MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

Congratulations to Wheaton and what an impressive show by Raymond.  Keep up the good work and hopefully we will see the Thunder hoisting the walnut and bronze shortly.

[usee]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/031508/localsports_20080315067.shtml

"Basketball is the ultimate team game. In my time of coaching basketball, I never walked off the court and felt like I was beaten by one player," Hayford said. "I don't want to take anything away from the Wheaton players. Someone was passing him the ball, setting screens.

"That was an amazing individual performance. He's a really special player."

What's amazing is with the score  57-56 in favor of Wheaton, Raymond went on a 10-0 personal run to make it 67-56 and effectively seal the deal.

Wheaton will have its hands full and they better not be watching KRay as it will take 5 guys to have a chance against the Dutchmen in their gym.

[fcnews]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/031508/localsports_20080315067.shtml

"Basketball is the ultimate team game. In my time of coaching basketball, I never walked off the court and felt like I was beaten by one player," Hayford said. "I don't want to take anything away from the Wheaton players. Someone was passing him the ball, setting screens.

"That was an amazing individual performance. He's a really special player."

What's amazing is with the score tied 57-56 in favor of Wheaton, Raymond went on a 10-0 personal run to make it 67-56 and effectively seal the deal.

Wheaton will have its hands full and they better not be watching KRay as it will take 5 guys to have a chance against the Dutchmen in their gym.

This has to be a typo. Or, that would be amazing.

[nwhoops1903]

If Raymond can do for 35 minutes what Oxy's Whitman did for 25 minutes, we will be in some hurt but I really don't think that is possible.

Oh, but it is, my man, it is. Kent Raymond can do what any other superstar guard can do on this level, Connor Whitman included. He's a shoo-in first-teamer on this year's d3hoops.com All-American team.

He did it for 38 minutes and especially when it mattered.  I was wrong.

[petemcb]

A trade has just been finalized, effective for tonight's game...

To Hope: Sean Dwyer
To IWU: Two 6-8 recruits to be named later


Best of luck to Sean in his career as a Flying Dutchmen.

Does Gary "the Glove" Payton have any remaining elibility?

[usee]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/031508/localsports_20080315067.shtml

"Basketball is the ultimate team game. In my time of coaching basketball, I never walked off the court and felt like I was beaten by one player," Hayford said. "I don't want to take anything away from the Wheaton players. Someone was passing him the ball, setting screens.

"That was an amazing individual performance. He's a really special player."

What's amazing is with the score tied 57-56 in favor of Wheaton, Raymond went on a 10-0 personal run to make it 67-56 and effectively seal the deal.

Wheaton will have its hands full and they better not be watching KRay as it will take 5 guys to have a chance against the Dutchmen in their gym.

This has to be a typo. Or, that would be amazing.

Well, he is Superman so anything is possible!! 8)

[iwumichigander]

"Thunderous" applause to Kent Raymond who delivered another career performance last night.  Congratulations to the entire Wheaton team also, as a player does not get that type of career opportunity without the support of four other guys on the court.

The one constant I have always admired about Raymond is his ability to adjust (and take) what his opponent gives him then creates opportunities for the team - not just himself.  Tonight, I think we'll see Raymond drawing (a lot of) attention and dishing off the ball when double or triple teamed.  If Wheaton can get scoring from their other four guys when Raymond dishes off, then I think Hope will have no choice but to man-up and Raymond might be able to take over the game.

[usee]

Wheaton's only double digit loss is by 30 to Hope. In fact their other 6 losses are by 21 points combined. They have been in every game they have played since their Hope loss. The Thunder play defense well enough to keep any game close. I would be very surprised to see a blow out either way tonight.

[Titan Q]

I am making the trip east down I-70 again today to work the Sectional final between Wash U and Millsaps with Pat Coleman.  Should be a great game.  Very contrasting styles.  Millsaps is incredibly athletic and they play up-tempo.  Wash U is your traditional midwestern-style power that prefers more of a halfcourt game.  I think Wash U is the better team, but I won't be surprised if it's close the whole way.

I wish I could see the Wheaton/Hope game.  I will certainly be following the live stats.  Wheaton is going to have to play a team game tonight to have a chance against Hope at DeVos.  Hope is going to double Raymond near halfcourt (or before) again and they're going to try to frustrate him and make him turn the ball over and take bad shots.  Raymond has to go into that mode Michael Jordan would assume on occassion - the role of distributor first.  If Hope is going to build an offensive gameplan around taking it out of his hands, he should be able to make a pass, and guys like Jahns and Panner should be able to attack the basket, or find Wiele.  Kent Raymond is not going to beat Hope by himself tonight, but Wheaton can put themselves in position to win if they leverage Raymond the right way.  A perfect stat line for Raymond tonight would be 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.  Hope is going to make Wheaton prove that the "rest of the team" is good enough to get to Salem.

Best of luck to the Thunder.  You've done the CCIW proud.

[Titan Q]

The last 5 Sectional final games played in by CCIW teams...

2006 - IWU 113 Puget Sound 99 (@ Lawrence)
2002 - Carthage 85 Lewis & Clark 70 (@ Carthage)
2001 - IWU 77 Chicago 68 (@ Chicago)
1997 - IWU 95 Methodist 63 (@ IWU)
1996 - IWU 77 Wash U 61 (@ Roanoke)

[fcnews]

Missouri (Titan) Q - Heard from several students - athletes that listen to last nights game. They thought you did a great job. Maybe we need to get you to call a couple of SLIAC games next year. Just to keep you in your flow.

[usee]

I have to think IWU is bummed at not making the tournament with Wheaton's strong showing. I am sure they are rooting for the Thunder as it is a great sign of the CCIW strength and the prospects for getting addtional teams in the coming years.

[AndOne]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/031508/localsports_20080315067.shtml

"Basketball is the ultimate team game. In my time of coaching basketball, I never walked off the court and felt like I was beaten by one player," Hayford said. "I don't want to take anything away from the Wheaton players. Someone was passing him the ball, setting screens.

"That was an amazing individual performance. He's a really special player."

What's amazing is with the score  57-56 in favor of Wheaton, Raymond went on a 10-0 personal run to make it 67-56 and effectively seal the deal.

Wheaton will have its hands full and they better not be watching KRay as it will take 5 guys to have a chance against the Dutchmen in their gym.

Anybody else think its a crock that when you're down to the final 8 teams in the country some of those teams are still getting the advantage of playing on their home floors?
NATIONAL tournament---baloney! More like an extended home stand for the hosting team(s). While DIII certainly doesn't generate mass revenues like DI, certainly the NCAA has enough dollars in the vault to stage this level of play at neutral sites. 

[usee]

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/031508/localsports_20080315067.shtml

"Basketball is the ultimate team game. In my time of coaching basketball, I never walked off the court and felt like I was beaten by one player," Hayford said. "I don't want to take anything away from the Wheaton players. Someone was passing him the ball, setting screens.

"That was an amazing individual performance. He's a really special player."

What's amazing is with the score  57-56 in favor of Wheaton, Raymond went on a 10-0 personal run to make it 67-56 and effectively seal the deal.

Wheaton will have its hands full and they better not be watching KRay as it will take 5 guys to have a chance against the Dutchmen in their gym.

Anybody else think its a crock that when you're down to the final 8 teams in the country some of those teams are still getting the advantage of playing on their home floors?
NATIONAL tournament---baloney! More like an extended home stand for the hosting team(s). While DIII certainly doesn't generate mass revenues like DI, certainly the NCAA has enough dollars in the vault to stage this level of play at neutral sites. 

Its actually better than football where the top teams host until the national championship game.

[fcnews]

AndOne- It's more like the Eastern Half of America Tournament. The number of teams west of the Mississippi are very few.

I also agree with your assestment of the tournament. I think four pre determined sites would have a good chance at drawing respectable crowds. Tickets could be sold all year long and people could plan travel in advance. Some will say, no one is going to buy tickets until they no who's in it. I disagree. If the right sites are choosen, communities and areas will support good basketball. And, by the time you reach the sweet sixteen, it's all good basketball.