WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

RogK, I was just stating what I saw in McGraw's performance.  No tastelessness intended at all.  Molly is one of the truly great Titans in our program, ever, and just put up the 6th highest point total in a season.  She's a national champion high jumper too, as you know.   She's terrific, but sometimes inconsistent.  That's just the situation.  I'm sure she feels bad about tonight vs. Trine, though Trine worked hard not to give her any driving lanes and IWU surely didn't get it's normal points off TOs, and the press, which often fall to Molly.  She's good on steals and pushing the ball, but Trine's D didn't allow as much of that tonight.  It was a slower, grind out kind of game with a  lot of half court time.  With Trine's size and clogging D, this was not the kind of game IWU normally excels in.  And, combine that with a poor rebounding and shooting night, well, there you go.  IWU still has work to do on rebounding, even though it was improved this year, as Merritt had a big part in that and Ehresman is a great rebounder from her position on the court.  I've always wondered why, given her athleticism and jumping ability that McGraw doesn't have better rebounding stats.  An area for improvement for all the Titans in the future.  When IWU plays their kind of game, they have a good chance.  Tonight was really not their kind of game . . .and, of course, giving Trine their due, much of that was due to good defense and a good plan against them. 

I hope Wheaton plays well vs. Wash U and gets to the Sweet 16. 

IWU'70

[GoPerry]

Hardly anyone who shoots a lot is going to shoot 61% like Mikaela Eppard.
Any team in the league would be very happy to have Molly McGraw in their starting lineup. I'm sure she feels bad enough for today's result.
I was going to label you guys' excessive criticism of her as tasteless, but in the interest of engendering future conversation on these pages, I won't.

I'm sorry if you think it was tasteless RogK.  I was simply putting forth facts and asking a question - somewhat rhetorical but admittedly a little loaded - that I think could legitimately be asked by fans, and especially Titan fans.  In fact, one could say it's more of a coaching question than anything else because it's a strange situation.

[RogK]

Glad to see that none of us were intending to kick someone while she was down. These are not professional athletes for sure.
Now, when Jay Cutler screws up... (ha)

[GoPerry]

Good Luck to the Wheaton Thunder Ladies tonight vs Wash U who are also a skilled and veteran team playing at home.  But I'm positive that Wheaton is equally talented and a good enough team to not just play with the Bears, but take them down as well and yes, even on their home floor.  All the pressure will be on Wash U; let the Bears feel it.  Start quickly, play loose and let our game speak for itself.  Wheaton has earned their place and they definitely belong.  Let's Roll!

[RogK]

An unhappy evening for Wheaton, but they had an outstanding season, best of the CCIW.
My congratulations to their four seniors (Katie McDaniels, Chantal Meacham, Ellie Zeller and Abby Dorman) for great work and impressive accomplishments throughout their years in the Thunder unis.
I'm pretty sure Wheaton will be very strong next year, but it won't be the same flavor that we've enjoyed for several years.

[iwu70]

Congrats to Wheaton on a great season, 24-5.  Very hard to beat Wash U with their strength and program on their floor. 

Is it really true that one of the Wash U reserves (Homoly?) went 26 and 11?  Wow, what a line.  5 assists too.  Did she come out of nowhere? 

Congrats and good wishes to the WC seniors -- yes, some very good CCIW careers.

IWU'70

[RogK]

Check this, iwu70 :
http://bearsports.wustl.edu/sports/wbkb/2016-17/bios/homoly_madeline_6nqx
She had much success in high school and was in Div 1 last season.

[iwu70]

Wow, and only a reserve for Wash U?  Looks like a potential national player of the year now -- only a sophomore.  Wash U knows how to find them, top academic talent too.  I bet Wash U is glad she didn't go to U Chicago.

Incredible line and performance in the game vs. Wheaton.

Again, congrats to Coach Madsen and all the WC team for a great run this year. 

IWU'70

[Enginerd]

2nd or 3rd year in a row WashU has gotten at least one D-1 transfer......
I'm betting these are kids WashU originally recruited out of high school but lost her to the perceived prestige of D-1.
After a year of that nonsense she wizened up and asked if they still wanted her

[iwumichigander]

2nd or 3rd year in a row WashU has gotten at least one D-1 transfer......
I'm betting these are kids WashU originally recruited out of high school but lost her to the perceived prestige of D-1.
After a year of that nonsense she wizened up and asked if they still wanted her

You do not find much better in any women's program regardless of division than Coach Nancy Fahey -  Five (5) National Championships, ten (10) Final Fours,  and a thirty year .845 WP% will attract talent.  This is one of those programs where the players recruit WashU as much as WashU recruits them. 

[iwu70]

Homoly looks like a very unique talent -- yes, D1 to D3, something like Olivia Lett some years ago for IWU.  Wash U is almost always good, no matter the unique talent -- as they have talent across the board most years.

IWU70

[RogK]

This past Saturday I attended a WBB game at Div 1 Chicago State; they lost to U of Missouri - Kansas City and are now 0-28! Nevertheless, many of Chicago State's players would be all-conference in D3. Most of UMKC's too, and these are far from glamorous programs among D1. Yet, they have size, talent, strength and quickness that would stand out in D3. So, when a D1-caliber player does filter "down" to D3, she can make a big impact. Sorry if this is too obvious to be stated.

[GoPerry]

Wheaton 74
Wash U  83

Katie McDaniels  15 pts, 4 assts, 4 steals
Chantal Meacham  17 pts (4-8 from trey), 4 assts
Devin Kyler  15 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assts, 2 steals

Madeline Homoly, 26 pts, 11 rebs, 5 assts
Zoe Vernon , 15 pts, 6 rebs
Natalie Orr,  12 pts, 6 rebs

Finally had a chance to view the game today.  The Thunder go down in a hard fought game in St Louis.  Wash U is a very solid team and outrebounded Wheaton 43-26 and 16-9 on the offensive glass.  Can't give up 17 and 9 to a good team and expect to win.  It was great to see Chantal Meacham in her last game have a really terrific night and keep her team close.

Homoly doesn't start many games but she was 1st team All-conf in the UAA.  So what does that tell you?  Too much of her tonight with her scoring and rebounding.  Few teams will have a good matchup against an athletic 6'2" forward who can take you off the dribble or post & score with equal skill.

Congratulations on a great season Wheaton.  It's been a lot of fun for all the Wheaties watching you play this season.  To Ms McDaniels, Meacham, Zeller and Dorman, we're proud of you for your success and for representing the College well.  We wish you the best on your future endeavors for Christ and His Kingdom.

[GoPerry]

2nd or 3rd year in a row WashU has gotten at least one D-1 transfer......
I'm betting these are kids WashU originally recruited out of high school but lost her to the perceived prestige of D-1.
After a year of that nonsense she wizened up and asked if they still wanted her

Yes.  WashU's Zoe Vernon played 2 years at D1 Winthop and Jenn Dyniss played 2 years at D1 Holy Cross.

I'll be interested to see how far they go.  They're a very talented team.

[iwu70]

Needless to say, great coaching at Wash U too. They could go quite far.  I didn't realize they have several D1 refugees. 

IWU'70