MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

This just in from the Rumor Mill Times--and folks please don't shoot the messenger. I'm just reporting what I've heard thats come from a usually reliable source. I want to emphasize I have no confirmation on this. As it involves an IWU recruit, perhaps TQ or another Wesleyan fan can positively confirm or deny the rumor, or at least shed some additional light on the subject.

Here is whats been heard---One of the two "big" IWU recruits has or will be backing out of his commitment/enrollment, and will instead attend a juco. As the subject was described as a "big" this would seem to involve either Eric McCullough or Ryan Connolly. Subsequent information appears to favor 6'8" 260 lb Ryan Connolly from Springfield Lamphier as the more likely subject. 

[Titan Q]

This just in from the Rumor Mill Times--and folks please don't shoot the messenger. I'm just reporting what I've heard thats come from a usually reliable source. I want to emphasize I have no confirmation on this. As it involves an IWU recruit, perhaps TQ or another Wesleyan fan can positively confirm or deny the rumor, or at least shed some additional light on the subject.

Here is whats been heard---One of the two "big" IWU recruits has or will be backing out of his commitment/enrollment, and will instead attend a juco. As the subject was described as a "big" this would seem to involve either Eric McCullough or Ryan Connolly. Subsequent information appears to favor 6'8" 260 lb Ryan Connolly from Springfield Lamphier as the more likely subject. 

There is no truth to that as far as I know.

Unfortunately earlier this week, MidStateHoops.com reported that 6-8/250 Ryan Connolly was still looking for a Division I scholarship and would go a JUCO instead of IWU.  The information did not come from the kid - it came from an AAU coach who still thinks Connolly should be pursuing DI schools.  Connolly called Ron Rose the day it was posted and said he did not give that information to anyone and that he is excited to come to IWU.  He also asked MidStateHoops to remove his name from the "Top Unsigned Prospect" post, which they did...

http://www.midstatehoops.com/articles/2008/stillunsigned.html

Connolly has been to campus to play with the guys recently.  This could be a "where there's smoke there's fire" thing - I guess you never know.  But the kid has gone out of his way since that post to tell Ron Rose that the info didn't come from him and that he is definitely coming to IWU.

Here is my original blog entry when Connolly committed to IWU...

http://iwuhoops.blogspot.com/2008/05/6-8255-ryan-connolly-heading-to.html

[Titan Q]

Just to clarify, since his name was posted above, there are absolutely no rumors floating around about 6-9 IWU recruit Eric McCullough not attending Wesleyan.

http://iwuhoops.blogspot.com/2008/03/6-9-eric-mccullough-will-be-titan.html

[ILLhoops1]

Good Morning. I am Eric McCullough's father. I can assure everyone that Eric will be attending IWU in the fall. We had also heard the rumors about Ryan. I can tell you Eric is very excited to be a Titan. Thanks, Greg.

[AndOne]

1st of all, neither I nor anyone I know has heard anything whatsoever concerning the possibility of Eric's not being at IWU. As I said prev, the likely subject was Mr. Connolly.

However, with the report from TQ, it certainly sounds like this was just a rumor. As he said, you never really know until a kid shows up for the 1st day of classes, but in view of Ryan's activities as reported by Bob, all appearances are that this was only a rumor  which can now be put to bed. Perhaps the source of the info I heard got the information from the evidently erroneous Mid State Hoops report. Thanks to Bob for his report.

[ILLhoops1]

I have enjoyed following this forum since April (after Eric committed). It has become a habit to check it a couple of times a day. As a matter of fact most of the information that I have comes from this forum. My earlier post was my first attempt to let everyone know how excited and committed Eric was to attend IWU, certainly not to point any fingers. As the season gets going I would like to be more active on this board. Thanks, Greg.

[Pat Coleman]

Welcome aboard!

[titanfan]

Welcome, Greg!

All of us in Titan nation are very excited for Eric to be a Titan!!!

[ILLhoops1]

Thank you for the warm rececption. You guys cant believe how pumped up Eric is. He works out everyday on and off the court. He is finishing his summer baseball. Topped out at 91 mph. He worked out with the Little Titans basketball camps 2 weeks ago and ate it up. He wont let the fans down. Alot of the team has already been working out together. They are going to be awesome this year. They will be a little under-rated pre-season.

[AndOne]

And One,

I will keep my ears open and advise accordingly....

BTW, how do the Carthage teams looks down at Deerfield?

kenoshamark, this Thursday both Carthage teams will be playing in back-to-back games.  The Red Men are playing Augie at 8:10 and "Kenosha Black" will follow that with a game at 9:20 versus North Park (are you reading, Greg?).  Attendance for the two teams has been sporadic at best, and their records reflect that, but they have been performing well, given their relative lack of size.  A couple of weeks ago, they were leading an Elmhurst team for two thirds of the game before folding, in part due to only having five players, none over 6'3".  That Elmhurst team featured Ruch, Hintsche, Macias (I think), Childs and 4 or 5 others.  In the end, Carthage lost by 6 or so.  It was a very respectable performance.  It is hard to believe that Steve D is only a sophomore.  What a heady, gutsy player.

Pete---

Your post on this topic was dated 7/8 and indicated that the games you referenced would be played "this Thursday" which would have been 7/10. In actuality, the games you mentioned above are scheduled to be played this coming Thurs, 7/17.
As I noticed this when consulting the schedule, I thought I would just clarify for you or anyone else who might be interested in attending.

[AndOne]

While nothing can be considered "definite" until he shows up for the 1st day of classes, and practice, I've heard from more sources thats its a pretty sure bet, as 1st reported by aceon2, that Kyle Jeffrey will indeed be returning to the Carthage basketball them this season.

[petemcb]

And One,

I will keep my ears open and advise accordingly....

BTW, how do the Carthage teams looks down at Deerfield?

kenoshamark, this Thursday both Carthage teams will be playing in back-to-back games.  The Red Men are playing Augie at 8:10 and "Kenosha Black" will follow that with a game at 9:20 versus North Park (are you reading, Greg?).  Attendance for the two teams has been sporadic at best, and their records reflect that, but they have been performing well, given their relative lack of size.  A couple of weeks ago, they were leading an Elmhurst team for two thirds of the game before folding, in part due to only having five players, none over 6'3".  That Elmhurst team featured Ruch, Hintsche, Macias (I think), Childs and 4 or 5 others.  In the end, Carthage lost by 6 or so.  It was a very respectable performance.  It is hard to believe that Steve D is only a sophomore.  What a heady, gutsy player.

Pete---

Your post on this topic was dated 7/8 and indicated that the games you referenced would be played "this Thursday" which would have been 7/10. In actuality, the games you mentioned above are scheduled to be played this coming Thurs, 7/17.
As I noticed this when consulting the schedule, I thought I would just clarify for you or anyone else who might be interested in attending.

Thanks for catching that, AndOne.  I should have corrected that in case any posters were considering showing up.  I'm planning on being there.  Will you be there for any of the games that night?  Or any other posters?

[Titan Q]

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/roshawn.html

North Park University Lands Class Of 2008 Chicago St. Rita Star Roshawn Russell

Chicago Hoops
July 16, 2008

Class of 2008 Chicago St. Rita star Roshawn Russell has decided to play his oollege basketball at home in Chicago for North Park University which competes in the always tough College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).

Russell, a 5-11 point guard, was a four-year starter at St. Rita, and a two-time All Catholic League Conference pick.

Russell averaged better than 18 points and 4 assists per contest as a senior en route to being named MVP of a strong Chicago St. Rita team.

[Titan Q]

Augustana
Chris Anderson (6-4 SF/PF, West Carroll) - 17.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
Max Artis (6-3 SF/PF, Kirkwood, Mo.) - 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .592 FG, .674 FT
Brian DeSimone (6-1 PG/SG, Buffalo Grove) - 16.0 ppg
Griffin Dwyer (6-1 SG, Hersey H.S.) - 14.3 ppg
Josh Evans (6-4 SF/PF, Niles North) - 13.2 ppg
Troy Rorer (6-2 G/F, Bettendorf) - 9.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg
Eric Safranski (6-0 PG/SG, Putnam County) - 12.9 ppg
Peter Wessels (6-3 SG, Bettendorf) - 10.7 ppg

Carthage
Pace Bennett (6-2 G, Rock Island Alleman) - 11 ppg, 4 apg
Jake Hasse (6-1 G, Naperville North) - 11.1 ppg

Elmhurst
Zack Boyd (6-2 G/F, Warrensburg-Latham) -  23.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, .560 FG, .422 3-pt, .836 FT
Wes Dukeman (6-8/180 C, Arthur) - 16.0 ppg
David Lopez (6-1 G, Luther North)
Mike McCurdy (6-0 PG, Burlington Central) - 24.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 rpg
A.J. Sutherlin (6-5 SF, North Montgomery H.S., Crawfordsville, IN) - 18.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .547 FG, .392 3-pt, .758 FT
Nathan Swarts (6-5/215 F/C, Monticello) - 12.5 ppg

Illinois Wesleyan
Ryan Connolly (6-8/255 C, Springfield Lanphier) - 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg
Eliud Gonzalez (5-10 PG, Richards H.S.) - 7.4 ppg, 6.2 apg (203 total assists)
John Koschnitzky (6-6/205 SF/PF, Air Force Prep, Oak Forest H.S.) - 20.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg ('06-07, Oak Forest)
Eric McCullough (6-9/220 C, Normal U High) - 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.4 bpg, .540 FG
Steve Rudnicki (6-4/165 PG/SG, Evanston) - 9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.3 apg
Sean Seibring (6-2 SG, Normal West) - 12.0 ppg
Dexter Walker (6-6/215 SF/PF, Morton) - 18.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Jordan Zimmer (6-4 G/F, Delavan) - 23.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 123-293 3-pt (.420), .913 FT

North Central
Mark Adams (6-3 SG, Aurora Central Catholic) - 19.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg
Kenny Branch (6-3 G/F, Mundelein)
Kevin Gillespie (5-10 PG, Geneseo) -  12.2 ppg, 3.8 apg, 66 3-pointers made
Josh Glenn (6-2 G, South Elgin) - 10.0 ppg
Lee Piccinelli (5-11 PG/SG, Henry) - 26.8 ppg
Tyler Ruschmeyer (6-5 F, Pekin) - 11.6 ppg

North Park
Joel Benson (6-5/225 F/C, Westminster Christian) - 18.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg
Dawon Mitchell (6-5/190 F, St. Joseph's)
(new) Roshawn Russell (5-11 PG, St. Rita H.S. - Chicago) - 18 ppg, 4 apg

Wheaton
Phil Carr (6-5 F, Southgate Anderson, MI) - 13.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, .438 FG, .624 FT
Drake Diamond (6-8/225 F/C, Centreville, VA) - 4.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 38-76 FG (.500), 29-45 FT (.644)
Tim McCrary (6-6 F, New Trier) - 10 ppg, 7 rpg
Jeremy Pflederer (6-0 PG, Tremont) - 25.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, .544 FG, .813 FT
Steve Pierotti (6-1 PG, Wheaton North) - 5.2 ppg
Spencer Schultze (6-6 C, Grand Rapids Christian, MI) - 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .530 FT, .650 FT

[Gregory Sager]

I've been sitting on the Roshawn Russell announcement, because NPU is most likely going to do a comprehensive press release for the entire incoming freshman class. However, Brian Stinnette at chicagohoops.com apparently got this particular scoop and pre-empted NPU's announcement.

The Vikings coaching staff is very excited about landing Russell. They see him as a point guard who has serious All-CCIW potential. He got at least one scholarship offer of which I'm aware, as UNC-Pembroke (a D2 school) made a formal offer for his services. At least one D1 school, Detroit, was courting him as well, although I don't know if head coach Kevin Mondro of the Titans eventually gave Russell an offer or not. Given Russell's size (closer to 5'9 than 5'11, from what I'm told), it's significant that he was drawing attention from any D1 or D2 schools.

Russell should be an outstanding addition to the NPU basketball program.