MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

2008 is the 35th consecutive CCIW season without an undefeated team.  Augustana was the last to run the table, going 16-0 in 1973.  Teams that have not made it through the CCIW without a loss include:

* 7-time NBA all-star Jack Sikma's IWU teams ('74 to '77)

* The North Park 3-peat national champs ('78-80)

* The '85 and '87 North Park national title winners

* Augustana's 1993 Final Four team

* IWU's 1997 national champs

* IWU's 3 other D3 Final Four teams (1996, 2001, 2006)

* Carthage during the Jason Wiertel, Antoine, McDaniel, Rob Garnes era

* IWU during the Adam Dauksas, Zach Freeman, Keelan Amelianovich era

[OurHouse]

Illinois Wesleyan freshmen were the real deal: Rosenkranz, Johnson, Sexauer - all contributed mightily.  During one five minute strech in the 2nd half the Titans had four freshman and a sophomore on the court. 

And the sophomore has played less games at IWU than the freshmen...Sean Dwyer missed all of last season and the first 7 this year with injury.  It was great to see that inexperienced group of Rosenkranz, Johnson, Sexauer, Schick, and Dwyer play so well in IWU's 2nd half comeback...unfortunately they just couldn't close the deal.

Last night in Kenosha, freshmen accounted for 66 points...

Steve Djurickovic: 25

Sean Johnson: 16
Doug Sexauer: 14
Travis Rosenkranz: 7
Matt Schick: 4

I would imagine that ranks pretty high in terms of freshmen scoring in a single CCIW game.  I'm trying to think of a game I've seen in the 18 years I've been around the league that would eclipse this and, while I'm probably missing one, I can't come up with anything.  I checked the two 1999-00 IWU/Carthage games involving Antoine McDaniel, Rob Garnes, and Bart Fabian vs Luke Kasten -- the freshmen totals did not approach 66.

Through 2 league games, 48% of IWU's minutes are from freshmen (205 minutes of 425 total)...add in Sean Dwyer's minutes and 56% are from guys who didn't play last year.

I hate to say this but a FRESHMEN beat IWU - lets not keep talking about freshmen this and freshmen that - this is my 13th game and this Sean Dwyer kid should be playing in an overtime game, sorry. He also should be logging alot more minutes in future games if they are going to win against and good CCIW teams.

....and lets not forget to compare where these freshman originate - 4A vs 5A vs 6A
6A is the toughest and that is where this Sean kid is from. Come on now boys.

I have been looking at game re-caps and he has played half the minutes and scoring almost just as many points to those playing more - Come on now boys.

Just the facts - jmho~

[Titan Q]

I hate to say this but a FRESHMEN beat IWU - lets not keep talking about freshmen this and freshmen that - this is my 13th game and this Sean Dwyer kid should be playing in an overtime game, sorry. He also should be logging alot more minutes in future games if they are going to win against and good CCIW teams.

....and lets not forget to compare where these freshman originate - 4A vs 5A vs 6A
6A is the toughest and that is where this Sean kid is from. Come on now boys.

I have been looking at game re-caps and he has played half the minutes and scoring almost just as many points to those playing more - Come on now boys.

Just the facts - jmho~

OurHouse, I am a big Sean Dwyer fan too, but you continue to come across as a fool here. 

-jmho~

[AndOne]

In a very exciting CCIW match up Sat night (as it seems all the games were), North Central pulled itself up out of the muck of its abysmal 1st half performance of last Wednesday's game to score an extremely well earned and deserved 73-72 "upset" victory over the 13th ranked  Wheaton Thunder.

Coming out of the locker room to begin the game, the Cardinals were buoyed by the return of Chris Drennan from a broken hand which required surgery involving the insertion of a plate and 4 screws. It was Drennan's first game after missing the previous seven during which the Cardinals went 1-6 after beginning the season 5-0 including a win over the then ranked #13 team.

Despite the euphoria and obviously improved and "upbeat" chemistry demonstrated by the Cards during warm ups, the Thunder threatened to force the Cardinals into a duplicate of their previous performance during the early minutes of the game. Fueled by a volley of points from All-American Kent Raymond,Wheaton lept to an early 12-4 lead. At that point, the NCC combo of Matt Rogers and Drennan began to assert themselves inside assisted by a series of excellent entry passes delivered 
primarily by Reid Barringer, Dean Prince, and David Twyman, all of whom tallied 4 helpers for the contest. The dynamic duo continually went up and under and around and through the Thunder defense to seemingly score at will in an onslaught that quickly rendered the Thunder's interior defense powerless, and which continued throughout the game. The dominance of the Cards inside game was demonstrated by their scoring 38 points in the paint vs 10 for the Thunder. The Cards outshot the Thunder 60.4% to 41.7%.

The Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance otherwise known as Mr Raymond naturally kept WC close as a variety of Cardinal defenders were unable to do much to stop him.
Fortunately, they played effective defense against the other Thunder outside threats, holding Ben Panner to 4 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 10 (one on the last shot of the game) on threes, and limiting the Wheaton subs to a total of 1 point. Andy Wiele, who at times seemed to be laboring somewhat, hit on 5 of 13 shots and added 4 free throws for 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. However, as mentioned above, he was unable to provide much defense against the inside drives of Rogers, who finished with 30 points including the 1000th point of his collegiate career, and Drennan who totaled 23 on the evening.

The Thunder, who trailed by 7 at the half, made several 2nd half runs. However, the Cards always had an answer and never relinquished the lead including forcing a miss on a Raymond three attempt after Wheaton had pulled to within 2 with 10 seconds to play. Largely responsible for the Cards being able to hold the fort was an effective zone defense that at least slowed Raymond down a bit, and rendered the other Thunder shooters almost totally ineffective. 

[usee]

In a very exciting CCIW match up Sat night (as it seems all the games were), North Central pulled itself up out of the muck of its abysmal 1st half performance of last Wednesday's game to score an extremely well earned and deserved 73-72 "upset" victory over the 13th ranked  Wheaton Thunder.

Coming out of the locker room to begin the game, the Cardinals were buoyed by the return of Chris Drennan from a broken hand which required surgery involving the insertion of a plate and 4 screws. It was Drennan's first game after missing the previous seven during which the Cardinals went 1-6 after beginning the season 5-0 including a win over the then ranked #13 team.

Despite the euphoria and obviously improved and "upbeat" chemistry demonstrated by the Cards during warm ups, the Thunder threatened to force the Cardinals into a duplicate of their previous performance during the early minutes of the game. Fueled by a volley of points from All-American Kent Raymond,Wheaton lept to an early 12-4 lead. At that point, the NCC combo of Matt Rogers and Drennan began to assert themselves inside assisted by a series of excellent entry passes delivered 
primarily by Reid Barringer, Dean Prince, and David Twyman, all of whom tallied 4 helpers for the contest. The dynamic duo continually went up and under and around and through the Thunder defense to seemingly score at will in an onslaught that quickly rendered the Thunder's interior defense powerless, and which continued throughout the game. The dominance of the Cards inside game was demonstrated by their scoring 38 points in the paint vs 10 for the Thunder. The Cards outshot the Thunder 60.4% to 41.7%.

The Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance otherwise known as Mr Raymond naturally kept WC close as a variety of Cardinal defenders were unable to do much to stop him.
Fortunately, they played effective defense against the other Thunder outside threats, holding Ben Panner to 4 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 10 (one on the last shot of the game) on threes, and limiting the Wheaton subs to a total of 1 point. Andy Wiele, who at times seemed to be laboring somewhat, hit on 5 of 13 shots and added 4 free throws for 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. However, as mentioned above, he was unable to provide much defense against the inside drives of Rogers, who finished with 30 points including the 1000th point of his collegiate career, and Drennan who totaled 23 on the evening.

The Thunder, who trailed by 7 at the half, made several 2nd half runs. However, the Cards always had an answer and never relinquished the lead including forcing a miss on a Raymond three attempt after Wheaton had pulled to within 2 with 10 seconds to play. Largely responsible for the Cards being able to hold the fort was an effective zone defense that at least slowed Raymond down a bit, and rendered the other Thunder shooters almost totally ineffective. 

the only thing this commentary is missing is the monday night football music and howard cosell narration. 

[cardinalfanrochelle]

AndOne,
             You have a way with words , I wouldn't know how to keep up but here goes. The other players not mentioned King,Williams,Corso,Raridon all had their hand in the win. Williams had some great boards,King was getting to the rim (getting mugged)but some no calls slowed him down,Raridon had key rebounds and played tough,and Corso played big body and moved people around under the boards and in the paint nice job Josh . They came to play 8) on to North Park........

[Viking Blue]

OH, my fears come true.  I guess that wonderful drive down to Decatur wasn't too inspiring for North Park.  I wonder....was ANYONE at that game that can give a rundown?

[spencer44]

I hate to say this but a FRESHMEN beat IWU - lets not keep talking about freshmen this and freshmen that - this is my 13th game and this Sean Dwyer kid should be playing in an overtime game, sorry. He also should be logging alot more minutes in future games if they are going to win against and good CCIW teams.

....and lets not forget to compare where these freshman originate - 4A vs 5A vs 6A
6A is the toughest and that is where this Sean kid is from. Come on now boys.

I have been looking at game re-caps and he has played half the minutes and scoring almost just as many points to those playing more - Come on now boys.

Just the facts - jmho~

OurHouse, I am a big Sean Dwyer fan too, but you continue to come across as a fool here. 

-jmho~

Mr. Dwyer, I know you think your son should be starting.  It is hard to be objective as a father but please try.

[AndOne]

In a very exciting CCIW match up Sat night (as it seems all the games were), North Central pulled itself up out of the muck of its abysmal 1st half performance of last Wednesday's game to score an extremely well earned and deserved 73-72 "upset" victory over the 13th ranked  Wheaton Thunder.

Coming out of the locker room to begin the game, the Cardinals were buoyed by the return of Chris Drennan from a broken hand which required surgery involving the insertion of a plate and 4 screws. It was Drennan's first game after missing the previous seven during which the Cardinals went 1-6 after beginning the season 5-0 including a win over the then ranked #13 team.

Despite the euphoria and obviously improved and "upbeat" chemistry demonstrated by the Cards during warm ups, the Thunder threatened to force the Cardinals into a duplicate of their previous performance during the early minutes of the game. Fueled by a volley of points from All-American Kent Raymond,Wheaton lept to an early 12-4 lead. At that point, the NCC combo of Matt Rogers and Drennan began to assert themselves inside assisted by a series of excellent entry passes delivered 
primarily by Reid Barringer, Dean Prince, and David Twyman, all of whom tallied 4 helpers for the contest. The dynamic duo continually went up and under and around and through the Thunder defense to seemingly score at will in an onslaught that quickly rendered the Thunder's interior defense powerless, and which continued throughout the game. The dominance of the Cards inside game was demonstrated by their scoring 38 points in the paint vs 10 for the Thunder. The Cards outshot the Thunder 60.4% to 41.7%.

The Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance otherwise known as Mr Raymond naturally kept WC close as a variety of Cardinal defenders were unable to do much to stop him.
Fortunately, they played effective defense against the other Thunder outside threats, holding Ben Panner to 4 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 10 (one on the last shot of the game) on threes, and limiting the Wheaton subs to a total of 1 point. Andy Wiele, who at times seemed to be laboring somewhat, hit on 5 of 13 shots and added 4 free throws for 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. However, as mentioned above, he was unable to provide much defense against the inside drives of Rogers, who finished with 30 points including the 1000th point of his collegiate career, and Drennan who totaled 23 on the evening.

The Thunder, who trailed by 7 at the half, made several 2nd half runs. However, the Cards always had an answer and never relinquished the lead including forcing a miss on a Raymond three attempt after Wheaton had pulled to within 2 with 10 seconds to play. Largely responsible for the Cards being able to hold the fort was an effective zone defense that at least slowed Raymond down a bit, and rendered the other Thunder shooters almost totally ineffective. 

the only thing this commentary is missing is the monday night football music and howard cosell narration. 

And one pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small.
And the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all............ 

Sorry if you disapprove Mr Usee, Sir. Just trying to be thorough. 

[AndOne]

AndOne,
             You have a way with words , I wouldn't know how to keep up but here goes. The other players not mentioned King,Williams,Corso,Raridon all had their hand in the win. Williams had some great boards,King was getting to the rim (getting mugged)but some no calls slowed him down,Raridon had key rebounds and played tough,and Corso played big body and moved people around under the boards and in the paint nice job Josh . They came to play 8) on to North Park........

Sorry Cardinalfan-----

I certainly didn't mean to slight the players not previously mentioned. I just kinda ran out of steam---probably to some readers delight.

The Cards win was indeed a TEAM effort. Jeremy Williams battled hard inside  against Wheaton's bigs and hit 3 big shots himself. Dominique King brought a ton of energy to the floor and played with tenacity on both ends. By his facial expressions and gestures he seemed to exude an attitude of "we can take anything you can dish out and give it back harder." Mitch Raridon played a steady game and really battled despite taking 2 hard blows to the face which  seemed to only inspire him more to the point where he hauled down 5 huge boards, almost all of which came when he went up against a bigger opponent, sometimes two. He also scored a timely basket on a great back door cut that left his defender's head spinning. Josh Corso put a body on some people inside and cleared the way for some of Rogers' and Drennan's drives to the basket.

[usee]

In a very exciting CCIW match up Sat night (as it seems all the games were), North Central pulled itself up out of the muck of its abysmal 1st half performance of last Wednesday's game to score an extremely well earned and deserved 73-72 "upset" victory over the 13th ranked  Wheaton Thunder.

Coming out of the locker room to begin the game, the Cardinals were buoyed by the return of Chris Drennan from a broken hand which required surgery involving the insertion of a plate and 4 screws. It was Drennan's first game after missing the previous seven during which the Cardinals went 1-6 after beginning the season 5-0 including a win over the then ranked #13 team.

Despite the euphoria and obviously improved and "upbeat" chemistry demonstrated by the Cards during warm ups, the Thunder threatened to force the Cardinals into a duplicate of their previous performance during the early minutes of the game. Fueled by a volley of points from All-American Kent Raymond,Wheaton lept to an early 12-4 lead. At that point, the NCC combo of Matt Rogers and Drennan began to assert themselves inside assisted by a series of excellent entry passes delivered 
primarily by Reid Barringer, Dean Prince, and David Twyman, all of whom tallied 4 helpers for the contest. The dynamic duo continually went up and under and around and through the Thunder defense to seemingly score at will in an onslaught that quickly rendered the Thunder's interior defense powerless, and which continued throughout the game. The dominance of the Cards inside game was demonstrated by their scoring 38 points in the paint vs 10 for the Thunder. The Cards outshot the Thunder 60.4% to 41.7%.

The Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance otherwise known as Mr Raymond naturally kept WC close as a variety of Cardinal defenders were unable to do much to stop him.
Fortunately, they played effective defense against the other Thunder outside threats, holding Ben Panner to 4 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 10 (one on the last shot of the game) on threes, and limiting the Wheaton subs to a total of 1 point. Andy Wiele, who at times seemed to be laboring somewhat, hit on 5 of 13 shots and added 4 free throws for 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. However, as mentioned above, he was unable to provide much defense against the inside drives of Rogers, who finished with 30 points including the 1000th point of his collegiate career, and Drennan who totaled 23 on the evening.

The Thunder, who trailed by 7 at the half, made several 2nd half runs. However, the Cards always had an answer and never relinquished the lead including forcing a miss on a Raymond three attempt after Wheaton had pulled to within 2 with 10 seconds to play. Largely responsible for the Cards being able to hold the fort was an effective zone defense that at least slowed Raymond down a bit, and rendered the other Thunder shooters almost totally ineffective. 

the only thing this commentary is missing is the monday night football music and howard cosell narration. 

And one pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small.
And the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all............ 

Sorry if you disapprove Mr Usee, Sir. Just trying to be thorough. 

no disapproval from me. I felt like I was watching sportscenter. I like a good, thorough commentary. well done.

[markerickson]

Stats from Millikin's website:

Millikin shot 40.7 percent from the field (22-of-54), 35 percent from 3-point (7-of-20) and 62.5 percent from the free throw line (5-of-8). North Park shot 36.4 percent from the field (20-of-55), 28.6 percent from 3-point (6-of-21) and 90 percent from the free throw line (9-of-10).  Nick Williams was the only Viking to score in double figures; he had 19.  Antonio Stevens missed a shot with one second remaining.

North Park needs someone other than Williams to average in double figures if it wants to reach the .500 mark in conference play.

[REDMENFAN]

Nice artilce today in the kenosha news about Carthage, and they're need for recruiting some good big men to surround the talented guards over the next three years.

http://ksn.kenoshanews.com/view_article.php?articleNum=2373864

[AndOne]

Usee---

Thank you. I'm sorry I evidently misinterpreted the meaning of your comment. My mistake.

[AndOne]

Nice artilce today in the kenosha news about Carthage, and they're need for recruiting some good big men to surround the talented guards over the next three years.

http://ksn.kenoshanews.com/view_article.php?articleNum=2373864

RED----

Not that a talented team can't win without a good big or bigs, but I think the welcome mat is almost always out at most places for a good big man. As we know, they are hard to find. The Red Men's need for one has been well publicized here before. And, they certainly aren't the only team looking. Other great schools lacking much height, are actively looking to fill the same need.

One problem I think that hinders D3 schools from landing more good bigs, is that its natural for high school kids to embrace the dream of playing at the highest possible level. The problem occurs when these kids have the height, but fail to realize they may not have the agility, speed, or overall athleticism necessary to perform at the D2 or especially the D1 level. However, when coaches from the D2 and D1 schools offer scholarships, often based largely on potential or perceived potential, its tough for a kid and his family to turn it down considering both the chance to fulfill the dream coupled with the huge financial savings involved. Accordingly, we see many big kids who could be stars at the D3 level occupying the last seat on the end of the bench at the higher levels.