WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

The eight head coaches vote for the 15 all-conference players. They generally elect more players from the teams with the best records. I'm not sure if they have the full 25-game season in mind, or just the 14 game conference season. If they base it on the 14 game season CCIW season only, they could roughly proportion the all-conf spots based on 3.7 wins per spot (56 total wins / 15). Anyway, it's not that formal. Probably, there is some negotiation involved. IWU got 4 players on last year's, but that's not common. At the other end of the standings, teams with 0-3 wins likely will have to settle for none or one. North Park was not represented last time, but will have at least one this time (Sarah Peterson and/or Roxxanne Jones, I'd say). Augie, maybe Natalie Runge. North Central, not sure. Millikin, Crystal Zeigler and maybe Cecily Aldridge?

[iwu70]

Thanks, RogK.  I would think Merklein, Jacklin and Lett almost sure-fire first team.  Also, someone from Wheaton.  Not sure who?  Karsten or Olson?

For IWU, I doubt they will get four this year, but we'll see.  My thinking would be Lett first team, perhaps Gardner first or second team, and Hasselbring second or third team.  Just guessing.  Others have played very well but not in season-long, consistent ways as those mentioned above.  Biggest single shot of the year -- Michelle Bilek vs. Carthage here @Shirk! 

My vote is for Olivia Lett as CCIW MOP, though Jacklin is also very deserving it is clear. 

Some big games yet to go, before the voting/negotiating goes on, just before the CCIW tourney, right?  Or, do they vote, decide after the tourney? 

IWU70

[RogK]

They have always voted before the conference playoffs; same day or the day before, I thinks. (I loved Carlos Zambrano's "we stinks" comment)
Very unlikely for any team to have more than one on 1st team; maybe impossible based on the nominating process -- does each coach first nominate one for POY and the 1st team consists of 5 of those 8 players?

[Backseat Driver]

They have always voted before the conference playoffs; same day or the day before, I thinks. (I loved Carlos Zambrano's "we stinks" comment)
Very unlikely for any team to have more than one on 1st team; maybe impossible based on the nominating process -- does each coach first nominate one for POY and the 1st team consists of 5 of those 8 players?

It may be unlikely, but it's not impossible. Most recently, it happened in 2009-10: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527100441.aspx?id=213

2008-09: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527102017.aspx?id=219
2004-05: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608103757.aspx?id=541
2001-02: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608105543.aspx?id=553

Backseat Driver, can I "put you on the spot" and ask which three Thunder players should make all-CCIW? I don't think they'll get 4. I'm thinking that Potts, Olson, Brenneman and Karsten would be likely.

Hmmm...How about I hold off on this one until all games have been played. How's that for a deflection? 

[RogK]

Your "deflection" is very reasonable, Backseat Driver.
Also, thanks for looking up those all-conf teams for us. I should not have said "very unlikely". Sorry about that.
Since Karsten is not having quite the excellent production that she had last year, plus the fact that she got major recognition (POY) last year, I wonder if Coach Madsen may give priority to getting the other three on all-CCIW.
While true that Wheaton improved significantly once Karsten came over from soccer, the other three would have been missed about as much, had any of them joined the basketball team late. We'll see.

[iwu70]

Big game today, Titans vs. Carthage in Kenosha.   Should again be one of the best matchups of the season.  Very talented, well-coached teams taking each others' best shots. 

GO TITANS, the drive for five in sight!!!!!!!!

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Final from Decatur:

Millikin 77
North Park 72

NPU must've read Rog's scathing indictment of the Vikings offense, because the Park scored the most points it's posted since before Christmas. But it wasn't enough, as Millikin outplayed the Vikings in crunch time.

It was a very tight game, as NPU's biggest lead was nine and MU's largest margin was six. The shooting from the field was almost identical, as Millikin was 26-57 from the field and NPU was 26-58. The Big Blue's 10-19 performance from beyond the arc was the difference.

Roxie Jones led the Vikes with 27 points and 10 boards, while Sarah Peterson contributed 22 points and 9 caroms. Millikin was led by Julia Robert's 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Heather Pruemer contributed 15 points.

A disappointing loss for NPU, which just seems to keep falling short in its attempts to get over the hump against the better teams in the league.

[iwu70]

Bizarre game in Kenosha.  Both teams playing poorly.  24-21 IWU at the half.  Titans up first, then LadyReds up by as much as nine, then Carthage not scoring for almost 10 minutes, Titans coming back, mainly due to three treys by Shelby Jackson, of all people!  Not usually one of the Titans 3 point shooters!  Carthage with 13 or 14 turnovers in the first half, Titans with nine or ten.  Very poor percentage by the Titans.  21%.  If they get their act together, they will blow Carthage out.  Both teams looking very shakey.  Error prone, to say the least.  16-4 run By the Titans in the latter part of the first half.  Strange. 

Let's hope both teams find themselves, find better form in the second half.

IWU70

[Titan Q]

IWU 57
Carthage 53


I believe Mia Smith/the Titans can become the first CCIW basketball coach/program (men or women) to win 5 consecutive outright CCIW titles.  Someone check me on that but I think it's accurate.

5 in a row is incredibly difficult to pull off.  Congratulations to Coach Smith and the Titans.

[iwu70]

My warm congrats to Coach Smith and the Titans on at least a share of the CCIW crown.

A bizarre, ugly, kind of game.  If you told me the Titans shot 23%, 20% from three, and 63%FT, outreboudned 45-34, and Gardner scoring 1, well, I'd say we'd been blown out.  But not.  IWU wins 57-53.

For IWU:

Lett 25 and 7
Jackson, the true hero, 14, 3 treys, 8 RB.

For CC:

Jacklin 15 and 13, double double
Kuzmanic 15

Now the Titans can win the crown outright with any one further win at MU or hosting EC.

Drive for Five almost complete.

IWU70

[thunder38]

They have always voted before the conference playoffs; same day or the day before, I thinks. (I loved Carlos Zambrano's "we stinks" comment)
Very unlikely for any team to have more than one on 1st team; maybe impossible based on the nominating process -- does each coach first nominate one for POY and the 1st team consists of 5 of those 8 players?

It may be unlikely, but it's not impossible. Most recently, it happened in 2009-10: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527100441.aspx?id=213

2008-09: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527102017.aspx?id=219
2004-05: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608103757.aspx?id=541
2001-02: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608105543.aspx?id=553

Backseat Driver, can I "put you on the spot" and ask which three Thunder players should make all-CCIW? I don't think they'll get 4. I'm thinking that Potts, Olson, Brenneman and Karsten would be likely.

Hmmm...How about I hold off on this one until all games have been played. How's that for a deflection? 

Based on their play I would expect it to be Brenneman, Potts and Karsten with Olson as the wild card.  Brenneman is the most consistent scoring guard the Thunder have had in conference play and as much as Olson has had monster games like IWU, she's also been held to near nothing against Carthage and shut out at Millikin.  Same can be actually be said for any of those Thunder names as there have been nights some of them have just disappeared.

I would actually be surprised if the Thunder put someone on the first team at all for that very reason.  I think Olivia Lett is the MOP and is joined in the first team in no doubt fashion by Diana Jacklin and Meghan Merklein.  My other two first teamers would be Melissa Gardner and Cailee Corcoran.  I think Wheaton could probably dominate the second team but I feel as if due to Wheaton's inconsistency that they would be sans a first teamer.  That being said Karsten's reputation could push her up there.

[Backseat Driver]

Congrats to IWU on another title. Quite a run they're on. As I said before, I don't think there is much of a debate on who the MOP is this year. Olivia Lett has been fantastic all year, even in the Titans' loss to Wheaton. I also think Mia Smith did a great job this year with a somewhat inexperienced group and deserves COY.

Very interesting week coming up. I see the Elmhurst/Carthage game as a must-win for both teams. Elmhurst absolutely needs to beat Carthage, or their season is essentially over. Lets face it, you don't want to be in a situation where you have to win at IWU and hope for Millikin to lose to winless North Central. The Lady Reds head to R.A. Faganel Hall licking their wounds a bit after two tough home losses to Wheaton and IWU. Carthage would not have a tiebraker on Elmhurst, because the Bluejays beat Wheaton.

I think it's a longshot for Millikin to beat IWU, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. The Big Blue has been playing well at home recently, and it's always better to control your own destiny than to rely on someone else to do it for you. Obviously, the Titans still have plenty to play for as well.

At this point, I don't think it's very likely that the CCIW will get two teams in the NCAA tournament if IWU wins the conference tournament. Wheaton and Carthage really only have one "signature win" apiece (Wheaton vs. IWU; Carthage vs. River Falls), and with the number of losses each has accumulated, going 0-1 or 1-1 in the tournament probably wont be good enough. I'm not even sure if IWU would be a "lock" for a Pool C berth. Those with a better grasp of the selection criteria could shed some light.

[thunder38]

At this point, I don't think it's very likely that the CCIW will get two teams in the NCAA tournament if IWU wins the conference tournament. Wheaton and Carthage really only have one "signature win" apiece (Wheaton vs. IWU; Carthage vs. River Falls), and with the number of losses each has accumulated, going 0-1 or 1-1 in the tournament probably wont be good enough. I'm not even sure if IWU would be a "lock" for a Pool C berth. Those with a better grasp of the selection criteria could shed some light.

The only way I see the CCIW getting more than one team in is if someone whose colors don't include green whens the tournament.  Then I think IWU stands an above average chance of getting into the tournament based on where the teams above them in the regional rankings sit in their conferences, I think IWU would be able to get to the table fairly easily and with their reputation coming off the Final Four season I think they would likely get in.  I think Carthage may have been in solid shape as well but they needed to beat Wheaton on Wednesday to  have any hopes of the Pool C so now I think they're also in need of winning the tournament to get in.

[Mr. Ypsi]

At this point, I don't think it's very likely that the CCIW will get two teams in the NCAA tournament if IWU wins the conference tournament. Wheaton and Carthage really only have one "signature win" apiece (Wheaton vs. IWU; Carthage vs. River Falls), and with the number of losses each has accumulated, going 0-1 or 1-1 in the tournament probably wont be good enough. I'm not even sure if IWU would be a "lock" for a Pool C berth. Those with a better grasp of the selection criteria could shed some light.

The only way I see the CCIW getting more than one team in is if someone whose colors don't include green whens the tournament.  Then I think IWU stands an above average chance of getting into the tournament based on where the teams above them in the regional rankings sit in their conferences, I think IWU would be able to get to the table fairly easily and with their reputation coming off the Final Four season I think they would likely get in.  I think Carthage may have been in solid shape as well but they needed to beat Wheaton on Wednesday to  have any hopes of the Pool C so now I think they're also in need of winning the tournament to get in.

I think you're probably correct.  IF the Titans win both this week, I won't mind overly much if someone else wins the conference tourney, as I think the Titans would be perfectly safe as a C, and the conference gets two teams in.  But if the Titans stumble this week, I'm gonna have to root hard for them in the tourney, as I fear they would be too bubbley for my ease of mind!

Not that I won't root for them in the tourney regardless!

[Backseat Driver]

They have always voted before the conference playoffs; same day or the day before, I thinks. (I loved Carlos Zambrano's "we stinks" comment)
Very unlikely for any team to have more than one on 1st team; maybe impossible based on the nominating process -- does each coach first nominate one for POY and the 1st team consists of 5 of those 8 players?

It may be unlikely, but it's not impossible. Most recently, it happened in 2009-10: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527100441.aspx?id=213

2008-09: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/5/27/WBB_0527102017.aspx?id=219
2004-05: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608103757.aspx?id=541
2001-02: http://cciw.org/sports/2010/6/8/WBB_0608105543.aspx?id=553

Backseat Driver, can I "put you on the spot" and ask which three Thunder players should make all-CCIW? I don't think they'll get 4. I'm thinking that Potts, Olson, Brenneman and Karsten would be likely.

Hmmm...How about I hold off on this one until all games have been played. How's that for a deflection? 

Based on their play I would expect it to be Brenneman, Potts and Karsten with Olson as the wild card.  Brenneman is the most consistent scoring guard the Thunder have had in conference play and as much as Olson has had monster games like IWU, she's also been held to near nothing against Carthage and shut out at Millikin.  Same can be actually be said for any of those Thunder names as there have been nights some of them have just disappeared.

I would actually be surprised if the Thunder put someone on the first team at all for that very reason.  I think Olivia Lett is the MOP and is joined in the first team in no doubt fashion by Diana Jacklin and Meghan Merklein.  My other two first teamers would be Melissa Gardner and Cailee Corcoran.  I think Wheaton could probably dominate the second team but I feel as if due to Wheaton's inconsistency that they would be sans a first teamer.  That being said Karsten's reputation could push her up there.

FWIW, I have a really hard time imagining Brooke Olson not being all-CCIW. She was a third-team pick last year as a sophomore, and her numbers are just as good. CCIW games only:

'10-'11: 11.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 32% fg, 27% 3fg, 21 steals, 1.4 A:TO (14 games)
'11-'12: 10.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 34% fg, 32% 3fg, 18 steals, 1.4 A:TO (through 12 games)

Those stats aren't even the whole story. I don't think Brooke has much competition in charges drawn. Her offensive outburst against IWU was certainly important, but ultimately she won the game for Wheaton by drawing a charge on Britt Hasselbring in the final seconds of 2OT. I think that Brooke might actually be Wheaton's best player this year simply because she contributes in ways like that, even when she isn't scoring.