MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

cardinalpride · October 27, 2007, 09:19:58 PM

Quote from: muskiefanillinois on October 26, 2007, 08:42:44 AM
AndOne,
Does NCC have anything like a red/white or a red/black game before they play in Nov? If so is it open to friends and family or just NCC students?

Muskie, I didn't see a response by andone to your question about an inter squad scrimmage so i'll try to answer it. If NCC has a inter-squad scrimmage, it's not publicized to even the students. I do remember years ago under Bill Warden and Bob Bray, NCC held a cardinal and white game between new comers and veteran players. The games were held for anyone to attend and the teams were dressed in full uniform. I do not believe they've held this sort of scrimmage during Raridon's tenure. Can't remember if Benjy Taylor did it or not.

cardinalfanrochelle · October 28, 2007, 01:56:18 PM

cardinalpride
Thanks for your reply,some schools have them and others don't. I am in the process of learning the NCC way, it's a little different than last year but I'm enjoying it. I had the pleasure of talking w/ Coach Raridon and Coach Murray and our family is looking foward to the season to finally start. Is there somewhere you can buy NCC basketball shirts or sweats to show support for the team. Andone had a t-shirt this summer that had NCC Cardinals on the front and all the team logos from the CCIW on the back or a NCAA logo on the back where can I get some?If the team sold then get could get a little extra income from them.

cardinalpride · October 29, 2007, 01:18:32 AM

Quote from: muskiefanillinois on October 28, 2007, 01:56:18 PM
cardinalpride
Thanks for your reply,some schools have them and others don't. I am in the process of learning the NCC way, it's a little different than last year but I'm enjoying it. I had the pleasure of talking w/ Coach Raridon and Coach Murray and our family is looking foward to the season to finally start. Is there somewhere you can buy NCC basketball shirts or sweats to show support for the team. Andone had a t-shirt this summer that had NCC Cardinals on the front and all the team logos from the CCIW on the back or a NCAA logo on the back where can I get some?If the team sold then get could get a little extra income from them.

I would start by checking with the coaching staff. They may have some extra t-shirts around the office. They're nice guys. So, i'm sure they wouldn't mind giving you something to wear to show your support. Also, the basketball program has a fund raiser called the tip off club and as a member you'll receive some nice basketball gear. Even the NCC bookstore usually carries some nice athletic wear. One of those three avenues should get you some nice NCC wear!

Gregory Sager · October 29, 2007, 04:00:53 AM

Quote from: cardinalpride on October 27, 2007, 09:19:58 PM
Quote from: muskiefanillinois on October 26, 2007, 08:42:44 AM
AndOne,
Does NCC have anything like a red/white or a red/black game before they play in Nov? If so is it open to friends and family or just NCC students?
Muskie, I didn't see a response by andone to your question about an inter squad scrimmage so i'll try to answer it. If NCC has a inter-squad scrimmage, it's not publicized to even the students. I do remember years ago under Bill Warden and Bob Bray, NCC held a cardinal and white game between new comers and veteran players. The games were held for anyone to attend and the teams were dressed in full uniform. I do not believe they've held this sort of scrimmage during Raridon's tenure. Can't remember if Benjy Taylor did it or not.

NPU held one at Viking Madness on Saturday night, but it was a decidedly informal affair that only lasted for one half and wasn't really anything more than a glorified pickup game conducted in practice jerseys. As such, it was merely an opportunity to demonstrate to everyone present that NPU is going to have a deep and talented team this coming season.

Great turnout for Viking Madness, by the way. It did my heart good to see so many students show up for the event. My impression is that the players are working hard to publicize the team and establish goodwill towards them among the undergraduate student body. It helps to have a team captain as gregarious as Jay Alexander (who won the slam-dunk contest while wearing a monster-sized afro wig that would've put Darnell Hillman and Artis Gilmore to shame). And I was equally gratified to see a number of high school prospects in attendance; the North Park coaches are obviously using NPU student enthusiasm to help sell the program in the local recruiting wars.

I also enjoyed the fact that the Carlson Crazies took the opportunity to work on their chants and get their lungs into shape, although there was obvious irony involved in using the "Here we go, North Park, here we go!" chant in an intrasquad game. My favorite moment came when they pulled out the ol' "Stroke! Stroke!" free-throw chant at Nick Williams' expense -- and after Nick made the first free throw, he turned to the Crazies and did the "Stroke!" oar-pulling gesture right back at them.

cardinalfanrochelle · October 29, 2007, 10:29:38 AM

Greg,
That's what I'm talking about, like your Viking Madness even though it was a "glorified pickup "it was a fun night by your account. You get the boosters, family and students charged up for the season,sell ( in my case Cardinal ) shirts that have a logo w/ basketball on the items and the payoff is your team gets exposure and a little extra money for the program. Then you introduce the freshmen and transfer players, then returning players and you have a nice base for support for the season.

cciwgrad · October 29, 2007, 10:41:53 AM

MU's kickoff event is tonight...

www.millikin.edu/athletics/headlines.asp?ID=23088

hopefan · October 29, 2007, 01:36:02 PM

Will post this question in several areas where I know the data freaks lurk...

An interesting come-on on the Franklin and Marshall site:

"2nd in Division III wins over the last 25 years" - NEAT concept, but I wonder where the source of records is, who's in the top 10, top 20 - Who's Number 1?

Titan Q · October 29, 2007, 05:07:38 PM

Quote from: hopefan on October 29, 2007, 01:36:02 PM
Will post this question in several areas where I know the data freaks lurk...

An interesting come-on on the Franklin and Marshall site:

"2nd in Division III wins over the last 25 years" - NEAT concept, but I wonder where the source of records is, who's in the top 10, top 20 - Who's Number 1?

Last 25 years (1982-83 through 2006-07):

Overall:

Illinois Wesleyan 486-209 (.699)
Augustana 398-251 (.613)
Wheaton 366-272 (.574)
North Park 348-303 (.535)
Elmhurst 338-304 (.526)
Millikin 318-320 (.498)
Carthage 311-326 (.488)
North Central 299-344 (.465)

cardinalfanrochelle · October 29, 2007, 09:31:05 PM

About Franklin & Marshall

maybe they mean York County

augiefan · October 29, 2007, 10:30:54 PM

It appears that Titan Q's predictions of doom and gloom for IWU in its scrimmage with St. Francis were unfounded. Most of us that follow CCIW b'ball know that IWU never embarrasses themselves in b'ball competition. Despite their inexperience the Titans will give other conference teams all they can handle as usual this year.

cardinalfanrochelle · October 29, 2007, 10:37:11 PM

Augiefan,
R U ready for NIU ?

Mr. Ypsi · October 29, 2007, 10:46:21 PM

Quote from: augiefan on October 29, 2007, 10:30:54 PM
It appears that Titan Q's predictions of doom and gloom for IWU in its scrimmage with St. Francis were unfounded. Most of us that follow CCIW b'ball know that IWU never embarrasses themselves in b'ball competition. Despite their inexperience the Titans will give other conference teams all they can handle as usual this year.

I've often been charged with having 'green-tinted glasses' (probably true). Are you accusing Q of channeling Lou Holtz?!

DrN · October 29, 2007, 10:55:49 PM

I have been lurking on this thread since last year when a relative of mine was being recruited by CCIW schools. He is now a freshman at one of the schools.

One thing he noticed that appeared to be different about CCIW schools relative to others recruiting him (e.g., Univ. of Chicago, UW-XXXX) was that all schools in the CCIW have JV teams and play a full JV conference schedule.

I am curious what this group thinks of the JV programs in the CCIW. Does anyone go to the games? Are they quality games?

Just curious. I have enjoyed reading your comments.

Titan Q · October 29, 2007, 11:34:38 PM

Quote from: augiefan on October 29, 2007, 10:30:54 PM
It appears that Titan Q's predictions of doom and gloom for IWU in its scrimmage with St. Francis were unfounded. Most of us that follow CCIW b'ball know that IWU never embarrasses themselves in b'ball competition. Despite their inexperience the Titans will give other conference teams all they can handle as usual this year.

Not necessarily predicting doom and gloom, augiefan, but I'm trying to be realistic about this season. IWU is probably going to start 3 freshmen this year (2 for sure and I'd bet 3). This is the youngest and least experienced team I have seen in my 18 years around Titan basketball, by far. And going further back, I'm not sure Dennie Bridges ever had a team this young/inexperienced.

In the last 15 years, Illinois Wesleyan has started 5 freshmen:

* Zach Freeman (2003-04)
* Adam Dauksas (2002-03)
* Luke Kasten (1999-00)
* Korey Coon (1996-97)
* Bryan Crabtree (1993-94)

Each went on to be an All-American (four of them 1st Team All-Americans). But keep in mind, each also had older superstars to lead the way. Crabtree had Chris Simich...Coon had Crabtree...Kasten had Coon...Dauksas had Kasten...Freeman had Dauksas and Amelianovich. The lone returning starter for IWU in 2007-08 is senior Darius Gant, who is a solid player, but certainly not that All-American type who can carry a team. This group of freshmen will be asked to carry a significant load.

Also in the last 15 years, 3 other 1st Team All-Americans not only didn't start at IWU as freshmen, they played some JV -- Chris Simich (Class of '96), Brent Niebrugge ('98), and Keelan Amelianovich ('06).

IWU's freshmen class is outstanding - one of the best I have seen - but there are a bunch of kids who would play JV for a year or two on a "normal" IWU team, who will be thrown into the varsity fire this year. I have been around the CCIW long enough to know that teams this young typically don't make too much noise. I have been trying to think of the youngest team I can recall to contend, and all I come up with is the 1999-00 Carthage team with freshmen Antoine McDaniel (who went on to be an All-American) and Rob Garnes (a 4-year CCIW 1st Teamer) as starters. But like those IWU teams mentioned above, that Carthage team had an older star -- Jason Wiertel. I guess IWU's 2003-04 CCIW title team with sophs Dauksas, Amelianovich, Jones, etc. and freshman Freeman is the other I can think of.

The future of Titan basketball is very, very bright, but I'm keeping 2007-08 in perspective. This is a unique year in Bloomington and I realize at times this team will struggle. It will be fun watching them develop as a group though.

Titan Q · October 29, 2007, 11:43:23 PM

Quote from: DrN on October 29, 2007, 10:55:49 PM
I have been lurking on this thread since last year when a relative of mine was being recruited by CCIW schools. He is now a freshman at one of the schools.

One thing he noticed that appeared to be different about CCIW schools relative to others recruiting him (e.g., Univ. of Chicago, UW-XXXX) was that all schools in the CCIW have JV teams and play a full JV conference schedule.

I am curious what this group thinks of the JV programs in the CCIW. Does anyone go to the games? Are they quality games?

Just curious. I have enjoyed reading your comments.

As noted above, IWU's JV team has been a huge part of the program's success over the course of the last 20 years or so. Three guys who played JV went on to become All-Americans (Simich, Niebrugge, Amelianovich) and countless others who played 1 or 2 years of JV (Matt Hoder, John Baines, Cory Jones, Nathan Hubbard, TJ Posey, Brady Knight, etc, etc) became key parts of CCIW championship teams. Everyone who played on IWU's 1996-97 national championship team except senior Bryan Crabtree and freshman Korey Coon came up through the JV system (Hoder, Baines, Hubbard, Boyden, etc). Generally the same came be said for IWU's 1996, 2001, and 2006 Final Four teams as well.

I try to get to every JV game I can. I'm excited IWU will once again have a JV team - the Titans will trot out some talent at 5:15 this year.