MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Yes, as Q posted, the IWU Fan Fest on Sunday includes a short scrimmage by the women, three point shooting and dunking contest, prizes for students and fans, and a full 40-minute scrimmage, Green/White game, by the men's varsity.  We'll probably also get to see more of the IWU newbies, freshmen in this format.  All welcome -- at The Shirk starting at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Have a good weekend all.

IWU70 

[John Gleich]

I think Carthage beat NIU in an exhibition tonight...

Saw this on Twitter:

prepbullseye Roy Schmidt
6'9 PF Luke Johnson proves his worth for D3 Carthage w/ 17 pts in OT win over NIU per @srchoops. Always thought Johnson had D1 ability.

and

srchoops Sean Connor
D3 Carthage beats Northern Illinois in Basketball 74-70 OT. 6-9 Freshman Luke Johnson with 17+ @Kevin_Devitt @sphillipshoops @prepbullseye


EDIT: Confirmed!  http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/110411aaa.html

[Titan Q]

Here is an article from the Daily Chronicle about Carthage's big win over NIU, and the boxscore...

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/11/04/huskies-fall-to-division-iii-carthage-in-ot/a431v1a/

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2011-2012/11-04-11.html


There are not many Division III leagues in which the team picked 5th in the preseason has the personnel to compete with, let alone defeat, a D1.  Just more evidence of how tough the CCIW is.

Sounds like Carthage is much better than expected, and that 6-9 freshman Luke Johnson is the real deal. 

Congrats to Bosko and the Red Men for the win last night!

[Titan Q]

Looks like a couple huge recruiting commitments for Mike McGrath and the U. of Chicago...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/


The two teammates, who will figure prominently for a Whitney Young team that will be among the top teams in the state again this season, were aware of what was out there for them -- and the possibilities for them down the road if they played the season out. But unlike so many other players, these two took to heart the academic reputation of Chicago and the lifelong opportunities an elite education can bring over playing a lesser-known academic institution that just so happens to play Division I basketball.

[bopol]

A couple of things on Carthage's win.

Northern Illinois likely will be quite bad this year.  They have a new coach and the previous old coach had already run out most of his recruits.  That isn't meant to take away from the win, but it is a fact.

Steve Dombrowski, who likely will play a role as a freshman guard on Carthage's team, did not play because Carthage is still playing soccer.  They play for the CCIW championship today.

Biggest thing for me: Nick Johnson, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks.  It looks like he is ready to contribute immediately. 

[Red.Men1]

A couple of things on Carthage's win.

Northern Illinois likely will be quite bad this year.  They have a new coach and the previous old coach had already run out most of his recruits.  That isn't meant to take away from the win, but it is a fact.

Steve Dombrowski, who likely will play a role as a freshman guard on Carthage's team, did not play because Carthage is still playing soccer.  They play for the CCIW championship today.

Biggest thing for me: Nick Johnson, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks.  It looks like he is ready to contribute immediately.

Dombrowski is Michael.
Johnson is Luke.

[bopol]

A couple of things on Carthage's win.

Northern Illinois likely will be quite bad this year.  They have a new coach and the previous old coach had already run out most of his recruits.  That isn't meant to take away from the win, but it is a fact.

Steve Dombrowski, who likely will play a role as a freshman guard on Carthage's team, did not play because Carthage is still playing soccer.  They play for the CCIW championship today.

Biggest thing for me: Nick Johnson, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks.  It looks like he is ready to contribute immediately.

Dombrowski is Michael.
Johnson is Luke.

Hmm, must be thinking about baseball, though I have no idea where Steve came from.  I was reading about the OT win in the soccer game before I wrote it too.  Oh, well, getting old I guess.

[Red.Men1]

A couple of things on Carthage's win.

Northern Illinois likely will be quite bad this year.  They have a new coach and the previous old coach had already run out most of his recruits.  That isn't meant to take away from the win, but it is a fact.

Steve Dombrowski, who likely will play a role as a freshman guard on Carthage's team, did not play because Carthage is still playing soccer.  They play for the CCIW championship today.

Biggest thing for me: Nick Johnson, 19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks.  It looks like he is ready to contribute immediately.

Dombrowski is Michael.
Johnson is Luke.

Hmm, must be thinking about baseball, though I have no idea where Steve came from.  I was reading about the OT win in the soccer game before I wrote it too.  Oh, well, getting old I guess.

Yeah Dombrowski is certainly making a name for himself on the soccer field. It'll be interesting to see if he can do the same on the court. Big soccer rematch tonight for the Conference Tournament title. Football game and the volleyball team hosting their Conference Tournament game now. Must be an exciting day on the campus!

Back to basketball - sorry to digress - the win looks like it was a good one. The Red Men shooting percentage was significantly better in the second half. And their coach was quoted on their website saying something along the lines of, when shots start falling, confidence builds, and defense picks up.

[bopol]

Back to basketball - sorry to digress - the win looks like it was a good one. The Red Men shooting percentage was significantly better in the second half. And their coach was quoted on their website saying something along the lines of, when shots start falling, confidence builds, and defense picks up.

That had to be a nice bus ride home.  I was also glad to see Max Cary having 20.  I think we all know he is fine player when he is on, and I hope we see a lot of him 'on' this year. 

[OurHouse]

Sounds like Carthage is much better than expected, and that 6-9 freshman Luke Johnson is the real deal. 

Congrats to Bosko and the Red Men for the win last night!
[/quote]

One game and he's the "real deal"?  OMG

[iwu70]

Just back from the Green/White game, Fan Fest, at The Shirk.  A few more impressions from this "game" -- really 30 minutes, with first half being equally mixed squads and the final 10 minutes the first squad against others.  First squad dominated their section, something like 28-10 in a 10 minute sequence.  First 20 minute session was very even, even score.  My impressions:

* From what I saw, the competition for the 5 spot between Ziemnick, Reed and Anderson, has been won by Reed.  He's more consistent, less error prone, has a good intensity on D, shoots within his range and style, and is playing with poise and confidence.  Hope this continues with the needed nastiness and edge I wrote about earlier.  Ziemnick had a better day today, esp. shooting.  Nick Anderson still looks to be a bit out of sorts, sometimes out of position, rather poor setting of interior screens, etc.  . .  not able to run the floor as effectively as the others.

*  Victor Davis and J. Zimmer again had good days, shooting, slashing and rebounding.  I continue to be very impressed with Victor Davis' passing, his vision on the floor. 

*  Kman had a much better outing today, too, esp. on 3 point shooting.  He was showing his range, his speed, his jumping abilities, and hit 4-5 3s today, with a very good touch. 

*  While Molinari had another good outing, again handling the ball well, hitting several intermediate range shots and one trey, Gonzales and Rudnicki were again all over the place, on D, with excellent passing and a pile of assists again.  Yes, I know this is their role in the system, but they are just filling it up with energy and accuracy and pesky defense.  Seniors being seniors, with all the confidence. 

* Saw more of the newbies today . . . one who played solidly, seemed comfortable with the upper classmen and could match their size and speed was Drew Blumenshine. . . . .  Junior Dan Oswald also made some good contributions, shots.  The rest of the newbies got their minutes, but nothing really amazed me or differentiated them . . . as yet. 

* Not surprisingly, Jordan Zimmer won the 3 point shooting context -- and Victor Davis won the dunking fest. 

Again, what impresses is the overall depth, wide range of rotational options with good talent, great foot speed, greater intensity on defense than in the past.  Yes, scoring against very good defenses is still a concern, but there will be scoring contributions from surprising sources this year.  The intensity, nastiness and contributions of the role players will be key to the success of this team.  (i.e. Dortch, Ziemnick, Reed, Rudnicki, and Molinari).  Yes, top three scorers are likely to be Zimmer, Davis and Kman.  I would bet that Gonzales is going to score more this year.  Stay tuned.

Still one more scrimmage @ Loras, November 10th, next Thursday.   

First game is Nov. 16th -- Wedesday -- 7:30 p.m. at Home vs. Benedictine. 

Bob, I'm still having trouble with the CCIW.org site -- perhaps it is something to do with the computers here at Ames, my access point most days?  Not sure.  But the site just often locks up and is not usable.  I know the site is good and useful when working well, but I haven't had much luck with it. 

10 days and the season begins.

IWU70

[petemcb]

Has anyone heard what time the Rockford @ NPU scrimmage is supposed to be tomorrow?

[Gregory Sager]

Has anyone heard what time the Rockford @ NPU scrimmage is supposed to be tomorrow?

It's 7 pm, but it's on Wednesday and not tomorrow.

[petemcb]

That just went from a perfect evening to impossible.     I'll be looking for a complete report, Superfan.

[Gregory Sager]

That just went from a perfect evening to impossible.     I'll be looking for a complete report, Superfan.

Sorry about that. The good news is that I'll be watching the scrimmage from the best seat in the house, i.e., the scorekeeper's chair.