MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Hey guys, I haven't been on for sometime now.  Sounded like another exciting year for the CCIW.  Congrats to Wheaton and Augie on representing the CCIW in the tourney.

I also had a question.  I was curious as to who the top newcomers were in the conference this year?  I know Bosko's son had a very good year as far as ppg., but i also wanted to know how newcomers such as Andrew Jahns stacked up against the rest.  Living in Wheaton I was able to catch a couple games and thought Jahns played very well this season.  Any thoughts......or can someone sum up this subject if it has already been laid to rest?!?!?

Thanks
JT

Here is a list of all freshmen who played 10 minutes per game or more this year, and played in at least 15 games...

* Steve Djurickovic, 6-3 G (Carthage), 35.8 min - 23.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
* Sean Johnson, 6-1 G (IWU), 32.4 min - 11.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.7 apg
* Travis Rosenkranz, 6-0 G (IWU), 32.2 min - 9.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.3 apg
* Andrew Jahns, 6-2 G (Wheaton), 26.9 min - 6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 apg
* Doug Sexauer, 6-7 F (IWU), 18.4 min - 7.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg
* Jimmy Saris, 5-9 G (Elmhurst), 14.0 min - 3.4 ppg, 3.1 apg
* Matt Schick, 6-4 F (IWU), 13.8 min - 3.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg
* Mike Avallone, 6-4 G (Augustana), 12.1 min - 3.9 ppg


Two freshmen made the All-CCIW team - Djurickovic (1st) and Johnson (3rd).  Djurickovic was even named a 4th Team All-American by D3hoops.com.

And with Zimmer and McCullough coming in too, gotta love those Titan freshmen.  We may or may not make it in 2008-09, but gotta love the chances from 2009-11!

[sac]

Probably should look at a WashU roster Mr Y.  The CCIW's road to Salem is probably going to go through St. Louis for the next couple years.

[und63]

Probably should look at a WashU roster Mr Y.  The CCIW's road to Salem is probably going to go through St. Louis for the next couple years.

It has to go through somewhere!  Bring'em on!

[Titan Q]

Just a note on a H.S. senior who every team in the league is interested in, Jeremy Pflederer of Tremont.

Not true, Lanny. NPU is not on Pflederer, and I think it's hard to know whether or not Wheaton is on Pflederer without knowing his religious background.

Bob already posted that his sister is a Wheaton student - my guess is that he passes the test.

Let's just say Wheaton assistant Nate Frank spent Friday evening at Ridgeview H.S., and then this past Wednesday at Dee-Mack H.S. (Mackinaw, Il.)...both in the sticks.  Ralph Hodge (Olivet Nazarene) is also chasing young Mr. Pflederer around.  Augustana and Elmhurst were on him but I don't think he's interested. Not sure about Millikin - no one seems to be bumping into the Big Blue on the recruiting trail this year. 

Good kid, good guard.  Think Jon Nielson.  My guess is he'll be wearing blue & orange next year.

I can't confirm this, but heard this morning that Tremont all-state guard Jeremy Pflederer did in fact select Wheaton.  He was pursued by several small colleges, including Augustana, Olivet Nazarene, and IWU.

Pflederer's name can be found on the small school all-state teams I posted yesterday for Jordan Zimmer...

IBCA Class 1A/2A all-state team

IHSS Class 1A all-state team

AP Class 1A/2A all-state teams

And here is Jan. 18 feature from WMBD TV...

http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=5937


6-1 Pflederer is what you call a "combo guard", but I think he'll primarily play point-guard in college.  He is also a track star at Tremont and is just lightning fast with the basketball in his hands. 

He should be an All-CCIW player in time.  As I posted back in February, just seems like a great kid...and a terrific student (33 ACT).  Good recruit for Wheaton.  With Jahns, Plfederer, and a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting, the Thunder will be very good at guard...as usual.

Again, I can't confirm this, but I believe it is accurate.

Tell ya what, Central Illinois was loaded with small college prospects this year...wow.

[thundermike11]

Just a note on a H.S. senior who every team in the league is interested in, Jeremy Pflederer of Tremont.

Not true, Lanny. NPU is not on Pflederer, and I think it's hard to know whether or not Wheaton is on Pflederer without knowing his religious background.

Bob already posted that his sister is a Wheaton student - my guess is that he passes the test.

Let's just say Wheaton assistant Nate Frank spent Friday evening at Ridgeview H.S., and then this past Wednesday at Dee-Mack H.S. (Mackinaw, Il.)...both in the sticks.  Ralph Hodge (Olivet Nazarene) is also chasing young Mr. Pflederer around.  Augustana and Elmhurst were on him but I don't think he's interested. Not sure about Millikin - no one seems to be bumping into the Big Blue on the recruiting trail this year. 

Good kid, good guard.  Think Jon Nielson.  My guess is he'll be wearing blue & orange next year.

I can't confirm this, but heard this morning that Tremont all-state guard Jeremy Pflederer did in fact select Wheaton.  He was pursued by several small colleges, including Augustana, Olivet Nazarene, and IWU.

Pflederer's name can be found on the small school all-state teams I posted yesterday for Jordan Zimmer...

IBCA Class 1A/2A all-state team

IHSS Class 1A all-state team

AP Class 1A/2A all-state teams

And here is Jan. 18 feature from WMBD TV...

http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=5937


6-1 Pflederer is what you call a "combo guard", but I think he'll primarily play point-guard in college.  He is also a track star at Tremont and is just lightning fast with the basketball in his hands. 

He should be an All-CCIW player in time.  As I posted back in February, just seems like a great kid...and a terrific student (33 ACT).  Good recruit for Wheaton.  With Jahns, Plfederer, and a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting, the Thunder will be very good at guard...as usual.

Again, I can't confirm this, but I believe it is accurate.

Tell ya what, Central Illinois was loaded with small college prospects this year...wow.

I have not heard anything definite on Pflederer, other than the coaches are really pushing hard. I do know that Wheaton has a commitment from a 6'8" kid from D.C. though I don't know his name or any stats.

[AndOne]

6-1 Pflederer is what you call a "combo guard", but I think he'll primarily play point-guard in college.  He is also a track star at Tremont and is just lightning fast with the basketball in his hands. 

He should be an All-CCIW player in time.  As I posted back in February, just seems like a great kid...and a terrific student (33 ACT).  Good recruit for Wheaton.  With Jahns, Plfederer, and a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting, the Thunder will be very good at guard...as usual.

Again, I can't confirm this, but I believe it is accurate.

TQ-------

"a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting."

Anyone specific you're aware of?

[thundermike11]

6-1 Pflederer is what you call a "combo guard", but I think he'll primarily play point-guard in college.  He is also a track star at Tremont and is just lightning fast with the basketball in his hands. 

He should be an All-CCIW player in time.  As I posted back in February, just seems like a great kid...and a terrific student (33 ACT).  Good recruit for Wheaton.  With Jahns, Plfederer, and a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting, the Thunder will be very good at guard...as usual.

Again, I can't confirm this, but I believe it is accurate.

TQ-------

"a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting."

Anyone specific you're aware of?

I really don't know specifics.  A month or so ago I heard Wheaton was in good shape on Dave Pilalis and another Wheaton North guard.  I have no idea if that is still the case though.

As far as I know it's Pilalis and Steve Pierotti

[thundermike11]

Speaking of Wheaton North, where is 6-7 Tom Fitzpatrick going?

Not sure. I heard he was hoping for a D-1 offer

[thundermike11]

Anyone have the low-down on the the all-state kid heading to North Park (Joel Benson, Westminster Christian)?  6-5 center I believe?

I played against Benson in high school; we played in the same conference. He's listed at 6-5 probably more like 6-4. He is strong and knows how to finish, and he is also a leader on the floor. With that said, I have never been super impressed with him. He put up some good numbers this year in a league that was really lacking strong post play. When we played them my senior year (his junior year), we got him into foul trouble pretty quickly. I don't think he will be in the rotation at NPU right away, but you never know.

[augie22]

Tom Fitzpatrick - has an offer from Northern State (Legendary Coach Don Meyer), possible walk-on opportunity at Michigan and an offer from DII St. Xaiver.  Also tucked in the back of his mind are the CCIW schools such as Wheaton, Augie and IWU.

Dave Pilalis - Has narrowed his selection down to three schools which are Wheaton, Augie and St. Norbert's.

Steve Pierotti - Last I heard from Coach Nazos at Wheaton North is that Steve will be attending Wheaton where both parents and now brother attend.

[Titan Q]

Tom Fitzpatrick - has an offer from Northern State (Legendary Coach Don Meyer), possible walk-on opportunity at Michigan and an offer from DII St. Xaiver.  Also tucked in the back of his mind are the CCIW schools such as Wheaton, Augie and IWU.

Dave Pilalis - Has narrowed his selection down to three schools which are Wheaton, Augie and St. Norbert's.

Steve Pierotti - Last I heard from Coach Nazos at Wheaton North is that Steve will be attending Wheaton where both parents and now brother attend.

Good info - thanks.

[April]

What?!  Hit May?  Are you advocating violence against women? )

You'd think I had heard all the month name jokes by now, but this one actually made me laugh.

Also, I can't believe I got confused by someone continuing my own April Fool's Day joke.

I can't believe no one else tried to pull one. You guys are all getting soft with old age.

[Mr. Ypsi]

What?!  Hit May?  Are you advocating violence against women? )

You'd think I had heard all the month name jokes by now, but this one actually made me laugh.

Also, I can't believe I got confused by someone continuing my own April Fool's Day joke.

I can't believe no one else tried to pull one. You guys are all getting soft with old age.

Nah - we just don't like to be confined by the calendar!

You WILL get scammed someday when you least expect it!

[Assuming we hear from you often enough to pull it off! ]

[Gregory Sager]

6-1 Pflederer is what you call a "combo guard", but I think he'll primarily play point-guard in college.  He is also a track star at Tremont and is just lightning fast with the basketball in his hands. 

He should be an All-CCIW player in time.  As I posted back in February, just seems like a great kid...and a terrific student (33 ACT).  Good recruit for Wheaton.  With Jahns, Plfederer, and a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting, the Thunder will be very good at guard...as usual.

Again, I can't confirm this, but I believe it is accurate.

TQ-------

"a couple of those kids from Wheaton North I believe they're getting."

Anyone specific you're aware of?

I really don't know specifics.  A month or so ago I heard Wheaton was in good shape on Dave Pilalis and another Wheaton North guard.  I have no idea if that is still the case though.

As far as I know it's Pilalis and Steve Pierotti

Wheaton North actually had three players whom the Wheaton coaching staff were pursuing and figured that they had a good chance of getting. Pilalis and Pierotti were two of them, but Tom Fitzpatrick was not the third. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the third player. I'm sure that it'll come to me tomorrow. I don't know if that third Wheaton North player is still a possibility for Wheaton.

Anyone have the low-down on the the all-state kid heading to North Park (Joel Benson, Westminster Christian)?  6-5 center I believe?

I played against Benson in high school; we played in the same conference. He's listed at 6-5 probably more like 6-4. He is strong and knows how to finish, and he is also a leader on the floor. With that said, I have never been super impressed with him. He put up some good numbers this year in a league that was really lacking strong post play. When we played them my senior year (his junior year), we got him into foul trouble pretty quickly. I don't think he will be in the rotation at NPU right away, but you never know.

This aligns fairly closely with what the NPU coaches told me about Benson when he committed to the Park back in mid-season. Benson's a 6'4, 220 kid who'll play power forward for the Vikings. He'll be on the NPU junior varsity next season. He's not an immediate varsity player, but the coaches think he has long-term potential.

[AndOne]

Tom Fitzpatrick - has an offer from Northern State (Legendary Coach Don Meyer), possible walk-on opportunity at Michigan and an offer from DII St. Xaiver.  Also tucked in the back of his mind are the CCIW schools such as Wheaton, Augie and IWU.

Dave Pilalis - Has narrowed his selection down to three schools which are Wheaton, Augie and St. Norbert's.

Steve Pierotti - Last I heard from Coach Nazos at Wheaton North is that Steve will be attending Wheaton where both parents and now brother attend.

Fitzpatrick---Coach Nazos indicated in January that Tom would be receiving an offer from Northern State. Thats Division II Northern State in Aberdeen, SOUTH DAKOTA.
If he wants to play at a scholarship school, it appears his choice is between going to an NCAA DII school in South Dakota or staying local and playing at NAIA (not NCAA) St. Xavier. He is NOT a NCAA DI player, and could never play in a major or even a mid-major DI conference. Its doubtful he would even make a DI team as a walk on. He is not fast enough, strong enough, or skilled enough in any capacity.
His stock seemed to decrease toward the end of the season when I believe he had a couple of games in which he didn't score and a couple more in which he totaled only 2-4 points. Was only the number 4 scorer on his team. As far as CCIW schools, I do know that Coach Rose of IWU really has, or at least had, Tom's dad's ear. Had some great defensive games, mainly early in the season. A superlative free throw shooter.

Pilalis---Wherever he goes, he better be the designated #1 shooter or that team is going to have to play with two balls. He shoots nearly every time he touches the ball. Never saw a shot he didn't like. Defense is a secondary thought at best. Early this past season he had several truly horrible shooting games--I'm talking like 2 or 3 of 15 and 3 or 4 of 19--games like that. He did come on strong beginning just before Christmas, fell off again, and then again regained his shooting eye the last portion of the season. When he is on, he can score in bunches.   

Pierotti---A heady PG. Doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but is steady and makes few mistakes. Doesn't shoot too often, but can knock down  the open shot. Biggest handicaps will be adjusting to the overall speed of the game at the next level, and improving his lateral movement on defense. It seems Wheaton had Steve pretty well wrapped up in December as he was wearing a Wheaton T-shirt or sweatshirt most of the time at the Elgin Holiday tournament. It didn't hurt that his mom works, I believe, in the Wheaton computer department.