MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

It has become quite clear that every game has the potential to be a barn-burner, with the possible exception of Millikin on the road.

Chuck, Millikin led Augie at the half, 30-24, at the Carver Center a week ago tonight. The Big Blue were down by three with less than five minutes to go in the game, and only ended up losing by eight.

Regardless of the Big Blue's record and the ease with which the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance dispatched them tonight, I would not take Jimmy Millikin lightly ... no matter where you're playing Marc Smith's team. The tightness of this race means that the other seven teams will all be walking the razor's edge in the second round-robin, and that in turn means that no one can afford to take a night off against Millikin. The Big Blue have enough talent to win games in this league -- not on every night, certainly, and not consistently. But they are capable of springing a big upset or two before it's all said and done.

That's why I said "possible exception".  It may happen, and no one better let their guard down, but if Millikin wins a road game, it will be a big upset.  I don't think any other game this season would, regardless of outcome, be called a 'big' upset.  (I'll be surprised [not shocked, but surprised] if they win even 2 more games, with the win(s) coming at home, though I have no clue over whom.)

[tjcummingsfan]

from the front page..

" Nick Williams had 17 points and 12 rebounds in Augustana's victory," ummm

[Gregory Sager]

from the front page..

" Nick Williams had 17 points and 12 rebounds in Augustana's victory," ummm

Not to worry, EH. I've already e-mailed the guru about it.

[gordonmann]

Yep.  Caught it and fixed it.

The Guru is in bed.

[Gregory Sager]

Yep.  Caught it and fixed it.

The Guru is in bed.

Thanks, O mighty swami!

[Pat Coleman]

Yep.  Caught it and fixed it.

The Guru is in bed.

Thanks, appreciate it. Yeah, I get my six hours of sleep at a different time this year.

[Titan Q]

Two questions for you, Bob (I only caught about the last 8 minutes of the game):
1. Sean Johnson scored 9 points in 4 minutes to almost get the win - what's the story on the other 36 minutes?

For the most part, it was Augustana's defense.  IWU's freshmen guards, who have been very good in CCIW play, were facing Augie for the first time and I don't think there is anything you can do in practice or in watching film to prepare for what that pressure on-the-ball defense is like.  There are not many teams in Division III that play D like Augie does.  I think both Sean Johnson and Travis Rosenkranz had trouble getting in the flow.

After playing the Vikings once now, I think those two will be a lot more prepared the next time they face Augie (later this year in Rock Island).  They'll realize how strong they have to be with the ball and how to exploit Augie's over-play.  They'll keep getting better as they get older and gain experience.

[REDMENFAN]

Here's the article in the kenosha news from last nights carthage/NP game. About Bosko and his great quotes, they are hilarious! Carthage baseball coach Augie Schmidt is also known for absolutely great quotes throughout a baseball season.  At last years world series, he became the talk of the town from the moment the REDMEN showed up.

http://ksn.kenoshanews.com/view_article.php?articleNum=2462499

[79jaybird]

ECdubb-Thank you for your compliments and glad you were able to hear the game. 
Very exciting game in Naperville, but again one that should not have gone to OT if your Elmhurst.  The Bluejays led by 7 with ~5:00 to go and could not put away the Cards.
Ryan Burks could not hit a shot to save his soul in the first half from 3-point line, but showed some maturity coming back in the second half/OT to help EC win. 
I thought the real backbreaker for NC was Matt Ryder hitting 4 3-pointers in the second half.
It's no secret that EC is lacking a guy to drive and draw fouls.  Drennan did a great job of this for NC last night.  Every time he drove inside the paint he either A) scored or B) drew a foul and received the 2 freebies. 
Huge game for Elmhurst against Augie this Saturday and a must win for EC if they really want to stay in the race for the CCIW title.   

[Naperick]

Burks two 3 pointers in overtime were huge! 

[Naperick]

Ryder did give the Bluejays a 3rd scoring option last night.

[Naperick]

If the home teams all win Saturday (and I think all 4 will be favorites), we would have...

Augustana 5-3
Carthage 5-3
Elmhurst 5-3
Illinois Wesleyan 5-3
Wheaton 5-3
North Park 4-4

That would be absolutely nuts.

Augie winning @ Elmhurst would be huge, as would Carthage winning at IWU.

I think their is a decent chance of that happening.

[Naperick]

It seems like every Elmhurst-North Central game at Merner fieldhouse is a classic.  I think that is 3 OT's in the last 6 games between those two schools in Naperville.

[martin]

Home win = 0 points
Home loss = -1
Road win = +1
Road loss = 0


Augustana (5-2): +1 (road win at IWU)
Carthage (5-2): +1 (road wins at EC and MU, home loss to NPU)
Illinois Wesleyan (4-3): +1 (road wins at MU, NPU...home loss to AC)
Wheaton (4-3): +1 (road win at EC)
Elmhurst (4-3): +0 (home losses to CC and WC, road wins at NPU, NCC)
North Central (2-5): -1 (home loss to EC)
North Park (3-4): -1 (home losses to EC, IWU...road win at CC)
Millikin (1-6): -2 (home losses to IWU and CC)

If any team can get to +3, i.e. a 10-4 record, I think that will guarantee them the conference title all to themselves.  If not, there may be three 9-5 teams sharing it.  At the midpoint, four teams are +1. Can anyone go +2 in the second half?  In order to get to +3, a team has to win all its home games and -

Augustana (+1) - win two of four at Elmhurst, Wheaton, Millikin, North Central.  Winning at Millikin and NC looks doable - but Augie trailed Millikin by 6 at the half in Rock Island.  Millikin may come of age at the worst time for Augie.  Millikin has played well in spurts this season - with Drew Gensler, they would be in the thick of things.

Carthage (+1) - win two of four at IWU, Augie, North Central and North Park.  Saturday at IWU will be huge - the loser will have to shoot for making the tournament, not winning the conference.

IWU (+1) - win two of three at NC, Wheaton and Augie (and not lose Saturday to Carthage at home).

Wheaton (+1) - win two of three at Carthage, North Park and Millikin.  They may have the easiest route - a player like Kent Raymond can get those road wins.

Elmhurst (0) - win three of four at Millikin, IWU, Carthage and Wheaton.  Very, very tough.

North Park (-1) - win all four at Augie, North Central, Elmhurst and IWU.  Absolutelu no margin for error.

There is a scenario where Augie and Wheaton can both go 10-4.  I don't see a combination of any other two teams going 10-4.  Theoretically, it could be a three way at 10-4 with Carthage but it seems unlikely.  All three winn all their home games, Augie wins at Millikin and NC, Carthage wins two of IWU, NC, and NP and Wheaton wins at NP and Millikin.  But a home loss of any of those teams to anyone requires that they beat each other.  IWU has to win away at either Augie or Wheaton making combinations with those teams difficult.

[aceon2]

Possible finish to the CCIW ?   

1st : 9-5
2nd: 9-5
3rd: 9-5
4th: 8-6
5th:7-7
6th: 6-8
7th: 5-9
8th: 3-11