MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[badgerwarhawk]

He went off against us.  We just couldn't find an answer for him that night. 

[iwu70]

Greg, I hope you are right.  I hope Hunter Hill has his average, even a medicore evening, at Carver.  Surely would give IWU a better chance.  The most important key for me is the IWU bigs playing well, matching up with Augie in the rebounding and scoring in the paint categories.  We'll see.  I hope Mssr. Lenscrafter goes off, and has a huge 20+ point evening. 

IWU70

[iwu70]

Congrats to Dennie Bridges on his long career at IWU.  I've said for a long long time that IWU should name the Shirk floor in his honor.  With a new President coming and now a new AD as well, lots of policies and resources in play at IWU, lots of uncertainties about personnel and decision-making.  As often happens, likely a good time to review many things related to the emphasis on athletics at IWU.  Long overdue, IMHO. 

Looking forward to the big game at Carver.

GO TITANS!

IWU70

[Pat Coleman]

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

[Naperick]

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

Thanks for your reply.  I wonder when he will give up coaching?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

Thanks for your reply.  I wonder when he will give up coaching?

Well, he's still at least two decades younger than Coach Gagliardi was when he retired.

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, I hope you are right.

Why is "hope" involved? I've stated verifiable facts about Hill's scoring, not opinions. These facts can easily be checked via either the Augustana website or the CCIW website.

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

The last CCIW athletic director who doubled as a head coach was NPU's Jack Surridge, and he stepped down from his coaching responsibilities seven years ago. Incoming CCIW member Carroll hired the school's first-ever AD-only athletic director, Joe Baker, four and a half years ago.

Not only do all eight CCIW ADs have no head coaching responsibilities, I'm pretty sure that none of them serve as assistant coaches, either.

I think it's safe to say that, barring some sort of catastrophic downsizing of CCIW institutions (and never say never with regard to that), the days of a CCIW school having an athletic director who also has coaching duties are long gone.

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

Thanks for your reply.  I wonder when he will give up coaching?

Well, he's still at least two decades younger than Coach Gagliardi was when he retired.

Gagliardi's colleague Jim Smith, the head men's basketball coach at St. John's, is (if my calculations are correct) 81 years young and still going strong.

[iwu70]

Strong article in today's Pgraph suggesting Mike Wagner should be the next IWU AD.  A "national search" is started, so we'll see.  I'd be surprised if the IWU football coach gave up his coaching duties to take the AD job.  But, we'll see.

Greg, my "hope" is mine.  Your facts are yours and you are welcome to them.  We've had experience of Mssr. Hill "going off" in previous years, largely responsible for defeating IWU.  SO, again I hope you and your facts are right, but we still have a well-founded worry about such an explosive player.  I'm sure Coach Rose knows the possibilities and will also devise a strategy to defend said Mr. Hill.  Should be a great game.  Should Mr. Hill come in at 10-14 points on Wednesday night @Carver, I would be delighted. 

Congrats again to Dennie Bridges on his long and successful tenure as IWU basketball coach and AD.  He's largely responsible for the incredibly good facilities IWU athletics has and for many of the successes of IWU teams and athletes over these many years.  I wish him happiness and good health in retirement . . . and many enjoyable hours on the golf course.

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (12-4, 4-1) @ #1-Augustana (15-1, 5-0), 7:00pm...

(conference only stats)

Illinois Wesleyan (12-4, 4-1)
G - Dylan Overstreet, 6-3/180 Sr. (11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg)
G - Jordan Nelson, 6-1/170 Sr. (16.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.4 apg)
G - Pat Sodemann, 6-3/195 Sr. (7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
F - Ryan Coyle, 6-6/208 Jr. (7.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
C - Trevor Seibring, 6-8/235 So. (8.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

C - Mike Marietti, 6-8/245 Jr. (8.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
G - Bryce Dolan, 6-0/165 Jr. (7.4 ppg, 3.5 apg)
G - Joel Pennington, 6-0/175 Jr. (4.4 ppg)
F - Alec Bausch, 6-6/210 So. (3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

#1-Augustana (15-1, 5-0)
G - Hunter Hill, 5-9/163 Jr. (12.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg)
G - Danielius Jurgutis, 6-0/197 Sr. (10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.8 apg)
F - Tayvian Johnson, 6-6/201 Jr. (6.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
F - Ben Ryan, 6-5/209 Jr. (11.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
F - Brandon Motzel, 6-7/207 Jr. (7.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

F - Nic Hoepfner, 6-6/200 Sr. (10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G - Dylan Sortillo, 6-2/178 Fr. (8.6 ppg)
G - Jawan Straughter, 6-1/175 Jr. (5.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
G - Mark Roth, 6-1/167 Sr. (2.4 ppg)


QC Online - http://www.qconline.com/sports/college_sports/giovanine-guns-for-th-augie-win-tonight-victory-more-important/article_b8e34970-0212-554b-a3ec-1ba6d7c1bfd3.html

Pantagraph - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/iwu-eager-to-take-on-no--ranked-augustana/article_4fa3ca7c-f713-58fb-8682-2e1a137a3ecd.html

Live video/stats - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/augustana/

Live Stats - http://www.augustana.edu/athletics/mbasketball/xlive.htm

WJBC Radio - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/

[Titan Q]

A few articles related to Dennie Bridges' retirement...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/bridges-retiring-after--plus-years-at-iwu/article_d191f914-ff46-502b-b924-059a484634a0.html

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/columnists/kindred/kindred-bridges-made-illinois-wesleyan-his-own/article_deb453d4-0d3f-5edb-ac52-584194418467.html

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/iwu-coaches-admire-bridges-dedication/article_8052ffbc-bf29-52fb-8dda-4e87cbd7e582.html


From the middle article:

---
Meanwhile, not far away in Shirk Center was a guy named Mike Wagner, who has been at the school since 1992 and serves as Associate Athletic Director/Director Shirk Athletic Complex.

Formerly an IWU assistant football coach and coordinator of strength training, Wagner has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the athletic department for several years. A four-year football letterman at rival Augustana, Wagner is now a Titan to the core.

The release regarding Bridges' retirement said "a national search" would begin immediately for his successor. How about looking down the hall?

Wagner is ready, capable and deserving.

So was Bridges when he took over as A.D. for his former coach, Jack Horenberger. Like Horenberger, his name has become synonymous with IWU athletics.
---

Mike Wagner has been Dennie's right hand man for several years now, since leaving his IWU assistant football coach role to become the Associate Athletic Director.  Wagner has been sought out in several national Division III A.D. searches over the course of the last few years.

IWU certainly has to do a national search here, but Mike Wagner will be extremely competitive in the process on his own merits.  If there is an in-house candidate, it's Wagner. 

I think it's safe to say that most IWU people, like me, hope Wags gets the job.  He would be an outstanding A.D.

[iwu70]

Q has quoted from the article I referred to earlier.  Probably good that this decision is to be made before President Wilson leaves in mid-summer. 

By the looks of Q's listing of probable starters, looks to me that IWU would have some advantage in the paint with Seibring and Marietti, assuming they have strong games, find their way deep into the low post.  Coyle, Marietti, Seibring and Bausch need to play very very strong in this game.  IWU likely has a slight edge on the perimeter, though Augie always plays tough, in your face defense.

GO TITANS!

IWU70

[badgerwarhawk]

Any idea who could be next?  Would Norm Eash be a possibility?

If he wants to give up coaching, then perhaps. There aren't as many coach/AD combinations as there were when Dennie left the sidelines, that's for sure, and at a school such as IWU, with a large number of programs and facilities, I'd say it's not a good idea to have an AD who is also a head coach.

There was discussion about naming LL the interim AD when our job opened up.  He definitely wanted it but didn't want to quit coaching.  Some thought it would be too much and the administration of the department would suffer.  LL wanted to try it as the interim AD and see how it went.  However the decision was made to appoint Edmunds who later was hired full time.  When Lance decided to take the Buffalo job there were some who felt that had he also been the AD he would have stayed.  However I disagree.  First, even with the AD and head coaching job we would not have been able to compensate him to the extent Buffalo has.  Secondly it's clear his heart is in coaching.  IMO had he been hired we'd not only be looking for a head football coach but we'd also be searching for a new AD. 

[toooldtohoop]

Q has quoted from the article I referred to earlier.  Probably good that this decision is to be made before President Wilson leaves in mid-summer. 

By the looks of Q's listing of probable starters, looks to me that IWU would have some advantage in the paint with Seibring and Marietti, assuming they have strong games, find their way deep into the low post.  Coyle, Marietti, Seibring and Bausch need to play very very strong in this game.  IWU likely has a slight edge on the perimeter, though Augie always plays tough, in your face defense.

GO TITANS!

IWU70

I think Augie has the advantage inside.  I do agree that IWU will need an impressive showing from their bigs in order to compete in this one.

As far as Hill goes, which IWU guard or guards can pressure him defensively?

As Sager says and I agree:  Hill is not an automatic 20 plus scorer.  Historically, he seems to take advantage of teams by surprise, or those who cannot match up well.  But when not scoring, he is a good floor general and passer.

Augie had a lot of trouble matching up with Teuscher on Saturday.  Maybe they could face the same problem with Overstreet or Sodeman?

[iwu70]

IWU up 48-42 at the half. 

Wow, who thought IWU would score 48 on Augie in a half.

Pace, style of play favors the Titans so far.  Both teams playing at a very high level.  Rebounding battle even.

Go TITANS!

'70

[toooldtohoop]

All I can say is wow!  Amazingly weak showing by the Thunder coming off of their effort at Augie. 

Millikin lit it up early from 3 against the zone, and Wheaton just puked on offense through the first half. 

Second half was no better, and Schauer gives up and clears the bench early. 

Credit to Millikin on a blowout win.