MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Late nite]

Swetalla continues to be what he has always been---Inconsistent---Sometimes good, sometimes not so good---Augie does need him if they hope for any post-season success (assuming they get a chance)---Wessels played a very good game---What you should expect from your leading scorer in an important game---Augie got some great play from Bertrand and Rukavina---Those two players always show up with energy and give you everything they have---In that sense, they are very consistent

[dlawrenz]

#1 ranked Wash U. gets hammered today and Chicago knocks off #3 ranked Rochester??!!

[AndOne]

Can anyone explain North Central's 6 game winning streak over Wheaton?  Is it just one of those things that happen?

I'll give it a try Naperick-----

1. Its the Karma. NCC has been able to brew up the right kind against WC.    8)   
2. As Mr. Sager aptly suggests, the nemesis factor. Todd Raridon seems to have Coach Harris' number.   
3. Over the last 3 years, the Thunder may have had the brightest single star, but on a position by position match up basis, they simply have not had as strong a team as have the Cardinals.   

Thanks for your post, AndOne.

U r very welcome, Naper

[AndOne]

AndOne,

     Swetella has an abdominal strain and has not started the last two games for this reason.  While Dain's scoring has been down (10ppg), he is a dominant defensive force inside and has been clutch in close games with his steals, rebounding, and free throws.  It is frustrating that a guy of his stature doesn't average 18ppg and 9 rebounds per game, but make no mistake, he is a big key to Augie's success this year and the last two.  In Coach G's system, he plays a lot of players and Dain's minutes are sometimes limited.  Dain also has a habit of silly fouls at times which can limit his minutes.  All in all though, Dain performance has been great.  Last night he and Rukavina held Elmhurst's big guy in check.  He also got a critical rebound with the game still in balance and converted 2 free throws to ice the game.  The player of the game last night, however, was Wessels!  He scored 22 points and was a monster on defense all night.  I don't know how many steals he had but there were many.  Big win for the Vikings last night.  Now they have to take care of business in the Carver Center next week with North Park and Carthage coming in.

Viking----

Thanks for the info. As a fan of NCC and seeing firsthand what the injury bug has done to the Cards this season, the fact that Swetalla is injured certainly explains his recent lack of overall production for the Vikings. Against NCC, he played fairly well, especially in terms of high shooting % and rebounding.

However, in looking at the entire season to date, I think its safe to say that he hasn't played up to the level that I think most observers expected. I believe Late Nite is on target with his above post indicating he has been very "inconsistent."

Speaking of Viking personnel, I like Bertrand. I'm kinda surprised Augie doesn't start him at a forward spot rather than going with their 3 guard lineup. Of course, I'm sure Coach G likes his energy off the bench, and he certainly knows his players capabilities better than anyone. 

[usee]

Can anyone explain North Central's 6 game winning streak over Wheaton?  Is it just one of those things that happen?

I'll give it a try Naperick-----

1. Its the Karma. NCC has been able to brew up the right kind against WC.    8)   
2. As Mr. Sager aptly suggests, the nemesis factor. Todd Raridon seems to have Coach Harris' number.   
3. Over the last 3 years, the Thunder may have had the brightest single star, but on a position by position match up basis, they simply have not had as strong a team as have the Cardinals.   

Thanks for your post, AndOne.

U r very welcome, Naper

I agree with nmbr 1 and 2 but there is zero evidence for number 3. In fact wheaton has had a better conference record every year the past 3. Raridon definately has Bill Harris' number and NCC has won over the past 3 seasons everywhere from 80-733 to 52-47.

As for last night, Wheaton rarely gives up 80 pts and when they do, they almost always lose. particularly when they only gave up 33 pts in the first half. NCC shoots 57% from the field after shooting 60% in the first matchup. This season the thunder have scored enough to beat NCC but their defense has been atrocious. It won't get any easier up in kenosha on wednesday.

[Titan Q]

North Central's FG% in the 6-game winning streak over Wheaton...

2/2/08 @ WC - 57.1% (32-56)
1/12/08 @ NCC - 60.4% (29-48)
1/27/07 @ NCC - 61.1% (33-54)
1/06/07 @ WC - 42.9% (18-42)
2/06/06 @ NCC - 56.7% (34-60)
1/28/06 @ WC - 59.6% (34-57)

Cumulatively, North Central is 180-317 (56.7%) from the field in those games.  Against a Wheaton program that is known for being very good defensively, that is really amazing.

[Titan Q]

#1 ranked Wash U. gets hammered today and Chicago knocks off #3 ranked Rochester??!!

I'm officially done saying the CCIW "doesn't have a Final Four team" this year.  It sure doesn't look like there is a dominant team in Division III this year.  The CCIW's rep (I think we're only getting one) will be able to beat - or lose to - any team in the tournament field.

[Pat Coleman]

Good call, Q -- nobody can say they don't have a Final Four team the way this year's playing out.

[Late nite]

Augie has a nice problem at the 4 spot with Collins and Bertrand---Unfortunately, neither player has the type of skills required from a 3---IMHO, I believe that the Vikes have transcended to a 3 guard team out of necessity---They really don't have a true 3 man on their roster---Add to the fact that many teams have gone to a 3 guard offense, the Vikes have had to adjust---The 3 position has changed in the league from a couple of years ago when you had 6'6" skilled 3 players like Walton, Keelan, Jeffries, Martin, etc., who could post up or hit a bomb---I don't see that type of size or skill at the position this year

AndOne,

     Swetella has an abdominal strain and has not started the last two games for this reason.  While Dain's scoring has been down (10ppg), he is a dominant defensive force inside and has been clutch in close games with his steals, rebounding, and free throws.  It is frustrating that a guy of his stature doesn't average 18ppg and 9 rebounds per game, but make no mistake, he is a big key to Augie's success this year and the last two.  In Coach G's system, he plays a lot of players and Dain's minutes are sometimes limited.  Dain also has a habit of silly fouls at times which can limit his minutes.  All in all though, Dain performance has been great.  Last night he and Rukavina held Elmhurst's big guy in check.  He also got a critical rebound with the game still in balance and converted 2 free throws to ice the game.  The player of the game last night, however, was Wessels!  He scored 22 points and was a monster on defense all night.  I don't know how many steals he had but there were many.  Big win for the Vikings last night.  Now they have to take care of business in the Carver Center next week with North Park and Carthage coming in.

Viking----

Thanks for the info. As a fan of NCC and seeing firsthand what the injury bug has done to the Cards this season, the fact that Swetalla is injured certainly explains his recent lack of overall production for the Vikings. Against NCC, he played fairly well, especially in terms of high shooting % and rebounding.

However, in looking at the entire season to date, I think its safe to say that he hasn't played up to the level that I think most observers expected. I believe Late Nite is on target with his above post indicating he has been very "inconsistent."

Speaking of Viking personnel, I like Bertrand. I'm kinda surprised Augie doesn't start him at a forward spot rather than going with their 3 guard lineup. Of course, I'm sure Coach G likes his energy off the bench, and he certainly knows his players capabilities better than anyone. 

[AndOne]

Can anyone explain North Central's 6 game winning streak over Wheaton?  Is it just one of those things that happen?

I'll give it a try Naperick-----

1. Its the Karma. NCC has been able to brew up the right kind against WC.    8)   
2. As Mr. Sager aptly suggests, the nemesis factor. Todd Raridon seems to have Coach Harris' number.   
3. Over the last 3 years, the Thunder may have had the brightest single star, but on a position by position match up basis, they simply have not had as strong a team as have the Cardinals.   

Thanks for your post, AndOne.

U r very welcome, Naper

I agree with nmbr 1 and 2 but there is zero evidence for number 3. In fact wheaton has had a better conference record every year the past 3. Raridon definately has Bill Harris' number and NCC has won over the past 3 seasons everywhere from 80-733 to 52-47.

Usee-----

There is a great deal of evidence to support #3. You have to remember that in the recent years prior to this one, NCC had 5 of the best players to ever play for the Cardinals in Walton, Simmons, Krumtinger, Teising, & Vicario. The Thunder, as a team, couldn't come close to stacking up against such a lineup. This year, Wheaton comes close in the 1st game due mainly to the fact that one of the best ever, Mr. Raymond, goes off for 37. Last night, as you said, the Thunder played atrocious defense, allowing the Cards to shoot 57 % while additionally submitting to a relentless Cardinal defense that forced the Thunder into an abysmal 20 turnovers.
The Cards were the superior TEAM. Over the 6 game streak, NCC has outscored WC by an average of 10+ ppg.

Also, we're not talking about overall records, but just a comparison of the NCC and WC teams over the period being examined. 

[Titan Q]

Usee-----

There is a great deal of evidence to support #3. You have to remember that in the recent years prior to this one, NCC had 5 of the best players to ever play for the Cardinals in Walton, Simmons, Krumtinger, Teising, & Vicario.

AndOne,

Krumtinger, Teising, and Vicario are not on any sort of list of best NCC players ever.  Better freshen up on your Cardinal history.

Simmons and Walton - absolutely.

[usee]

Can anyone explain North Central's 6 game winning streak over Wheaton?  Is it just one of those things that happen?

I'll give it a try Naperick-----

1. Its the Karma. NCC has been able to brew up the right kind against WC.    8)   
2. As Mr. Sager aptly suggests, the nemesis factor. Todd Raridon seems to have Coach Harris' number.   
3. Over the last 3 years, the Thunder may have had the brightest single star, but on a position by position match up basis, they simply have not had as strong a team as have the Cardinals.   

Thanks for your post, AndOne.

U r very welcome, Naper

I agree with nmbr 1 and 2 but there is zero evidence for number 3. In fact wheaton has had a better conference record every year the past 3. Raridon definately has Bill Harris' number and NCC has won over the past 3 seasons everywhere from 80-733 to 52-47.

Usee-----

There is a great deal of evidence to support #3. You have to remember that in the recent years prior to this one, NCC had 5 of the best players to ever play for the Cardinals in Walton, Simmons, Krumtinger, Teising, & Vicario. The Thunder, as a team, couldn't come close to stacking up against such a lineup. This year, Wheaton comes close in the 1st game due mainly to the fact that one of the best ever, Mr. Raymond, goes off for 37. Last night, as you said, the Thunder played atrocious defense, allowing the Cards to shoot 57 % while additionally submitting to a relentless Cardinal defense that forced the Thunder into an abysmal 20 turnovers.
The Cards were the superior TEAM. Over the 6 game streak, NCC has outscored WC by an average of 10+ ppg.

Also, we're not talking about overall records, but just a comparison of the NCC and WC teams over the period being examined. 

Your claim that the cardinals have had a stronger team each of the last 3 yrs implies they were better over the course of the season. Obviously they were better in the 6 games against wheaton by virtue of a 6-0 record. If it didn't mean outside of those contests than what's your point? It's clear Wheaton has had a better season than the cardinals every year in the past 3 (and longer) but they cannot beat NCC and most of those games haven't even been close.

[Titan Q]

Your claim that the cardinals have had a stronger team each of the last 3 yrs implies they were better over the course of the season. Obviously they were better in the 6 games against wheaton by virtue of a 6-0 record. If it didn't mean outside of those contests than what's your point? It's clear Wheaton has had a better season than the cardinals every year in the past 3 (and longer) but they cannot beat NCC and most of those games haven't even been close.

North Central was a lot better than Wheaton in 2005-06.  NCC finished 9-5 in the CCIW and won the conference tournament.  Wheaton was 7-7.  When we talk about those 4 great teams from two years ago, NCC was part of that group (along with IWU, Augustana, and Elmhurst).

[iwumichigander]

#1 ranked Wash U. gets hammered today and Chicago knocks off #3 ranked Rochester??!!

I'm officially done saying the CCIW "doesn't have a Final Four team" this year.  It sure doesn't look like there is a dominant team in Division III this year.  The CCIW's rep (I think we're only getting one) will be able to beat - or lose to - any team in the tournament field.

I think a scenario exists (with a big IF) where two CCIW teams (but no more than two)get in the tournament.  The BIG IF - Augie wins the regular season CCIW season with no more than 2 losses then finishes second in the CCIW tournament to finish 22-5 overall; 13-3 conference.  

[usee]

Your claim that the cardinals have had a stronger team each of the last 3 yrs implies they were better over the course of the season. Obviously they were better in the 6 games against wheaton by virtue of a 6-0 record. If it didn't mean outside of those contests than what's your point? It's clear Wheaton has had a better season than the cardinals every year in the past 3 (and longer) but they cannot beat NCC and most of those games haven't even been close.

North Central was a lot better than Wheaton in 2005-06.  NCC finished 9-5 in the CCIW and won the conference tournament.  Wheaton was 7-7.  When we talk about those 4 great teams from two years ago, NCC was part of that group (along with IWU, Augustana, and Elmhurst).

Thanks for the correction Q. I misread the records for that year (thought that was the year NCC was 5-9).