MBB: American Rivers Conference

[dunkin3117]

THE IIAC HAS SOME PRESEASON RESPECT!!!!  Wartburg ranked 21, a shock to me having lost 3 starters, but hey, I think we can all agree, it's good for the league.  Both Loras and NWU receiving 1 vote a piece. 

[darkhorsebball]

If you Iowa boys don't mind a little info from an IL guy.........

Loras is getting a great 6'6" 3 point shooter - Rowan McGowan
Dubuque is getting two very solid all around 6'5" players - Pete Ragen & Cole Navigato.

I saw all 3 play several times. McGowan is just a plain ice water in his veins shooter. The bigger the need for a three pointer the more likely he is to make it.

Ragen can play, probably in this order, the 3, 2, or 1. Not a huge scorer or rebounder, but above average in both, and maybe the best ballhandler over 6'3" I saw last year.
Navigato is both a scorer and rebounder. He will get lots of points or lots of rebounds almost every game. About every 3-4 games he will get lots of both. And he plays defense too.

Can also shed some light on Loras' roster as a guy who follows their recruiting closely. Rowan McGowen is a stud, shoots the piss out of the ball from the perimeter and has improved his body vastly over the last several months. Will certainly be an impact guy as a freshman. Cole Navigato (whose brother, Nate, is a starter at Toledo) transferred from Dubuque to Loras during the first week of the school year. He's extremely long and athletic and, as you indicated above, can impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Duhawks also locked down Seth Mueller, who was coveted by nearly every major program in the midwest. Add a big-bodied Cam Harris out of Bolingbrook HS and a long, tough glue guy like Jake Ruggles (younger brother of Josh Ruggles, Loras junior), and the freshmen class at Loras looks to be something special.

Loras also picked up Jordon Kedrowski via transfer. Kedrowski was Carthage's leading scorer/leader in assists as a freshman, transferred to Ball State as a PWO before landing at Loras. Believe he's ineligible for first semester via transfer rules but will be an impact guy at the point spot immediately following his return. Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Josh Ruggles, who returns to the Duhawks after missing nearly all of last season with injuries/heart issues. The kid is finally healthy and up 15 pounds of muscle, so he's essentially like a new addition to the team for this season. Word out of a closed scrimmage is that he looked very good at North Park last night. NWU may be the most experienced team in the IIAC, but hard to argue that Loras isn't the most talented on paper...

[AndOne]

An interesting development regarding Dubuque-Loras. 


Cole Navigato@CNavi35 . Apr 26

I'm blessed to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at University of Dubuque!!! Proud to be a Spartan 🏀🙏!!!


Cole Navigato Retweeted
Loras M Basketball‏ @DuhawkMBB  Oct 23
Come check out our Purple/Gold Scrimmage Saturday at 1:00 in the Fieldhouse!

Cole Navigato
@CNavi35
Loras Basketball '21

It appears a former (as of April) Dubuque recruit has been flipped over to in-town conference-rival Loras! 
I would LOVE to hear the story behind that sequence of events!     

[AndOne]

LORAS RECRUIT

Jordan Kedrowski, who was 2nd in scoring for Carthage of the CCIW In 2015-16, will play at Loras in 2017-2018.

Yep, the Kedrowski transfer is old news. 

If you Iowa boys don't mind a little info from an IL guy.........

Loras is getting a great 6'6" 3 point shooter - Rowan McGowan
Dubuque is getting two very solid all around 6'5" players - Pete Ragen & Cole Navigato.

I saw all 3 play several times. McGowan is just a plain ice water in his veins shooter. The bigger the need for a three pointer the more likely he is to make it.

Ragen can play, probably in this order, the 3, 2, or 1. Not a huge scorer or rebounder, but above average in both, and maybe the best ballhandler over 6'3" I saw last year.
Navigato is both a scorer and rebounder. He will get lots of points or lots of rebounds almost every game. About every 3-4 games he will get lots of both. And he plays defense too.

Can also shed some light on Loras' roster as a guy who follows their recruiting closely. Rowan McGowen is a stud, shoots the piss out of the ball from the perimeter and has improved his body vastly over the last several months. Will certainly be an impact guy as a freshman. Cole Navigato (whose brother, Nate, is a starter at Toledo) transferred from Dubuque to Loras during the first week of the school year. He's extremely long and athletic and, as you indicated above, can impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Duhawks also locked down Seth Mueller, who was coveted by nearly every major program in the midwest. Add a big-bodied Cam Harris out of Bolingbrook HS and a long, tough glue guy like Jake Ruggles (younger brother of Josh Ruggles, Loras junior), and the freshmen class at Loras looks to be something special.

Loras also picked up Jordon Kedrowski via transfer. Kedrowski was Carthage's leading scorer/leader in assists as a freshman, transferred to Ball State as a PWO before landing at Loras. Believe he's ineligible for first semester via transfer rules but will be an impact guy at the point spot immediately following his return. Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Josh Ruggles, who returns to the Duhawks after missing nearly all of last season with injuries/heart issues. The kid is finally healthy and up 15 pounds of muscle, so he's essentially like a new addition to the team for this season. Word out of a closed scrimmage is that he looked very good at North Park last night. NWU may be the most experienced team in the IIAC, but hard to argue that Loras isn't the most talented on paper...

"Piss"    Shame, shame. We don't talk like that here on D3Hoops, darkhorsebball.     

And full disclosure------

It should be pointed out that darkhorsebball is a basketball recruiting service, not an individual poster, and has a particular interest in enhancing athletes that have signed with them to secure scholarships (D1, D2, NAIA), or for other promotional services (D3). They have apparently funneled several players to Loras.
And, the head of the firm is Brandon Ruggles who just happens to be the brother of Josh and Jake who are mentioned above. 

This is not to say they don't provide a service-as do their competitors. I just think its important that posters/readers of the board be familiar with all aspects of the post including knowing a business, rather than an individual, is the one doing the posting. 

On another front, you have to be both happy for, and impressed with, a player like Josh Ruggles who has battled back from injury and serious illness to build himself back up to a physical level where he is again able to compete on the D3 level. As we know, you play for the love of the game at D3. Bonus points to Josh for overcoming big obstacles in order to be able to do so. 

[dunkin3117]

Well said, AndOne. 

How are other teams in the league doing in their scrimmages? 

[AndOne]

Thank you dunkin.

You will have to ask others that question. I am a CCIW guy who really doesn't know what is happening in detail with the IIAC teams. I have started to pay slightly more attention to the IIAC as I'm a NUW grad, and former Prairie Wolves Plainsmen basketball player. 

Also, looking impressive against NPU has to be taken with a grain of salt as they shouldn't be one of the CCIW's top tier teams this season. 

[darkhorsebball]

LORAS RECRUIT

Jordan Kedrowski, who was 2nd in scoring for Carthage of the CCIW In 2015-16, will play at Loras in 2017-2018.

Yep, the Kedrowski transfer is old news. 

If you Iowa boys don't mind a little info from an IL guy.........

Loras is getting a great 6'6" 3 point shooter - Rowan McGowan
Dubuque is getting two very solid all around 6'5" players - Pete Ragen & Cole Navigato.

I saw all 3 play several times. McGowan is just a plain ice water in his veins shooter. The bigger the need for a three pointer the more likely he is to make it.

Ragen can play, probably in this order, the 3, 2, or 1. Not a huge scorer or rebounder, but above average in both, and maybe the best ballhandler over 6'3" I saw last year.
Navigato is both a scorer and rebounder. He will get lots of points or lots of rebounds almost every game. About every 3-4 games he will get lots of both. And he plays defense too.

Can also shed some light on Loras' roster as a guy who follows their recruiting closely. Rowan McGowen is a stud, shoots the piss out of the ball from the perimeter and has improved his body vastly over the last several months. Will certainly be an impact guy as a freshman. Cole Navigato (whose brother, Nate, is a starter at Toledo) transferred from Dubuque to Loras during the first week of the school year. He's extremely long and athletic and, as you indicated above, can impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Duhawks also locked down Seth Mueller, who was coveted by nearly every major program in the midwest. Add a big-bodied Cam Harris out of Bolingbrook HS and a long, tough glue guy like Jake Ruggles (younger brother of Josh Ruggles, Loras junior), and the freshmen class at Loras looks to be something special.

Loras also picked up Jordon Kedrowski via transfer. Kedrowski was Carthage's leading scorer/leader in assists as a freshman, transferred to Ball State as a PWO before landing at Loras. Believe he's ineligible for first semester via transfer rules but will be an impact guy at the point spot immediately following his return. Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Josh Ruggles, who returns to the Duhawks after missing nearly all of last season with injuries/heart issues. The kid is finally healthy and up 15 pounds of muscle, so he's essentially like a new addition to the team for this season. Word out of a closed scrimmage is that he looked very good at North Park last night. NWU may be the most experienced team in the IIAC, but hard to argue that Loras isn't the most talented on paper...

"Piss"    Shame, shame. We don't talk like that here on D3Hoops, darkhorsebball.     

And full disclosure------

It should be pointed out that darkhorsebball is a basketball recruiting service, not an individual poster, and has a particular interest in enhancing athletes that have signed with them to secure scholarships (D1, D2, NAIA), or for other promotional services (D3). They have apparently funneled several players to Loras.
And, the head of the firm is Brandon Ruggles who just happens to be the brother of Josh and Jake who are mentioned above. 

This is not to say they don't provide a service-as do their competitors. I just think its important that posters/readers of the board be familiar with all aspects of the post including knowing a business, rather than an individual, is the one doing the posting. 

On another front, you have to be both happy for, and impressed with, a player like Josh Ruggles who has battled back from injury and serious illness to build himself back up to a physical level where he is again able to compete on the D3 level. As we know, you play for the love of the game at D3. Bonus points to Josh for overcoming big obstacles in order to be able to do so. 

A wildly unfair post, I have helped Dark Horse navigate the Chicago recruiting scene, but if you can figure out how a business could benefit from anonymously posting on an online chat forum, please let me know and I'll communicate your strategies directly to Mr. Ruggles.

I'm an individual who knows the Chicagoland recruiting scene as well as anyone, and Loras is one of many schools who has recruited the region well since Chris Martin took over. If you do not appreciate my insights (only one player listed above worked with Dark Horse, by the way), then that is your loss. And, given that you already admitted that you do not know the IIAC, maybe you could learn something given that it's a hotbed for Chicago talent.

[AndOne]

First of all, I did NOT say I don't know the IIAC. I said I don't know it as well as the CCIW. I know all about Coach Martin, a former great player at Elmhurst of the CCIW. Watched him for four years. And, while not as much as you, I also know something about a lot of Chicagoland HS basketball players.

And, if you're not a business entity, whats this:

https://www.darkhorserecruits.com/dark-horse-recruiting-success-stories/

Are you just using their name?

Lastly, as far as your vast knowledge of the Chicagoland HS recruiting scene, if you aren't associated with a recruiting  service, how do you have time to acquire all this knowledge?
Do you know as much as all the college whose lifeblood is recruiting, and who go to multiple HS games all season long, season after season?

[darkhorsebball]

First of all, I did NOT say I don't know the IIAC. I said I don't know it as well as the CCIW. I know all about Coach Martin, a former great player at Elmhurst of the CCIW. Watched him for four years. And, while not as much as you, I also know something about a lot of Chicagoland HS basketball players.

And, if you're not a business entity, whats this:

https://www.darkhorserecruits.com/dark-horse-recruiting-success-stories/

Are you just using their name?

Lastly, as far as your vast knowledge of the Chicagoland HS recruiting scene, if you aren't associated with a recruiting  service, how do you have time to acquire all this knowledge?
Do you know as much as all the college whose lifeblood is recruiting, and who go to multiple HS games all season long, season after season?

Am I living in Groundhog's Day? Or are you just using the same weak arguments in multiple forums hoping that somebody somewhere will jump in and defend you? As I mentioned above, I helped Brandon and his team navigate the Chicagoland recruiting scene. I liked the name Dark Horse, figured I would be safe to use it on an anonymous chat forum. Didn't realize the kind of heat I would catch for a name.

What about you? Are you affiliated with And1 sneakers? Or are you just stealing their name?

To answer your question about my recruiting knowledge, I enjoy following recruiting. I know many Chicagoland HS coaches, dozens of D3 college coaches, and I coach multiple teams on the AAU circuit. Is my passion for the process alright with you? And if so, can we get back to talking more about the sport I love?

[AndOne]

You "helped Brandon and his team navigate the Chicagoland recruiting scene." But, you're not the least bit associated with the firm? You don't in any way help promote kids under their stewardship? Do you promote kids that are being handled by any other recruiting services or just darkhorse?
What other schools have you helped channel kids to?

You didn't answer my question about knowing more than the coaches. 

Your passion for recruiting is great. But perhaps you shouldn't be using a company name as your screen/board name. Especially one you have admitted you have some type of association with.

I WISH I was part of the And1 Corporation. I'd certainly have a lot more money than I do. But your asking if I am affiliated did elicit a good laugh. 

Lastly, its time for a quiz. If a player makes a basket and is fouled in the process, what is it called? 

[darkhorsebball]

You "helped Brandon and his team navigate the Chicagoland recruiting scene." But, you're not the least bit associated with the firm? You don't in any way help promote kids under their stewardship? Do you promote kids that are being handled by any other recruiting services or just darkhorse?
What other schools have you helped channel kids to?

You didn't answer my question about knowing more than the coaches. 

Your passion for recruiting is great. But perhaps you shouldn't be using a company name as your screen/board name. Especially one you have admitted you have some type of association with.

I WISH I was part of the And1 Corporation. I'd certainly have a lot more money than I do. But your asking if I am affiliated did elicit a good laugh. 

Lastly, its time for a quiz. If a player makes a basket and is fouled in the process, what is it called? 

I already answered these same questions in the NAAC post, and I don't feel that they were interesting enough to answer a second time. Also, the company is not named Dark Horse Basketball - per the link you shared, it's clearly Dark Horse Sports Recruiting. So, saying that handle "darkhorsebball" is directly tied to the company's name is a stretch. Liked the name, love the sport. If you want to argue with me about my opinions, that's great and I welcome debate. But hopefully you'll stop questioning my merits and intentions so that I can get back to doing what I love - talking about basketball.

[doolittledog]

Me, watching the back-and-forth on here



I wonder if the new Loras coach, looks and acts like this guy...

[AndOne]

You "helped Brandon and his team navigate the Chicagoland recruiting scene." But, you're not the least bit associated with the firm? You don't in any way help promote kids under their stewardship? Do you promote kids that are being handled by any other recruiting services or just darkhorse?
What other schools have you helped channel kids to?

You didn't answer my question about knowing more than the coaches. 

Your passion for recruiting is great. But perhaps you shouldn't be using a company name as your screen/board name. Especially one you have admitted you have some type of association with.

I WISH I was part of the And1 Corporation. I'd certainly have a lot more money than I do. But your asking if I am affiliated did elicit a good laugh. 

Lastly, its time for a quiz. If a player makes a basket and is fouled in the process, what is it called? 

I already answered these same questions in the NAAC post, and I don't feel that they were interesting enough to answer a second time. Also, the company is not named Dark Horse Basketball - per the link you shared, it's clearly Dark Horse Sports Recruiting. So, saying that handle "darkhorsebball" is directly tied to the company's name is a stretch. Liked the name, love the sport. If you want to argue with me about my opinions, that's great and I welcome debate. But hopefully you'll stop questioning my merits and intentions so that I can get back to doing what I love - talking about basketball.

Sure.

[AndOne]

Me, watching the back-and-forth on here



I wonder if the new Loras coach, looks and acts like this guy...

No way.
No reason to suspect for a second that Chris Martin is anything but a first class guy who runs a first class operation.

[Smitty Oom]

I got really excited about some new IIAC posts!! Then I realized it was a bunch of nonsense... cant wait for games to start so we have stuff to talk about!