MBB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[augie_superfan]

That RMC-Chicago team looks pretty tough just based on what their website says about the high school accolades of several of their players.

1 First-Team McDonald's All-American
2 Top 100 HS recruits

These 3 guys are either juniors or seniors.  Who knows though, they did lose 4 of 5 starters including a 2-time conference player of the year and an All-American from a 30-5 team.  But then again, they did have 6 players averaging over 10 points last year and as a team, they averaged just over 90 ppg.  Should be interesting to find out how that game goes, Hanover versus a presumably high-powered, athletic offense that loves to shoot the three (over 20 attempts per game last year).  According to last year's scores, they were about 5-10 points better than St. Ambrose, Olivet Nazerene, and St. Francis 

[Basketball Fan]

Hanover should have their hands full in their own Tournement. We will see what happens. As a native of Louisville i have always followed Hanover. I can't wait to see them play IWU. i think i will make the trip up to the game at the Shirk Center. What does everyone thinks about Hanover's chances on getting back to the Sweet 16?

[Titan Q]

Basketball Fan, those of us associated with Illinios Wesleyan are looking forward to Dec. 20 as well.  The IWU/Hanover games of the last two seasons have been Division III basketball at its best. I hope this non-conference matchup stays on the schedule every year....and at the same time I also hope we stop meeting in Round 2 of the tournament!  Hanover did not deserve to get bounced in Round 2 in 2004 and IWU did not in 2005.

Even though Hanover lost Tommy Dennis, Ryan Lanning, and Matt Moore, they should still be a very good team.  Hanover is one of those programs where it is really about interchangeable parts, as opposed to having 1-2 superstars.  Programs like this tend to maintain consistency better than the "superstar-based" programs.  With a nucleus of Ben Lye, Brian Chrin, and Nate Minyard and then those young guys who came on late last year (can't remember the names - huge post player who is gonna be a ton and the guard), and any impact freshmen Coach Bietzel may have, the Panthers will be tough.  It wouldn't surprise me if Hanover struggles early because, make no mistake about it, they are really going to miss those seniors.  But they'll figure their 2005-06 rotation out at some point and make a real run at another HCAC title.

[Basketball Fan]

Hey titan Q, i was looking up Hanovers roster and it looks like they have changed things up a bit. They had a pretty good size freshman class last year but this year the new "sophmore" class is down to 5. I thought they had at least 6 or 7 last year. i only noticed one "big guy". 6'7 Brown is 220. Not sure what happened to their other big guy who was huge, i think like 6'7 250. Parker a gaurd last year dropped 20 in the first round tournment game. He should play alot this year, probably at a 2. they will be young and probably stumble out of the blocks but as time goes on watch out

[Darryl Nester]

Regarding Hanover's recruits: Last year they started the year with 10 freshmen, and lost two over the course of the year.  Three of those freshmen did not return, including 6-7 240-lb Brice Murphy (3.3 ppg, played in 28 games, started 4).  They began practice this season with 6 freshmen, but have lost two (including, oddly enough, another 6-7 240-lb player).

[Greek Tragedy]

Be sure to head over to the Multi-Regional Topics Board and select your team for the new Survivor Pool! 

You might actually win something! 
Deadline is Friday before the first game's tipoff

[Daryl L Lloyd]

Webster 60
Hanover 60

End of Regulation

[AUStudent]

AU 99
TM 95 F OT

Defiance also loses to Wilmington.

[Daryl L Lloyd]

Hanover by 3 in OT

[AUStudent]

Wilmington 51
AU 50 F

Defiance also beats TM.

[Basketball Fan]

Hanover is 2-0 going into their game tonight against a tough and much improved Wabash team. Hanover squeaked out 2 wins in St. Louis over the weekend. The gaurd Parker went off, he averaged 22.5 ppg out there and i think had like 4 assits per game as well. Any body jumping on the  All-american band-wagon? How many sophmores have ever been voted on the all american teams? Wabash has some bigger gaurds so tonight might be a challenge for him. Next weekend Hanover plays Robert Morris. What does everyone think about playing tough pre-confrence schedules?

[diehardfan]

Sounds like Greg, and well, the Hanover coaches made the right decision about the games sched... though I bet they were sure nervous those last few minutes! 

[AUStudent]

Wabash is a pretty good team, but Hanover should beat them.

[diehardfan]

IMHO, Wabash would have to be pretty significantly better from the team I saw last year to beat Hanover, unless Hanover is pretty seriously weakened by the loss of their stars in the last few years. 

[Basketball Fan]

wow- hanover survived a close one against Wabash. saturaday they host Robert Morris. Can Hanover beat them? I think Hanover can, they are built for thses types of games. The are giant killers, they always seem to s tep it up a notch when they play the top teams. I think a smart and sharp Hanover team will have a chance. they need to slow it down and not turn it over to beat a very athletic and big Robert Morris team. What does everyone think about this game plus any other big games around D3 this weekend.