MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[markerickson]

I did not watch the game as I clicked between the Gopher/Wolverine hockey game and D1 wrestling championships.

I see that UST shot 36 FTs, made 27, whereas BU attempted only 14 FTs.  BU committed 28 fouls and the nat'l champ had only 16.  Any insight on the glaring disparities would be appreciated.  The charity stripe was clearly the game-changer.

[markerickson]

Another glaring disparity is that BU had 18 assists whereas UST had only four.  So the winner of the national championship game had only four assists!?  Hard to fathom.

[kiko]

Another glaring disparity is that BU had 18 assists whereas UST had only four.  So the winner of the national championship game had only four assists!?  Hard to fathom.

What you are seeing in those two stats is that St. Thomas was very successful at attacking the basket with either dribble drives or situations where one of their bigs posted up and then made his own shot.  They were very effective in their offense today.

The other notable stat is rebounding -- Benedictine is a big team and typically dominates in this stat; today they were outrebounded by the Tommies.  The announcers rightly called this out a few times during the game.  Early on Benedictine shot poorly -- the Tommies grabbed a lead from the get-go and never trailed -- and they were generally one-and-done on the offensive end during this sequence.  It set the game on the path that unfolded.  Luke Johnson (yes, I'll name him; whatever AO's issues are with him, he deserved the accolades he received this year) kept the Bennies close but St. Thomas has a lot of weapons and got contributions from a few key players.

(And, it was deeply weird to watch a D3 game in HD with reasonably sophisticated production capabilities rather than on a small screen with a single-camera feed that buffers regularly...)

[Ralph Turner]

I did not watch the game as I clicked between the Gopher/Wolverine hockey game and D1 wrestling championships.

I see that UST shot 36 FTs, made 27, whereas BU attempted only 14 FTs.  BU committed 28 fouls and the nat'l champ had only 16.  Any insight on the glaring disparities would be appreciated.  The charity stripe was clearly the game-changer.

Almost all of BU's fouls were called in the second half.

BU dug themselves into a hole early and could not catch up. If their FT shooting were in the 70-75% range for the game, the game might have been different, too.

[miac952]

I did not watch the game as I clicked between the Gopher/Wolverine hockey game and D1 wrestling championships.

I see that UST shot 36 FTs, made 27, whereas BU attempted only 14 FTs.  BU committed 28 fouls and the nat'l champ had only 16.  Any insight on the glaring disparities would be appreciated.  The charity stripe was clearly the game-changer.

Almost all of BU's fouls were called in the second half.

BU dug themselves into a hole early and could not catch up. If their FT shooting were in the 70-75% range for the game, the game might have been different, too.

I think I counted five 1 & 1 front end misses for BU in the second half. Those are more or less turnovers. That and taking advantage of Johnson on the sensible end were the difference in the game. He is a matchup nightmare offensively but Was very easy to exploit defensively. UST gave up a few inches in the paint across all positions but appeared much more athletic.

[Titan Q]

A look at returning players for 2016-17 who played 6.0+ minutes per game this season (listed in order of 2015-16 points per game)...

Augustana (29-2, 13-1)
G - Dylan Sortillo, 6-3/175 So. (5.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)
G - Chrishawn Orange, 6-2/178 Fr. (4.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) 
F - Pierson Wofford, 6-4/207 Fr. (4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) 
G - Jacob Johnston, 6-5/194 Jr. (4.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
F - Michael Hoekstra, 6-7/204 Jr. (2.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

Carroll (20-5, 15-3 MWC)
G - Kyle Keranan, 6-2/180 Jr. (14.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg)  2nd Team All-MWC
F - Marcus Johnson, 6-7/200 So. (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
G - Tanner Zaeske, 6-3/185 So. (7.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.2 apg)
G - Joel Heesch, 6-2/170 Jr. (7.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G - Ben Widdes, 6-0/185 Fr. (6.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.0 apg)
F - Tyler Ingebrigsten, 6-7/225 Fr. (4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
F - Tyler Diehl, 6-4/175 Fr. (4.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
G - Troy Howat, 6-2/175 Fr. (2.6 ppg)

Carthage (10-15, 4-10)
G - Jordan Kedrowski, 6-3/185 Fr. (12.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg)
F - Mike Stevenson, 6-4/195 Jr. (10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
F - Brad Kruse, 6-4/195 So. (7.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg)   3rd Team All-CCIW
F - Drew Joiner, 6-4/185 Fr. (3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
G - Mike Kjeldsen, 6-3/195 Jr. (2.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
G - Derek Mason II, 5-10/175 So. (2.1 ppg)
F - Scott McNellis, 6-5/190 Jr. (1.8 ppg)

Elmhurst (22-7, 10-4)
F - Jaylen Loving, 6-6/190 Jr. (5.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G - Nathan Rogers, 6-1/190 Jr. (1.6 ppg)
G - Tucker Harlan, 6-2/180 Jr. (1.5 ppg)

Illinois Wesleyan (13-13, 7-7)
F - Trevor Seibring, 6-8/235 Jr. (14.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg)  2nd Team All-CCIW
G - Brady Rose, 6-2/180 So. (10.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.7 apg)
G - Andy Stempel, 6-4/192 Jr. 6-4/192 Jr. (9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg)
F - Alec Bausch, 6-6/210 Jr. (6.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.0 apg)
G - Colin Bonnett, 6-3/195 Fr. (5.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
F - Jaylen Beasley, 6-6/180 So. (4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
G - Mark Falotico, 6-1/185 Fr. (3.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.3 apg)

Millikin (9-16, 3-11)
G - Jack Simpson, 6-0/182 Fr. (6.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.0 apg)
G - Nathan Lovekamp, 6-4/195 Fr. (4.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
G - Tyler Pygon, 6-0/160 Fr. (4.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.2 apg)
G - Leighton Lark, 6-5/180 Jr. (2.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
G - Nick Novak, 6-1/185 Jr. (2.1 ppg)
F - Zach Long, 6-5/185 Jr. (1.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
G - Chase Smith, 6-0/169 Jr. (1.1 ppg)
F - Matt Kruse, 6-9/245 Sr. (0.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg)

North Central (19-8, 12-2)
F - Alex Sorenson, 6-8/240 So. (15.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.5 apg) 1st Team All-CCIW
F - Connor Raridon, 6-5/185 Fr. (13.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.0 apg) 2nd Team All-CCIW
G - Erwin Henry, 6-2/195 So. (9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)
G - Jagger Anderson, 6-0/175 Jr. (8.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg)
G - Aiden Chang, 6-3/175 Fr. (5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
G - Jaquan Phipps, 6-3/205 Fr. (2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

North Park (14-11, 6-8)
G - Juwan Henry, 5-10/165 Jr. (23.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.8 apg)  1st Team All-CCIW
F - Jordan Robinson, 6-3/205 So. (21.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.8 apg) 2nd Team All-CCIW
G - Colin Lake, 5-7/145 So. (11.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)
G - T.J. Cobbs, 5-10/165 Jr. (7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)
F - Darius Brown, 6-3/180 Jr. (3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
F - Joe Biko, 6-8/225 Jr. (2.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg)
G - Trevor Pye, 6-0/170 So. (2.1 ppg)
G - Armahn Mooring, 6-2/180 Jr. (1.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg)
G - Ray Rubio, 6-0/175 So. (1.1 ppg)
G - Cam Burnett, 5-5/140 Jr. (0.6 ppg)

Wheaton (5-20, 1-13)
G - Ricky Samuelson, 6-3/185 So. (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
F - Murad Dillard, 6-4/175 So. (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.2 apg)
G/F - Trae Masten, 6-6/185 Fr. (5.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
G - Luke Peters, 6-3/170 Fr. (3.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
G - Michael Winowiecki, 6-3/180 So. (2.8 ppg)
G - Troy Morrison, 5-11/165 Fr. (2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.8 apg)
F - Christian Simpson, 6-3/205 So. (1.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

[Gregory Sager]

I did not watch the game as I clicked between the Gopher/Wolverine hockey game and D1 wrestling championships.

I see that UST shot 36 FTs, made 27, whereas BU attempted only 14 FTs.  BU committed 28 fouls and the nat'l champ had only 16.  Any insight on the glaring disparities would be appreciated.  The charity stripe was clearly the game-changer.

Almost all of BU's fouls were called in the second half.

BU dug themselves into a hole early and could not catch up. If their FT shooting were in the 70-75% range for the game, the game might have been different, too.

I think I counted five 1 & 1 front end misses for BU in the second half.

That's statistically impossible. You can't miss more than three front-ends in a half, as opponent team fouls #7, #8, and #9 are the only possible opportunities for one-and-ones.

St. Thomas only fouled five times in the first half. In the second half, UST's seventh and eighth fouls were on made baskets by BU, so they were and-one opportunities for the Bennies rather than one-and-one opportunities. The ninth foul was a one-and-one chance, and Luke Johnson -- I guess that kiko's right that we can now use his name again -- missed the front end with 7:32 left on the clock. So the Bennies were 0-1 in front-end attempts for the game.

Those are more or less turnovers. That and taking advantage of Johnson on the sensible end were the difference in the game.  He is a matchup nightmare offensively but Was very easy to exploit defensively.

Johnson is not the defensive liability that Tommies fans are claiming he is. He is, however, a shot-blocker, with an impressive 91 swats to his credit this season. Shot-blockers can be exploited if you: a) have well-disciplined players who are adept at waiting until the shot-blocker leaves his feet before they release the ball; and/or b) go right into his body as you drive without drawing the charge (which is as difficult as it sounds). UST did both of these things, which is greatly to the credit of the Tommies' discipline.

UST gave up a few inches in the paint across all positions but appeared much more athletic.

I don't think that the Tommies were more athletic. They were, however, the beneficiaries of a great game plan drawn up by Coach Tauer, as both Pat and Dave noted on their broadcast, a game plan that the Tommies executed with aplomb.

[Gregory Sager]

Got me on the 1 and 1's. I was probably counting a couple of double misses in double bonus too.

It was my first time seeing Johnson play and he lived up to the billing on one end of the court. Offensive stud. But, at least yesterday, he was absolutely a defensive liability. Saarela averages 13 a game. He's an excellent player, but more recognized for defense and rebounding than anything. He abused Johnson inside and out 1 on 1 all game, and might have had more if not for a long stint with four fouls. And most of Montero's points came on dribble entry where both posts were really late to step in and help. Great game plan by Tauer moving some slow footed bigs away from the basket and taking advantage of the athleticism.

Good defender, bad defender, doesn't matter -- unless he's a major D1 stud or an NBA player, a guy who's 6'9, 235 isn't going to be able to get over in time to play effective help defense if he's drawn far enough away weak-side by his man. As I said, this was a matter of Tauer playing a major role in winning the game with X's and O's, not a case of Johnson being defensively negligent.

Saarela having the offensive game he did made it very clear to me they saw Johnson as a defensive liability and worked it from start to finish. Short jumpers he didn't get out on. Up and insets where he committed to a ball fake, dribbling right by him, and back down post plays.

I don't recall Saarela hitting any open short jumpers when Johnson was on him. And, as I already said, shot-blockers are susceptible to ball fakes, as long as the offensive player is disciplined and has developed the ability to "sell" it.

[iwumichigander]

Got me on the 1 and 1's. I was probably counting a couple of double misses in double bonus too.

It was my first time seeing Johnson play and he lived up to the billing on one end of the court. Offensive stud. But, at least yesterday, he was absolutely a defensive liability. Saarela averages 13 a game. He's an excellent player, but more recognized for defense and rebounding than anything. He abused Johnson inside and out 1 on 1 all game, and might have had more if not for a long stint with four fouls. And most of Montero's points came on dribble entry where both posts were really late to step in and help. Great game plan by Tauer moving some slow footed bigs away from the basket and taking advantage of the athleticism.

Good defender, bad defender, doesn't matter -- unless he's a major D1 stud or an NBA player, a guy who's 6'9, 235 isn't going to be able to get over in time to play effective help defense if he's drawn far enough away weak-side by his man. As I said, this was a matter of Tauer playing a major role in winning the game with X's and O's, not a case of Johnson being defensively negligent.

Saarela having the offensive game he did made it very clear to me they saw Johnson as a defensive liability and worked it from start to finish. Short jumpers he didn't get out on. Up and insets where he committed to a ball fake, dribbling right by him, and back down post plays.

I don't recall Saarela hitting any open short jumpers when Johnson was on him. And, as I already said, shot-blockers are susceptible to ball fakes, as long as the offensive player is disciplined and has developed the ability to "sell" it.

Saarela and Monero both had career highs with 26 and 27 ppg respectively (unless I missed something).  Of the two, Monero is  the better scorer.  Not to take away anything from Benedictine, the other Bennie bigs are not exactly fleet of foot.  So two thoughts, if I am the Benedictine coaching staff, I am over defending Monero to start.  Two, I did not feel Benedictine made enough adjustments to Monero and Saareala (nor the flow of the game and whistle - and, I had no problem with the officiating.). From the coach to the players, I felt the Bennies got caught up in the emotion of the game and let it slip away from them.

[Titan Q]

‏@scottybscout 
Downers Grove North G Jordon Kedrowski has received his release from Carthage College and will transfer @MercuryEliteAAU


@MercuryEliteAAU 
#MercuryElite 2015 6'3 G Jordon Kedrowski (Downer Grove North HS) has requested and received his release from Carthage College.

[izzy stradlin]

‏@scottybscout 
Downers Grove North G Jordon Kedrowski has received his release from Carthage College and will transfer @MercuryEliteAAU


@MercuryEliteAAU 
#MercuryElite 2015 6'3 G Jordon Kedrowski (Downer Grove North HS) has requested and received his release from Carthage College.

I wonder what they released him from.   

In the world of college athletics and recruiting, losing begets losing.   It'll be interesting to see what happens at Carthage and Wheaton in the next 12 months. 

[magicman]

If anyone can direct me to a link for the box score of the All Star game that was played in Salem on Saturday I would greatly appreciate it. Post it here since I'll be checking back.

[markerickson]

Kedrowski is listed as the head coach of the 11 y/o AAU team.

http://www.mercuryeliteaau.com/staff/

[Gregory Sager]

‏@scottybscout 
Downers Grove North G Jordon Kedrowski has received his release from Carthage College and will transfer @MercuryEliteAAU


@MercuryEliteAAU 
#MercuryElite 2015 6'3 G Jordon Kedrowski (Downer Grove North HS) has requested and received his release from Carthage College.

I wonder what they released him from.

Perhaps the Carthage coaching staff had barricaded him in the Tarble locker room once word got out that he wanted to leave the school.

Jordon Kedrowski hit the freshman wall in a big way this season. Through eleven non-con games and six CCIW games he was averaging a high-flying 15.4 ppg (leading the Red Men in scoring at that point, even in light of Tony Pierce's splashy late-December debut) and had a positive a:to of 50:47. His shooting percentages -- .407 from the field and .386 from downtown -- were fine. At that point, however, his game fell off dramatically, as he shot only 7-28 (.250) and 4-20 (.200) over the course of Carthage's final eight games, scoring a total of only 27 more points during that span and posting a horrible 7:13 a:to ratio. He even got a DNP against Wheaton in the next-to-last game of the year and home finale.

As Kedrowski slumped, Bosko curtailed his minutes accordingly. Whereas he had averaged more than 32 mpg over the course of those first 17 games, he averaged less than half of that in the final eight contests if you count the DNP versus Wheaton. (If you don't, his participation in the final seven games he played still only averaged 18 mpg.) Not only did he get that DNP, he was also removed from the starting lineup for the home game against Illinois Wesleyan (the first time in his short career that he came off of the bench) and only saw four minutes in that game, and he also didn't start in the season finale at Millikin.

Bosko knows better than anyone when a freshman is pressing or is physically wearing down at the end of the season, or both, and the fact that he cut Kedrowski's minutes in half in spite of the fact that the Carthage season had long since gone down the drain tells me that the kid must've not only hit the freshman wall, he must've been splattered against it. After two and a half months of probably feeling that he was the team's star, I can see how being put on a leash like that must've galled him. That can be a dangerous situation for a coach/player relationship. I'm just taking a guess here -- I have no inside info on this -- but I wouldn't be at all surprised if frustration over what happened to him in late January and all of February is what sparked Kedrowski's decision to leave Carthage.

Or maybe it was simply the unsuccessful 10-15, 4-10 season that caused him to leave, or the fact that the current Red Men roster minus its graduating seniors doesn't hold great promise for dramatic improvement next season. On that note ...

In the world of college athletics and recruiting, losing begets losing.

Unfortunately, I can certainly attest to that. But in Kedrowski's case, it's a matter of retention rather than recruiting. Nevertheless, the "losing begets losing" adage holds equally true for retention as well; it becomes harder and harder to keep good players when a culture of losing sets in, which makes the problem snowball as premature attrition lowers the ability of the program to make any progress from one year to the next.

It'll be interesting to see what happens at Carthage and Wheaton in the next 12 months.

For sure, although we're much more likely to be able to get a read on Carthage's off-season progress than Wheaton's, given that Carthage recruits locally and Wheaton recruits nationally.

Kedrowski is listed as the head coach of the 11 y/o AAU team.

http://www.mercuryeliteaau.com/staff/

That's a Downers Grove North thing. DGN head coach Jim Thomas is also the coach of the Mercury Elite AAU travel team, and Dave Ruggles, the founder and president of Mercury Elite AAU, has a son Josh who played alongside Kedrowski at DGN. (Josh Ruggles coaches the other Mercury Elite 11U team.)

[Augie6]

That's a Downers Grove North thing. DGN head coach Jim Thomas is also the coach of the Mercury Elite AAU travel team, and Dave Ruggles, the founder and president of Mercury Elite AAU, has a son Josh who played alongside Kedrowski at DGN. (Josh Ruggles coaches the other Mercury Elite 11U team.)

Josh didn't play at DGN with Kedrowski.  Josh was at Wheaton Academy for his first three years and then came back to his home school, Wheaton Warrenville South, for his senior season.