WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Come on, Mr. Illinois Wesleyan PA Announcer. How hard is it to ask someone affiliated with the visiting team how to pronounce the names of the visiting players?

It's just so unprofessional when a PA announcer or broadcaster butchers an opposing player's name. It's so unnecessary, too.

(NP/IWU will play tonight).

No, Rog, NPU/IWU are playing tonight.

[iwu70]

IWU over NPU at the half 40-29. 

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Illinois Wesleyan 73
North Park 52

That was a very poor performance by NPU, and the wrong way to end the season.

[Gregory Sager]

Liz Rehberger was the only Viking to score in double figures, as she had 10 points. But she didn't play well tonight; she shot only 2-12 from the field and turned the ball over seven times. Dominikque Williams and Nicole Kruckman had eight rebounds apiece, as the one thing that North Park did do well was rebound. The Vikings outboarded the Titans, 40-38.

NPU's shooting was abysmal tonight. The Vikings shot less than 33% from the field (17-52) and a disappointing 14-22 (64%) from the line. But the real story was their three-point shooting. NPU was a hair-pulling 17% (4-23) from downtown, and it's not as though IWU was contesting those shots. The Titans focused upon stopping dribble penetration and the dive play, which meant that there were lots of open shooters on the perimeter tonight for the visitors. On some of the misfires, it was obvious that the Vikings were simply rushing their shots. But on a number of them they were squared up to the basket, had great looks, had plenty of time to rise up -- and they simply missed.

But the biggest problem was the lack of ball discipline. IWU got a few turnovers off of its press, which was to be expected (Amani Davis needs to keep her head up and look up the floor when she has the ball in the backcourt against a press). But most of the 33 NPU turnovers came in the halfcourt, and an awful lot of them were self-inflicted. There were lots and lots of overthrown passes, especially skip passes and down-the-lane post-entry passes. There was much too much dribbling straight into traffic by NPU's smaller guards. There were several instances in which a Viking dribbled towards the sideline when presented with a trap, which is the one place that you're not supposed to go when the opposition traps. And there were any number of Titans steals of ill-advised passes in the halfcourt set. That's the variety that I really don't get. You know that Illinois Wesleyan is an overplay-D team that constantly jumps the passing lane ... so why do you throw those passes rather than fake and then hit your open teammate, especially if she cuts to the basket? I know that this is a freshman-laden team, but in late February there's really no such thing as a freshman anymore. Too many of the Vikings' miscues looked like November mistakes, not February mistakes.

My comment on Wesleyan was the same comment I had about Carthage after the CC @ NPU game: Seniors make all the difference in the world, particularly when they're the right seniors. The Titans run their stuff really well, with maximum efficiency. They were turnover-prone tonight, in part because NPU never quit hustling, but other than that Wesleyan looked like a team that's going to be a tough out in the CCIW tourney.

Rachel Torres only played three minutes at the start of the game, and then never took off her warmups again. I don't know if she was hurt or ailing, but the Vikings clearly needed her. The 2013-14 Vikings were a team without stars, but Rachel Torres was first among equals on that squad. Katie McDaniels of Wheaton may be the CCIW Freshman of the Year, but I like Rachel Torres's upside more. In fact, I can't remember a North Park freshman class that has ever shown as much promise as this class of Rachel Torres, Liz Rehberger, Amani Davis, Nikki Przybyslawski, Hannah Rehfeldt, and McKenzie Wiedemann.

I don't want this post to sound too harsh. Last year the Vikings came up a game short of making the CCIW tournament while fielding a rotation that was mostly seniors. This year they finished with the same CCIW record and again came close to making the tourney -- but they did it with only one senior on the roster, as it was a team whose mainstays were mostly freshmen and sophomores. That bodes really well for the future of North Park women's basketball. Dominikque Williams, who had a very good career at NPU as a lunch-bucket player, will be missed -- especially her rebounding acumen, as (tonight notwithstanding) this is a team that doesn't rebound very well overall. But when you look around the league at all of the seniors who are playing out the ends of their careers this month and in March, NPU looks really strong for next season.

[Backer]

It was senior night at the Elmhurst game Saturday.  According to the program, among the five seniors, Devin Vaughn played in her 100th career contest (out of 100).  She is a four-year letter winner who has started 69 career contests.  Going into the game she had career totals of 584 points, 283 rebounds, 284 assists, 44 blocked shots and 92 steals.  Her 284 career assists (plus two more that game) tied her for the Elmhurst College career record of 286.  Probably her best statistic is one that is not kept: offensive charges taken (no doubt averaging > 1 per game and I've seen as many as seven in a game).  IMO, these should be counted as steals as they are also forced turnovers not to mention debilitating to the opponents.  Her late charge taken at Augie led directly to a technical foul on the bench and the ensuing free throws and basket sealing the win in an 11-1 run.  In addition to total assists, she appears to be on the conference leader boards for free throw percentage, blocked shots, assist/turnover ratio, and minutes played.  Nice career Devin!

[iwu70]

IWU over NPU tonight by 21.  Greg has given you more of the details, more of the flavor.  I agree the NPU squad is young and error-prone.  Actually the Titans played ragged tonight too and only scoring 73, an off night for them.

Baltes 16
McMahon 12 -- completing the CCIW scoring crown.  Congrats to her.
Seibing 10
Holness 10

Titans 12-12 from the charity stripe. 

I agree with Greg that many accomplished seniors will be departing now and an entirely new landscape will appear next year in women's play.  Wheaton seems to have the most young and experienced talent now, by far.  From what I've seen this season, I'd expect them to be the pre-season #1 next year.  Titans have a major rebuild now -- with only Kasey Reaber returning as a starter and some good role players back, like Beoletto and the freshman Holness.  But, that's not enough to contend -- so recruiting will be key for Mia Smith and IWU for next season.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to see two freshmen and several sophomores playing key roles for the Titans next year, with even a freshman or two starting.  The two recruits already announced could be immediately in the lineup, in the rotation.   Very hard to replace these experienced seniors, all with substantial careers at IWU and in the CCIW:  Baltes, Seibring, Jackson, McMahon and T. Reaber.  My warm congrats and thanks to them.  18-7, 12-2 given the schedule IWU played is pretty darn good.  Kuzmanic and company just one game better in CCIW play.  Perhaps we'll have a chance to win the rubber match and the AQ vs. CC again next Saturday.  WC will be very tough to beat a third time, though I think the Titans are tough, strong enough to do it -- to sweep WC 3-0, then win the rubber match vs. CC on their home court, grab the AQ.  A tough climb, a tall order, but why not?

More on next year's Titans after the dust settles on the CCIW tournament games and hopefully a chance to play on beyond March 1st.  If Titans go 1-1 this weekend, finish 19-8 just don't think that gets them in.  But, given the schedule and all, we'll see.  Hope so.

Congrats to Coach Smith and all the Titans on a very good regular season -- 18-7, second place in CCIW at 12-2. 

IWU70

P.S.  Greg, sorry about the IWU announcer and the names.  I agree they should check with the visiting coaching staff and get it right.  Video feed from IWU tonight was very good -- no problems and very clear.  I enjoyed the game and, as always, the great Pep Band music.  The best Pep Band in all of D3.  Hope they get a trip to Salem this year too!    ms

[iwu70]

Congrats and good wishes to all the seniors around the CCIW, as they finish the regular season, many of them playing their last games in College.  Good luck with your studies and planning in the run-up to graduation and all best with future endeavors.

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton seems to have the most young and experienced talent now, by far.

I vehemently disagree, especially with the "by far" part.

From what I've seen this season, I'd expect them to be the pre-season #1 next year.

I will agree with that, although anything and everything could change between now and next November.

[iwu70]

OK, Greg, perhaps I overdid it a bit with "by far," but look at what WC has coming back with Zeller and McDaniels, two young All-CCIW players.  And, last year's newcomer of the year too, right?   There will be more coming up.  Yes, plenty could change between now and next November, no doubt.  Injuries, departures, transfers and ineligibilities can all happen, though they don't so often happen at WC.  But, you are right.  Plus, we know little of the newbies league-wide.  IWU is going to need some help from the freshmen coming in -- and Ehresman and Molly McGraw of Central Catholic, just voted unanimously to the All-Conference team in her high school league, could play a key part in the rebuild that Mia Smith has in front of her.  Ehresman likely the heir apparent at PG to Hasselbring and Baltes, though others will surely contend for the spot.   CC and IWU lose a lot on the women's side and will have to rebuild, more than re-load.  IWU on the men's side is already loaded, just has to re-organize.  Big number of good players waiting to have their chance, down the varsity pine and from the JV squad as well.  On the women's side, WC, EC and NPU seem to have good young players, many hopefully coming back for another year. Augie improved this year.  I thought MU not so much. 

Zeller and McDaniels played with the big girls this year and played superbly.  Your young NPU team got experience and often played like young players.  A big difference.  Whether that difference is "by far" -- well, we'll only find out next season.  Hopefully all the young players, those returning, will work hard and improve for future seasons.  IWU will need improvements from K. Reaber, Beoletto (offensively for sure!) and Holness . . . among others.

It's been a good regular season and I'm hoping my Titans still have their best few games ahead of them, ready to be played this weekend -- to beat WC the third time and then take down #10 CC on their own floor, well, it's a tough road.  We'll see.  CC does have one of the more complete and talented teams we've seen in CCIW women's play for some years.  IMHO.

Guess we'll see the All-Conference teams today or tomorrow.  I'd bet Zeller and McDaniels are there and that McDaniels is the Newcomer / Freshman of the Year, surely unanimously.  I think Hovee is the only senior WC had this year, right?

IWU70

[RogK]

You guys are going to be unpleasantly surprised by how good Carthage will be next year, despite losing a lot of talent.
They'll probably start Kasey Kleiner (a smart sharpshooting guard), Erin Quinn (88/37 assist/TO so far), Alexis Hahn (56 pct FG), Taylor Boardman (64 pct FG). Hahn and Boardman are each scoring a point for every 2 minutes played this year as secondary scoring options. I suspect they'll score at that rate or better next year. Both are bigtime rebounders too. Pretty good shot blockers as well.
And it's very likely that several of their freshmen (learning the Bernero system in practice this year) will be good and have opportunity to show it next year.
Wheaton will definitely be near the top for the foreseeable future. As good as McDaniels has been, she could still improve as a 3-point threat and get better defensively. She seems like the sort of player who has no inclination other than to keep striving to be better.

[RogK]

Greg, I think it would be a hardship for me to start being consistent with my school abbreviations. If I began to use NPU in lieu of NP, I'd have to use NCC instead of NC. I could cause all sorts of trouble using WC for Wheaton, since WC has an alternate meaning (water closet).
Maybe I'll shorten IWU to IW.

[RogK]

Backer, thanks for posting Devin's numbers. She has done a lot of good at both ends of the court and has always been willing and able to do what is asked of her, from being point guard or shooting guard on offense and being able to defend players smaller or larger than herself.
Instead of stagnating (some players seem to), she has improved during her career as a Bluejay. It's nice for she and her fellow seniors to make the postseason, wrapping up their careers in an exciting way. Not every senior gets that chance.

[Gregory Sager]

OK, Greg, perhaps I overdid it a bit with "by far," but look at what WC has coming back with Zeller and McDaniels, two young All-CCIW players.  And, last year's newcomer of the year too, right?

I'm well aware of what Wheaton has, Mark. I've seen the Wheaties play, too, you know.

There will be more coming up.

We don't know that for sure. Yes, Kent Madsen has thus far been able to maintain the year-to-year recruiting consistency that Beth Baker had before him. But that never comes with a guarantee. And Wheaton does have a vulnerability in terms of recruiting that other CCIW schools don't have, in that (like other sports at Wheaton) the program doesn't bring in players in bulk. Wheaton operates on the "fewer, but better" principle when it comes to recruiting. It usually works in most sports, but it leaves the program vulnerable to the occasional fallow recruiting cycle or to attrition. The biggest reason why Beth Baker was so successful was because she never had two fallow recruiting cycles in a row. But those substandard years in terms of recruiting do happen in even successful Wheaton sports (of which women's basketball is certainly one) from time to time.

Yes, plenty could change between now and next November, no doubt.  Injuries, departures, transfers and ineligibilities can all happen, though they don't so often happen at WC.

They happen more often than you think. Wheaton does usually get more buy-in from its student-athletes than do the other seven CCIW schools, so their players are less likely to transfer out or stop playing the sport than is the case elsewhere. But WC is certainly not invulnerable to attrition. That's especially true in terms of injuries; we can debate all day what Wheaton might've accomplished this year if Hannah Considine hadn't spent five non-con games and six CCIW games sidelined by injury.

But, you are right.  Plus, we know little of the newbies league-wide.  IWU is going to need some help from the freshmen coming in -- and Ehresman and Molly McGraw of Central Catholic, just voted unanimously to the All-Conference team in her high school league, could play a key part in the rebuild that Mia Smith has in front of her.  Ehresman likely the heir apparent at PG to Hasselbring and Baltes, though others will surely contend for the spot.

I know how you love to endlessly toot the horn for anyone who ever decides to don Titans green, Mark, but you're really overreaching here in terms of drawing those two individuals into this conversation. Neither of those players has even graduated from high school yet.

WC, EC and NPU seem to have good young players, many hopefully coming back for another year. Augie improved this year.  I thought MU not so much.

Augie loses a lot in terms of its seniors: Four out of five starters, who also happen to be four of the team's five top scorers and rebounders. Barring some spectacular influx of transfer talent (or out-of-this-world freshman talent), I don't see Augie improving next season. Millikin's losing some very capable seniors as well in Czaplicki, Johnson, and Williams, and MU's recruiting has trailed off in recent years. But nobody in this league gets more out of whatever she has available on the roster than does Lori Kerans, so I will never take the Big Blue lightly.

Elmhurst is going to be very good next season. Don't sleep on the Bluejays! 

Zeller and McDaniels played with the big girls this year and played superbly.  Your young NPU team got experience and often played like young players.  A big difference.

You make it sound as though NPU's underclassmen were incompetent, Mark. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps you should've watched them play more often than just last night. And McDaniels had her off-nights, too.

I don't know what the heck "played with the big girls" is supposed to mean, but there's a significant difference between how Wheaton operates and how North Park operates. Wheaton used seven or eight players in its rotation every night. McDaniels led the league in minutes played by a whopping two minutes per game over #2 Stephanie Kuzmanic, and Zeller was sixth. North Park had eleven different players average double-figure minutes per game this season. Not a single Viking appears on the CCIW minutes-played leaderboard. Wheaton has outstanding young talent, to be sure, but it's relatively concentrated; the players who have it thus get all the minutes that they can handle with which to develop it. North Park -- and, I'd argue, Elmhurst as well -- has talent that's spread out among a significantly larger pool of CCIW-quality underclassmen than Wheaton's. And that's why I assert that you were way off in your statement last night.

You guys are going to be unpleasantly surprised by how good Carthage will be next year, despite losing a lot of talent.

I'm not going to be surprised at all, Rog. You're forgetting that I saw Carthage play just last week. Alexis Hahn absolutely ate up the Vikings inside last Wednesday, and Taylor Boardman is a star in the making. Tim Bernero is getting his program to the point where it's in reload-not-rebuild mode. He's certainly taking a backseat to no one in the league in terms of his recruiting ability.

I think Hovee is the only senior WC had this year, right?

No. Wheaton also loses Maria Panaggio, one of the three WC reserves who were part of the rotation.

Greg, I think it would be a hardship for me to start being consistent with my school abbreviations. If I began to use NPU in lieu of NP, I'd have to use NCC instead of NC. I could cause all sorts of trouble using WC for Wheaton, since WC has an alternate meaning (water closet).
Maybe I'll shorten IWU to IW.

I'm just asking you to be consistent about it with regard to all eight schools. In this instance, consistency is fairness.

[iwu70]

As I hoped, thought might happen, IWU now above WC in the new regional rankings.  Key to getting to the table for the Titans. 

Greg, thanks for more background on the different teams, players upcoming.  Very useful.  I take your points.  I think on many we just have to agree to disagree.  I truly don't think you can compare the performances, achievements of Zeller and McDaniels this year to those of your fine young players at NPU, especially from a team and over all record perspective.  And, yes, I hear what you and RogK are saying about the CC upcoming players and program.  They are really strong . . . and will likely continue to be so in the coming years.  IWU has a major rebuilding task now with the five key seniors departing.  Four of the five All-Conference level players. 

On Molly McGraw and Ehresman, I stand by my words that they will be very fine CCIW players soon.  Here's Ehresman's line from the Super-Sectional game that her team just played -- 27 points, 7 steals, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.  McGraw leading her conference in scoring too.  Of course, they could be busts at the college level but I think somehow this kind of player, coached well, getting used to the CCIW game and the Titan system, has a pretty bright future under Mia Smith's guidance.  They are both up-tempo defense oriented players.  Perhaps they will play next year, perhaps they won't, but I'd say they are major forces in the CCIW in the coming years.  Given the IWU rebuild, they will probably get PT earlier than other freshmen in recent seasons of Titan play.

Should be a great CCIW tournament at Carthage this weekend.  I agree EC could be very good next year, but unlikely to rain on the Carthage parade this weekend.  IWU and WC will be another tough game.  I hope the Titans get through and get their chance for the rubber match game with CC for the AQ.  Now that IWU is above WC in the regional rankings, I think if the Titans go 1-1 this weekend, they have a decent chance of getting a bid.  Of course, 2-0 this weekend would be much much better.

IWU70

[Backer]

Backer, thanks for posting Devin's numbers. She has done a lot of good at both ends of the court and has always been willing and able to do what is asked of her, from being point guard or shooting guard on offense and being able to defend players smaller or larger than herself.
Instead of stagnating (some players seem to), she has improved during her career as a Bluejay. It's nice for she and her fellow seniors to make the postseason, wrapping up their careers in an exciting way. Not every senior gets that chance.

So true Roger.  I may be wrong but i think Elmhurst has had to win the final game each of the past four seasons to make the tourney only to come up short each year until now.  I know the team is pretty excited to finally play in the "second season".  The last tournament appearance was when these seniors were seniors in high school (Long and company).

Also true that Devin went from a two to a one to a four the last couple seasons and now regularly gives up five or six inches and multiple pounds to her "man".