MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

A release today on the Augie site...

http://www.augustana.edu/x10908.xml

Gets into the rotation and personnel a little.

[markerickson]

Who is Moe Berg?

[dansand]

Who is Moe Berg?

Glad you asked. He was a journeyman MLB catcher and atomic spy during WWII.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/venona/dece_berg.html

http://www.unb.ca/bruns/9596/IssueS/ents/catcher.html
Good book.

[Gregory Sager]

Who is Moe Berg?

Glad you asked. He was a journeyman MLB catcher and atomic spy during WWII.

Moe Berg was one of the most interesting men to ever play major league baseball, and he's the subject of one of my all-time favorite baseball quotes: "He could speak a dozen languages, but couldn't hit in any of them."

[Gregory Sager]

One player i think has some potential is Justin Walker.

I've heard word that Walker has knee issues and might be a scratch for 2008-09. That's a totally unconfirmed rumor at this point, I might add.

[Gregory Sager]

On the negative side, starting 5-10. 6-0, and 6-1 creates a tiny perimeter trio.

I don't think it'll be at all unusual for the CCIW, though. I'd look for a number of teams to sport true three-guard lineups this season (Augie, NPU, Wheaton, Carthage, Millikin, perhaps NCC as well, and who knows as far as IWU is concerned). It's a guard-heavy league right now, and coaches seem to be leaning towards putting their strongest five on the floor rather than slotting them according to the traditional G-G-F-F-C setup.

I'm a huge Sean Dwyer fan - I think everyone associated with the Titans is.  He is simply a quality young man in every regard.  Again, the challenge in starting him is that it pushes 6-1 Sean Johnson to the 3 and that creates a tough matchup when facing a big wing, like 6-4 Ryan Burks or 6-5 Nick Williams.

From my travels to the Final Four, I can tell you that most of the teams that get to Salem (not all) have size at the 3.

Nick Williams isn't a wing. He's best suited to play one, but he has been used thus far in his career, and will continue to be used, as a power forward rather than as a small forward. Last year he and Doug Sexauer matched up at both ends of the floor when the Vikings and the Titans played, and my guess is that they'll be guarding each other again in NPU vs. IWU contests. If Paul Brenegan goes to the "big wing" concept at any point in a ballgame this year, that slot will be filled by Kendall Greer, Lewis Wilson, or perhaps freshman Issa Avery.

As for Salem-bound teams having taller, longer players at the small forward position, that may well be ... but, again, there's a lot to be said for simply using the strengths of your team to their fullest advantage rather than trying to slot your starters conventionally. If you have three outstanding guards and some capable backups for them, or if you don't really have a starter-worthy player who is 6'4, 190 or 6'5, 200 and has an inside-outside game, why pound a square peg into a round hole?

I've moved back to the Chicagoland area... can't wait to see some CCIW games this year!

Looking forward to bumping into you at some point, PS. I'll be at all of NPU's home games, a lot of Wheaton and Elmhurst home games, and the occasional NCC home game, too, as well as a bunch of Chicago home games. Heck, I've even got a Concordia (IL) trip and a Dominican trip on my itinerary. It'll be another winter spent wedged into bleachers while listening to bad warmup mix CDs.

[petemcb]

One player i think has some potential is Justin Walker.

I've heard word that Walker has knee issues and might be a scratch for 2008-09. That's a totally unconfirmed rumor at this point, I might add.

That would be unfortunate.  This summer at Deerfield, Walker put on some great shooting performances in several games.

[cardinalfanrochelle]

Titan Q,
            Bertrand/ Collins most athletic at4/5 what about Drennan/Rogers @ NCC

[Titan Q]

Titan Q,
            Bertrand/ Collins most athletic at4/5 what about Drennan/Rogers @ NCC

Athletically, I do not think it is close.

[Titan Q]

As for Salem-bound teams having taller, longer players at the small forward position, that may well be ... but, again, there's a lot to be said for simply using the strengths of your team to their fullest advantage rather than trying to slot your starters conventionally. If you have three outstanding guards and some capable backups for them, or if you don't really have a starter-worthy player who is 6'4, 190 or 6'5, 200 and has an inside-outside game, why pound a square peg into a round hole?

I totally agree.  In IWU's case though, the Titans are fortunate to have at least 3 good "traditional wings" in 6-5 Jordan Zimmer, 6-4 Matt Schick, and 6-6 John Koschnitzky.  I think that is why the decision will be a tough one as the practice season plays out.

[AndOne]

Titan Q,
            Bertrand/ Collins most athletic at4/5 what about Drennan/Rogers @ NCC

Athletically, I do not think it is close.

Cardfan----

No offense to Matt and Chris, but I do think Bertrand/Collins would have to be classified as the most athletic forward duo. On the other hand, I firmly believe Matt Rogers and Chris Drennan are the best forward combo in the league. 

Chris made 2nd team all conference last year, and Matt should have been right there with him. If anyone reading this chooses not to believe me, I'll refer them to Greg Sager, and Titan Q who are pretty much on top of the action in the CCIW and who, I believe, both had Rogers on their all conference team at the end of last season. The coaches who didn't vote for Matt at the season end meeting simply had their heads up their asses, and withheld their vote for Matt solely due to personality issues they had with him rather than due to anything having to do with his basketball ability which places him squarely at the all conference level. JMHO.

[thundermike11]

Titan Q,
            Bertrand/ Collins most athletic at4/5 what about Drennan/Rogers @ NCC

Athletically, I do not think it is close.

Cardfan----

No offense to Matt and Chris, but I do think Bertrand/Collins would have to be classified as the most athletic forward duo. On the other hand, I firmly believe Matt Rogers and Chris Drennan are the best forward combo in the league. 

Chris made 2nd team all conference last year, and Matt should have been right there with him. If anyone reading this chooses not to believe me, I'll refer them to Greg Sager, and Titan Q who are pretty much on top of the action in the CCIW and who, I believe, both had Rogers on their all conference team at the end of last season. The coaches who didn't vote for Matt at the season end meeting simply had their heads up their asses, and withheld their vote for Matt solely due to personality issues they had with him rather than due to anything having to do with his basketball ability which places him squarely at the all conference level. JMHO.

I would agree AndOne. The Rogers/Drennan combo scored 86 of the 153 points NCC scored against Wheaton last year, including 53 of 73 in the game at NCC. It was as if Wheaton didn't have a frontcourt those two games.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Who is Moe Berg?

Glad you asked. He was a journeyman MLB catcher and atomic spy during WWII.

Moe Berg was one of the most interesting men to ever play major league baseball, and he's the subject of one of my all-time favorite baseball quotes: "He could speak a dozen languages, but couldn't hit in any of them."

did he belong to the same spy agency as Bob Crane?

dgp

[Titan Q]

After opening today's mail I was reminded yet again of the joys of marriage.  I received a notice from State Farm of my $8.35 "Multi-car Discount" on my Auto policy.

It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

After opening today's mail I was reminded yet again of the joys of marriage.  I received a notice from State Farm of my $8.35 "Multi-car Discount" on my Auto policy.

It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.

just wait til one of your kids get's a driver's license - you'll know the real joy of giving

dgp

who's daughter had three accidents in high school!