WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[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.

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.

I would agree that Olson most likely picks up the nod because of her defensive efforts as well as that monster game against IWU.  I was more just saying that there's some holes in the conference season where she has struggled mightily both from the field and with turnovers and with coaches only being able to see you twice sometimes that can leave a lasting impression.  I think she's certainly worthy of a nod but there's the possibility because of her not scoring at Millikin and going 1-10 from the field at Carthage that the support isn't there.  The same case can be made with Potts too, despite being one of the top shooters in the conference this season she struggled both games against IWU including being on the bench for the end of regulation and both overtimes at King.  The inconsistency can sometimes come back to hurt the all conference bids.

[Gregory Sager]

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.

Reputation is neither a primary nor a secondary criterion. Lots of teams that have had major recent success get shut out of Pool C on Selection Day. It happens all the time. If Wesleyan has to get a Pool C, it'll have to get it through the same five primary criteria as everybody else.

[iwu70]

Agree with Mssr. Sager, the Titans need to keep winning and build up their credentials related to the primary criteria for this season, this selection.  It's always what have you done for me lately come selection time.  Given how well, how tough the Titans are playing, I wouldn't be too too surprised to see them win out this week, then take the tourney and go into the dance at 22-5.  They are battle-hardened now and have found all sorts of ways to win, with various combinations and contributions, from a wide range of players, through injuries and changes in the rotation/line-up, against varying styles and types of play.  Stay tuned.  That game last night was strange, ugly, but a road win is always good, no matter, esp. against a very good team like Carthage.  @Millikin and vs. Elmhurst are good challenges, but I wouldn't expect any let down from this group of Titans for the next two outings.  CCIW Tournament here at the Shirk will be grand!  Likely Carthage vs. Wheaton then, IWU vs. Millikin or Elmhurst.  I think likely Millikin.

I would definitely vote for Olson to one of the CCIW All-conference teams.  Agree with earlier posters that Melissa Gardner very much deserves consideration for first-team selection. 

Looking forward to the conference tournament at The Shirk.  Hopefully a tournament game or two to follow as well?  We'll see.  Drive for Five, almost complete.  You gotta have "Hope." 

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

Agree with Mssr. Sager, the Titans need to keep winning and build up their credentials related to the primary criteria for this season, this selection.  It's always what have you done for me lately come selection time.  Given how well, how tough the Titans are playing, I wouldn't be too too surprised to see them win out this week, then take the tourney and go into the dance at 22-5.  They are battle-hardened now and have found all sorts of ways to win, with various combinations and contributions, from a wide range of players, through injuries and changes in the rotation/line-up, against varying styles and types of play.  Stay tuned.  That game last night was strange, ugly, but a road win is always good, no matter, esp. against a very good team like Carthage.  @Millikin and vs. Elmhurst are good challenges, but I wouldn't expect any let down from this group of Titans for the next two outings.  CCIW Tournament here at the Shirk will be grand!  Likely Carthage vs. Wheaton then, IWU vs. Millikin or Elmhurst.  I think likely Millikin.

I would definitely vote for Olson to one of the CCIW All-conference teams.  Agree with earlier posters that Melissa Gardner very much deserves consideration for first-team selection. 

Looking forward to the conference tournament at The Shirk.  Hopefully a tournament game or two to follow as well?  We'll see.  Drive for Five, almost complete.  You gotta have "Hope."

IWU70

Fortunately, the Titans are carrying on quite well despite the graduation of Ms. Schulte!

[iwu70]

Ypsi, would love to have that "Hope," back, but I was looking forward =  DIII Women's National Championships, 2012 Final Four @"Hope" College, Holland, Michigan in mid-March, 2012.  Isn't that somewhere near you there in Michigan?   Gotta have "hope," for ten more games.  I've been saying "drive for five," (outright CCIW championships) which is almost complete, so then I'll shift to "drive for ten."  Just say'in. 

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mark, you serve up a fat pitch like that, I gotta swing at it!

Holland is 'only' about 160 miles from Ypsi; if IWU is there, I will almost certainly be there too!

(I wonder if Hope Schulte would make it to Hope under those circumstances?   I always dreamed of a Christina Solari vs. Carrie Snikkers match-up, but, alas, it never happened.  IWU vs. Hope; AA CS vs. AA CS.)

[iwu70]

Ypsi, if our Titans make it that far, to Holland and Hope, to another Final Four, I'll be there too.  Missed the one last year, still in Hong Kong.  I'd love to see Ms. Munger play this year, from George Fox . . . and also a good rematch for our Titans vs. DePauw, Stevens Point, and/or another shot at University of Chicago, now ranked #2.  We only lost to them by 3 on their home floor earlier this season, so I'm hoping for another shot if we get a good long run into the tournament again this year.  Perhaps on a neutral floor?  Our squad is very battle-tested and tough now, so they may surprise some folks should they get into the dance and bring their best basketball of the season in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned. 

The Lett - Jacklin matchups in recent IWU-Carthage games were pretty good ones.  I think Olivia won the day each time, but Jacklin is a super player, esp. in the paint, on the boards. 

I saw Hope Schulte and all the other wonderful players from the last four years here at the Shirk recently, when they unveiled the 4th Place Banner in the rafters of Shirk.  Very cool.  Their step into IWU basketball immortality.  Great to see them all, looking all grown-up, professional and with longer, out of basketball season, hair.  Some working, some in grad school.   Really a wonderful group of talented young women, with a great record of basketball and academic achievement at IWU.  Great ambassadors for the University.   This current group is well within that great winning run, that tradition.  As I said at the beginning of this season on this board, IWU was really "reloading, not rebuilding."  Replacing a player of the quality and level of Olivia Lett, however, is going to be another thing altogether.  I'm sure Mia and her staff are recruiting hard, looking for another Christina Solari, Mallory Heydorn or Olivia Lett.  Perhaps others can grow into the major scoring role next season, esp. more from Melissa Gardner, but the Titans will need more for the 2012-13 squad, esp. in ball-handling and the post/rebounding areas.  Karen Solari and Britt Hasselbring will also be greatly missed next year.   IMHO.

Looking forward to the next 2-3 weeks of women's basketball.  Crunch time when all the pieces, all the contributors have to pull together, play well as one.

Really sad about Whitney Houston, heh?  A brilliant shining voice, gone too soon.

IWU70

[Backseat Driver]

I would agree that Olson most likely picks up the nod because of her defensive efforts as well as that monster game against IWU.  I was more just saying that there's some holes in the conference season where she has struggled mightily both from the field and with turnovers and with coaches only being able to see you twice sometimes that can leave a lasting impression.  I think she's certainly worthy of a nod but there's the possibility because of her not scoring at Millikin and going 1-10 from the field at Carthage that the support isn't there.  The same case can be made with Potts too, despite being one of the top shooters in the conference this season she struggled both games against IWU including being on the bench for the end of regulation and both overtimes at King.  The inconsistency can sometimes come back to hurt the all conference bids.

I think you're ultimately showing Wheaton's greatest strength: that it is not a team that relies too heavily on one or two players. It seems that someone else steps up every game, while the person who stepped up the previous game might "disappear" in the next one. If you look at yesterday's game against NCC, none of Wheaton's starters reached double figures and the Thunder still scored 72 points (I understand that the Cardinals aren't a great measuring stick this season, but I think the point stands).

[Backseat Driver]

Ok RogK you got my mind going about all-conference picks so I'll throw out a list, fully expecting plenty of feedback:

First Team
Olivia Lett - Illinois Wesleyan (MOP)
Diana Jacklin- Carthage
Meghan Merklein- Elmhurst
Melissa Gardner- Illinois Wesleyan
Lindsey Brenneman- Wheaton

Second Team
Cailee Corcoran- Carthage
Crystal Zeigler- Millikin
Brooke Olson- Wheaton
Laura Karsten- Wheaton
Megan Ney- Elmhurst

Third Team
Roxanne Jones- North Park
Natalie Runge- Augustana
Cecily Aldridge- Millikin
Elisabeth Potts- Wheaton
Britt Hasselbring- Illinois Wesleyan

Other candidates
Sarah Peterson- North Park
Tess Godhart- Elmhurst
Julia Robert- Millikin

I think where a team finishes in the standings definitely impacts the selections, ultimately. That's one of the main reasons I included Britt Hasselbring over the "other candidates,"  and also why I slid Cailee Corcoran to the second team. I'm not convinced that Wheaton will get four players on the team, but I couldn't pick one to leave off. Depending on which team ends up in fourth place, I would not be surprised at all to see Julia Robert or Tess Godhardt replace one of the Wheaton players.

I also had a hard time with which NPU player to put on there since I don't think they'll get more than one. Peterson is a senior and has had a good year, but Jones has better numbers and was inexplicably left off of last year's team. It's a toss-up to me.

If I have any glaring omissions, let me know.

[Pat Coleman]

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.

Reputation is neither a primary nor a secondary criterion. Lots of teams that have had major recent success get shut out of Pool C on Selection Day. It happens all the time. If Wesleyan has to get a Pool C, it'll have to get it through the same five primary criteria as everybody else.

Two years in a row the women's defending national champ was on the bubble and did not get in.

[iwu70]

BackSeatDriver, I pretty much agree with your picks.  I think you are pretty much on target.  We'll see. 

I also like Britt Hasselbring for third, or even second team All-CCIW.

Mia Smith, Coach of the Year.  Just say'in. 

Sure hope the Titans can keep building their resume, so if it is Pool C consideration later, they have more wins.  Reputation does nothing, performance is the main criteria.  Hoping for 13-1 in CCIW play, then a good tournament @The Shirk.  Getting to 20 wins always a good thing. 

IWU70

[RogK]

Elmhurst needed a win at Augie, but Natalie Runge said "No" :
http://www.augustana.edu/x39373.xml
Her final home game was a big success. She's had a very good career and has battled through several injuries.
Backseat Driver puts her on the all-CCIW team and I agree.

[Backseat Driver]

Mia Smith, Coach of the Year.  Just say'in. 

As with Olivia Lett for MOP, I don't think there's a lot of room for discussion on that. Mia Smith has done a great job this year, even under what I would imagine to be extremely difficult personal circumstances.

[iwu70]

Congrats to Olivia Lett, once again, CCIW Player of the Week.  Fifth time this season. 

Keep it rolloing Olivia, keep it rolling TITANS.

IWU70

P.S.  Agree on Runge. 

[iwu70]

New week #11 D3hoops.com poll, Titans up to #20 (from #25), at 18-5, with four of their losses coming to currently ranked #2, #4, #10 and the new #25.  I guess that's what is called "quality losses."   

Yes, feel strongly that Coach Smith should be CCIW Coach of the Year.  Five outright championships in a row.  Pretty awesome. 

IWU70