MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

Augie's in the middle of practice for another trip to China (they also went in 2007). The NCAA allows 10 days of practice in preparation. The team's first game is scheduled for August 5. Four university and two professional teams on the schedule. It'll be a great experience for all involved.

http://www.augustana.edu/x20830.xml

IWU will also soon begin practicing for an international trip.  The Titans will be heading to Italy in August.  I'll dig up the details and post them here soon.

(IWU's last international trip was to Costa Rica the summer before the 2005-06 season under head coach Scott Trost.)

[cardinalpride]

Elmhurst names a new assistant coach:

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2010/7/15/MBB_0715101109.aspx?path=mbball

Too bad Digger Doyle resigned from EC a couple of weeks before John Baines left. If he  had stuck around until after Baines quit, Digger would probably now be the top EC assistant rather than a current resident of Mt. Vernon, Ia. Of course, neither he nor Baines likely knew Baines was leaving at the time Digger resigned, and Digger may be enjoying Mt. Vernon.  

AO,
In regards to Dan Doyle, sometimes timing is everything! 

Is it me or does the BlueJays new J Hawk look a lot like Todd "no relation to Dennie" Bridges?

Congrats Coach Hawkins!  Welcome to the CCIW!

[markerickson]

Rich Rodriquez has been testing the ethical line for several years.  He's got a lawsuit pending in WVa regarding a condo development.  He was involved in a pay dispute with WVa upon his departure, and I do not believe he prevailed.  At MI, he's run afoul with the NCAA's rule regarding practice limitation.  RichRod blames a subordinate for not keeping (throwing away?) required documentation.  What a lame reason, and the NCAA didn't buy it.  I think he's toast if the team does not go to a bowl game.

[dansand]

Nice feature on Augie's Matt Pelton on the NCAA site. He's today's lead story as part of the NCAA's new branding plan for Division III.

http://www.ncaa.org/

[Mr. Ypsi]

Rich Rodriquez has been testing the ethical line for several years.  He's got a lawsuit pending in WVa regarding a condo development.  He was involved in a pay dispute with WVa upon his departure, and I do not believe he prevailed.  At MI, he's run afoul with the NCAA's rule regarding practice limitation.  RichRod blames a subordinate for not keeping (throwing away?) required documentation.  What a lame reason, and the NCAA didn't buy it.  I think he's toast if the team does not go to a bowl game.

To clarify, the football walk-ons receiving scholarships later were under Lloyd Carr, not RichRod.

[sac]

Rich Rodriquez has been testing the ethical line for several years.  He's got a lawsuit pending in WVa regarding a condo development.  He was involved in a pay dispute with WVa upon his departure, and I do not believe he prevailed.  At MI, he's run afoul with the NCAA's rule regarding practice limitation.  RichRod blames a subordinate for not keeping (throwing away?) required documentation.  What a lame reason, and the NCAA didn't buy it.  I think he's toast if the team does not go to a bowl game.

To clarify, the football walk-ons receiving scholarships later were under Lloyd Carr, not RichRod.

The condo development is in Blacksburg, Virginia, not WV.......and RR was named in the lawsuit because his name was on part of the loan financing.  The principal of the investment has been investigated for fraud on several other developments projects.  RR was an investor just like anyone else and it does not prove he walked a tight line of ethics anymore than a shareholder of BP is anti-environment.  

Brad Labadie was the subordinate that simply failed to do his job, and by the way RR has not blamed him nor anyone and has infact taken much of the heat himself.  The only finding the University disagreed with was the one that charged Rodriguez did not foster an atmosphere of compliance.  Labadie was asked in November of Lloyd Carr's final season to provide job descriptions for the popular Football Quality Control positions at UM and used throughout D1 football, and sat on it for an incredible 18 months despite pleas from UM's compliance department and on a couple occasions RR himself.  On top of that he didn't track the hours of practice time he supposed to be tracking.

18 months of not doing his job, he should have been fired on the spot but was recently allowed to resign to seek employment elsewhere.

Several people at UM dropped the ball, including but not limited to RR but the facts which can be read in the NCAA findings (which they did buy by the way) show that the most damning problem began before RR even showed up at UM.

All the other junk was so incredibly minor in scope and scale, most of the rest of college football was laughing.

[Gregory Sager]

Since I'd really rather not read about University of Michigan football in this space, I'll start a new subject. Has anyone been attending summer-league games up in Deerfield? Has anyone heard anything secondhand about how it's going up there? Here's the standings going into this past Tuesday's games, and I know that NPU beat Augustana in double overtime on Tuesday night. The league schedule can be accessed from the Joy of the Game site.

North Park's recruiting continues apace. NPU has landed six or seven recruits already, but since there's still a few more prospects in the pipeline I'll hold off on listing names a while longer.

[Gotberg]

Since I'd really rather not read about University of Michigan football in this space, I'll start a new subject. Has anyone been attending summer-league games up in Deerfield? Has anyone heard anything secondhand about how it's going up there? Here's the standings going into this past Tuesday's games, and I know that NPU beat Augustana in double overtime on Tuesday night. The league schedule can be accessed from the Joy of the Game site.

North Park's recruiting continues apace. NPU has landed six or seven recruits already, but since there's still a few more prospects in the pipeline I'll hold off on listing names a while longer.

Greg - unless you have been asked not to release names, I think many of us would be interested to hearing some of the names - even if it may be an incomplete list.

[Gregory Sager]

The coaching staff would like me to wait, so I'm respecting their wishes.

[cardinalpride]

AO, can you please give us a summer league update? You have been so kind to do it in the past. Thanks! CP

[AndOne]

Since I'd really rather not read about University of Michigan football in this space, I'll start a new subject. Has anyone been attending summer-league games up in Deerfield? Has anyone heard anything secondhand about how it's going up there? Here's the standings going into this past Tuesday's games, and I know that NPU beat Augustana in double overtime on Tuesday night. The league schedule can be accessed from the Joy of the Game site.

North Park's recruiting continues apace. NPU has landed six or seven recruits already, but since there's still a few more prospects in the pipeline I'll hold off on listing names a while longer.

AO, can you please give us a summer league update? You have been so kind to do it in the past. Thanks! CP

Ask and ye shall receive.  

As far as summer league goes, it must be remembered that for a variety of reasons, the standings are often not close to reflective of a team's actual level of talent. While I have not yet had an opportunity to observe some of the teams in detail due to scheduling, and also due to my being present several nights, but not all, I have at least caught glimpses of most of the teams. From my sometimes limited observations, I will attempt to disseminate a little info about the CCIW teams.

ELMHURST--Haven't caught an entire EC game yet. Last year, as we know, EC was a team that did not seem to often receive many contributions from anyone over 6'3". I've only observed one "big" (dk his name) on the floor for EC this summer. The summer league team is still very much guard orientated. However, its highly questionable if any of the back court players will measure up to the graduated Dustin Bainter. Last season's roster listed 6 players 6'6" or more. Few played and fewer contributed. This needs to change for EC this year. One thing I learned that sounds like it won't add much as far as player development to is the fact that EC is not "having" any incoming freshmen play summer league. EC also continues to search for another asst coach.

NORTH PARK--Also haven't seen an entire NP game, but I have seen more of their action that EC. One player that has stood out is Nick Hoekstra. He is about 6'5" and 225. Moves very well for his size. Both rebounds well and hits long 2s and 3s with regularity. Jorge Gonzalez also shines on a consistent basis. Establishes good position down low on offense and finishes well. Defensively, he "bodies" his man effectively, not easily giving away low post real estate. However, he often appears over-aggressive on D, picking up several cheap fouls. Compounding this is his tendency to complain about EVERY foul whistled against him. Perhaps a coach in training? He'll have to tone his objections down when the season starts. A player who has me a little baffled is Ro Russell. Maybe its just cause its summer league, but he seems to be a little short in the intensity department. I noticed this to some degree last year too. He just seemed to lack the fire he seemed to continually show his freshman year. I look for E. Crosby to have a very nice year. To me, he was very impressive last year. Big question for NP this year---who will step up and be the take charge guy and team leader this season?  

CARTHAGE--Steve D seems to play less that half the time but does he really need to? I think not. I still believe the least of the many evils he can reign on an opponent is his 3 point shooting. Make him shoot the 3. Sure, he'll hit a good number, but this is the area from which he will be the least "effective." CC has a player who just seems to be everywhere on D. I believe its Mitch Thompson who showed so well defensively last year. If its not him, then CC has added another impressive defensive weapon. He seems to also be more active and into the flow offensively and appears to have picked up an offensive move or two. Newcomers Nick Kladis and Scott Suchy can both shoot. However, they haven't shown much else. Kladis can shoot a little off the dribble, but Suchy appears to be strictly a spot up shooter off the pass. I've only seen Max Carey briefly on only 2 evenings. However, I think he is a solid player who will help CC a lot this year. Two of his strong points seem to be ball handling and hitting a nice percentage of his shots.  Malcolm Kelly looks both very quick and very strong. Those two attributes enable him to get to lose balls and also to rebound very effectively for his height. He also is impressively pushing the ball up court and attacking the basket. If Tyler Pierce has been on a diet since last season, he should demand a 2nd opinion. He was listed as being 230 last year. The other night he looked to be about 250 +. When his teammates are back on defense, he is still around half court. I don't know who he could possibly beat down the court at this time, anyway. Same thing on offense. If CC wants to involve him in the offense, they are going to have to practically walk the ball up. Once he does establish position, he is almost impossible to stop, relentlessly backing his man down as he did so often last year. A cement truck stuck in 1st gear. Raul Guzman also looks slower than he did last year, and his shot looks less effective. Maybe he just needs more practice. How much will he play this year? He was a starter almost all last season, but over the last 5-6 games he was replaced in the starting lineup. When he did play, he really didn't make much of a contribution. It will be interesting to see if he can regain starting status or at least some of the PT he lost during the late stages last year. He certainly needs to pick it up from the limited time I've observed him this summer.

WESLEYAN--- The Titans have been plagued by having a very difficult time getting 5 players to show up for a game. Last week they had to pick up 2 stray players Tues and 1 on Thurs. The only guys consistently showing are Dan Schouten and Stephan Rudnicki. Schouten is posting a strong showing in many facets of the game. It appears he may have finally overcome the surgeries he had to both shoulders that cost him basically his 1st 2 years at IWU, and be ready to make a solid contribution to the Titan cause. Rudnicki has distinguished himself most noticeably in the area of pushing the ball up and making some dazzling passes. He consistently finds the open man. Occasionally attending have been Duncan Lawson, Ed O'Callaghan, Eliud Gonzalez, John Koschnitzky, Kevin Reed, and newcomer Joe LaTulip. Lawson is now in Michigan working for his uncle for the rest of the summer as I understand it. The remainder mentioned above are hit or miss from evening to evening. Koschnitzky has looked very good when he has been there. I expect a big year from him. On Tues night one of the pickup players, who appeared to be about 25, was the difference maker in the game which "Wesleyan" won by about the same number of points the mystery guest scored. It appears Chicago area players Oswald (who TQ recently commented on) and Sexauer are not playing at all. Recruit Kyle Miklasz who played in the 1st 4-5 games has decided not to attend Wesleyan. Another recruit, Andrew Ziemnik from Oswego has made one appearance and, I've heard, has offered his new teammates some "creative" excuses for his absences such as the other night when he was said to be on a family vacation despite the fact his sister, whose boyfriend plays on an "independent" team, was in attendance.

NORTH CENTRAL--Its been hard to get a read on the Cardinals team. I'd say inconsistent best describes the play of Team 1 (6 returners, 3 newbies) One game they play poorly overall, and let a team they beat twice last year and who lost their best player, to beat them on a last second shot. The next night, they run the floor, pass like wizards, drain 3 pointers, play tight defense, and rebound like crazy to put away a strong opponent by halftime. One thing for sure is the Cardinals have a bunch of shooters who can really fill it up including several of the newcomers who play on Team 2 which features only 1 returning player. In one game recently the newcomers made 16 three pointers. The Cards are fielding 2 teams totaling 20 players. Too many to comment on each player individually. Everyone knows what last year's D3 national frosh of the year, Derek Raridon, can do. Suffice it to say that if Derek scores as many points this year as he did last year, the Cardinals are doing something wrong. Brian Evans, who at 6'3" led the CCIW in offensive rebounds last season while effectively manning the center position, has looked very good in an entirely different position of being a leader on the break and either finishing strongly of dishing out some dazzling passes/assists. I sense Brian's primary contributions this season may well come from the back court as opposed to last year's noteworthy inside success. Considering NCC is bringing in three 6'8" players and two others who stand 6'6" Evans should be freed up to contribute more in other areas.

I think the most beneficial results of summer league to the Cardinals this year will be the opportunity for this very young and inexperienced team to learn each other and to begin to develop team chemistry. The team will feature only 2 seniors this year Evans & Mike Winans). Only 2 returners (Raridon & Evans) played significant minutes last year, and only 3 others (Kevin Gilllespie, Tyler Bantz, and Winans) really played at all. Only 3 of what I feel will be the top 6 newcomers are able to be playing this summer. Accordingly, NCC will be beginning practice this fall with may unanswered questions. The incoming talent is the deepest and strongest in at least the last 6 years. Hopefully they are paying attention and learning what is required at this level both in terms of not only the physical but also the mental aspects of the game. Additionally, they must learn to be team players rather than solely depending on their individual talents to make them successful.

[AndOne]

Oops, I forgot AUGIE---

From what I've seen so far, of the players I know, Brandon Kunz continues to show strong development. He seems stronger on the boards and quicker getting down court, and has developed more of a shooting "touch' that is allowing him to hit some nice  short and mid range shots rather than relying so heavily on layups to tally his points.
Kam Norton is very impressive inside. Great footwork and the ability to go strong to the basket and finish effectively. I also think Brian DeSimone looks good directing the team. He aggressively pushes the ball and makes good decisions. I look for him to have a nice season. I know Luke Scarlata had some injury problems last year. If he recovers fully, I would be surprised if he doesn't make a strong contribution.   

[markerickson]

Russell ignored Nick Williams all last year, and that really irritated me.  Williams would battle for position, only to be denied the entry pass.  Russell preferred to go to his HS teammate to a fault.  I believe he hesitated too much as he waited for Crosby.   Gonzalez does not need Russell to shoot.  Yes, Hoekstra displayed good accuracy before he got sidelined.   

[Gregory Sager]

However, its highly questionable if any of the back court players will measure up to the graduated Dustin Bainter

That sounds about right to me. Elmhurst's best player is Zack Boyd, who's 6'3, 190 but played forward last season (he was EC's top rebounder as well as top scorer). In an ideal world for Elmhurst, Boyd would be a swingman at best, if not a pure shooting guard.

One player that has stood out is Nick Hoekstra. He is about 6'5" and 225. Moves very well for his size. Both rebounds well and hits long 2s and 3s with regularity.

This is very good news for NPU, and it's not unexpected. The first year back after ACL surgery is typically a difficult one for a player in terms of getting his movement back, and Hoekstra definitely looked a step slow last season. He's now a year and a half beyond his ACL surgery, so he should definitely be quicker than he was last season. Hoekstra's one of the best shooters in the CCIW, if not the best, and if he has the wheels to allow him to perform in other aspects of the game he could be a major ingredient for NPU in 2010-11.

A player who has me a little baffled is Ro Russell. Maybe its just cause its summer league, but he seems to be a little short in the intensity department. I noticed this to some degree last year too. He just seemed to lack the fire he seemed to continually show his freshman year.

Last season I spoke about the sea change that Ro Russell was forced to undergo with respect to his game. In high school at St. Rita he was The Man -- he not only brought the ball up the floor, he was expected to do all of the scoring as well. Since North Park's rather decimated roster had very little else left in the way of scorers his freshman year, aside from Nick Williams, Russell was encouraged to continue being a score-first PG in 2008-09. That changed last season, as NPU added more weapons. Russell was asked, for possibly the first time in his life, to be a distributor rather than a scorer. That would be an extremely difficult transition for anyone, and he certainly had his ups and downs as a sophomore as he tried to alter his game to fit the team's needs. He's still in that transition phase. You don't change a player's game overnight, especially when the player plays the most important position on the floor.

CARTHAGE--Steve D seems to play less that half the time but does he really need to? I think not. I still believe the least of the many evils he can reign on an opponent is his 3 point shooting. Make him shoot the 3. Sure, he'll hit a good number, but this is the area from which he will be the least "effective."

How soon they forget.

If Tyler Pierce has been on a diet since last season, he should demand a 2nd opinion. He was listed as being 230 last year. The other night he looked to be about 250 +. When his teammates are back on defense, he is still around half court. I don't know who he could possibly beat down the court at this time, anyway. Same thing on offense. If CC wants to involve him in the offense, they are going to have to practically walk the ball up. Once he does establish position, he is almost impossible to stop, relentlessly backing his man down as he did so often last year.

Actually, he didn't do that last year. He seemed to do all of his scoring with short jumpers and putbacks, as I saw very little evidence of Pierce having a back-to-the-basket game on offense. Of course, it was only a matter of time before he was pushed to develop one, given his size and strength.

I know Luke Scarlata had some injury problems last year. If he recovers fully, I would be surprised if he doesn't make a strong contribution.  

The brief report I heard about last Tuesday's NPU vs. Augie contest was that Scarlata looked like a real beast. He's gonna have to continue to be one if he wants playing time this coming season, because Augie's got big men to burn.

Thanks for the very in-depth report from Deerfield, Mark!

[Gregory Sager]

Russell ignored Nick Williams all last year, and that really irritated me.  Williams would battle for position, only to be denied the entry pass.  Russell preferred to go to his HS teammate to a fault.  I believe he hesitated too much as he waited for Crosby.

You were imagining this, Mark. Here's Russell's assists totals vis-a-vis his NPU teammates who were the recipients of five or more of Ro's dimes in 2009-10:

Shaun Collins	11
Nick Williams	10
Issa Avery	9
Emanuel Crosby	8
D.A. Robinson	5
Nick Hoekstra	5
Ryan Beigie	5