MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Q, so sorry for your Dad's passing . . .my condolences and support to you and all your family.  Another great Titan gone.  Very sad.  Sending all strength and support.   

Mark
iwu'70

[matblake]

My father, Bob Sr., passed away this morning. 

Dad played PG for Coach Horenberger and the Titans, graduating in 1957.  He was a huge CCIW hoops fan.

I will miss him.

https://www.palosgaidasfh.com/obituary/robert-quillman?fbclid=IwAR0Gd8V9bWjdQt8Sp7L-Hge4zlehmDR6EckQCqZT1f2K1yivXw323TzGAcA

So sorry to hear this. 

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

Q, sorry to hear of your loss.

[Titan Q]

Really appreciate it, everyone.

[Titan Q]

https://twitter.com/WisBBYearbook/status/1434212667955294209?s=20

Mark Miller
@WisBBYearbook
After a one-year absence, Bosko Djurickovic will be back on the sidelines assisting his son, Carthage College head coach Steve Drujurickovic, during the 2021-22 season.

[Next Man Up]

🔔WEDDING BELLS🔔

Yesterday afternoon/evening, I was honored to attend what can be more properly termed Wedding Bells II, which "RE"-united North Central Head Assistant Basketball Coach Vince Kmiec and his beautiful bride. Vince and his better half, the charming and delightful former Miss Gina Fisher had originally planned to be married and hold their reception last June. However, the Coronavirus pandemic and resulting governmental restrictions put the kabosh on those plans. Vince and Gina ultimately decided to go ahead with their vows, and were married in a small private ceremony last June with only their parents and siblings allowed to attend. That was remedied yesterday with a formal church wedding, and a fabulous reception attended by all those of us who were privileged to have been invited to the original ceremonies.

A plethora of former NCC players, who many will remember, were in attendance. Led by Best Man Aaron Tiknis, the wedding party also included Sam Mampe, Jack Burchette, Pat Rourke, and Connor Raridon. Other guests included Derek Raridon, Alex Sorenson, Matt Cappelletti, Brian Evans, Evan Fendley, and David Fuller.

Congratulations Vince & Gina!
Best wishes to the (re)new(ed) couple. 🏀 🥍

[Viking Mike]

Bob)

We've never met, but I've always enjoyed your fair and accurate analysis on CCIW hoops on this site, and watching you on Div 3 hoops webcasts.  (This coming from a Augie alumni as well!   

So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Wishing you and your family peace during this time.

[74impala]

Bob,  I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  I always enjoyed sitting next to him at games and hearing his insight.

[Titan Q]

Bob,  I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  I always enjoyed sitting next to him at games and hearing his insight.

Thank you, 74.  Dad loved those years going to Wheaton games and sitting by you, the late Dave L., etc. 

[Titan Q]

Bob)

We've never met, but I've always enjoyed your fair and accurate analysis on CCIW hoops on this site, and watching you on Div 3 hoops webcasts.  (This coming from a Augie alumni as well!   

So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Wishing you and your family peace during this time.

Thank you very much, Mike!

[PauldingLightUP]

I tried to scroll back to see if this had been mentioned already on this board and couldn't find anything in my admittedly cursory search.  I seem to recall some mention of it I thought, but here's the formal announcement anyway.  Should be a great tourney.

https://www.iwusports.com/news/2021/6/21/mens-basketball-mens-hoops-announces-sikma-hall-of-fame-invitational.aspx

Inaugural field:

IWU
UW-Oshkosh
St. John's
Hope

Very cool.

It appears the opening matchups are finally set. Friday night will have Saint John's vs UW Oshkosh followed by Hope at Illinois Wesleyan. 

[Titan Q]

It appears the opening matchups are finally set. Friday night will have Saint John's vs UW Oshkosh followed by Hope at Illinois Wesleyan.

Great field...should be a fun tourney!

[Titan Q]

Got confirmation today Elmhurst returns all seniors who played last year:

* Jake Rhode (All American), Jay Millitello, Dominic Genco, Lavon Thomas, Ebrahim Jobe

They also return all key JR, SO, and FR.

This is almost all of the nucleus that went to the Sweet 16 in '20 before the shutdown (with a home game vs Pomona-Pitzer to get to the Elite 8).

With Illinois Wesleyan, Wheaton, and Elmhurst probably leading the way, the CCIW is loaded.

[Gregory Sager]

NPU has what appears to be a preliminary roster up. Great to see Izaiah Sanders back for a fifth year, as he takes a COVID mulligan. I wasn't expecting that.

[Next Man Up]

Got confirmation today Elmhurst returns all seniors who played last year:

* Jake Rhode (All American), Jay Millitello, Dominic Genco, Lavon Thomas, Ebrahim Jobe

They also return all key JR, SO, and FR.

This is almost all of the nucleus that went to the Sweet 16 in '20 before the shutdown (with a home game vs Pomona-Pitzer to get to the Elite 8).

With Illinois Wesleyan, Wheaton, and Elmhurst probably leading the way, the CCIW is loaded.

Everyone is aware of Lavon Thomas' ability to be effective in take no prisoners situations. When the going gets rough down low as it often does in the CCIW, he is definitely a guy you want on your side. Conversely, most people look at Jay Millitello as more of an effective stats guy as he finished 10th in scoring and 7th in rebounding last year. However, looking beyond the stats will reveal that Mr. Millitello is no slouch in the toughness area either. Last year he often pushed a lot of similar size/weight guys around, often with fairly relative ease. Combined with Thomas, they present a formidable low and midrange defensive shield that can force many opponents outside their range of optimum effectiveness.