MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

I didn't write it down but in addition to the ones you mentioned I remember: Jason Senik, Luke Moo and Jordan Kemper.

Yikes. 

Game on.

[Gregory Sager]

I wouldn't be too fearful of Rob Hamann in the upcoming IWU-Wheaton game.  Formally known for his slashing style and 3-point touch, Hamann has let himself go over the past few years.

Look for him to get a touch or two in the post, followed by a full slab of ribs on the bench.

I guess this makes me a bad person, but I laughed at that line for about five minutes, TD.

(And here I thought that you ex-pitchers always stuck together!)

I just hope that some Wesleyan alumnus fouls Nate Frank on Saturday night so that Nate can give his clinic on how to shoot free throws while standing on tiptoes.

It figures that I would have to miss my first NPU @ NCC game in many years due to another commitment, only to go online immediately thereafter and find out that the Vikings won big. Just my luck.

NPU and NCC both shot out the lights, as both went 28-46 (61%) from the field. In North Park's case, that's by far the best that the team has shot all year; the previous best was a mere 50% against the hapless Banana Slugs in California back in December. In North Central's case, I see that it was the result of a lot of Chris Drennan layups; the Cardinals junior forward went 9-11 from the field to get his game-high 18 points. It was just gratifying to see the Vikings finally knock down some bombs, as that 13-21 performance from beyond the arc indicates. And Antonio Stevens apparently got to the rim and finished as well. But the really gratifying thing is that NPU finally finished off an opponent. The Vikings were up by twelve with 6:46 left in the game, which is where they tend to go into their deep freeze. Tonight they didn't do that; by the 4:10 mark they had expanded the lead to 21. Good job, Park!

This makes two seasons in a row that North Park has swept North Central, North Central has swept Wheaton, and Wheaton has swept North Park. I doubt that the same three teams have ever swept each other in an identical 2 > 2 > 2 repeating sequence over two consecutive seasons in the CCIW. Just call those three teams "the Nemesis Triplets".

Paul Brenegan stuck to basically a seven-man rotation tonight, which seemed to work well. Elmhurst is a much bigger team than North Central, however, so I don't know if he'll be able to get away with that rotation of Williams/Gordon/Stevens/Whitaker/Oziminski/Alexander/Brown in Faganel Hall on Saturday night.

[cardinalfanrochelle]

On tonight's game North Central at home against North Park, this is my take on the game:  no heart + no spark + no drive + no emotion  = NO WIN

[usee]

Quoting Bill Harris from last nite's game:

"This is a big win for us. The veteran Thunder mentor added, "I thought we got great contributions from everybody tonight. Plus, I thought our defense was exceptional."


Also from the Wheaton website:

Saturday's game will be preceded by an alumni game featuring Wheaton alumni versus, Illinois Wesleyan alumni at 5 PM. Some of the former Wheaton standouts scheduled to return are: Joel Kolmodin, Nate Frank, Jon Nielsen, Steve Thonn, Paul Sweatman, Jonathan Steven, Jordan Kemper, Brian Adams, Rob Hamann, Charles Ridley, Kevin Bishop, and Tom Thornton. The Wheaton alumni team will be coached by former Wheaton players: Tom Dykstra, Wally Olson and Steve Clum.(Please note: the roster is tentative and subject to change).

I had thought Luke Moo was playing but not according to this(not that it would help much). These guys were all pretty good in their time but I am not sure how father time has worn on them. There are a lot more recent players for IWU than for Wheaton. I don't know how this lineup will keep pace with the group the Titans are putting out there. This could be ugly. 

[OurHouse]

Wheaton has really stepped up their defense. A few days after keeping Carthage in check on the road, the Thunder hold Augie to 60pts while outrebounding augie 27-22. Wheaton also shoots 60% for the game including 57% from the 3pt line. Huge win and if they can beat IWU at home saturday they will have a good chance to win out and finish 10-4 going into the conf tourney.

that is right - wheaton will be ready for IWU this weekend - raymond may have a field day. turnovers will be key.
jmho~

[aceon2]

From the Carthage website this is a portion of Bosko's quote from the beginning of this year as part of their season preview and outlook....

"The lifeblood of college sports is recruiting.  We have nice players, but we don't have good-enough players.  We need size and we need better players to get back to the level we want to be at."

Well, that's certainly an interesting strategy. I've never seen it work...but hey, BD has plenty of rings and do not so who knows....

That is something that a coach should never say.  Even when in reality it may be the truth.  This Carthage team is not done, their season is not over.  If after the season he were to say they just didnt have good-enough players then fine.  But as I see it, this same Carthage team two and a half weeks ago was 5-1 and sitting at the top of the standings in the conference.  Since then they have lost at home to NPU in OT, a close one at Wesleyan, blown out by Wheaton at HOME, a close one in Rock Island, and another 2 point loss at home to Elmhurst.   To say they dont have the talent of years past is a fact.  But to say they dont have the talent to win in this years league is a cop-out.  The McDaniels, Wiertels, and Garnes dont come along but once in a long time.  And he had all of them together.  Dont get me wrong I cannot question Boskos track record.  But he is a coach who would be better suited for a division 1 school, being that he needs great players to coach.  That being said, it seems as though he has said this same thing year after year consistently since the post Mcdaniel era.  "We need to recruit better"   It has been some 5-6 years since Antoine McDaniel or Theo Powell suited up and he is still living in those teams.  Steve has been the only all around solid recruit he has landed since Antoine, and he got Steve because he was his son.  Where does he go from here?

[REDMENFAN]

Here's the article from the paper today. Man, a rough last couple of weeks for Carthage.

http://kenoshanews.com/article_comments/view_comments.php?articleNum=2536724

[ecdubb420]

In the first few years of doing EC games, my co-host and myself prided ourselves on being well, goofballs.  I mean, we were college kids spending our own money, our own time and presenting a product as we felt.  As the years progressed, this goofball moniker disappeared and as a result the fun in calling the games went away (one of the many reasons, I'm no longer doing the games).  Let these kids call the games as they wish, the joy of college radio is doing things on your terms and more importantly not holding back in saying how you feel about opposing fans, refs, players and hell even coaches. 
If schools want a "more professional product" then feel free and offer scholarships, re-imbursement for traveling expenses, and training for these students.  I know at EC we received no help, and quite frankly, the school wouldn't have ever began broadcasting games if it weren't for a pair of goofball kids.  I can't speak for how the programs began at the other schools, but simply put, be thankful that the games are even on the air. 

On a seperate note, the EC broadcast sounds great, and unless I'm confused, they are definately not students.   

[devildog29]

Wheaton beat #8 Augustana tonight despite not getting a single FG from its bench.  The Thunder had 1 point off the bench - a Phil Denham FT.  Wheaton's bench only attempted one shot.

I will preface my comment by granting the fact one cannot draw general conclusions about a team from one game.  However, in that one game I saw Wheaton play this year out here in Pasadena, I made the comment during the game that the rest of Wheaton's team seems content to let Raymond and Wiele take all of the shots.  Nobody else wanted to shoot or take the ball to the hole.  Granted they were playing against a 2-3 zone that day, which usually takes a lot of the motion out of the offense, but nobody wanted to drive into the soft spots of the zone and draw defenders.  I saw a lot of standing around and either pounding it into the post to Wiele, or Raymond creating his own shot off the dribble.  Has this been a consistent trend in the other games they've played this year?

[robberki]

In the first few years of doing EC games, my co-host and myself prided ourselves on being well, goofballs.  I mean, we were college kids spending our own money, our own time and presenting a product as we felt.  As the years progressed, this goofball moniker disappeared and as a result the fun in calling the games went away (one of the many reasons, I'm no longer doing the games).  Let these kids call the games as they wish, the joy of college radio is doing things on your terms and more importantly not holding back in saying how you feel about opposing fans, refs, players and hell even coaches. 
If schools want a "more professional product" then feel free and offer scholarships, re-imbursement for traveling expenses, and training for these students.  I know at EC we received no help, and quite frankly, the school wouldn't have ever began broadcasting games if it weren't for a pair of goofball kids.  I can't speak for how the programs began at the other schools, but simply put, be thankful that the games are even on the air. 

On a seperate note, the EC broadcast sounds great, and unless I'm confused, they are definately not students.   

well said....and I agree.

[andrewmp]

Wheaton beat #8 Augustana tonight despite not getting a single FG from its bench.  The Thunder had 1 point off the bench - a Phil Denham FT.  Wheaton's bench only attempted one shot.

I will preface my comment by granting the fact one cannot draw general conclusions about a team from one game.  However, in that one game I saw Wheaton play this year out here in Pasadena, I made the comment during the game that the rest of Wheaton's team seems content to let Raymond and Wiele take all of the shots.  Nobody else wanted to shoot or take the ball to the hole.  Granted they were playing against a 2-3 zone that day, which usually takes a lot of the motion out of the offense, but nobody wanted to drive into the soft spots of the zone and draw defenders.  I saw a lot of standing around and either pounding it into the post to Wiele, or Raymond creating his own shot off the dribble.  Has this been a consistent trend in the other games they've played this year?

I would say that Raymond and Wiele are the first two options for the Wheaton offense (2 types of offense that compliment each other and offer versitility), but I wouldn't classify their offense as just that.  Panner, in the games that I have seen, has been the scorer that makes the most difference, partly because the other teams have to try and stop Kent and Wiele.  When Panner is scoring along with Raymond and Weile, Wheaton is tough to beat.  In their lone home loss this year to North Central, Panner only scored 3 points on three shots; not what you want from your second leading scorer (although I attribute those two losses more to the defensive end then the offensive end, especially in the post).  Finally, Andrew Jahns has stepped up and has had some productive nights lately.  Interesting to note, Wheaton's conference losses are by 1, 5, 3, and 7.  When the scoring has been more balanced, as it was last night (four guys in double figures), they are usually on top.  53 points came last night from the guard spot last night, which really is wheaton's strength on offense and defense.
I wasn't there, but from what I heard was that this game was not as close as the finally score.  Wheaton had a 21 point lead in the second half with about 13 minutes to play, and they were up 19 with 1:42 to play before Augie got 7 straight points.  In the first half, Wheaton held Augie to 37.9% shooting, including an 0-4 performance from the outside.  This, I think, is largely due to Wheaton's guards playing great defense. 

[usee]

Wheaton beat #8 Augustana tonight despite not getting a single FG from its bench.  The Thunder had 1 point off the bench - a Phil Denham FT.  Wheaton's bench only attempted one shot.

I will preface my comment by granting the fact one cannot draw general conclusions about a team from one game.  However, in that one game I saw Wheaton play this year out here in Pasadena, I made the comment during the game that the rest of Wheaton's team seems content to let Raymond and Wiele take all of the shots.  Nobody else wanted to shoot or take the ball to the hole.  Granted they were playing against a 2-3 zone that day, which usually takes a lot of the motion out of the offense, but nobody wanted to drive into the soft spots of the zone and draw defenders.  I saw a lot of standing around and either pounding it into the post to Wiele, or Raymond creating his own shot off the dribble.  Has this been a consistent trend in the other games they've played this year?

I would say that Raymond and Wiele are the first two options for the Wheaton offense (2 types of offense that compliment each other and offer versitility), but I wouldn't classify their offense as just that.  Panner, in the games that I have seen, has been the scorer that makes the most difference, partly because the other teams have to try and stop Kent and Wiele.  When Panner is scoring along with Raymond and Weile, Wheaton is tough to beat.  In their lone home loss this year to North Central, Panner only scored 3 points on three shots; not what you want from your second leading scorer (although I attribute those two losses more to the defensive end then the offensive end, especially in the post).  Finally, Andrew Jahns has stepped up and has had some productive nights lately.  Interesting to note, Wheaton's conference losses are by 1, 5, 3, and 7.  When the scoring has been more balanced, as it was last night (four guys in double figures), they are usually on top.  53 points came last night from the guard spot last night, which really is wheaton's strength on offense and defense.
I wasn't there, but from what I heard was that this game was not as close as the finally score.  Wheaton had a 21 point lead in the second half with about 13 minutes to play, and they were up 19 with 1:42 to play before Augie got 7 straight points.  In the first half, Wheaton held Augie to 37.9% shooting, including an 0-4 performance from the outside.  This, I think, is largely due to Wheaton's guards playing great defense. 

I agree with this. Keep in mind last night Wiele only took 8 shots. that's not many touches for the big man.

[andrewmp]

Sorry, Panner is actually Wheaton's third highest scorer, although just a point and a half below Wiele, and in conference less than half a point behind Wiele.

The match-up that will happen at Wheaton on Saturday night has huge implications for the Conference tournament coming up.  With Wheaton's win last night, all three top conference teams have a shot at the number 1 seed.  Augie and IWU are both in control, with either one winning out giving them the top seed (I believe - IWU would have swept Wheaton while Augie split with Wheaton for the tie breaker).  Wheaton is a bit more tricky, but realistic  They need to win out, have IWU beat Augie, and make sure that either carthage or NPU finishes above NC in the standings.  Of course, a loss by Augie to NC, which is definitely possible, would also push Wheaton to the front, assuming Elmhurst or Carthage finish fourth.  Regardless, I think our top three are set, although Elmhurst could beat out Wheaton for the third spot.
If I recall, Wheaton had a chance to win or tie the game in the last few seconds against IWU , yet turned it over.  They were also without Kent for the last bit, either due to fouling out or being removed from a technical.  The offense from Kent was low, and for IWU to be able to do that again will be difficult.  I expect it to be a close game, but I think home-court, and possible motivation for Kent from being shut down last time, leans the advantage to Wheaton.
Should be an extremely fun night with the alumni game beforehand.

[petemcb]

In the first few years of doing EC games, my co-host and myself prided ourselves on being well, goofballs.  I mean, we were college kids spending our own money, our own time and presenting a product as we felt.  As the years progressed, this goofball moniker disappeared and as a result the fun in calling the games went away (one of the many reasons, I'm no longer doing the games).  Let these kids call the games as they wish, the joy of college radio is doing things on your terms and more importantly not holding back in saying how you feel about opposing fans, refs, players and hell even coaches. 
If schools want a "more professional product" then feel free and offer scholarships, re-imbursement for traveling expenses, and training for these students.  I know at EC we received no help, and quite frankly, the school wouldn't have ever began broadcasting games if it weren't for a pair of goofball kids.  I can't speak for how the programs began at the other schools, but simply put, be thankful that the games are even on the air. 

On a seperate note, the EC broadcast sounds great, and unless I'm confused, they are definately not students.   

Excellent reminder.  Well said, and +k.

[petemcb]

Sorry, Panner is actually Wheaton's third highest scorer, although just a point and a half below Wiele, and in conference less than half a point behind Wiele.

The match-up that will happen at Wheaton on Saturday night has huge implications for the Conference tournament coming up.  With Wheaton's win last night, all three top conference teams have a shot at the number 1 seed.  Augie and IWU are both in control, with either one winning out giving them the top seed (I believe - IWU would have swept Wheaton while Augie split with Wheaton for the tie breaker).  Wheaton is a bit more tricky, but realistic  They need to win out, have IWU beat Augie, and make sure that either carthage or NPU finishes above NC in the standings.  Of course, a loss by Augie to NC, which is definitely possible, would also push Wheaton to the front, assuming Elmhurst or Carthage finish fourth.  Regardless, I think our top three are set, although Elmhurst could beat out Wheaton for the third spot.
If I recall, Wheaton had a chance to win or tie the game in the last few seconds against IWU , yet turned it over.  They were also without Kent for the last bit, either due to fouling out or being removed from a technical.  The offense from Kent was low, and for IWU to be able to do that again will be difficult.  I expect it to be a close game, but I think home-court, and possible motivation for Kent from being shut down last time, leans the advantage to Wheaton.
Should be an extremely fun night with the alumni game beforehand.

Not being an alum of a CCIW school puts me in the "Switzerland" camp, where I just enjoy a healthy league without strong allegiance to one side or another, until this point of the season.  It is at this point where I begin to identify with the Chicagoland team that has the best chance of hosting the CCIW tournament that I would love to attend.  As such, for the next three games, Go ThunderJays, preferably Thunder (with my balky back, you gotta go with seatbacks over bleachers).