WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[GoPerry]

Just thought of checking this : turnovers by IWU opponents.
In order by game -- 19 28 30 12 19 15 15 13 18 22 18 15 18 14.
These seem low compared to quantities induced by recent Titan teams. One reason could be that IWU is a taller bunch this season, maybe not as quick as more guard-oriented teams of the past. I'd also guess that the Titans are consuming more time (on average) in their offensive possessions this season. With noticeably fewer total possessions in their games, there would be fewer opponent turnovers.
What other factors am I not thinking of? Foul avoidance?

It seemed like IWU employed full court pressure a lot less than normal on Wednesday.  I don't know if this was just against Wheaton or if Smith has used it less this season because of personnel or whatever reason.  Even when they did, only a few times did they go the full trapping scheme.  However, Wheaton had little trouble against the pressure either dribbling out of it or passing over the top.  So that might've had something to do with it.  Also Wheaton is a pretty big team and handle the ball well, even some of the forwards like 6'2" Kyler.

I think your point on the lineup is probably right.  IWU core lineup is classic 2 guard, 3 forward and not so much 3 guard as in past years.

I think very highly of Sydney Shanks and her ability to score but had a tough night.  Trying to guard Jordan Myroth and giving up 2-3 inches in height, a lot in the women's game, might've put her off offensively.  As it became obvious that Myroth was asserting herself, it might've been better to put Anderson on her.  Just speculating.

[RogK]

We should mention that Wheaton entered the game averaging 70.4, so IWU held them 14 points below that.
No game for me today (family event). Since I noted a few posts ago that I enjoy Scooter Lopez's efforts, I'll need Greg to tell us which Augie WBB players he enjoys watching. Probably not many, if any!
I actually enjoy the talent and energy of several Augie players, including stars Alexis Jones and Izzy Anderson.

[Gregory Sager]

Augustana 77
North Park 65

Jayla Johnson: 16 pts, 10 rebs
Lauryn Alba Garner: 16 pts, 4 stls, 5:2 a:to
Matti Zander: 3 stls

Sadie Roberts: 14 pts
Clare Kramer: 13 pts
Scooter Lopez: 10 pts
Alexis Jones: 13 rebs
Carly McCameron: 3 blks

Augie started off the game with a 12-0 run, and that proved to be the difference, as the Rock Islanders made NPU play catch-up all night. NPU got to within five a couple of times in the second half, but couldn't close the deal.

[GoPerry]

Wheaton 62, Carroll 52

It was a win for the Thunder but the performance was a far cry from the team that played in Bloomington.  Bad defense stresses every other aspect of your game and the pretty awful, lazy really, 1st half defense by the Thunder led to them trailing after the first 2 quarters, 28-26.  But Wheaton turned up the defense in the 3rd and pulled away.  Probably some hangover from Wednesday night.  Another solid game by Hannah Frazier with 20 pts, 10 rebs, 4 blks.  Devin Kyler 18 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asst, 3 blks, 2 stls.  Another good one by Myroth with 10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asst, 2 blks, 2 stls.  The lady Pios were led by Sierra Grubor with 10 pts and Theresa Wichsers 9 pts.

Take the win and move on.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wheaton 62, Carroll 52

It was a win for the Thunder but the performance was a far cry from the team that played in Bloomington. Bad defense stresses every other aspect of your game and the pretty awful, lazy really, 1st half defense by the Thunder led to them trailing after the first 2 quarters, 28-26.  But Wheaton turned up the defense in the 3rd and pulled away.  Probably some hangover from Wednesday night.  Another solid game by Hannah Frazier with 20 pts, 10 rebs, 4 blks.  Devin Kyler 18 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asst, 3 blks, 2 stls.  Another good one by Myroth with 10 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asst, 2 blks, 2 stls.  The lady Pios were led by Sierra Grubor with 10 pts and Theresa Wichsers 9 pts.

Take the win and move on.

To me, that is a real shame.  We coulda both been happy: us being in first place; you (not knowing the alternative reality ) with a 40-50 point win over Carroll!

C'est la vie.

I'm just gonna hope for no more stumbles and render payback up at King.  (IF the Titans are as good as I think they are.)

[iwu70]

GoPerry, WC did play superb D against IWU, using their length.  Not as many blocks as usual, but still pretty good D.  IWU doesn't have the personnel to press as much, as effectively as in the past -- when Ehresman and McGraw were part of "run and jump."  Don't know about the fatigue levels of players either, after the long road trip to California, two pretty demanding games on the West Coast, surely some tourism and fun and games out there . . . could have played a part, especially for Shanks.  Key was that Merritt and Sosa didn't get their normal support from others on offense.  Schneider and Shanks were a combine 0-16 . . . only 3 points combined, so that was a big part of the tepid offense IWU had in the game, far below their normal level of scoring.  They did push the ball well, score off of some up-tempo, but not the normal TO and steals advantages of past IWU teams.  We'll see how both Coaches try to play it when they meet again at WC in a few weeks.  I definitely thought the tempo and style of the game at The Shirk favored Wheaton.  That game will likly be a key game for the CCIW regular season crown.  Don't think it is likely that IWU or WC will lose many more games in conference play.  Still a long slog of games -- six more weeks.  Glad IWU has the bye week this week, can regroup, rest and get ready for the home stretch of the final 11 conference games.

I see WC won again tonight.

'70

[GoPerry]

GoPerry, WC did play superb D against IWU, using their length.  Not as many blocks as usual, but still pretty good D.  IWU doesn't have the personnel to press as much, as effectively as in the past -- when Ehresman and McGraw were part of "run and jump."  Don't know about the fatigue levels of players either, after the long road trip to California, two pretty demanding games on the West Coast, surely some tourism and fun and games out there . . . could have played a part, especially for Shanks.  Key was that Merritt and Sosa didn't get their normal support from others on offense.  Schneider and Shanks were a combine 0-16 . . . only 3 points combined, so that was a big part of the tepid offense IWU had in the game, far below their normal level of scoring.  They did push the ball well, score off of some up-tempo, but not the normal TO and steals advantages of past IWU teams.  We'll see how both Coaches try to play it when they meet again at WC in a few weeks.  I definitely thought the tempo and style of the game at The Shirk favored Wheaton.  That game will likly be a key game for the CCIW regular season crown.  Don't think it is likely that IWU or WC will lose many more games in conference play.  Still a long slog of games -- six more weeks.  Glad IWU has the bye week this week, can regroup, rest and get ready for the home stretch of the final 11 conference games.

I see WC won again tonight.

'70

I noticed this on the IWU website recap of the game:

"Illinois Wesleyan, whose 54 points is a season low, shot 37.9 percent from the field (22 of 58) as starters Ashley Schneider (0 for 9) and Sydney Shanks (0 for 7) failed to make a field goal. "

Calling out Schneider and Shanks for sub par performances struck me as unusually harsh for an SID story about his own team - maybe some of his own frustration.  You usually see facts/stats of contributing performances, but almost never negatives like that about individual players.

Wheaton:  The Thunder are susceptible to a road loss - @ Carthage or maybe @ Augie because they're still inconsistent.  Good defense is not yet part of their DNA night in and night out as tonight showed.

[iwu70]

GP, not sure if it was good WC D or subpar night for Shanks and Schneider, for whatever reason, that made the difference.  But, 0-16 was striking, contributing significantly to an off night for the normally higher-scoring Titans, usually 78+ points/game.  I always say, get to 78 and usually win the game. Often same for the IWU men. (unless a team like Whitman that scores 105 and you score 103!).   It's uncanny how many times you score at that level and you basically win, outscore the other team.  Win by offense, not defense.  Seems both IWU teams this year are not as strong defensively as in the past editions.  Anyway, a tough close loss for the female Titans, perhaps motivating for the rest of the CCIW schedule, and most especially for the rematch at Wheaton in a few weeks.  I'm sure that will be a good, hard-fought and close game, too, hopefully a higher-scoring affair, played more at the Titans' type of pace and speed.

It would be grand if WC took a loss at Carthage or Augustana, tightening up the CCIW race further! 


'70

[RogK]

Elmhurst 75-59 over North Central --
EC : 5 rebs and a very efficient 15 pts (.786 eFG%, .800 FT%) by Kellee Clay; Lisa Logan 13 pts, 4 rebs; Elena Cabrera 6 rebs.
NC : Alanna Newsome 20 pts; Natali Dimitrova 15 and 6 rebs; Lyndsay Brennan 11 rebs and 5 assists.

[RogK]

Carthage 68, Millikin 63 :
CTG -
Haley Ahr 5/7 2FG + 4/6 FT = 14 pts, also 6 rebs; Bailey Gilbert 8 pts, 8 rebs, 5 assists; Maggie Berigan 9 pts, 9 rebs;
Madie Kaelber 14 pts, Sammie Woodward 12 pts.
MIL -
a pair each got 17 pts and 6 rebs : Jordan Hildebrand and Aubrey Staton;
Briana Anthony tallied 14 pts, 4 assists, 4 rebs, 3 steals.

[lmitzel]

Elmhurst 75-59 over North Central --
EC : 5 rebs and a very efficient 15 pts (.786 eFG%, .800 FT%) by Kellee Clay; Lisa Logan 13 pts, 4 rebs; Elena Cabrera 6 rebs.
NC : Alanna Newsome 20 pts; Natali Dimitrova 15 and 6 rebs; Lyndsay Brennan 11 rebs and 5 assists.

The two or three big stats for me: Elmhurst was an efficient 7-15 from three, including 4-7 in the first half to help build a 19 point halftime lead. North Central, by comparison, went just 2-20. They're not going to shoot that poorly again, but it wasn't a good night. What's worse though is the Cardinals' 11-28 line at the stripe. In a game they lost by 16 but had made a single digit game with a few minutes left... you do the math.

[iwumichigander]

GoPerry, WC did play superb D against IWU, using their length.  Not as many blocks as usual, but still pretty good D.  IWU doesn't have the personnel to press as much, as effectively as in the past -- when Ehresman and McGraw were part of "run and jump."  Don't know about the fatigue levels of players either, after the long road trip to California, two pretty demanding games on the West Coast, surely some tourism and fun and games out there . . . could have played a part, especially for Shanks.  Key was that Merritt and Sosa didn't get their normal support from others on offense.  Schneider and Shanks were a combine 0-16 . . . only 3 points combined, so that was a big part of the tepid offense IWU had in the game, far below their normal level of scoring.  They did push the ball well, score off of some up-tempo, but not the normal TO and steals advantages of past IWU teams.  We'll see how both Coaches try to play it when they meet again at WC in a few weeks.  I definitely thought the tempo and style of the game at The Shirk favored Wheaton.  That game will likly be a key game for the CCIW regular season crown.  Don't think it is likely that IWU or WC will lose many more games in conference play.  Still a long slog of games -- six more weeks.  Glad IWU has the bye week this week, can regroup, rest and get ready for the home stretch of the final 11 conference games.

I see WC won again tonight.

'70

I noticed this on the IWU website recap of the game:

"Illinois Wesleyan, whose 54 points is a season low, shot 37.9 percent from the field (22 of 58) as starters Ashley Schneider (0 for 9) and Sydney Shanks (0 for 7) failed to make a field goal. "

Calling out Schneider and Shanks for sub par performances struck me as unusually harsh for an SID story about his own team - maybe some of his own frustration.  You usually see facts/stats of contributing performances, but almost never negatives like that about individual players.

Wheaton:  The Thunder are susceptible to a road loss - @ Carthage or maybe @ Augie because they're still inconsistent.  Good defense is not yet part of their DNA night in and night out as tonight showed.

i have no problem with the IWU description.  It is a fact based explanation of the low score total points and why they lost. SID's are reporters first not team cheerleaders.

[Pat Coleman]

Various SIDs will differ on what's the right tack to take there, but we always appreciate someone who is doing what is in that IWU release.

[iwu70]

IWU's sports information people -- Stew and his staff, interns too, are some of the best, most experienced around.  We very much appreciate their work, even when there are some hard truths.

I'm sure the Titans concerned will bounce back and have great games ahead.  No doubt in my mind.

IWU'70

[duckfan41]

Alexis Jones of Augustana with a very impressive week picks up Playwr of the Week honors. Miss Jones averaged a double-double with 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game with one of her games seeing her shoot a perfect 10-10 from the field!