MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

I'm bored.  I just went thru stats and all-CCIW selections again, so some more input on the question above.

From Augie, by all-conference selections the clear front-runner is John Laing (3 first team selections in the early 70s); is he the best?

Elmhurst appears to be a dead-heat in all-conference selections with Chris Martin and Brent Ruch having 3 first team picks apiece - the best?

For North Central the choice would be clear if that were the only criterion - Bill Warden was first team all four years in the early 50s, but I'm not sure even Dennis can remember him!  Is he the best ever at NCC?



And we might have a controversy at Carthage after all - I had forgotten that Rob Garnes was a four time first team all-conference player - Djurickovic or Garnes?

I think Bill Warden is unquestionably the best player in NCC history. People at NC still talk about him in a reverent manner. As far as stats to back it up, Warden scored 2,249 points while playing between 1951 and 1955. Long before the 3 point shot.
He still holds 14 records at NCC. His 2,249 points are 589 points more than the player currently in 2nd place.

My vote goes to Alonzo Alexander and Robert Brown before the old man!  Their athleticism and all around games were amazing to watch!

[dansand]

After further consideration, I've replaced Billy Schneider with Max Artis on my all-time Augustana team (sorry Bill). Max played the point his first two years before sliding over to the two. I don't want to leave a Final 4 MVP off the team.

[Titan Q]

For the Titans, I'd probably go...

(per game averages are for entire career)


1st Team

G –Korey Coon (1996-2000) – 16.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 245-526 3-pt (.466), 449-492 FT (.913)

G/F – Bryan Crabtree (1993-1997) – 16.0 ppg, 7.4 ppg, 179-479 3-pt (.374), 518-650 FT (.797)

F – Blaise Bugajski (1979-1984) – 20.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 814-1533 FG (.531), 434-529 FT (.820)

F – Greg Yess (1978-1982) – 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 750-1539 FG (.487), 333-450 FT (.740)

C – Jack Sikma (1973-1977) – 21.2 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 941-1830 FG (.514), 390-510 FT (.765)


2nd Team

G – Adam Dauksas (2002-2006) – 12.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 208-506 3-pt (.411), 373-475 FT (.785)

G – Tom Gramkow (1966-70) – 15.2 ppg, 591-1319 FG (.448), 236-189 FT (.817)

G/F – Keelan Amelianovich (2002-2006) – 15.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 252-529 3-pt (.476), 200-248 (.806)

F – Jeff Kuehl (1986-1990) – 17.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 629-1100 FG (.572), 308-404 FT (.762)

C – Zach Freeman (2003-2007) – 15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 602-1035 FG (.582)


Very much in the discussion for the Gramkow spot with a big senior year...

G – Sean Johnson (2007-present) – 13.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 179-454 3-pt (.394), 181-241 FT (.751) – 5th in all-time 3-pt FG made, 17th in assists, 18th in scoring



Some tough calls there.  There are a few M.O.P.'s/All-Americans not listed on my first two teams.

[AndOne]

For the Titans, I'd probably go...

(per game averages are for entire career)


1st Team

G –Korey Coon (1996-2000) – 16.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 245-526 3-pt (.466), 449-492 FT (.913)

G/F – Bryan Crabtree (1993-1997) – 16.0 ppg, 7.4 ppg, 179-479 3-pt (.374), 518-650 FT (.797)

F – Blaise Bugajski (1979-1984) – 20.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 814-1533 FG (.531), 434-529 FT (.820)

F – Greg Yess (1978-1982) – 17.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 750-1539 FG (.487), 333-450 FT (.740)

C – Jack Sikma (1973-1977) – 21.2 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 941-1830 FG (.514), 390-510 FT (.765)


2nd Team

G – Adam Dauksas (2002-2006) – 12.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 208-506 3-pt (.411), 373-475 FT (.785)

G – Tom Gramkow (1966-70) – 15.2 ppg, 591-1319 FG (.448), 236-189 FT (.817)

G/F – Keelan Amelianovich (2002-2006) – 15.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 252-529 3-pt (.476), 200-248 (.806)

F – Jeff Kuehl (1986-1990) – 17.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 629-1100 FG (.572), 308-404 FT (.762)

C – Zach Freeman (2003-2007) – 15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 602-1035 FG (.582)


Very much in the discussion for the Gramkow spot with a big senior year...

G – Sean Johnson (2007-present) – 13.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 179-454 3-pt (.394), 181-241 FT (.751) – 5th in all-time 3-pt FG made, 17th in assists, 18th in scoring.



Some tough calls there.  There are a few M.O.P.'s/All-Americans not listed on my first two teams.

But remember---How many 3s was Gramkow able to make? If the line had been on the floor at the time, evidence suggests he would have made his fair share as his FG percentage of .448 and his FT percentage of  .817 (higher than Johnson's) suggest.

[AndOne]

I'm bored.  I just went thru stats and all-CCIW selections again, so some more input on the question above.

From Augie, by all-conference selections the clear front-runner is John Laing (3 first team selections in the early 70s); is he the best?

Elmhurst appears to be a dead-heat in all-conference selections with Chris Martin and Brent Ruch having 3 first team picks apiece - the best?

For North Central the choice would be clear if that were the only criterion - Bill Warden was first team all four years in the early 50s, but I'm not sure even Dennis can remember him!  Is he the best ever at NCC?



And we might have a controversy at Carthage after all - I had forgotten that Rob Garnes was a four time first team all-conference player - Djurickovic or Garnes?

I think Bill Warden is unquestionably the best player in NCC history. People at NC still talk about him in a reverent manner. As far as stats to back it up, Warden scored 2,249 points while playing between 1951 and 1955. Long before the 3 point shot.
He still holds 14 records at NCC. His 2,249 points are 589 points more than the player currently in 2nd place.

My vote goes to Alonzo Alexander and Robert Brown before the old man!  Their athleticism and all around games were amazing to watch!

I have no doubt. But consider both played in an era where athletes in general where stronger and faster, and there was a whole lot more shakin' and bakin' goin' on in general in a time of one on one skills being predominant as opposed to the 1950s style game where fundamentals and teamwork were more the focus.
For Warden to score as many points as he did before the existence of the arc is truly amazing. Give Warden an 80s or 90s body enhanced by more modern attitudes regarding weight training and diet, and there is no telling what he could have done. The "old guy" was truly ahead of his time, and should not be penalized for the era in which he played.  

[Titan Q]

But remember---How many 3s was Gramkow able to make? If the line had been on the floor at the time, evidence suggests he would have made his fair share as his FG percentage of .448 and his FT percentage of  .817 (higher than Johnson's) suggest.

Not sure if this was past the current arc, but it is the jumpshot he is best known for...

http://www.iwuhoops.com/iwuisu.mp3

-----

After the shot went in, Coach Bridges recalls the scene in his book as, "pandemonium . . . In all my years of coaching, nothing matched the screaming mob scene. Fans were vaulting out of the balcony to join in the joyous madhouse celebration. The playing floor was a sea of people."

The Titans went on that year to lose in the first round of the National Tournament to eventual champions Kentucky State, but when the 1969-70 season is remembered, the ISU-IWU finale stands out.

"I think at the time [the win] meant more to the long-time followers and alumni of IWU, but as the years go by and since they actually have never played each other again, the players on that team have a memory that will never be forgotten," Gramkow said.

For Coach Bridges, the game has also had a lasting impact. Although this game was not quite as important to him as the 1997 National Championship, "at the time, it was everything."

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks for posting that, Q!  Since I was one of those stampeding fans, I never heard the radio call - was that your former radio partner?

[AndOne]

1) I've heard Millikin is bringing in 5 new players.
TQ has posted info on 2.
Anyone know anything about any additions for MU?

2) Is this a 1 recruit year for North Park? Or, are the coaches still keeping the top secret file sealed?

[Titan Q]

2) Is this a 1 recruit year for North Park? Or, are the coaches still keeping the top secret file sealed?

A while back, Coach Schweer told me they had 5 or 6 guys...no one associated with NPU has ever posted those names as far as I know.

[Titan Q]

I think this is the last recruiting list I posted.  Did all of these kids show up at school?  IWU's guys are all on campus (I removed Kyle Miklasz from the list)...

Unofficial list of CCIW recruits (6/24/10)...


Augustana
* Curtis Allbaugh (6-0 G, North Crawford H.S., Ferryville, WI) - 22.2 ppg   
* Sam Calcagno (5-10 PG, Mayo H.S., Rochester, MN) - 11.2 ppg, 2.4 apg
* Sean Finn (6-2 PG, Assumption H.S., Davenport, IA) - 10.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.0 apg
* P.J. Killean (6-3 G, Maine South H.S.) - 10.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg
* Austin Lusson (6-1 G, Lyons Township) - 8.2 ppg, 2.4 apg
* Sam Savaglio (6-1 G, Tremper H.S., Kenosha, WI) - 12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.0 apg
* Kevin Schlitter (6-8 C, Maine South H.S.) - 13.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg (JR season)


Carthage
* Nick Bauch (6-7 F/C, Rockford Boylan H.S.) - 11.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg
* Nick Kladis (6-0 SG, Hinsdale Central H.S.) - 18.7 ppg  
* Marlon Senior (6-4 SF, Niles North H.S.) - 14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg   
* Scott Suchy (6-1 G, Genoa-Kingston H.S.) - 21.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg
* Kevin Sykes (6-2 G, Lincoln-Way North H.S.) - 8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg  


Elmhurst
* Sam Ficker (6-0 G, Jerseyville H.S.) - 17.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.6 apg
* Andy LePard (6-7 C, Beecher H.S.) - ? 
* Raphael Oglesby (6-3 F, Prairie State JC) - 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg   
* Justin Phipps (6-5 C, Lyons Township H.S.) - 8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg 
* Nick Sanford (6-5 F, Decatur St. Theresa H.S.) - 18.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg   


Illinois Wesleyan
* Nick Anderson (6-9 F/C, Edwardsville H.S.) - 3.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
* Victor Davis (6-5 F, Galesburg H.S.) - 17.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg
* Eric Dortch (6-4 F, Wilbaham & Monson Academy, Evanston H.S. '09) - ?
* Joe LaTulip (5-10 PG, Prospect H.S.) - 15.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
* Mike Mayberger (6-5 SF, St. Louis U. High, Mo.) - 12.1 ppg, 5.5 apg
* Trent Swigert (6-0 PG, Macon-Meridian H.S.) - 17.8 ppg   
* Andrew Ziemnik (6-4 F, Oswego H.S.) - 18.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg
* Brady Zimmer (6-4 G, Delavan H.S.) - 29.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.4 apg


Millikin
* McKinley Maples (6-1 G, Gatlinburg-Pittman H.S., Gatlinburg, TN) - 12.7 ppg. 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg
* Matt Merrigan (5-11 PG, Glenbrook North H.S.) - ?   


North Central
* John Colao (6-3 SG, Libertyville H.S.) - 6.8 ppg, 4 rpg   
* Matt Dickinson (6-8 PF, Warren Township H.S.) - ?   
* Mortell Flowers (6-4 F, Oak Park-River Forest H.S.) - ?   
* Landon Gamble (6-5 F/C, Lockport Township H.S.) - 9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg 
* Brad Hallstein (6-8 PF, Normal West H.S.) - 16.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg
* Porta Harris (6-3 SG, Prosser H.S.) - ?   
* Vince Kmiec (6-4 SG, Sandburg H.S.) - ?   
* Adam LeTourneau (6-4 G, Batavia H.S.) - 6.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg
* Sam Maple (6-2 PG, Lincoln-Way Central H.S.) - 8 ppg, 5 agp  
* Eric Miller (6-0 SG, Willowbrook H.S.) - 15.8 ppg   
* Kyle Pembrook (6-2 SG, Neuqua Valley H.S.) - 9.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg   
* Brock Pezanoski (6-3 SF, LaSalle-Peru H.S.) - 11.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg
* Charlie Rosenberg (6-6 F, Fremd H.S.) - 8.1 ppg   
* Pat Rourke (6-3 PG, Dekalb H.S.) - 12 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 6.5 apg   
* Tyler Smeltzly (5-10 PG, Riverdale H.S.) - 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.1 apg 


North Park
* Josh McNaughton (5-11 PG, McHenry H.S.) - 11.1 ppg   


Wheaton
* Billy Berglund (6-3 F, Elkhorn H.S., NE) - 13.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg
* Jonathan DeMoss (6-4 SG, St. Charles North H.S. '09) - 10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.8 apg ('08-09) 
* Mickey DeVries (6-7 F, Lansing Christian H.S., MI) - 19.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg
* Tad Fisher (6-0 G, San Romano Valley H.S., CA) - ? 
* Nathan Haynes (6-6 F, Normal Community H.S.)  - 11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg
* Phillip James (6-7 F, Trinity School, NC) - ? 
* Kyle Krogh (6-4 F, Jenison H.S., MI) - 7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg 
* Michael Kvam (6-3 G, Cherokee H.S., GA) - 21.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.7 apg 
* Spencer McCreary (6-3 G/F, Red Lion H.S., PA) - 22.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.2 apg
* Tyler Peters (6-3 G, Medina H.S., OH) - 15.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg 

[AndOne]

North Central doesn't start school until 9/13. Freshmen move in day is Wed., 9/8 and orientation runs 9/8--9/12.
However, all the players listed above either played summer league or have been at open gyms, or both. Accordingly, there is no reason to suspect any of those listed won't be there on 9/8. And, I wouldn't be surprised if a few more turn up.
Competition for spots on the varsity traveling team will be fierce. Nothing like 6 days in Hawaii in December!

[iwu70]

Q, a lovely soundbite, as lovely today as forty years ago.  I was there in the stampede as well, having led the VICIOUS Cheer with others numerous times, and also helped sneak "the real redbird" into the arena, that is the white chicken we threw out onto the floor just before tip-off, with some guys from Adams Hall parading around the court's edge with the banner, "The Real Redbird."  It was a lovely moment and we'll recall it all again and again at our 40th class reunion this fall, and tip a glass of something tall and cold to Tommy Gramkow of our class!   I think Tony Bankston continues to have the poster, picture of that last shot dropping through the net . . . framed in his office at IWU's Admissions Office in the Minor Myers, jr. Welcome Center. 

I walked across the Quad the other day and met Victor Davis . . . a huge guy, and a very nice young man indeed.  He's so excited to be at IWU. 

Thanks for posting the link, Q.

MLS

[Gregory Sager]

At the two forward spots, Blaise Bugajski and/or Greg Yess would be mentioned, but I think they are Jack's back-ups at center.  If Blaise, in particular, would be a good 4, he's my man.

You think wrongly. Blaise Bugajski was a 6'4 small forward. And Greg Yess was a power forward. The center who played with them was Joel Fruendt.

My vote goes to Alonzo Alexander and Robert Brown before the old man!  Their athleticism and all around games were amazing to watch!

I don't want to take anything away from Brown and Alexander, two players for whom I had the utmost respect, but I have to go with Mark's reasoning on this one. However, contra Mark, having seen both play I'd have to go with McFadden over Walton -- no offense to Dan Walton, of course.

The most talented North Central player I've ever seen was Tony Jordan, the 6'1 swingman on some great mid-'80s NCC teams. If he hadn't been such a head case, he'd have been a shoo-in for a lot more honors than just being named to a fan's all-time NCC starting five. He even drew a mention in Sports Illustrated.

After further consideration, I've replaced Billy Schneider with Max Artis on my all-time Augustana team (sorry Bill). Max played the point his first two years before sliding over to the two. I don't want to leave a Final 4 MVP off the team.

Sound reasoning. And the presence of Rapier and Artis among Augie's all-time top five also serves to make North Park's threepeat look even more impressive.

My North Park starting five:
C: Michael Harper (1977-80): Best Division Three player I've ever seen -- and number two wouldn't even be close.
F: Greg Crawford (1967-70): "Crow" was before my time, but the Vikings legacy was largely built upon his broad shoulders.
F: Justyne Monegain (1982-85): As a super-skinny 6'4 power forward he was the most unlikely-looking 2,000-point scorer ever, but Mon was an absolutely phenomenal all-around talent.
G: Modzel Greer (1977-80): Possibly the most versatile player in league history, Bud could not only play all five positions, he could excel at each of them. It's a shame that he often gets overlooked alongside Harps and Thomas as the "other" All-American on the threepeat team.
G: Michael Thomas (1978-81): Still the benchmark by which I measure all other D3 point guards; he's right up there with Steve Djurickovic, Kent Raymond, Korey Coon, etc.

Some very tough choices to make there. This would be my second team:
C: Lars Anderson (1982-85): Edges out Dan Mulkerin and Marc Horner, because the big preacher's kid with the ridiculously long wingspan was a more indispensable element to a national championship team, as his (1984-85) had a very thin roster and no decent backup center.
F: Michael Starks (1986-88): One of the most remarkably gifted power forwards I've ever seen on this level. Think of him as the Jason Wiertel of his era.
G: Keith McDonald (1970-73): Another Vikings great who predates me but who is spoken of with awe by everyone who saw him play.
G: Mike Barach (1986-88): A totally electrifying scorer who had the quickest first step to the basket I've ever seen from a CCIW two-guard. For two years in the mid-'80s he absolutely owned this league.
G: Keith Born (1993-96): Gets the nod over Jim Carroll, Sonny Parker, Scott Groot, etc., because he made some pretty bad teams mediocre almost all by himself. No slouch on offense, he was one of the best backcourt defenders I've ever seen in the CCIW.

2) Is this a 1 recruit year for North Park? Or, are the coaches still keeping the top secret file sealed?

A while back, Coach Schweer told me they had 5 or 6 guys...no one associated with NPU has ever posted those names as far as I know.

I apologize. I've been terribly busy lately, and I haven't had time to speak to the NPU coaches. I'll have a recruit list up within the next few days. Since North Park starts classes on Monday, it's pretty much fixed in stone now.

NPU redid the gym lobby this summer, and while the bathrooms are still too small they're noticeably brighter and better. The lobby looks terrific, with a new coat of royal blue and gold paint and a mural depicting current athletes of each of the Park's fifteen varsity sports. There's also an acrylic class-by-class display of NPU's athletic hall of fame, which is long-needed, as the old portraits were taken down several years ago and there was no public display whatsoever for the HOF. Alas, there's a few errors listed there which need to be corrected, although I would imagine that only Dennis, myself, and a few other diehard Vikings sports geeks could spot them.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg, as I said, I picked reluctantly since aside from the players I saw and since I became a d3hoops.com fanatic, I simply didn't know the positions players played!  I will basically yield to Q's line-ups, with the qualifier that Sheldon Thompson has got to be on the list somewhere - what other nationally prominent program would have a 6'2" guy as their #2 all-time rebounder?   (And a guy who, in conjunction with 6'6" center Fred Evans, held 7'1" future first-round NBA draft choice Elmore Smith to the lowest rebounding total of his college career! )

[robberki]

glad the new lobby and foster and kedzie was mentioned, the facelift looks fantastic. There are also a couple of other changes in the building, but I'll let the suspense build!