WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Final from the middle of the mitten:

Olivet 82
North Park 75

Brittany Pittas: 21 pts
Nicole Kruckman: 15 pts
Nikki Przybyslawski: 4:1 a:to
Dominikque Williams: 9 rebs
Rachel Torres: 6 rebs

NPU ran into a tough opponent in Michigan today and could not find a way to prevail. The game was back-and-forth until the Comets took the lead halfway thru the second half and boosted it to as many as eight points. The Vikings came as close as one point as the game wound down, but never got over the hump.

Brittany Pittas was her usual solid self in terms of scoring, but the Vikings were a bit too reliant upon her down the stretch; she and Nicole Kruckman accounted for all but four of the 21 points that NPU scored in the game's final eleven minutes. Kruckman did a nice job, by the way, of using her quickness to get around the much bigger but less mobile Comets centers.

Which leads me to mention the standout player for the Comets. They have a very unusual player in 6'4 center Stefanie Lang, who came into the game averaging 27 ppg and 16 rpg. The likely reason why a player that tall isn't on scholarship somewhere is that, well, she's plus-sized. But Olivet has another very bulky center on the bench who is 6'1, which allows the Comets to keep Lang from being run off the floor every game, and they have a 6'1 power forward as well. Lang had 23 and 21 today, but Nicole Kruckman and Soly Roman certainly made her work for it; she took 24 shots from the field, so the Vikings made her very inefficient as a scorer. But power forward Carli Reid had 8 rebounds, and all that size was just too much for the Vikings to handle, as they were outrebounded by a 50-30 margin and gave away a whopping 17 offensive boards to the Comets. Olivet also has two very good guards, Chelsea Ciba (24 pts, 6 asts) and Kelsey Campbell (14 pts, 7 asts), who were able to take advantage of the attention that NPU had to focus upon collapsing on the bigs.

The Vikings didn't take care of the ball as well as they have thus far this season. They usually enjoy a pretty good disparity in turnovers, but this afternoon it was only a three-turnover advantage, not nearly enough to counteract the lopsided rebounding deficit. They shot better than the Comets in all three phases of the game, but couldn't make up for the fact that Olivet got to the FT line 31 times to NPU's 16. It just seemed like the Vikings were a half-step slower than usual on the perimeter today, which led to a lot of fouling.

It's not a catastrophic loss, as road losses go, as the Comets are a very solid team. But it would've been nice to pull this one out.

NPU falls to 5-3, while Olivet improves to 5-1. NPU will now prepare for Fontbonne (3-2), which arrives next Sunday afternoon in the crackerbox to play the second game of a two-game Chicagoland swing for the Griffins; they'll face Elmhurst at Faganel on Saturday afternoon.

[RogK]

iwu70 wrote that Lexi Baltes had another strong all-around game. Having attended it, I can report that she was excellent. We'd say a player that scored 19, had 6 rebs, 5 assists and speedily brought the ball up the court for practically a whole game had done quite well. Lexi did that and also set a team record with a dozen steals. Seven or eight steals in a game is uncommon and really good. Twelve is fabulous.
In the midst of this, she had a substantial collision that knocked her to the floor, a hit that would've sent a normal person hobbling to the bench. She briefly caught her breath and got up, grimacing for a bit and got back in the action. I'm not sure anybody else noticed it (in front of me, but at the far end from the Titan bench), but it was a good example of her relentless effort.
A close game is not necessarily a good game, but this one was. Several momentum swings and very fine athletic ability displayed by both teams. And you'll never hear me complain when both teams make it to 90.

[RogK]

Congratulations to Wheaton's Katie McDaniels, CCIW Player of the Week. On Saturday, by the way, her 28 pts helped Wheaton top NAIA Roosevelt 91-79. Ellie Zeller scored 18 and Maris Hovee had a 13 - 13 game.
Melanie Schwerdtmann scored 21 in Elmhurst's win over Coe. She fouled out, which means she played her maximum minutes. This is an indirect compliment to her coach in my opinion, because why have one of your better players (number 2 scorer in the league at 17.2) sitting on the bench, never using the 5th foul?
Does anyone else see that this way? Or am I full of doo-doo?
Speaking of Elmhurst, they play hapless IIT tonight and may have to figure out how not to win by too much.
http://www.illinoistechathletics.com/schedule/0/6.php
I'm not sure why IIT isn't counting the St Ambrose loss or why they are counting a game against unnamed Northeastern Illinois students (no athletics mentioned on their web site). At any rate, IIT's players (6 are getting most of the p.t.) are having a rough time while trying to reestablish the WBB program. Hopefully they're getting some enjoyment out of it. Next on their docket is Olivet Nazarene, which will clear its bench early and often.

[RogK]

Maryssa Cladis sank a game-winning three as North Central beat St Mary's (Indiana) 90-89. That hoop was part of a 9-2 turnaround in the final 1:42, as were 4 of Larynn Shumaker's 15 pts. Bobbi Johns had 7 assists and 3 steals (not in 1:42!).
In Carthage's 21 pt win over Loras, Alexis Hahn made 8/9 FGs, 2/2 FTs and grabbed 11 rebs in 22:00. Carthage has many good players, don't they?
Augie lost a pair over the weekend and Millikin did so once. The league is now 37-20.

[iwu70]

Yes, very impressed with the play of Lexi Baltes so far.  McMahon is also playing at a very high level.  Baltes is unrelenting, very aggressive and well-rounded, getting many assists and steals.  Reminds me in a way of another fine, recent IWU PG, Brittany Hasselbring.  Tough and very active on both ends of the floor.


Titans 4-4 now and haven't gotten it all put together.  I said once earlier that IWU might go 6-5 in this gauntlet and that may well be the best they can expect -- they may even go 4-7.  We'll see.


IWU70

[RogK]

I'd describe Lexi as assertive, not aggressive.

[RogK]

Elmhurst improved to 6-1 via a 94-45 win over IIT. Whitney Shaffer scored 18 on just 10 shots and Melanie Schwerdtmann had a 24 / 11 game, missing precisely one shot.

[Gregory Sager]

Melanie Schwerdtmann scored 21 in Elmhurst's win over Coe. She fouled out, which means she played her maximum minutes. This is an indirect compliment to her coach in my opinion, because why have one of your better players (number 2 scorer in the league at 17.2) sitting on the bench, never using the 5th foul?
Does anyone else see that this way? Or am I full of doo-doo?

If the game is close, you're going to want to have that player on the floor for crunch time.

Speaking of Elmhurst, they play hapless IIT tonight and may have to figure out how not to win by too much.
http://www.illinoistechathletics.com/schedule/0/6.php
I'm not sure why IIT isn't counting the St Ambrose loss or why they are counting a game against unnamed Northeastern Illinois students (no athletics mentioned on their web site).

It shouldn't count, as the NCAA doesn't recognize results against club teams. (IIT is in the midst of reclassifying as NCAA D3.) NEIU discontinued its athletic department back in '97. This is the first year that I can remember that NEIU has fielded club teams against varsity teams from other schools.

If you think it's bad that the female version of the Scarlet Hawks are counting that win against NEIU, imagine how the IIT men's team feels. They've actually lost -- twice -- to the NEIU men's club team this season.

At any rate, IIT's players (6 are getting most of the p.t.) are having a rough time while trying to reestablish the WBB program. Hopefully they're getting some enjoyment out of it. Next on their docket is Olivet Nazarene, which will clear its bench early and often.

They didn't look like they were having too much fun when they were getting drubbed by NPU.

In the eight games that they've played against actual varsity teams, the Scarlet Hawks have lost by 52 (Coe), 56 (Rockford), 56 (Alverno), 75 (St. Ambrose), 74 (NPU), 66 (Simpson), 68 (Buena Vista), and 49 (Elmhurst). It takes a certain kind of intestinal fortitude to endure that sort of losing, and I respect the Scarlet Hawks for sticking it out through thin and thin. But I just can't imagine that they're enjoying themselves all that much -- although, like you, I hope that there's some silver-lining moments in it for them.

[RogK]

Greg, I've finally looked at the play-by-play of the Elmhurst/Coe game. You'd think I'd have done that before starting the discussion, eh?
The player in question, Melanie Schwerdtmann, played 10:00 in the 1st half and picked up 3 fouls. She played 11:00 in the 2nd half. She is listed with a turnover at 19:02.
She picked up her 4th foul with 12:46 to go. Subbing is not on the play-by-play, so here is where she appeared from that point forward : (with Elmhurst's lead)
12:46 PF4 (10 pt lead)
9:57 turnover (10)
8:10 missed FG (5)
7:58 missed FG (5)
6:53 2FG (2 becomes 4)
4:58 2FG (4 becomes 6)
4:10 3FG (8 becomes 11)
2:25 2FG (11 becomes 13)
0:36 PF5 (11)
Would you say it was foolish or unnecessarily risky to have her in the game that much after getting the 4th foul? I'd say her being in the game and taking shots was the main reason that it wasn't a close game at the end.
Based on the Bluejays' lead and how it fluctuated, was there any "crunchtime" in that game? Can crunchtime occur well before the last 2 or 3 or 4 minutes?
Elmhurst risked her fouling out with 10 minutes to go. A more cautious coach might have kept her out substantially longer, but might have missed out on her valuable scoring.
Of course, if the coach knew in advance that Mel would miss the shots prior to the 6:53 mark, she could've been held out until 7:00 to go. Coaches are not quite that clairvoyant.
I think I've made a brilliant point in there somewhere! ha.

[Gregory Sager]

You've answered your own question with your point about game flow, Rog. Part of the expertise that a head coach is supposed to have developed in terms of game management is the ability to get a feel for the flow of a game. Are you in a lead that seems comfortable? If so, why? Are you in a lead that feels shaky? If so, why?

"Crunch time" is a term that's used to describe end-game situations in which the score is close. But I agree with you that crunch time isn't necessarily the most crucial period of a game. In fact, Bobby Knight used to say that the first five minutes of the second half was the most important period of a game, because that's when the halftime adjustments either take effect or don't take effect.

Coaches are mostly conservative by nature. As a group they tend to err on the side of caution, more often than not. As a result, they're more prone to view a lead as shaky than as comfortable, all things being equal. (Of course, not all things are always equal, as there may be specific schemes or matchups that have produced said lead that the opposing team either hasn't countered or lacks the personnel to counter.) Given that, they're more likely to husband the minutes of a key player in foul trouble in order to save her or him for the end of a game.

[RogK]

Last evening's CCIW results :
Augie topped Dubuque 63-54. Chaney Tambling had 14 pts and 10 rebs; Jessica Baids was similar with 14 and 8.
Illinois College got past Millikin 56-51. Kelsey Going made 6 of 9 FG att for the Big Blue. Millikin was averaging 25 FT att per game, but had just 9 last night.
Will North Central and Wheaton be sharing a bus Saturday? Both have afternoon games in Dubuque.

[iwu70]

Titans have exams all this week, head back to action this weekend with another tough game vs. Calvin.  Hope the Titans get a few more wins in the remaining 3 games prior to the CCIW season opening in early January.

IWU70

[RogK]

iwu70, I think you can retain some optimism for the Titans this season, even though things appear a little unsettled at the moment. Not sure if Katy Seibring is at full strength; her minutes have steadily declined in the last four games. I was glad to see Kasey Reaber in good enough health to play; she's made 25 of 38 FG att so far. Gotta admire her for battling through several years of major injuries.
Greg, IIT ended up losing 119-40 to Olivet Nazarene; definitely a lopsided score, but not absolutely bleak. The 1st half was 73-19, so ONU scaled things back in the 46-21 2nd half. ONU must have played a fairly gentle defense, picking up only 7 fouls in 40:00. They do have a rematch later.

[iwu70]

RogK, yes, I retain my optimism about the Titans for the longer term.  You are right about Seibring, not quite back to full strength.  I think both Reabers will make key contributions this season, esp. later on in conference play.  McMahon and Baltes are playing at a higher level than in the past and when Jackson and Seibring get back to levels of the past, the Titans could be very very good.  CC still the favorite and other teams, esp. WC, playing very well.  But, I'm sure Mia will have the Titans ready for the conference race, even if coming in to the conference portion at 6-5 or even with a losing record against this very tough pre-CCIW portion.  If the Titans get to 7-4, I'd be rather surprised.  The Titans will surely be "battle-tested," without doubt.

Lots of good players in the conference this year -- including some outstanding newbies -- it would appear. 

[Gregory Sager]

North Park beat Fontbonne today at the crackerbox, 91-45. I'm not terribly surprised by the outcome, even though Fontbonne came into the game with a 3-3 record. Wash U beat the Griffins on Tuesday by a score of 83-53, and Elmhurst beat them last night by 89-48. All twelve Vikings who dressed today played between 13 and 18 minutes, and all twelve scored at least four points.

NPU (6-3) looks to face a much stiffer test next Friday evening when 7-2 Heidelberg comes to town.