MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Thunder Dutch]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

[Titan Q]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

They are similar, but I'd say Ruch is a little more mobile - runs the floor much better.  Ruch also steps out and shoots 15 foot jumpshots and even an occasional 3, where Skemp primarily just camps out down low.

As good as Ruch is on the block, I'd say Skemp is better down there.  He is bigger than Ruch - taller and wider.  When Skemp catches it down there, in good position, it's a basket.

I think Wheaton will have a lot of problems with Skemp...and I think Platteville will have a lot of problems with Raymond. 

This is a Final Four-caliber game.

[BBGUY]

Exactly my point. Don't we all want a  final four caliber game played in the Fnal Four/? versus in the second round??

[Just Bill]

UW-Eau Claire at Illinois Wesleyan (7:00 PM)
Live Audio (UWEC): http://www.sportsradio1400.com/cc-common/ondemand/player.html?world=st
Live Stats: http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/live/Basketball/xlive.htm

Just FYI, there is live video of this one too...

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iwu_basketball

Link Added.  Thanks.

[thundermike]

I think Wheaton will have a lot of problems with Skemp...and I think Platteville will have a lot of problems with Raymond. 

I think the difference will be that Wheaton has seen a Skemp-type player 3x this year (Ruch), whereas Platteville has not seen someone like Raymond.

Wheaton showed @ Elmhurst that they are capable of shutting down a dominant big man. Ruch had 6 points in that game as Wiele absolutely shut him down. Wheaton is a very good help-side defensive team, so Wiele should be able to front Skemp and force lobs. Against Elmhurst, those lobs were more often than not picked off by the help defender (i.e. Carwell).

Platteville is a very quick and strong team across the board, and they simply out-worked Hope last night. I think these teams matchup very well with each other and tonight's game will be outstanding basketball.

[GBMAN]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

This is my opinion as I saw both players just once... It would appear that Ruch is broader, bulkier than Skemp.... and he appeared more physical and stronger than Skemp... Pretty much what BW said, Ruch did...

[Nites]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

This is my opinion as I saw both players just once... It would appear that Ruch is broader, bulkier than Skemp.... and he appeared more physical and stronger than Skemp... Pretty much what BW said, Ruch did...

   

As good as Ruch is on the block, I'd say Skemp is better down there.  He is bigger than Ruch - taller and wider.  When Skemp catches it down there, in good position, it's a basket.

I had to read those twice.  On paper, Ruch is listed at 6"9", 260 lbs. and Skemp is listed at 6'10", 265 lbs.  In any event, two very big boys!   

[GBMAN]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

This is my opinion as I saw both players just once... It would appear that Ruch is broader, bulkier than Skemp.... and he appeared more physical and stronger than Skemp... Pretty much what BW said, Ruch did...

   

As good as Ruch is on the block, I'd say Skemp is better down there.  He is bigger than Ruch - taller and wider.  When Skemp catches it down there, in good position, it's a basket.

I had to read those twice.  On paper, Ruch is listed at 6"9", 260 lbs. and Skemp is listed at 6'10", 265 lbs.  In any event, two very big boys!   

I did couch my statement by saying I saw the guys play once... Heights and weights "on paper" is one thing, but it's another thing how a player uses his physical attributes.. it appeared to me that Ruch used his physical attributes more tha Skemp based on the ONE time Isaw th

[John Gleich]

Brent Rusch was a monster for Elmhurst.  He was big and broad and a load in the low post.  Once they got the ball to him he just backed down his defender and powered the ball up to the basket.   

How does Ruch compare to Jeff Skemp?

They are similar, but I'd say Ruch is a little more mobile - runs the floor much better.  Ruch also steps out and shoots 15 foot jumpshots and even an occasional 3, where Skemp primarily just camps out down low.

As good as Ruch is on the block, I'd say Skemp is better down there.  He is bigger than Ruch - taller and wider.  When Skemp catches it down there, in good position, it's a basket.

I think Wheaton will have a lot of problems with Skemp...and I think Platteville will have a lot of problems with Raymond. 

This is a Final Four-caliber game.

I agree with everything Q said.  I saw Elmhurst play against Point earlier this year and though Ruch was good, he didn't get too many good looks against Point.  One of the things I've seen Skemp do is reposition to make his own good looks... but it all is from the post, not stepping out.  Again, this is based on one view of Ruch and Elmhurst... but I think UWP has more pure shooters than Elmhurst.  That isn't to say that EC didn't have shooters, I think they just had an off night against Point earlier in the year, but Platteville seems to have more outside weapons, which helps Skemp as there are fewer defenders that can sink down and clog up the middle.

One thing that has been pretty quiet this year for UWP is the play of Charlie Lohoff.  He was a good scorer the past couple of years and has stepped into the PG position at the expense of some more visible stats (namely, points).  He can still light it up, though, as shown in the regular season finale against Point.  He might need to step up and hit a few big shots tonight for Pville to prevail.

All said, I think Platteville is one of the most complete teams in the country with great inside/outside presence, methodical offense, and good defense.  It will take a really good team or a team with an amazing night to knock them off.  ...and I think Wheaton might just fit one or both of those criteria tonight!  I'm looking forward to seeing the game.

[badgerwarhawk]

Both Skemp and Rusch are very difficult to handle once they get their hands on the ball in the low post.  You just try to body up, hold on and pray.  Neither one is going to miss many of those shots.  I didn't see Rusch's outside shooting ability last night which, other than the preseason scrimmage, is the only time I've seen him play.  Actually I was relieved on the final possession when he had the ball that far away from the basket.  I've seen Skemp play half dozen times and I've never seen him take an outside shot though he is decent from the free throw line.  I'm not sure which player is better but one thing that I am sure of is that I wouldn't mind either one playing on my team.  They are both forces and both are players that you have to game plan for.  Once they get the ball in the low post they're either going to score or go to the free throw line a very high percentage of the time.

The Elmhurst student body was a hoot.  They filled their section and stood two deep on the floor which because of limited space was about a foot outside the sideline.  When you had the ball over there you knew they were present.  During time outs several of them danced (I guess that's what you call it) and put on quite a show.  I really thought their sheer will would propel their guys to a win when Elmhurst had the final possessions of second half and overtime.  It took a heck of effort by our guys to deny them.  While last night I was a bit upset they were allowed so close to the sideline and taunted our players from warmups to the final horn now that I've had time to reflect on it I have to appreciate the passion with which they support their Bluejay.  Frankly I wish our students showed that much passion.   If you were a WARHAWK GUY you could only call the atmosphere they created hostile.   But, hey, that's one thing that home court advantage is all about and if you're a visitor you just have to deal with it.  

[GBMAN]

  If you were a WARHAWK GUY you could only call the atmosphere they created hostile.   But, hey, that's one thing that home court advantage is all about and if you're a visitor you just have to deal with it.  

good verbage on hostile... I counted at least a dozen times that one of the Elmhurst staffers had to walk over there and warn them on being on the court or near the court.. They were taunting our players even in the pregame!! Much to our players credit, they remained focused and didn't even look at them... I heard Pat Miller was LIVID about the student section and their behavior.... I thought a "T" could have been called.. But thats a very tough call to make.

[Titan Q]

Some video of Wheaton's 6-9 center Andy Wiele guarding Elmhurst's Brent Ruch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3EXRApCmOs&feature=related

The assignment on Skemp will be similar.  For some reason, I just think Wheaton will have a tough time with Skemp.

[Titan Q]

A few videos of Wheaton's Kent Raymond.  Not sure if these do him justice, but as far as small college basketball goes, there just aren't many guards better than Raymond.  He is fun to watch and can beat you in many ways.  I feel like he could start and be a good player at the D1 mid-major level.

(The first link is funny - on the play before, Raymond missed a shot or had one blocked and the Elmhurst student section started chanting "overated" at him.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF5MMi3CuD8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH72KCacLII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqgC5zm-7rk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w9_2oGZxGA

[Just Bill]

Does Wheaton's PA guy announce the score after EVERY basket?  That's kind of weird.

One thing the CCIW has that the WIAC lacks is visiting student sections.  You've got enough schools in a small enough area that students can make those trips, even on weeknights.  That's just not as feasible in the WIAC.

[GBMAN]

Does Wheaton's PA guy announce the score after EVERY basket?  That's kind of weird.

One thing the CCIW has that the WIAC lacks is visiting student sections.  You've got enough schools in a small enough area that students can make those trips, even on weeknights.  That's just not as feasible in the WIAC.

You can hardly get UW-W students to come to a home football game or basketball game much less a away game.