/ankle-based basketball functions (running, jumping, landing, pivoting, pushing off, etc.).

.

This of course is the variable. Healing rates naturally vary between individuals even though they may have the exact same injury. Optimistically, based on his current movements with the aid of an immobilizing boot, I would estimate 2 weeks to heal and another week to condition before ready for full game action.   

[ecdubb420]

time for the kids in the backcourt of NCC to really step it up and for us to really understand how great Raridon is.  Also a chance for Walton to prove that he can be the best player in the CCIW. 
If this is the year that the CCIW teams beat up on each other like most people expect, NCC can limp to 3-4 without Simmons and still be in the running for the conference tournament. 
I just get this bad feeling they are going to rush him back with the murderous schdule of CC, Augie, @EC, WU, @ IWU as games 4-8 in the CCIW season.

[rknuppel]

Simmons absence is a big blow to my beloved NCC. 

It's also a big blow to my fantasy team.  Wow, my #1 pick out half the year.   

[Titan Q]

This is quite a weekend for basketball junkies in Bloomington-Normal.   The State Farm Holiday Classic - the nations largest coed high school tourney - is in full swing.  Four championship games (Boys/Girls A and AA) will be played at IWU's Shirk Center tomorrow.  Before all of them, Illinois Wesleyan hosts Albion.  And tonight, Illinois State hosted Missouri Valley powerhouse Southern Illinois just down the street at Redbird Arena.

Yesterday at the Classic the all-time IHSA scoring record was broken.  Brittany Johnson of Olney East Richland High School moved past the 3403 points scored by Williamsville's Angie Sapp (1989-1993).  Johnson is commited to Ohio State.

http://www.theclassic.org/

http://www.theclassic.org/pdf/BrittanyJohnsonscoringrecord_122806.pdf

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/12/29/sports/doc459453019ee70725091932.txt


Lots of college coaches from every level here in town watching some good basketball.  Several CCIW recruits in the field.

About 6000 people saw the ISU/SIU game...should be about 2000 at IWU/Albion...and I have no idea how many thousand have been at the various high school games.  A great weekend for hoops.

[Jim Matson]

Wheaton defeats Nazareth 94-89 in OT at the College of Staten Island Tourney.  It sounds like Wheaton had to come back from about a 20 point deficit to get this one into OT.  No box score yet.

Wheaton plays Rivier College tomorrow for the Tourney championship.  Gametime is 3:00 EST.

[BeastMaster]

Millikin won at West Coast Baptist tonight, I believe 75-67.  Millikin was up 20 and did not play a very good 2nd half.  I do not have any stats, but I heard Joscar Demby is really playing well and Korte Long finally came around with 13 rebounds for the game.  The Big Blue play again on New Years Eve at LaVerne to finish out the LA Trip.

[AndOne]

time for the kids in the backcourt of NCC to really step it up and for us to really understand how great Raridon is.  Also a chance for Walton to prove that he can be the best player in the CCIW. 
If this is the year that the CCIW teams beat up on each other like most people expect, NCC can limp to 3-4 without Simmons and still be in the running for the conference tournament. 
I just get this bad feeling they are going to rush him back with the murderous schdule of CC, Augie, @EC, WU, @ IWU as games 4-8 in the CCIW season.

If Dan Walton isn't the best ALL AROUND player in the CCIW, he is damn close. 

Also, if Raridon isn't good--then how in the heck did he take a bunch of kids mainly from small towns out in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska and mold them into such consistently good teams over such an extended period. Don't forget, in all his 15 years at Nebraska Wesleyan, he never had a losing season despite being the only school in a NAIA conference. This meant he was the only conference coach whose team couldn't/didn't give scholarships. While he was at NWU, they finished 3rd in the nation 3 times and 2nd once.   8)

[usee]

here is the link for the release on the wheaton game:

http://www.naz.edu/dept/athletics/basketball/mens/releases0607/wheaton12-29-06.htm

according to this Kent Raymond did not play due to injury. anyone know what this is?

Johnnie Standard scored 21 to lead the thunder. excellent balanced scoring for the Thunder w John Mohan scoring 20, Wiele 18, Panner 16 and Fiddler 11

Wheaton trailed 74-62 w 5 minutes to play and at one point was down 21 in the second half.

Lets all hope Kent Raymond's injury isn't a big deal. He has to be ready on the 6th to face the best player in the CCIW!!