MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

North Park
* Jake Ellis, 6-3 SG (Castleview H.S. - CO)

Dear Mr. Sager,

School started today at NPU. Surely this year's NPU basketball recruit/transfer list must be populated by more than a single name.

I've been waiting a while to use this one:



Mark, it seems to have completely slipped your mind that we discussed incoming NPU transfer Billy Kirby for several days on CCIW Chat back in June. Does the term "rising junior" ring a bell?

Billy Kirby, a 6'1, 180 rising -junior guard from Mundelein Carmel via Cardinal Stritch, has deposited at North Park.

Last season at Cardinal Stritch he started 18 games for the Wolves, averaging 5.3 ppg in about 20 minutes per game and shooting 39% from downtown.

What in the heck is a "rising" junior guard?    Is he still growing?
Maybe he'll be 6'3" next year. 

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic here or truly don't know but it's actually a pretty common phrasing to use "rising" to indicate the fact that he'll be a junior in the fall, rather than having been a junior this past season. In between seasons, it's not a problem to provide a little clarity.

Pat,

However surprised you might be, I truly am not familiar with the terminology. 
Call me dumb and/or smite me if you must.
I have seen the word used a couple of times in describing a player, but I honestly thought it had something to do with either eligibility or future development potential.

If a player will be a junior next year, it seems like saying "Billy Kirby, a 6'1" guard from Mundelien Carmel via Cardinal Stritch, has deposited at NPU. He will be a junior in the fall," would suffice without being superfluous.

I guess I need to go review my Glossary of Basketball Terminology booklet. 

It might be a diet thing, you know.

This has been a disappointing year for communication from the athletics dept.  The men's soccer roster was finally posted today with names / positions / year - but I don't know anything about them.  No football roster still and we play this weekend.

I really want to get excited about our athletics, but little to no communication to alumni.

Gotberg--

Not to pretend to have all the answers with regard to any communication issues within the NPU Athletic Dept., but it would seem like the problem you refer to rests with the SID updating the web site on a timely basis.
That's why my inquiry was directed to GS who I know has a good relationship with several of the NPU coaches, largely through his role as a broadcaster, and who is often very much up to date regarding the goings on of the various teams as a result of that relationship.

This is in no way North Park SID Kevin Shepke's fault. He can't put rosters up on the NPU athletics website until head coaches submit them to him -- and even when they've been submitted and inputted, there are some NPU coaches who then insist upon his keeping them offline until the last possible moment. I don't know why. I have long ago given up on trying to understand the idiosyncrasies of college coaches.

Since I, like Gotberg, am a North Park alumnus who supports the Vikings across a wide range of sports, I sympathize with his frustration. I don't think it's a good idea to keep the school's fans in the dark, unless there's a really good reason for it. But my hands are tied, and so are Kevin's.

Nevertheless, I now have the complete list of NPU men's basketball newbies, and I shall post it momentarily.

[Gregory Sager]

Freshmen
Jake Ellis, 6'3, Castle View, CO
Brandon Marshall, 5'8, North Lawndale Prep
Dantryll Pearson, 5'9, Hales Franciscan
Vegard Tangen, 6'5, Oslo, Norway
Anthony Thompson, 5'11, Seton
Anthony Toney, 5'7, Catalyst Maria

Transfers
Jarvis Cannon (JR), 5'10, Morton HS (Cowley County, juco)
Chris Freeman (SR), 5'10, Champaign Central (Urbana, D2)
Jason Hines (JR), 6'4, Evergreen Park (Prairie State, juco)
Billy Kirby (SO), 6'1, Carmel (Cardinal Strich, NAIA-D2)

My guess is that Kirby will make the biggest immediate impact, although Cannon and Hines (and perhaps Freeman) should be rotation contributors as well. I know less about the freshmen, although I've been told that Brandon Marshall has a tremendous ceiling, talentwise, and that the Norwegian kid could turn out to be a really solid CCIW player at some point.

[lmitzel]

I know AndOne's sources have probably already leaked to him about this, but NCC's schedule is finally up.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

The non-conference slate is pretty much a continuation of home and home series we've played over the last few years, including the traditional non-conference rivalries with Aurora and Benedictine, and a tournament down in Ft. Lauderdale.

[AndOne]

Freshmen
Jake Ellis, 6'3, Castle View, CO
Brandon Marshall, 5'8, North Lawndale Prep
Dantryll Pearson, 5'9, Hales Franciscan
Vegard Tangen, 6'5, Oslo, Norway
Anthony Thompson, 5'11, Seton
Anthony Toney, 5'7, Catalyst Maria

Transfers
Jarvis Cannon (JR), 5'10, Morton HS (Cowley County, juco)
Chris Freeman (SR), 5'10, Champaign Central (Urbana, D2)
Jason Hines (JR), 6'4, Evergreen Park (Prairie State, juco)
Billy Kirby (SO), 6'1, Carmel (Cardinal Strich, NAIA-D2)

My guess is that Kirby will make the biggest immediate impact, although Cannon and Hines (and perhaps Freeman) should be rotation contributors as well. I know less about the freshmen, although I've been told that Brandon Marshall has a tremendous ceiling, talentwise, and that the Norwegian kid could turn out to be a really solid CCIW player at some point.

It appears, that the impressive NPU guard corps (Henry, Cobbs, Lake) has had its ranks substantially bolstered, at least from a numerical standpoint, with the addition of (judging from listed heights), at least 7 of the 10 freshmen/transfers being guards.
With 6 of the 7 being only 5'11" or under, the guess is that one of their primary assets, as a group, is speed. I'm sure Coach Slyder hopes that at least a couple of them also possess a good shooting eye.
However, with the 3 remaining newbies standing 6/1, 6/3, and 6/5 it appears that the eastern Vikings have failed to address their biggest need, that being anyone who can man the middle and provide adequate help on either the offensive or defensive ends of the floor, hopefully both.
Accordingly, it appears the Parkers will continue to be very vulnerable to being pounded inside on defense while having to continue to primarily depend on their outside shooting prowess when the ball in in their hands.

[AndOne]

I know AndOne's sources have probably already leaked to him about this, but NCC's schedule is finally up.

http://northcentralcardinals.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball

The non-conference slate is pretty much a continuation of home and home series we've played over the last few years, including the traditional non-conference rivalries with Aurora and Benedictine, and a tournament down in Ft. Lauderdale.

Yes, with "finally" being the key word. However, this wasn't a case of either the staff failing to provide the info or the SID failing to post it promptly once it was rec'd. A minor delay was initially encountered negotiating a game date with UWSP. However, the biggest problem was trying to effect what ultimately proved an elusive goal, that being to schedule a 25th game against an NCAA D3 opponent.
Multiple contacts were made, both by phone and e-mail, in an effort to find another D3 opponent within a reasonable distance, that had an opening that corresponded with any NCC open date. Not only did date and distance present considerable obstacles, but the most frustrating aspect of the search was the fact that, on more than one occasion, when a team was found that wasn't a 6 or 7 hour bus ride away, and had an opening, the schools didn't want any part of the Cardinals despite not only having a mutual open date but, especially, given the lateness of the hour with regard to completing their schedule for the rapidly approaching season.
Finally, despite their best efforts, the staff basically threw in the towel, and scheduled a rematch with a tough and talented NAIA opponent, Robert Morris. A team which last year had a lineup that consisted of several players who physically presented as developed well beyond the appearance of the vast majority of 18 to 21 or 22 year old young men. 

[AndOne]

I am still bummed by the loss of IWU fan and poster Lanny Lobdell. Although Lanny and I were certainly more acquaintances rather than good friends, I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions, both in person and by e-mail, of CCIW basketball. I understand his funeral was yesterday. I hope that Mrs. Lobdell and the family are doing as well as can be expected given their still very recent tragic loss.   

[Gregory Sager]

However, with the 3 remaining newbies standing 6/1, 6/3, and 6/5 it appears that the eastern Vikings have failed to address their biggest need, that being anyone who can man the middle and provide adequate help on either the offensive or defensive ends of the floor, hopefully both.
Accordingly, it appears the Parkers will continue to be very vulnerable to being pounded inside on defense while having to continue to primarily depend on their outside shooting prowess when the ball in in their hands.

You're overlooking the in-house potential of the Park's big men, Mark ... or, I should say, of one big man in particular.

I'm not going to lie. I was hoping that the coaches would land a stud center that could step in immediately and be dominant down in the blocks, and that didn't happen. I think that Tom Slyder puts less value on that than you and I do, because he wants a fast team that can press and can run the floor, and the relative lack of mobility and running stamina of most centers impedes that kind of approach. But he certainly did try to locate and recruit quality big men (plural, not singular).

Vegard Tangen, the 6'5 Norwegian kid, is certainly a possibility to develop into a quality CCIW player, but he's probably going to find his niche as a power forward rather than as a center. Jason Hines, who at 6'4, 215 is slightly bigger than graduated senior Michael Hutchinson (whom he is more or less replacing in the rotation), will probably be the sort of blue-collar undersized 5 that Hutch was. But I think that the key player on NPU's roster in terms of the team's true potential is junior Dyron Woods. While the two veteran players on the roster who are genuine CCIW-sized centers, seniors Joe Biko (6'8, 225) and Matt McNamara (6'6, 250), are clearly not starter material, the talented Woods has it in him to be a standout CCIW center.

His problem is his weight. Last year he was carrying 270 pounds on his 6'6 frame, most of it on his midsection. That, plus a lingering hamstring injury, severely compromised his ability just to get up and down the floor in a timely fashion, much less maneuver in the low post. It also meant that he got winded pretty quickly. He only ended up playing eight minutes in three varsity appearances, scoring a grand total of two points, as the vast majority of his floor time came in JV games.

If he can get into shape and dispose of some of that excess abdominal adipose that's hampering his basketball ability, he could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this Vikings team. If not, he'll have his minutes restricted and North Park will simply have to once again work around being overmatched, sizewise, at center for most games.

[AndOne]

NORTH CENTRAL 2016 Non Conference Opponents

Home

11/23--> Alma
11/25--> Aurora
11/29--> UW Platteville
12/17--> Robert Morris, Chicago

Away

11/21--> Benedictine (Season opener)
12/13--> Albion
12/29--> UW Stevens Point

Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale

12/20--> Wartburg
12/21--> Wheaton (MA)

[Pat Coleman]

NORTH CENTRAL 2016 Non Conference Opponents

Home

11/23--> Alma
11/25--> Aurora
11/29--> UW Platteville
12/17--> Robert Morris, Chicago

Away

11/21--> Benedictine (Season opener)
12/13--> Albion
12/29--> UW Stevens Point

Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale

12/20--> Wartburg
12/21--> Wheaton (MD)

Wheaton College is in Mass., not in the Maryland suburbs of D.C.

[AndOne]

NORTH CENTRAL 2016 Non Conference Opponents

Home

11/23--> Alma
11/25--> Aurora
11/29--> UW Platteville
12/17--> Robert Morris, Chicago

Away

11/21--> Benedictine (Season opener)
12/13--> Albion
12/29--> UW Stevens Point

Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale

12/20--> Wartburg
12/21--> Wheaton (MD)

Wheaton College is in Mass., not in the Maryland suburbs of D.C.

Well, please excuse my grievous error. It was a quarter to one in the morning and in my half asleep state (😴), I made a huge mistake and hit the D key instead of the A. I apologize to the folks in MASS.
I have corrected corrected my insult, and can only beg forgiveness.

[gordonmann]

Could be worse, Andone.

You might've done this instead.

http://archive.boston.com/ae/celebrity/more_names/blog/2010/05/where_am_i_the_crowd.html

[AndOne]

Yes, I remember that.
At least I didn't speak any evil. I just typed a little. I say a little because I just misidentified/mistyped the state rather than the larger transgression of mentioning the like-named institution! Hopefully, a small miscue worth only one demerit, and not 5. 

[sac]

The real tragedy here is that no one noticed AndOne is now quoting Scandal in his signature and I believe he is using these lyrics completely out of context.
But, +1 to you sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wi1_jnjwo

[AndOne]

The real tragedy here is that no one noticed AndOne is now quoting Scandal in his signature and I believe he is using these lyrics completely out of context.
But, +1 to you sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wi1_jnjwo

Yes, after hearing the song "The Warrior" while driving recently, I thought the portion of the lyrics "so who's the hunter, and who's the game," are also very applicable to an athletic contest. Especially, to one in which 2 evenly matched teams might be pitted against each other. We often hear the term "impose our will" used in reference to how a particular team eventually emerged victoriously.
I think that often imposing will is a matter of being the aggressor. Of pressing the issue instead of sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Thus the transferrable parallel concept of one team pressing the attack(the hunter), and one team holding back seeing what will happen and hoping to be able to react (the game).

Wondered if anyone would pick up on that.
Back at ya sac.

[newCCIWfan]

The real tragedy here is that no one noticed AndOne is now quoting Scandal in his signature and I believe he is using these lyrics completely out of context.
But, +1 to you sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5wi1_jnjwo

Yes, after hearing the song "The Warrior" while driving recently, I thought the portion of the lyrics "so who's the hunter, and who's the game," are also very applicable to an athletic contest. Especially, to one in which 2 evenly matched teams might be pitted against each other. We often hear the term "impose our will" used in reference to how a particular team eventually emerged victoriously.
I think that often imposing will is a matter of being the aggressor. Of pressing the issue instead of sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Thus the transferrable parallel concept of one team pressing the attack(the hunter), and one team holding back seeing what will happen and hoping to be able to react (the game).

Wondered if anyone would pick up on that.
Back at ya sac.

Talk of "The Warrior" brings me back to my childhood --- guess that shows my age.  NBA Superstars anyone???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJuINS6WZyA