MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[PauldingLightUP]

Wheaton schedule is posted. Non cons vs MSOE, vs Illinois Tech, vs Simpson, vs Pfud Classic x2 (UW-River Falls, Central, Piedmont), vs Chicago, at Carleton, at Trinity (TX) Tournament x2.

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2026-27

[kenoshamark]

Allow me to sidetrack from the basketball discussion.  Since there isn't a men's volleyball board, I wanted to give a shout out to the Carthage Men's volleyball team who will be playing in the National Championship game tomorrow in Springfield, MA. 

They will be up against the #1 team, which is Springfield, who is a perennial top five team (as Carthage has become too).  Just felt that any CCIW team should be recognized if they are playing for a title.  Carthage has won two previous championships (2021 and 2022) so this potentially would be three in six years.  These are the only team NCAA championships for Carthage, so it's a big deal. 

They are playing special right now and it should be a great matchup, although playing the number 1 team on their court will be a huge challenge. Their coach, JW Kieckhefer , is in his 7th year at Carthage.  He is a fantastic coach and an elite recruiter.  He pulls in some of the best in the Milwaukee to Madison area, but also recruits in IL.  Just watching how their team rallies around him shows the culture he has built.

I still follow the bball team, but I have to admit, I have more fondness for their volleyball team now over the past five years. 

Game is broadcast tomorrow at 6:00 (for free) on the NCAA.com site (you can find on the Carthage site too).  Let's hope for a third banner hanging from the gym soon.

Now, back to regular programming.

[Gregory Sager]

North Park also landed 5'9" Nate Serrano from Taft this winter.

[Gregory Sager]

Allow me to sidetrack from the basketball discussion.  Since there isn't a men's volleyball board, I wanted to give a shout out to the Carthage Men's volleyball team who will be playing in the National Championship game tomorrow in Springfield, MA. 

They will be up against the #1 team, which is Springfield, who is a perennial top five team (as Carthage has become too).  Just felt that any CCIW team should be recognized if they are playing for a title.  Carthage has won two previous championships (2021 and 2022) so this potentially would be three in six years.  These are the only team NCAA championships for Carthage, so it's a big deal. 

They are playing special right now and it should be a great matchup, although playing the number 1 team on their court will be a huge challenge. Their coach, JW Kieckhefer , is in his 7th year at Carthage.  He is a fantastic coach and an elite recruiter.  He pulls in some of the best in the Milwaukee to Madison area, but also recruits in IL.  Just watching how their team rallies around him shows the culture he has built.

I still follow the bball team, but I have to admit, I have more fondness for their volleyball team now over the past five years. 

Game is broadcast tomorrow at 6:00 (for free) on the NCAA.com site (you can find on the Carthage site too).  Let's hope for a third banner hanging from the gym soon.

Now, back to regular programming.

Not a problem, K-Mark. We have a long-standing tradition on CCIW Chat of posting news here about national championships won by CCIW teams, regardless of sport. I don't think it's too big of a stretch to note an upcoming national championship game, match, or meet rather than an actual championship won yet -- especially when, as you said, it's in a sport that doesn't have a board.

Of course, a certain individual who shall remain nameless insists upon posting updates here of even the minor successes of his alma mater's teams in other sports at any time, regardless of how much flak he gets for doing so ... so I hope he doesn't interpret your post as license for him to keep doing that.

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton schedule is posted. Non cons vs MSOE, vs Illinois Tech, vs Simpson, vs Pfud Classic x2 (UW-River Falls, Central, Piedmont), vs Chicago, at Carleton, at Trinity (TX) Tournament x2.

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2026-27

We should give out an award -- let's call it The Early Bird Trophy -- to the CCIW head coach who not only completes his annual scheduling task ahead of his peers but gives it to his school's SID and has it posted online first.

Here you go, Mike Schauer. Add this to your virtual mantel. Congrats!

[PauldingLightUP]

Wheaton schedule is posted. Non cons vs MSOE, vs Illinois Tech, vs Simpson, vs Pfud Classic x2 (UW-River Falls, Central, Piedmont), vs Chicago, at Carleton, at Trinity (TX) Tournament x2.

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2026-27

We should give out an award -- let's call it The Early Bird Trophy -- to the CCIW head coach who not only completes his annual scheduling task ahead of his peers but gives it to his school's SID and has it posted online first.

Here you go, Mike Schauer. Add this to your virtual mantel. Congrats!

Wheaton would win every year no doubt.

[GusD]

It hasn't been posted yet, and probably won't be for sometime, but a little birdie whispered in my ear that NCC (or possibly Naperville University by then  ) will play the following non-conf schedule next season;

11/11 @ Aurora
11/17 vs Hope
11/20 @ Webster
11/21 @ Westminster
11/24 vs Benedictine
12/16 @ Wis. Lutheran
12/20 vs Pacific Lutheran
1/1 - 1/2 UMHB + 1 other @ UMHB

So trips to Missouri and Texas.

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton schedule is posted. Non cons vs MSOE, vs Illinois Tech, vs Simpson, vs Pfud Classic x2 (UW-River Falls, Central, Piedmont), vs Chicago, at Carleton, at Trinity (TX) Tournament x2.

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2026-27

We should give out an award -- let's call it The Early Bird Trophy -- to the CCIW head coach who not only completes his annual scheduling task ahead of his peers but gives it to his school's SID and has it posted online first.

Here you go, Mike Schauer. Add this to your virtual mantel. Congrats!

Wheaton would win every year no doubt.

Not true.

[Greek Tragedy]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but Elmhurst got a commit from Jack Dempsey (6'3") out of Oak Lawn Community High School. He was named South Suburban Red Conference POTY.

[Gregory Sager]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but Elmhurst got a commit from Jack Dempsey (6'3") out of Oak Lawn Community High School. He was named South Suburban Red Conference POTY.

Eagerly looking forward to North Central announcing that it has a commit from a kid named Gene Tunney.

[GusD]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but Elmhurst got a commit from Jack Dempsey (6'3") out of Oak Lawn Community High School. He was named South Suburban Red Conference POTY.

Eagerly looking forward to North Central announcing that it has a commit from a kid named Gene Tunney.

Yes, Gene is a 6'7 PF from Michigan. How did you hear about him?

[Gregory Sager]

I have a ringside seat for all the key recruiting insider info.