WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

the Carroll schedule is up :
https://gopios.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule/2023-24
I think we've now seen all but that of Elmhurst.

[RogK]

Elmhurst's schedule :
https://elmhurstbluejays.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
If you count 10 non-conf opponents, note that the Nov 8 game vs Aurora must be a scrimmage, as it is not listed on Aurora's site.

[scottiedawg]

Oh good eye RogK, I didn't catch that.

On a related note, I find it very weird to find a team that has both (a) no more than 25 games scheduled, (b) which include an 11/7 (which I believe cannot count).    Perhaps teams are fine with it not counting. 

Though now looking again it's only Salve Regina, with an 11/7 game vs. Johnson & Wales (Rhode Island).

[RogK]

28 players are on the new Elmhurst roster :
https://elmhurstbluejays.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/2023-24
17 are newcomers

[iwu70]

IWU has started some practices now, I guess being granted some extras due to the exhibition game they have with ISU on October 29th (a Sunday) at 1 p.m. @ISU.

As mentioned earlier, IWU has good talent returning, losing only Heller and Carlson from last year's regular rotation.   9-10 others who had significant playing time last year are all back.   Key will be, as always, staying healthy -- esp. for Mallory Powers and Caite Knutson, returning from injuries.

I'm just guessing, but I'd think:   PG Sawyer White, 2 Kate Palmer 3 Mallory Powers 4 Lauren Huber and 5 Caite Knutson.  Others in key spots in the rotation will be Malhum, Balli, Tarver, 5th year Megan Moody, and perhaps a few others.   I have no knowledge as yet of the four freshmen, whether they have any chance for playing time.  The core of this group are juniors and sophomores.   

Looking at this group, the question marks for me are consistent and effective PG play and the need for rebounding, esp. against teams with bigs.  I expect good 3-point shooting, strong play from the post area esp. with Huber and Knutson, up-tempo offense as usual, and Mia Smith's normal "run and jump" defensive pressure. 

It's a very experienced group.  Perhaps they'll be ranked #2 or #3 in the pre-season CCIW poll.  We'll see soon enough.

IWU'70

[scottiedawg]

A few people have said superlative things to me about Ava Bardic.

[RogK]

Incidentally, it's Mahlum, not Malhum.
Some more rosters are up :
https://athletics.augustana.edu/sports/womens-basketball/roster
and
https://athletics.carthage.edu/sports/womens-basketball/roster
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[RogK]

Carroll, too :
https://gopios.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/2023-24
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[iwu70]

Thanks, RogK.  You know me, I've been known to make a few spelling errors.  I should always check the rosters before I post, but I'm lazy, or in a hurry.  My apologies to Ms. Mahlum -- who I'm sure is not reading this chat room. 

Feeling pretty optimistic about the Titans this year . . . lots of talent and good trust in Coach Smith to put it all together in a successful way.  Not so confident about the men.

ISU game on October 29th should be fun and give us more information on both IWU teams.

IWU's football season is a total bust . . . so I'm ready for basketball already.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

On Ava Bardic, I would love to see some of the pine-sitters or some of the newbies get into the mix.   Mia Smith has put freshmen and newbies into the rotation before -- like Sawyer White last year.  Coach Smith always needs some fast feet, quick hands, good defenders to bolster the ranks when playing so much "run and jump" pressure defense.  Ava Bardic may be a very welcome addition in that regard.  All playing in this mode have to be very fit.   I expect to see Megan Moody and perhaps others in the mix too . . .surely Ms. Mahlum and Ms. Balli.

IWU'70

[RogK]

Wheaton's new roster :
https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/womens-basketball/roster/2023-24
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[scottiedawg]

Wheaton's new roster :
https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/womens-basketball/roster/2023-24
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Looks like 22-23 FR Anna Fernandez is not on the roster?

[Gregory Sager]

CCIW preseason poll is out:

1. Millikin (8)	64
2. Illinois Wesleyan	54
3. Carroll (1)	52
4. Wheaton	43
5. Augustana	35
6. Carthage	26
7. North Park	24
8. Elmhurst	14
9. North Central	12

No real surprises, as the top four is identical to last season's preseason top four (and Augie was picked to finish in a fifth-place tie last season as well). I do wonder how Mia Smith feels about her protege Olivia Lett giving her first-place vote to Carroll rather than to IWU, although, given what the Pios did last season and what they have coming back, it's certainly a justifiable choice on Lett's part. It's also worth noting that this is the first time in three years that Elmhurst wasn't picked to finish last.

[RogK]

Elmhurst has to be the most difficult for pre-season predictions, with 18 newcomers including a senior, a sophomore and 8 juniors.

[Gregory Sager]

North Park preview is up.