MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Bob, 

Good points, and I guess I would agree that "on paper" if they don't add anyone they would still be the favorites but I feel the reality would be they wouldn't win the conference without at least one major addition in the post.   I also would agree that the transfer route is probably the most obvious move to make in terms of a ready made player but hoping that they can get a freshman big man too.

I don't think you can discount your Titans quite yet as they will have all five starters back and they will only get bigger and better.   At least you have players at each position that can compete to make for a more complete team.   And you can't discount NP either as they have a fine point guard, a very talented (but inconsistent) player in Williams and a center who is everything Carthage needs.  Millikin sure made a turnaround in one year...I'm not so sure NP won't be that team next year.  If both IWU and NP learn to play better defense, they both will be in the mix for the conference tournament next year.   And, I'm not so sure Wheaton won't be a problem for teams.   They certainly lose the best player but they have some nice parts to fill with.

Plus, if Carthage didn't add anyone, everyone else will and that could mean some difference makers that might change the conference around quicker than we think.   

I think IWU will be good next year, Mark.  It's just that after what happened this year in the league (5-9), there are several important questions to answer.  For me, those include:

1) Can this nucleus learn to defend?
2) Who is going to emerge as the leader?
3) Will they get tougher?
4) Is there a go-to guy in this group?

As I mentioned last week, I believe IWU is one player away.  For next year, I like:

G Rosenkranz, 6-0
G Zimmer, 6-5 (or Johnson, 6-1)
F Koschnitzky, 6-6
F ?
C Sexauer, 6-7

These guys all had inconsistent years, but I'm sold on them being good CCIW players moving forward.

Either gotta find a recruit to come in a play the post alongside Sexauer, or have to develop an Eric McCullough (6-9) or Ryan Connolly (6-9).  "Big Country" Ryan Connolly came a long way this year from what I hear, and Eric McCullough will hopefully get healthy (and bigger, stronger, and tougher).

I'm optimistic IWU will be back next year.  At least the Titans will finally be back on equal footing in terms of experience - it will be a veteran team next season.  Having to play so many sophomores and freshmen this season (78% of IWU's CCIW playing time) was very unfortunate.

TQ-----2 questions:

1. Has Johnson retrogressed? Last year he began the season at point due to Rosenkranz' injury, then switched over to SG for the majority of the season. He then made all-conference as a freshman (a selection I didn't agree with, but thats another discussion). Now, even though he has another season as a full time starter under his belt, you're suggesting he may not even start next year, being supplanted by one of this years; freshmen. Whats happened to him?

2. With regard to the forward position you left blank. What about Lawson or O'Callaghan? Both were much heralded as incoming recruits last season. Had they not progressed as expected?

[cardinalpride]

I was in attendance at King Arena tonight for Wheaton's first CCIW title in 10 years. It was a great game. First let me say how impressed I am with North Central. They are a very good basketball team. Wel coached, disciplined, together, excellent defense. The worst thing about the CCIW tourney is Wheaton has to turn around and play them again. That will be a tough test.

Tonight both teams played really well. I thought there were 2 big factors in the outcome. Matt Rogers was limited to 24 minutes due to foul trouble the whole game. He still scored 10 pts. But by far the biggest factor was #24. Bill Harris decided to match him up against Drennan down low and Kent held Drennan to 6 points while scoring 29 on the other end and getting 8 rebounds. Raymond was a huge difference maker in this game. Carwell played really well with 11 pts and 7 boards. Wiele had 10 and 8. North Central got a great performance from #40 Mark Adams who came from nowhere to score 12 pts in 16 minutes.

I thought the officiating was atrocious as we have come to expect. They were terribly inconsistent letting collisions at the basket go uncalled and the next possesion calling ticky tack hand checks on both teams.  there was a great crowd (2,452) as well.

The football team was in full force and shirtless under the basket. My favorite moment was when they all sat down during an NCC free throw and one of them stood up wearing only a speedo (ala the old cameron crazy story from Duke) and did a dance during the free throws. Funny stuff.

Wheaton is playing the CCIW tourney for a chance to host the NCAA tournament for as deep as they can go I would think.

Usee,
Raymond has matched up against Drennan in the past.  The big difference is the amount of help Wiele and Carwell were able to give him with out NCC making them pay! 

[Titan Q]

TQ-----2 questions:

1. Has Johnson retrogressed? Last year he began the season at point due to Rosenkranz' injury, then switched over to SG for the majority of the season. He then made all-conference as a freshman (a selection I didn't agree with, but thats another discussion). Now, even though he has another season as a full time starter under his belt, you're suggesting he may not even start next year, being supplanted by one of this years; freshmen. Whats happened to him?

2. With regard to the forward position you left blank. What about Lawson or O'Callaghan? Both were much heralded as incoming recruits last season. Had they not progressed as expected?

Sean Johnson, FR vs SO (cciw-only stats):

FR: 12.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 60-155 FG (.387), 37-102 3-pt (.363), 24-36 FT (.667), 1.4 A:TO
SO: 10.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.0 apg, 51-125 FG (.408), 21-59 3-pt (.356), 25-31 FT (.806), 1.6 A:TO

I wouldn't say Sean regressed this year, but I don't think he took a step forward either.  Last season Sean hit a ton of huge 3's to help IWU win games.  You can disagree with his 3rd Team All-CCIW selection, but he was without question the second most valuable player on the team that finished 2nd in the regular season and second in the conference tournament.  This year, it seemed like those same shots just didn't fall for Sean for whatever reason.  I'll say this though - Sean Johnson is a very talented kid and a real gamer.  I think his future is bright at IWU.

I have no idea who will start at the 2 next year, but I think it may be a heck of a competiton between Jordan Zimmer and Sean Johnson.  If John Koschnitzky is going to start at the 3 (that is not a done deal either), then both Johnson and Zimmer cannot start.  6-5 Zimmer is 4 inches taller than Johnson, and he is a fantastic shooter.  As a freshman, Zimmer was 53-104 (.504) from 3 on the season overall, and 30-62 (.484) in the league.  I'd like to see these two go at in the preseason next year, with the winner starting and the other as a terrific 6th man.  This year, guys like Matt Rogers (NCC) and Brett Wessels (AC) came off the bench - nice to have that kind of fire power in your 6th man.

Regarding that other post spot, but Lawson and O'Callaghan have to get better to start...as do freshmen Ryan Connolly and Eric McCullough.  It will probably come down to who works the hardest and who progresses the most between now and the start of 2009-10.  Recruiting could also impact the situation.

[dansand]

Greg, sorry about my misinterpretation of "NCC Backing into the tournament"!  It was clearly a reactionary response!  I Should not have taken it personally!

If it makes you feel any better Cardinalpride, I had a similar reaction when someone used that phrase in '05-06 after Augie clinched a share of the CCIW title on a night they lost at Millikin.

I think Pat needs to add a "sour grapes" emoticon. While I'm disappointed about their performance this past week, Augie hasn't backed into anything. Their share of the title is already legitimate, and if they win one of their final two, their outright title will be just as legitimate. Let's look at the three other contenders' record against the Vikings this year...0-4.

I backed off when someone explained what was meant. I still think it's kind of an unfortunate choice of words, but isn't meant maliciously.

[augiefan]

Returning to the Scarlata quote it's my guess that the reporter or the newspaper editor messed up the quote. If Scarlata is academically qualified to attend IWU, Chicago or Augie, he knows the difference between pre-med and med school. I just hope he gets through organic chemistry or he'll be switching to business school his junior year.

[coebball70]

[quote author=OxyTitan link=topic=4592.msg1037976#msg1037976 date=1235441

As to who starts at the 2 and 3 for the Titans next year, I think Q is right that it will depend on who works the hardest.  At this point my money is on the freshman.  Not one of the sophomores spends any time in the weight room, comes in early or stays late to take extra shots, or works hard in practice, particularly on defense.  Unfortunately, it didn't seem to matter in terms of the starting rotation or playing time.  The freshman have shown a desire to do what it takes to learn and get better and a willingness to work.

Hope the Titans get things turned around.  Would love to see them back in a position of prominence.

[/quote]

Interesting!  Me thinks a loud and clear message is being sent here by someone either in or very close to the Titan basketball family.  FWIW, I believe the sophomore class is pretty talented and such a broad brush stroke as 'not one sophomore' puts in extra work is quite surprising.  My take on the Titan's year is it should be a learning experience to build on....for the players and the Coach.  I know Coach Rose can recruit, but can he learn from a less than rewarding season?  A true test of coach's influence is does the team improve over the course of a campaign?  After watching five games, I think the results spoke volumes.  My wish is for the Titan players to ask themselves what was the difference in the road wins at North Central and Carthage and the losses to Augustana and Millikin.  The talent is there, the mental toughness and leadership...both on court and coaching..has a way to go.  The game is the easy part to being a winning team.

[Gregory Sager]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

[coebball70]

Wow!  Are my eyes failing me?  OxyTitan places one message to the Titans with merit and then deletes it, almost immediately.  Maybe, just maybe it was someone VERY close to the Titan basketball family who thought better of his/her actions.
FWIW, my comments still stand.  And, I am confident the TEAM, Coach and Players, will benefit from this year's less than successful CCIW campaign. 

[dansand]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

True, but once you get to the 'complex' scotch drinks ... .  I want a 'doctor' dealing with my Rob Roy or Rusty Nail!

[dansand]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

True, but once you get to the 'complex' scotch drinks ... .  I want a 'doctor' dealing with my Rob Roy or Rusty Nail!

I'll leave those fancy drinks to you Mr. Ypsi. It's scotch (and the cheaper, the better) on the rocks for me.

...actually, I rarely drink anymore, but I do like scotch occasionally...My earlier post was supposed to sound like Alton Benes, Elaine's father on Seinfeld.

[Gregory Sager]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

True, but once you get to the 'complex' scotch drinks ... .  I want a 'doctor' dealing with my Rob Roy or Rusty Nail!

I'll leave those fancy drinks to you Mr. Ypsi. It's scotch (and the cheaper, the better) on the rocks for me.

...actually, I rarely drink anymore, but I do like scotch occasionally...My earlier post was supposed to sound like Alton Benes, Elaine's father on Seinfeld.

Master of the house, doling out the charm ...

[Mr. Ypsi]

......especially since there's nothing wrong with an aspiring doctor doing his undergrad at Loyola, an institution that actually has a medical school. 

... as does the U of C, another school that has courted Scarlatta zealously.

I think that the closest equivalent SIUE has to a medical school is its doctor of mixology program.

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

True, but once you get to the 'complex' scotch drinks ... .  I want a 'doctor' dealing with my Rob Roy or Rusty Nail!

I'll leave those fancy drinks to you Mr. Ypsi. It's scotch (and the cheaper, the better) on the rocks for me.

...actually, I rarely drink anymore, but I do like scotch occasionally...My earlier post was supposed to sound like Alton Benes, Elaine's father on Seinfeld.

Dan, I was kidding about the 'complex'.  A Rob Roy is just scotch and vermouth (either sweet, dry, or a combination, depending on taste), and a Rusty Nail is (usually equal parts) scotch and Drambuie.  [There's something odd about either a Rusty Nail or me (or, probably, the interaction).  It is probably my favorite (occasional) after-dinner liqueur, but I can have one plus just about any other amount of booze and be fine; if I have two, even with nothing else to drink, I'll wish I was dead the next day. ]

[dansand]

Personally, I have no use for those doctors of mixology...doesn't take a damn mixologist to pour some scotch over some ice cubes.   

True, but once you get to the 'complex' scotch drinks ... .  I want a 'doctor' dealing with my Rob Roy or Rusty Nail!

I'll leave those fancy drinks to you Mr. Ypsi. It's scotch (and the cheaper, the better) on the rocks for me.

...actually, I rarely drink anymore, but I do like scotch occasionally...My earlier post was supposed to sound like Alton Benes, Elaine's father on Seinfeld.

Master of the house, doling out the charm ...

See Greg--I can, on occasion, come up with a pop culture reference. Although they're usually limited to a few select TV shows, sports and music. I was disappointed no one jumped on the obscure Yevgeny Zamyatin reference I made a week or so ago. Oh well, I'll keep tryin'.

Dan, I was kidding about the 'complex'.  A Rob Roy is just scotch and vermouth (either sweet, dry, or a combination, depending on taste), and a Rusty Nail is (usually equal parts) scotch and Drambuie.  [There's something odd about either a Rusty Nail or me (or, probably, the interaction).  It is probably my favorite (occasional) after-dinner liqueur, but I can have one plus just about any other amount of booze and be fine; if I have two, even with nothing else to drink, I'll wish I was dead the next day. ]

OK, I'll have a Rob Roy--hold the vermouth. 

[AndOne]

Lord knows I'm not a Wheaton fan, but under the heading of fair play and giving credit where its due, I saw Kent Raymond make a play Sat night against NCC that, while not flashy or spectacular, illustrates his special talent. At one time, Kent got his defender on his hip and drove the right side of the lane. As he neared the basket, another NCC defender came across the lane to help as he should. He appeared just as Kent left his feet and was about to let go of his layup attempt. The defender also went airborne with his hand up. Raymond twisted somewhat in the air and let go a shot off the glass. At the instant he let the ball go, you could see he realized it wasn't going in due to his body position being altered at the last instant by the NCC defender. He seemed to sense the shot would be long and carom off the glass and come off on the other side of the basket. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he spun across the lane, caught the ball as it banked off the glass, and possibly a bit of the rim, and laid it in from the left side of the basket. Pure hustle and instinct---2 of the attributes of a great player.