MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[GET BIG]

AND1,

      Forget all your math chances. I have been watching Chris and he only problem is he can't bring his middle finger back and stay there. Everything else is fine. NCC trainer was considering taping his middle finger up but he said to not risk it. It is only 2 more games

[OurHouse]

It was 71 degrees and sunny yesterday at tip-off time of the IWU/CMS game in Claremont, CA.  I landed in Bloomington this evening and was met by a -15 wind chill.  Talk about a reality check.

I wonder if IWU could get into the SCIAC and play all of its conference games on the road?

Q,

You have that right, it is downright COOOOOLD     

Regarding the CMS game - we have experienced what might be the toughest perimeter duo in the CCIW ~ jury is still out but certainly looked awesome   

[Titan Q]

Cal Lutheran beats NCC (unranked), playing w/o Chris Drennan, in OT. They then beat #3 Stevens Point (anyone injured?) in OT. Hope springs eternal.   

A really good performance by NCC, but I wouldn't read too much into that comparative score.  I'm guessing Cal Lutheran played with a lot more fire and intensity vs UW-Stevens Point...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jan/02/clu-pulls-off-upset-of-national-power/

"I just sat there watching the celebration with tears in my eyes," said senior guard Deshion Inniss, who provided the game-tying points late in regulation and the game-winning points late in overtime.

"It felt like we won the NBA championship or something."

Sophomore Mychal Owens had 21 points and sophomore Andy Meier added 17 points and 11 rebounds as Cal Lutheran produced one of the biggest wins in its program's history, knocking off Wisconsin-Stevens Point, ranked No. 3 in the nation by D3Hoops.com, 72-70 in overtime Tuesday night at the Gilbert Center.

Louis Hurd led the Pointers with 14 points. Stevens Point's leading scorer, Pete Rortvedt, had 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

"The SCIAC doesn't get a chance to play a national powerhouse team very often," said Cal Lutheran coach Rich Rider. "We told our guys that it was a golden opportunity and let's max it out.

[AndOne]

AND1,

      Forget all your math chances. I have been watching Chris and he only problem is he can't bring his middle finger back and stay there. Everything else is fine. NCC trainer was considering taping his middle finger up but he said to not risk it. It is only 2 more games

First and foremost, I hope you're right about only 2 more games. The sooner, the better!
Where have you been "watching him?"
I think the bottom line is that he will play when the doctor says he can.

[AndOne]

Cal Lutheran beats NCC (unranked), playing w/o Chris Drennan, in OT. They then beat #3 Stevens Point (anyone injured?) in OT. Hope springs eternal.   

A really good performance by NCC, but I wouldn't read too much into that comparative score.  I'm guessing Cal Lutheran played with a lot more fire and intensity vs UW-Stevens Point...

You're prob right, TQ.
I don't think I was reading too much into NCC's performance. Thats why I referrered to it as a hopeful sign.

[AndOne]

AndOne you're welcome and I felt so bad for NC when Drennan went down.
I think Augie will stay the same as their loss to the WIAC Teams are not "bad losses".  Elmhurst and Wheaton should move up a few spots.  Elmhurst's win over Hope (IMO) should help the Jays leapfrog Wheaton (assuming EC wins their next 3 games).

Injuries are devastating and really test the depth of your roster.  I cringe and wonder where would EC be if Ruch or Burks was out for an extended period of time?  The best depth I have seen thus far has been Augie as Coach G has a bunch of guys that pick up the slack when called upon.

Looking at the conference, I think EC/AC/WC is going to get upset by one of the schools "not talked about" this year, similar to how Millikin (with only 2 wins all year) came out of nowhere to cost EC a share of the title.  Any given day, you always have to put your best effort on the court.

Chris' loss was/is very disheartening. Not only are the losses of his 19 ppg and 8 rpg averages devastating, but his absence also disrupted the chemistry that had developed among the team during the summer league and fall practices. While NCC's depth is better this year than the last couple of season's, there is still some room for improvement in that area. Thats why, as you alluded to, chemistry, bench strength, and momentum are all so important.

I don't have much doubt that if Chris hadn't sustained his injury, NCC would be at least 9-1, and quite possibly 10-0. The possible exception would be the Franklin game. Thats not to say the Cards would be world beaters even if they had that record. Tonight's game would be a severe test even at full strength.

As far as the upcoming CCIW conference schedule, while AC, EC, & WC may be a head above the rest of the league, I actually look for several "upsets" during the season. I think any of the other five teams could beat any of the aforementioned three on any given night. In addition to pure talent, the team that displays great chemistry, avoids key injuries, and maintains their momentum stands the best chance of finishing on top. In superior leagues, talent alone is not usually enough. 

[John Gleich]

A really good performance by NCC, but I wouldn't read too much into that comparative score.  I'm guessing Cal Lutheran played with a lot more fire and intensity vs UW-Stevens Point...

Point built up to a 17 point lead in the first half and led by 15 at the half, and by as many as 9 with 5:22 to go.  CLU outscored them 13-4 to end regulation and Point had 3 TO's in the last 5 mins too.

CLU was being the hammer, and Point the nail...  The Pointers got outrebounded by 14 and the Kingsmen shot 20 more free throws.  CLU had all the momentum and was on the line for 2 free throws with 8 seconds but missed them both, giving Point a chance for a tie or the win, but missed a shot at the buzzer.

[Titan Q]

As far as the upcoming CCIW conference schedule, while AC, EC, & WC may be a head above the rest of the league, I actually look for several "upsets" during the season. I think any of the other five teams could beat any of the aforementioned three on any given night.

While this statement is generally true most years in the CCIW, I think this season more than ever it will really be the case.  I agree completely that Augustana, Elmhurst and Wheaton (not necessarily in that order) are clearly the 3 favorites, but I am not sold at all on any of the three as a dominant power.  Augustana will really miss Jordan Delp's outside presence...Elmhurst turns it over 21 times per game...Wheaton is basically a 3-man team offensively (Raymond, Wiele, and Panner).  I just don't see a Final Four-caliber team in this group. 

I believe that almost all 15 of the road games played by the "top 3" vs the "bottom 5" will be a battle - I don't see many blowouts and I think there will be 5-6 "upsets."  And of the 15 home games played by Augustana, Elmhurst, and Wheaton cumulatively vs CC, IWU, MU, NCC, and NPU,  I can see a couple upsets that really impact the title race.

Assuming we're right about the top 3, the race for 4th should be an exciting one.  Nothing that has happened in the non-conference so far has convinced me that there is any significant separation between Carthage, Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin, North Central, and North Park.  With the conference tournament in place now, it certainly adds some good drama in a season like this one.

I will be somewhat surprised if any team finishes with 3 losses or less.  I think we're looking at:

1. 10-4
2. 10-4
3. 9-5
4. 7-7
5. 6-8
6. 5-9
7. 5-9
8. 4-10

It seems like every Wednesday and Saturday will be filled with intriguing matchups.

[Late nite]

I hope you're wrong with your prediction----If you're close, everybody better set their sights on winning the league tournament---With records like that, it may be difficult to argue that another team deserves a spot in the NCAA---I guess a lot depends on the non-conference records of the teams that finish with the 10-4 marks---Not nearly the league it was last year with Augie, NCC, Wheaton, EC and Carthage battling down to the wire for the 4 spots in the league tourney

As far as the upcoming CCIW conference schedule, while AC, EC, & WC may be a head above the rest of the league, I actually look for several "upsets" during the season. I think any of the other five teams could beat any of the aforementioned three on any given night.

While this statement is generally true most years in the CCIW, I think this season more than ever it will really be the case.  I agree completely that Augustana, Elmhurst and Wheaton (not necessarily in that order) are clearly the 3 favorites, but I am not sold at all on any of the three as a dominant power.  Augustana will really miss Jordan Delp's outside presence...Elmhurst turns it over 21 times per game...Wheaton is basically a 3-man team offensively (Raymond, Wiele, and Panner).  I just don't see a Final Four-caliber team in this group. 

I believe that almost all 15 of the road games played by the "top 3" vs the "bottom 3" will be a battle - I don't see many blowouts and I think there will be 5-6 "upsets."  And of the 15 home games played by Augustana, Elmhurst, and Wheaton cumulatively vs CC, IWU, MU, NCC, and NPU,  I can see a couple upsets that really impact the title race.

Assuming we're right about the top 3, the race for 4th should be an exciting one.  Nothing that has happened in the non-conference so far has convinced me that there is any significant separation between Carthage, Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin, North Central, and North Park.  With the conference tournament in place now, it certainly adds some good drama in a season like this one.

I will be somewhat surprised if any team finishes with 3 losses or less.  I think we're looking at:

1. 10-4
2. 10-4
3. 9-5
4. 7-7
5. 6-8
6. 5-9
7. 5-9
8. 4-10

It seems like every Wednesday and Saturday will be filled with intriguing matchups.

[Titan Q]

North Central is getting beat up in Whitewater, WI tonight...40-22 Warhawks at the half.

http://www.uwwsports.com/Sports/mbball/2007/livestats/xlive.htm

http://www.uwwsports.com/sports/gen/2007/followthewarhawks_09202007.asp

[Titan Q]

Bluejays up 38-30 vs Manchester at the half...

http://elmhurst.edu/~athletic/Home/M-Basket/stats/live/xlive.htm

Ruch and Burks with 18 combined so far.

Manchester is 3-7...

Taylor-Fort Wayne - W, 79-69     
DePauw -  L, 68-60     
at Tri-State -  L, 81-65     
at IPFW - L, 106-57     
Earlham -  W, 84-67     
Grace - L, 87-62     
Mount St. Joseph -  W, 87-85     
at Transylvania -  L, 79-61     
at Franklin and Marshall - L, 64-49     
at Mary Washington - L, 56-53 

[dlawrenz]

Wheaton gets a scare but hangs on to beat Rivier in overtime, 72-65.  In the OT period, it was all Kent Raymond.  Wheaton goes into the CCIW action with a 10-1 non-conference record.  8 of their 11 non-conference games were on the road.

[Titan Q]

Wheaton gets a scare but hangs on to beat Rivier in overtime, 72-65.  In the OT period, it was all Kent Raymond.  Wheaton goes into the CCIW action with a 10-1 non-conference record.  8 of their 11 non-conference games were on the road.

Thanks Dave.

How in the world does Wheaton go to overtime with Rivier?  Rivier lost to Bard on Dec. 9 -- Bard is the team that lost to Caltech last year.  Two days ago, Rivier only beat Caltech by 10 points.

Wheaton is 10-1, but there isn't much in Wheaton's non-conference resume that screams "Top 15" team to me... 

Kalamazoo (2-7) - W, 98-59     
Benedictine (3-7) - W, 73-57
at Loras (8-3) -  W, 69-62     
Chicago (6-4) -  W, 75-73     
Hope (8-2) @ Calvin - L, 83-53     
at Calvin (5-5) -  W, 68-67 
at Illinois Tech (4-12) - W, 66-47     
at Wartburg (4-7) - W, 69-66     
at La Verne (5-5) - W, 60-45     
Dickinson (5-4) @ Caltech Classic - W, 78-52 
Rivier (5-4) @ Caltech Classic - W, 72-65 (OT)


I don't think Wheaton has played a CCIW contender-caliber team since way back on Nov. 30 when they lost by 30 to Hope.  We'll see if it bites the Thunder early in league play.

[Greek Tragedy]

Well, according to the live stats, Whitewater was beating North Central 88-78 with 12 seconds left...The Warhawks were up by 18 at half. 

Game Story and Box Score link

[devildog29]

Wheaton gets a scare but hangs on to beat Rivier in overtime, 72-65.  In the OT period, it was all Kent Raymond.  Wheaton goes into the CCIW action with a 10-1 non-conference record.  8 of their 11 non-conference games were on the road.

Thanks Dave.

How in the world does Wheaton go to overtime with Rivier?  Rivier lost to Bard on Dec. 9 -- Bard is the team that lost to Caltech last year.  Two days ago, Rivier only beat Caltech by 10 points.

Wheaton is 10-1, but there isn't much in Wheaton's non-conference resume that screams "Top 15" team to me... 

Kalamazoo (2-7) - W, 98-59     
Benedictine (3-7) - W, 73-57
at Loras (8-3) -  W, 69-62     
Chicago (6-4) -  W, 75-73     
Hope (8-2) @ Calvin - L, 83-53     
at Calvin (5-5) -  W, 68-67 
at Illinois Tech (4-12) - W, 66-47     
at Wartburg (4-7) - W, 69-66     
at La Verne (5-5) - W, 60-45     
Dickinson (5-4) @ Caltech Classic - W, 78-52 
Rivier (5-4) @ Caltech Classic - W, 72-65 (OT)


I don't think Wheaton has played a CCIW contender-caliber team since way back on Nov. 30 when they lost by 30 to Hope.  We'll see if it bites the Thunder early in league play.

Just got back from the Wheaton/Rivier game and a couple things stood out in reference to your questions Q.  First, Wheaton is sorely missing that pure point guard.  Rivier played zone most of the night, and Wheaton just had trouble making entry passes into the post and desperately needed someone who could penetrate the zone and dish the ball off after drawing some defenders.  Raymond did a few times, but he is still a 2 guard that is kinda forced into playing some point.  Also, I thought tonight, Andy Wiele was not very active in the offensive post.  He went to the boards hard, and was very active on the defensive end, but I didn't think he showed a lot of work to get open on the offensive end.

Also, Wheaton just wasn't getting any shots to fall tonight.  Not quite as bad as IWU at Oxy, but Wiele and several others just missed a ton of shots in the post, and Raymond didn't have his best shooting night behind the arc against that zone.  However, I will say Caltech's gym didn't seem like it would be the easiest gym to shoot in.  The lighting and the background might have had a little to do with the poor outside shooting.

Finally, outside of Raymond and Wiele, it didn't look like anyone on Wheaton's team even wanted to shoot the ball.  A lot of standing around waiting for those two to make it happen. 

Overall, I thought Wheaton had the talent to beat that team by 15, but CCIW teams take note, the Crusaders, err Thunder, did not handle the 2-3 zone that well today.  Maybe back in IL it's a different story, but not today.