WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

So far, seems the IWU women's game at Carthage is on, 2 p.m. today, Saturday.

@Elmhurst re-scheduled for Monday, and @North Park still on the schedule too, for 1/12.   We'll see.

'70

[lmitzel]

Updated Wheaton attendance policy.

[iwu70]

In a very strong game, IWU over Carthage 79-60.  Never really close, the Titans at times leading by over 30.

For IWU:

Huber 23 and 9
Lansford 16, and controlling the ball for the Titans, esp.in the first half.
Bowen 10 and 7
Eck 9
Palmer 9

Titans shooting 47%, 40% from trey, and 13-16 at the FT line.  When the Titans shoot these percentages and score over 70, this is a pretty good team.  Forcing lots of TOs as usual and making few.

For CC:

Velev 9
No player in double figures. 

Titans now 7-6, but a very helpful 4-0 start to the CCIW race. 

@Elmhurst Monday night, then a big game up at North Park on Wednesday . . . a tough road stretch.   NPU going down by 11 to MU just now.   Knudsen with 33 in that one.  NPU getting into foul trouble and being exposed by their relative lack of depth.
So, MU leads the race for now.

Let's hope Covid stays away . . . and the Titans get Mallory Powers back in the coming few days, off the concussion protocol.


IWU'70

[Gregory Sager]

Millikin 91
North Park 80

Lauren Lee: 24 pts (8-10 FG, 6-8 trey)
Emily Czuhajewski: 20 pts (6-12 FG, 3-5 trey), 3:1 a:to
Esther Miller: 10 pts (5-6 FG), 3 stls
Jayla Johnson: 3 stls

Elyce Knudsen: 33 pts (14-24 FG), 3 stls
Bailey Coffman: 22 pts (6-6 FT)
Aubrey Staton: 11 pts
Jordan Hildebrand: 7 rebs

This one came down to two factors. One was benches. The game was called very tightly by the officials, and both teams got into foul trouble. But NPU got into foul trouble earlier, and Millikin began to pull away late in the third quarter in what had been a seesaw game to that point because the Vikings just had to play too many minutes with three freshman reserves on the floor. The Big Blue, on the other hand, had a steady stream of experienced subs coming in to augment the starting lineup, and the difference in quality and experience between the two benches was telling.

The other factor was star power. NPU's star Jayla Johnson got into foul trouble early and never really had an impact upon the game, playing only 25 minutes (a third of those minutes while she was handcuffed defensively with four fouls). By contrast, MU's Elyce Knudsen bossed the ballgame. She is an absolutely phenomenal shooter; she was knocking down shots all afternoon with a hand in her face. She is heady and versatile, and I don't think that there's anybody in this league that can guard her. When it's all said and done, she's going to finish her time in Millikin as one of the best players in CCIW women's basketball history. I'm sure of it.

Congrats to Lauren Lee for her career-high 24 points and six treys. The better she does, the tougher it will be for other teams to focus exclusively upon Emily Czuhajewski from downtown.

[iwu70]

Greg, I look forward to seeing what plan Mia Smith has in mind for guarding Knudsen.  I hear that the women may borrow Pete Lambesis for that game . . .

I'm sure there will be a plan. . .

IWU getting better, figuring out how to play with the personnel they have.  Lansford is key to it all . . . and the rise and improvement of the three freshmen will determine how far the Titans can go in conference play this season. 

IWU has a depth issue, too, if some of their key starters get into foul trouble early.  MU does have a strong, experienced cast of characters around Knudsen. 

As Q has pointed out elsewhere, it will be better to have covid absences early, then not have them later in the season.  Eck and Bowen have already been out via covid protocols . . .  Powers coming back soon after a concussion protocol.

The IWU-NPU game next Wednesday should be a good one. 

'70

[Gregory Sager]

I should point out that I'm not condemning NPU's freshman reserves. The CCIW is a harsh proving ground, and I don't care what the d3hoops.com poll says -- Millikin is definitely one of the twenty or so best teams in D3. I believe that North Park's top three freshmen have CCIW potential. But they didn't arrive on campus as anything close to finished products. Ideally, they'd be getting the developmental time that they need in JV games. But that isn't the hand that they've been dealt. The team needs them to provide quality minutes right here, right now, in CCIW varsity play. That's especially true on days like today when the whistles are coming fast and furious and starter fouls mount prematurely.

It is what it is. The NPU freshmen will just have to provide what's being asked of them, even if it seems a bit unfair.

[RogK]

attended the MIL-NPU game (showed CDC vaccination card as requested; yeah I know they can be faked) :
I always enjoy a game when each team scores 80 or better.
North Park wound up at the losing end, but did a lot well, getting nice contributions and full effort from everyone who played.
Elyce Knudsen was indeed dazzling for the visiting Big Blue.
Bailey Coffman showed her wide range of talent, 5/8 2FG, 2/4 3FG, 6/6 FT and was effective defensively.
It was evident that Jordan Hildebrand got a lot of satisfaction from assisting on 7 teammates' baskets.
Sophie Darden is doing well when called upon, including some minutes that Abby Ratsch probably would've played.
I was told Ratsch's injury will keep her out for the duration of the season. She's an interesting player to see play; hopefully she returns at full strength next season.

[GoPerry]

. . . and I don't care what the d3hoops.com poll says -- Millikin is definitely one of the twenty or so best teams in D3.

I totally agree Greg.  In fact I think I posted earlier that I'm very surprised that they aren't even getting votes.  But then again the voters probably see three losses and pass them over despite the fact that those losses were on the road to teams with a combined 28-5 record, two of them ranked.

Knudsen is as dynamic an offensive player as Kendall Sosa with the added dimension that Knudsen is able to get her own shot slightly easier than Sosa and can distribute the ball well.  When you surround her with Hildebrand, Coffman, Staton and a really good coach, this seems like a team that can go deep.  Certainly a dangerous team if you draw them early.

I didn't realize Ratsch was lost for the season which is very unfortunate.

[Gregory Sager]

attended the MIL-NPU game (showed CDC vaccination card as requested; yeah I know they can be faked) :
I always enjoy a game when each team scores 80 or better.

Not me. It doesn't suit North Park's purposes. NPU is much better off playing a game in the 50s or 60s than the 80s.

North Park wound up at the losing end, but did a lot well, getting nice contributions and full effort from everyone who played.
Elyce Knudsen was indeed dazzling for the visiting Big Blue.
Bailey Coffman showed her wide range of talent, 5/8 2FG, 2/4 3FG, 6/6 FT and was effective defensively.

Coffman's an excellent player, but for some reason I was under the impression that she's a senior. Turns out she's only a junior. I guess that it just feels as though Coffman, Hildebrand, Ratsch, Fox, Brown, McCullum, Snyder, and Staton have been playing for Millikin for five years now.

It was evident that Jordan Hildebrand got a lot of satisfaction from assisting on 7 teammates' baskets.
Sophie Darden is doing well when called upon, including some minutes that Abby Ratsch probably would've played.
I was told Ratsch's injury will keep her out for the duration of the season. She's an interesting player to see play; hopefully she returns at full strength next season.

I didn't realize that, either. Millikin's so deep, though, that the Big Blue haven't missed a beat without her.

Knudsen is as dynamic an offensive player as Kendall Sosa with the added dimension that Knudsen is able to get her own shot slightly easier than Sosa and can distribute the ball well.

I think that Knudsen is light-years beyond Sosa. It's easy to forget, but Sosa was a role player off of the bench her first two years. Knudsen, on the other hand, was a star the moment she stepped onto the floor for the Big Blue as a freshman last season. She was the Central Region's d3hoops.com Freshman of the Year for a reason. Remember, she rang up 29 last season at King Arena against a really good Wheaton team in only her second collegiate game. She honestly doesn't have a weakness in her game, at least not as far as this level is concerned. Who knows how good she'll be by the time she's a senior? If Knudsen stays healthy and she elects to use her Covid mulligan for last year, Rachel Pearson Bernero's league scoring record could be in jeopardy.

Five players have won two CCIW Most Outstanding Player awards apiece (Julie Roe and Lindsay Ippel of Millikin, Stephanie Kuzmanic of Carthage, and Katie McDaniels and Hannah Frazier of Wheaton), but nobody's ever won three MOPs on the women's side. That might change.

When you surround her with Hildebrand, Coffman, Staton and a really good coach, this seems like a team that can go deep.  Certainly a dangerous team if you draw them early.

Very true.

I didn't realize Ratsch was lost for the season which is very unfortunate.

She only played in six games, so she's eligible for a medical redshirt. Plus, she's got the Covid mulligan if she wants it, and she's only a junior, anyway. She's likely got a lot of basketball left in her.

[iwu70]

I'm also very surprised MU is not getting votes, or even in the top 25 somewhere at this point.  Perhaps 15-25 area.  They are a tough match-up with Knudsen and all the other, experienced talent Olivia Lett has there.  IWU will have to come up with quite a creative defensive strategy to come anywhere close to them this season.  I have some ideas but will not share them here.  Unlikely that "run and jump" will have much of an impact on MU . . . and IWU definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to rebounding vs. the Big Blue.  Fitness and scheduling could play a part . . . IWU has MU at home on the 19th, if it can happen.

IWU playing well now, shooting a better percentage, esp. from three with Lansford and Palmer both finding their shot.  Eck very streaky, and Powers soon back from concussion protocol.  IWU needs stronger paint presence, defense and rebounding from Bowen and Carlson.  Huber is an amazingly good rebounder for her size.  She really seems to have a noise for the ball off the glass, often scoring on put backs.

Looking forward to the IWU-NPU game next Wednesday in the Cracker Box.  A pretty tough road stretch for the Titans -- three road games in five days. 

IWU'70

[RogK]

Wednesday's game will also be the 3rd in 5 days for North Park, although not as much time on the bus in between.
iwu70 : "I have some ideas but will not share them here"
I think I know your scheme, iwu70 ... the Titans will have a sixth player sneak onto the court from the bench while the ball is in that half of the court, be it on offense or defense, blending in with the others. She returns to her chair when the action heads to the other end.
This devious plan is so clever (or, this clever plan is so devious), I'm surprised you hadn't thought of it until now.

[iwu70]

RogK, yes NPU three games in five days too, but mostly home, right?  No bus rides.  IWU had Kenosha, tomorrow @Elmhurst, and back again to NPU Wednesday.  Finally, at home vs. Augie on 15th January, when Kendall Sosa and others will return to receive their end-of-season awards for the pandemic-shortened season. 

Seems six players may be needed to stop or slow down Ms. Knudsen and the Big Blue this year.  I like your idea . . .  I guess the idea of borrowing Pete Lambesis is equally impossible to implement. . .  but I do think Knudsen can be slowed down with the right kind of bodying up, and ball denial, though few teams have the personnel to do this.  I'm sure Coach Smith will try some different tactics and players, and equally try to keep her own key scorers out of foul trouble in the process.  The trouble with MU is that they have other excellent players surrounding Knudsen, so their scoring, as you've seen, can come from many different players, too. 

At home, I give IWU some chance to upset MU, but they will have to play their very best, shoot a high percentage from three and somehow scratch out an even line rebounding against the taller Big Blue.   Lansford will have to have the game of her life.   I don't think IWU will have the big margin in TOs against a team as experienced and good at ball-handling as MU.  Surely Olivia Lett knows as much about "run and jump" as does Coach Smith and her players.  Not an easy defensive task for the Titans. 

We need to win at Elmhurst and NPU first, and especially at NPU.  Again, not an easy task on the road.  Here we are, in the meat of the CCIW race and season . . .  12 games to go.  Maybe MU runs the table . . . or maybe some team with 14-2 or 13-3 wins the title.  I am more optimistic about the Titans now than I was after our 1-3 start to the year and some of those early games where the Titans really hadn't figure out well how to play with their personnel and style.   I think the game @Wheaton was the turning point . . .

Other ideas for slowing down Ms. Knudsen always welcome!    I share Greg's view that she will be one of the top players in CCIW women's basketball history, when all is said and done.  Surely a longer, more productive career than Sosa, though I'm sure the MU players remember Kendall putting up 47 on them last year . . .    What a night that was!

IWU '70

[Jester1390]

lol i guess out of site out of mind on here. Sosa's body is barely warm and already being derided.  I don't know anything about the other player but I will tell you something I trust over all us middle age men on here.   My kid who I think most people who have seen her play would say is a very good defender if not excellent has guarded Paige Bueckers. Mckenna Hofschild,  Gabby Hack the clark girl from Iowa among many others. Told me that Sosa had the quickest release of any player she has ever guarded.

[iwu70]

Kendall Sosa's body of work speaks for itself.  Yes, an unconventional and very quick release, with deadly accuracy.  And, an amazing, high percentage and simple FT stroke.  A thing of beauty. 

However, I do agree with Greg that Knudsen came ready for the big show as a freshman and made an immediate, impressive splash.  Having four years to put up her kind of numbers in the CCIW will surely surpass Kendall, in time (unless injury or some defensive solution to her appears to slow her progress).  This is unlikely.  Teams will just have to try various strategies to slow her down and limit her normal production.  MU will be a strong presence at the top of the league for these next 3-4 years and all the rest will be chasing them. . . 

Again, I'll be very interested to see how well the Titans do against the top, favored teams in the coming weeks -- against NPU @NPU first and then vs. MU on the 19th at The Shirk. 

'70

[GoPerry]

Knudsen is as dynamic an offensive player as Kendall Sosa with the added dimension that Knudsen is able to get her own shot slightly easier than Sosa and can distribute the ball well.

I think that Knudsen is light-years beyond Sosa. It's easy to forget, but Sosa was a role player off of the bench her first two years. Knudsen, on the other hand, was a star the moment she stepped onto the floor for the Big Blue as a freshman last season. She was the Central Region's d3hoops.com Freshman of the Year for a reason. Remember, she rang up 29 last season at King Arena against a really good Wheaton team in only her second collegiate game. She honestly doesn't have a weakness in her game, at least not as far as this level is concerned. Who knows how good she'll be by the time she's a senior? If Knudsen stays healthy and she elects to use her Covid mulligan for last year, Rachel Pearson Bernero's league scoring record could be in jeopardy.

Five players have won two CCIW Most Outstanding Player awards apiece (Julie Roe and Lindsay Ippel of Millikin, Stephanie Kuzmanic of Carthage, and Katie McDaniels and Hannah Frazier of Wheaton), but nobody's ever won three MOPs on the women's side. That might change.

Oh absolutely Knudsen's impact on the league will be a four year run with a trajectory that will dwarf many others statistically when all is said and done.  Part of the peculiarity of Sosa's rise was a stupendous junior year of scoring prowess after a relatively negligible impact prior to then.  It was sort of a "where did she come from or where was she last year?" in my mind.

My comparison was one of Sosa the player we last knew of her senior year vs the Knudsen we see today.  I think it's a very close comparison right now.  The unfortunate fact is that Sosa's best year was stopped short by Covid.  She would've been a strong candidate, favorite perhaps, for D3 POY.