IWU finishes ranked #7 in the final D3hoops poll, at 26-5.  A great season, one shot short of the Final Four.  I guess Emory now knows the heart-break of a buzzer beater loss too. 

The future of the IWU program is bright, even with Cleveland's departure.  Yes, Colak, Boldt and David Williams lost to graduation, but much talent returning, including Fridman from season-long injury.  IWU will reload, will need to find rebounding and post presence, but many good players on the perimeter returning . . . and strong guard play coming back.  I expect Kuehl to play a bigger role and for Connor Williams to perhaps enter the starting line-up.  If we are very very lucky, perhaps Cleveland will return. 

A strong recruiting class is needed.

Thanks to all the Titans and the coaching staff for a great season, Elite 8, CCIW regular season and tournament championships.  IWU basketball excellence and traditions continue . . .

IWU'70

IWU and Carroll finish 23-6, IWU ranked 15th in the final poll, Carroll ranked 21st.  Good years for both and for the CCIW.   Congrats to both programs. 

IWU now has a big rebuild, not a reload this time.  So many spots and minutes to fill, so much talent with White, Bardic and Balli out the door to graduation.  Some great freshmen to build on but surely many spots, minutes, scoring, defense and rebounding to find for next season.  I sure hope the recruiting class is exceptional.

Congrats to the Titans -- the Titan nation really enjoyed the ride. . . another year where we just couldn't get past Hope in OT games.  Good luck to the graduating seniors in all future endeavors. 

Best to all the CCIW chatsters and IWU fans here.

IWU'70 

Well, the Titans fought back, tied the game twice in the last 50 seconds, then it all came down to 10 seconds and one made-three by the Emory All-American.  A tough way to go out, fighting tooth and nail, to overcome #2 Emory.  A great season for the Titans, a sad ending, finishing out at 26-5 for the year.  Very proud of this team and thankful to them and all the Coaching staff.

The future of the IWU program is very bright.  Only Colak and Boldt depart to graduation, so a huge set of talented players with great experience coming back.

Congrats to Emory, a great team, especially from the three point line.  IWU played them tough, with Cleveland finishing off an outstanding first year with 17 and 8, Mason Funk on fire with a career-high 36 points. 

There's always next year . . .

IWU'70 

The only other common opponent that IWU-Emory shared was Yeshiva.  IWU barely beat them during the holidays,in New York City, by one point.  Emory most recently beat them in the tournament, quite easily, 101-80.  The other loss that Emory has was to Trinity (TX), 90-78.

IWU's size and tough defense will have to be key if they are to prevail on Thursday.  Game time is 2:30 p.m. CDT.

'70

I guess when it comes to the IWU - Emory game, whether offense or defense prevails may determine who wins.  If the game is played in the 60s or 70s, seems IWU has the advantage.  If in the 80s or 90s, perhaps Emory comes out on top.  Some really high-quality D3 players in this one.

A full day, four games in Ft. Wayne.  Wish I could be there.

Go Titans!

IWU'70

Green, yes, I wish I could go to Ft. Wayne, too, but won't be making the trip.

I did look further on common opponents -- IWU beat both Chicago and Wash U during the regular season, and Emory split 1-1 with both.  Two of their losses came to Chicago and Wash U, then beating them both the second try both in OT.  So it seems these two teams are very much in the same quality realm.  I do think defense and depth will play a part, even on a neutral court.  Perhaps Funk or Colak, both with great size, will be guarding Emory's top player.  Cleveland will guard their big guy.  Some great match ups.  In games like this TOs and rebounding often make the difference.

'70

The Titans did play great D, but Endicott did come out cold at first, seemingly ill-at-ease starting the game.  IWU took advantage to go out by 14 or so.

Anyone have an assessment, a view on Emory??  Seems a very well-balanced team with very little use of the bench.  Ranked #2, so should be a great challenge for IWU. 

'70

Yes, pretty chippy at times.  Endicott shot themselves in the foot with the T. 

Noah's dunk was a total posterization of one of the Gulls top players, fouling him out . . . good Funk grabbed him and got him away from a taunting T. 

Endicott couldn't buy a basket in the first half . . . but Titan defense was awesome. 

Emory will be a higher, tougher challenge.  Neutral court, short week.

Wish I could go . . . but have to drive to Alabama to attend a funeral.

'70

IWU marches on . . . to the Elite 8, with an impressive 83-77 win over Endicott.

Is there any other big man in D3 who can stop Noah Cleveland?

Cleveland and Colak, it was the mighty duo last night.

Great pre-Spring break crowd at the Shirk, almost full.

Up next, #2 Emory on Thursday in Ft. Wayne.

'70

Thanks for the comments . . .I hope IWU continues to play at the intensive high level of recent games, . . . and also gets off to a strong start on Friday evening.

Any other useful comments would be appreciated.  We haven't played many teams from that part of the NE very often.

'70

Anyone here with thoughts about Endicott -- what kind of team, style of play, issues confronting the Titans?  Seems they are a high-flying, high-scoring team with over 85 ppg.  But, not that much size?   

Looking forward to the Sweet Sixteen game @Shirk on Friday.

'70

Gus, maybe good facilities, and also a big turnout for tournament revenue.  I'm glad we get Endicott at home.  Should be another great game.

IWU'70

Green, agree.  Noah was clearly into it . . .what a great game he had.  I totally agree with you about clamping down on the JCU point guard.   In the first half, I thought he was going to go off for 40+ the way he was playing.  They made him work for it the second half and he started to miss, even FTs.  When Noah and Mason Funk are on, the Titans are hard to beat. 

IWU'70

Elite 8?? Why not?  ms

Tough loss, great season for our Titans.  Again, Hope and DeVos the obstacle.  Seems sad to have two top 10 teams playing in a second round game. 

Congrats to Coach Smith and staff and all the Titans on a great run. 

I agree, the fouling was a huge issue and Hope got so many more FT attempts than IWU ?   Leyden, Balli and then Bardic, all fouling out.  Almost no one left who could score by the time the OT rolled round.   

Congrats to the great group of seniors, especially White, Balli and Bardic.  Impossible to replace these three.

IWU'70

IWU gets a nice win over John Carroll to make the Sweet Sixteen and will host Endicott at Shirk on Friday -- 6:30 p.m.  Sure is nice to have Noah Cleveland back -- he almost single-handedly pull the Titans ahead in the beginning of the second half, as the Titans pulled away and never looked back.  The game was very competitive in the first half, and quite chippy in the second with some some hard flagrant fouls, taunting and several Ts on offer. 

The Titans move on 73-60.

Nice to have a home game for the Sweet Sixteen level.

IWU'70