MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Mugsy, very nice post - +k!  Next up is Whitworth - the Thunder should actually be favored (uh, oh! ); if they survive, they face either Hope or OWU - both known to be beatable by CCIW teams.  I think they genuinely have a shot at Salem!

Which this Titan would love to see - we whupped a Final Four team 3 times!

Illinois Wesleyan 63, Wheaton 60
Illinois Wesleyan 61, Wheaton 59
Illinois Wesleyan 81, Wheaton 78

Is "whupped" really the appropriate verb here, Chuck?

I thought the exact same thing, but I didn't feel like "poking the 'Green' badgers".  Best to let them sleep over a single, inappropriate verb.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mugsy, very nice post - +k!  Next up is Whitworth - the Thunder should actually be favored (uh, oh! ); if they survive, they face either Hope or OWU - both known to be beatable by CCIW teams.  I think they genuinely have a shot at Salem!

Which this Titan would love to see - we whupped a Final Four team 3 times!

Illinois Wesleyan 63, Wheaton 60
Illinois Wesleyan 61, Wheaton 59
Illinois Wesleyan 81, Wheaton 78

Is "whupped" really the appropriate verb here, Chuck?

Greg, of course it isn't (and I've been more accurate on 'foreign' boards), but on CCIW Chat people know better, and I gotta get Mugsy's goat when I can!

[Mugsy]

Mugsy, very nice post - +k!  Next up is Whitworth - the Thunder should actually be favored (uh, oh! ); if they survive, they face either Hope or OWU - both known to be beatable by CCIW teams.  I think they genuinely have a shot at Salem!

Which this Titan would love to see - we whupped a Final Four team 3 times!

Illinois Wesleyan 63, Wheaton 60
Illinois Wesleyan 61, Wheaton 59
Illinois Wesleyan 81, Wheaton 78

Is "whupped" really the appropriate verb here, Chuck?

Greg, of course it isn't (and I've been more accurate on 'foreign' boards), but on CCIW Chat people know better, and I gotta get Mugsy's goat when I can!

Not to worry... if you don't there are a number of posters you will gladly fill in for you.   

[markerickson]

I went to the Big Ten wrestling championships this weekend in Mpls.  The Gophers lost all four championship matches whereas the Hawkeyes won 1/2 and a lot of wrestleback matches.  As such, Iowa won the team title and the host finished second.  Iowa's coaches' boorish behavior (stomping, yelling, running onto the playing surface) reminded me of Coach G.  Regardless, these coaches know how to win.

I've reviewed the D3 Hoops championship bracket.  Is it safe to presume that 4/5 teams (Hope, Amherst, Mass-Dartmouth and Ursinus...exclude Whitworth) that had a first round buy are legitimate #1 seeds?

Who are the dominant players that will compete this weekend?

I note that all four sectional hosts remain alive (Hope, Plattsburgh, Ursinus, and Wash U).  These four teams should win this weekend.

Rochester and OWU have recently won titles.  Does any other remaining team have a title?   

[nwhoops1903]

I note that all four sectional hosts remain alive (Hope, Plattsburgh, Ursinus, and Wash U).

They are hosting because they are alive.  Not a preset thing.

Whitworth got a bye because of a far west regional orphan thingymajig.

[Pat Coleman]

I went to the Big Ten wrestling championships this weekend in Mpls.  The Gophers lost all four championship matches whereas the Hawkeyes won 1/2 and a lot of wrestleback matches.  As such, Iowa won the team title and the host finished second.  Iowa's coaches' boorish behavior (stomping, yelling, running onto the playing surface) reminded me of Coach G.  Regardless, these coaches know how to win.

I've reviewed the D3 Hoops championship bracket.  Is it safe to presume that 4/5 teams (Hope, Amherst, Mass-Dartmouth and Ursinus...exclude Whitworth) that had a first round buy are legitimate #1 seeds?

Who are the dominant players that will compete this weekend?

I note that all four sectional hosts remain alive (Hope, Plattsburgh, Ursinus, and Wash U).  These four teams should win this weekend.

Rochester and OWU have recently won titles.  Does any other remaining team have a title?   

Amherst has a title as well, fairly recently.

[Fox 40]

Congratulations to Augie for another great season. There is no shame in losing to a quality team like Wash U., the preseason number 1 and a FF team from last year. Both teams battled through the loss of key players early in the season to make it the tourney. Augie just came up short on the offensive end without Delp to help Wessels put points on the board. So again no shame just a lot of disappointment at how close this team came to moving on last night.

A top flight perimeter recruit would help next year Titan Q, but it's hard to do that when IWU keeps beating out Augie for prize recruits. Let us have one this year, as you folks got your fair share last year. The CCIW should be better than ever next year with so few key seniors graduating.

Good luck to Wheaton in carrying on the tradition of tourney excellence for the CCIW. Any team with Ken Raymond is a threat to win any game.

Augiefan - You never cease to amaze me.  I'm convinced you must be on the IWU payroll somehow.  How the heck can you say that Augie keeps losing "prize" recruits to IWU.  Augustana has dominated the Titans for the last 3 years with a record of 7-1, and Coach Rose is 0-5 versus Augie.  What recruiting class are you speaking about?  You're also probably not aware that Augie's starting point guard and all conference selection, Matt Pelton, is from IWU's backyard!  I hope readers of this board understand that the majority of your opinions and statements are not reflective of any "Augie fans" that I know.

[Titan Q]

You're also probably not aware that Augie's starting point guard and all conference selection, Matt Pelton, is from IWU's backyard! 

Are you inferring that IWU also recruited Pelton?

[Fox 40]

You're also probably not aware that Augie's starting point guard and all conference selection, Matt Pelton, is from IWU's backyard! 

Are you inferring that IWU also recruited Pelton?

Q, I don't know if IWU recruited Pelton or not.  My point was they landed what will turn out to be a 3 year starter in IWU territory.  I also disagree with your earlier post on Augie having O'Callaghan, Schouten, and Stamas as "High priority recruits", Sexauer yes.  How do you know the priorities of other schools recruiting classes?

(modified by GS for formatting)

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mugsy, very nice post - +k!  Next up is Whitworth - the Thunder should actually be favored (uh, oh! ); if they survive, they face either Hope or OWU - both known to be beatable by CCIW teams.  I think they genuinely have a shot at Salem!

Which this Titan would love to see - we whupped a Final Four team 3 times!

Illinois Wesleyan 63, Wheaton 60
Illinois Wesleyan 61, Wheaton 59
Illinois Wesleyan 81, Wheaton 78

Is "whupped" really the appropriate verb here, Chuck?

I thought the exact same thing, but I didn't feel like "poking the 'Green' badgers".  Best to let them sleep over a single, inappropriate verb.   

Well, at least you noticed my provocation!

Your self-control means I will either have to be more provoative, or more subtle!

[Titan Q]

Q, I don't know if IWU recruited Pelton or not.  My point was they landed what will turn out to be a 3 year starter in IWU territory.  I also disagree with your earlier post on Augie having O'Callaghan, Schouten, and Stamas as "High priority recruits", Sexauer yes.  How do you know the priorities of other schools recruiting classes?

First, you need to figure out how to work the quoting thing. 

Second, when did I say Schouten and Stamas were "high priority recruits" for Augustana?  I said, "The Titans landed two kids Augie wanted bad (Doug Sexauer and Edmond O'Callaghan) and at least another two they were on (Dan Schouten and Chris Stamas)..."  I stand behind what I said about O'Callaghan.

[badgerwarhawk]

Wheaton College's Kent Raymond is an exceptionally good player.  His shot was on Saturday night and he was unconscious.  Some really long range three-pointers.  On Friday he didn't shoot well but found a way to contribute by going 14-14 from the free throw line.   It was pleasure watching him play.

[The Roop]

After reviewing the Wheaton website it's hard to believe that they haven't been to the Sweet 16 before. Is that a typo ??

[Greek Tragedy]

I note that all four sectional hosts remain alive (Hope, Plattsburgh, Ursinus, and Wash U).  These four teams should win this weekend.

Don't you need to be alive to host a sectional? 

[Mugsy]

After reviewing the Wheaton website it's hard to believe that they haven't been to the Sweet 16 before. Is that a typo ??

It is hard to believe and it isn't a typo with respect to what is now know as the NCAA Division 3.  They do have a national championship in the NCAA Small College Tournament in 1957 and several Final Fours in the NAIA.

On one hand, it isn't outlandish as the CCIW is a cut-throat league with multiple reps who have reached the Final Four (IWU, Augustana, Carthage) and North Park winning 5 national championships.  Furthermore prior to Coach Harris' tenure (last 17 years), the Wheaton program was horrible for several decades.  It has only been the last 15 years or so where Wheaton has been competitive in the CCIW.

That said Wheaton has had a few teams who were arguably of "Sweet Sixteen" caliber, but did not execute when the time came.  The 1995-96 team went 25-2 and even was ranked #1 or #2 in the country for awhile, but stumbled in the 2nd round of the playoffs.  The 1994-95 team was 21-5.  The 2003-04 team was very talented, but did not receive an at-large bid (which is why Wheaton supporters feel no remorse about receiving one this year).  Some of the past Wheaton teams might have made the playoffs under the expanded format, but did not due to limited Pool C slots and a very competitive conference and region.

The "Golden Era" for Wheaton was in the 1950's where they won 61 straight conference games.  Wheaton was so dominate during that era, they were essentially asked to leave the conference in 1959-1960.  When they returned in 1967, Wheaton was not the same program and struggled until Coach Harris took over 17 years ago.

Some notes regarding the "Golden Era"...

The 1955-56 team, which was inducted into the Wheaton Hall of Honor on Oct. 9, 1992, began the streak with an undefeated 14-0 CCI season and a school-record 28-4 record. The Crusaders lost the year's second game to Beloit and didn't lose again in the regular season, a string of 24 consecutive wins. The team still holds the school season records for most field goals and free throws.

Coach Pfund was named NAIA District 20 Coach of the Year. Wheaton went on to finish fourth in the NAIA National Tournament, winning its first three games to make it to the Final Four.

Regarding the National Champion team from 1957:

Another Crusader Hall of Honor-inducted team was the 1956-57 team which also won 14 consecutive CCI games and had a record of 28-1, losing only to Beloit, 74-72, in overtime, in the 8th game of the season. The Crusaders won the NCAA Small College National Tournament that season defeating Kentucky Wesleyan in the finals, 89-65.

And then the following year...

The 1957-58 team followed up the national championship season with a 27-3 record and won fourth place in the NCAA College Division Tournament, winning the first 3 games before losing to South Dakota, 64-60, in the semifinals and the third-place game to Evansville, 95-93. The 1958-59 team was 23-4 and won its first national tournament game.