WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BleedBlue4Life]

One more quick note about the MU/NCC game...Jackie Errico for NCC scored 22 points, 16 in the second half.  It was an impressive performance and was a huge factor in NCC storming back from 11 down in the second half to take the lead late until Zeigler's free throws.  Kudos to Zeigler as well, stepping up and easily draining those two free throws.

[thunder38]

New polls out this week:

Illinois Wesleyan stays at #9

Wheaton back into the discussion with eight votes and Millikin gains two up to seven votes.

Carthage drops out of the voting all together.

[thunder38]

Big week of games this week that will probably give us a pretty clear picture of where we sit for the conference tournament by the end of the week.

Tues. Carthage @ Elmhurst
Tues. Millikin @ IWU
Sat.   IWU @ Wheaton

IWU could virtually lock up the conference race with a 2-0 week as that would give them a two game lead with Wheaton and Millikin matching up next Wednesday night.  Tonight's gonna be a fun night to scoreboard watch around the conference. 

[RogK]

Aren't we supposed to be debating CCIW MOP -- Lyndsie vs Christina at this time of the season?
It may be too early, yet.
I doubt if the MOP voting will be anywhere near unanimous, but things could clear up in the next 2 weeks.
First team all-CCIW?
A Titan, but which one? Elise Wildman? Heather Gilmore? Laura Karsten/Lindsey Brenneman/Brooke Olson? Jackie Errico? Meghan Merklein? Roxie Jones/Sarah Peterson?
Yeah, maybe too early and muddled at this point.

[thunder38]

I agree Rog it's early but I certainly think there's frontrunners

While this could certainly change in the final five games or so here's my two cents worth so far and really just a conversation starter:

1st Team
Olivia Lett
Elise Wildman
Jackie Errico
Megan Merklein
Laura Karsten

2nd Team
Brooke Olsen
Heather Gilmore
Stacey Arlis
Kristin Fox
Roxxanne Jones

3rd Team
Julia Robert
Nikki Preston
Lindsey Brenneman
Diana Jacklin
Hope Schulte
Sophie Newson


Coach of the Year: Kent Madsen

[RogK]

Thanks for your listing, thunder38illini. I assume these are the players you think should be honored, rather than your prediction of what the coaches will select.
My initial reactions:
I'd move Gilmore to 1st team; in fact, she could be my MOP, at this point.
Even though some of Schulte's stats are down this year, I still see her as among the elite of the league and as extraordinarily valuable to IWU. So, I see her as better than 3rd team.
I thank you in advance for not asking me whom I'd demote from your list.
I'm wondering if Kelsey Monroe or Megan Ney will be nominated, after Merk, by Elmhurst.
It also would not surprise me if Millikin nominated Beth Wellbaum early in the voting. She is remarkably focused, tireless and durable. And she seems to never deviate from her coach's instructions. In other words, extremely reliable.
Since you have a tie for the 3rd team, allowing 6 players, let's add Sarah Peterson into that mix!

[RogK]

Incidentally, coaches usually place a very high value on big players who are good. If there was a draft of current CCIW players, I'd bet that Diana Jacklin would be selected very high, probably in the top 3 or 4.

[iwu70]

IWU over Millikin, 71-58, at The Shirk.

Stacey Arlis had a monster game, 26 points on 11-11 from the floor. 

Titans take another big step toward the CCIW crown.

Keep it rolling TITANS!

[iwu70]

I don't see how you keep Stacey Arlis off the first team CCIW.  Yes, Titans have a plethora of riches and talent.  Arlis, Lett, Preston and Schulte all deserving.  And, Karen Solari is probably the most valuable sixth woman in the league.  Harvey and Hasselbring have played well, contributed to defensive pressure and key offensive spurts in key games.   

Keep it rolling TITANS!

[iwu70]

Wheaton over Augie easily, so the big game IWU@Wheaton Saturday.  Should be a good one. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

IF IWU downs Wheaton, I declare the regular season race officially over and pop the champagne.

[iwu70]

Chuck, I agree.  If Titans can handle Wheaton, things look mighty fine.  But, gotta play out the string . . . and get to the post-season in good shape, hopefully 21-4.  We'll see.  The Titans are firing on all cylinders right now.  Stacey Arlis had a monster game, even against the top post talent in the league.  You can't do much better than 11-11 from the field.  mls

[thunder38]

I agree with you Mr. Ypsi if the Titans win Saturday it's all over except for the formalities.  Saturday's going to be a lot of fun with both of those games at King having a lot of significance

[Hoosier Titan]

Everyone's seen the news about Stacey Arlis's monster game.  It was beauty--a school-record 11 for 11 from the field, and 4 for 6 on free throws.  (Incidentally, Stacey's mom won a free-throw shooting contest at halftime, hitting 4.  Guess we know where Stacey gets the talent).  Stacey did all that in 31 minutes.  Olivia Lett had 12 and led the Titans in rebounding with 7, while Hope Schulte had 10 assists and only one turnover. 

For the Big Blue, Elise Wildman was hard to stop in the low post, going 7 for 12.  She ended with 18 points.  Heather Pruemer had 16 points, going 4 for 4 from the field and hitting 8 of 11 free throws.  The Big Blue outrebounded the Titans 33-28.

Saturday's games at Wheaton are pivotal for both sides, men and women.  Looking forward to it!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I agree with you Mr. Ypsi if the Titans win Saturday it's all over except for the formalities.  Saturday's going to be a lot of fun with both of those games at King having a lot of significance

Especially if the Wheaton men can take down Augie tomorrow!

Then it is huge for both teams.  If Augie wins, the Saturday game is almost an elimination game for Wheaton for the conference tourney (depending on how Carthage does, of course), but would be less consequential for the Titans (little chance of catching Augie, but almost certainly in the tourney).

And, yes, I am oversimplifying the permutations - so sue me!