MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[markerickson]

I will not be as gracious as Greg.  During the 12 minute offensive disappearance, NP inexplicably did not look to their leading scorer (before Williams passed Jones) in the paint.  Given that Swetella had three fouls and couldn't stop Jones in the first half, that should have been option one.  Option two could have been the mismatch between Alexander and his smaller foe.  In other words, NP, excluding Williams, didn't want to step onto the wet paint.  Four guys, hanging out at the trey line w/o a PG running the show.

Augie seemed like the tallest D3 squad I've ever seen, but the height advantage was not the deciding factor.  Augie was the better team last night - they did very well at the charity stripe.

I was extremely surprised to see Head Coach GG hit his player in the sternum with a closed fist with force.  I clearly saw the incident.  At a minimum, GG needs to take some ritalin.

[Gregory Sager]

I will not be as gracious as Greg.  During the 12 minute offensive disappearance, NP inexplicably did not look to their leading scorer (before Williams passed Jones) in the paint.  Given that Swetella had three fouls and couldn't stop Jones in the first half, that should have been option one.  Option two could have been the mismatch between Alexander and his smaller foe.  In other words, NP, excluding Williams, didn't want to step onto the wet paint.  Four guys, hanging out at the trey line w/o a PG running the show.

The NPU coaches also said after the game that the inability of the team to look for Jones in the post, despite the repeated insistence from the bench that they do so, was a big problem.

As for Jay Alexander, he went 1-8 from the field for the game. He obviously did not have a good night, and going to him more wasn't going to solve any problems for NPU.

There's a reason why NPU had four players on the perimeter when things began to fall apart. In the past, when the Vikings have needed points, the best way to get them was to spread the floor and allow the quickness advantage of the Vikes to get them good one-on-one opportunities. The problem wasn't with the strategy, it was with the execution. Even the one-on-one attempts resulted in missed runners and blown layups.

I was extremely surprised to see Head Coach GG hit his player in the sternum with a closed fist with force.  I clearly saw the incident.  At a minimum, GG needs to take some ritalin.

Giovanine was his usual charming self last night. Nothing like hearing a head coach yell "Rebound!" when an opposing player is in the act of shooting the first of two free throws.

[Titan Q]

What on earth could the reasoning be for not makeing it an 8 team tournament and adding that extra game as exempt?

This seems like silly semantics to me.

I would agree that it is "silly semantics."  It just sounds like they want to say that every sport has the same 4-team conference tournament setup...I have no idea why really.

I will post the link to the archived interview with Chris as soon as it is up on WJBC2.com.

It's not "silly semantics", because it's going to cost everybody a regular-season game that they could certainly use either to fatten the regional record by taking on a NAthC, MWC, or SLIAC opponent or to toughen up the team by taking on a quality opponent in a setting that wouldn't necessarily have to hurt one's tournament chances. That's a very tangible difference, not a semantic one.

True, but every year it seems all 8 CCIW teams play at least one non-conference game that does neither of those things (at least going in, on paper).  Like from this year...

Elmhurst vs IIT
Elmhurst vs Alma
Elmhurst vs Gwynedd-Mercy

Wheaton vs Northwestern (IA)
Wheaton vs Nazareth
Wheaton vs Rivier
Wheaton vs Baruch

Carthage vs Olivet
Carthage vs Marietta

North Park vs Judson

North Central vs East-West
North Central vs Harris-Stowe
North Central vs Gwyedd-Mercy

IWU vs Judson

Millikin vs IU-Northwest
Millikin vs West Coast Baptist



Everyone will just need to be a little more selective in scheduling non-conference individual games and tournaments...that's all.

[coebball70]

The CCIW race is a little more interesting as a result of Wednesday's games.  I watched Carthage roll-over and give away a game they led for over 33 minutes.
Just like last year the Redmen warmed up with such little intensity and focus that you knew they were not going to win on the road.  Leading by 7 points with 7 minutes left, Carthage allowed turnovers and poor defense to do them in.  Last year's game followed the exact same scoring pattern, Carthage up most of game only to lose at the end.  I'd like to credit Wheaton's hustle, Kent Raymond's clutch scoring, and Standard's rebounding but, in reality, Carthage lost this one as much as Wheaton won it.  The one bright spot for the Redmen was Sean Fendley's career high 15 points off the bench.

[David Collinge]

So, if #8 knocks off #1 (unlikely, but not inconceivable), the four tournament participants head off to the home of the regular season champion, who won't be playing?

No.  The 4-team conclave would be hosted by the highest remaining "seed."  Cf:

CCIW commissioner Chris Martin visited with us at halftime on WJBC and explained a significant change in the men's basketball conference tournament structure.  Beginning in 2008-09, there will be an 8-team "play in" on the Wednesday before conference tournament weekend.  8 will visit 1, 7 goes to 2, etc.  The 4 winners will be in the conference tournament, which will be played at the highest "seed" remaining (I put "seed" in quotes for the reasons noted below.)

[emphasis added]

[Scream]

However, I have never seen such a poorly called game.  I know its not easy to ref, I certainly could not do it, but these guys are getting paid (probably not much, but something), and are reffing currently the best D3 conference in the country.  All I want is some consistency. 

The refs were quite terrible last night, but if there is any credit they deserve, it is for making several bad calls on both sides.  And the fact of the matter, as people have already stated, is that the refs clearly don't decide a double digit loss.  I try to bite my tongue before bashing or blaming refs (for your aforementioned reason about it being a tough job) as well but it was difficult last night.  Fact of the matter is, NP let this game get out of their hands and their long ball couldn't get them back  into it. 

As for Nick, I'm baffled too as to why he doesn't get more PT.  He's one of those guys that you can tell really wants to ball.  Especially last night, he was heating up and got yanked for another guy who just turned the ball over a few times.  I'm certainly not questioning Brenagan's coaching - just curious for some sort of reason.

Also, what a disappointing student turnout again. 

[tjcummingsfan]

I don't know, I wasn't as disappointed with the student turnout as I thought I would be 3 minutes before tip-off.  These Wednesday night games aren't helping anything either, plenty of people have class, and there's just alot going on on weeknights.  Flat out North Park basketball isn't back to being a priority for people the way it was just a few years ago.  Its going to take winning some of the close games we've dropped, and more than a few wins to get the team on the majority of student's radar again.  There are still more people at the game last night than there were at Men's soccer games my freshman and sophomore year (and the soccer team was decent then, not the great team they are now, but good).  We need 2 or 3 winning seasons, and a conference tournament to get the student enthusiasm to where all the alumni think it should be. 

[Dennis_Prikkel]

at the wheaton game last night there were more students in the pep band then in the crowd when the tipoff occured.  guaranteed there were more students in the giant workout room than in the gym (heck there were more students in the pool than in the gym).

The two teams could have taped the first half and sold it for a sleep aid - a sure cure for insomnia - 28-26 at half and with about as much passion as a Covie wake.

Schlemm had only two buckets in the first half and spent a good deal of the time acting (including one thirty second period rolling on the floor while Wheaton's center Wiele was bewildered by not having a defensive man guarding him on a Wheaton offensive turn, so he just stood around at the top of the key) for the officials - ken falkner and supermodel dave lanning were two of the three - who were giving out no statuettes to the crybaby or free trips to the line.

Here is a kid, who when motivated, is unstoppable near the basket - but wheaton did a great job of denying him the ball and carthage turned the ball over endless times trying to get him the rock when he wasn't open or too slow cutting to the basket when he was wide open on the pick and roll.

the more i see Mohan the more i like his gutsy style of play - he and Standard personally kept Wheaton in the game in the first half while Raymond snoozed.

Wheaton's hustle and heady play, though under-sized and definitely undertalented (last night at least) is what keeps them in most games.

Yawn - back to sleep.

MW 70:3

No Scott Trost sightings either.

[Brick]

I was extremely surprised to see Head Coach GG hit his player in the sternum with a closed fist with force.  I clearly saw the incident.  At a minimum, GG needs to take some ritalin.

Here we go Again...Let the once a season Bashing of Coach G Begin...Get off of his back!  The man is a good coach...his teams win games period!

Oh and I'll save everyone the trouble....He yells instructions to his team as the opponents are shooting free throws...get over it! 

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I was extremely surprised to see Head Coach GG hit his player in the sternum with a closed fist with force.  I clearly saw the incident.  At a minimum, GG needs to take some ritalin.

Here we go Again...Let the once a season Bashing of Coach G Begin...Get off of his back!  The man is a good coach...his teams win games period!

Oh and I'll save everyone the trouble....He yells instructions to his team as the opponents are shooting free throws...get over it! 

I don't think anyone is disputing his coaching credientals or not giving him kudos for Augie's success under his coaching.... his teams play hard and they are successful...

but if you look like an jackass and you act like an jackass, then chances are....

just ask all those giving me negative karma points I'm sure they'd point to me as living proof of my own axiom....

but I can guarantee you that in 35 years as an official scorer at hundreds of games I never yelled from the scorer's table when either team had a player shooting a free throw and the only two coaches I consistently saw doing it both coached at Augiestana - jumping Jim Borcerding and Gary Giavanne.  (Maybe its the stench from the River effecting their brain waves or perhaps the green ooze coming through the floor boards at the Carver Gym (after all it was built on a flood plain).

MW 70:3

[Dennis_Prikkel]

one further comment on the 'free throw yeller' - when Augie played at Wheaton he was on his best behavior - maybe he respects them more or something....

MW 70:3

[Brick]

Dennis,

Why do you feel the need to compare coach G to a Jacka**...I can think of pleanty of other people within the CCIW to start calling names, but then I like you would look like a little kid.  It has already been addressed this season that no one needs to say that teams or players are garbage, why is a coach any different?  Grow up, keep it clean, show some class, and discuss like an adult.

[REDMENFAN]

Anyone who was at the Wheaton/Carthage game lastnight, how bad was the inadvertant elbow on Schlemm, also how much time was left in the first half. All the K-News said was he sat out the rest of the half but returned for the second half. Also, Raymond had an interesting quote I'm not really sure I understand, maybe someone can explain. He said in the paper that this was one of those game that was tough to have energy for.  I realize it may have been a little sloppy and not the most exciting game to a fain, but I would hope every player on each team was jacked up for this one seeing it could end up playing a huge part on whether or not each team makes the conference tourney.

[tjcummingsfan]

Augie2000,

I don't know how to put this without being blunt, so...  Regardless of his obvious coaching abilities, I would be embarassed if North park had a coach that acted with as little class as Coach G does so often.  I imagine not everyone would agree with me, but I know many people who do.  Winning isn't everything, especially at the D3 level, he has the potential to be a bad influence on his players.  I'd take a coach who models being a good sport anyday over a coach who is so blatantly disrespectful of other teams.

And Dennis, that's just a poor comment.  

one further comment on the 'free throw yeller' - when Augie played at Wheaton he was on his best behavior - maybe he respects them more or something....

MW 70:3

[augie22]

but I can guarantee you that in 35 years as an official scorer at hundreds of games I never yelled from the scorer's table when either team had a player shooting a free throw and the only two coaches I consistently saw doing it both coached at Augiestana - jumping Jim Borcerding and Gary Giavanne.  (Maybe its the stench from the River effecting their brain waves or perhaps the green ooze coming through the floor boards at the Carver Gym (after all it was built on a flood plain).

Dennis,
For an offical scorer who has seen hundreds of games, one would think you would know the name of the head coach.....its Grey Giovanine!!  Also, since we are calling people names,  we will just consider you an illiterate official score keeper because you can't spell AUGUSTANA either. 

I don't see anything wrong in Giovanine's style as a coach.  He more or less is out there playing with his team and I think that helps motivate his players.  If a college player can't block out a coach on the sideline's then possibly that player shouldn't be in the game....let alone a crucial situation under adversity.

Lastly, people who criticize Giovanine and his coaching style are more or less jealous that he is now one of the more dominating coaches in the CCIW.  He came to Augie in '99 and has since then done wonders for the Vikings.  If Augie wins another big road game at Carthage this weekend then the Vikes are looking at a second straight CCIW crown with three of their last four at home.

Go VIKES!!