WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

CONGRATS TO EACH :
1st team :
Gabriela Loiz*       Augustana
Brooke Lansford*  Illinois Wesleyan
Jordan Hildebrand* Millikin   
Jayla Johnson*    North Park   
Elyce Knudsen*    Millikin    
Olivia Rangel     Carroll    
Lauren Huber     Illinois Wesleyan   
Elle Sutter    North Central   

2nd team
Macy Beinborn    Augustana   
Kate Christian    Carroll   
Taylor Harazin    Elmhurst   
Bailey Coffman    Millikin   
Emily Czuhajewski North Park   
Esther Miller    North Park   
Annika Richardson Wheaton   
Hannah Swider      Wheaton
* indicates unanimous selection; there may have been several unanimous 2nd team selections, but we are not told! 

[Gregory Sager]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Elyce Knudsen won MOP over Jayla Johnson. It's not as though I can grouse about the recipient being undeserving. I've already put everyone who reads this board on notice that nobody's ever been named the MOP of CCIW women's basketball three times; Knudsen began her march towards that unprecedented achievement today.

As for Jayla, she joins some elite company today as well. She is only the sixteenth player in CCIW women's basketball history to be named to the All-CCIW team four times -- she joins Rachel Pearson Bernero as the second North Park player to achieve that honor -- and she is now part of a very charmed circle indeed of CCIW players who've been All-CCIW first-teamers three times. That circle includes Augie's Katy Hulin (1989-91), Carthage's Morgan Harris (2016-18), Elmhurst's Lyndsie Long (2008-10) and Mikaela Eppard (2016-18), Illinois Wesleyan's Rebekah Ehresman (2016-18), Millikin's K.C. Hammond (1998-00) and Lindsay Ippel (2006-09), North Central's Amanda Orsburn (1999-01), Wheaton's Stephanie Clark (1994-97), Katie McDaniels (2015-17), and Hannah Frazier (2018-20), and now Jayla. (Clark is the only quadruple first-teamer in CCIW women's basketball history.)

What I am pleasantly shocked to see is that Emily Czuhajewski was named to the All-CCIW team. She missed eight of NPU's sixteen CCIW games, and only had a six-minute cameo in the regular season finale at Carroll, and that's typically too much time missed for a player to be named to the All-CCIW team. The least amount of time that I can ever recall seeing a CCIW basketball player log in league play and still be named to the All-CCIW team was in 1989-90, when Illinois Wesleyan's Jeff Kuehl was named to the All-CCIW men's basketball team despite playing in only eleven of his team's sixteen CCIW games due to a broken wrist. (He wore an elbow-length plaster cast on his arm when he returned from injury, something that wouldn't be allowed today.) The idea that somebody could miss not just five CCIW games but an entire round-robin and still be named to the All-CCIW team was something I didn't even contemplate. Well, kudos to the CCIW women's basketball head coaches for not only contemplating it but doing it. Emily would've been a first-teamer had she stayed healthy, since her numbers and her impact warranted it, but it's right and proper that if the coaches were willing to stick their neck out and set precedent by awarding a player who played, realistically speaking, less than half of the CCIW season, they should relegate her to second team.

Congratulations to all, but especially to Jayla, Emily, and Esther Miller!

Thrilled for Elle Sutter too for earning First Team honors.

She certainly earned it, even though she wasn't a unanimous pick.

* indicates unanimous selection; there may have been several unanimous 2nd team selections, but we are not told! 

No CCIW sport indicates unanimous second-team selection picks when its coaches release their All-CCIW teams. Noting unanimous first-team selections is used to mark a special honor that sort of sets a secondary elite status midway between generic first-team and being named MOP.

As for the rest of the picks, the coaches did seem to deviate quite a bit from past precedents. NPU, although finishing only fourth, landed more players on the All-CCIW team than did anybody else. Carthage, although tied with Augustana and North Central for sixth while outdistancing lowly Elmhurst by five games, got shut out entirely; in fact, Augie had two selections to Carthage's zero, despite the two teams finishing in a tie.

All in all, it really looks like the coaches emphasized merit far more than the final standings, which I think is a welcome move. It allowed people such as Taylor Harazin and Bailey Coffman, whom I think really deserved to be on the list, to make it.

I am somewhat amused by Olivia Lett being the sole pick for the Beth Baker Award. Given that Team A (Millikin) was picked by the coaches in the preseason to win the league and Team B (Illinois Wesleyan) was picked to finish in a tie for third, and Team A and Team B ended up as co-champions, you'd think that the COY prize would either be shared (as the men's coaches insist upon doing whenever there are co-champs) or be awarded to the coach of Team B. Politics, maybe? Is one or more of Mia Smith's peers throwing her some shade?

[RogK]

Greg, aren't you then judging Olivia Lett by pre-season expectations instead of actual results?
Also, didn't you used to say that 60 or 70% of coaching is recruiting? Doesn't Lett deserve credit for assembling a talented roster?
And (there's more!) a tie vote is unlikely with 9 votes cast.

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, aren't you then judging Olivia Lett by pre-season expectations instead of actual results?

No, I'm not. I'm judging the CCIW's head coaches, not Olivia Lett, and I'm judging them by their own stated preseason expectations.

If Millikin had won the CCIW by two or three games, then, yeah -- give the Beth Baker Award to Lett. Even if the Big Blue had only won it by a game, I can see a case being made for Lett, since at best IWU would've finished only one spot higher than the coaches had predicted. (Lindsay Schultz would've been a better pick than Mia Smith under those circumstances.) But Millikin was predicted to win the CCIW outright; instead, it finished in a tie atop the standings with a team that was picked to finish in a tie for third. Ergo, actual results don't favor Lett over Smith, and the outcome in light of the coaches' own prediction certainly favors Smith over Lett.

Also, didn't you used to say that 60 or 70% of coaching is recruiting? Doesn't Lett deserve credit for assembling a talented roster?

It's actually more than 70%, if you ask me. She gets all the credit in the world for her recruiting acumen by being able to hoist a copy of the CCIW championship trophy. Besides, doesn't Mia Smith deserve credit for the same reason? And I'd say that by your own measure Smith deserves it more, since, if you're adding recruiting as a criterion to be considered for COY, rather than simply performance in CCIW play (which is the only criterion currently used by the CCIW women's basketball coaches), then you'd have to give it to the head coach who recruited best in this current cycle -- and, since you can only determine that based upon how freshmen played in CCIW games, that would, again, be Mia Smith because of Huber, Palmer, and Powers.

And (there's more!) a tie vote is unlikely with 9 votes cast.

Votes can be split three or more ways. I'm sure that there have been countless awards votes in CCIW history that were split 4-4-1, for instance.

[GoPerry]

Congratulations to all the honorees.   Nothing too earth shattering to me.   

However, I am rather surprised at Olivia Rangel as Newcomer over Lauren Huber (and surprised that '70 hasn't posted on that yet).  I am also slightly surprised at Rangel's first team selection except perhaps that coaches would feel the need to honor someone from the third place team with one spot on the 1st team AC. 

Both Rog (1st) and Greg (2nd) had her getting the recognition so I take for granted I'm missing something?  I only saw her play twice however.

[Gregory Sager]

Congratulations to all the honorees.   Nothing too earth shattering to me.   

However, I am rather surprised at Olivia Rangel as Newcomer over Lauren Huber (and surprised that '70 hasn't posted on that yet).

I was hoping that he wouldn't notice ... and that nobody else would bring it up.

I am also slightly surprised at Rangel's first team selection except perhaps that coaches would feel the need to honor someone from the third place team with one spot on the 1st team AC.

That's my read on what happened as well.

Both Rog (1st) and Greg (2nd) had her getting the recognition so I take for granted I'm missing something?  I only saw her play twice however.

I don't think that Rangel's a first-teamer, and I said so on this board yesterday. But if you had to give the award to someone other than Huber, then it's either Rangel or Kate Matthews -- and I don't think that the coaches would ever bestow a second honor upon a 1-15 team, seeing as how Elmhurst had a different player (Taylor Harazin) named to the All-CCIW team.

[RogK]

More congrats to #22 Elyce Knudsen on 2 22 22 :
made D3hoops national Team of the Week
named US Basketball Writers' D3 Player of the Week
Well done!

[iwu70]

Guys, I'm not complaining too much.  Yes, I did notice . . . of course.

Yes, I had Huber as newcomer of the year, though I was a bit surprised she made first team All-CCIW.  I had her second team and Swider first team.  But, it's not a big deal.  Good for Lansford and Huber.  Congrats to them and all the other honorees. 

My bigger beef is that IWU only got two players on, given their co-Championship . . .  and some awarded don't meet the mark to me  -- playing only half the games?  and NPU getting three on while finishing where they did?   I don't get that.  Greg, is Esther Miller really deserving of All-Conference?   Maybe she is, but it doesn't align with my view, my vote.  Doesn't meet the "eye test" to me. 

But, it is what it is . . .  most selections seem fine to me.  I'm sure Palmer and Powers will make All-CCIW in future . . . along with more years for Huber as well, . . .  could she be a four-time All-CCIW first teamer?  Perhaps.

As mentioned earlier, I wish the coaches valued defense more and awarded some love to the really great defensive specialists -- like Bowen and some others we could mention around the league. . .  you can see that Lambesis won first team status on the men's side, greatly due to his defense. 

Perhaps there should be a "Defensive Player of the Year" Award in the CCIW, like there is in the NBA.  A thought.

Looking forward to tonight's four CCIW quarter-final games, in the comfort of my warm home.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

In terms of coaching skill and dealing with, making the most of the situation and personnel she had, I, too, feel Mia Smith was more deserving for Coach of the Year than Olivia Lett.  Both did excellent work to get to 14-2 in league play. 

If IWU-MU meet again in the tournament final, we'll see who wins the rubber match . . .  if it comes to that, for the AQ on Saturday.  Not there yet. 

Lett vs. Smith again?

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton 63
North Park 54

Jayla Johnson: 17 pts, 8 rebs, 3 stls
Chantel Hairston: 16 pts
Esther Miller: 4 stls

Annika Richardson: 21 pts (3-6 trey), 9 rebs
Ellie Cassel: 18 pts (12-14 FT), 14 rebs
Hannah Swider: 12 pts
Caroline Sikkink: 10 pts, 7 rebs, 4 stls

On a night in which neither team shot well or took care of the ball, it really came down to rebounds ... and Wheaton's massive 47-28 advantage on the glass was the big difference in Wheaton's upset win. Kent Madsen got a huge game out of Ellie Cassel and, in the second half, Annika Richardson made one shot after another at a moment when it looked as though the Vikings were going to turn the tables.

A sad end to the careers of Jayla Johnson, Emily Czuhajewski (who played one minute and made a bunny, but was simply unable to go beyond that on her bad leg), Lauren Lee, Josie Summerville, Alana Santos, and Nicole Hansen, But, honestly, I thought that Wheaton played with more composure and earned the win. NPU had one last run in it at the end of the game, but they had accumulated so many personal fouls that they couldn't play defense anymore and ended up fouling out one by one.

Congrats to Wheaton on a well-played game and a date in Decatur on Friday.

[lmitzel]

And in the other game tonight *checks stat page* ...oh. Oh no.

The NCC women outscored the NCC men by a point tonight. Unfortunately, they gave up twice as many as the men did.

Carroll 100
NCC 58

The Pios shot 60 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from deep; they were a blistering 13-18 in the opening ten minutes and the Cardinals just never recovered.

Stephanie Kowalczyk: 14 pts
IxChel Leeuwenburgh: 10-3
Mitrese Smith: 9-4

Olivia Rangel: 27-3-7
Katie Evans: 16 pts
Allison Thompson: 11-4

[RogK]

Attended the Wheaton @ North Park game, but not too much to supplement Greg's summary.
Wheaton's height mattered this time. North Park couldn't get many offensive rebounds, only 7 compared to 35 defensive rebs by the Thunder. Both teams' energy/effort was excellent throughout.
I spoke briefly with Wheaton coach Madsen after the game. He said his players enjoyed the loud North Park crowd. Evidently, as they shot 82% at the foul line, not distracted by the banter offered by Viking fans.
Is it possible there could be a 5th season for any of those NP seniors, Greg?

[RogK]

iwu70, I'll reply to your doubts regarding all-CCIW player Esther Miller.
http://stats.ncaa.org/player/index?game_sport_year_ctl_id=15866&org_id=496&stats_player_seq=2276168
If she's not as good a defender as Bowen, she's darned close. Look at all the steals, for example.
Also note the many productive scoring games.
Her rebounding fluctuated, but settled in at a decent 5+ average.
Enjoy the pair of webcasts Friday. We'll see if the IWU game has play-by-play or not.

[Gregory Sager]

Is it possible there could be a 5th season for any of those NP seniors, Greg?

Dunno. Usually when they get honored on Senior Day it's a clear intention that they don't intend to come back in the fall. F'rinstance, two of NPU's men's basketball starters, who are both seniors, were not honored on Senior Day, indicating to everyone that they will be back next year.

There's nothing I'd love more than for Jayla to come back; she's a business major, so I suppose it's conceivable that she could enroll as an MBA student. Same thing with Lauren Lee. A number of NPU student-athletes have done that to get in their fourth year of eligibility. Emily's a biomedical sciences major, so my guess is that she'll head off to grad school next year, whether it's med school or for some other medical-related field.

iwu70, I'll reply to your doubts regarding all-CCIW player Esther Miller.
http://stats.ncaa.org/player/index?game_sport_year_ctl_id=15866&org_id=496&stats_player_seq=2276168
If she's not as good a defender as Bowen, she's darned close. Look at all the steals, for example.
Also note the many productive scoring games.
Her rebounding fluctuated, but settled in at a decent 5+ average.

Esther's 66 steals this season was the fifth-best total in NPU women's basketball history. (Jayla stole 65, by the way, good for a tie for sixth-best.)

She earned her spot on the second team.

[RogK]

Incidentally, I compliment the NPU staff for including visiting players Swider and Richardson in the pre-game on-court recognition of those who were just awarded all-CCIW status. That was very good sportsmanship.