MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

Titan Q-  You are right and I share with you wondering why Ruch is not starting and getting more PT. 
As I have noted, there are a lot of problems with the Navy Blue and White and not all of them are with the players.  How can you NOT start your All-American? 
Ruch may not be getting the numbers he had last year, or the numbers we would expect, however he has been double/triple teamed all year, mostly due to the fact that Ruch's supporting cast has not been as helpful.  Why guard EC's guards, when you know they won't shoot the ball or drive to the bucket?  Not a difficult thing to comprehend and guard against.
I don't think it will happen, but EC could theoretically lose all their remaining games, and in turn could win all 4.  Fact is, they have not been consistent with anything all year.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Since Ruch was the whole offense for the Jays against IWU (until Burks got hot in the second half), unless Mark Scherer has suddenly gone crazy (seems unlikely), I'd have to assume it is a disciplinary thing, but there is no way I'm going to start speculating on what that might be (except to say it is presumably something minor [late for practice? missed a class?], not some budding scandal, since he enters the games pretty early).

[Titan Q]

Since Ruch was the whole offense for the Jays against IWU (until Burks got hot in the second half), unless Mark Scherer has suddenly gone crazy (seems unlikely), I'd have to assume it is a disciplinary thing, but there is no way I'm going to start speculating on what that might be (except to say it is presumably something minor [late for practice? missed a class?], not some budding scandal, since he enters the games pretty early).

I was told it is not a disciplinary thing, but rather a "strategic decision." 

[AndOne]

Since Ruch was the whole offense for the Jays against IWU (until Burks got hot in the second half), unless Mark Scherer has suddenly gone crazy (seems unlikely), I'd have to assume it is a disciplinary thing, but there is no way I'm going to start speculating on what that might be (except to say it is presumably something minor [late for practice? missed a class?], not some budding scandal, since he enters the games pretty early).

I was told it is not a disciplinary thing, but rather a "strategic decision." 

Taking the "strategic decision" thing a little further reveals that in light of the Jays often and well documented problems with regard to lack of production from the backcourt, Coach S wants reliable production off the bench. As such, he is withholding Ruch from the starting lineup. Additionally, by the time he enters the game, the opposing starter that would defend him is a little tired, and that makes it possible for Ruch to be even more effective. If the starter is really gassed, then Ruch presents even bigger match up problems for a second line player. Lastly, by this time in the season, his damaged knees are feeling the effects of the long grind since practice began almost 4 months ago. Playing less initially in the game allows him more time time reach his threshold of pain thus increasing the chances of him still being pain free and strong at the end when the game may be on the line.

[Titan Q]

Since Ruch was the whole offense for the Jays against IWU (until Burks got hot in the second half), unless Mark Scherer has suddenly gone crazy (seems unlikely), I'd have to assume it is a disciplinary thing, but there is no way I'm going to start speculating on what that might be (except to say it is presumably something minor [late for practice? missed a class?], not some budding scandal, since he enters the games pretty early).

I was told it is not a disciplinary thing, but rather a "strategic decision." 

Taking the "strategic decision" thing a little further reveals that in light of the Jays often and well documented problems with regard to lack of production from the backcourt, Coach S wants reliable production off the bench. As such, he is withholding Ruch from the starting lineup. Additionally, by the time he enters the game, the opposing starter that would defend him is a little tired, and that makes it possible for Ruch to be even more effective. If the starter is really gassed, then Ruch presents even bigger match up problems for a second line player. Lastly, by this time in the season, his damaged knees are feeling the effects of the long grind since practice began almost 4 months ago. Playing less initially in the game allows him more time time reach his threshold of pain thus increasing the chances of him still being pain free and strong at the end when the game may be on the line.

Seems like the basketball version of hitting your pitcher 8th.

[Titan Q]

D3hoops.com ran the Opponents' Winning % and Opponents' Opponents' Winning % numbers for the first time.  Here are the CCIW teams, sorted by in-region record...

OWP/OWP

Augustana (16-4, .800) - .573/.571
Wheaton (13-5, .722) - .565/.559
Elmhurst (14-6, .700) - .517/.530
Illinois Wesleyan (12-6, .667) - .619/.555
North Park (8-9, .471) - .548/.527
Carthage (6-7*, .462) - .646/.552
North Central (8-11, .421) - .582/.520
Millikin (8-12, .400) - .490/.514

* Carthage should be 7-7 in-region (D3hoops is not counting the Bluffton game)

http://www.d3hoops.com/salem/08/owp.htm

OWP and OOWP replaced QOWI, effective this year.  It will be interesting to see the first regional rankings tomorrow.

[Gregory Sager]

"was anything said on the air about the "aggressive" arm movements towards some NP fans that some Wheaton fans showed? "


I was at the game and I have no idea what you're talking about

I'm not sure, but I think tjcf's talking about the post from the Wheaton student after the NPU @ WC game that made a hearsay reference to one of the Carlson Crazies making some sort of a hostile arm gesture to the law enforcement figures in King Arena (whether Wheaton police or WC campus cops) who threw him out of the gym. That's my guess, at least.

[Gregory Sager]

AndOne's account of Saturday's broadcast seems to indicate differently, Pat.

Based on one comment as opposed to the body of work that I've listened to? I'm surprised you'd take that as indicative of the whole.

"Body of work"? How many games on WETN have you heard this year, Pat?

This year's WETN crew may indeed be competent. But the comments AO cited that the WETN crew made about the Crazies on Saturday night were out of line, and I'm glad that AO called them out for it.

[Gregory Sager]

Lastly, by this time in the season, his damaged knees are feeling the effects of the long grind since practice began almost 4 months ago. Playing less initially in the game allows him more time time reach his threshold of pain thus increasing the chances of him still being pain free and strong at the end when the game may be on the line.

This sounds like a good guess to me, because I'm otherwise stumped as to why Scherer would not start Ruch. But, then again, I don't have any inside info as to the current condition of Ruch's knees.

[Pat Coleman]

AndOne's account of Saturday's broadcast seems to indicate differently, Pat.

Based on one comment as opposed to the body of work that I've listened to? I'm surprised you'd take that as indicative of the whole.

"Body of work"? How many games on WETN have you heard this year, Pat?

This year's WETN crew may indeed be competent. But the comments AO cited that the WETN crew made about the Crazies on Saturday night were out of line, and I'm glad that AO called them out for it.

About four. It's good to watch or listen to ranked teams and Wheaton has either been one or played one a couple times this season, IIRC.

[AndOne]

AndOne's account of Saturday's broadcast seems to indicate differently, Pat.

Based on one comment as opposed to the body of work that I've listened to? I'm surprised you'd take that as indicative of the whole.

"Body of work"? How many games on WETN have you heard this year, Pat?

This year's WETN crew may indeed be competent. But the comments AO cited that the WETN crew made about the Crazies on Saturday night were out of line, and I'm glad that AO called them out for it.

About four. It's good to watch or listen to ranked teams and Wheaton has either been one or played one a couple times this season, IIRC.

Pat---

I made NO assessment whatsoever regrading the Wheaton broadcasters "body of work." I don't know from where or why you got the idea that I did anything even remotely close. Its the first time I've listened to a WC broadcast this year so I'm not even qualified to make such an assessment. What I DID do is merely report the facts as they took place during the one specific game in question. The Wheaton broadcasters DID make the comments I reported about the dress and conduct of the NPU students. And, those comments struck me as being out of line.

That you basically accused me of inditing the broadcasters entire "body of work" is rather insulting. Furthermore, as evidence of the fact that I'm innocent of the charge you've leveled against me, I submit into evidence my post # 13867 dated 12 February, 2008 which states, in part, "the actual game description was pretty good." As this is your baby, and you are basically judge and jury in the D3Hoops courtroom, I humbly beseach your honor for a directed verdict of acquittal!   

[joehakes]

So when did this board turn into a Congressional hearing?

[petemcb]

When was it anything but?

[cardinalfanrochelle]

I read this statement from Hank Nichols (NCAA Cord. of Refs) "referees are taught to make a call when warranted, reguardless of how much time is left at the end of a game,if there is a call you make it.It doesn't matter how much time or what the score is because if you don't make the call ,it's a meaningful play to someone and if you didn't make the call you didn't do what you were supposed to do". This swallow the whistle for the last 2 mins so you don't determine the out come of a game is a crock because it's the players and their actions on the court or bench that determine the out come. The players choose to foul or get caught in a position for a foul to be called. In the Villanova game it was a clear foul and was called as one, he forced him out of bounds with his body. Just as a last drive to the hoop and a player gets hammered he deserves to had that call. It happens in the big D-1 just as well as D-3, but it seems to happen more in D-3. There is a big difference if you are just looking for a foul or an opportunity to score a basket.

[andrewmp]

AndOne's account of Saturday's broadcast seems to indicate differently, Pat.

Based on one comment as opposed to the body of work that I've listened to? I'm surprised you'd take that as indicative of the whole.

"Body of work"? How many games on WETN have you heard this year, Pat?

This year's WETN crew may indeed be competent. But the comments AO cited that the WETN crew made about the Crazies on Saturday night were out of line, and I'm glad that AO called them out for it.

About four. It's good to watch or listen to ranked teams and Wheaton has either been one or played one a couple times this season, IIRC.

Pat---

I made NO assessment whatsoever regrading the Wheaton broadcasters "body of work." I don't know from where or why you got the idea that I did anything even remotely close. Its the first time I've listened to a WC broadcast this year so I'm not even qualified to make such an assessment. What I DID do is merely report the facts as they took place during the one specific game in question. The Wheaton broadcasters DID make the comments I reported about the dress and conduct of the NPU students. And, those comments struck me as being out of line.

That you basically accused me of inditing the broadcasters entire "body of work" is rather insulting. Furthermore, as evidence of the fact that I'm innocent of the charge you've leveled against me, I submit into evidence my post # 13867 dated 12 February, 2008 which states, in part, "the actual game description was pretty good." As this is your baby, and you are basically judge and jury in the D3Hoops courtroom, I humbly beseach your honor for a directed verdict of acquittal!   

AndOne
I understood Pat's comments to be more directed at Gregory than you.  You actually listened to some of the broadcast, he did not, and i think Pat was pointing out that his commentary on the Wheaton broadcasters as "goofballs" and other names was based on not on his own, but another's opinion and account.  "Hearsay," maybe.  I see it is as Greg being passionate about his fan base, and a chance to poke a little fun at Wheaton.  I grew up hearing North Park alums take shots at Wheaton before I even went there.
On a side note, Greg, I wish the Wheaton students would have a section as passionate and large at home games.  Wheaton has had some great teams since I have been there (2000), and yet we still can't draw a great crowd like NP does, even though in that time period, Wheaton has generally had the better team. 
I've made the trip out before to watch the NPU/Wheaton Game in Chicago, but was unable to this weekend because I was out of state.  I was a little sad last year when I went that the "crazies" weren't out in much force, largely because the semester hadn't started up yet.