MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

It seems like Augustana's system puts them in position to win conference championships -- a terrific team over the course of a long two month, 14-game CCIW schedule.  I still say you have to have that superstar player though to make a deep tournament run, like great IWU teams always have, and now Wheaton has with Kent Raymond.

They say "defense wins championships", but in the NCAA tournament, you have to be able to string baskets together, and it helps to have Bryan Crabtree or Keelan Amelianovich or Kent Raymond.

[Titan Q]

I couldn't find any information in the NCAA handbook on determining where the site would be,

http://www.ncaa.org/library/handbooks/basketball/2008/2008_d3_m_basketball_handbook.pdf

Page 7

1. Quality and availability of facility and other necessary accomodations
2. Geographical location
3. Seeding
4. Attendance history and revenue potential

Unless the Hope women host (which is possible), to me, it seems all things point to Hope.

Regarding men's and women's teams who are both in the Sectional round, this is covered on page 8.  In even years (i.e., 2008) the women have the priority in the Sectional round (which is what Wheaton is heading to).  Wheaton fans have to pull for the Hope women getting the Sectional host -- then I think Wheaton has a tremendous shot.

This should all be announced by noon.

[matblake]

I couldn't find any information in the NCAA handbook on determining where the site would be,

http://www.ncaa.org/library/handbooks/basketball/2008/2008_d3_m_basketball_handbook.pdf

Page 7

1. Quality and availability of facility and other necessary accomodations
2. Geographical location
3. Seeding
4. Attendance history and revenue potential

Unless the Hope women host (which is possible), to me, it seems all things point to Hope.

Regarding men's and women's teams who are both in the Sectional round, this is covered on page 8.  In even years (i.e., 2008) the women have the priority in the Sectional round (which is what Wheaton is heading to).  Wheaton fans have to pull for the Hope women getting the Sectional host -- then I think Wheaton has a tremendous shot.

This should all be announced by noon.

Thanks, Q. 

[sac]

Any truth to the idea that Hope won't host because of their womens team hosting (conflict)?  Or is the fact that Hope is hosting the womens final 4 going to work against their girls in the sweet 16?

I couldn't find any information in the NCAA handbook on determining where the site would be, only that one of the sectional competitors host, but I also only performed a cursory look.  Albeit a little biased (rightfully so), the MIAA board has some good arguments on why Hope would likely be hosting. However, maybe you should chant "2004" over and over for the remainder of the day if you want Whitworth to host.  See below:

I can't imagine even the NCAA would send everyone out to Spokane. Wheaton would seem most likely if it's not Hope - close to an airport, more centrally located. Raymond had 36 tonight and is carrying the Thunder right now. With Wiele back, they won't be an easy victory, first meeting notwithstanding. Of course, we have to get by a hot OWU team first.

They did it in 2004 with Stevens Point, Lawrence and Sul Ross State.  They all went to Puget Sound.

I had forgotten the reason that happened,..........Lawrence and Stevens Point couldn't host, so they were left with Puget Sound.  Not quite the same situation this time around, although apparently Ohio Wesleyan can't host this weekend.

[theseguysaregood]

It seems like Augustana's system puts them in position to win conference championships -- a terrific team over the course of a long two month, 14-game CCIW schedule.  I still say you have to have that superstar player though to make a deep tournament run, like great IWU teams always have, and now Wheaton has with Kent Raymond.

They say "defense wins championships", but in the NCAA tournament, you have to be able to string baskets together, and it helps to have Bryan Crabtree or Keelan Amelianovich or Kent Raymond.

I think that is a great point.  The lack of a "go to scorer" was one of the questions I had going in about Augie.  On the other side, I don't think you can discount how tough it is for a team that is not familiar with him to handle Kent Raymond.  CCIW teams have had three years of watching and preparing for Raymond and he still is the dominant player in most games.  When you just have tape or a scouting report to prepare a team, it is a whole different story and gives Wheaton a distinct advantage.

[Hugenerd]

Hosting sites for the sectionals are up:

http://www.ncaa.com/uploadedFiles/Sports/Basketball_(M)/BR-08D3MBB.pdf

look for the ## next to hosts names.

[hope1]

for any fans looking to travel to hope friday and saturday a good motel is the
http://www.haworthinn.com/   or call  1-800-903-9142  to make reservation it is walking distance to the devoss  where hope plays

[matblake]

for any fans looking to travel to hope friday and saturday a good motel is the
http://www.haworthinn.com/   or call  1-800-903-9142  to make reservation it is walking distance to the devoss  where hope plays

That is a good motel.  We stayed there when my brother got married in Holland a few years back. 

[Late nite]

Another great season for Augie---But another disappointing finish---When you play a regional final without two of your seniors, Delp and Rukavina, plus shoot 1-14 from 3 point range, it's time to go home---I agree with Q---The Vikes need  to outscore some teams in the tourney---Unfortunately, I don't think that this group had the personnel to do that

[Titan Q]

Scott Trost has his Lewis Flyers in the GLVC title game (today at 3:00)...

http://lewisflyers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030908aaa.html

The GLVC is a terrific D2 league.  Trost can coach.

[cardinalpride]

Congrats to Augustana on another highly successful season!  An extreme congratulations to Wheaton for telling the NCAA committee that they were right for selecting them!  Keep it rolling Thunder the CCIW is pulling for you! It will be very difficult to keep Mr. Raymond off the D3hoops All America 1st or 2nd team this year.

[Jim Matson]

Bob, I was talking with a CCIW ref recently who also does some MVC and GLVC games and his opinion is that Trost and the rest of the GLVC plays more like a small D1 conference than a D2 conference.   Trost is doing a good job and seems to be more in his element as a D2 coach than a D3 coach. 

[The Roop]

I don't keep up with the CCIW that much but I don't think anybody questioned Wheatons qualifications for being in the tournament. One more Pool A upset and they might not have been, but they made it. Their success is a testament to the quality of D3 ball in this region.

[Titan Q]

Bob, I was talking with a CCIW ref recently who also does some MVC and GLVC games and his opinion is that Trost and the rest of the GLVC plays more like a small D1 conference than a D2 conference.   Trost is doing a good job and seems to be more in his element as a D2 coach than a D3 coach. 

Absolutely, Jim.  The D2 game is much more about athleticism than D3 is, making the really good D2 leagues look and feel more like low D1.  It's really a totally different game than what we see in the CCIW and D3.  That said, the CCIW schools do bump into the local D2's on the recruiting trail quite often.  (Quite a few D3 schools tried to get in on Stagg's 6-9 center Marty Strus, who committed to Lewis, for example...last year Josh Edmonds of Peoria Notre Dame was pursued by CCIW schools before he chose Quincy.)

As to your second point, you're probably right.  Trost spent 5 years as the top assistant at D1 Michigan and I think the D1 brand of basketball is what he prefers.  The ability to get to a scholarship level again and attract the type of athletes he likes was a huge reason he left IWU.

Ron Rose had his team in the CCIW tournament title game in year 2, and Scott Trost's team is playing for the GLVC title as we speak (up 2 with 8:00 to play vs Drury).  It's worked out for both schools.

[usee]

Like last year if raymond is anything but a 1st team AA it would be a travesty.