MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

WEEK's Jim Mattson wil Jack Sikma and Dennie Bridges from a couple weeks ago...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=304006683074062&set=vb.111225272352205&type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=304338129707584&set=vb.111225272352205&type=2&theater

[rollthunder]

Since IWU seems to get all the love on this board, does anyone think Wheaton can give IWU a run for their money?

[markerickson]

I heard on Saturday from a retired NPU chemistry prof that NPU will bring at least 14 newbies.

[iwu70]

I think the league will be very strong this year -- Wheaton and North Central surely in the top group, perhaps Augie and MU making some noise too.  We'll see about the others in due time.  About time for the pre-season poll, chatsters:

I'd say:

IWU
NCC
Augie
WC
MU
Elmhurst
Carthage
North Park

What say you, ladies and gentlemen chatsters?

IWU70

[AndOne]

Since IWU seems to get all the love on this board, does anyone think Wheaton can give IWU a run for their money?

roll---

Throw out the starters for each team then ask yourself the question again. 

[Titan Q]

Welcome to the 2013-14 season!!!

[Titan Q]

I think the league will be very strong this year -- Wheaton and North Central surely in the top group, perhaps Augie and MU making some noise too.  We'll see about the others in due time.  About time for the pre-season poll, chatsters:

I'd say:

IWU
NCC
Augie
WC
MU
Elmhurst
Carthage
North Park

What say you, ladies and gentlemen chatsters?

IWU70

I think you have Wheaton too low at #4.  Wheaton went 10-4 last year and returns all 5 starters - including 1st teamer Tyler Peters, 2nd teamer Nathan Haynes, and 3rd teamer Brayden Teuscher - and 2 key reserves.  Wheaton had some young players last year, like Peter Smith and Michael Berg, who should make a big jump from 2012-13 to 2013-14.  (Unfortunately what we do not know is whether or not Wheaton added any potential impact newcomers -- for some reason Wheaton never announced its recruiting class, as they always have in the past.)  I see Wheaton as a legitimate preseason top 10 team.

IWU will be the preseason favorite in the CCIW, but I think Wheaton is the clear #2 going in.  I'd go...

1. IWU
2. Wheaton
3. Augustana
4. North Central
5. Millikin
6. Carthage
7. Elmhurst
8. North Park

I think Elmhurst could end up a lot better than I have them, but I'd like to see them play first.

The NCC vs Augie pick for the 3/4 spots was a tough one -- I went with Augie, as I think they have more depth and also some very good young players who are going to be better in 2013-14.  Ben Ryan is going to be al All-American at some point.

[Titan Q]

Here is a look at returning players in the CCIW, broken down by returning starters and key reserves from 2012-13.  The stats noted are from the 14 regular season conference games in 2013. 


1. Illinois Wesleyan (13-1)
PG - Dylan Overstreet, 6-3 Jr (8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.5 apg)     *1st Team
SG - Pat Sodemann, 6-3 Jr (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
G/F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-4 Sr (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg)     *1st Team
PF - Victor Davis, 6-5 Sr (9.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
F/C -

SG - Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Sr (14.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G/F - Mike Mayberger, 6-6 Sr (4.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
C - Nick Anderson, 6-9 Sr (3.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
F - Eric Dortch, 6-3 Sr (3.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
PF - Parker Musselman, 6-8 Jr (3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg)


2. North Central (11-3)
PG - Pat Rourke, 6-3 Sr (2.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.4 apg)
SG - Vince Kmiec, 6-4 Sr (11.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)     *3rd Team
G/F -
PF -
F/C - Landon Gamble, 6-6 Sr (15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)     *1st Team

F/C - Jack Burchett, 6-6 Jr (5.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
PG - Jack Merrithy, 5-9 Jr (4.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
PG - Brandon Williams, 6-1 Sr (3.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg)


3. Wheaton (10-4)
PG - Tyler Peters, 6-4 Sr (18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.3 apg)    *1st Team
SG - Brayden Teuscher, 6-3 Jr (14.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg)    *3rd Team
G/F - Peter Smith, 6-6 Jr (5.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
PF - Michael Berg, 6-6 So (3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
F/C - Nathan Haynes, 6-6 Sr (13.2 ppg, 10.9 rpg)    *2nd Team

G - Michael Kvam, 6-2 Jr (10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
G - Caleb DeMoss, 6-0 Jr (3.1 ppg)


4. Augustana (8-6)
PG - Danielius Jurgutis, 6-0 Jr (10.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.9 apg)
SG - Jawan Straughter, 6-0 So (2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
G/F - Tayvian Johnson, 6-6 So (6.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
PF - Ben Ryan, 6-5 So (11.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)      *2nd Team
F/C -

PF - Nic Hoepfner, 6-6 Jr (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
G - Mark Roth, 6-0 Jr (5.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg)
G - Griffin Pils, 6-4 So (3.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg)

(expected to get 6-8 C Kevin Schlitter back from injury)


5. Carthage (7-7)
PG - Donte Logan, 5-11 Jr (7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.1 apg)
SG - Reese Herth, 6-2 Jr (10.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G/F - Marlon Senior, 6-5 Sr (8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
PF -
F/C -

G - Kevin Sykes Jr, 6-3 Sr (4.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
F - Cameron Van Wyk, 6-6 Jr (3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
G - Kiston Kee, 6-3 Jr (3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
G - Ellis Matthews, 6-3 So (3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg)

(expected to get back 2011-12 1st Team SG Malcom Kelly)


6. Millikin (4-10)
PG - TJ Griffin, 6-0 So (9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
SG - Chase Robbins, 6-2 So (7.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
G/F - Elijan Kinmon, 6-5 So (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
PF - Deavis Johnson, 6-6 So (11.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg)   *3rd Team
F/C - Mitch Wilfer, 6-8 So (3.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

SG - Trent Windemuller, 6-2 So (6.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
G/F - Tommy Pilackas, 6-3 So (3.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
PF - Jaylon Owens, 6-5 So (2.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg)


7. Elmhurst (2-12)
PG -
SG - Taylor Baxter, 6-5 Sr (4.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 apg)
G/F - Bryant Ackerman, 6-2 So (10.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
PF - Nick Sanford, 6-5 Sr (16.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg)     *3rd Team
F/C - Alex Morgunov, 6-9 Sr (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

G - Kyle Wuest, 6-2 So (6.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg)


8. North Park (1-13)
PG - Cameron Burnett, 5-5 So (4.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.7 apg)
SG - Ryan Hyrn, 5-11 So (9.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
G/F - Aaron Weaver, 6-6 Sr (14.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
PF - 
F/C -


G - Chris Benjamin, 6-2 So (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G - Reggie McGree, 6-2 Jr (5.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

(expected to get back 6-8 F Mike Gabriel from injury)


*returning all-CCIW player

[madzillagd]

K+ for all the legwork.

[Titan Q]

Article on IWU as the Titans kick things off today...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/titans-embrace-high-expectations-as-preseason-practice-begins/article_c929b7d8-3558-11e3-930e-001a4bcf887a.html

[iwu70]

Q, thanks for all the details on returning rosters.  I'm sure we'll learn more soon too about newbies and transfers.  Surely the two IWU transfers seem to be in the mix for quite major minutes, if not actually being in the starting line-up.  A worry again about Brady Zimmer's back.  Let's hope the injury bug stays away this year. 

You are probably right about WC and the strength of their returning group.  We'll see.  I just think AC under-performed last year and think they will be better this year.  And, any team with Landon Gamble and pesky Kmiec is bound to be pretty good, I would predict.

Let the games (and practices) begin!

IWU70

[petemcb]

Bob and/or Greg - no Aaron Weaver on the North Side this year?  That would really hurt the Park.

[Titan Q]

Bob and/or Greg - no Aaron Weaver on the North Side this year?  That would really hurt the Park.

I'm guessing he is coming back, but I'm not sure.  I didn't list him above because he didn't play in North Park's final 10 games or so last year and I haven't heard anything since then about his status.

[newCCIWfan]

I think the league will be very strong this year -- Wheaton and North Central surely in the top group, perhaps Augie and MU making some noise too.  We'll see about the others in due time.  About time for the pre-season poll, chatsters:

I'd say:

IWU
NCC
Augie
WC
MU
Elmhurst
Carthage
North Park

What say you, ladies and gentlemen chatsters?

IWU70

I think you have Wheaton too low at #4.  Wheaton went 10-4 last year and returns all 5 starters - including 1st teamer Tyler Peters, 2nd teamer Nathan Haynes, and 3rd teamer Brayden Teuscher - and 2 key reserves.  Wheaton had some young players last year, like Peter Smith and Michael Berg, who should make a big jump from 2012-13 to 2013-14.  (Unfortunately what we do not know is whether or not Wheaton added any potential impact newcomers -- for some reason Wheaton never announced its recruiting class, as they always have in the past.)  I see Wheaton as a legitimate preseason top 10 team.

IWU will be the preseason favorite in the CCIW, but I think Wheaton is the clear #2 going in.  I'd go...

1. IWU
2. Wheaton
3. Augustana
4. North Central
5. Millikin
6. Carthage
7. Elmhurst
8. North Park

I think Elmhurst could end up a lot better than I have them, but I'd like to see them play first.

The NCC vs Augie pick for the 3/4 spots was a tough one -- I went with Augie, as I think they have more depth and also some very good young players who are going to be better in 2013-14.  Ben Ryan is going to be al All-American at some point.

If I were to make a preseason poll, I think my picks would come out to look exactly like Titan Q listed them ... however, rather than rehash everything he said, I tend to look at the league in tiers

Tier 1

IWU – Clear favorite in conference, and has a legit shot at being preseason #1 when d3hoops poll comes out (though with Toomey back I'm not sure they unseat Amherst, at least in the preseason poll).

Wheaton – Clear #2 for all the reasons that Titan Q listed above. I see WC as having the ability to challenge IWU. I think Tyler Peters has a shot to be an All-American.



Tier 2

Augustana – A tier to themselves, they have very good talent all with experience. Last year other than Kunz and Georg Dexter ... the entire team was Freshman and Sophomores. I think that team grows makes major strides. They have a chance to make a case to be considered in Tier 1, but for now, they are slightly below.



Tier 3

North Central – Any team with Landon Gamble can't be overlooked. That said, they have to replace the 2013 Player of the Year (Raridon), a 3rd teamer (Tiknis), and a solid forward off the bench (Rosenberg) ... that's close to 30 ppg (42% of NCC's scoring last year), not to mention they lose almost 40% of their rebounding.   If they find a player (or players by committee) adequately replace Raridon, Tiknis and Rosenbergs production then they can make a push to be a Tier 2 team. If not, I see NCC as more of a two man show (and one of the other Tier 3 schools might be able to nip them).

Millikin – the freshman are now sophomores. We will see what kind of development the Big Blue have made, if the freshmen make strides, then I can see MU giving the traditional "Big 4" a run for the money.

Carthage – I'm placing them in this tier because I think that Malcolm Kelly makes a big difference for them. That said, they have to find a way to replace Thompson and Pierce at the forward spots. Of the returners listed, only 6-6 Cameron Van Wyk is a forward of any size. If they don't have a "game-ready" freshman or transfer to come in and play in the front court immediately, I think that Carthage could struggle at times this season.



Tier 4 (The Unknown Tier)

Elmhurst – Definitely have some talent, and John Baines is going to do very good things. I think they have a shot to finish as high as 6 if Nixon makes a big difference, and if Carthage doesn't have any size upfront.

North Park – I would pick them last, simply because I don't know who they have. If they have some players, then they could make a push and win some games.

I can't wait for games to get going in about a month. It will be fun to watch. I think you have seen the league start to shift from having the a 4 team slug fest for the league, and 4 teams struggle to get wins, to a league where any of the lower tier teams have the ability to knock off the higher tier teams given the right night and venue.

[Titan Q]

Tier 3

North Central – Any team with Landon Gamble can't be overlooked. That said, they have to replace the 2013 Player of the Year (Raridon), a 3rd teamer (Tiknis), and a solid forward off the bench (Rosenberg) ... that's close to 30 ppg (42% of NCC's scoring last year), not to mention they lose almost 40% of their rebounding.   If they find a player (or players by committee) adequately replace Raridon, Tiknis and Rosenbergs production then they can make a push to be a Tier 2 team. If not, I see NCC as more of a two man show (and one of the other Tier 3 schools might be able to nip them).

Millikin – the freshman are now sophomores. We will see what kind of development the Big Blue have made, if the freshmen make strides, then I can see MU giving the traditional "Big 4" a run for the money.

Carthage – I'm placing them in this tier because I think that Malcolm Kelly makes a big difference for them. That said, they have to find a way to replace Thompson and Pierce at the forward spots. Of the returners listed, only 6-6 Cameron Van Wyk is a forward of any size. If they don't have a "game-ready" freshman or transfer to come in and play in the front court immediately, I think that Carthage could struggle at times this season.

Putting NCC in "tier 3" with Millikin and Carthage might cause you to be called a sandbagger!