MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BRLHSFAN]

Final from Elmhurst:  Elmhurst 78 Hamline 73   Ruch had 25 and Burks had 22  Congrats Jays!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Going to OT in Rock Island: #1 WashU 74, #2 Augie 74.

It's a good one, boys and girls!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Alas, Jordan Delp missed a 3 with 6 seconds left, and Augie falls 85-82 in OT.

I look forward to first-hand accounts.

[dansand]

Well, another classic between Augie and Wash U. tonight. I'm disappointed in the outcome, but not the game. Two great teams and a great atmosphere. As Augie fans we get spoiled by Grey and his boys into thinking they're going to win every close game, but it just wasn't the case tonight.

Delp didn't get a very good look on the last shot. It was very well defended by the Bears, who, I'm sure know exactly who the Vikings were looking to. He had to force up about a 25-footer with a hand in his face and it never had a chance. Wash U. was so concentrated on Jordan, I would have liked for them to maybe look to Wess or Pelton for the shot.

Although I don't like to complain about calls, it would be like ignoring the 500-pound gorilla in the room if I didn't mention the technical on Chandlor Collins with about 8 1/2 minutes left. He came up would a huge follow dunk in traffic to give the Vikes their biggest lead of eight points and got T'd up by Jim O'Boye for hanging on the rim. In the day of players doing chin-ups on the rim--and Chandlor did nothing like that--and the fact that he was in traffic, it was incredibly weak call. It was a huge momentum shifter as the place had gone up for grabs on the dunk and after Sean Wallis converted the technical free throws, the Bears continued on a 15-2 run to go up by 5. Wash U deserves all the credit for taking advantage of that.

Anyway, I hate to mention that because I don't want to take away from a great game by both teams. Aaron Thompson (26 pts) and Tyler Nading (19 & 6), as expected, were both outstanding for the Bears. Less expected, at least by me, was the great game they got from Zach Kelley, who gave them 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Positives for Augie would include the first court time of the season for Brett Wessels, who played a very productive 23 minutes (9 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl). I'm guessing that was probably more than Coach G had planned on using him, but that's probably a result of Alex Washington getting in foul trouble and eventually fouling out with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Justin Bertrand had a big second half and overtime and finished with a career-high 16. Chandlor had a double double with 12 and 11. Jordan hit four three's for 12 points. Bryant Voiles also gave them a nice lift off the bench, especially in the first half.

However, Matt Pelton would have to be the biggest positive tonight. After not scoring in Augie's first two games, he finished with a career-high 19 points (14 in the first half), three assists, three steals and no turnovers. All that while holding the Bears' All-American point guard Sean Wallis to eight points and harassing him into eight turnovers.

Wow that was a long post...sorry. Anyway great game tonight and hopefully a preview of a final four matchup later this season.

[dansand]

Just an added note about Pelton. In Augie's last eight games dating back to last season, he's had 32 assists and just four turnovers in 245 minutes. Pretty amazing.

[thundermike11]

Wheaton wins 81-59 over Ohio Wesleyan. OWU had no answer for Andy Wiele tonight (26 pts, 7 boards). Wiele was named tourney MVP. Ben Panner and Kent Raymond both had 13, and Tim McCrary had 12. Pretty balanced attack for Wheaton, and OWU did a good job of defending Raymond. This Wheaton team just has too many weapons for teams to focus solely on #24.

Jeremy Pflederer gave solid minutes off the bench with 7 points, and Jake Carwell played very well defensively and had 7 boards and five assists.

While the Bishops stayed within striking distance for most of the first half, it felt like just a matter of time before Wheaton would pull away.

Kind of a bizaare moment at the beginning of the second half when three smoke bombs went off in a trash can near the southwest corner of King Arena and delayed the game for a few minutes. Kind of startling.

The competition will keep getting better for Wheaton, with Loras coming to town next Tuesday, and then U Chicago on the 3rd. Then Hope and Calvin come to Wheaton for the CCIW/MIAA Classic.

[WAS A PLAYER]

Just a note for dansand,
the "T" on collins wasn't for hanging on the rim but because of his outstanding athletic ability he was able to tomahawk two hand dunk AND slap the backboard. That is a no no.

[Titan Q]

IWU 78
Manchester 73

* Sean Johnson: 19 pts, 5 reb
* Travis Rosenkranz: 14 pts, 4 assists
* John Koschnitzky: 12 pts, 4 reb

http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/mbb2009/IWUMEN2.HTM


IWU almost let one get away yesterday in Indiana.  The Titans led 57-40 with 12:43 to play in the game, only to see Manchester storm back to within 1 (63-62 IWU) at the 5:43 mark.  Manchester had a large, rowdy student section there and it seemed like a CCIW-type hostile environment as the wheels were coming off.

Having just blown that huge lead and with all the momentum on the side of the Spartans, IWU got a huge 3 from freshman John Koschnitzky with the shot clock winding down at the 5:03 mark to push the IWU lead to 4, 66-62.  IWU's second big shot down the stretch came in the final minute.  Up just 3, sophomore Sean Johnson made a 3 from the right corner with :45 left to go to seal the win.  Doug Sexauer and Sean Johnson made the all-tournament team, with Johnson named the MVP.

Earlier I mentioned IWU's depth and how I can't really see this team getting in foul trouble due to all of the interchangeable parts.  Today was a good example.  The Titans were whistled for 30 personal fouls (which is one of the largest totals I can ever remember seeing), but they have so many solid contributors off the bench that one player's foul total never seems like a huge problem.  Off the bench today, Ed O'Callaghan had 6 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes...Sean Dwyer had 6 points and 3 assists in 21 minutes...John Koschnitzky had 12 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.  IWU got 30 points off the bench vs Manchester after getting 46 points from the reserves Friday night.

It is always hard to put early non-conference games in perspective, because you never know how good or bad the opponent really is.  Having watched Manchester for two days, I'm pretty sure they are not a bad basketball team.  The Spartans have a big-time freshman in 6-10/220 Jason Spindler and have a lot of nice size and depth.  I think Manchester will go on to have a solid season in the HCAC.  It seems to me like a team that would fit in the CCIW picture in about the #6 slot.  On the road, this felt like a solid win for the Titans...especially since they had to make some big plays down the stretch to get it done (after couging up a huge lead).  The biggest thing about the win was that it was an in-region game.

Again, IWU probably isn't ready to beat a Wash U or Augie right now, but I definitely see the pieces there and the potential for a big season.  I won't see the Titans now until Dec. 6 when they play @ Wash U - it will be interesting to see how they develop between now and then.

IWU freshman Jordan Zimmer made his first career start yesterday.  It's clear the starting lineup and the rotation is a fluid thing right now.

[dansand]

Just a note for dansand,
the "T" on collins wasn't for hanging on the rim but because of his outstanding athletic ability he was able to tomahawk two hand dunk AND slap the backboard. That is a no no.

I stand corrected. I've read acouple of accounts this morning that say the same thing. Pat Coleman & Joe Davis said after the game that it might have been that, but they weren't sure. And, again, I meant in no way to take anything away from the Bears who played a great game and took full advantage of the momentum swing.

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst surprisingly had some struggles putting away Hamline yesterday.   Elmhurst led this game by 12 points in the first half, only to come out in the second and surrender the lead and spot the Pipers a 4 point lead.   Eventually Elmhurst was able to regroup and win the game late. 
Congrats to Ryan Burks on achieving 1000 points in his 4 year playing career.  Ruch, Burks, and Strzemp played well.  I think the big void right now is solidifying the guards.  The two freshman (Boyd/McCurdy) have the energy and enthusiasm, however they have shown some of their inexperience.  Bainter and Childs have been decent off the bench.

One alarming feature I have noticed with this EC team over the last few years has been once they establish a comfortable lead, they get complacent and almost sit on a lead.   

Elmhurst has some big time foes ready to come into RAF with UW-L, UWSP, and a possible meeting with Wash U.  You sit on a lead like this vs. Hamline and those teams will come back and win those games.  Hopefully this is a live and learn moment for Elmhurst.

[Titan Q]

I don't think anyone has posted about the North Central/Mt Vernon Nazarene game yet.  Looks like NCC lost 91-75...

http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/athletics/stats/basketball_m/08-09/MBK02.HTM


Mt Vernon Nazarene is an NAIA DII team, ranked #3 in the preseason poll:

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl-div2/spec-rel/102708aab.html

http://www.mvnu.edu/sports/nazmbb/


NAIA DII is more of a mixed bag than NAIA DI is, but generally the top 5-10 teams are very good - comparable to NCAA D3 top 25 teams.  I didn't see the game, but I'm guessing North Central played a very good team last night. 

[Titan Q]

Here is a list of the CCIW freshmen averaging 8 minutes or more here in the very early going...


Adams, Mark (NCC, 6-3 G/F) - 3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg (2 GP, 13.0 min/game)

Avery, Issa (NPU, 6-4 G) - 5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg (3 GP, 16.7 min/game)

Beigie, Ryan (NPU, 6-2 G) - 6.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg (2 GP, 15.5 min/game)

Boyd, Zack (Elmhurst, 6-2 G) - 9.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.3 apg (3 GP, 20.3 min/game)

Cary, Max (Carthage, 6-3 G) - 6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg (1 GP, 18.0 min/game)

Cooper, D.J. (NPU, 6-0 G) - 3.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.0 apg (2 GP, 21.0 min/game)

DeSimone, Brian (Augustana, 6-1 PG) - 0.7 ppg, 3.3 apg (3 GP, 17.7 min/game)

Koschnitzky, John (IWU, 6-6 F) - 10.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg (2 GP, 24.0 min/game)

McCrary, Tim (Wheaton, 6-6 F) - 8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg (2 GP, 24.0 min/game)

McCurdy, Mike (Elmhurst, 5-10 PG) - 7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.0 apg (4 GP, 24.3 min/game)

Pflederer, Jeremey (Wheaton, 6-0 PG) - 3.5 ppg, 1.5 apg (2 GP, 13.5 min/game)

Russell, Roshawn (NPU, 5-10 PG) - 12.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.0 apg (3 GP, 32.3 min/game)

Zimmer, Jordan (IWU, 6-5 G/F) - 10.5 ppg (2 GP, 20.0 min/game)

[AndOne]

I don't think anyone has posted about the North Central/Mt Vernon Nazarene game yet.  Looks like NCC lost 91-75...

http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/athletics/stats/basketball_m/08-09/MBK02.HTM


Mt Vernon Nazarene is an NAIA DII team, ranked #3 in the preseason poll:

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl-div2/spec-rel/102708aab.html

http://www.mvnu.edu/sports/nazmbb/

NAIA DII is more of a mixed bag than NAIA DI is, but generally the top 5-10 teams are very good - comparable to NCAA D3 top 25 teams.  I didn't see the game, but I'm guessing North Central played a very good team last night. 

North Central went down to a 91-75 defeat at the hands of NAIA Div II Mt. Vernon Nazarene last night in the final of the NCC Tip-Off Tourney in Naperville. As TQ referenced above, Mt. Vernon was the the NAIA's pre-season #3 ranked team. They have now, already played 6 games this season, losing only to NCAA DII Ashland Univ., 109-99. The Cards stuck with the Cougars early and trailed by only 2 at the half. However, the Cougars athleticism and skill took over with about 12 minutes remaining in the 2nd half as they extended an about 5 point lead out to 22 over the next several minutes.

The Cardinals were led by Chris Drennan (6/9, 7/8, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) with 19 and Reid Barringer (5/13 (3/7), 4/4) with 17. Mitch Raridon was the remaining Cardinal in double figures with 12. The Cards forced 18 Cougar TOs, the majority of which came in the 1st half when tenacious defense kept them in the game. Mt. Vernon's dominance can perhaps best be evidenced by the fact that they out-rebounded the Cards by a 36-22 margin.

This game can serve as a very good basis of comparison of the level of play between a #3 NAIA DII team and the CCIW. The CCIW team that immediately came to mind for comparison sake is the Wheaton Thunder. In fact, Mt. Vernon's Head Coach Scott Fleming was formerly a Crusader assistant many years ago.

I need to preface my remaining remarks with the caveat that I am NOT trying to disrespect our fellow CCIW players by what I am about to report, and I'm not mashing sour grapes by attempting to "down" the opposition in any way. So, please read this post only in the framework of my presenting an honest analysis of the personal mentioned. We're all familiar with Wheaton's Kent Raymond and the greatness he brings to the floor. While this may be hard to believe, I think if you saw Mt. Vernon's Ben Falkenberg play, you would say he is a better all around player than Mr. Raymond. Kent can rebound better, and probably shoot as well, but Falkenberg   (9/15 (3/8), 7/7, 7 assists, 28 pts) is quicker, stronger, better defensively, and is a much better passer and ball handler than Kent. Falkenberg is most probably the best guard I've seen play in the last 4 years of viewing CCIW, and other DIII basketball. As fine a player as Thunder Center Andy Wiele is, Cougar Center Jadin Thomas (10/12 (1/2), 3/6, 24 pts, 10 rebounds) would take him to school. Specifically, Thomas would be able to continually use his quickness to "beat" Andy to the majority of rebounds. He would also be able to take Wiele outside, and then use that same quickness to blow by him to the basket. Thomas is a much superior mid range shooter, and could continually use his quick & powerful springs to score on Andy underneath. Cougar guard Brandon Short (6/10, 4/6, 16 pts) would be the quickest player in the CCIW, and 6th man Andy Francis (3/3 (1/1), 2/2, 9 pts, 6 rebounds) with arms as big and powerful as most player's legs, would be a starter on any team in our league.

Again, no disrespect intended to any player mentioned. Just using 2 of our best to illustrate the level of play on a comparative  basis.   

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, I don't know much about hernia recoveries, but out at the Lee Pfund last night I learned that Jake Carwell was back in uniform and playing starter's minutes four weeks after a hernia operation.  Is that approaching an additional silver lining for you?

Carwell was 'scoped. It sounds to me as though Cahill might need a more invasive procedure than that to correct his problem. Let's hope for the best, though; if Clayton has to get opened up this week, I would certainly be more than pleased if he was back in uniform and playing starter's minutes in the CCIW opener in Rock Island on January 3.

[Gregory Sager]

From the Carroll College website: Carroll 95, North Park 82.  Roshown Russell and Nick Williams each scored 19 for the Vikings.

There's nothing pleasant about seeing your defense give up 95 points, but my suspicion is that defense is going to be the last thing to come around for this very young NPU team. All of these guys were scorers in high school and have the capability of scoring right now, but playing college-level D (both individually and team defense) is another thing entirely.

It's good to see Roshawn Russell in particular get his points and play well, as he is the Vikings freshman most likely to continue seeing playing time when all of the sophomores and juniors are back in uniform after New Year's Day. And it looks as though Ro's fellow plebe Issa Avery (12 pts, 6 rebs) had a good game as well, plus sophomore transfer Lew Wilson's 18 points was a nice unexpected bonus. Where NPU appeared to fall short, in addition to the lackluster defense, was Stephano Jones's foul-riddled performance; carelessness with the ball (17 turnovers); and a team gag at the FT line that spelled the biggest difference between North Park and Carroll: NPU was only 16-25 from the line (.640), while the Pioneers were a sparkling 24-26 (.923) from the charity stripe.

The most troubling thing about the game from looking at the box score was the absence of D.J. Cooper, who started the first two games at the off guard spot and is one of the best freshman shooters that the NPU program has brought in over the past ten years. I hope that he isn't the latest stretcher occupant in the North Park M*A*S*H unit, as he has had nagging back spasms throughout the fall. It never rains but it pours, eh?

Tuesday night's game at Edgewood should be very interesting, as the Eagles are a lot like North Park -- young (only one upperclassman in the Edgewood rotation), athletic, talented, but frequently clueless on the defensive end.