Augustana @ IWU (1/30/08)

As Randy Reinhardt wrote in the Pantagraph today,"the big game is returning to Shirk Center." When the season started, who would have thought this game would be a battle of second place teams? It is, and it's certainly an enourmous game in the CCIW standings.

Carthage 5-1
Augustana 4-2
Illinois Wesleyan 4-2
Elmhurst 3-3
Wheaton 3-3
North Park 2-4
North Central 2-4
Millikin 1-5

Carthage should win at home tonight vs North Park to move to 6-1. A Titan victory over Augustana would set up a chance to face the Red Men and earn a share of 1st place. But first things first.

Even after the loss of returning leading scorer Jordan Delp (ruptured achilles), Augie is still a tough team. They're very big in the low post with 6-7/200 Chandlor Collins, 6-9/240 Dain Swetalla, and then 6-6/215 Oliver Rorer and 6-9/236 Dan Rukavina off the bench. They still have a nice starting perimeter trio, with 6-2 point-guard Matt Pelton (7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.7 apg), 6-2 Iowa transfer Brett Wessels (13.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg), and 6-2 slasher Alex Washington (9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg). And the Vikings under Grey Giovanine, of course, play some of the best defense in NCAA Division III.

All of that said, Augustana lost at North Park (where the Titans just won), lost at Carthage (where the Titans also lost, in OT), trailed Millikin at halftime in Rock Island, and had some trouble putting North Central away at home Saturday night. Augustana may be the #10-ranked team in the nation, but they're beatable.

The Titans will need to play well tonight to leave the Shirk Center 5-2. Keys:

1) Rebound. The Titans have been out-rebounded 110-75 the last 3 games. They'll have to keep the battle of the very board very close tonight.

2) Make free throws. IWU is a CCIW-worst .609 from the free throw line in league play (70-115). They won't win tonight shooting 61% from the charity stripe.

3) Defend. IWU's defense has been much better since CCIW play started and they'll need another strong defensive effort tonight. I'd expect Sean Dwyer to get the assignment on leading scorer Brett Wessels. It will have to be a team defensive effort vs the Vikings to combat all of that size and strength.

4) Be tough and aggressive. Maybe the most important key to the game. Augustana plays physical and tough - the Titans need to not only match that, they need to be the aggressor.


The big game is back. Hope to see you there.