MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[old_hooper]

Polls at this point are really just informing us who to watch.  As an Amherst fan didn't expect them to get the love at #1 over IWU.  Here is a clip from an early pep rally of a dunk contest.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uSS_qAmPLY
The six players on the clip 3 saw a lot of PT last year.  Kalema is the 1st (on clip) he is very capable to have a year like Williamson did last year. Williamson did not go into his senior year as an elite player but in post season was clearly the difference maker. Killian (2nd) is a solid all round player and will be big contributor to the team this year in the backcourt.  With Toomey (not in the clip), Amherst has a excellent backcourt this year if they all stay healthy.  Green (3rd) as a freshmen last year is a more than capable scorer.  He could be the leading scorer on this team.  Levine (4th) at 6'8 Jr., did not play last year and probably will have a hard time getting minutes this year as well.  Sanderson (5th) 6'9 or 10 soph did not play much last year and has a big upside.  Should see a lot of time this year...coaching staff says very good offensive skills.  George (6th) 6'9 is a frosh, long and athletic.  He will compete for play time this year.  Amherst has 3 other guys at 6'7 and above who will also be competing for PT.

[old_hooper]

Polls at this point are really just informing us who to watch.  As an Amherst fan didn't expect them to get the love at #1 over IWU.  Here is a clip from an early pep rally of a dunk contest.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uSS_qAmPLY
The six players on the clip 3 saw a lot of PT last year.  Kalema is the 1st (on clip) he is very capable to have a year like Williamson did last year. Williamson did not go into his senior year as an elite player but in post season was clearly the difference maker. Killian (2nd) is a solid all round player and will be big contributor to the team this year in the backcourt.  With Toomey (not in the clip), Amherst has a excellent backcourt this year if they all stay healthy.  Green (3rd) as a freshmen last year is a more than capable scorer.  He could be the leading scorer on this team.  Levine (4th) at 6'8 Jr., did not play last year and probably will have a hard time getting minutes this year as well.  Sanderson (5th) 6'9 or 10 soph did not play much last year and has a big upside.  Should see a lot of time this year...coaching staff says very good offensive skills.  George (6th) 6'9 is a frosh, long and athletic.  He will compete for play time this year.  Amherst has 3 other guys at 6'7 and above who will also be competing for PT.

. Order was listed wrong Killian is the 3rd guy on the clip and Green is the 2nd.

[Titan Q]

Let's say the top four of Amherst, Illinois Wesleyan, Williams, and UW-Stevens Point is pretty safe.  Here is snapshot of teams 5-12 from the preseason poll, in terms of last year's record and returning players (I've listed starters and top reserve).

#5 Wheaton (21-7 overall, 10-4 CCIW, NCAA 2nd round)
G - Tyler Peters, 6-4 Sr (18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.3 apg)   
G - Brayden Teuscher, 6-3 Jr (14.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg)   
G/F - Peter Smith, 6-6 Jr (5.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
F - Michael Berg, 6-6 So (3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
F/C - Nathan Haynes, 6-6 Sr (13.2 ppg, 10.9 rpg)   

G - Michael Kvam, 6-2 Jr (10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

#6 North Central (28-4 overall, 11-3 CCIW, NCAA Final 4)
G - Pat Rourke, 6-3 Sr (2.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.4 apg)
G - Vince Kmiec, 6-4 Sr (11.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)     
G/F - Derek Raridon, 6-6 (14.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
F - Aaron Tiknis, 6-6 (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
F/C - Landon Gamble, 6-6 Sr (15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)     

F/C - Jack Burchett, 6-6 Jr (5.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

#7 Mary Hardin-Baylor (27-6 overall, 17-2 ASC, NCAA national title game)
G - James Allen, 6-3 Sr (13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G - Brian Todd, 6-4 (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
G/F - Thomas Orr, 6-5 (15.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
F - Kitrick Bell, 6-4 Jr (12.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg)
F - Cory Meals, 6-5 Sr (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

G - Layton Zinsmeister, 5-11 Fr (3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

#8 Wooster (24-6 overall, 14-2 NCAC, NCAA 3rd round)
G - Doug Thorpe, 5-9 Sr (13.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg)
G - Xavier Brown, 6-0 Jr (13.6 ppt, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg)
G - Evan Pannell, 6-2 Jr (7.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
F - Kenny DeBoer, 6-5 Sr (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
C - Jake Mays, 6-8 (7.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

F/C Josh Claytor, 6-7 (9.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

#9 WPI (26-3 overall, 10-2 NEWMAC, NCAA 2nd round)
G - Aaron Davis, 5-10 So (5.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.4 apg)
G - Marco Coppola, 6-0 Jr (16.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
G - Sam Longwell, 6-3 Jr (12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
F - Ryan Kolb, 6-5 Jr (14.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
F - Joe Wesoloski, 6-6 (4.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

G - Zach Karalis, 6-3 So (10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

#10 St. Mary's (27-4 overall, 10-2 CAC, NCAA Elite 8)
G - James Davenport, 6-3 (5.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
G - Donn Hill, 6-3 Sr (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
G - Nick LaGuerre, 6-3 Jr (13.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
G - Brendan McFall, 6-5 Sr  (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
C - MacGyver Biniak, 6-7 Jr (4.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

F - Jeff Haus, 6-6 (7.4 ppg, 5.9 ppg

#11 Washington U. (21-6 overall, 10-4 UAA, NCAA 2nd round)
G - Alan Aboona, 6-1 Sr (12.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.7 apg)
G - Tim Cooney, 6-3 Sr (5.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
F - Matt Palucki, 6-6 Jr (9.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
F - Chris Klimek, 6-5 Sr (15.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
C - Robert Burnett, 6-8 (8.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

G - Ben Hoener, 6-0 (9.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.3 apg)

#12 Whitworth (26-4 overall, 14-2 NWC, NCAA 3rd round)
G - Dustin McConnell, 5-11 Sr (13.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg)
G - Wade Gebbers, 5-11 (11.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G - George Valle, 6-4 So (12.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
F - Mack Larkin, 6-5 (7.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
C - Taylor Farnsworth, 6-8 Sr (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

G - Colton McCargar, 6-2 Sr - (13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)


Is Wheaton really out of place at #5?

[kiko]

Let's say the top four of Amherst, Illinois Wesleyan, Williams, and UW-Stevens Point is pretty safe.  Here is snapshot of teams 5-12 from the preseason poll, in terms of last year's record and returning players (I've listed starters and top reserve).

#5 Wheaton (21-7 overall, 10-4 CCIW, NCAA 2nd round - lost @ St. Thomas)
PG - Tyler Peters, 6-4 Sr (18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.3 apg)   
SG - Brayden Teuscher, 6-3 Jr (14.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg)   
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)   

G - Michael Kvam, 6-2 Jr (10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

#6 North Central (28-4 overall, 11-3 CCIW, NCAA Final 4)
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)     
G/F - Derek Raridon, 6-6 (14.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
PF - Aaron Tiknis, 6-6 (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
F/C - Landon Gamble, 6-6 Sr (15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)     

F/C - Jack Burchett, 6-6 Jr (5.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

#7 Mary Hardin-Baylor (27-6 overall, 17-2 ASC, NCAA national title game)
PG - James Allen, 6-3 Sr (13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg)
SG - Brian Todd, 6-4 (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
G/F - Thomas Orr, 6-5 (15.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
F - Kitrick Bell, 6-4 Jr (12.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg)
F - Cory Meals, 6-5 Sr (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

G - Layton Zinsmeister, 5-11 Fr (3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

#8 Wooster (24-6 overall, 14-2 NCAC, NCAA 3rd round)
G - Doug Thorpe, 5-9 Sr (13.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.5 apg)
G - Xavier Brown, 6-0 Jr (13.6 ppt, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg)
G - Evan Pannell, 6-2 Jr (7.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
F - Kenny DeBoer, 6-5 Sr (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
C - Jake Mays, 6-8 (7.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

F/C Josh Claytor, 6-7 (9.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

#9 WPI (26-3 overall, 10-2 NEWMAC, NCAA 2nd round)
G - Aaron Davis, 5-10 So (5.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.4 apg)
G - Marco Coppola, 6-0 Jr (16.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
G - Sam Longwell, 6-3 Jr (12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
F - Ryan Kolb, 6-5 Jr (14.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
F - Joe Wesoloski, 6-6 (4.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

G - Zach Karalis, 6-3 So (10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

#10 St. Mary's (27-4 overall, 10-2 CAC, NCAA Elite 8)
G - James Davenport, 6-3 (5.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
G - Donn Hill, 6-3 Sr (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
G - Nick LaGuerre, 6-3 Jr (13.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
G - Brendan McFall, 6-5 Sr  (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
C - MacGyver Biniak, 6-7 Jr (4.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

F - Jeff Haus, 6-6 (7.4 ppg, 5.9 ppg

#11 Washington U. (21-6 overall, 10-4 UAA, NCAA 2nd round)
G - Alan Aboona, 6-1 Sr (12.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.7 apg)
G - Tim Cooney, 6-3 Sr (5.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
F - Matt Palucki, 6-6 Jr (9.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
F - Chris Klimek, 6-5 Sr (15.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
C - Robert Burnett, 6-8 (8.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

G - Ben Hoener, 6-0 (9.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.3 apg)

#12 Whitworth (26-4 overall, 14-2 NWC, NCAA 3rd round)
G - Dustin McConnell, 5-11 Sr (13.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg)
G - Wade Gebbers, 5-11 (11.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G - George Valle, 6-4 So (12.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
F - Mack Larkin, 6-5 (7.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
C - Taylor Farnsworth, 6-8 Sr (9.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

G - Colton McCargar, 6-2 Sr - (13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)


Is Wheaton really out of place at #5?

No, but nor would they be out of place at #9 or #10.

Here's the trouble with doing this as a pencil-and-paper exercise.  Let's just take these two guys, for instance:

G/F - Derek Raridon, 6-6 (14.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
PF - Aaron Tiknis, 6-6 (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg)

Losing Tiknis will hurt - he will not be easy to replace.   Raridon, on the other hand -- whose statistics are better, but not worldly better than Tiknis' -- is far, far more difficult to replace, due to all the other things he brings to the table.  I am under no illusion that any one player would be able to fill the role he has played in the past few seasons.

I've done this exercise in the context of the team with which I'm most familiar.  But of those other elites, I don't have a particularly good sense of which losses they'll feel more, how well the team will be able to adapt in the absence of the graduating seniors, or whether there is a Keelan Amelianovich-like player who was not a top reserve, but who might be waiting in the wings to step up big-time.  Does this make them candidates for a lower ranking than the Wheaties?  Maybe.  At a minimum, there are more questions to answer than what they're wrestling with in Northern DuPage County.  But I can also argue that I have a better sense of the talent on Wheaton's roster (albeit without having seen the year-on-year improvement of the returning starters) because everyone is coming back, and when I look at the list, it doesn't scream 'top five ranked team'.

They would not sit top five on my ballot, which is no slam because they'd only be a few slots lower.  And I would be neither surprised nor offended if someone had them higher.  It's subjective, and YMMV.

[iwu70]

Ypsi, you are right.  At least my eyes are older than yours.  Having more trouble with vision, so better head for Galley's and get a new pair of reading glasses.  I had mine on, but missed UW-WW there on the polls at #13. 

Just enjoyed the Titans big win over Wheaton in football.  A great afternoon, actually a great DAY to be a Titan -- at 7-0.  Lovely sunny windy day, but a rather disappointing crowd.  Much of the home side not filled.  Our Titans, especially the defence, surely rose to the occasion today.  NCC poses an even greater challenge than WC. 

A good weekend to all CCIW football fans. 


IWU70

[iwu70]

Yes, attended the Green/White scrimmage @Shirk this morning and watched the plethora of talent that Ron Rose has.  For what it's worth, here are a few impressions:

Zimmer in street clothes (back) and Jordan Nelson in a boot, with crutches. 

Starting group #1:  Dortch-Rossi-Anderson-Zman-Dolan

Starting group #2:  Davis-Overstreet-Sodemann-Mayberger-Heyen.

Many Titans have done the conditioning, weight work.  Several look noticeably stronger, bigger -- like Anderson, Sodeman, Dortch, Davis, and Heyen.  Zman looks a bit slimmer and in better overall shape.  Liked the energy of Dolan, Nelms and Mayberger.  Sevearal Titan players seem to be making an extra effort to slash, get into the lane, and take people off the dribble -- esp. Overstreet, Dortch, Nelms and Dolan.  Dolan has improved his ball handling and his court vision, and seems to be finding his shooting stroke too.  Overall, what impression one comes away with is that we have a very deep, solid and talented group of basketball players.  No one is making you drop your jaw and just say "Wow" look at that, but they all play well, with solid fundamentals, very good on-ball D, and relatively few TOs and wild, out-of-control plays.  Not the best shooting day, as you would expect early and  pretty suspect FTs shooting.  The refs were calling it very close, with the new rules and that made for a scrimmage with a lot of stoppages, FT shooting (which overall was pretty poor) and no real flow to the games -- two 20 minute segments, then a 10 minute segment to look mainly at the newbies, the JV guys.  If the games are going to be called this way, FT shooting is going to be much more important this season and the Titans need to, overall, improve their FT shooting %., especially for those who shot less that 70% last year. 

If the Titans have injuries, folks out with illness or other reasons, again Mike Mayberger may be one of the most valuable Titans, even one of the most valuable subs, rotational players in D3.  He plays smart, passes well, hits the open man and the open shot.  Just say'in.  On offence, Overstreet was excellent, moving with the ball, getting in the lane, dishing off.  He's hard to contend with, even got some good offensive rebounds.  He's just active and smart.  Another big year coming for Dylan.  Nick Anderson has improved his back to the basket moves, has a nice left hand and was one of the few that hit most of his FTs.  He and Heyen and Vic Davis had blocks, were tough around the rim. 

Now, on Rossi, well, he's the real deal it would appear.  He has a wonderful shooting stroke and will be a threat whenever open about anywhere on the court -- great range in treyland.  But, I was pretty impressed with his movement, his D, and his passing as well.  He's long and lanky, but moves very well, can put the ball on the floor etc. for a big man.  A very tough match up for many at the 3.  Not really like Keelen in elevating to shoot, but once he finds a space, the ball can go up and often in.   With his length, he's going to improve defensively and get his long arms into a lot of passing lanes. 

Marietti seems injured, was in ice-pack at the end, and some around the gym said he may require some knee surgery.  Not a good sign there.  Of the newbies, most played hard and pretty well, but at a different speed and level.  There's a left-handed guard, a 2 that played well, not sure the name, hit several treys, pushed the ball.   Of all the newbies, the one that got the most PT and played very well I thought was the big 6'8" freshman, Trevor Seibring.  He has very good fundamentals, light feet, good foot work, can set a very solid, hard, and accurate screen, and knows what to do around the basket.  He, IMHO, has a great future in the Titan program, longer term.  Reminds me a bit of Parker Musselman but not with Parker's three ball range, of course.  He could play with the top squads now. 

In the segments.  the first was tied 37-37, the second went to the white squad 30-23, and in the JV segment, one group pretty well dominated the other 21-5.  Of the newbies, the future of the Titans,  I could see a team of Heyen, Trevor Seibring, Dolan, Overstreet, Sodemann -- and Musselman back?  We'll see about Rossi and Nelson -- when Nelson gets healthy.  Do they both have two years of eligibility.  Hope Zimmer comes back too, so that the options at the 2 are robust.  Seems Dolan and Nelms may get some back up time at the PG in the next 4-6 weeks. 

Max Scholle played a bit, and needs to gain weight and muscle, needs to work on conditioning -- but he's surely 6'10" and worth being a development project. 

Ron Rose has a very long bench, and will likely have a full JV contingent of 12 or so players without major injuries setting in.  Lots of time and opportunity for all these pine-sitters, freshmen newbies to play and develop.  Many make a big jump from freshmen or 2nd year JV play to varsity level play as upperclassmen. 

These are just my impressions from watching attentively about 50 minutes of scrimmage today @ The Shirk.  Looked like about 150-200 IWU fans, interested friends came out to watch the scrimmage today.   

Sounds like the injury list, for now, includes Zimmer, Nelson and Marietti. 

Exhibition game vs. a DII opponent on Nov. 2nd, I believe -- Winona State in MN. 

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

iwu70, the 'older eyes' may be a push and depend on definitions.   Without corrective lenses, I have been legally blind since age 6 or 7 (2-300 years ago, I probably would not have lived to adulthood).  Fortunately, as long as I update periodically, WITH lenses my vision is better than 20/20.

OMG, Victor has gotten bigger and stronger?!  Based on what I saw in Holland (spring 2012), that would mean he has moved physically from Batman to Superman!

[iwu70]

Yup, stronger for sure.  He dunked another one today, just awesome off a rebound.  But, a foul had been called earlier on the shot, so it didn't really count.  But he was way up there, jamming it down.  He, Anderson and Zman are all stronger, it would appear.  Likely Dortch and Sodemann too.  Even some of the small guys, the PGs and 2s seem to be working the weights in the off season.  Nelms and a few others seemed to have gotten stronger, better upper body strength.  Guess that's the conditioning programs that are widely used now in off-season, in DIII as well as in the other divisions for sure.

Sure happy for the football guys today.  I great win over previously undefeated Wheaton.  Next week, even a bigger, tougher challenge.



IWU70

[Titan Q]

Pantagraph article on IWU's Green/White scrimmage today...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/officially-titans-learn-in-basketball-scrimmage/article_0b3615c2-3e9b-11e3-ab71-0019bb2963f4.html

Looks like newcomer Alex Rossi was the leading scorer in the two "varsity" periods, with 16.

I've been hearing very positive things about IWU's returning 1st Team all-CCIW PG Dylan Overstreet.  Dylan was one of the biggest reasons for IWU's 13-1 league record last year, and sounds like he had a great off-season and is on his way to another big season.  Most importantly, it sounds like he's really starting to become a strong leader -- last year he was a newcomer to the varsity rotation, just trying to find his way for a good portion of the season.

[veterancciwfan]

Ziemnik, Davis and Anderson are stronger this year and will be physically tough in the post. Even with Nelson out, IWU has 4 guards who can hit 3s, Overstreet, Sodemann, Rossi (he's really a 6'6' shooting guard/wing who can defend, rebound, and run the court), and Dolan. Add 5 as Mayberger is a very good 3 point shooter from the wing. 6, if Brady Zimmer ever gets healthy. And Ziemnik made 32 3s (2nd team-wise behind only Sodemann's 35) and Davis had 25 3s last year. Huge expectations.  Reality begins soon. Even though just an exhibition, the Nov. 2 at Winona State, a perennial D2 power, should be interesting.

[Titan Q]

Is Wheaton really out of place at #5?

No, but nor would they be out of place at #9 or #10.

They would not sit top five on my ballot, which is no slam because they'd only be a few slots lower.  And I would be neither surprised nor offended if someone had them higher.  It's subjective, and YMMV.

I'm with you here.  And I realize that whether Wheaton should be ranked #5 or #12, we kinda splitting hairs.


I'm just reacting to the comments around Wheaton basically not meeting the "eye ball test" for a #5 ranking:

It's flattering that the pollsters think highly enough of our league to put three CCIW teams in the top six, but they really went overboard on the two DuPage teams. Wheaton should be in the second ten, probably in the 12 to 15 range (I agree with Mark and WFChris that the frontcourt of the Orangies is suspect beyond Haynes)

Share some of Greg's doubts about the Wheaties.  I would have had WC somewhere around #12-15. 

FWIW, Wheaton feels too high as well, though by somewhere in the range of 4-6 spots. 

But I can also argue that I have a better sense of the talent on Wheaton's roster (albeit without having seen the year-on-year improvement of the returning starters) because everyone is coming back, and when I look at the list, it doesn't scream 'top five ranked team'.

We all have our opinions, based on our experiences, about what a #1, #5, #15, etc "looks" like (I certainly do).   My reminder is simply that the poll is obviously all about relative position vs the other teams this year/right now -- and when you actually look at the 2013-14 preseason resumes of the candidates for #5, I believe Wheaton ends up being an extremely fair choice.

I respect all opinions on the Top 25 poll and actually really like the poll-based debates throughout the season.  I guess I just don't think it's quite fair to the people who vote in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll to say that Wheaton "should be in the second 10", or belongs more in the 12-15 range, without some kind of thought-out opinion of which teams should be higher. 

Personally, I'd struggle with placing any of those #6-12 teams ahead of Wheaton in the preseason poll. 

[Titan Q]

Nice article by Mark Tupper on the rebuilding effort at Millikin by Matt Nadelhoffer and his staff...

http://herald-review.com/sports/millikin/tupper-instilling-hometown-pride/article_4ac57de4-3ec9-11e3-a58f-0019bb2963f4.html

From an outsider's perspective, it seems to me that Nadelhoffer has done everything right so far in this rebuilding effort -- not just in getting better players on the floor, but in completely changing the culture and expectations of the program.

This line really caught my attention:

Deavis Johnson, for instance, was a 6-foot-5, 185-pounder as a freshman last season when he finished second in CCIW rebounding.

This year he reported at 6-7, 212 pounds. Bigger and stronger is not what the rest of the CCIW wanted to hear about a player who already has NBA leaping ability.


If that dude is really 6-7/212 now....look out.

[iwu70]

I believe I posted last year that I thought MU would be a good turn-around story and that when those freshmen found their way, MU would no longer be anywhere near a CCIW doormat. And, it might happen sooner than we thought.   Deavis Johnson was for real last year, so watch out this year.  Q, it's that big jump between 1st and second year in the CCIW -- probably even more of a jump for him than we might see from Berg.  This kid is STRONG, and driven, and passionate.  I would be a bit surprised if MU makes the CCIW tournament, but surely know that games with MU, esp. @ Decatur, are not going to be easy, even for the teams most of us see at the top four for the coming year:  IWU, NCC, AC, and WC.  Does seem Coach Nadelhoffer is doing all the right things, seeing the process as a several year effort, embedding the team in the campus and community in a much more real way, doing service, preparing mentally, and trying his best to get additional support, changes from the University to support the 3-4 year process of return to respectability.  This year, or likely next, will be the breakthrough, IMHO.

Q, I totally agree with you about Overstreet.  He's going to be much better this year, so very active, and able to lead more effectively than before as well.  From what I saw @ Shirk yesterday, I'd say the starting group will be:

Overstreet, Sodemann, Rossi, Zman, and Davis -- or

Overstreet, Sodemann, Zman, Davis and Anderson, with Rossi as the big minute sixth man. 

Depends on the opponent and what happens with some health and injury issues, esp. to Zimmer . . . later to Nelson. 

As I've said many times, Mayberger is such a valuable, flexible and diverse type of sub, for key minutes, esp. bombing zones.   A smart, careful player.  And, what can you say, you just can't keep Eric Dortch off the floor when you need stops, tough D, rebounding, and energy running the floor, slashing to the rim. 

I'd hate to be an opposing coach trying to deal with this very deep, diverse line-up.

IWU70

[kiko]

I respect all opinions on the Top 25 poll and actually really like the poll-based debates throughout the season.  I guess I just don't think it's quite fair to the people who vote in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll to say that Wheaton "should be in the second 10", or belongs more in the 12-15 range, without some kind of thought-out opinion of which teams should be higher. 

Personally, I'd struggle with placing any of those #6-12 teams ahead of Wheaton in the preseason poll.

FWIW, I don't look at the conversation as 'Wheaton should be in the second 10'.  It's 'I would have ranked them in the second 10'.  There's a subtle but important difference between the two.

The first says 'here's where the voters are (pick your adjective) wrong/uninformed/biased/etc.'.  The second says 'here's where I would have put them.'  And, to your point, the first is unfair, because "the voters" didn't conspire to place Wheaton at #5.  They each offered their individual opinions, and collectively, that's where they wound up.  The voter who put Wheaton at #1 would likely be apoplectic over the idea that the Wheaties are not even a top ten team.  And I suspect there are other voters who comfortably had them in the range that I and others have suggested.

One other thought.  When I rank teams in my minds' eye, it isn't necessarily a right here/right now exercise.   Perhaps it is an overreaction to teams in various sports that consistently underperform their in-season ranking when all is said and done (*cough Michigan cough*), but I look at it to some extent as 'could I see this team here at year-end?'  (Important disclaimer -- I am not saying Wheaton is in that underperforming column -- just that the existence of that column causes me to think about this differently.)

In Wheaton's case, that means 'do I see them, come March, on the doorstep to the final four?'  And from here in the cheap seats, the answer is 'no'.  We'll find out soon enough if that's the case, but I'd be surprised to see it happen.  So I will shy away from ranking them that high since I don't see it as a likely/plausible year-end outcome.

[AndOne]

Will IWU be taking its entire team to Winona?