WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[GoPerry]

The Millikin Big Blue played a very gritty game at Wheaton last night.  Even after going down by 9 in the first quarter, hot shooting and especially beyond the arc(11-17, 64%) kept them from going away and took a brief lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.  But some key baskets from Chantal Meacham and Katie McDaniels got the lead back and the Thunder extended from there.  Wheaton dominated the statistical categories across the board most notably +9 in rebounding and a big +11 on the offensive glass.  Steals, turnovers and blocks resulted in the home team having 77 shots attempts vs MU's 58 (it was not a system game). 

McDaniels led all scorers with 23 pts, 7 rebs, 4 assts.  Ellie Zeller had 15 pts off the bench in 16 mins of PT.  Kelly Lawson added 13 pts, 7rebs, while Devin Kyler had another double/double with 11 and 11.  Devin Curry paced the Big Blue with 20 pts, 5 rebs and Emily Schultz added 19.  Cassie Somers chipped in 15 and Yanni Saddler contributed 13 pts with 7 rebs.  Sr G Rachael Weber had a nice game with 8 rebs and 5 assts despite not scoring.

[GoPerry]

The System most likely won't win a CCIW title all by itself. To modify an old cliche, it's not about the X's and O's, it's about the Jennys and Flos. Talent is what wins CCIW titles, and the Cards simply have not had enough of it in the System era to compete toe-to-toe with Wheaton and IWU on a regular basis. The true test of the System won't come until the Cards have enough talent to at least be in the same vicinity, talent-wise, as the Sonic Atmospheric Disturbance and the Titans, or whomever else happens to be the conventional team at the top in any given season. That's when we'll really see how effective or ineffective the System is at bridging small gaps in ability between two teams, which is really all that it purports to do in the first place.

Reading the article(thanks Ryan), everyone's comments and without giving too much in depth thought to it, I'm also inclined to think that System teams will have a certain 'success ceiling' as long as its use is fairly limited.  And I agree with GS that talent is still the trump card.  I would think that the top D3 recruits, those talented enough to come into a program and play right away, will dismiss a system offense pretty quickly.  For one thing, it limits your playing time.  Second, its place outside the mainstream would make it difficult to commit to that style of play for 4 years.  Third, might there be a stigma attached to playing for a team that employs such an 'unclassic' or 'odd'(insert whatever adjective but you know what I mean) philosophy?  So I would think that attracting the type of talent (to say nothing of the #s you need) that could insure consistent success would be really difficult.  And if a team were able to attract a solid cadre of talented players that brought regular 'system' success, a few CCIW titles for instance, then wouldn't that same level of talent yield the same under a classic system? 

[RogK]

GoPerry, doesn't the last sentence seem to advocate conformity for the sake of conformity? I'm not sure if that's where you were headed.

[iwu70]

Well, you'all, the question seems to be is it the talent or the system?  Surely some combination of the two.  I say it is the talent and so far at least the talent is surely overcoming the NCC-type system.  Yes, of course I do admire the IWU system, talent and coaching.  NCC's talent is pretty good and according to Greg they are more fresh and more fit, so they should be winning.  Time will tell, as the NCC system apparently is not yet fully developed and refined after four years, with not adequate talent as yet.  So, in the next few years, we'll see.  And, we'll see how long NCC stays with it and if other programs adopt it.  I doubt it.  Greg, I've seen many NCC games, not just two a year vs. the Titans, so I do see how they run it and how the coaches teach it.  Surely, most teams playing against it experience it as "helter-skelter" -- so that was my reference.  The better teams and coaches know what NCC and the system are trying to do and have a plan to defeat it, which they have done pretty well over these past four years.  Plus, I don't think NCC currently has enough top-quality trey shooters to make it really work.  Yes, they are making tons, whilst shooting tons.  Anyway, interesting discussion.

When I coached, of course at a different age and talent level entirely!, I loved using full court pressure, esp. half court trapping defenses of various kinds.  Very effective at that level -- high school.  No three point shot here.  It's easier to teach good defensive tactics, habits, and practices than have kids develop top offensive and shooting skills, at least at that level. 

Big game at Augie for the Titans this week.  I hope they can keep it rolling.  Yes, I'm a Titan fan through and through.  Greg is right.  Surely that was such a great revelation to you all.  I'm sure I'm the only one that has his judgement and perspectives clouded by being a partisan.  LOL.

IWU'70

[GoPerry]

GoPerry, doesn't the last sentence seem to advocate conformity for the sake of conformity? I'm not sure if that's where you were headed.

Hi RogK:

No.  Not advocating for conformity.  I'm merely trying to point out that any strategic philosophy, system or classic, without sufficient talent to effectively execute it will have limited success unless the talent level is upgraded and, in the case of the system, greatly expanded down the roster.  C grade talent will only yield C grade results over an entire season or multiple seasons. 

[iwu70]

GoPerry, you are on to something.  Or, as Dennie Bridges always used to say, "it's always best to get off the bus with the best players."  Amen to that.

Looking forward to the IWU-Augie game @Carver.  Should be a good one, surely an important one.  Hopefully, Ehresman will be back to full health and fitness. 

IWU'70

[RogK]

I bravely predict we'll see Molly McGraw or Kaycee Kallenberger as Player of the Week.

[RogK]

And it is Molly McGraw -- congrats to her as the new Player of the Week.

[iwu70]

Warm congratulations to Molly McGraw on her Player of the Week award.  Kellenberger would have been very deserving too.  For sure. 

'70

[Mr. Ypsi]

I noted that there has not been a single repeat winner of POW this season.  I wonder if that is unprecedented?  Also, we could probably do a contest on who WILL be the first two-time POW winner this season - I'll take a stab at a comeback win by Rebekah Ehresman (though Molly's on such a roll tight now, consecutive wins would not surprise me, and I never rule out Katie McDaniels).

[iwu70]

Ypsi, do you mean "unpresidented?"   LOL

My bet is on Molly McGraw to have a huge game @Augie this week and get the Titans to 6-1. 

Surely hope Rebekah Ehresman is just healthy and fit to return to the regular rotation, regular minutes, or near to her regular level of play.  Ankles are tricky.

IWU hosting the Cubbies Championship Trophy at the Shirk tomorrow.  At ISU too.  (By the way ISU men beat Wichita State and lead the Valley right now -- great season in the making for the Redbirds).

IWU'70

[Mr. Ypsi]

New poll is FINALLY up.  Wheaton is (26), Augie lost their one point, but IWU finally has one point (wonder if that is the same voter who has switched horses?)  With a national title only five years ago, the same coach, and a five game winning streak, it's about time at least ONE voter acknowledged the Titans!

[iwu70]

Ypsi, polls don't matter much.  IWU just needs to keep winning, keep moving toward the CCIW crown and a shot with great momentum at winning the AQ.  Don't think they get in without winning the AQ, unless they pretty much win out.  Unlikely.  Big game this week at Augie.  AC has played very well and is much improved from previous Doggie incarnations.  Should be a very good game.  I'm sure Mia will have our women ready. 

With the various role and bench players improving, IWU is strong, with depth.  Anderson, Merritt, Shanks, Kelly, and Schneider all playing well -- along with the big guns, Ehresman and McGraw.  I think Shelby Gray is back now too.  So, save for the out-for-season, injured Holness, the Titans look in good shape, with depth.  Great to see some of these younger players get lots of PT, a good omen for future Titan squads.

IWU'70

[GoPerry]

Wheaton ORV and listed as #7 in Massey(way too high) is nice but it doesn't pass the 'hill of beans' test.  I'm not yet convinced how good this team actually is on the national scale.  While the first goal is to win the CCIW, league and tourney, I don't think Kent Madsen and the team will consider this season a notable success unless they can 1. make the NCAA and 2. advance past the first round which is where they've gotten stuck the last 2 years.   While they have played the 2nd strongest schedule so far according to Massey(and yes, yes, I know '70 that IWU is the strongest), they are 1-2 (loss at Hope, loss at Oshkosh, win vs Trine)against non-con opponents who would be of that national caliber.  And honestly, I'm not convinced the W over Trine is that significant despite Trine's record. 

Yes, they need to take care of business in the CCIW.  But I think they should be building towards the post-season and viewing tough games (such as last Wed at IWU) as barometers towards that.  I don't think they have a signature win yet, maybe the win @ Augie.

[Roundball999]

And honestly, I’m not convinced the W over Trine is that significant despite Trine’s record. 

I think you can feel pretty good about the win over Trine, they're legit.  19-8 last year with two wins over Calvin and they returned all five starters this year, two 2nd team all-league players including a strong 6'2" post.  Added four transfers and have a win over Calvin already this year.  Hosting Hope tomorrow night, should either cement their top 25 credentials or drop them out.  I'm picking them for a narrow victory over Hope.