MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BlueJay21]

The Elmhurst Coaching staff is pretty excited about a lot of the guys they are bringing in. The coaching staff had a goal to bring in a very big class, and they once again achieved their goal. Many of these guys are 6'7" or taller, which will certainly help to fill the void left by Ruch. Look for EC to add maybe a guy or two in the coming weeks. Great job by the coaching staff, especially Baines and Doyle, for getting all of these guys to choose EC.

[sac]

Elmhurst, as usual, has done a nice job on the recruiting trail.  They have a large class coming in - here is who I know for sure they are getting...

* D'Ante Foster, Muskegon (MI) Catholic HS, 5-10, PG

In the preseason he was listed as 5-8 and the #39 PG in Michigan by Stephen Bell, a web high school hoops sage I follow.  He was named to the Detroit Free Press/AP Class D Fifth team.


I did find this blurb about him in the Muskegon Chronicle..........D'Ante Foster, Muskegon Catholic Central - Foster led a multi-faceted Crusader attack with 11.7 points and 4.3 assists per game and added 3.4 blocks/deflections a contest. The lightning-quick point guard, who was an honorable mention all-state selection, has yet to pick a college to play for.    (I can assure you the Chronicle is incorrect about Foster's all-state slot, which as mentioned was on the 5th team.)

Fwiw, Muskegon Catholic plays in probably the toughest league of Class D ball in Michigan, who's champion is a fixture in our State finals for over a dozen years now.

I do not know if any MIAA's were recruiting him.

This excellent video on youtube suggests a few Michigan schools missed the boat on this one. (about a 1 min intro)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTengb3jLDY

PS  D'Ante has range.

[thundermike]

Please accept my apology if this has been addressed in previous posts as I have been away from the board for several weeks.  Is Ben Panner returning to Wheaton next year?  

Yes. From the Wheaton website: "Three starters are slated to return for Wheaton next year with senior All-Conference guard Ben Panner and forward Jake Carwell coming back for the Thunder. Forward Tim McCrary also returns following a freshman campaign that saw him earn recognition as the D3hoops.com 'Midwest Region Rookie of the Year'."

[AndOne]

Please accept my apology if this has been addressed in previous posts as I have been away from the board for several weeks.  Is Ben Panner returning to Wheaton next year?  

Yes. From the Wheaton website: "Three starters are slated to return for Wheaton next year with senior All-Conference guard Ben Panner and forward Jake Carwell coming back for the Thunder. Forward Tim McCrary also returns following a freshman campaign that saw him earn recognition as the D3hoops.com 'Midwest Region Rookie of the Year'."

Wheaton posters----

Good odds for a starting 5 of Garriott, Panner, Carwell, McCrary, & Jahns?

[AndOne]

Word is that Scarlata will be joined by 6'6" Brandon Koontz out of Lake Zurich High School.  If so, that would be a couple of likely high-impact bangers (no pun intended) for Augie.  Can anyone confirm that?  I only saw him play one time, against Prospect High School last season.  He had a very impressive game in the paint, rebounded hard, had a nice drop step move to the basket, and played both ends of the floor with equal intensity.  Any info out there?

Although I haven't seen anything official, I believe that's correct, except it's spelled "Kunz". He's another outstanding prospect. I've heard he chose Augie over a recent scholarship offer from D2 Wayne State (Nebraska), who just hired Paul Combs from UW-Platteville. Kunz set Lake Zurich single-game records for rebounds (23) and blocked shots (10) this year. He averaged 12 points and 10.1 rebounds with 67 blocks.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakezurich/sports/highschools/1378099,lz-kunz-011509-s1.article

I also have heard that Brandon Kunz to Augie is pretty much a "done deal." He was heavily recruited by several schools including the majority of CCIW members of which I believe, in addition to Augie, North Central and Elmhurst were on him the most. I know he would have had a tremendous opportunity at NCC given their need for height, and also would have been a strong candidate for PT at EC despite what seems to be a plethora of bigs that they have corralled.

In addition to the D2 Wayne State, NE offer as reported by Dansand, I believe he had a look from D1 Northern Arizona out of Flagstaff, AZ. Don't know if he was offered by NAU, but there was some degree of interaction there. Accordingly, a very good get by Augie. Perhaps it was the Augie Medical School that was evidently largely responsible for previously reeling in Scarlata.          

[Above The Rim]

So Elmhurst is bringing in 12 recruits this year. Sounds like playing time will be a problem for some of those guys.

I like the looks of Augie's class if Kunz is on board. The Vikings really needed the big guys. It also sounds like IWU and Wheaton are going to pull in good talent. What's the word from Carthage, NCC, NPU and Millikin? Someone must know where they stand at this point with recruiting. Their posters have been kind of silent on the recruiting front.

While its a great "problem" for a coach to have, I can't help but think several of these players outstanding high school careers, rather than their forthcoming college years, will eventually turn out to be the highlight of their basketball life. 
Obviously, every good high school player believes he will start at the next level. I think youthful, but perhaps naive, enthusiasm coupled with always being the best or close to the best player often prevents any consideration of the possibility of not staring, or at least starting, at the next level.  As another poster has intoned, many players DO come to school knowing there are no guarantees and nothing is promised. However, I think the tendency is most often to think that the non or little playing time role will fall to the "other guy."
In some cases the other side of so many players, is so few minutes.    

Philosophy class is dismissed. 

[Titan Q]

On IWU recruit Luke Radliff...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/05/07/usports/doc4a025d383289f723216945.txt


"Playing time will be tough to earn, but it gives you something to work for."

[Dennis_Prikkel]

of interest

After a 20-year absence, Roosevelt University plans to return intercollegiate athletics to its downtown Chicago campus this fall.

University President Chuck Middleton, who will introduce the new athletic director at a press conference Friday, said adding sports is the next step in transforming Roosevelt from a commuter school to a university geared toward traditional undergraduates.


In five years, the Roosevelt Lakers hope to be competing in NCAA Division III.

But the university faces a tough lineup even before students get onto the baseball or soccer fields. It has no indoor or outdoor practice facilities. No coaches, locker rooms or fight song.

"I have been searching for a model to do this, but I am learning we will be the model for building an athletic program in an urban setting," said Michael Cassidy, the new athletic director. "The challenges we have are really unique."

The move comes as colleges and universities across the country, including the Illinois Institute of Technology, have eliminated or scaled back sports programs because of budget concerns. Roosevelt officials expect to spend between $700,000 to more than $1 million annually on athletic programs, with the amount rising as the school adds sports teams in its bid for NCAA status.

The university plans to first compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics league beginning in 2010 after spending the next year hiring coaches and recruiting the first student athletes.

Cassidy said that while plans aren't final, he is looking to add cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis, basketball, softball, baseball and golf. Division III schools are required to offer at least five sports each for men and women. The student athletes will not receive athletic scholarships.

* * * *

North Park played Roosevelt one year in a home and home in basketball.  Roosevelt played their home games in the cavernous Kedzie Avenue Armory in Logan's Square (about four miles south of North Park).  It's the only time in 44 years of living in the Chicago area that i've had my car broken in to.

dgp

[dansand]

Well, Coach G and his staff have wrapped up this year's recruiting class, so I figured I'd give a run-down for anyone who's interested. I know I've covered some of this before, so bear with me.

Grey and assistant Tom Jessee are ecstatic with the quality of the big kids and love DeMoss, who sounds like a prototypical Giovanine-type player. Plus, I think Augie will have the only player in the league whose grandfather broke Muhammad Ali's jaw!

This year's class provides a great balance with last year's guard-heavy group. Can't wait for the season to start.

Jonathan DeMoss, 6-3, 200, St. Charles, IL (North HS)
2008-09: 10.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg

*St. Charles North career leader in scoring, rebounding and assists
*2-time Upstate Eight All-Conference (+Honorable mention as a soph)
*2-time Daily Herald & St. Charles Republican All-Area
*Kane County Chronicle (HM) and Courier News All-Area (2nd team)
*IBCA Class 3A/4A Special mention All-State

http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2009/03/12/16717515/

George Dexter, 6-6, 200, Bettendorf, IA (Bettendorf HS)

Year     GP   FG-FGA   Pct 3FG-FGA   Pct  FT-FTA   Pct  Off Def  Tot  Avg  PF   A  TO Blk Stl  Pts  Avg
2008-09  26   96-202  .475   2-9    .222  88-117  .752   55  98  153  5.9  64  34  55  11  29  282 10.8

*1st team All-Mississippi Athletic Conference
*Quad City Times 2nd team All-Metro
*Iowa-Illinois Senior Showcase participant
*IBCA Southeast Region All-Star
*4A All-Sub-State
*Ranked 27th overall in Iowa class of 2009 by IAHoops.com

http://www.qctimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/7/b9/fbb/7b9fbbd8-2cdd-58fa-8bb4-b5fd08372d66.image.jpg

Brandon Kunz, 6-7, 200, Lake Zurich, IL (Lake Zurich HS)

Year     GP   FG-FGA   Pct 3FG-FGA   Pct  FT-FTA   Pct  Off Def  Tot  Avg  PF   A  TO Blk Stl  Pts  Avg
2008-09  29  145-278  .522   2-9    .222  57-97   .588   99 193  292 10.1  84  66  59  67  27  349 12.0

*Lake Zurich single-game record holder for rebounds (23) and blocked shots (10)
*Daily Herald Lake County All-Area
*Highland Park News 2nd team All-Area
*Sun Times All-Area Special mention
*Lake County News Sun Special mention All-Lake County

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakezurich/sports/highschools/1378099,lz-kunz-011509-s1.article

Kameron Norton, 6-6, 205, Downers Grove, IL (Downers Grove North HS)
2008-09: 13.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 75% FT

*Grandson of former heavyweight boxing champion Ken Norton
*All-Elgin Holiday Tournament
*West Suburban Silver All-Conference
*Downers Grove Reporter Progress All-Area
*Daily Herald DuPage County Honorable mention All-Area
*2nd place 2009 IHSA Class 4A Slam Dunk Contest

http://files.leagueathletics.com/Images/Club/5230/untitled.bmp

Luke Scarlata, 6-8, 235, Berwyn, IL (Morton Township HS)         
2008-09: 14.1 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.3 bpg, 2.2 apg

*Ranked 46th overall in Illinois class of 2009 by the Chicago Sun Times
*3-time Suburban Life All-Area
*2008 West Suburban Gold Conference Player of the Year
*2-time West Suburban Gold All-Conference
*2-time Chicago Tribune Special Mention All-State
*IBCA 3A/4A 3rd team All-State
*Champaign News-Gazette Honorable mention All-State
*IBS Large School Honorable mention All-State

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/berwyn/archive/x1525907417/BOYS-BASKETBALL-Scarlata-named-all-state

Kevin Waibel, 6-7, 210, Morton, IL (Morton HS)
2007-08: 10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .598 FG%, 20 blocked shots
2008-09: 6.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg

*2008 2nd team All-Mid-Illini Conference
*Peoria Irish AAU

http://www.sportsphotonews.com/NewsPage/MRTvRIL031309/DSC_7712_Lg.jpg

[Titan Q]

Augustana had a tremendous recruiting year.

Did Coach G & Co. lose Nate Rogers (St. Joe's)?  I had heard he was leaning towards Augie, and something about it being free since his mom works at DePaul and Augie and DePaul have some type of formal relationship?  I could have that wrong. 

[dansand]

Augustana had a tremendous recruiting year.

Did Coach G & Co. lose Nate Rogers (St. Joe's)?  I had heard he was leaning towards Augie, and something about it being free since his mom works at DePaul and Augie and DePaul have some type of formal relationship?  I could have that wrong. 

From what I heard, I'm not sure he was ever really leaning toward Augie. I got the impression that he was a kid that really had his heart set on playing D1, so it sounds like he's going to DePaul.

[Titan Q]

Recruiting website scrap!

http://ilprepbullseye.com/page45.html

The "Joker" At Work Again

... It never ceases to amaze us how one of our competitors chooses to operate when he is in the gym.  Contrary to what others want to conclude, we really do try to overlook most everything that he does, as it is largely insignificant.  However, it was impossible to ignore some of his actions this past Saturday night.  Just to give people an idea of what this guy's idea of talent evaluation is, upon the conclusion of the Mac Irvin Fire's narrow loss to Spiece Mokan in a game which was decided by Mokan's Will Spradling getting fouled and sinking two free throws with seven seconds remaining, he proceeded to charge the court at the end of the contest and berate the officials working the game, yelling out "you can't be calling that at the end of the game--that was terrible, just terrible!"  He then went into a 15 minute tyrade for anyone else who was willing to listen.  He was also seen later on openly cheerleading for both the Illinois Wolves 16-under and Mean Streets 15-under teams.  That is a strange method of talent evaluation, wouldn't you say?  Fortunately, plenty of his followers (namely college coaches) are becoming increasingly aware of his ridiculous antics.  Just another classic example of why he is a pathetic joker.


http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/brianstinnette510.html

This is a special Shout Out to the Two Clowns who appear to be totally consumed with Jealousy and Envy toward everything I do. Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize in advance for having to veer off subject for this, but unfortunetely it is long overdue.

1) You are NOT competitors of mine! You don't do what I do. You are NOT on my level! Nothing you do has any impact on me. You are only relevant in your own minds!

2) Your rants against Myself, the Sun Times, Etc let everyone know just how consumed you are with Jealousy and Envy! The negative nonsense you spew against Kids and Coaches is sickening! Yes, I do have an incredibly strong following of College Coaches from around the Entire United States!........And No, You Don't!

3) Your Product Is Weak! A child could put together that nonsense! Instead of criticizing others, worry about stepping up your own game! Instead of watching me, you should consider actually watching games! You were not at the Spring Tip-Off, nor the Swish & Dish, nor the Hall of Fame Showdown, nor the Nike Spring Showdown. You haven't really seen anybody play! You go out one weekend and watch kids play that the rest of us have been watching for years, and you then proceed to profess yourselves to be Know-It-All's.

4) Yup! That was me "discussing" the game with the refs after the Mac Irvin Fire game. That was also me "discussing" the game with the refs after a no-call in the Illinois Old School game. I was "discussing" games with the refs at the Nike Spring Showdown as well.....And That Was My Own Event! Yes! I was definetely "cheerleading" for the Illinois Wolves, Mean Streets, Illinois Warriors, Full Package and every other Illinois team in the building. Unlike you Two Clowns, I actually happen to personally know most of the players, parents and coaches who are a part of the game. Unlike yourselves, my info doesn't come from scouring message boards and websites for details, and then offering opinions.

5) Soap is your friend, and not an enemy, and it is not "Cool" for 50-year-old men to still have bunk beds in their mom's basement!

6) We all know how you start each and every day...............And that is to log on to Chicago Hoops to find out what is happening in the world of basketball! LoL!

[Pat Coleman]

6) We all know how you start each and every day...............And that is to log on to Chicago Hoops to find out what is happening in the world of basketball! LoL!

And to find out that "Hamlin" is a national power in Division III basketball.

[markerickson]

Are either the Joker, Two Clowns, or Envy people associated with d3hoops?
Or was TQ's post for information only?

[thunderstruck88]

Wheaton posters----

Good odds for a starting 5 of Garriott, Panner, Carwell, McCrary, & Jahns?

Assuming Garriott has indeed committed to Wheaton (and I'm putting my faith in Q's source here)...

This is entirely speculation on my part, but I can't really see Carwell starting at center. He's an excellent role player and was a huge asset when complementing an established center (like Wiele this past year), but doesn't strike me as the type of defender to handle post duty. However, Wheaton might just go with 2F/3G, since I'm not completely sure who else Wheaton would play in that position. It really comes down to the tone coach wants to set. Spencer Schultz has the best body for the post, but has a lot of work to do to be ready for varsity. Does anyone know if Brad Smith is returning for the Thunder?

AndOne, I think your starting 5 is solid, but I wouldn't be surprised if Wheaton tries to develop a big and bring Jahns off the bench. Perhaps...

G Garriot
G Panner
F McCrary
F Carwell
C Smith or Shultze


Just a note of interest... Wheaton could potentially have 3 transfers in the starting lineup next season with Garriot, Panner and Carwell.