WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

As expected CU and IWU win semis, will face off for the tournament crown tomorrow.

IWU over NU, 89-62. 

For MU: 

White 20
Dudley 17

27  TOs

For IWU:

Bardic 23
Palmer 22, one of her best games
Huber, doing her normal thing, 15 and 10

IWU vs. CU  for the title tomorrow night.

'70

[iwu70]

In the semi game Friday night, IWU forward Laura Mahlum played about 5 minutes, playing with a heavy knee brace.  She's going to try to play through the injury, but looked about 75%.  The Titans are now down to a seven player rotation with Balli and Knutson coming off the bench. 

'70

[iwu70]

IWU wraps up the CCIW phase with a win over Carroll -- winning the CCIW Tournament Championship, 95-86.  A very high-quality, offensively-minded game.

For Carroll:

Gricius 27 13-13 from the FT line
Rangel 21
Wizner 15
Halverson 10

For IWU:

Huber 28 and 11, 12-17 from the field
Powers 22
White 17 with 3 steals
Bardic 13
Palmer 8

The full array of offensive weapons on display for both teams.  Too bad Carroll doesn't make the D3 dance.

Carroll at 48%/ 19% from three / 93% from the FT line.   With 18 TOs.

IWU at 54% / 35% from three / and 72% from the line.

I hope IWU gets to host a pod at least on the first weekend of the D3 tournament.

IWU at 26-1 on the year.

Sadly, CCIW a one team league this year.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

IWU hosts a pod, Friday and Saturday -- with Centre College of KY. Trine and Transy.  Some traditionally pretty strong programs in recent years.  IWU has Centre first, then the winner of Trine vs. Transy.  I expect IWU and Trine to advance.  Should be an exciting weekend in the friendly confines of The Shirk. 

Sweet Sixteen would be nice.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

In the week 13 poll, IWU slips back one spot (behind Scranton again) to #4. 

In the Shirk pod, Trine is ranked #13 and Transy and Centre come into the tournament unranked in the D3hoops.com poll.

I expect close games in this pod.

IWU'70

[Green Beer]

Very exciting. I think this is the first time the Titans have ever played Centre.

[iwu70]

Looking forward to an exciting weekend at The Shirk.  I hope the Titan faithful turnout big time.

All pretty good teams at this time of year.

IWU'70

[RogK]

In 28 games, Centre's defense has allowed .434 2FG shooting (462/1064) and .243 from 3 (113/465). Opponents have attempted 19.9 FTs per game.
For further perusal :
https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/592507
They're on a 7 game winning streak, after losing 3 of 4 during Jan 22 - Feb 2.

[iwu70]

Thanks, RogK.  Anything can happen in March, right?

I expect IWU to handle Centre and to meet Trine on Saturday night.  Should be a fun weekend at The Shirk. 

'70

[iwu70]

IWU moves to the round of 32 with an easy win over Centre, 95-57.

Bardic 18
Palmer 14
Huber 10
Epps 9
Powers 8 -- including her 1,000th point as a Titan.  Now four Titans 1,000 + points (Huber, Bardic, Palmer . . . and now Powers, too).

14 of the 15 Titans dressed scored.  The starters sat after 3Q with the third group playing all of the 4th Q.   

IWU forces 22 TOs.  The game was over in the 1st Q.
IWU wins rebounding 50-34

IWU faces Trine, as expected, tomorrow night for the berth in the Sweet Sixteen.  Trine wins in OT over Transy.  Sydney Wagner is the real deal.  It will be amazing to watch Sawyer White and others defend her tomorrow night.  I'm sure Coach Mia will have a plan to try to contain her.  She's a superb passer and a very smooth scorer. 

(IWU men win big in Chicago too, over Bethany Lutheran, 101-67).

A great day to be a Titan.  Shirk was packed, even with the students on Spring break.  It was jumping, a great crowd with the Pep Band holding forth.  A wonderful D3 tournament atmosphere. 

I expect tomorrow's game with Trine to be close.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

I was totally wrong on this one -- it was not close at all.  IWU over Trine 82-50.  A total dismantling.  Amazing.

On defense, Sawyer White just put on a clinic in guarding Sydney Wagner, holding her to 10 points and having her frustrated, yelling at her own players, much of the night.  Six steals for White.

And, on offense for the Titans, the Ava Bardic show, with 26 on 5 treys.


For Trine:

Sherwood 13
Wagner 10, on 4-12 shooting

Trine giving up 27 TOs, shooting 33 % / 21% from three, and 91% from the FT Line.


For IWU:

Bardic 26, with 5 treys
Knutson 16 and 7
Powers 14, with 4 treys
Huber 6 and 6
White with 6 steals, just all over the place on defense, but mainly all over Wagner.

IWU shooting 51%, 36% from three, and 100%, 12-12 from the FT line.

IWU goes to 28-1 on the year.  It looks like WI-Oshkosh in the round of 16 next weekend.

Congrats to Coach Smith and all the Titans for a berth in the D3 Sweet Sixteen.  (The IWU men into the Sweet Sixteen as well!)  A great day to be a Titan.

Keep it rolling Titans.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

IWU gets to host again, the Sectional at The Shirk this coming weekend.

IWU vs. WI-Oshkosh, and Baldwin Wallace vs. Ohio Wesleyan.

More outstanding women's basketball, hosted at Shirk Center.

Keep it going Titans!!

iwu'70

[iwu70]

The Shirk Sectional Pod:

#4 Illinois Wesleyan, #7 WI-Oshkosh, #11 Baldwin Wallace, and #18 Ohio Wesleyan.

Wow!

Come one, come all to support our Titans.  The Shirk Center will be jumping.

IWU'70

[Green Beer]

To their credit, Trine was able to neutralize Huber, but Knutson was able to step up and deliver. She seems to thrive on a bruising battle in the paint.

[iwu70]

Greenbeer, agree with you on Huber.  Not one of her better games, often caught in traffic and turning it over too much.  As you say, Caite Knutson surely stepped up, did the rebounding and some really nice short-range scoring.  When she's on like that it opens up the three point shooting, the perimeter for Bardic, Powers and others. . .  Bardic was just an assassin last night with 26 and 5 treys.  Love to watch her play. 

Oshkosh will be another challenge, with size and playing in a very tough conference.  Glad we can host at home again and have the advantage of Shirk and the big, boisterous home crowd.  The atmosphere at The Shirk has been fabulous.   Let's hope the community turns out again and that some of the students return early for these Sectional games from their Spring break week.
The Titan band makes a huge difference in support for the Titans.

IWU'70