MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[veterancciwfan]

Rodney: Your personal hope is of course matched by IWU fans. The Shirk Center compared to Augie's outdated mausoleum is a no-brainer. IWU hosting would provide twice the attendendace of a Rock Island crowd. Enough extra money (no passes for any fan) could be raised to give CCIW Commr. Chris Martin a bonus!

The most amazing facet about the improvement of IWU is that their defense can now hold CCIW teams to a low enough point total to allow a win even when IWU has a off-shooting night, especially at the line. If you would have seen how absolutely feeble IWU's defense was against an average Olivet Nazarene team at Shirk (the 3rd game of the season on Nov. 20 when ONU scored 97 against a shadow of a defense), it would have seem ludicrous then to imagine that IWU could hold CCIW teams to 59 (vs. NCC), 47 (@ MU), 60 (vs. WC), 55 (@ NPU), 65 (vs. AC in a loss at Shirk), 67 (@ NCC), 52 (vs. MU) and 59 (@ WC last night). I think we all realize that the talent level is down this year in the league, but still IWU's defensive improvement is quite an accomplishment, especially for a freshman dominated team. And Shawn Dwyer is a huge reason for the marked improvement.

[Gregory Sager]

former Elmhurst center Nick Michel was in attendance at the game - and his mother came over at half-time and introduced herself - and paid compliments to CCIW chat.

I had a chance to chat with Nick's mom a few times last season.  She is definitely on my All-CCIW Mom squad.  I hope to release an All-Decade team sometime.

You're going to release an All-Decade Mom team?  Now that's an interesting ambition!

I think we all realize that the talent level is down this year in the league

You and I have had this argument before, Lanny. The talent level in the league is not down this year. The league simply has a very thin senior class; that's not the same thing at all as the talent level being down. The talent in the three lower classes is exceptional, particularly in terms of the juniors. Also, the talent level of the league is not marked by the number of All-Americans it has; that never amounts to more than two or three players out of the forty CCIW starters. The mean among both CCIW starters and top reserves is certainly at a decent level as compared to recent seasons.

[sac]

My mom always makes my all-decade mom team. 

[Gregory Sager]

My mom can dunk on your mom.

[REDMENFAN]

Here's yesterday's article in the paper about the Carthage/NC game.  Looking at the records of the two teams Carthage plays last, a casual fan would think they have the easiest schedule remaining. However, all of us on here know there's absolutely no such thing as an easy game in this conference!!  I'm sure Carthage will come out ready, remembering that a few weeks ago NP started the 5 game skid the Redmen snapped Saturday night.

[Naperick]

Now as for the ugly Betty of a game at Faganel Hall last night, I think I saw enough bricks to build an entire dormitory on campus.  Both teams shot under 30% from the floor in the first half and really if North Park could have nailed half of their 3 point attempts, the Park would have been up by 10-15 points.

What I can't understand is Elmhurst had a big size advantage inside and yet NPU was getting to every loose board on offense and defense.  I was impressed with NPU's energy and enthusiasm as they crashed the glass hard.  What hurt NPU was relying on the 3 pointer, and not connecting on most of those attempts.

One player that I wanted to highlight, and will no unnoticed in the scoresheet was Marco Macias.  Macias came off the bench and didn't do much in terms of points and accolades,  however he gave Elmhurst a boost with energy.  He kicked the spur into the horse you might say, as Elmhurst was sluggish and (at the time) appeared as though NPU was going to pull away.

For Elmhurst, the storyline is pretty easy.  Win your last two games and you have a pretty good chance to be in the CCIW Tournament.  Lose and Carthage will most likely get in.

This was the 100th meeting all time between EC and NPU.  North Park at one time dominated this series and still holds a lead, but Elmhurst is closing that gap.  

Thanks for your report.  I always like your reports on the Bluejays games.  I choose the NCC-CAR game so I could see little Bosko play.  That was an amazing game!  I will try to be at R.A. Faganel on Wednesday but I am currently battling a nasty cold.  Rogers and Drennan will be a load for the 'Jays on Wednesday and Barringer has been shooting very well lately.

[Naperick]

former Elmhurst center Nick Michel was in attendance at the game - and his mother came over at half-time and introduced herself - and paid compliments to CCIW chat.

Nick has returned from Luxembourg because of a medical problem, but will be playing this summer in Elgin with Chris Martin, then he will be going back to Luxembourg in the fall.

DoS

Is Nick playing professionally in Lux?  If he is, that is great!

[Naperick]

Through games 2/16, Raymond is tied for 4th in the conference for blocked shots.  Really amzing when you consider he is a guard.

That is amazing!  I am more impressed with his play this year but he may not be the CCIW MOP this year.

[Naperick]

Thanks OS.

So I think the new Midwest regional rankings (Wednesday) will have:

(in-region record)

1. Wash U (15-3)
2. Lawrence (16-2)
3. Augustana* (17-5)
4. Chicago (14-7)
5. Illinois Wesleyan* (14-6)
6. Wheaton (13-6)
7. Elmhurst (16-6)
8. Webster (15-5)


Close: Aurora (17-5) - Pool B contender, Carroll (13-6), Defiance (15-6)

* tied for CCIW lead

BOLD is conference leader (Pool A)
RED is Pool C Contender (Pool C)

I think the CCIW deserves 4 bids out of the 58 total for the D3 tourney.  I know that won't happen and just getting 2 teams in would be an accomplishment.  It's looking like Wheaton, Elmhurst, or Carthage need a CCIW tourney victory to get in.  Probably the same for the team that doesn't win the regular season title......IWU or Augie.

[mactitan]

So here is what I'm thinking about the Pool C chances of CCIW teams.  Let me know if you think I'm far off. I think only Auggie and IWU have a chance at a Pool C bid.  Augustana has the best chance to get a Pool C bid, and will pretty much wrap it up with a win on Wed. night.  Even two losses at the end of the year (which is unlikely) wouldn't be enough to drop them out of the tournament.  If IWU wins on Wednesday and Saturday, then they should get one (as long as Auggie wins the tournament - I don't think there will be two CCIW Pool C teams, and Auggie would go in before IWU).

OK - So given the fact that any speculation is just that - speculation - I am interested in what others, who know more than me, think about the situation.

[79jaybird]

Thank you Naperick.  I agree with you that North Central is not going to be a breeze for Elmhurst.  EC nearly coughed up the game to NC in Naperville earlier.  Drennan pretty much did whatever he wanted to in Naperville.  Should be a dandy on Wednesday and I hope you feel well enough to attend.

As for Pool C,  I think the only school that could get in with a Pool C is Augustana.  I think there has been so much intra beating in CCIW play, that  IWU, EC, WC, CAR etc. need to win the CCIW Tournament.  Plus, there are still 2 more weeks of battling until the tournament with so much positioning at stake every night.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Through games 2/16, Raymond is tied for 4th in the conference for blocked shots.  Really amzing when you consider he is a guard.

That is amazing!  I am more impressed with his play this year but he may not be the CCIW MOP this year.

Well.....

This could be interesting !?!

The guy who got overlooked for All-American last year - losing out as CCIW MoP to a freshman.  Oooooooooooh !!!

If Stevie DJ wins the league scoring title he will join Bill Warden and Jesse Price as the only freshman to lead the league.

This could be interesting ?!?

DoS

[Naperick]

If IWU wins the title, could Darius Gant win MOP?  He could win it anyway?

[iwumichigander]

If IWU wins the title, could Darius Gant win MOP?  He could win it anyway?

I think Gant is certainly in the conversation regardless of where IWU finishes.  Wesleyan would not be where they are today without Gant's considerable contributions and his leadership - on and off the court.

I think Ruchs, often mentioned for his scoring and defensive abilities, could also be in the conversation - who also currently ranks 4th in assists.  He has certainly put an under performing Elmhurst team on his back this season.

My point, in the quoted post,  was Kent is more often mentioned as a scorer, a perimeter defender and noted for the little things he does well game after game; but, you don't think too often of him as a shot blocker.

[iwumichigander]

I think the CCIW deserves 4 bids out of the 58 total for the D3 tourney.  I know that won't happen and just getting 2 teams in would be an accomplishment. 

As for Pool C,  I think the only school that could get in with a Pool C is Augustana.  I think there has been so much intra beating in CCIW play, that  IWU, EC, WC, CAR etc. need to win the CCIW Tournament.  Plus, there are still 2 more weeks of battling until the tournament with so much positioning at stake every night.

So here is what I'm thinking about the Pool C chances of CCIW teams.  Let me know if you think I'm far off. I think only Auggie and IWU have a chance at a Pool C bid.  Augustana has the best chance to get a Pool C bid, ...

As things stand currently, I just don't see any team with 6 or more in region losses getting a Pool C bid from any region.