MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What does it benefit you to castigate anyone?  Let alone some 19 year old kid who's paying for the privilege to suit up for a game.

He might have to work hard to be a contributor; he might never make it.  Even if that's the case, he won't be useless.  That's just wrong.

[mr_b]

Teddy Toliver? Have you ever seen him play? OMG .... he cannot play in the CCIW - he is terrible!!!! Who cares about him anyway???   NO, he cannot play - I've seen him play. He is totally "useless" - when you are a former great athlete and compare/contrast individual players in the CCIW and recognize how good you really have to be to fall into a category of "impact player", Toliver falls into the "other" class of players

Sorry, just the way it is

The NCCA conducts some intriguing research on the likelihood of a student-athlete participating in a collegiate-level sport (http://www.ncaa.org/research/prob_of_competing/).  The table shows that 2.9% of all high school athletes go on to play basketball in the NCAA.  At the DIII level, these student-athletes are competing for the love of the game because the chance of them getting drafted is very remote.  Of course, the range of quality and talent is wide, but to term players and teams as "useless" and "garbage" is an affront to everyone involved.  Even a player who has career totals of one minute of playing time with zero points on a team that goes 0-24 nevertheless deserves my respect and recognition for the sacrifices made -- the utility costs are very high.  They are competing in practices and games, and I'm not.

Student-Athletes -- Men's Basketball

High School Student-Athletes: 549,500
High School Senior Student-Athletes: 157,000
NCAA Student-Athletes: 15,700
NCAA Freshman Roster Positions: 4,500
NCAA Senior Student-Athletes: 3,500
NCAA Student-Athletes Drafted: 44
Percent High School to NCAA: 2.9%
Percent NCAA to Professional: 1.3%
Percent High School to Professional: 0.03%

[Elmhurst_Mom]

The NCCA conducts some intriguing research on the likelihood of a student-athlete participating in a collegiate-level sport (http://www.ncaa.org/research/prob_of_competing/).  The table shows that 2.9% of all high school athletes go on to play basketball in the NCAA.  At the DIII level, these student-athletes are competing for the love of the game because the chance of them getting drafted is very remote.  Of course, the range of quality and talent is wide, but to term players and teams as "useless" and "garbage" is an affront to everyone involved.  Even a player who has career totals of one minute of playing time with zero points on a team that goes 0-24 nevertheless deserves my respect and recognition for the sacrifices made -- the utility costs are very high.  They are competing in practices and games, and I'm not.

Well said---and all of that coupled with the fact that these guys are working their butts off in a tough league while juggling studies and maintaining excellent GPA's and in some cases pulling STRAIGHT A's (i can only speak for my kid) with tuition that can be pretty steep in these private schools.  Ourhouse---the only useless thing on this site is YOU so pipe down and go back to YOURHOUSE and stay there!
As long as I'm on I would like to add that I too am a bit frustrated with the officiating this year...never been this frustrated before...and as far as the Elmhurst vs Wheaton game...Wheaton played hard and fast and did a great job as did their big men.  I was sad...but can't deny them that!


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[David Collinge]

[...]to term players and teams as "useless" and "garbage" is an affront to everyone involved.  Even a player who has career totals of one minute of playing time with zero points on a team that goes 0-24 nevertheless deserves my respect and recognition for the sacrifices made -- the utility costs are very high.  They are competing in practices and games, and I'm not.

Bravo and +K to you, Mr. B.  That was very well stated.

[mr_b]

...and all of that coupled with the fact that these guys are working their butts off in a tough league while juggling studies and maintaining excellent GPA's and in some cases pulling STRAIGHT A's

Good point, EM.  A lot of these student-athletes shine in the classroom as well.  You can bet Mr. Toliver was a very good student to get admitted to IWU.  Wanting to play a sport just adds to the workload.

[79jaybird]

AndOne-- Thank you, glad to see that you played also.  If not NC, then what school?
I had to cut baseball early because my grades were starting to reflect a lack of time devoted.  Unfortunately, sports have become a full time gig and the amount of time needed to devote to studies is often minimized, which means you have to really manage the time well.  I enjoyed both teams and both experiences, and I am a strong advocate for every HS athlete to pursue a D-3 sport.

Most (if not all) conference tournaments have 8 (or more) teams in the hunt.  For a special conference like the CCIW, I don't see what the big deal is to have an 8-team draw?  It's not like we have schools that are way in the boonies where travel is difficult,  or a case where there are 2 "elite" teams, and the rest or just there.
I agree with an earlier poster, why should a school's season end early without at least competing 1 more time in the Tournament?

I agree that Lee has not shot the ball as often and as well.  However,  the thing I admire MOST about this year's Elmhurst team, is that they are just that... A TEAM.  There is not 1 star that is heads and toes above the rest like Martin last year.  One night is may be Ruch, next night it may be Burks, etc.  each member contributes in their own way.

[mr_b]

Most (if not all) conference tournaments have 8 (or more) teams in the hunt.  For a special conference like the CCIW, I don't see what the big deal is to have an 8-team draw?  It's not like we have schools that are way in the boonies where travel is difficult,  or a case where there are 2 "elite" teams, and the rest or just there.
I agree with an earlier poster, why should a school's season end early without at least competing 1 more time in the Tournament?

This year in particular it would be exciting to see all 8 teams in the CCIW play in the tournament, given the number of suprises, upsets, and very close games.

[diehardfan]

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I like how these powers are turning the HOFers into formatting nerds.

(note the lack of serious comments, please no one eat me )

[AndOne]

The NCCA conducts some intriguing research on the likelihood of a student-athlete participating in a collegiate-level sport (http://www.ncaa.org/research/prob_of_competing/).  The table shows that 2.9% of all high school athletes go on to play basketball in the NCAA.  At the DIII level, these student-athletes are competing for the love of the game because the chance of them getting drafted is very remote.  Of course, the range of quality and talent is wide, but to term players and teams as "useless" and "garbage" is an affront to everyone involved.  Even a player who has career totals of one minute of playing time with zero points on a team that goes 0-24 nevertheless deserves my respect and recognition for the sacrifices made -- the utility costs are very high.  They are competing in practices and games, and I'm not.

Student-Athletes -- Men's Basketball

High School Student-Athletes: 549,500
High School Senior Student-Athletes: 157,000
NCAA Student-Athletes: 15,700
NCAA Freshman Roster Positions: 4,500
NCAA Senior Student-Athletes: 3,500
NCAA Student-Athletes Drafted: 44
Percent High School to NCAA: 2.9%
Percent NCAA to Professional: 1.3%
Percent High School to Professional: 0.03%

Mr B------

Thanks for that great analysis. I always wondered about those statistics myself.
Additionally, you are right-on re what you said about the last man on an 0-24 team.
NOBODY is garbage.
Lastly, plus one from me too.    Thanks again.

[AndOne]

Well said---and all of that coupled with the fact that these guys are working their butts off in a tough league while juggling studies and maintaining excellent GPA's and in some cases pulling STRAIGHT A's (i can only speak for my kid) with tuition that can be pretty steep in these private schools.  Ourhouse---the only useless thing on this site is YOU so pipe down and go back to YOURHOUSE and stay there!
As long as I'm on I would like to add that I too am a bit frustrated with the officiating this year...never been this frustrated before...and as far as the Elmhurst vs Wheaton game...Wheaton played hard and fast and did a great job as did their big men.  I was sad...but can't deny them that!


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EM-----

Finally something we can agree on.
Congrats to your son if he has all A's---very hard to do. A true student-athlete.
As far as the officiating------> 

[Greek Tragedy]

FYI,

Anyone making the Carthage/IWU game, there will probably be at least one WIACer down there.  I'm planning, at this time, on making the trek down there as the 3rd leg of my WIAC (River Falls at Oshkosh at 1 pm)/MWC (Lawrence at Carroll at 4 pm)/CCIW (at 7:30 pm) tour de force on Saturday.  Feel free to throw popcorn at me.  I'll be wearing the usual garb of a NY Rangers jacket and a purple Stevens Point Pointer hat.

[Elmhurst_Mom]

EM-----

Finally something we can agree on.
Congrats to your son if he has all A's---very hard to do. A true student-athlete.
As far as the officiating------> 
[/quote]

I hope you didn't interpret what i said as i'm feeling like i'm blaming them for team's losses...i'm not, i am just frustrated with how inconsistent every game is...one game we can't barely play a full minute without a whistle and the next game they're calling stuff that is so far reaching that they might as well have blown the whistle at me. 

[Elmhurst_Mom]

...and on top of that...my husband would NEVER let me get away with coming home and complaining that officiating was the cause of one of our losses...he says you can't allow them to determine the outcome of your game---you have to be smart and play hard and that's that!

[AndOne]

No, I didn't misinterpret, and I agree completely.

[79jaybird]

Of the 2 Elmhurst losses
The Simpson game I did not see so I can't comment on that game.
The Wheaton loss can only be pointed at 1 thing-- Hustle.  Wheaton's hustle and Elmhurst lack of it at times.  EC came back strong in that final 5 minutes to have at least a tying shot at the end, but for 3/4 of the game, Wheaton outhustled us.
I talked to a few of the players after the NC game the other night, and they told me that Wheaton was on and we (EC) were a bit off.  I can understand that when you put together a lengthy winning streak, it is hard to stay "crisp" in terms of having that hustle needed to compete.  It is hard to maintain that drive to win on a daily basis, no matter what sport and/or league you're in.
My point here is that Elmhurst has not won/lost games because of the officials.  They have been pathetic all year, but I don't point the Jays W's or L's on the refs.