MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[havej]

I found the pros and cons regarding the NPU freshman's potential for earning all CCIW to be very interesting.  I haven't seen him play but he must be exceptional. 

Mr Sager's description of being "the guy" on the scouting report and being defended by multiple players should carry much weight.  I've seen a few league games this year and the only guy trapped on ball screens has been Kelly.  Trapping to force giving up the ball is the ultimate sign of respect.  The fact that's he's listed in other statistical categories shows he's more than a scorer.

And for those hung up on his court behavior, keep in mind that Marshall Henderson was 2nd team all SEC last year.  For those of you who don't follow D1, google him to see a real piece of work.   

[Titan Q]

New regional rankings...

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2014/02/19/2014-ncaa-regional-rankings-week-2/

Four CCIW teams ranked again...that's pretty impressive.

[URockets]

Per per previous post from IWU70 on any feedback for IWU j.v. team.

I saw them play at Parkland Junior College last night in Champaign, IL.

IWU jumped out to a quick 11 point lead with 6' 8" forward Brandon Heyen having two straight 3's to start the game to put them up 6 - 0 quickly.  They led by around 10 points most of the first half until a run by Parkland at the end of the first half made it close.  It was a game of runs that went back and forth most of the 2nd half, but Parkland had too much depth compared to IWU's 8 players.  IWU kind of ran out of gas at the end and lost 80 - 69....On a sidenote, per Parkland's website, they beat Millikin's j.v. 107 - 43.

Observations taken -
6' 3" Guard Andy Stempel was the leading scorer with 23 points.  Very smooth and accuarte shooter.  Not sure what his 3 point percentage was, but was well over 50%.  Very smart player that moves well without the ball, finding the open seems to get his shot.

6" 8" Forward Trevor Seibring had 16 points.  Very physical and tough on the inside.  Does a nice job of posting up and making himself wide; then finishing at the basket.  Nice footwork for a guy his size and youth.

6' 8" Forward Brandon Heyen finished with 14 points.  Very nice game for being out so long with injuries.  Was 4 of 5 from 3 point.  Runs the floor well.  Had a couple of blocks as well.  With his size and mobility, really gives the opposition some real match up issues with his ability to shoot so effeciently from 3.  A lot of ways this could be utilized to break down a defense.

5' 11" Guard Brian Nelms did not have a lot of points but did a great job of defending and running point.  Very good ball handler that has good vision of seeing the whole court and finding the open man.
 

[AndOne]

URockets---

Who were the other IWU JV players, and who starts for the Green JV team?

[iwu70]

URockets, thanks for this assessment, info.  You have confirmed quite well what I've been hearing about several of the JV players who are developing very very well for the Titan program.

Thanks again.

IWU70

[unanimous22]

Heyen's accomplishments on the JV squad are all well and good, but he is a Junior so not sure how much you can really expect at the Varsity level next season. Maybe a lesser Mike Mayberger type?

[Titan Q]

Heyen's accomplishments on the JV squad are all well and good, but he is a Junior so not sure how much you can really expect at the Varsity level next season. Maybe a lesser Mike Mayberger type?

Heyen is a sophomore in terms of eligibility - was granted a medical redshirt for last year.  He has very nice upside - he is a 6-8, "bouncy" (as Ron Rose likes to say), extremely long forward who can really shoot the basketball.  He could get in the mix next year for IWU.

[Hardwood]

With the conference tournament just a week away, here's a quick look at some totals from the past eight years:

Championships:  Augie 3, NC 3, Carthage 1, Wheaton 1

Appearances (counting this year's field): Augie 9, Wheaton 8, IWU 7, NC 6, Elmhurst 3, Carthage 2

Augie (07 & 08) and NC (12 & 13) the only teams to win back to back titles

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan 107
North Park 61

* Jordan Nelson: 19 pts, 5-6 3-point
* Bryce Dolan: 16 pts, 4-8 3-point
* Pat Sodemann: 14 pts, 3-5 3-point
* Brady Zimmer: 13 pts, 3-4 3-point



IWU made 19 3-pointers tonight.  That tied an all-time school record (19 vs Millikin, 2/20/93).

North Park freshman Juwan Henry did not make a field goal vs the Titans - he was 0-7, scoring 6 points at the FT line.

[Titan Q]

IWU earned its 29th championship in men's basketball over the course of 68 years in the CCIW.

Congrats to Ron Rose and the Titans on their second consecutive title.

[AndOne]

With the conference tournament just a week away, here's a quick look at some totals from the past eight years:

Championships:  Augie 3, NC 3, Carthage 1, Wheaton 1

Appearances (counting this year's field): Augie 9, Wheaton 8, IWU 7, NC 6, Elmhurst 3, Carthage 2

Augie (06 & 07)and NC (12 & 13) the only teams to win back to back titles

Except for the fact that North Central won the 06 tournament. 
Augie won in 07 & 08

[Hardwood]

With the conference tournament just a week away, here's a quick look at some totals from the past eight years:

Championships:  Augie 3, NC 3, Carthage 1, Wheaton 1

Appearances (counting this year's field): Augie 9, Wheaton 8, IWU 7, NC 6, Elmhurst 3, Carthage 2

Augie (06 & 07)and NC (12 & 13) the only teams to win back to back titles

Except for the fact that North Central won the 06 tournament. 
Augie won in 07 & 08

Duly noted & corrected!

[Titan Q]

The big matchup at King Arena Saturday features the two winningest head coaches in the league over the course of the last 5 seasons...

CCIW wins, 2009-10 through 2013-14 (13 games)
1. Ron Rose, 53
2. Mike Schauer, 50
3. Todd Raridon, 45
3. Grey Giovanine, 45
5. Bosko Djurickovic, 42

[izzy stradlin]

Illinois Wesleyan 107
North Park 61

* Jordan Nelson: 19 pts, 5-6 3-point
* Bryce Dolan: 16 pts, 4-8 3-point
* Pat Sodemann: 14 pts, 3-5 3-point
* Brady Zimmer: 13 pts, 3-4 3-point



IWU made 19 3-pointers tonight.  That tied an all-time school record (19 vs Millikin, 2/20/93).

North Park freshman Juwan Henry did not make a field goal vs the Titans - he was 0-7, scoring 6 points at the FT line.

Congrats to the Titans on another title. Gotta respect their program and Ron Rose. They really have amazing backcourt depth right now.  Move a guy Jordan Nelson or Brady Zimmer to North Park and I am pretty sure they would put up better per game numbers than Henry.   

[iwu70]

Congrats to Ron Rose and all the Titans on the share of the CCIW regular season crown.  Great going.

Well, tonight it was a turkey shoot for sure, and the NPU squad was the turkey.  Tremendous perimeter marksmanship by the Titan trey bombers, making 19 total to tie a program record.  You know something wild is going on when Zman scores 2, Davis 4 and the Titans win by over 40.  This one was over within a few minutes with the Titans up by about 30 at the half.  Mssr. Henry had an ugly night, defended very well, and not making a field goal, finishing with 6 points from the charity stripe.  Sorry Greg, I think his First Team All-CCIW aspirations will have to wait another year.  No doubt he will get there, eventually.  He surely needs support. 

Many other very interesting take-aways from this game as we got to see the third Titan group -- some playing 10-15 minutes.  Admittedly, the NPU defense did not offer top-flight resistance, but one could still see the Titan rotational future here on display.  Trevor Seibring, with light hands and feet, scoring 12 points, 4 rebounds in 11 minutes.  Marietti, 7 and 5 in 17 minutes.  And, yes, they were on the floor together, some big big bodies in the low post, both with soft hands able to catch and pass the ball well, good entries, and both shooting FTs well.  These two are legit big broad, space eating 6'8", 240+ kids with great hands, court vision, light feet, who can really run the floor and post up.  I think the future of the Titan low post, of course, along with others.  Stempel will be good too.  A high quality backup PG in Nelms.  And all those perimeter bombers tonight -- well, the majority of them are back next year -- and you can add Heyen.  It's going to be a fun future for Titan basketball.  Should Rossi return . . well, it could be more than fun.  (Just dream'in -- no comments needed, Q!). 

The real spark for the Titans in the first half was senior Brady Zimmer -- coming in, quickly lighting it up from 3 -- 13 points in 11 minutes.  So many weapons, so little playing time.  Great to have this depth going in to the CCIW and national tournament wars.  We've been blessed with all this talent this year and relatively few injuries.  Knock on wood. 

Titans shoot 64%, 60% from 3, 75% FTs.  It's clicking at the right time.

Now the BIG BIG game at King.  Titan nation, get on up there on Saturday night and fill the place with GREEN -- gotta be a great game for the outright title and the chance to host the CCIW Tournament.  No one wants to drive back up there the following weekend.

Again -- great to see it = Titans as CCIW regular season champions, 2014.

IWU70