MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Redmen54]

Just to chime in on the Redmen, I have not seen them since the summer but in order for them to be a good team they need a lot of things to go right. For example, Mike Hart needs to be as good as the last part of last season, somone needs to take control at the point guard position because it doesnt matter how good the big fellas are if you cant get the ball across half court. And they are going to need somone to take control at the end of games when they are close. That is something that Carthage has had for the last few years going back to McDaniel and Wiertel. If these things dont happen they are going to fight and claw just to get into the CCIW Tourney, which they will have to do anyway.

[emeritusprof]

When do we usually get the coaching staff predictions for the year?  Other than the obvious (esp. IWU), I'm curious to see what they think the season might bring.

[petemcb]

I'm especially curious to hear Bill Harris' take on the upcoming season.  Wheaton's losses are severe.  Does anyone have any information on the five or so freshman listed on their 12 man roster?  We've heard some assessment from most of the other schools with regular posters.  Come to think of it............we've heard nothing from the North Park camp.  Greg, Dennis, Rob..........nothing?

[Mr. Ypsi]

petemcb,

I'm with you on the Bill Harris preview.  ALMOST any other team (IWU would probably be the only other exception) which lost that much to graduation PLUS unexpected losses, I place 'em 8th!  But I will NEVER pick a Bill Harris team to finish last (same goes to IWU, but so far only PARTIALLY due to Trost - since in the entire history of the CCIW they have never finished below 5th, I figure on sheer momentum it might take several seasons of dismal talent before they could hit rock bottom!).

Has there been confirmation that all of the reported losses by the Thunder are, in fact, gone?  I don't recall any reports since practices began.

[Gregory Sager]

Well, I've ended my three-week Posting Up hiatus in time to announce that this evening (Tuesday) at 7:30 the Vikings will be hosting their annual -- what do they call it? The Not-Really-Midnight-Madness Party? The Meet The Vikings Party? Whatever -- shindig in the NPU gym. All I can report at this point is that the Vikes have been going at it hammer-and-tongs in open gym and (now) practice, since quite a few of them are nursing injuries of one sort or another. Here's hoping that none of them are serious. And here's hoping that there will be a good turnout tonight, students and non-students alike.

[dansand]

On Wheaton's newcomers:

Andy Wiele, 6-8 Westminster Academy (26-6)
G        FG     FG%    3P      3P%     FT     FT% RPG APG  PPG
32  203-326 .623  19-50  .380  94-131 .718  7.5  1.2  16.2

Dave Noell, 6-2 Santa Barbara HS (18-10)
G        FG     FG%     3P     3P%     FT     FT%  RPG APG  PPG
28  169-365 .463  63-159 .396  81-104 .779  4.7  0.7  17.2

...and, somewhat surprisingly, Tom Sovocol apparently plays bass in a rock band!

[Gregory Sager]

Why is that surprising, Dan?

[Knightstalker]

...and, somewhat surprisingly, Tom Sovocol apparently plays bass in a rock band!

He just became my favorite Wheaton player, bass players Unite!

[robberki]

Wish I could be at the Meet the Vikes night tonight, I have a managerial accounting course for my MBA Program and won't be in attendance but hopefully I'll get a full report from Greg.
I haven't gotten a really good look this year at the 2005 version of NPU, but I am aware of several new students (freshman and transfers) that should play a role this winter.

[petemcb]

Mr. Ypsi,

From what the online roster shows, not only has Wheaton suffered the anticipated heavy graduation losses, as well as the pre-announced defection of their young big guy Trenz, as well as the premature retirement of Kent Raymond, but I notice Luke Bennet's name missing as well.  I seem to remember there being a lot of excitement about him among the Wheaton ranks a year or two ago.  I wonder what's going on there.

[dansand]

Greg,

I said "somewhat surprising" because I wasn't sure if
Wheaton was OK with the rock-n-roll thing. But, after a second look at his website, the band's name is "Icthus," so it might be a Christian band which I'm sure is OK with the Wheaties.

Also, I'm sorry, I mis-spelled his name--it's Sovocool.

[Mr. Ypsi]

petemcb,

Bennett's absence had also been rumored on the board - sounds like ALL the rumors were (alas) true.

While I just can't picture a Harris team finishing 8th, 7th might be in their future unless they've got some SUPER freshmen!

[Gregory Sager]

This evening's Meet The Vikings experience was an enjoyable one. If nothing else, it's just great to see so many players suited up after last season's war of attrition that left the roster so depleted that the JV schedule had to be canceled. And it was great that nobody got hurt; as I said this morning, the Vikings have really been banged up thus far. But the news along that front has been good -- Uriah Rice is expected to return from his torn meniscus in time for the start of the season, and Glen Woodside should be back from his broken index finger shortly as well.

The turnout was modest but enthusiastic. Considering that the event was up against a White Sox World Series game, the turnout could've been much worse.

It sure is great to see legendary Vikings superstar Bud Greer back on the sidelines for the Park. He's the newest member of Brenegan's coaching staff. He gives the current regime a much-needed link back to the glory days, and considering the kind of player he was and the immense accomplishments that he achieved in a North Park uniform Greer has an instant credibility as an instructor and mentor for the current players.

I'm still getting a read on this year's team. There's so many new guys that I'm still trying to match names to faces, and a team with such an abundance of newbies is certainly expected to have its share of growing pains -- especially since probably half or more of the rotation will consist of newbies. On the plus side, the Vikes are certainly going to be bigger and physically tougher than last year's team, and the team's overall skill level is improved as well. But the real question is the same one that's bedeviled the Viking program in recent years: Can they show the kind of smarts and halfcourt discipline that it takes to win in the CCIW? The jury's still out on that one.

[rpknupp]

Got the pleasure of seeing the Titans of IWU practice on Monday. These guys are going to be tough. Great leadership, and two of the better D3 players in the nation. Coach Trost has himself a great group!

[David Collinge]

Can that really be Rodney singing the praises of the Titans?