MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Late nite]

I'd pick Wessels over Swetalla, too. I'm just saying that I won't be surprised if the coaches go the other route and pick Swetalla.

I'll give the coaches a little more credit---Any coach who has been paying attention would NEVER make that choice---There are a lot of players in the league better than Swetalla

[diehardfan]

"The type of ball I grew up playing in Indiana, I've never been the quickest. I've had to use my body to draw contact," said Raymond, an 86 percent free throw shooter entering the game. "I don't think the Shirk faithful thought I should have got all those, but I'm not complaining. They're freebies."

Between this and the quote in the Kenosha paper after the Carthage game.... uh, let's never have Kent Raymond talk to a reporter ever again. 

At the end of the day, when you have finished all of your banal ranting over Raymond, what have you really accomplished? He is still a superior athlete who obviously knows the game better than you. I am so sorry that we have to put up with five more games of your pitiful whining.

No one is saying he isn't an amazing player, I don't understand why that's always the Wheaton fan rebuttal.  What people are complaining about is the calls he gets because he's a superior athlete that obviously knows the game better than you or I.  It gets just as old listening to Wheaton fans telling us to "stop whining because Raymond is good." 

Let's not include all Wheaton fans in a box here... I don't like whining of any sort. My opinion is simply this. A ref is going to protect a star player on a good team every time... because they're not going to want to be responsible for letting a game get out of hand and a hard foul that knocks a team out of contention for a playoff run.  Raymond probably only get's more calls cause he takes advantage of that fact. I doubt the refs are just making up phantom calls 8 times a game to make it seem less embarrasing that Kent missed a layup or anything ridiculous like that. A team is going to do everything they can to stop a guy like Raymond heading to the basket. Don't you think that involves a foul of some sort a lot of the time? Raymond is smart to drive to the basket if he's going to get contact every time, that's just the way it is.

However, with that all said, I'd much, much, MUCH rather see us earn our point off nice passing. Since the rest of our team is NOT garbage, by any stretch, I really don't think we have to resort to a Raymond FT show.

[diehardfan]

Raymond - good story, but what are his stats excluding ppg?

ppg: 21.1
fg%: 43.3
ft%: 90.8
rpg: 3.6
apg: 3.3
spg: .909
a-to: 1.12

Raymond has also won player of the week more times than anyone else by far, which I've noticed has a small correlation to who wins the MOP title. With that said, I don't think Kent should get it... as hard as it would be to argue that he didn't deserve it. Unless of course unless Wheaton wins the title, which is actually still technically possible (woo! ), I'd rather give it to a Senior.

While Wheaton's Joel Kolmodin grabbed the honor as an underclassman when Wheaton did not win the title, Wheaton also wasn't 7th in the conference so that means two things:

IWU will have to climb back up the standings for Zach to get considered, IMHO. This is obviously a shame because the guy is even better than some of the fantastic big guys I've seen around the league this year (including St. Thomas's Rosefelt and Occidental's Betty). I've also seen 6 of the preseason AA big guys besides Zach in the last 2-3 years. Zach is a first team AA in my book, but probably won't be the league's MOP.

I'd personally like to give the MOP honor to Daniel Walton, one of the humblest, and best all around players this league has seen in a while. And I hope NCC finishes at least fourth (after us of course)  so that this becomes possible. But I should note that I won't be surprised (or mind) if Raymond, Zach or Ruch got it either... this league is sure full of a lot of great players this year!!!

[wheatonfanaddict]

quote from OurHouse:

"When you have a guard that knows how to go to the hole, your going to get the calls when you have a team that plays lousy defense."

I never thought I would find myself applauding OurHouse.

[AndOne]

In the MOP race, I still think the odds on favorite to win the award is Ruch from Elmhurst.

I feel this is, in part, due to his surrounding cast of players. Its a little easier for any player to excel when the defense has to play him one-on-one as they can't really afford to leave several of his teammates alone either. In the same breath, a great player makes those surrounding him better. Ruch ranks highly in many statistical categories, and EC currently occupies 2nd place.

Raymond is a great, great shooter. However, he doesn't offer a whole lot more. I think his only chance would be for Wheaton to win the conference title. Then, as the leading player on the leading team, he'd have a good chance.

Dain Swetalla has been mentioned but, as good as he is, I'm not sure he is even the best player on his team. I think Wessels means more to Augie that Swetalla. Addirionally, as far as big men in the conference, I"d take Ruch, Michael, Simmons, Z. Freeman, and maybe one or two others I can't think of right now over him. He gets the biggest % of his consideration due to Augie's 1st place position in the standings.

Wessels controlls the Augie offense, and is perhaps the best on the ball defender in the league. Unfortunately for him, he is a silent, steady star. One anyone would love to have on his team, but he is one who doesn't attract enough attention for whatever reason(s). Augie's 1st place position is also his strongest bargaining chip.

Zach Freeman is just flat out absolutely fabulous. Unstoppable at times, he is perhaps the league's best. However, from a handicapping standpoint, I feel he is the 2nd choice of the oddsmakers due to Wesleyan's position. If he had the supporting cast Ruch does, I think the election goes his way.

As far as Dan Walton, I am a little biased. Dan is not only a fabulous player, but also a smart dude (All Region Academic team), and is one of the nicest and most humble individuals you could meet. He also ranks highly in many statistical areas. He would exceedingly worthy of the award. However, NCC's standing to this point in the season will hurt his chances. Should NCC make a late season charge, which they are certainly capable of, his odds will spike accordingly.   

[diehardfan]

www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/mbasketball/news.html#aad

I know this is a little late, but forgive me for not having a computer for the last five days. Congrats to Michael Fiddler for his 1st team Academic All District nod, and Kent Raymond for his 3rd team nod!

Michael Fiddler has a 3.93 GPA... in Ancient Languages. That's impressive even if studying was all you ever did. I love my guys.

So what other teams have all district players? I believe that someone mentioned that Zach had gotten the recognition? Surely other schools have players on one of the academic all district teams as well?

[AUGsportsFAN]

Here's my All-CCIW teams:
1st Team
G Drew Wessels
G Kent Raymond
C Zach Freeman
F Brent Ruch
F Dan Walton

2nd Team
G Ryan Burks
G Brian Lee
C Dain Swetalla
F Brian Schlemm
F Anthony Simmons

3rd Team
G Drew Gensler
G Jordan Delp
C Nick Michael
F Anthony Lenoir
F Johnnie Standard

As for an MOP, I think I'll wait until all the games have been played. 

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I am NOT sure if this is the process still used for all-conference voting - but it certainly created some interesting voting when I was involved as league publicity director.

1- Each coach nominates his first team all-CCIW candidates only.  Five are selected.  What ever nominees don't get selected are automatically on the 2nd/3rd team ballot.

2- Coaches nominate the other players they think are worthy of all-CCIW, regardless of 2nd or 3rd team qualifications by that coach.

Top five are 2nd team selections - next five are 3rd team selections.

3- Coaches then vote on the MOP, who must be on the first team.

In past years the MOP has gone to a player, who was not among the unanimous choice first team all-league!

The CCIW was/is different - as the layout for next year's season-ending tournament testifies.

MW 70:3

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Here's my All-CCIW teams:
1st Team
F Brent Ruch

2nd Team
G Ryan Burks
G Brian Lee

3rd Team
C Nick Michael

As for an MOP, I think I'll wait until all the games have been played. 

IMHO I don't think there's anyway Elmhurst gets four guys out of 15.  The Jays were just not that dominant.  IMHO it will come down to Coach Scherer either nominating Burks or Michael.  IMHO I think he'll go with Michael because he's a senior, but IMHO I think Burks has been much more important contributor to the success the team has had this year.

MW 70:3

I liked your first team, though.

[OurHouse]

quote from OurHouse:

"When you have a guard that knows how to go to the hole, your going to get the calls when you have a team that plays lousy defense."

I never thought I would find myself applauding OurHouse.

Wheatonfanaddict:

I only tells the truph - I throw no punches, I only tells the fax, I plays no favorites!
It is what it is!      

[devildog29]

Here's my All-CCIW teams:
1st Team
G Drew Wessels
G Kent Raymond
C Zach Freeman
F Brent Ruch
F Dan Walton

2nd Team
G Ryan Burks
G Brian Lee
C Dain Swetalla
F Brian Schlemm
F Anthony Simmons

3rd Team
G Drew Gensler
G Jordan Delp
C Nick Michael
F Anthony Lenoir
F Johnnie Standard

As for an MOP, I think I'll wait until all the games have been played. 

I may be wrong here, but I believe All-conference is not chosen by position, rather, just 5 1st Team, 5 2nd, etc. regardless of position. 

[tjcummingsfan]

Yeah that was my understanding too.

After seeing Michael play I  don't see him getting an all-conference spot.  He tore up North Park Saturday because the guys defending him were 6" shorter than he was.  But, when they came to our place he was 0 for from the field, his 2 points came from free throws. 

[dansand]

Here's my All-CCIW teams:
1st Team
G Drew Wessels
G Kent Raymond
C Zach Freeman
F Brent Ruch
F Dan Walton

2nd Team
G Ryan Burks
G Brian Lee
C Dain Swetalla
F Brian Schlemm
F Anthony Simmons

3rd Team
G Drew Gensler
G Jordan Delp
C Nick Michael
F Anthony Lenoir
F Johnnie Standard

As for an MOP, I think I'll wait until all the games have been played. 

I may be wrong here, but I believe All-conference is not chosen by position, rather, just 5 1st Team, 5 2nd, etc. regardless of position. 

No, they don't pick by postion. At least in the past they haven't. Like Dennis, I think AUGsportsFAN has hit the first team on the head. I'm still guessing Ruch will win the Fred Young.

[Late nite]

Just imagine what his stats would have been if Wessels hadn't owned him in the two Augie games
13.5 ppg
32% fg
8 TO"S

Dain as a 2nd team All-Conference player?---Reputation or production?---IMO, he isn't even the 2nd best player on his own team---Delp is more deserving---Maybe even Shaun Rose

My vote also goes to Walton, although I think that he may get overlooked because the team has been such a disappointment---That being said, if the Cards make the tourney, I DO NOT want to play them in the 1st round---They're too talented

Raymond - good story, but what are his stats excluding ppg?

ppg: 21.1
fg%: 43.3
ft%: 90.8
rpg: 3.6
apg: 3.3
spg: .909
a-to: 1.12

Raymond has also won player of the week more times than anyone else by far, which I've noticed has a small correlation to who wins the MOP title. With that said, I don't think Kent should get it... as hard as it would be to argue that he didn't deserve it. Unless of course unless Wheaton wins the title, which is actually still technically possible (woo! ), I'd rather give it to a Senior.

While Wheaton's Joel Kolmodin grabbed the honor as an underclassman when Wheaton did not win the title, Wheaton also wasn't 7th in the conference so that means two things:

IWU will have to climb back up the standings for Zach to get considered, IMHO. This is obviously a shame because the guy is even better than some of the fantastic big guys I've seen around the league this year (including St. Thomas's Rosefelt and Occidental's Betty). I've also seen 6 of the preseason AA big guys besides Zach in the last 2-3 years. Zach is a first team AA in my book, but probably won't be the league's MOP.

I'd personally like to give the MOP honor to Daniel Walton, one of the humblest, and best all around players this league has seen in a while. And I hope NCC finishes at least fourth (after us of course)  so that this becomes possible. But I should note that I won't be surprised (or mind) if Raymond, Zach or Ruch got it either... this league is sure full of a lot of great players this year!!!

Raymond - good story, but what are his stats excluding ppg?

ppg: 21.1
fg%: 43.3
ft%: 90.8
rpg: 3.6
apg: 3.3
spg: .909
a-to: 1.12

Raymond has also won player of the week more times than anyone else by far, which I've noticed has a small correlation to who wins the MOP title. With that said, I don't think Kent should get it... as hard as it would be to argue that he didn't deserve it. Unless of course unless Wheaton wins the title, which is actually still technically possible (woo! ), I'd rather give it to a Senior.

While Wheaton's Joel Kolmodin grabbed the honor as an underclassman when Wheaton did not win the title, Wheaton also wasn't 7th in the conference so that means two things:

IWU will have to climb back up the standings for Zach to get considered, IMHO. This is obviously a shame because the guy is even better than some of the fantastic big guys I've seen around the league this year (including St. Thomas's Rosefelt and Occidental's Betty). I've also seen 6 of the preseason AA big guys besides Zach in the last 2-3 years. Zach is a first team AA in my book, but probably won't be the league's MOP.

I'd personally like to give the MOP honor to Daniel Walton, one of the humblest, and best all around players this league has seen in a while. And I hope NCC finishes at least fourth (after us of course)  so that this becomes possible. But I should note that I won't be surprised (or mind) if Raymond, Zach or Ruch got it either... this league is sure full of a lot of great players this year!!!

[dansand]

Late nite, what's your beef with Dain? You've commented negatively on him more than once. No question that Wessels is the Vikings' MVP this year and I would have no problem with your argument about Delp either. He's been their best perimeter scorer all year and has hit some huge shots. Shaun Rose has played great lately, giving the Vikes another inside threat on offense, and I love the energy he plays with, but I don't think any objective person could make the claim that he's more deserving of a 2nd team All-CCIW spot than Dain.

As far as production, while his rebounding numbers are down this year for whatever reason, I think his stats compare favorably with most of the other players who would be considered for 2nd team spots and his team is in first place.

I'm not trying to be critical, I'm just wondering what exactly your complaint is with Dain.