MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

GS - I believe you made a slight error on the drinking age in Illinois back in the 60's and 70's (and maybe into the 80's - not sure when it was changed).  Surrounding states like Wisconsin and Michigan had a drinking age of 18.  Illinois was 19 for beer and wine, 21 for hard liquor.  If I remember correctly, no one checked id's very closely, if at all, back then.  I heard that some of my high school classmates (in Michigan) went into bars when they were 16 or so.  Not that I would have any first hand knowledge of such activity.

I'll defer to you on this, Martin, since I was in elementary school four states away at the time. 

I can't make it out to Elmhurst for today's second-round games of the Bluejay Classic (sorry, Ryan), but my schedule freed up for last night, so I went out to Faganel to check out the first round. In the first half Elmhurst certainly upheld its growing rep for playing to the level of the competition. They played extremely poor off-ball defense, and Marian (WI) racked up lots of back-door layups. In the second half the 'jays clamped down on defense and pulled away ... partly because of their overwhelming size advantage, partly because a pair of Martin treys spurred a big mid-half run that ran the lead out into double digits for the first time, and partly because the Sabres really only had one half in them in terms of hanging with a team of Elmhurst's caliber.

The first game was actually a lot more interesting. It was the first time I'd seen Olivet in ages, but nothing's changed for them. They're a team of streetballers, but lest anyone think I'm being derisive of them let me say that they're pretty competitive as well. They run practically no organized offense, outside of some two-man sets that actually work pretty well; the Comets' idea of offense is to chuck an NBA-distance trey as soon as the guard gets within range, fetch the long rebound, and do it again. And that actually works, because they get a lot of long rebounds. Everyone on the team shoots a flat ball, so if it doesn't go in it explodes off of the backboard or the rim and goes well out onto the floor, where the Comets are quick enough and have enough long arms to retrieve it. Their size and athleticism is also well-used at the defensive end, where they're very good at sealing off drives and collapsing on the post.

This was my first-ever look at Brian Van Haaften's vaunted Buena Vista program, and I got a very strong sense that this is an off-year edition of it (as if the 1-4 record going into the game wasn't enough of an indication of that). They have plenty of size, too, and a really nice little freshman PG in Andre Wagner, but not a lot of ability in terms of intermediate-sized wings. Their freshman center, Brian Fogleman, is a stud in the making, though. He's 6'6", 265, but for a guy that size he has amazingly quick feet.

[bluejaybacker1]

Elmhurst 64
Olivet      51

In an ugly affair Elmhurst let this team hang around for no reason. Elmhurst struggled from the field all night. They missed many lay-ups and put backs against a smaller less physical Olivet team. The only defense these two teams brought tonight was the hack!! The two teams combined for 45 fouls. The teams turned over the ball 39 times, Elm. 19 Olivet 20. The game was absolutely brutal to watch. Olivet shot 31% for the game and Elmhurst shot 38%.

Chris Martin was 3-13 from the field and had 14 pts. and 10 brds.
Nick Michael looked a lot better and was 7-11 from the field and had 17 pts. 7 brds.
Pat Bacon came off the bench and had 14 pts tonight.
Brian Lee chipped in with 10pts.

Elmhurst only had 4 assists tonight.

Sager- You didn't miss anything be glad you weren't there this afternoon.

[The Roop]

If Puget Sound manages to stay in the game until half time vs. IWU I'll be surprised. They are a big fish in a small pond and would probably not be able to win the LMC Championship. Congratulations in advance to IWU for thumping a highly ranked team.

[titanhammer]

OK, I'll be your huckleberry, Carninalpride.  I don't think your '90 cardinal team could beat the '05 - '06 Titans.  They were a good team, but I think this year's Titans have too many weapons for that team to stop.  I've done the match ups before for the '90 Titans vs this year's team, and I think this years has the advantage.  If this year's Titans played the '90 Cardinals ten times, I would say the Titans would come out on top 7 of those ten times.

Speaking of that '90 Cardinal team, Ron Brown was a great player.  However, he shouldn't have been the MOP:  it should have been Jeff Kuehl.  JK had an incredible year...with a broken hand.  What he did while he had that injury was incredible.  I'm sure that you and I could argue forever on this one.  I would be interested to see what some non-partisan folks have to say.

Early on, doesn't sound like the Titans are having much trouble with IC:  25 - 4 Titans.

Titan Hammer, from warm Naples, Fl.  

[mr_b]

Final score from Foster & Kedzie: Westminster (MO) 76, North Park 73 (OT)

[Gregory Sager]

Westminster (MO)'s point guard went coast-to-coast in 3.4 seconds and hit a running 24-footer at the buzzer to beat NPU by three in overtime.

Just when I thought the Vikings couldn't sink any lower, they proved me wrong.

This is it: The worst loss in North Park basketball history.

This is the lowest of the low. Rock bottom.

I'm signing off Posting Up for awhile. I can't deal with this right now. This is doing too much damage to me. I want to break stuff in my apartment, and that's just stupid. It's only basketball, and it's Christmas, for crying out loud.

Take care, everyone, and if I don't speak to you again before then I hope all the regulars here have a Merry Christmas.

[mr_b]

Greg is right... the Vikes didn't get the job done against a formerly-winless Westminster squad.  Unlike Greg, I was mildly encouraged as North Park took a 33-26 lead into the locker room at the half, but they came out cold in the second half.  The teams were knotted at 61 with 20 seconds to go in regulation; the Vikings had the ball but could not score.  In OT the Bluejays had several baskets while the Vikings started with 1-for-6 at the charity stripe.  Jason Gordon hit a three with 3 second left, but Dygert of Westminster answered with a trey with no time remaining to give the Bluejays their first win of the season.

[Mr. Ypsi]

mr_b,

Sounds like Greg will NOT have the details - the NP reports may be on your shoulders for awhile!

As a Lions and Tigers fan, I can empathize with Greg's frustrations, and hope he will take to heart his own words that 'it is just a game'.  AND, that however bleak things look at the moment, you still have four more national championship banners than the rest of the conference combined!

[hopefan]

I'm asking the question here in the CCIW room where I know I can get an answer.... Wash U's Scott Stone had 9 3's in the first half, and 14 in the game vs Fontbonne this afternoon.  While I've seen many games where Mr. Stone couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, I must admit it was a VERY exciting display this afternoon.  Question, What is the D3 record for 3 pointers in a half and in a game.  I assumed that someone from Grinnel probably went 20 for 40 in a game.... can My CCIW friends tell me the answer?

[mr_b]

That's a tough act you're asking me to follow, Mr. Ypsi!  I think we all need a bit of a respite here.  I wish the team success on their Florida trip so they can find some renewed confidence and energy when they get back home in January.

[Mr. Ypsi]

hopefan,

I don't know the answer (and, Pat, I TRIED to research it, but couldn't find the answer!), but your guess of Grinnell sounds right, and I'd guess Wood specifically!

mr_b,

No one is asking you to REPLACE Greg!  Perish the thought!  But you may be the NP 'eyes' for a bit.

[Titan Q]

NCAA record book...

http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/m_basketball_records_book/2005/2005_m_basketball_records.pdf

[Titan Q]

The IWU final was 85-57.  IWU was up 29 at halftime and led by as much as 40+.  The Titans out-rebounded IC 54-36 and that pretty much sums it up.  IWU was just way too big, too athletic, and too strong for the Blueboys.

Amelianovich had 19...Dauksas 11 assists and 1 T.O.  IWU shot 51% and held IC to 29%.

IC's Bruner Center is a beautiful Division III facility...one of the nicest I've seen.

[Jim Matson]

hopefan,  Jeff Clement of Grinnell holds the single game all-time record for treys made at 19.  He set the record in 1998.  I can't find anything on treys made by half, but there is no such official record at the school or NCAA level.

[Titan Q]

When it comes to offensive records, there should be a "non Grinnell" listing!