MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

OT final from the airplane hangar:

North Park 92
North Central 87

Mike Vuckovic: 28 pts (11-14 FG), 6 rebs, 7 asts
Kolden Vanlandingham: 15 pts
Jakhi Gray: 14 pts
William Bates: 4 stls

Tyler Swierczek: 21 pts (4-6 trey)
Seth Cheney: 15 pts, 6 rebs
Ale Diaz: 13 pts, 8 rebs
Tyler Surin: 10 pts
Sean Molloy: 10 pts
Ethan Marlowe: 10 rebs, 5 blks

This was one of the best Vikings comebacks I've seen in a long, long time. NCC, which clearly outplayed the Vikings for most of the game, held an 18-point lead early in the second half, and did a good job for most of the second stanza of holding the Park at bay. The Cardinals still held a 10-point advantage with just a little over three minutes left to go in regulation. But the Vikings went on one of their patented supersonic scoring spurts, catching the Cards and actually taking their first lead since midway thru the first half on a pair of Jakhi Gray FTs with 45 seconds left. But NCC responded with a Seth Cheney layup with 28 ticks left, and Kolden Vanlandingham's attempted buzzer-beater rimmed out. However, NPU came out and scored the first four points of the extra session, and the Vikings were never headed in OT.

Another phenomenal game for Mike Vuckovic, who has clearly established himself as one of the premier players in the CCIW. He was a prime mover in the late comeback for the Vikings, along with Gray. The Vikings got Gray back from injury for the Concordia (IL) game earlier this week, and today they got big man Lazario Cornish back as well -- a full three weeks earlier than what I'd been told was his ETA from the disabled list. All of these guys were necessary pieces today, especially with Vanlandingham having an off game (he fouled out in overtime). On the other side of the ledger, North Central lost Tyler Swierczek in the second half due to what appeared to be a broken nose suffered going up to attempt to block a layup. He was certainly missed by the Cards down the stretch and in overtime.

This was another of Vince Kmiec's classic "we played 30-35 minutes of good basketball" kinda games for NCC. The Cardinals just can't seem to keep it together for the entire length of a game, which is really the story of their one-step-forward, two-steps-back season. But they executed very well on the offensive end for most of the game, and they absolutely crushed NPU on the boards, 48-34, including 17-6 on the offensive glass. That would've been the story of the game if the Vikings hadn't been able to mount that impressive comeback.

NPU improves to 10-3, 3-1, and stays in a tie with Carthage for first place, while NCC drops to 5-8, 1-3.

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage stays tied atop the league with NPU, as the Firebirds had a surprisingly easy time of it against Elmhurst in an 80-65 win at Tarble. Riley Brooks had a big day for the Red and Black with 20 and 8, as did all-rounder Griffin Daun, who had a sparkling 13-10 double-double to go with a 6:1 floor game and three steals. Ryan Johnson added 11 and big brother AJ chipped in 10 for the victors, while Dom Trelenberg was the only Bluejay in double figures with 17. Elmhurst didn't even shoot a free throw in this game until there was only twelve minutes and change remaining.

Millikin dropped out of the first-place tie, as the Big Blue lost a nail-biter at Carver to Augustana, 77-76. Andre Klaver blocked a Lane Thomann jumper in the waning seconds to preserve the win for the hosts and earn a split with MU in their season series. Klaver paced Augie with 20 points, with Jake Willems adding 17 and 6, and a good day as well was had by Cam Atkinson, who had 11 and 6. Leading the way for Jimmy Millikin was Thomann, with a monster 34 and 13 afternoon. Chris Ketchum was the only other Big Blue player with substantial numbers, as he had 15 and 6.

Illinois Wesleyan got a bit of separation late and was able to close out a tight ballgame at Shirk, topping Carroll, 72-68. The Titans rode a big first half from Mason Funk, who finished with 25 as well as three blocks and three steals, while Noah Cleveland came on late for 17 and 8 and Casen Lawrence pumped in a dozen for IWU on 4-8 shooting from downtown. The Pios were led by Michael McNabb and Lamar Smith, who each scored 16, while Jacob Naber had 10 and 6 and freshman G Peyton McKenna also added 10.

[markerickson]

Chomp, chomp...I am eating shorts right now.  After Vuckovic suddenly burst onto the scene, I posted that NPU needed Kolden V to be the team's leading scorer by the 10 game mark.  Otherwise, I presumed the Vikings would have been an average team.  At 10-3, excluding tonite's victory at NCC...in which Vuckovic had the game hi, the V backcourt tandem averages 36ppg (MV at 21 and KV at 15).  I note that the pair also averages 12 rpg.  In addition, they have dished 141 assists!

Glad I missed the first 10 minutes tonite.  The rest certainly kept my attention!

[iwu70]

A good win for IWU tonight @ The Shirk.  The Mason Funk show.

IWU wins 72-68 over Carroll.  I'm not used to the less efficient Titans on offense, playing mostly in the 60s and low 70s this year.

For CU:
McNabb 16
Smith 16
McKenna 10
Naber 10

Carroll with 21 TOs.  Shooting 49%/43% from three/ 82% FTs.

For IWU:
Funk 25
Cleveland 17 and 8
Lawrence 12

IWU had 8 blocks and 11 steals.

IWU shooting 43%/36% from three/ 70% from the FT line.

IWU moves to 10-3, 2-2 in league play.  A much needed league win.

IWU'70

[lmitzel]

OT final from the airplane hangar:

North Park 92
North Central 87

Mike Vuckovic: 28 pts (11-14 FG), 6 rebs, 7 asts
Kolden Vanlandingham: 15 pts
Jakhi Gray: 14 pts
William Bates: 4 stls

Tyler Swierczek: 21 pts (4-6 trey)
Seth Cheney: 15 pts, 6 rebs
Ale Diaz: 13 pts, 8 rebs
Tyler Surin: 10 pts
Sean Molloy: 10 pts
Ethan Marlowe: 10 rebs, 5 blks

This was one of the best Vikings comebacks I've seen in a long, long time. NCC, which clearly outplayed the Vikings for most of the game, held an 18-point lead early in the second half, and did a good job for most of the second stanza of holding the Park at bay. The Cardinals still held a 10-point advantage with just a little over three minutes left to go in regulation. But the Vikings went on one of their patented supersonic scoring spurts, catching the Cards and actually taking their first lead since midway thru the first half on a pair of Jakhi Gray FTs with 45 seconds left. But NCC responded with a Seth Cheney layup with 28 ticks left, and Kolden Vanlandingham's attempted buzzer-beater rimmed out. However, NPU came out and scored the first four points of the extra session, and the Vikings were never headed in OT.

Another phenomenal game for Mike Vuckovic, who has clearly established himself as one of the premier players in the CCIW. He was a prime mover in the late comeback for the Vikings, along with Gray. The Vikings got Gray back from injury for the Concordia (IL) game earlier this week, and today they got big man Lazario Cornish back as well -- a full three weeks earlier than what I'd been told was his ETA from the disabled list. All of these guys were necessary pieces today, especially with Vanlandingham having an off game (he fouled out in overtime). On the other side of the ledger, North Central lost Tyler Swierczek in the second half due to what appeared to be a broken nose suffered going up to attempt to block a layup. He was certainly missed by the Cards down the stretch and in overtime.

This was another of Vince Kmiec's classic "we played 30-35 minutes of good basketball" kinda games for NCC. The Cardinals just can't seem to keep it together for the entire length of a game, which is really the story of their one-step-forward, two-steps-back season. But they executed very well on the offensive end for most of the game, and they absolutely crushed NPU on the boards, 48-34, including 17-6 on the offensive glass. That would've been the story of the game if the Vikings hadn't been able to mount that impressive comeback.

NPU improves to 10-3, 3-1, and stays in a tie with Carthage for first place, while NCC drops to 5-8, 1-3.

Marlowe's five blocks all came in the first half, and I joked with both Alex Sorenson and Aaron Tiknis before the second half began that their single game block record was in trouble (Sorenson had three six block games in his career, Tiknis did it once). Unfortunately he did not record another in the second half, but apparently he becomes the first CCIW player to post two games of at least five blocks in the same season since Jonathan Zapinski did so for Elmhurst a couple years ago (I'm going by what the North Park Sports Information folks told me. Side note, big thanks to them for jumping in and running stats for us tonight.)

I legit do not get this Cardinals team this year. They have talent, and they have hung with every team this year. But for whatever reason they seem to struggle to close some games out. I got reminded of the first game in the crackerbox with how this one ended. Credit to NPU for fighting back and closing this one out in the extra session.

[Gregory Sager]

(I'm going by what the North Park Sports Information folks told me. Side note, big thanks to them for jumping in and running stats for us tonight.)

I hope that you didn't give Craig and Tyler too much of an earache.   They're used to our more sedate PA guy in the crackerbox.

[Greek Tragedy]

I imagine Greg already brought this up,but it seems odd that NPU has played 4 conference games and 2 of them have been against NCC. Any reason for that?

[Gregory Sager]

I imagine Greg already brought this up,but it seems odd that NPU has played 4 conference games and 2 of them have been against NCC. Any reason for that?

Yes, I addressed this shortly after the start of the school year:

I haven't looked at other schedules around the league yet, but I've noticed an oddity this year with the double round robin. Usually you face everyone once before you start the rematches. Yet for NCC, they face North Park in back to back CCIW contests (in Chicago on 12/13 and Naperville on 1/3). They don't face Elmhurst until 1/24 and then again on 2/14.

The double booking in the first round-robin between NPU and NCC was done by the league office, and I think that it's by request of NCC. Something to do with their finals schedule, I think; the NPU coaching staff isn't 100% sure of the exact reason. All they know is that this unusual arrangement didn't come out of Foster & Kedzie.

As Lucas said, NCC will play Elmhurst twice in the second round-robin. NPU will face Wheaton twice in the second round-robin.

[GusD]

After seeing all the NCC games so far this season either in person or via a stream and periodically streaming approximately 20-25 other teams, I'd say Mike Vuckovic of North Park is probably the best player I've seen so far this season.

Makes you wonder;
1. Where was he last year? I think NPU lost their last 6 games in a row last year to fall out of contention in the CCIW race and miss out on the playoffs. Could he have not contributed?
2. What in the world did he do over the off-season did he do to elicit such an improvement?

[Gregory Sager]

After seeing all the NCC games so far this season either in person or via a stream and periodically streaming approximately 20-25 other teams, I'd say Mike Vuckovic of North Park is probably the best player I've seen so far this season.

Makes you wonder;
1. Where was he last year? I think NPU lost their last 6 games in a row last year to fall out of contention in the CCIW race and miss out on the playoffs. Could he have not contributed?

He was at the end of the bench last year, which, honestly, is where he belonged. He didn't bring much to the table at all in 2024-25, and he wouldn't have helped stanch the bleeding during NPU's late-season skid if Ed McGhee had put him out on the floor more.

Oh, and you're having a senior moment, Mark. North Park didn't miss out on the playoffs last season. As a matter of fact, the Vikings were knocked out in the CCIW quarterfinals by your own Cardinals.

(I recommend daily cognitive exercises to enhance memory function. I swear by crossword puzzles, but word-search puzzles and/or Sudoku are good options as well. )

2. What in the world did he do over the off-season did he do to elicit such an improvement?

He worked his butt off, that's what he did. When he wasn't shooting baskets or running agility drills he was in the weightroom lifting. In his post-season interview with Ed McGhee, Mike asked the coach what he needed to do to improve. Ed told him exactly what it would take for Mike to crack the rotation in 2025-26. When most players who ask that question  in their post-season interviews hear the coach's response, it basically leads to the player making the March equivalent of a New Year's resolution. Studies show that most people abandon their New Year's resolutions by January 9. Well, Mike Vuckovic didn't abandon his. By the time school started this fall, the NPU coaches were telling me, "Wait 'til you see Mike Vuckovic." I attended the first open gym in Helwig Rec Center, and I immediately saw what they were talking about. It didn't take me any longer than that one open gym at Helwig to know that he was not only going to be in the rotation, he was going to start. And by the time practices started I could see that he was not only going to start, he was going to be a dominant player in the CCIW.

[GusD]

After seeing all the NCC games so far this season either in person or via a stream and periodically streaming approximately 20-25 other teams, I'd say Mike Vuckovic of North Park is probably the best player I've seen so far this season.

Makes you wonder;
1. Where was he last year? I think NPU lost their last 6 games in a row last year to fall out of contention in the CCIW race and miss out on the playoffs. Could he have not contributed?

He was at the end of the bench last year, which, honestly, is where he belonged. He didn't bring much to the table at all in 2024-25, and he wouldn't have helped stanch the bleeding during NPU's late-season skid if Ed McGhee had put him out on the floor more.

Oh, and you're having a senior moment, Mark. North Park didn't miss out on the playoffs last season. As a matter of fact, the Vikings were knocked out in the CCIW quarterfinals by your own Cardinals.

(I recommend daily cognitive exercises to enhance memory function. I swear by crossword puzzles, but word-search puzzles and/or Sudoku are good options as well. )

Oh, no, no, no!  🫨
By  playoffs, I meant/mean the national playoffs or the national championship tournament, the possible entrance into by your Vikings which was denied by virtue of their loss to my Cardinals in the conference, (not national) tournament. Perhaps I should have been a little more detailed in my original post but I assumed any knowledgeable college 🏀 fan would realize that by "playoffs," I was talking about the national playoffs, not merely the conference tournament. 😉
Although I certainly have them, there was no senior moment in this particular instance.
And let's not lose track of the foremost point of my post which was to praise Mr. Vuckovic. 🤗

[Gregory Sager]

The term's non-specific, just like the term "tournament" by itself is non-specific. You say "playoffs," the immediate thought I have is that you're referring to what happens after the regular season.

Mike would certainly appreciate your praise. I think that even higher praise is to acknowledge that he is not only one of the premier players in the league, but that he clearly got there only because of a lot of hard work and determination. He didn't simply have the natural progression of added experience that most players gain from one year to the next; he only attained his present level once he realized how much above and beyond the norm he would have to push himself to get to that point. I'm always gonna root for any kid who is goal-oriented and has a really sound work ethic.

[iwu70]

Week 5 poll:   IWU rejoins the top 25 at #18, ORV North Park. 

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Wednesday's games
Augustana (7-5, 2-1) @ Illinois Wesleyan (10-3, 2-2)
Carroll (6-6, 1-2) @ Wheaton (7-5, 1-2)
Carthage (9-4, 3-1) @ North Central (5-8, 1-3)
Millikin (10-3, 2-2) @ Elmhurst (8-4, 1-2)

all games 7 pm

We're far enough along now for Massey's predictions to be worth a peek, for a lark if for nothing else, so:

Illinois Wesleyan 77, Augustana 69	(IWU 77%, AC 23%)
Wheaton 79, Carroll 76	(WC 58%, CU 42%)
Carthage 74, North Central 72	(CC 55%, NCC 45%)
Elmhurst 73, Millikin 67	(EU 70%, MU 30%)

[iwu70]

I expect Augie to make it a closer game @The Shirk tomorrow, closer than the 77%/23% prediction of Massey.  IWU rarely gets to 77 points this year. 

'70