Quote from: crusader_nation on April 06, 2022, 12:10:43 AM
Wheaton Recruits:

Michael Dienes, Rancho Solano Prep, Scottsdale, AZ, 6' 7" 180lbs.

Kyle Neibch, Ft. Mill High School, Fort Mill, SC, 6' 2" 170lbs.

Noah Reimer, Lincoln Christian High School, Tulsa, OK, 6' 5" 205lbs.

Neibch transferred from Batavia after his sophomore year.

While I too sometimes miss Q's D3 knowledge and passion, I am also a member of the Blocked by Bob team. Several years ago, after an innocuous Grey Giovanine tweet after Augie won the CCIW tournament, Bob took exception to Giovanine pointing out that it was the Vikings' third win over IWU that season. I countered that he was probably proud of that fact, seeing that it doesn't happen all that often and Augustana had to beat the best to win that title. Blocked within seconds. Good thing I had a burner account to keep following to this day!

Quote from: AndOne on March 17, 2019, 11:21:10 PM

Quote from: Titan Q on March 17, 2019, 07:44:34 PM

Quote from: BobbyO on March 17, 2019, 07:39:47 PM
Now that the season is over, I was wondering who will be the Lead Dog for 19-20 both CCIW and National.  Augustana appears to not be the favorite.  Ebel's replacement now is Jack Jelen.  I am not impressed with him and I do not see the leadership and drive from him.  Orange's replacement is unknown but might be Austin Elledge who can shoot and play defense but can he be the quiet leader.  Brett Benning may be the hardest one to replace, hopefully there will be some growing up from the reserves or a new recruit.

It will be Wofford's team to lead.

I don't know about the other schools and would like to see your opinions.

Good Luck Coach G this week!

Freshman PG Jack McDonald (currently at Geneva HS) could win that starting PG job...he seems to be a big-time recruit.

Saw McDonald play 3x this year and first saw him back in his sophomore season on varsity.
The fact is he could have started for some college teams this year. I will be very surprised if he isn't Augie's starting PG next year. Might not be ready to start the first game, but should take over the position fairly quickly. I don't see a returning guard better than him. Based on PT this season, it would appear Jelen & Kellen are Augie's top returnees at the guard spot. I think McDonald will have it all over both of them. He is super on the dribble drive. and is an exquisite passer. He can carve an opponent up. It's completely within the realm of possibility that he will lead the conference in assists and A/TO ratio before he is through. At this point, he is not quite the shooter Ebel is but he is certainly above average. And remember, Ebel is four years older. How did Ebel shoot it as a freshman?
Defensively, he isn't as quick as Orange, but who is? He certainly isn't slow. Also, I think he is only 5/10 or 5/11 so some opponents are going to be able to shoot over him.
In summary, this is a top tier D3 recruit. A pass first true PG who rates a grade of A as far as decision making goes. When you combine his current level of talent with his future further development, I think he is a future certain all-conference player, probable all-region, and AA achievement would not be a surprise at all.

Good analysis of McDonald. I cover Batavia on local cable access so have seen all of the DuKane/Upstate Eight guys a lot. Perhaps biased as an Augie alum, I always thought he would be a great fit in Grey's system and secretly hoped he would stay a Viking. By all accounts, a top notch kid as well. I think Cody Mitchell (STC East) will be a good fit at Wesleyan - athletic and became a lot more consistent as a senior. Nate Ortiz (STC East/Augie) is a good shooter and could eventually be a Dylan Sortillo-like player. Lucas Heflin from STC North (IWU) is a solid player though I don't see him cracking the Titan lineup right away. Schauer's kid was all-conference at Wheaton North and has a nice game. Congrats to Batavia's own Eric Peterson who was Oshkosh's 6th man as a freshman - I honestly didn't see him making such an impact so soon. 

In bigger news from the Augie/Wheaton game: Grey kept the jacket on for 15+ minutes.

Augustana's recruiting class revealed:

http://www.athletics.augustana.edu/news/2018/5/7/mens-basketball-announces-2018-recruiting-class.aspx?path=mbball