MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bopol]

Too soon for predictions (except that Carthage will win it all), but per Carthage configuration discussion.

* Kelly and Logan will play guard together and a lot.  Both are aggressive on D, so I expect there will be a third quick guy on the floor as opposed to three bigs, so that Kelly and Logan can work to force turnovers.  I don't think we can say who yet (I personally liked Antwan Hill a lot, and Kevin Sykes and Reese Herth will be in the mix).  The third may also be a more true small forward type like Marlon Senior or Kiston Lee.  I don't think you'll see a lot of Pierce, Thompson, Logan on the floor together at the same time.

* I have no idea how the bigs will split their time, but the key (IMHO) will be everyone having roles they can succeed in.  The biggest problem with Luke Johnson last year was that he seemed to try to do a little bit of everything, which may have been fine when he was in high school and the best player on the floor, but that's not necessary here.  I'm looking for Bosko to define a role that Luke can be great at (whatever it is) and then expand it out as the year or his career progresses.

* Similarly, I'd like to see Logan take the shot when he has the shot.  He's a good shooter, but he ALWAYS look for the pass.  There are times to shoot.  It'll take the pressure off of Kelly as well.

* Based on what I saw last year, Johnson, Thompson, Logan and Kelly will be 30 minutes a game players and I don't think anyone (including Bosko) knows how he'll split the rest of the time up.

[AndOne]

Too soon for predictions (except that Carthage will win it all), but per Carthage configuration discussion.

It would be quite a jump from not making the conference tourney to winning the conference championship.
But I do look for improvement from north of the boarder this year.

[bopol]

Too soon for predictions (except that Carthage will win it all), but per Carthage configuration discussion.

It would be quite a jump from not making the conference tourney to winning the conference championship.
But I do look for improvement from north of the boarder this year.

Only if you are not a homer.

Besides, Carthage gets UWW at home in November (assuming things go well on Day 1 of the tournament).  If Carthage defeats UWW, they win the championship belt.

[Titan Q]

Too soon for predictions (except that Carthage will win it all), but per Carthage configuration discussion.

It would be quite a jump from not making the conference tourney to winning the conference championship.

North Central was 5-9 in 2009-10 and not in the CCIW tournament field...and then 11-3 and the conference tournament host in 2010-11.

Carthage was 7-7 in 2008-09 and not in the CCIW tournament field...and then 12-2 and the conference tournament host in 2009-10.

[AndOne]

* I have no idea how the bigs will split their time, but the key (IMHO) will be everyone having roles they can succeed in.  The biggest problem with Luke Johnson last year was that he seemed to try to do a little bit of everything, which may have been fine when he was in high school and the best player on the floor, but that's not necessary here.  I'm looking for Bosko to define a role that Luke can be great at (whatever it is) and then expand it out as the year or his career progresses.

I think this is a good idea that would benefit both Johnson individually, and the team as a whole. I hope Bosko doesn't get this idea on his own. You can bet he won't get it from here, because he would be the last guy in the world to read anything on D3Hoops.
Don't know if they're roles Bosko has given him or not, but its pretty obvious Johnson likes to both avoid the rough stuff, and shoot the 3.

[AndOne]

Too soon for predictions (except that Carthage will win it all), but per Carthage configuration discussion.

It would be quite a jump from not making the conference tourney to winning the conference championship.

North Central was 5-9 in 2009-10 and not in the CCIW tournament field...and then 11-3 and the conference tournament host in 2010-11.

Carthage was 7-7 in 2008-09 and not in the CCIW tournament field...and then 12-2 and the conference tournament host in 2009-10.

And those were quite big jumps too!   

[iwu70]

Corrected, complete IWU roster for the 2012-13 TITANS now posted on the IWU sports website.  FYI. 

Go NPU football!   Big game in B/N tonight -- Normal West vs. Normal Community, 7 p.m. in the rain. 

IWU @Hope tomorrow, noon CST.

Have a good weekend all . . .

GO TITANS!!!

IWU70

[markerickson]

I spoke with a parent last week who advised that Augie's Coach G made a home visit to my community for recruiting purposes.  The adult told me that Coach G wore a "huge ring" from a basketball accomplishment.  What season/team would Coach G have led (or been under) that earned such an award?

[iwu70]

Coat-tossing and sideline stomping global, DIII championships. . . .

IWU70

[petemcb]

I spoke with a parent last week who advised that Augie's Coach G made a home visit to my community for recruiting purposes.  The adult told me that Coach G wore a "huge ring" from a basketball accomplishment.  What season/team would Coach G have led (or been under) that earned such an award?

Maybe he runs a tattoo business/pawn shop in Columbus, Ohio.....

[kenoshamark]

Here is the current 2012-13 Carthage basketball roster:

http://athletics.carthage.edu/roster.aspx?path=mbball

The transfer from UW-Parkside, Jaskulske, is listed as well.

[Just Bill]

Coaches buy rings for show all the time. I've seen new coaches get hired and buy rings for their coaching staff, just because try think it looks impressive in recruiting.

[D-3 watcher]

Now I'm curious, what coach did that. (buy rings)

[AndOne]

I spoke with a parent last week who advised that Augie's Coach G made a home visit to my community for recruiting purposes.  The adult told me that Coach G wore a "huge ring" from a basketball accomplishment.  What season/team would Coach G have led (or been under) that earned such an award?

mark---

What community and player merited such attention at this early date?

Assuming the ring is legit, perhaps it is the result of some accomplishment during his time in D1. If its a D3 trinket, the CCIW conference champs receive rings, so it could be a conference championship ring from one of the years Augie won since he has been the coach. They are nice rings, but I don't know if they can be classified as "huge."

And, speaking of the coach who seems to solicit the most reaction from rival fans in the conference, there is a most unusual picture of him on the Augie web site. 

http://www.augustana.edu/images/athletics/MBasketball/Other/coachgbballbio.jpg

[Just Bill]

Now I'm curious, what coach did that. (buy rings)

Barry Alvarez for one. His first year at Wisconsin, he bought his coaches championships rings, with the message that they will have to earn more. Proceeded to go 1-10, but it eventually worked out well.