WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[mactitan]

I was a little disappointed that Claire Sheehan didn't bring another Josten's Trophy back to Bloomington.  Her resume seemed pretty impressive - certainly someone to be proud of as an alum.  Then I read the list of accomplishments of the two winners - holy cow!  Not to take anything away from Sheehan, but the winners are remarkable student athletes.

I love the Jostens Trophy, my only regret is that the only people that know about it are people that come to this site (and maybe a few others).  Wouldn't it be great if ESPN had a presentation show like they do for the Heisman?  All 20 nominees for the award are remarkable young people, they give me hope for a future in times that are pretty dire.  Wouldn't it be great if our society put them up on the pedestal?  These students are the real role models - not TO or A-Rod.

[mactitan]

Their biggest strength this year is their balance. They've had games where they score 80 points and nobody has more than 12.  They've had 8 different players lead the team in scoring at least once this year.  The kid who led them in scoring in the second round game (Flease) had never been their leading scorer all season until that game.  It's not possible to key on just 1 or 2 kids with them.

SP's balance does not worry me so much as their depth.  IWU has been crushing teams in the second half because they are so deep.  They will often have nine players get 10+ minutes.  Their full court press seems to be broken early, but gets more tenacious as the opponent gets frustrated/tired.  IWU has several long, athletic players that keep the pressure going for forty minutes.  A team that only goes two deep on the bench is going to be in a lot of trouble in the second half.

That is why I think UWSP might be a pretty tough matchup against IWU - especially if SP's strength is in their guards.  A deep team with good guards is exactly the kind of team that could knock off the Titans.

[thundermike]

I think the biggest advantage IWU will have is being at home. They shoot the lights out at the Shirk Center

[RogK]

Some more conference-games-only stats :
Percentages of their points scored according to shot type.
              via FTs         via 2FG           via 3FG
AUG         .230             .583               .187
CARTH     .204             .597               .199
ELMH       .184             .690               .126
IWU         .186             .549               .265
MILL        .194             .504               .302
NC           .209             .585               .206
NP           .255             .567               .178
WHE        .184             .570               .246

North Park and Augustana relied on free throws quite a bit. That could be a by-product of the defenses that were employed against them.
Millikin got a significant portion of their scoring from threes, where they led the conference with 35.3% accuracy.

[iwu70]

Wash U women win in Bloomington, into the Elite 8.  IWU up next with WIAC SP.

[Just Bill]

IWU up 8 at the half.  36-28.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU 58, UWSP 44, 9 to go.

Solari just injured with poke to the eye.   Hopefully nothing serious.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Titans win, 77-64.

Re-match with Wash U tomorrow.

I won't make my reservations for Holland until tomorrow night, but I'm feelin' good!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Christina Solari had a monster game, leading the Titans in points, rebounds, AND assists.  I don't follow the national scene in women's nearly as much as in men's, but if she isn't national POY I have no clue who is.

[iwumichigander]

Very nice work by the Titans tonight.  Solid play by everyone.

[gordonmann]

Mr. Ypsi:

Take a look at what Hillary Klimowicz is doing for unranked TCNJ.  She has a very good POY resume, too.

[iwu70]

Titans are keeping it rolling.  Strong play by everyone, starters and bench.  Double-double, superb game by Solari for sure.  Keep it rolling -- Wash U up next, a good challenge, but Final Four in sight now.  2000 at The Shirk for Women's basketball . . . great to see.  Elite 8 -- great job!!!

[Hoosier Titan]

Just spend about 45 minutes typing a report with detailed stats and lost it as the mouse slipped. 

Final Four-Quality atmosphere matchup tonight at Shirk between UW-Stevens Point and IWU.  2000 (including an all-volunteer Titan Band on the first night of IWU's Spring Break) watched (as everyone now knows), the Titans prevail, 77-64.

Christina Solari's 18 points, 13 rebounds, and team-leading 5 assists sparked the Titans, who had four in double figures.  Colleen Caplice was heroic all over the court.  Mallory Heydorn's 4 assists and 4 blocks were huge.

Stevens Point is a very good team; this matchup felt like a heavyweight boxing match with each slide slugging it out.  Congratulations to the Pointers on an excellent game and, evidently, a very good season in winning the WIAC.

The Titans' rematch with Wash U should be another good battle.  Looking forward to it!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mr. Ypsi:

Take a look at what Hillary Klimowicz is doing for unranked TCNJ.  She has a very good POY resume, too.

Those are some pretty impressive stats.  But I don't think I'd want to make a trade!

Anyone else on the radar?

[RogK]

That was a very good win for the Titans last night, against a strong, talented opponent.
All nine Titans that played did good work. Claire Sheehan missed just one shot, scoring 15. As mentioned by others, Christina Solari was her usual excellent self, as was Mallory Heydorn.
Stacey Arlis exceeded her customary 70% shooting average and did well in all aspects of the game.
Hope Schulte keeps getting better and better, playing a superb all-around game. Colleen Caplice was a strong, effective presence at both ends of the court.
Nikki Preston, Holly Harvey and Kylie Castans each contributed in multiple ways in their time on the court.
Another tough opponent awaits tonight. Wash U displayed an interestingly varied offense last evening. From my observation, you could not predict what they were going to try in any possession or even where the point guard would dribble to, to set up a play. So, it'll be a good contest. Go Titans!