WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

The biggest thing they need to improve is 3-point shooting.  Against Wheaton, they shot 17%, which was unusually poor, but not really an outlier - they are only 26% for the season.  For The System to be effective you'd better make well-north of 30%, or you're just committing voluntary turnovers.

I have no clue whether the current personnel can improve their marksmanship.

[Backseat Driver]

I think its a matter of time until Wheaton cracks the Top 25, if it doesn't happen this afternoon.

Provided they keep winning, of course.

And 38, it's nice to have you posting again.

[Backseat Driver]

I suppose one of Backseat Driver's "enough said"s might suffice for Carthage more than doubling up Augie 73-35.

It didn't seem necessary to provide analysis of a fifty-point spread.

[RogK]

Well, you could say why the game was a wipeout. Maybe the Cardinals ate too much of that caulk that people refer to as "greek yogurt" for the pre-game meal!
Plus, regardless of how big the margin was, it's still OK to recognize the efforts of players who did well.
If Wheaton had not played as well as they did, the score would've been closer, but they would have been less deserving of compliments. Do I make any sense? (and if so, why start now?)

[RogK]

Even though it's still early, the three 0-2 teams may already have a little anxiety about getting in the W column in CCIW play. It won't be easy tomorrow though, as Millikin faces Elmhurst, Augie is at Wheaton and NC hosts Carthage.
Since this is my thousandthstnd post, this is a good time to thank Pat Coleman and the others involved for making this fun possible. Thanks, dude!

[thunder38]

I hate to ruin the fun as you bask in the glow of #1000 Rog (Congrats by the way) but Wheaton is at Augie tomorrow night.

[RogK]

Dam knit, what a time to make my 142rd error!

[thunder38]

A quick look at some national statistical leaders.
Cutoffs: Team- Top 40. Individuals- Top 50


Carthage
34th in scoring defense (50.0 PPG)
19th in field goal percentage (43.4%)
21st in 3-point percentage (35.7%)
39th in turnovers (15.6 per game)

Stephanie Kuzmanic is 34th in assists (4.9 APG)
Haley Stercic is 27th in 3-pt. percentage (42.7%) and 29th in 3's per game (2.69)

Elmhurst
17th in field goal percentage (43.5%)
14th in assists (17.1 APG)

Fiona McMahon is 6th in field goal percentage (60.8%) and 15th in double-doubles with 7

Illinois Wesleyan
40th in scoring offense (71.3)
11th in free throw percentage (75.6%)
38th in 3-pointers per game (6.5)
39th in turnover margin (6.15)

Melissa Gardner is 13th in 3-pointers per game (3.0)

North Central
2nd in scoring offense (88.5 PPG)
1st in 3-pointers per game (12.4)
9th in assists (17.5 APG)
3rd in steals (18.4 SPG)
5th in turnover margin (11.0)

North Park
10th in scoring defense (46.8 PPG)
36th in scoring margin (16.8)
24th in field goal defense (31.7%)
28th in turnovers (15.1 per game)

Wheaton
21st in scoring offense (73.8 PPG)
19th in scoring defense (48.0 PPG)
5th in scoring margin (25.8 PPG)
10th in field goal percentage (44.7%)
5th in field goal defense (29.0%)
18th in rebound margin (10.3)
1st in assists (20.0 APG)
9th in blocks (5.8 BPG)
37th in steals (13.3 SPG)
11th in assist/turnover ratio (1.06)

Maris Hovee is 24th in blocks (25 BPG) and 49th in rebounds (10.3 RPG)
Brooke Olson is 36th in assists (4.9 APG) and 44th in assist/turnover ratio (1.79)

[RogK]

The IWU roster no longer includes Shelby Jackson. If she had to stop playing for health reasons, best wishes to her and get better soon! Basketball is not at the top of life's priorities. If she is off the team for other reasons, it's probably not any of our business either.

[Backseat Driver]

The IWU roster no longer includes Shelby Jackson. If she had to stop playing for health reasons, best wishes to her and get better soon! Basketball is not at the top of life's priorities. If she is off the team for other reasons, it's probably not any of our business either.

Wow. What a shame. I too hope she is able to recover soon.

[thunder38]

The IWU roster no longer includes Shelby Jackson. If she had to stop playing for health reasons, best wishes to her and get better soon! Basketball is not at the top of life's priorities. If she is off the team for other reasons, it's probably not any of our business either.

Well said Rog. That's an unfortunate loss for the Titans.

[iwu70]

Very very sorry to lose Shelby Jackson.   It's a huge loss for the Titans and for their prospects of repeating as CCIW champions.  I always enjoyed watching her play and appreciated all her contributions to the team and the program these past few years.

IWU70

[Backseat Driver]

Wheaton trails Augie 38-18 after a miserable first half. Wheaton is 7-34 (21%) from the field, 1-11 from 3, and 3-8 at the line. Augie is 15-27 from the field (55%) and 6-12 on 3s. That pretty much tells the story. The Vikings are just playing better basketball so far. Maris Hovee not playing for Wheaton.

[Backseat Driver]

Other halftime scores:

Carthage 43
NCC 37

NPU 34
IWU 30

Millikin 31
Elmhurst 30

[Backseat Driver]

Wheaton loses 60-53 @ Augustana. The Thunder had every opportunity to get back into this game, but the shots just didn't fall. Tough loss.

Other scores:

IWU 61
NPU 54

Elmhurst 68
Millikin 59

Carthage 85
North Central 74

Carthage emerges as the early front-runner.