WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Moser]

Article on Hope Schulte, from a paper near her hometown...

http://www.thejournal-news.net/articles/2010/03/04/sports/college/college01.txt

"I thought I would probably be named to the CCIW team, but the first team was a bit of a shock," said Schulte.

Even though she was not a unanimous selection, I'm pretty sure it was never in doubt that Hope would be on the first team. She's a fantastic player and deserves the recognition. She (and several of her teammates) would put up crazy numbers on most other teams, but she does what IWU requires of her exquisitely night in and night out. The other coaches in the league certainly recognized this.

With regards to the article itself, IWU beat Elmhurst 82-72 (not 82-52). And I don't think that the women's final four has ever been in Salem?

[Moser]

Mr. Ypsi, I don't think anyone thought Solari was chopped liver... Yes, she is a great player but her team is 10+ deep. They do not need her to put up the kind of number that Long did and that's why Long received POY. To me, POY is someone that is a game changer and a producer on the court. Again, I know Solari can do all of these things but she didn't have to because of her supporting cast.

I think the 2010 M.O.P. award went to the right player - let me first make that clear.  But I'm really surprised by all of the posts that suggest that because IWU is so deep, the Titans somehow don't need Christina Solari as much as Elmhurst needed Lyndsie Long.  That somehow IWU just plugs different players in and the system takes it from there.

Christina Solari is an incredibly skilled low-post player that completely changes the game.  The way she uses her strength and her lower body to establish position is something you just don't see very often.  Her ability to consistently get great low-post position, which leads to every opponent to have to double her, is the #1 key to IWU's offense.  Without her on the floor, IWU is a completely different team.

I really think many here underestimate the impact Solari has on everything this Illinois Wesleyan team does.  Yes, she does not have to score as much as Long did for Elmhurst to be successful, but her presence is critical for the Titans.

I feel that this at least in part directed towards a post that I made about coaches gameplanning for IWU's system.

That post was not intended to diminish the importance of Christina Solari, or any other IWU player. There's a reason that every team in the country doesn't do what IWU does: they can't. IWU's players, including Solari, are phenomenally skilled athletes and basketball players. The point I was trying to make, whether or not it is valid, is that I think opposing coaches primary concern against the Titans is to not turn the ball over against their pressure. If IWU is scoring on layup's off of turnovers, it doesn't really matter who's putting the ball through the hoop.

[bflong]

I don't think anyone was trying to put down C.S.  If you go back and look at the previous posts, no where does it state any sort of negative comment regarding C.S. as an individual nor athlete.  
However, as bloggers and supporters of the CCIW we are all entitled to our individual opinions.  With that being said, when the subject regarding CCIW POY was being discussed many people were giving their opinions and expressing their feelings on who they thought was more deserving of the award, and that is when individual opinions were expressed!
PERSONALLY, looking at both players (LL and CS, with no team involvement) LL had an overall better year as an individual, setting both school and conference records to show it.  In my opinion, when coaches were nominating the POY candidate of course it was not easy, but they saw that INDIVIDUALLY, LL was the over POY!!!

[bflong]

overall***

[Moser]

I just took my first extended look at the tourney bracket, and the placement of the sectionals makes it possible for both CCIW teams to reach the Final Four. That would be something!

[RogK]

Just looked at Franklin's stats for a while (IWU's first opponent).
Bearing in mind that they played against different teams than did IWU...
In an average game, Franklin made 15 of 21 FTs and IWU made 16 of 22;
Franklin made 5 of 16 threes and IWU made 6 of 20;
Franklin made 20/43 2FGs and IWU made 23/44.
Franklin had the Heartland Conf player of the year (a guard, Sarah Condra, with well-rounded stats: 15.9 pts, good shooter, 6 rebs, 3 assists, season totals of 38 blocks and 42 steals), another all-conf guard, another guard as honorable mention and a center who made all-freshman.
Can they handle IWU's big players defensively? Can they get through IWU's press?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just looked at Franklin's stats for a while (IWU's first opponent).
Bearing in mind that they played against different teams than did IWU...
In an average game, Franklin made 15 of 21 FTs and IWU made 16 of 22;
Franklin made 5 of 16 threes and IWU made 6 of 20;
Franklin made 20/43 2FGs and IWU made 23/44.
Franklin had the Heartland Conf player of the year (a guard, Sarah Condra, with well-rounded stats: 15.9 pts, good shooter, 6 rebs, 3 assists, season totals of 38 blocks and 42 steals), another all-conf guard, another guard as honorable mention and a center who made all-freshman.
Can they handle IWU's big players defensively? Can they get through IWU's press?

That comparison DOES make it look scary.

But as was pointed out, Elmhurst beat Franklin by 30 AT Franklin.  I'm guessing this one is over by (at the latest) 5 minutes into the second half - probably earlier.

[IWU coaches and team, do NOT read this - Franklin is SCARY good! ]

[gordonmann]

As the Titans get ready for the Grizzlies, junior guard Holly Harvey checks in with the latest installment of her blog.

http://d3blogs.com/d3hoops/category/insider/holly-harvey/

[Hoosier Titan]

Pat Coleman's look at the Women's Tournament is up:
http://www.d3hoops.com/women-final-four/10/preview.htm

[Mr. Ypsi]

And he's predicting a happy crowd at the Shirk on March 20!

Me too!

[RogK]

I have to correct my previous post about Franklin -- their 2nd all-conference player is a 5'11" center, not a guard.
I thought it was interesting that their distribution of shot attempts was rather similar to that of IWU's offense. But, they might end up committing approximately 30 turnovers, so they may not reach their average quantity of shot attempts.

[iwumichigander]

I don't believe they are allowed to play the entire tournament at home.  That was Hope's problem over the last two years.....if you host the Fnal Four you can't host the Sectional Round.  They will most likely have to go on the road weekend after next and that is where Hope stumbled.

Posters have previously addressed the alternate year rule with regards to hosting.  Below is a more accurate explanation, according to Pat Coleman, as to why Hope was not able to host on its home court into its hosted Final Four:

"Is it possible for one team to host all the way through to the national championship game? Hope didn't have the chance to do that either of the past two years, once because the men were hosting and last year because of the dreaded geographic proximity clause. - http://www.d3hoops.com/women-final-four/10/preview.htm"

[RogK]

Twelve minutes in, Carthage is up 23-15. Ten pts for Rosie Dorn.

[RogK]

Half : 47-28 Lady Reds, behind 12 pts by Dorn (5/6 FG) 12 pts 9 rebs by Diana Jacklin (6/8 FG) and 9 pts by Dani Ripkey (3/5 threes).

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU having their way with Franklin - 29-15 w/ about 6 to go.