WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bblover]

I stand by my earlier blog -- these CCIW all-star teams are about as interesting as an NBA all-star game. Basketball is a team game, and these CCIW top groupings are about individuals, more specifically players with certain offensive skills. Forget defense or anything else intangible – such qualities are largely irrelevant  in being selected by the CCIW.

For the record, I feel bad for Roxie Jones; she deserved better. However, if the CCIW and other conferences must publish such lists, why not at least make a half-hearted attempt at selecting all-around players on the lists. What about the player, who consistently causes the player that they are guarding to shoot poorly or make more turnovers than normal; what about the player who can anticipate and provide consistent help to their teammates. What about the point guard, who quarterbacks both the offense and defense; who gets players where they belong; who always plays very smart? Frequently, such players are the critical glue to winning. Yet, if they do not average 10 points or more and shoot high percentages from the field or rebound well, they are not even considered.

There was a team in the CCIW, not that long ago that did extremely well. They returned four starters who all got lots of recognition (First team, etc.). The only player that did not come back was their senior point guard; she got no recognition by the CCIW. Yet, that team, despite being injury-free the next season, had a very mediocre season; they needed that point guard real bad. Why wasn't she, with her mediocre points per game and so-so shooting percentages on the CCIW's 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams?

Finally, to continue to demonstrate my inability to predict basketball. I expect Millikin despite its inconsistencies throughout this season as well as two previous loses to Wheaton, to upset Wheaton in a close game. Despite Carthage's victory at IWU, I expect IWU to crush Carthage and then roll over Millikin.

[RogK]

Wow, bblover, that's a thought-provoking post.
In one of my posts, I wondered if Beth Wellbaum (who fits your low-scoring point guard description) would make all-conf. Coach Kerans probably saw it as a toss-up between her and Julia Robert.
You are braver than I am, predicting winners in today's games.
I'll say that the first game will be 81-80 in 2OT. I have no clue who will win.
The IWU Carthage game will end 64-61, also in double OT. One of the teams will win.

[billys]

I stand by my earlier blog -- these CCIW all-star teams are about as interesting as an NBA all-star game. Basketball is a team game, and these CCIW top groupings are about individuals, more specifically players with certain offensive skills. Forget defense or anything else intangible – such qualities are largely irrelevant  in being selected by the CCIW.

For the record, I feel bad for Roxie Jones; she deserved better. However, if the CCIW and other conferences must publish such lists, why not at least make a half-hearted attempt at selecting all-around players on the lists. What about the player, who consistently causes the player that they are guarding to shoot poorly or make more turnovers than normal; what about the player who can anticipate and provide consistent help to their teammates. What about the point guard, who quarterbacks both the offense and defense; who gets players where they belong; who always plays very smart? Frequently, such players are the critical glue to winning. Yet, if they do not average 10 points or more and shoot high percentages from the field or rebound well, they are not even considered.

There was a team in the CCIW, not that long ago that did extremely well. They returned four starters who all got lots of recognition (First team, etc.). The only player that did not come back was their senior point guard; she got no recognition by the CCIW. Yet, that team, despite being injury-free the next season, had a very mediocre season; they needed that point guard real bad. Why wasn't she, with her mediocre points per game and so-so shooting percentages on the CCIW's 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams?

Finally, to continue to demonstrate my inability to predict basketball. I expect Millikin despite its inconsistencies throughout this season as well as two previous loses to Wheaton, to upset Wheaton in a close game. Despite Carthage's victory at IWU, I expect IWU to crush Carthage and then roll over Millikin.

Since I'm sure the coaches vote for all-conference; you'd need to take it up with them.

Everyone has unsung heroes and I agree that they deserve some recognition. But if coaches are voting they're probably voting for who they had the most trouble guarding, who they had to game plan for, and who they watch and say, "Dang, I would love to have that kid."

Also you must factor in that coaches only see a kid twice in person; they have to be one heck of a defender, passer, etc., to make that impression. Therefore you need to rely on stats to account for the rest of the year. Not to mention I assume the CCIW coaches need to nominate their candidates; often times these kids aren't even selected by their own coaches.

In my mind usually if a kid is truly one of the top 15 or 20 players in their conference; they're going to have SOME numbers to show it. Good players make these glue kids better as well.

I definitely understand your point and agree there should be some recognition for these kids; I just don't think the all-conference team is the place for them. The WIAC I think still has a Sportsmanship Team or something to that affect; seems like that would be a place for the glue, hard worker, nuts and bolts players.

[bblover]

Thanks Roger. I did not mean to lambast the CCIW in particular. Pretty much all basketball conferences at all levels do it the same way. The NBA is similar. How much recognition does Shane Battier get? Every night, he guards the best players in the NBA; he consistently forces 'stars' into uncharacteristically low shooting percentages and high turnovers. At least, the NBA does have an all-defensive team; it is also pretty good about acknowledging great point guards, even those who do not score much.

Let the games begin.

[iwu70]

Congrats to Coach Smith and all the TITANS on a big win tonight at the Shirk.  Stacey Arlis with another monster game -- 24 points, 14 boards, 3 assists -- on the big stage.  She surely deserves CCIW first team.  Frankly, I think she deserved MOP award, or co-award, too.  Four players in double figures and a massive advantage on the boards, compensating for overall not a strong percentage night shooting the ball.  Should be a good championship game . . . and hope the TITAN faithful turn out massively.   This team, and this four year run of great success of our team deserve the support.  Keep it rolling TITANS.  The TITAN nation is behind you. . .

[thunder38]

Wheaton absolutely gutted out the win in the opener.  It just didn't feel like the Thunder had it in them down 52-45 late but Elisabeth Potts hit a monster three to give them the lead with 16 seconds left and Laura Karsten sneakily stole the inbounds pass and converted the free throws to make it a three-point game.  Karsten played one of the gutsiest games I've seen in a long time.  It was obvious that Millikin's game plan was to get physical with her and they succeeded as she was repeatedly knocked to the ground sometimes almost by comical no-calls.  She was held scoreless for the first 34 or so minutes and finished with nine points but stayed very composed despite the physical play.

Elise Wildman was absolutely terrific for the Big Blue almost single handedly willing her team for a win.  She is one heckuva competitor and congratulations go to her on a very fine career. 

[RogK]

My congratulations to the Thunder and the Titans.
Also, a gentle pat on the heads of those Millikin and Carthage players whose careers closed out. Thanks for playing!

[Hoosier Titan]

The IWU-Carthage rematch was a tense, competitive affair right down to the final minute.  Carthage's game plan was clear:  get it into the middle, to Jacklin, Corcoran, and Schmidt (off the bench; she was their leading scorer with 18).  That was well executed.  Stacey Arlis showed again why she is a most outstanding player for Illinois Wesleyan with 24 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.  She was unstoppable in the first half, when she scored 20 of her 24; in the second half she sat for a while with foul trouble but came back to make some great assists to Olivia Lett, who finished with 21 points.  Hope Schulte's 12 points and Nikki Preston's 10 look less spectacular on the box score, but both made big plays at key times.  One of Schulte's threes came when the Lady Reds had cut the margin to two.  Early in the second half, Preston seemed to be everywhere on the court; her 6 assists led both teams.  A good game, well coached and hard fought by both teams.   

The first game, in which Wheaton edged Millikin 58-55, was fun to watch for a neutral observer.  Lots of momentum changes and key players making big plays. 

This has been a very interesting and competitive CCIW season.  The women's side is starting to approach the men's in terms of "on any given night," and that's good for the entire conference.  Elise Wildman of Millikin and Carthage's Heather Gilmore, among others, have given a lot of pleasure (and a lot of consternation to opposing teams!) over their careers.  Thanks to the players from all the teams whose college careers have come to a close. 

On to the final!

[Mr. Ypsi]

And just like that, in one of their patented runs, IWU goes from down 8-14 to up 20-16!  About 6 left in the first half.

[Mr. Ypsi]

At the half at the Shirk: IWU 34, Wheaton 23.

IWU closes the half on a 26-9 run.

Brooke Olson (W) and Karen Solari (I) each have 3 fouls; no one else in foul trouble.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wheaton on a run of their own - IWU led 43-28, but w/ 13 left it is 45-39.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Titans up 65-55 w/ 2 to go.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Final from B'town: IWU 67, Wheaton 57.  Looks like just one team in the tourney.

Olivia Lett was the big story - 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Hope Schulte added 15.

POY Laura Karsten was held to 9 and 3.

[iwu70]

Congrats to Coach Smith and the Titans on the CCIW Tourney Championship.  By the looks of the stats, Olivia Lett should have been first team CCIW, even MOP.   Guess she made her case a bit late.  Tonight 20 points, 11 rebournds, double-double.  Hope Schulte also had a fine game.  Titans win 67-57 in what appears to be a slugfest, lots of fouls.  Keep it rolling TITANS, stay tough, stay on course.  Congrats again on CCIW regular season and tourney championships.  Now we should surely have a few more home games  . . . then working our way back to the Shirk.  Great job tonight vs. a very determined Wheaton team.

Congrats and best wishes to all the fine CCIW players completing their academic and sports careers this year.

[iwu70]

Any chance of all DIII dance games at home for IWU?  That would be sweet.