NCAA Tournament Preview: Illinois Wesleyan University @ North Central College

I didn't make it to Benedictine on Saturday for, from what I heard, was a fun game in a playoff atmosphere. Fortunately the Cardinals held on and made plays late to knock off the defending champs. And for whatever reason, it left some Whitewater folks a little salty. (Kudos to whoever was in charge of the @NCC_Athletics Twitter at the time for a genius response.)

So for the second straight year, the Cardinals have advanced to the Sweet 16, but they weren't the only one to advance from the CCIW. Wheaton got knocked off, but a familiar and deadly foe awaits in the next round.

Illinois Wesleyan University at North Central College
Gregory Arena- Sat. March 16, 2013- 7pm

About Illinois Wesleyan
From Bloomington, IL
23-5, At Large team from CCIW
Defeated Transylvania 80-71 in the first round, defeated Washington (Mo) 71-67 in the second round
1-1 vs NCC this year (won 69-61 at IWU, lost 87-83 in OT at NCC)

With no track championships to tie up parking spots, Merner Fieldhouse can come to life again. The Cardinals remain unbeaten in games where they're considered the "home" team and have not lost in Naperville so far this year, but Illinois Wesleyan is no small task.

The Titans lead the conference in scoring at 72.5 points a game (for the record, NCC is 4th at 69.1) and boast an incredibly balanced attack. Andrew Ziemnik and Brady Zimmer are tied for the team lead with 11.1 points per game apiece, along with 4 other guys who average between 8 and 11 points a contest. Ziemnik has 32 points in the 2 games between these schools so far, and is the key guy to watch out for.

The Cardinals still haven't played a "perfect" game in a while, surviving bad free throw shooting (11-20 Saturday) and an off shooting night in general by everyone not named Brandon Williams or Landon Gamble. But that's been the beauty of this team: they take opponents' best shots and have had different guys step up to make plays throughout the game and the leaders finish it off at the end.

Given the season split between these teams combined with NCC's unblemished record at home, I would find it hard to believe that the Cardinals don't make it to Salem, Virginia and the Elite 8 for a shot at heading to Atlanta in April. If it doesn't happen, it will be because a very good Titan team made the plays and earned their way to Salem and the CCIW should be honored to have one of these teams making it this far.

Get to Merner early on Saturday. Given the rivalry, the gym is bound to be packed, even if NCC will be on Spring Break. We need the support again. Go Cardinals!