Quote from: iwu70 on Yesterday at 11:40:33 AMBut next year may be a transition year and the two following will be better.  IMHO. 

In Mia Smith we trust. 

'70

Two exceptional recruits I know of next year, but yeah, a rebuilding year.

Quote from: GusD on February 09, 2026, 01:45:09 AMAfter a close first half, I was surprised how thoroughly IWU dismantled Elmhurst in the second stanza. Both coaches cleared the bench with 16 players for each team seeing action, including Alex Miller of the triumphant Titans who, while seeing just two minutes of garbage time, managed to earn a T.

It was funny (which is easy to say when your team is ahead), but he flubbed a stuff, hung on the rim like a monkey, and got the T. And then he got pissed off for getting the T.

A follow-up to my previous post about NYU, another team took them to the limit last night. Case Western Reserve played them hard for four quarters and had them within 4 points in the last 3 minutes. CWRU has an 8-11 record.  It would take the perfect combination of preparation and luck, but I think NYU is beatable.

[/quote]

Quote from: Stertorous Thunder on February 06, 2026, 04:10:34 PM

Quote from: lmitzel on February 04, 2026, 10:50:13 PMDoes anybody have a hookup for holy water or a shaman or something?

Anyone who pays even scant attention to CCIW basketball knows that North Central's won-loss record doesn't paint a particularly accurate picture of their ability.  I know it's of little consolation, but this year's CCIW cellar-dweller would handily beat every other conference last place team in the country, and probably have their benchers playing before the midpoint of the second half against most of them.

From up here in Wheaton I'm supposed to enjoy watching the struggles of my Naperville neighbor rivals, but I don't.  I sincerely hope those young men stay positive and motivated to put in the offseason work, knowing that once in a while, a string of bad luck will happen and that next year will likely be someone else's turn at the bottom.

They've taken almost every team to the limit. (beating the Titans as all know) Next year, they lose only one senior. They've going to be battling for lead in the CCIW.

Quote from: iwu70 on February 05, 2026, 07:58:23 AMMy mistake.  Funk is coming back another year.  David Williams graduates.  Brady Ruggles returning too.  Lots to work with. Kuehl back too.

Others on the bench waiting their chance.

'70

Ruggles is a bit of a mystery. D1 transfer and had been on Rose's radar since high school. I guess he was out all of last year with an injury, but he's had plenty of time to knock off the rust and acclimate to the program. Still, he's provided zero spark coming off the bench. No minutes last night. I didn't think to look to see if he was injured again or in a boot or something.

Unrelated to the CCIW. NYU played Sunday and won by only 1 point.  Until this point I would have told anyone that NYU was a lock for this year's tournament champion. Kind of like last year. Even on their worst day they would win by 15 points.  Another way to say it, all the rest of the teams are playing for the opportunity to lose to NYU.  But on Sunday Carnegie Mellon played them within 1 point.  It's still the longest of long shots but at least there's a glimmer of hope

It must be date night. Girls not mentally in this game. Offense... a lot of standing and gawking. Barely got it together enough to pull it out. Hand it to NCC. They wanted it more. Palmer, 27 pts.

Millikin played the Titans pretty tight last night. Didn't get real separation until the 4th qtr. Yet another injury. Balli in a boot, but Robinson got the start and played well. Elyce Knudsen made the short trip from ISU to watch her alma mater. Cool to have a legend in the house.

Quote from: iwu70 on January 03, 2026, 09:45:13 PM(now here's a line for you!)  Sawyer White, 37, 13-19 FGs, 8-11 from three, 3-3 FTs, 8 steals, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.  She was everywhere, and just asleep from three.

Bardic 18
IWU'70

At one point, my wife asked me "how many points to you think Sawyer has?" And I'm like "...um, over 20."

Quote from: iwu70 on December 15, 2025, 01:54:54 PMIWU played poorly, stupidly at Elmhurst.

IWU'70

After that final sequence, my wife is like "why didn't they just lob it in to Noah?" I can only shrug on that one. There's a reason I'm not a coach (several reasons), but gosh (using nice language) I would've drawn up a play to get it into Noah's hands.

...and that total rookie technical...

Quote from: iwu70 on December 15, 2025, 01:47:53 PMThis rotation currently has four freshmen playing key roles.  Robinson's game at Elmhurst a very welcome development.

Robinson's break-out game was VERY welcome on a team that lost so much fire power from last year. Freshmen King and Sears getting some floor time too. It's slow improvement...but it's improvement.

Q reports that Leah Palmer will join the Titans next semester. She was a freshman red shirt for D2 Lewis last year and not on the roster this year. She's Kate Palmer's sister and had a notable high school career. No clue what shape she's in being out for a year and a half.

Went to the Titan game yesterday. Freshman Lucy Hynes had a boot on each foot. That has to be dangerous walking on ice.

IWU70, that's my understanding too. Unfortunately, I have to drive in from Lexington, and the roads are getting bad. I'm stuck with watching online. Oh well, I'll cry into my green beer.

Concerning the injured Titans, I can definitely see Hynes and Sears getting into the rotation once the recover.