MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Don't underestimate the NPU squad just yet.  I was at the game last year in Chicago where North Park beat Augie in OT.  Colin Lake is one heck of a playmaker and a great shooter.  He took charge early on in that game and was very tough to handle.  He makes his teammates on the court better players.  They beat us twice last year.  So don't count them out.  The CCIW is one of the toughest conferences in the country, and every victory by the conference members will truly be earned.  You've got NCC, CARTHAGE, IWU, as well as NPU and even CARROLL that will battle it out.  Carroll beat us at their place last year.  Augie has that big time experience from last year's run.  Even Wheaton gave us trouble last year where both victories had to be earned.  I do not know too much about Elmhurst, or Millikin.  If Washington U. wanted to be a basketball member as well, the CCIW would be classified as a SUPER CONFERENCE.  But they will dominate the conference that they're in.  With Colin Lake on your team, there's hope for NPU.  Have a great season.  In conclusion, I want to wish a wonderful and fantastic retirement to my longtime track and field coach, Paul Olsen.  May be enjoy his retirement to the fullest.

Robert,

Earth calling Robert. Come in please. You're living in another galaxy.
LAST year NPU had Messrs. Robinson, Henry, & Cobbs, the sum of which added up to a huge chunk of basketball talent. Their departure has created a black hole that a 5'7" intense competitor/great shooter can't begin to fill on his own. The only question as to where the eastern Vikings will finish this year is whether they can finish ahead of Millikin or not.

[AndOne]

2017-2018 NORTH CENTRAL BASKETBALL PREVIEW

http://www.northcentralcardinals.com/news/2017/11/16/2017-2018-mens-basketball-season-preview.aspx?path=mbball

Not that it will happen, but the Cardinals could conceivably go 12 deep this season with a regular rotation of as many as 10.

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) vs Alma (0-0), 7:00pm...

Illinois Wesleyan (1-0); Picked 4th CCIW
G - Nick Coleman, 6-2/185 Jr.
G - Brady Rose, 6-3/185 Sr.
G - Colin Bonnett, 6-4/190 Jr.
F - Jaylen Beasley, 6-6/185 Sr.
C - Alex O'Neill, 6-9/245 So.

Alma (0-0); Picked 2nd MIAA
G - Ryan Stevens, 6-2/175 So.
G - Steven Harvey, 6-3/180 So.
F - Ryan Holmes, 6-3/215 Sr.
F - Doug Bradfield, 6-7/190 Jr.
C - Kevin Gamble, 6-8/250 Jr.


Pantagraph - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/curry-s-sophomore-year-off-to-fast-start-at-iwu/article_45c001e8-342b-57fb-87c0-79dd5831ab92.html

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

Video - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/iwu/

IWU season Preview: http://www.iwuhoops.com/preview2017-18.html

Alma season preview: http://almascots.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/20171109hhpwn5

[lmitzel]

Don't underestimate the NPU squad just yet.  I was at the game last year in Chicago where North Park beat Augie in OT.  Colin Lake is one heck of a playmaker and a great shooter.  He took charge early on in that game and was very tough to handle.  He makes his teammates on the court better players.  They beat us twice last year.  So don't count them out.  The CCIW is one of the toughest conferences in the country, and every victory by the conference members will truly be earned.  You've got NCC, CARTHAGE, IWU, as well as NPU and even CARROLL that will battle it out.  Carroll beat us at their place last year.  Augie has that big time experience from last year's run.  Even Wheaton gave us trouble last year where both victories had to be earned.  I do not know too much about Elmhurst, or Millikin.  If Washington U. wanted to be a basketball member as well, the CCIW would be classified as a SUPER CONFERENCE.  But they will dominate the conference that they're in.  With Colin Lake on your team, there's hope for NPU.  Have a great season.  In conclusion, I want to wish a wonderful and fantastic retirement to my longtime track and field coach, Paul Olsen.  May be enjoy his retirement to the fullest.

Robert,

Earth calling Robert. Come in please. You're living in another galaxy.
LAST year NPU had Messrs. Robinson, Henry, & Cobbs, the sum of which added up to a huge chunk of basketball talent. Their departure has created a black hole that a 5'7" intense competitor/great shooter can't begin to fill on his own. The only question as to where the eastern Vikings will finish this year is whether they can finish ahead of Millikin or not.

Also, 99.99 percent sure WashU isn't moving from the UAA to the CCIW. They just needed a home for football.

[Gregory Sager]

You can make it an even 100%. Wash U isn't moving to the CCIW, no way, no how. The UAA is a perfect home for that school, sans football.

[GoPerry]

Looking forward to another season of Thunder basketball.  With everybody returning from a year ago , we'll see how the additional year of experience manifests itself on the court.  With much of the early attention, and expectations, deservedly going to others in the league, a still pretty young Wheaton squad will likely benefit from possibly flying under the radar for a while.  After 8 conference wins last year, grabbing a couple more and maybe a chance for the conference tourney at 10-6 would seem like a reasonable goal if not a stern challenge.

Naturally, the greatest curiosity will be what sort of encore year performance will Mike Schauer get from Aston Francis?  As offensively talented as Francis is, I think Coach Schauer's comment (preview) about him making others better will be key to their success.  Like last season, he might have  a few games where he 'does it himself' so to speak.  But season long success for Wheaton will depend on more consistently balanced contributions from the likes of Ricky Samuelson and Luke Peters, as well as Kobe Eichelberger and perhaps Trevor Gunter or Jay Spencer.  I thought Samuelson's offensive performance in particular suffered a little last year while adjusting to someone of Francis' offensive ability.  Given his shooting range and ability, he needs to have a primary scoring roll.  I'm also curious to see if any of the freshman will play a significant role.   Some of the profiles look promising (as they always do).

If they can beat DePauw on Friday, they will likely get a strong early test from the WIAC favorites UW River Falls on Saturday in the Lee Pfund title game. 

Nice 3-0 start for the league.  Good luck to all going forward.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

You can make it an even 100%. Wash U isn't moving to the CCIW, no way, no how. The UAA is a perfect home for that school, sans football.

Exactly.

[sac]

Illinois Wesleyan (1-0) vs Alma (0-0), 7:00pm...

Illinois Wesleyan (1-0); Picked 4th CCIW
G - Nick Coleman, 6-2/185 Jr.
G - Brady Rose, 6-3/185 Sr.
G - Colin Bonnett, 6-4/190 Jr.
F - Jaylen Beasley, 6-6/185 Sr.
C - Alex O'Neill, 6-9/245 So.

Alma (0-0); Picked 2nd MIAA
G - Ryan Stevens, 6-2/175 So.
G - Steven Harvey, 6-3/180 So.
F - Ryan Holmes, 6-3/215 Sr.
F - Doug Bradfield, 6-7/190 Jr.
C - Kevin Gamble, 6-8/250 Jr.


Pantagraph - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/curry-s-sophomore-year-off-to-fast-start-at-iwu/article_45c001e8-342b-57fb-87c0-79dd5831ab92.html

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

Video - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/iwu/

IWU season Preview: http://www.iwuhoops.com/preview2017-18.html

Alma season preview: http://almascots.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/20171109hhpwn5

I'd also add Preston Laketa 6-5 So. F to Alma's ledger as a player to watch, he's a kid that can really shoot the ball when he gets going.  He'll put up about 5 or 6 three's if he gets the looks.  15-20 min guy off the bench

[AndOne]

Looking forward to another season of Thunder basketball.  With everybody returning from a year ago , we'll see how the additional year of experience manifests itself on the court.  With much of the early attention, and expectations, deservedly going to others in the league, a still pretty young Wheaton squad will likely benefit from possibly flying under the radar for a while.  After 8 conference wins last year, grabbing a couple more and maybe a chance for the conference tourney at 10-6 would seem like a reasonable goal if not a stern challenge.

Naturally, the greatest curiosity will be what sort of encore year performance will Mike Schauer get from Aston Francis?  As offensively talented as Francis is, I think Coach Schauer's comment (preview) about him making others better will be key to their success.  Like last season, he might have  a few games where he 'does it himself' so to speak.  But season long success for Wheaton will depend on more consistently balanced contributions from the likes of Ricky Samuelson and Luke Peters, as well as Kobe Eichelberger and perhaps Trevor Gunter or Jay Spencer.  I thought Samuelson's offensive performance in particular suffered a little last year while adjusting to someone of Francis' offensive ability.  Given his shooting range and ability, he needs to have a primary scoring roll.  I'm also curious to see if any of the freshman will play a significant role.   Some of the profiles look promising (as they always do).

If they can beat DePauw on Friday, they will likely get a strong early test from the WIAC favorites UW River Falls on Saturday in the Lee Pfund title game. 

Nice 3-0 start for the league.  Good luck to all going forward.

I think Wheaton is the 2nd most improved team in the conference this year and can definitely challenge for a spot in the conference tournament. I believe their primary competition for the 4th spot will be Carthage. The Orange's primary problem will be lack of a strong interior presence, and I sense this will be more of a problem on the defensive end of the floor. One thing that might aid in this deficiency is the further development of Spencer Peterson as an inside force. Last year in the limited times I saw him, he seemed to prefer a mid range game rather than trying to establish an inside presence. But he has the body for the position. Might there be an unknown newcomer who can be of help in this regard? And yes, Ricky Samuelson needs to become more involved. Some of his talent was diminished last year with the number of shots fired by Francis who is certainly not the only outside weapon in the Orange arsenal.

[GoPerry]

Looking forward to another season of Thunder basketball.  With everybody returning from a year ago , we'll see how the additional year of experience manifests itself on the court.  With much of the early attention, and expectations, deservedly going to others in the league, a still pretty young Wheaton squad will likely benefit from possibly flying under the radar for a while.  After 8 conference wins last year, grabbing a couple more and maybe a chance for the conference tourney at 10-6 would seem like a reasonable goal if not a stern challenge.

Naturally, the greatest curiosity will be what sort of encore year performance will Mike Schauer get from Aston Francis?  As offensively talented as Francis is, I think Coach Schauer's comment (preview) about him making others better will be key to their success.  Like last season, he might have  a few games where he 'does it himself' so to speak.  But season long success for Wheaton will depend on more consistently balanced contributions from the likes of Ricky Samuelson and Luke Peters, as well as Kobe Eichelberger and perhaps Trevor Gunter or Jay Spencer.  I thought Samuelson's offensive performance in particular suffered a little last year while adjusting to someone of Francis' offensive ability.  Given his shooting range and ability, he needs to have a primary scoring roll.  I'm also curious to see if any of the freshman will play a significant role.   Some of the profiles look promising (as they always do).

If they can beat DePauw on Friday, they will likely get a strong early test from the WIAC favorites UW River Falls on Saturday in the Lee Pfund title game. 

Nice 3-0 start for the league.  Good luck to all going forward.

I think Wheaton is the 2nd most improved team in the conference this year and can definitely challenge for a spot in the conference tournament. I believe their primary competition for the 4th spot will be Carthage. The Orange's primary problem will be lack of a strong interior presence, and I sense this will be more of a problem on the defensive end of the floor. One thing that might aid in this deficiency is the further development of Spencer Peterson as an inside force. Last year in the limited times I saw him, he seemed to prefer a mid range game rather than trying to establish an inside presence. But he has the body for the position. Might there be an unknown newcomer who can be of help in this regard? And yes, Ricky Samuelson needs to become more involved. Some of his talent was diminished last year with the number of shots fired by Francis who is certainly not the only outside weapon in the Orange arsenal.

Agreed AO.  I'm not sure Wheaton has had a real inside back-to-the-basket forward with any size since Nate Haynes.  Petersen is the only Wheaton player not giving up 30-40 lbs to the Sorensons and O'Neills so he'll be important on the defensive end.  Freshman Cade Alioth might be someone who can provide some rebounding since I believe his game is more classically inside and posting up.  But at 195 lbs, he'll have a hard time staying put in the paint just like Gunter and Spencer.

[markerickson]

Anybody have audio for the NPU/Blackburn game?  I just have a humming sound.

[hopefan]

Final.  North Park 59. Blackburn 61. Greg you weren't kidding. SLIAC's worst or almost so. WOW

[iwu70]

Well, it was the Brady Rose -- Zach Knobloch show at The Shirk tonight.  Records falling.

Titans win 94-75 over Alma.

Rose with 35, 6 treys, 27 in the first half.
Knobloch 10-15 from treyland, setting a school record.
Team record 20 threes.

Beasley 0 points, 12 rbs.

Rose-Knobloch 65 of the 94 points. As I said earlier, a very perimeter-oriented team, a trey fest.  Surely was that tonight.

Can't say I was impressed with the TITANS interior or perimeter defense tonight, with many Alma players scoring easily on penetration, on slashing through the lane.  We need some serious rim protection and some better bodying-up, blocking up on quick guards. 

A win is a win, and this one big . . . TITANS go 2-0.  Seems we might have seen tonight the beginning of the Zach Knobloch era at IWU.  Amazingly quick release, deadly accuracy. 

Even better competition tomorrow at 4 p.m. -- vs. Calvin.

Good double-header if you're interested = football playoff game at Tucci at Wilder Field at Noon, vs. Case Western, then basketball inside to get warm at 4 p.m. @ The Shirk vs. Calvin.

A good basketball start, all things considered. 

A great day to be a TITAN.

IWU'70

[augiefan]

I noted on this board early on after he transferred to IWU that Zach Knobloch was a great pickup. I followed him through high school at Marengo where he played on the same team as my grandson, and I never saw a better high school 3 point shooter than Zach. UWWhitewater made a big mistake letting him get away. The Titans are really lucky to have landed him.

[augiefan]

Augie beat Calvin 80-69. Orange, Wofford and Sortillo were the big scorers. The Augie bigs have not been a factor in the first two games, but a nice win against a pretty good Calvin team.