Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - thunder38

#1
Quote from: matblake on May 08, 2020, 11:16:04 AM
Wheaton is running a live stream series titled Wheaton Classics where they re-watch classic Wheaton games and have input from coaches, participants, etc.  On Thursday it was Wheaton v Augie in the Sweet 16 at Augie with Mike Schauer, Jay Spencer, Luke Anthony, and of course Aston Francis.  After the stream was shut down due to technical problems, they posted the entire live stream on YouTube.  Memorable game for Wheaton fans and cool to see it from a deeper perspective. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lrq5dOZNg

Tonight is the Elite Eight Game v Marietta.  Additional sports and games to be added later.  I believe the format will be the same, a live stream that will be posted to YouTube after the fact.

For all the nights of lost sleep on Aston's account throughout the CCIW, I don't know that anyone has nightmares worse than Marietta. One of the most memorable individual performances you may ever see. Will be interesting to hear Aston's own accounting of this one.
#2
I believe the ending of that game can best be described as a comedy of errors and the quintessential definition of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
#3
Quote from: New Tradition on December 06, 2019, 12:12:35 AM
Quote from: TheChucker on December 05, 2019, 03:02:45 PM
Quote from: OzJohnnie on December 04, 2019, 11:23:32 PM
Game notes!

https://gojohnnies.com/documents/2019/12/4//120719_WheatonNCAA_GameNotes.pdf?id=1426


What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We'll find out this Saturday. The Johnnies currently rank second in NCAA Division III in passing offense (370.9 yards), fourth in total offense (535.2 yards) and sixth in passing efficiency (184.9). Individually, senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann leads Division III in passing yards (4,291) and passing yards per game (357.6). Wheaton, meanwhile, boasts college football's (across all divisions) top scoring defense (6.8 ppg.), total defense (186.7 ypg.) and pass-efficiency defense (75.3).


In reading the notes about the CCIW, I was reminded that Augustana IL was in that conference. Those guys completely dominated D3 in my day. I'm curious as to what happened with that program? Teams that strong don't often drop into obscurity like they did.

They ran that ball control double tight wing T until 2005, which is also the last year they won the conference.  They were having a hard time recuriting to fit that scheme because, even in rural areas, nobody in high school runs that offense anymore.  The flip side to running that type of scheme is having a monster defense.  I think they're having a hard time getting the ball rolling because its hard to recruit to the quad cities when you don't have a winning tradition to sell, and when there are winning teams in gorgeous towns elsewhere in the CCIW.  Their downfall also corresponds directly with the rise of NCC

There's plenty of talent in that area of the tri-state for Augustana to remain mildly competitive. A lot of the successful programs in that area (Lena-Winslow, Forreston, Geneseo, Rockridge, etc.) still run that as their base offense. Their biggest issue has been a lack of commitment to scheme. Following decades of wing T and option offense, their next coach implemented the spread west coast offense, which coming from the wing T, Augustana clearly did not have the athletes to execute. Just as they were getting the athletes in place to match the system, they made another coaching change that led Augustana to more of a spread option offense, which again the athletes did not match. By the time those athletes were in place, another coaching change had come about. In the midst of the Augie churn, NCC elevated itself as a program and became the bigger presence.
#4
Quote from: USee on December 05, 2019, 10:19:48 AM
Quotes from last nights game at the Shirk:

"Everybody knew about Aston Francis. We're getting a little tired of hearing we can't win without him," said Thunder coach Mike Schauer. "I don't think he scored tonight. We think we're pretty good."

"This team is playing with a real high energy," said Schauer. "We think we're better than people think we are. This was not a fluky effort to me. We're a difficult team to play."

"Quite honestly, we were just outtoughed. They took us out of our offense, and we didn't fight to stay in it," Rose said. "We didn't provide much resistance on the defensive end. We kind of went rogue. We got frustrated and defended individually instead of collectively."


Norm Eash didn't think Wheaton was 16 points better than IWU last night...
#5
My biggest concern for North Central this week would really the emotional toll a win like that can take on you. North Central had the luxury of essentially taking two weeks to prepare for Mount Union and building everything to that game. Those kind of wars have their physical tolls as well, obviously, but accomplishing something as big as that win on Saturday can sometimes lead to an emotional hangover. It's just a natural reaction. I still think NCC should win by 20 points but my concern is if they're a little sloppy or not on top of the details early in this one, DelVal is good enough to make them pay.
#6
Quote from: emma17 on December 02, 2019, 11:29:04 AM
When UWW played at Wheaton back in 15 I believe the QB club made arrangements w a local establishment to open early. We had a great turnout, if only I could remember the name.
Bottom line, call some places in advance if you have a large enough group.

Whitewater rented out Muldoon's in downtown Wheaton which has since closed.

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on December 02, 2019, 09:02:25 PM
What is the parking situation at Wheaton?

Parking at Wheaton isn't a great situation, especially now with the students back on campus. The lot at the Billy Graham Center right next to McCully Stadium is the best bet but it fills up quickly. There are also open spots at Joe Bean Stadium, which is just past McCully Stadium. It's not a surprise to those CCIW faithful but can be to new opponents to a reminder to Johnnie fans that Wheaton is a dry campus so you'll have to find a spot elsewhere for your pregame libations before making your way over.
#7
Quote from: blue_jays on November 10, 2019, 12:57:23 PM
Quote from: USee on November 10, 2019, 11:24:01 AM
Article in the Pantagraph on NCC win:

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/no-north-central-uses-big-plays-to-roll-past-illinois/article_6eee8091-4ee6-5fdc-b335-2bc535c63c6f.html

Quote from Coach Eash:
"They're a good team. Do I think they're 69-14 (better than IWU)? No, I don't think they're that good."

Classic Norm.

Typical crap. Never giving the other team credit in a 55-point loss. IWU coulda had everyone healthy and they still lose by 20+. If he doesn't think NCC is "that good", what is he saying about his own team? Maybe he should think about taking the high road sometime.

In his defense, Norm may have a point. After all, his team was 21 points worse than a WashU team that was 33 points worse than North Central. So to say North Central is 55 points better than IWU may be unfair. Math definitely proves they're 54 points better though.
#8
Quote from: tf37 on November 06, 2019, 02:46:43 PM
So if the Mount bracket is predominantly east teams, does that elevate NCC to a #2 seed in a Wheaton bracket?

Have to think NCC gets traded for the MIAC or WIAC runner up (if UWO is able to beat UWW and sneak in) in order to help separate the two bid leagues. As we saw in 2016, it's certainly possible they remain together, but that bracket was complicated by 3 WIAC teams and two one-loss OAC schools.
#9
Quote from: USee on November 06, 2019, 01:56:20 PM
Wheatons competition is Salisbury and if UWO loses to UWW Wheaton will have a big advantage in criteria over them in both SOS and RRO.  If UWO beats UWW then both Salisbury and Wheaton could be 1 seeds as UWW drops out of consideration.

I don't see the difference, from the committee perspective of Muhlenberg East vs UMU east oriented bracket.  Muhlenberg would be a #2 from another region with inferior criteria to Wheaton in RRO and likely sos.  UMU can help geograohically just as easily at Muhl.

I think Wheaton can wrap up a #1 if Monmouth finds a way to sneak into the West Rankings, giving Wheaton 3 wins over RROs. They currently have the top SoS in the country but will have a significant drag in Knox and Lake Forest or St. Norbert again coming up. The good news is that Wheaton benefits with either outcome of the UWW/UWO game as UWO would likely drop out and UWW loss drops them off the 1 line. Additionally, if Wartburg beats Central that also opens up a spot in the West rankings. Monmouth should also get a resume boost next week when RROs are considered for the first time and their games against Wheaton and Wartburg carry a little more weight for them.
#10
Not quite the chaotic finish it could have been today but there's still some drama to sort out for seeding.

The following seeds are clinched:
#1 - North Central
#2 - Augustana
#6 - North Park

Two scenarios still remain for seeding depending on the outcomes of the North Central/Millikin doubleheader tomorrow in Naperville.

**Millikin sweep OR split
#3 - Millikin
#4 - Illinois Wesleyan
#5 - Wheaton

**North Central sweep
#3 - Illinois Wesleyan
#4 - Wheaton
#5 - Millikin
#11
Quote from: Gregory Sager on April 16, 2019, 11:36:56 PM
Boy, I wish I knew what the CCIW record for consecutive scoreless innings was. I've got to imagine that Ethan Sund has either broken it or is getting close to it ... but, unfortunately, it's not listed on the league website. The D3 record is 47 innings, set by Joey Serfass of Eastern Connecticut State back in 2003.

It's great to not only see Michael Pritts get back on track and start to resemble his 2018 self, but to see Matt Pizur come back from a sore elbow that's sidelined him for a month and strike out two Red Men in his inning of mopup work for Sund.

Remembering from a couple years back but Trey Martin had 29 scoreless innings in a row and that was the seventh-longest streak in Division III history.
#12
Also a sincere tip of the cap to Augustana's senior class. They're so fun to watch and they're so talented. As distinguished a senior class as we've seen in the conference since the North Park dynasty. Good luck to them in their future.
#13
Unbelievable effort and performance by Wheaton tonight. Hard to fathom that they hung 63 on the Doggies in the second half. I couldn't believe my eyes down the stretch as Augie sped up to match Wheaton's pace and got away from what they do best.

A couple of things that are easy to overlook in the big picture. The runner by Nyameye Adom to end the first half was massive. Augie had turned a one-point lead to an eight-point lead in a hurry and Adom's runner at least gave Wheaton a little momentum into halftime.

Aston Francis played some big defensive minutes guarding Nolan Ebel in the first half after Luke Peters picked up his second foul. We haven't seen Aston guard the opponent's ace very often this year but he was big in that stretch as Wheaton didn't let Augie pull away in the first half.

Anajuwon Spencer was huge. His confidence has been surging down the stretch and he's really emerged as a weapon. Wheaton ran a set to him after Augie had pushed the lead out to seven or eight in the first half and he buried a three that seemed to calm Wheaton down.

Mike Schauer and his staff are on a heck of a heater. They've pushed all the right buttons and the timing of Eichelberger, Gunter, and especially Gavin "The Viking Slayer" Hawkins was impressive.

Hopefully Spencer Peterson is ok for tomorrow night. Wheaton could use his physicality against Marietta.
#14
Quote from: mwunder on March 08, 2019, 04:57:22 PM
Quote from: Gregory Sager on March 08, 2019, 03:18:37 PM
Quote from: mwunder on March 08, 2019, 02:18:46 PM
Quote from: Titan Q on March 08, 2019, 02:03:41 PM
I think Augustana is better positioned to guard Aston Francis than just about every other team in Division III. 

Most teams have zero players who can guard him.  Augie has 4 different/unique options:
- 6-1 Nolan Ebel - quick
- 6-2 Chrishawn Orange - athletic/physical
- 6-6 Brett Benning - tall, long
- 6-4 Pierson Wofford - the whole package (long, athletic, quick, physical)

I am not saying any of these guys can shut him down...but each guy can make it hard on him.  And between the 4, they can give him a lot of different looks to deal with.

yet, based on his numbers in the CCIW, Carthage and NCC were the best defensive teams against him at 25/gm.  Augie gave up 32.5/gm to him, which was third worst in the league round robin.  Not sure how that adds up.

It's about more than raw scoring numbers, though. Also, your Francis ppg vs. North Central is off.


opponent  FG/3FG/FT slash  a:to  ppg
Augustana (2 g)  .414/.393/.667  4:9  32.5
North Central (3 g)  .471/.361/.842  4:8  33.0
Carthage (2 g)  .348/.300/.923  9:5  25.0

I did miss the one game vs.  NCC.  You're right.

All I'm saying is that Augie didn't especially defend him well during the season.  They defended everyone else well.

That seems to be the question in mind when choosing how to defend Wheaton. It's a little bit of how teams approached defending Steve Djurickovic. Do you put your focus on him and how much focus you put on the top of the scouting report? Or do you try to shutdown the supporting staff and live the fact that he's going to get his but don't let someone else rise up to beat you in support?

IF (and I don't expect this to be the case) Augie were to go with the latter approach, I'd look for them to move Chrishawn Orange onto Luke Anthony when he comes into the game. Anthony has been the jumpstart for Wheaton lately and has hit some big shots for them. If you make Anthony work for his and obviously Benning and Wofford can contain Anajuwon Spencer, then Francis might start to try to do everything himself. If Anthony and Spencer can get 10-12 and Peterson can get 8-10, Wheaton is going to be in it to the end.
#15
Quote from: thunder38 on March 03, 2019, 11:34:52 AM
No surprises. Augustana has been officially announced as the host site.

Marietta vs. Oswego State - 5:30 PM
Wheaton vs. Augustana - 7:30 PM

Saturday - 7 PM