MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I can name a couple of NPU's incoming freshmen. One is Zach Dungee, a 6'6, 225 kid from Wheaton North. I think that he got a lot more attention from football recruiters than from basketball recruiters, since football was his better sport in high school, but he's bound and determined to put his energies into hoops in college rather than the gridiron. He's considered to be raw but promising. Unlike his predecessor, Emmanuel Crosby, he'll have the benefit of JV seasoning as a Viking and won't get thrown into the deep end of the pool right away.

Another is David Williams, a 5'10 point guard from a Tinley Park program that really took off last year. He's supposed to be a defensive specialist -- after last season's atrocities at the defensive end of the floor, it's good to see defense be a focus of NPU recruiting -- cut in the Chris Brown mold. There's also three more recruits whose names elude me at the moment; one's a Minnehaha grad (for the uninitiated, Minnehaha Academy is the Covenant high school in Minneapolis that usually sends a lot of its new alumni on to North Park, CCIW Chat regular Mark Erickson being an example of a Minnehaha/North Park double alumnus), another is a product of the Gene Pingatore machine at St. Joe's, and the third is a 6'3, 200 football/basketball dual athlete from the suburbs who'll be spending the fall playing wide receiver for the Vikings.

The big fish, the one on whom I can't report, has been accepted at NPU but is still sorting out his financial arrangements. He's been at the top of the recruiting clipboard for the Park, and if Brenegan lands him he might be an immediate contributor as a freshman, in spite of the fact that there'll be a lot of experienced returnees this upcoming season.

All in all, I suspect that there'll end up being the usual six to eight freshmen present when fall practice starts. Sorry for the incomplete report vis-a-vis names, but I wasn't taking notes when I met with the coaches.

[markerickson]

I saw one Minnehaha game over the holiday break.  M.A. had an impressive record last year (26-2), finishing first in their conference.  It is not a basketball powerhouse conference.  For example, one of the stars from an opposing school played JV last year at St. Thomas.  The kid's grandpa talks to my dad...

M.A. had a front line that played very well together.  One kid had legit talent - good passer, could create a shot, great vision and instincts - but that was only one game against a weak opponent.  He reminded me of the Samuelson kid who transferred to NP, played at best a half a season, and then disappeared. 

[d3KenT]

With all this talk of transfers and additions to recruiting classes i am curious of when the admission deadline are for most of these schools. Do they all have rolling admission programs or have these kids all been accepted at more then one school and are simply trying to figure it out. I start teaching again in less then 3 weeks. how much time is really left?

[John Gleich]

Repost from the WIAC board, resubmitted for CCIW commentary...

In other news... I just checked out UWW's schedule, and they're playing in Carthage's Tip-Off Tourney.  I thought Carthage didn't have diplomatic relations with the Wisconsin publics...!

[AndOne]

Playoffs are underway in the Deerfield Summer League.

Regular season winners were the North Central Alums in the Eastern Division, and
North Park U in the West.

[petemcb]

Playoffs are underway in the Deerfield Summer League.

Regular season winners were the North Central Alums in the Eastern Division, and
North Park U in the West.

My understanding is that NPU beat IWU last night.  Was that the season finale or the first round of Deerfield's playoffs?  Anybody know?

[DrN]

Playoffs are underway in the Deerfield Summer League.

Regular season winners were the North Central Alums in the Eastern Division, and
North Park U in the West.

My understanding is that NPU beat IWU last night.  Was that the season finale or the first round of Deerfield's playoffs?  Anybody know?

Second round, I believe. More games tonight. Augustana beat Carthage last night, also.

[AndOne]

Congrats------

To 2009 NCC grad and All-Conference and All-Area player Chris Drennan on his engagement to the lovely and charming Katie Knapczyk, a fellow NCC grad. Throughout their relationship Katie has truly been Chris' "better half" and there is no reason to suspect that won't continue after they're united in marital bliss next spring.      
Mr. Drennan also takes a backseat to his fiancee when it comes to their 3 point shooting contests!      

[AndOne]

In Deerfield Summer League action tonight:

In the semi-finals, Lawrence beat Augie, and the North Central Alums beat a team (PSJ) comprised of Wash U and Wheaton players. The winners play for the championship tomorrow (Thurs) night at 8:00.

In the evening's earlier games , Augie had upset North Park, Lawrence handily defeated Elmhurst, and the NCC Alums, starting with only 5 players, and playing the last 7-8 minutes of the game with only 4 after one fouled out, defeated Old Gold (Kunkel's All-Stars, named after their coach).

[scacbbfan]

Who ended up winning the Deerfield League?

[petemcb]

Who ended up winning the Deerfield League?

I'd say Joy of the Game........talk about easy money.  Turn the lights on high and the AC on low, cheap refs, and charge the teams a wad of cash.

[petemcb]

Joy of the Game being the organization that owns the Deerfield facility.

[AndOne]

Who ended up winning the Deerfield League?

I'd say Joy of the Game........talk about easy money.  Turn the lights on high and the AC on low, cheap refs, and charge the teams a wad of cash.

In terms of points on the scoreboard, Lawrence beat the previously undefeated North Central Alums. I don't have any details other than what was reported to me---that Lawrence built a large lead, withstood a furious comeback, and won by a few points.

Pete is correct in his assessment of the "real" winner. The climate within the Joy of the Game facility this summer definitely seemed warmer than during previous summer seasons, and the quality of most of the officiating could have easily been matched if not exceeded by local high school kids.

[Mugsy]

Nate Frank stays on as an assistant coach on Wheaton's staff.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2009/8/19/MBB_0819092319.aspx?path=mbball

[BlueJay21]

Good to see Nate Frank staying on the staff at Wheaton. He will definitely help out with the transition of a new coach. I talked to one Wheaton player tonight who was glad that Nate is returning. The Thunder should be a load this Winter...