MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Jim Matson]

Bob, any interest in calling three games next weekend?  Pat, could this happen?

[AndOne]

tj----

When you interject personality into a discussion of basketball skills you, by definition are indeed attacking on a personal basis. Personality implies a personal side to things. As far as referring to a player as soft or a ball hog, I think just about everyone on here has used that level of terminology. If thats the worst thing you can call a player, I'd say he is a pretty darn good player--which is just what I think the players I was referring to are. I just think that they could be better-one if he would play a little tougher and the other if he would pass the ball a little more and shoot a little less--thats all. Also, immediately after I posted the comment about the player I referred to as soft, 3 more posters indicated they shared the same feelings. So, it was not even my opinion alone.

I did not try to "force" an apology. You weren't there and as such you don't know what the heck you are talking about. Admit it. I merely offered ECDubb and his partner the opportunity to interview Simmons. Thats ALL I said. The content of the interview would have been entirely up to them. I only said that it would have presented the opportunity to offer the apology in that forum. As I said, YOU were not privy to that conversation so you are just spouting off because you don't particularly care for Anthony.

If sticking up for a someone I know is a crime, then I'm guilty.  If you are tired of me sticking up for him, just don't read my post. But, if you are going to personally attack my friends, then you are going to get my 2 cents---or in this case my dollars worth too. Lastly, as far as sticking up for a friend is concerned-------maybe your friends should be so lucky? 

We'll just have to agree to disagree on the personality on the court thing, because I don't ever agree that its different than being a ballhog, etc.  Being a ballhog says something about the personality of that player too.  Simmons could be an amazing guy off the court, and for all I know, and from what you say, he is.  On the court, agin, from what I've heard he can easily take himself out of a game mentally/emotionally.

A couple more things.  I haven't ever said I don't care for Simmons.  I had no problem with him when he came to play at the Crackerbox.  Really, I didn't even notice him apart from a comment from someone saying he was surprised Simmons didn't explode after a terrible call against him.  I have nothing against him at all, don't put words in my mouth.  Its you attacking a poster and demanding things that may or may not be owed to a player that I take issue with.  Allow others to have their opinions, just as you have yours. 

You refer to me attacking you and/or trying to put words in your mouth about your feelings re Simmons. But, isn't that exactly what you did we you said I was trying to force ec into an on air apology when you weren't even there to hear what was said? Thats what I take issue with.

Accordingly, we probably both put a few words to many in each others mouths.

I think your statement about agreeing to disagree sounds like the best and most reasonable solution to bring this discussion to a finish.

[dansand]

As far as referring to someone at the beginning of the season as somewhat of a ball hog, I relied on statistics. Here they are direct from the school's web page.
Last season the player in question played 472 minutes. He took 111 shots. Thats a shot approx every 4.25 minutes. Assuming the other team has the ball one half the time, the average falls to a shot every 2.12 minutes your team has the ball. If you have the ball half the game, or 20 minutes, thats 9.4 shots a game from someone  who doesn't even start. Pass the ball for gosh sakes.

Last season in Division I there were an average of 55.59 field goal attempts per team per game. Over 200 player-minutes per game that averages out to 3.6 minutes per field goal attempt. Let's be generous and say, including overtime games, there were an average of 203 player-minutes per game. That's still less than 3.7 minutes per FGA. That means that Brusveen (4.25 m/fga) took about 14% less shots per minute than the average player.

I used Division I averages because they're the only ones I could find, but I'd be willing to bet that the national averages for Division III would show a slightly faster paced game, making Brusveen, statistically, even less of a ball hog.

[AndOne]

Dan---

I just used Augustana's own statistics.

[dansand]

And they're correct. I was just trying to figure out why a guy who shoots less frequently than the average player (1 FGA every 4.25 minutes as compared to an average of 1 FGA every 3.7 minutes) would be characterized as a ball hog.

[AndOne]

You have to remember that each team has the ball only approx half the game time, so his average shot time and thus attempts is actually twice what you may have figured. You can only shoot it when you have it.

You prob see many if not most or all of Augie'e games. Doesn't it seem like he basically comes into the game shooting? Of course that could be what the coach wants.

Whenever I've seen him play it sure seems hes always looking to shoot 1st and pass second.

Another incident that reinforced my thinking was a summer league game at Des Plaines this past season. Augie and another team were going into overtime. Pat was firing practice shots at the basket just inside the entrance. Coach G was there that night. Pat was alone under the basket for a minute. Coach G yelled to him "Pat, nows the time to get another shooter into the game." He wrinkled up his
face and shook his head 'no' like he had just tasted a rotten apple and quickly said
something on the order of "we don't need that, I'm in." I just took that as further reinforcement of the fact that sharing the ball is not one of his favorite things to do on the court. 

Also, keep in mind I never said he is a bad player. I think his value to the team may have been higher if he passed a little more. He is a good enough shooter that he is dangerous and teams who give him too much room are asking for trouble.

[Titan Q]

You have to remember that each team has the ball only approx half the game time, so his average shot time and thus attempts is actually twice what you may have figured. You can only shoot it when you have it.

You prob see many if not most or all of Augie'e games. Doesn't it seem like he basically comes into the game shooting? Of course that could be what the coach wants.

If I coached a player who was 44% from 3-point range on the season (36-82), I'd want him to come into the game shooting.

[armywife]

Brusveen is a pure shooter. When he's in there, I would bet that his job is to shoot.  I was sure glad he was in there during the first half of the IWU game last night, the 3's he nailed helped to break the zone that was giving Augie fits. If he gets a pass beyond the three point line, and he's open, I would bet he's suppose to shoot. That is just part of Coach G's system. Everyone has their place and they know what that is. If he was shooting when he should be passing, he'd be out in a hurry. I've never seen Coach G hesitate to put someone on the bench.

[79jaybird]

Looking at Augustana and their team this year, I think I am most happy for Drew Wessels.  As we have discussed before, he is an underrated, excellent ball player.  I think when Augie graduated their big stars last year, there was some uncertainty with Drew and what this year's group was going to have.  Now that they received the hardware again, I think much of the credit should go to Drew and Nate Swetalla.
The whining about what he said or did is getting rather old.  Let's focus on this Saturday's games.
NC @Augie  going to be tough for the Cardinals to win at the Carver Center, especially with a large contingent of Alumni.   NC needs a win
Carthage @Millikin  the Redmen better bring their A game because there is no greater motivator than to play the spoiler. 
Wheaton @ Elmhurst   Now this is the game to decide 2nd/3rd place for the CCIW Tournament.  Elmhurst will not win this game if they shoot 38% from the floor again.  However, Elmhurst has shown the tenacity to rebound after a loss, with a great game.  I think keeping Raymond on the outside is going to be a big key.  Wiele and Fiddler have to be contributing also.
IWU @NPU, both teams are playing for pride.  Still hard to believe that at this point in the season, we are not talking about the Titans in the big picture.

[Titan Q]

Current in-region winning % of the CCIW conference tournament contenders:

Augustana .870 (20-3)
Elmhurst .737 (14-5) 
Wheaton .647 (11-6)
Carthage .611 (11-7)
North Central .563 (9-7)

If Augustana wins the conference tournament, I'm not sure the CCIW is going to get a second team in.  Consider that every other team in the tournament would pick up a loss.

Here are the lowest 5 in-region winning % numbers of the 17 Pool C teams last year...


Illinois Wesleyan .714 (15-6)
UW-La Crosse .720 (18-7)
Occidental .750 (12-6)
Randolph-Macon .760 (19-6)
Utica .769 (20-6)


I think Wheaton, Carthage, and North Central can only get in via Pool A and Elmhurst is getting dangerously close to being in that same spot.

[diehardfan]

Jim, I'm totally right there with you on the NCC pbp cast... its very quality. Has Pat ever used a student broadcaster though? Bob will, I assume, be doing the women's games. I'll do it... lol... kidding!

Prob could find someone though.. how about a NP broadcaster? .

[Titan Q]

Bob, any interest in calling three games next weekend?  Pat, could this happen?

Jim, if I ever hire an agent, you'll be my guy!

April is right -- most likely I will be at King Arena covering the IWU women (not 100% sure about that - I haven't heard from WJBC on this yet).  They're playing for a lot -- a couple wins might get them the #1 seed in the region.

[Mugsy]

Final on the Wheaton/Millikin game is posted on the scoreboard:
Wheaton 83 - Millikin 72

For Wheaton:
Standard 24 pts, 13 rebs
Raymond 23 pts, 2 missed FT's!

Wheaton scores 50 in the first half.

For Millikin:
Warren 17 pts
Demby 14 pts
Ott 12 pts

Millikin shoots 70.8%, that's right, 70.8% from the floor in the 1st half and is still down by 11pts.

Boxscore at:
http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/mbasketball/stats/MWHE23.HTM

Wheaton now in 2nd place tie with Elmhurst at 8-4 in CCIW race.

[Titan Q]

Final on the Wheaton/Millikin game is posted on the scoreboard:
Wheaton 83 - Millikin 72

For Wheaton:
Standard 24 pts, 13 rebs
Raymond 23 pts, 2 missed FT's!

Wheaton scores 50 in the first half.

For Millikin:
Warren 17 pts
Demby 14 pts
Ott 12 pts

Millikin shoots 70.8%, that's right, 70.8% from the floor in the 1st half and is still down by 11pts.

Boxscore at:
http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/mbasketball/stats/MWHE23.HTM

Wheaton now in 2nd place tie with Elmhurst at 8-4 in CCIW race.

Millikin's best player isn't listed in the boxscore...wonder what the deal with Gensler is?

[Elmhurst_Mom]

Hi Q---Heard Gensler was out with tonsilitis.