MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augiefan]

NCC had a really bad non-conference record last year, but once the conferece games started they were awesome. It's too early to figure out what might happen, but based on early returns their are 5 pretty formidable teams including NCC in the CCIW this year.

[iwumichigander]

Just thought to check the NCC/Aurora score and was shocked to see...

Aurora 94
North Central 82

http://northcentralcardinals.com/custompages/MBK/mbk1112/Mbk03.htm


Aurora lost to Augie by 34, and Trine by 15.

NCC only had one bench player who logged more than 10 minutes - Charlie Rosenberg (16).  PG Kevin Gillespie played 40 minutes and Derek Raridon 39.

After seeing this, I don't think there is any question Wheaton should be considered a stronger contender to Augie than NCC (as of right now, in the early going).

I was speaking with a local D3 head coach last night, and he and I realized that we had both came to that same conclusion about Wheaton being Augie's biggest CCIW challenger this season, not NCC. And this was before I saw the NCC vs. Aurora score.

Not that I'm writing off the Cardinals or anything, but Wheaton just seems loaded this season, while the losses of Burchett and Hallstein really look like they've set NCC back.

Wheaton seems to have climbed to a level I thought would take another season.  Right now I also see Wheaton a stronger contender than NCC.  I don't discount the Cardinals whom also seem to put it all together in conference play.  However, I don't think any contender will be able to "spot" Augustana or Wheaton more than 2 wins and stay in contention for the regular conference title.

[matblake]

Here's a video of Wheaton's dunks so far this year.  Just a fun little clip.

[Titan Q]

Here's a video of Wheaton's dunks so far this year.  Just a fun little clip.

The Tyler Peters dunk at the very end has to be in about the upper 2 percentile of Division III dunks you will see in a given season.  You just don't expect to see a D3 perimeter player penetrate down the middle of the lane, elevate, and dunk it with that kind of authority.  If you are in the stands watching, you expect that play to end up in a layup, a foul, a missed shot, or something like that.

One of the things that makes Wheaton so dangerous this season is that they are extremely athletic.  Over the years Wheaton has had some great athletes - for me, Wesley Pitts is #1 and Jonathan Steven #2.  These two were Division I-caliber "athletes."  But I can't seem to think of any other Wheaton teams with as many top-notch athletes on one roster as this one.  In Tim McCrary, Aaron Garriott, Tyler Peters, and Jeremy Pflederer you have some outstanding athletic ability.  (I may be missing others I am not as familiar with.)  This has a big impact on both sides of the floor.

[Titan Q]

A look at CCIW production by position in the very early going...


PG
Max Cary, 6-4 Sr (CC) - 20.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.3 A/TO, 3.5 spg (20-22 FT)
Jeremy Pflederer, 6-0 Sr (WC) - 11.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 4.3 A/TO
Roshawn Russell, 5-9 Sr (NPU) - 8.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 A/TO (10-10 FT)
Kevin Gillespie, 5-11 Sr (NCC) - 8.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 A/TO
Mike McCurdy, 6-0 Sr (EC) - 8.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 A/TO
Eliud Gonzalez, 5-9 Sr (IWU) - 5.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 4.3 A/TO
Brian DeSimone, 6-1 Sr (AC) - 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 5.7 apg, 5.7 A/TO
Rodney Clark, 6-0 Jr (MU) - 5.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.4 A/TO

SG
Malcolm Kelly, 6-0 Jr (CC) - 22.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.5 apg (9-13 3-point, .692)
CJ Goldthree, 6-0 So (NCC) - 17.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg (4-13 3-point, .308, 23-30 FT)
Aaron Garriott, 6-4 Jr (WC) - 16.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 apg (22-24 FT, 6-16 3-point, .375)
Troy Rorer, 6-2 Sr (AC) - 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg (3-5 3-point, .600)
Jordan Zimmer, 6-5 Sr (IWU) - 10.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.8 apg (10-28 3-point, .357)
James Robertson, 6-3 Jr (EC) - 9.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 4.4 apg (6-13 3-point, .462)
Matt Merrigan, 6-0 So (MU) - 7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg (2-11 3-point, .182)
Kendall Greer, 6-4 Sr (NPU) - 4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg (2-12 3-point, .167)

G/F
Bryant Voiles, 6-9 Sr (AC) - 19.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg (7-17 3-point, .412, 16-18 FT)
Derek Raridon, 6-6 Jr (NCC) - 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.3 apg, 5.3 A/TO (24-26 FT, 0-3 3-point)
Mitch Thompson, 6-6 Jr (CC) - 15.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg (0-2 3-point)
Zack Boyd, 6-3 Sr (EC) - 14.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg (5-9 3-point, .556)
John Koschnitzky, 6-6 Sr (IWU) - 12.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg (6-16 3-point, .375)
Mark Holmes, 6-6 Jr (NPU) - 12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg (6-19 3-point, .316)
Nikko Robertson, 6-4 So (MU) - 11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg (2-7 3-point, .286)
Tyler Peters, 6-4 So (WC), 6-4 - 7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.0 apg (3-8 3-point, .375)

PF
Tim McCrary, 6-6 Sr (WC) - 18.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.3 apg (29-41 FG, .707)
Mike Gabriel, 6-8 So (NPU) - 13.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg (20-32 FG, .625)
Victor Davis, 6-5 So (IWU) - 12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg (20-31 FG, .645)
Luke Johnson, 6-9 Fr (CC) - 10.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg (8-17 FG, .471)
Nick Sanford, 6-4 So  (EC) - 8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg (11-21 FG, .524)
Aaron Tiknis, 6-6 Jr (NCC) - 7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg (9-15 FG, .600)
George Dexter, 6-7 Jr (AC) - 6.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg (7-15 FG, .467)
Ryan Albert, 6-3 Fr (MU) - 0.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg (0-3 FG)

F/C
Jerome Robinson, 6-6 Sr (EC) - 19.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg (26-37 FG, .703)
Landon Gamble, 6-6 So  (NCC) - 18.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg (22-45 FG, .489)
Luke Scarlata, 6-9 Jr (AC) - 12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg (16-22 FG, .727)
Kevin Reed, 6-7 Jr (IWU) - 11.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg (19-28 FG, .679)
Emmanuel Crosby, 6-7 Sr (NPU) - 9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg (16-32 FG, .500)
Spencer Schultze, 6-6 Sr (WC) - 8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg (11-17 FG, .647)
Brady Knapp, 6-6 Fr (MU) - 5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg (7-13 FG, .538 FG)
Tyler Pierce, 6-5 Jr (CC) - 4.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg (3-9 FG, .333)

Bench (5.0 ppg+)
Chris Anderson, 6-4 Sr G (AC) - 10.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Charlie Rosenberg, 6-5 So F (NCC) - 9.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Nate Serenius, 6-3 Jr G (WC) - 9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Dan Oswald, 6-2 Jr G (IWU) - 8.5 ppg (8-12 3-point, .667)
David Molinari, 6-1 Fr G (IWU) - 7.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.8 apg
Brandon Kunz, 6-7 Jr C (AC) - 6.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Kameron Norton, 6-7 Jr C (AC) - 6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Nick Anderson, 6-9 So C (IWU) - 5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Mike Boyd (NCC), 6-1 Fr G - 5.3 ppg

[Titan Q]

A few things that struck me in putting that together...

*  The CCIW is very strong at the small forward/wing position in 2011-12...some really good players there.  And several teams with great size at that spot for Division III --  those could be the heights at the 3 for a good DI conference.

* So far the top freshman in the league is Luke Johnson (Carthage), who looks poised for a big season. 

* 7 of 8 starting PG's are seniors.

* Augustana is enormous - I mean, I knew this already, but it really is impressive when you think about it.  6-9/209, 6-7/200, 6-9/246 on the frontline with 6-7/220 and 6-7/217 rolling off the bench...and 6-8/245 soph Kevin Schlitter ready if needed. 

* Augustana and IWU are extremely deep across the board (solid backups at all 5 spots).  Wheaton has outstanding perimeter depth, but seems like post depth is a question - overall though, a strong bench.  I think there are significant questions to be answered during the remainder of the non-conference season regarding the benches of the other 5 teams.  This includes preseason league #2 pick North Central.

* The Carthage backcourt is off to a great start.

* Two transfers are making a big impact early - 6-6 PF Jerome Robinson (Elmhurst) from Division II Lewis and 6-6 SF Mark Holmes (North Park) from Division I Mississippi Valley State.

[iwumichigander]

* Augustana is enormous - I mean, I knew this already, but it really is impressive when you think about it.  6-9/209, 6-7/200, 6-9/246 on the frontline with 6-7/220 and 6-7/217 rolling off the bench...and 6-8/245 soph Kevin Schlitter ready if needed

(I hope I got the quote right as I am dueling with grandson as I try to type)  Augustana lineup would match up with DII and many DI lineups in terms of size.  My guess would be opponents are going to need to defend, take care of the ball and shoot the lights out (including making free throws) to get by Augustana.


edit, fixed quotes

[Titan Q]

IWU travels to Ripon today for a 3:00pm game vs the Red Hawks.  I believe this will be IWU's toughest opponent of the season to date.

Ripon (2-0) starts...

G - Alex Erdmann, 6-2 Jr (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
G - Taylor Koth, 6-2 Jr (26.0 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.5 apg)
F - Aris Wurtz, 6-4 Sr (22.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
F - Brad Brooks, 6-6 So (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.0 apg)
C - Nic Schaalma, 6-11 Sr (4.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)


Wurtz was a 1st Team All-MWC selection last year after averaging 20.8 ppg/6.5 rpg (45-121 3-point, .372...93-100 FT, .845).  He made the D3hoops.com preseason All-American team.  In the Pantagraph's article on the game, Ripon coach Bob Gillespie said, "Aris is as good a shooter as I've seen in my 31 years as head coach at Ripon College...he is a very gifted player and is hard to guard because he can play both inside and outside and is a terrific free throw shooter."

Koth is off to a huge start after averaging 13.8 ppg/8.7 rpg last year.  He was 127-153 from the FT line (.830) in 2010-11 and is 16-17 through two games this year.  Of Koth, Gillespie told the Ripon Press recently, "[Koth] is just a beast...he is so explosive."  I picture him as a tough, penetrating, Drew Carstens kind of 2-guard from his stats and that comment.

IWU will most likely be without starting PG Eliud Gonzalez who is dealing with a strained oblique.  I assume Stephen Rudnicki will start, with freshman David Molinari backing him up.  Moving Rudnicki away from the backup 2 spot should bring Dan Oswald into the mix behind Jordan Zimmer.  I can also see Ron Rose needing 6-4 F Eric Dortch to play some 2 to guard Koth.

I'm interested to see how IWU plays today.


http://www.ripon.edu/athletics/mbasketball/2011-12/Game%20Notes/vs.IWU.pdf

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/versatility-key-in-iwu-men-s-good-start/article_a07f098c-17be-11e1-b3e0-001cc4c03286.html

[titanfan]

I saw in the pantagraph article that Blumenshine has officially left the team.  That's too bad. 

[robberki]

Hi folks, just a reminder that Greg and I will be on the air this afternoon for North Park's 3 o'clock contest with Coe. You can tune in here:

http://athletics.northpark.edu/showcase/#liveevents

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

[augie_superfan]

G - Alex Erdmann, 6-2 Jr (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
G - Taylor Koth, 6-2 Jr (26.0 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.5 apg)
F - Aris Wurtz, 6-4 Sr (22.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
F - Brad Brooks, 6-6 So (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.0 apg)
C - Nic Schaalma, 6-11 Sr (4.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Q, is the height on Koth correct, only 6'2?  Looks like he must be one agressive player to pull down all those boards.

Here are my rankings system's predicted results for today's CCIW games:

IWU a 7 point favorite @ Ripon
North Park a 7 point underdog at home vs. Coe
Elmhurst a 11 point underdog vs. Wabash (@ DePauw)
North Central a 8 point underdog at home vs. Illinois College

[Titan Q]

Q, is the height on Koth correct, only 6'2?  Looks like he must be one agressive player to pull down all those boards.

Yes, he is a 6-2 guard...

http://www.ripon.edu/athletics/mbasketball/profiles/Koth_Taylor.htm


Crazy rebounding numbers.

[Titan Q]

Elmhurst a 13 point underdog @ Wabash

Just FYI, this game is on a neutral court - at DePauw.

[augie_superfan]

Elmhurst a 13 point underdog @ Wabash

Just FYI, this game is on a neutral court - at DePauw.

Thanks Q, modified above.

[Titan Q]

Ripon 80
IWU 61

IWU got run out of the gym at Ripon today from the moment they walked off the bus.  Outside of a run to start the 2nd half that cut the Ripon halftime lead from 12 down to 8, this one was never close.  It was so ugly for the Titans that it's really not even useful to break down anything I saw on the video stream - IWU was horrendous in every phase of the game today (dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, rebounding, etc).  Hoping the Titans are better than what they looked like today (this was the first time I've had a chance to see them on video) - that this was just one of those bad days.  If not, this will be a long year in the CCIW.

I should add that Ripon played extremely well - they really took IWU out of everything the Titans wanted to do on offense. Aris Wurtz is a tremendous player - he had 39 for Ripon (15-15 FT).  I have to believe the Red Hawks will be in the middle of the MWC title race.  As usual they are a well-coached, disciplined basketball team that makes you work for everything.  Today was career win #499 for Bob Gillespie.

I don't have any fond memories of IWU games @ Ripon.  The '90-91 and '98-99 teams lost there in the NCAA tournament.  Scott Trost's first IWU team lost there on opening weekend.  If there is a win up there for the Titans, I can't remember it.

IWU travels to UW-Whitewater on Wed. Nov 30.  The Warhawks are the #2 pick in the WIAC.  I think the Titans will make a better showing in that one.