WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

So you think Carthage has a bunch of cowards on their team, afraid to play IWU? I think the Titan players would be the first to tell you that you're way off on that one.

[iwu70]

Rog, cowards no, of course not.  Carthage had a great team last year . . . but, I think you have to admit that CC must be a little spooked about IWU now, even going to the point of not saying the name, "the team that shall not be named," etc.  Must get into your head a bit to lose three times by a total of 6 points, then get another chance in the Elite 8 and go down again, by even more.  Of course, new season, new narrative, new teams now, so perhaps not an issue, but it was mightly fine to beat such a good CC team last year FOUR times, on our way to the title.  I'm sure both CC and WC will be gearing up to give the Titans a full run for their money this coming season . . . perhaps EC too.  As I said much earlier, I think the separation between IWU and the rest of the CCIW pack is likely to be less this year, esp. with the graduation of the National Player of the Year in Lett,   . . . though I still like our chances to win another league title and go into the tournament again.  But, gotta play the games, with courage and confidence, spooked or not. 

IWU70

[RogK]

I think the phrase "the team that shall not be named" was the work of their SID. The players would have no connection to that. As for being "spooked," I can't imagine that any Carthage players are irrational or superstitious about playing any particular opponent; on the contrary, I'd bet they are very eager to have a new opportunity to defeat IWU.
As you point out, it is a new season. Last season is done.

[RogK]

iwu70, if you don't mind, could you specify which of the Reaber sisters you anticipate being in the regular rotation for IWU. I'm thinking you may mean Kasey (based on her high school credentials and recovery from injuries), although Taylor had some good numbers in limited playing time (good rebs and steals per minute).

[iwu70]

RogK, yes we'll see the new phase, whether any residual sentiment is there about being "spooked" or having something in your head after losing to IWU four times in one season.  Most will be new, but some of this year's starters on both sides will, of course, be players who played in those games last year.  Surely got to do a good thing for the confidence of the Titan players involved and coming back, remembering the good outcomes of the four games, three of them razor close. 

Yes, the Reaber mostly likely to play more time this year is, I think, the younger one, Kasey.  She's fit, injury free, ready to go, at least in the "open gym" sessions.  She may well be a key backup at the PG or the 2.  Probably at PG behind Lexi Baltes.  My guess only.  Sure starters, IMHO, are Gardner, Jackson, McMahon and Baltes.  Not sure yet of the role of Bilek and Scurlock, but surely in the regular, 1st line rotation.  IWU is going to need rebounding and interior D, toughness.  Solari will be missed.  Perhaps Brown and Seibring play more in the post area this year, too.  Not sure at all about the newbies, as yet.   Stay tuned.

IWU70

[RogK]

Backseat Driver, as our Thunder specialist, can you speculate on how Wheaton may or may not be different on offense this year?
Here are some numbers from 2011-12 14 game conference stats only :
per game attempts
AUG : 12.3 3FG, 40.5 2FG, 21.8 FT
CAR : 15.4 3FG, 36.4 2FG, 15 FT
ELM : 9.6 3FG, 42.8 2FG, 21.1 FT
IWU : 19.6 3FG, 41 2FG, 21.5 FT
MIL : 17.7 3FG, 40.6 2FG, 19.5 FT
NC : 15.6 3FG, 38.1 2FG, 18.1 FT
NP : 11.9 3FG, 43.6 2FG, 18.5 FT
WHE : 21.1 3FG, 37.4 2FG, 16.6 FT
Wheaton was more reliant on threes than the other teams, but having lost several of their best long range shooters, what might happen? I'm definitely not saying that 21.1 3FG att per game is a huge number. Just wondering if you think Coach Madsen might alter what they do based on a new roster, or if you think he'll continue to rely on threes to that extent.

[Backseat Driver]

Well, if you look back at the last 6-7 years or so, Wheaton's been pretty consistent with the number of its three-point attempts. And they actually took more threes in 2010-11 than they did last year. So I don't think you'll really see any major stylistic differences.

With that said, one would expect that Maris Hovee and Lauren Graham would play an important role in the offense this year. But I don't think the offense itself will change. And I don't think Coach Madsen ever told his team, "Hey, let's rely on three-pointers tonight and see how it goes." That's just what happened with a bunch of really good shooters on the floor.

Backseat Driver, as our Thunder specialist, can you speculate on how Wheaton may or may not be different on offense this year?
Here are some numbers from 2011-12 14 game conference stats only :
per game attempts
AUG : 12.3 3FG, 40.5 2FG, 21.8 FT
CAR : 15.4 3FG, 36.4 2FG, 15 FT
ELM : 9.6 3FG, 42.8 2FG, 21.1 FT
IWU : 19.6 3FG, 41 2FG, 21.5 FT
MIL : 17.7 3FG, 40.6 2FG, 19.5 FT
NC : 15.6 3FG, 38.1 2FG, 18.1 FT
NP : 11.9 3FG, 43.6 2FG, 18.5 FT
WHE : 21.1 3FG, 37.4 2FG, 16.6 FT
Wheaton was more reliant on threes than the other teams, but having lost several of their best long range shooters, what might happen? I'm definitely not saying that 21.1 3FG att per game is a huge number. Just wondering if you think Coach Madsen might alter what they do based on a new roster, or if you think he'll continue to rely on threes to that extent.

[RogK]

You didn't say this directly, but I think it fits with your comments : what a team does on offense is also affected by what the opposing defense tries to allow or limit. I think you'd go along with that. I just checked on what Wheaton's highest games were for 3FG attempts.
Their highs were 33 and 32, both in important wins.
In a 76-74 win over IWU, they made 12/33 threes (36 pts) and 14/40 2FGs (28 pts).
In a 51-49 win over Carthage, they made 9/32 threes (27 pts) and 9/34 2FGs (18 pts).

[Backseat Driver]

You didn't say this directly, but I think it fits with your comments : what a team does on offense is also affected by what the opposing defense tries to allow or limit. I think you'd go along with that. I just checked on what Wheaton's highest games were for 3FG attempts.
Their highs were 33 and 32, both in important wins.
In a 76-74 win over IWU, they made 12/33 threes (36 pts) and 14/40 2FGs (28 pts).
In a 51-49 win over Carthage, they made 9/32 threes (27 pts) and 9/34 2FGs (18 pts).

Very true. And the thing about that IWU game (didn't see the Carthage one), was that a good chunk of those were relatively clean looks. IWU definitely was looking to make the Thunder "die by the three", which ended up not working in that particular game (although Olivia Lett fouling out was just as important).

[iwu70]

IWU ranked #4 in one pre-season poll, with Carthage ranked about 18th, as I recall.  Of course, these polls don't mean too too much, until some tough games are played, then they don't mean all that much more either, as IWU went 3-4 early in the season last year, losing to several "top 25" teams, then toughening up, rushing through the CCIW season and tournament, and running the table to the national title.  IWU senior guard, Melissa Gardner identified as one of the "top 24" pre-season top players.   Titans will be very good again, IMHO. 

Let the practices begin . . . first day of basketball season tomorrow, Monday. 

Congrats to Elmhurst footballers on their big win over Wheaton this past weekend.  We at IWU had a lovely Homecoming weekend with Green Weenies over Redpeople, 45-7.  A much happier Homecoming outcome than in recent years.  Big big games upcoming @ Wheaton, and @ NCC. 

IWU70

[RogK]

Augie's schedule is here :
http://www.augustana.edu/x47882.xml

[RogK]

Augie's new roster :
http://www.augustana.edu/x47883.xml
Eighteen players are listed. We'll have to see how many Coach Beinborn uses on a regular basis. He may not know yet; we sure don't.
I remember a good amount of enthusiasm and energy from the Augie players who participated in the summer league at Elmhurst.

[RogK]

North Central's new roster :
http://www.northcentralcardinals.com/roster.aspx?path=wbball
Like Augie, they have 18.

[RogK]

Wheaton's new roster :
http://athletics.wheaton.edu/roster.aspx?path=wbball&
Eight freshmen join nine returning players.

[RogK]

And the Elmhurst roster :
http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/roster.aspx?path=wbball
They have 21 players, including 7 freshmen.