MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

North Central 74
Benedictine 60

Landon Gamble had 19, Derek Raridon had 18, and Kevin Gillespie had 10 for the Cards, but the star was clearly Aaron Tiknis, who flirted with a triple-double by scoring 10, pulling down 9 boards, and dishing out 7 assists. Of course, the flip side to this is that Benedictine really isn't any good this year; their star player Nate Green scored 22 but was 7-18 from the field, and I can guess without even having watched the game that a number of his shots were most likely ridiculously wild, off-balance runners that had little or no hope of going in.

But NCC always loves to win the Battle of Maple Avenue, and at this point the Cards -- and the CCIW in general -- will take any win that they can get.

Well, you can't throw corn dogs in the cafeteria, and unfortunately for the NCC Cardinals, you can't play all your games at home.

Last night in the cavernous but friendly confines of the airplane hangar in Naperville, the Cards took down their neighbors from 3.15 miles to the east, the Benedictine Eagles. In so doing, NCC recaptured the 'Battle Of Maple Ave' traveling trophy which BU had held for the past 2 years, following a 4 year win streak by the Cardinals.
In grounding the Eagles, the Cards won their 4th of 4 home games so far this season to balance their record which reflects their ineptness on the road so far this year.

As Mr. Sager advised above, NCC was led in scoring by Landon Gamble with 19, and Derek Raridon with 18. They were strongly supported by 15 (NOT 10) points from Kevin Gillespie who was perfect on the evening, hitting all 4 of his FG attempts, and all 4 of his FTs. Three of Kevin's baskets came from far behind the arc, and his 2 pointer was an artful running floater from along the left baseline as the shot clock expired.
The number 1 star of the night for the Cardinals was undoubtedly Aaron Tiknis who hit the Eagles with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a large dose of frustration. One of Aaron's several nice servings was a Magic-like no look, over the opposite shoulder bullet between 2 defenders to a cutting Gamble for a layup. Additionally, Aaron played some in your shirt defense. With 6:12 remaining in the 1st half, BU's Matt Mackowiak clearly didn't appreciate the close attention being paid him by Mr. Tiknis, and came of of a scrum with a wild roundhouse right which, while aimed at Aaron's head, caught nothing but air, and left Mackowiak almost falling down, hit with a flagrant T, and ejected from the contest.

The Cardinals hit 61% of their 1st half FGs, and finished at 55% compared with 39% by BU. BU was successful on 68% of their FTs while the home team registered an impressive 89%. The Cards won the rebounding battle 32-23.

Boarding the plane today for the flight to Florida and the Daytona Beach Shootout in which NCC will face the University of Scranton (PA), and Bridgewater College (VA). We'll see how the Cards handle things on a neutral court before returning to beautiful downtown Napperville  on 12/23.

**Special mention and congrats to Derek Raridon. His 18 points last night, in the 8th game of his junior year, put him at an even 1,000 for his career. He is the 23rd player in school history to hit the 1,000 point plateau.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

[bopol]

I tried to identify Midwest Region teams that would be in the discussion if regional rankings came out today.  I came up with 12 and tried my best to place in order, based on NCAA criteria...although I certainly did not have all of the necessary data in front of me (like SOS).  Trying to come up with these rankings was very difficult with just over 1/3 of the season in the books. 

(These are "in-region" records.  I also listed wins over other teams on this list and wins vs prominent teams from other regions if the game was counted as "in-region.")

T1. Augustana (CCIW), 7-1 (won vs UW-Stevens Point...lost @ Wash U)
T1. Grinnell (MWC), 7-0 (won vs Ripon)
3. Ripon (MWC), 4-1 (won vs Illinois Wesleyan...lost @ Grinnell)
4. Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW), 7-2 (won vs Wash U...lost @ Ripon, @ UW-Whitewater)
5. Washington U (UAA), 7-2 (won vs Augustana, vs Wheaton...lost @ Whitworth, @ IWU)
6. Edgewood (NATHC), 7-0 (won vs Lake Forest)
7. Transylvania (HCAC), 7-0 (none)
8. Wheaton (CCIW), 5-2 (none...lost @ Hope, @ Wash U)
9. Hanover (HCAC), 6-2 (won vs Ohio Wesleyan, vs Rose-Hulman...lost vs Ohio Northern, @ Manchester)
10. Lake Forest (MWC), 7-1 (none...lost @ Edgewood)
11. Rose-Hulman (HCAC), 8-2 (none...lost vs Wabash, @ Hanover)
12. Lakeland (NATHC), 4-2 (none...lost @ Lake Forest, vs Edgewood)

(The only Midwest Region conference I do not have representation for is the SLIAC.)

Notable in-region games involving these teams before Jan 1:

* Today - Edgewood vs UW-Stevens Point (4:00pm)
* 12/19 - Rose-Hulman @ DePauw
* 12/21 - Wheaton vs Whitman (@ Trinity-Tx)


My proposed ranking is pretty rough but it at least paints a picture of the top teams in the region right now.

Wash U's loss @ IWU was significant yesterday - at 8-1 in-region, with those wins vs Augie and Wheaton, I think the Bears would be a no-brainer #1 in the region.  On the flip side, it was huge in-region win for the Titans.

This is great.  Shouldn't Lake Forest and Edgewood get some credit for beating Lakeland though, if they are on your Top 12.  Also, do you all think Ripon and Grinnell are legit or just getting lucky so far?  Traditional measures of starters returning and who does what doesn't work with Grinnell so I have no idea, but they were 18-7 last year.  On the other hand, Ripon was just 14-10, which suggests to me that they might be good, but the IWU win strikes me as fluky.

[augie_superfan]

I tried to identify Midwest Region teams that would be in the discussion if regional rankings came out today.  I came up with 12 and tried my best to place in order, based on NCAA criteria...although I certainly did not have all of the necessary data in front of me (like SOS).  Trying to come up with these rankings was very difficult with just over 1/3 of the season in the books. 

(These are "in-region" records.  I also listed wins over other teams on this list and wins vs prominent teams from other regions if the game was counted as "in-region.")

T1. Augustana (CCIW), 7-1 (won vs UW-Stevens Point...lost @ Wash U)
T1. Grinnell (MWC), 7-0 (won vs Ripon)
3. Ripon (MWC), 4-1 (won vs Illinois Wesleyan...lost @ Grinnell)
4. Illinois Wesleyan (CCIW), 7-2 (won vs Wash U...lost @ Ripon, @ UW-Whitewater)
5. Washington U (UAA), 7-2 (won vs Augustana, vs Wheaton...lost @ Whitworth, @ IWU)
6. Edgewood (NATHC), 7-0 (won vs Lake Forest)
7. Transylvania (HCAC), 7-0 (none)
8. Wheaton (CCIW), 5-2 (none...lost @ Hope, @ Wash U)
9. Hanover (HCAC), 6-2 (won vs Ohio Wesleyan, vs Rose-Hulman...lost vs Ohio Northern, @ Manchester)
10. Lake Forest (MWC), 7-1 (none...lost @ Edgewood)
11. Rose-Hulman (HCAC), 8-2 (none...lost vs Wabash, @ Hanover)
12. Lakeland (NATHC), 4-2 (none...lost @ Lake Forest, vs Edgewood)

(The only Midwest Region conference I do not have representation for is the SLIAC.)

Notable in-region games involving these teams before Jan 1:

* Today - Edgewood vs UW-Stevens Point (4:00pm)
* 12/19 - Rose-Hulman @ DePauw
* 12/21 - Wheaton vs Whitman (@ Trinity-Tx)


My proposed ranking is pretty rough but it at least paints a picture of the top teams in the region right now.

Wash U's loss @ IWU was significant yesterday - at 8-1 in-region, with those wins vs Augie and Wheaton, I think the Bears would be a no-brainer #1 in the region.  On the flip side, it was huge in-region win for the Titans.

This is great.  Shouldn't Lake Forest and Edgewood get some credit for beating Lakeland though, if they are on your Top 12.  Also, do you all think Ripon and Grinnell are legit or just getting lucky so far?  Traditional measures of starters returning and who does what doesn't work with Grinnell so I have no idea, but they were 18-7 last year.  On the other hand, Ripon was just 14-10, which suggests to me that they might be good, but the IWU win strikes me as fluky.

I think Q is pretty much right on with most of these teams here.  Edgewood loses to UW-Stevens Point today so they would probably drop a few places but it is only their 1st in-region loss to a quality opponent.  I saw Ripon dismantle IWU but then lay an egg @ Grinnell.  In Ripon's win over IWU, their #2 scorer (Taylor Koth - about 23 ppg, 9 rebs) was injured 7 minutes into the game.  He didn't play in their next 3 games.  I don't know that any of those games would've had different outcomes but their results may have been more impressive. Today, for some reason, they were without their #1 man (Aris Wurtz - 25 ppg).  If Ripon can get those 2 in the lineup together, they seem to be a hard team to beat.  As far as Grinnell, they are a hard team to beat also.  Their system itself presents problems but it seems like the actually have a decent group of shooters on the team this year to go along with it.  They are prone to bad shooting nights though and can always be upset but I think they are better than they have been in the past.  Only time will tell.

[Titan Q]

IWU's dismantling @ Ripon can be explained by some combination of the following...

* Ripon is a good team

* Ripon All-American Aris Wurtz was unstoppable that day (39 points)

* IWU was just absolutely atrocious that day in every phase of the game

* IWU played without PG Eliud Gonzalez, who seems to be the guy that makes the Titans tick

* On the Saturday after Thanksgiving the Titans left Bloomington in the morning, drove 4 hours & 30 min to Ripon, WI, and played a game that afternoon


Assign whatever percents you want to the 5 factors above.

[augie_superfan]

IWU's dismantling @ Ripon can be explained by some combination of the following...

* Ripon is a good team

* Ripon All-American Aris Wurtz was unstoppable that day (39 points)

* IWU was just absolutely atrocious that day in every phase of the game

* IWU played without PG Eliud Gonzalez, who seems to be the guy that makes the Titans tick

* On the Saturday after Thanksgiving the Titans left Bloomington in the morning, drove 4 hours & 30 min to Ripon, WI, and played a game that afternoon


Assign whatever percents you want to the 5 factors above.

Agreed, just one of those days where one team does everything right and the other team can't do anything right...what makes the games so interesting.

[bopol]

As far as Grinnell, they are a hard team to beat also.  Their system itself presents problems but it seems like the actually have a decent group of shooters on the team this year to go along with it.  They are prone to bad shooting nights though and can always be upset but I think they are better than they have been in the past.  Only time will tell.

It seemed like the formula to beat Grinnell a few seasons back was to make sure you got 2 points every time down the floor by making the extra pass and let them overplay their defense so that your big got a lay up.  Sure, they'll score a ton of points, but generally, you'll score more if you have good ball-handling guards.  That's why you ended up with bigs on the opposing teams with lines like 21-25 from the field, 44 pts.

Have they corrected this little definicy of their 'style' of play?

[augie_superfan]

As far as Grinnell, they are a hard team to beat also.  Their system itself presents problems but it seems like the actually have a decent group of shooters on the team this year to go along with it.  They are prone to bad shooting nights though and can always be upset but I think they are better than they have been in the past.  Only time will tell.

It seemed like the formula to beat Grinnell a few seasons back was to make sure you got 2 points every time down the floor by making the extra pass and let them overplay their defense so that your big got a lay up.  Sure, they'll score a ton of points, but generally, you'll score more if you have good ball-handling guards.  That's why you ended up with bigs on the opposing teams with lines like 21-25 from the field, 44 pts.

Have they corrected this little definicy of their 'style' of play?

No, it is exactly the same as its always been.  Now, I have only seen them once in person in my life which was this years game against Ripon.  Ripon seemed to have the players that could handle the ball but the press just ate them up.  I'm sure if they had their other missing player (Koth), they would've been better off.  However, Grinnell got so many open looks from 3 point land and they didn't miss very many when they were open.  Their entire team was shooting so well that their star (Lentsch) barely even took any shots.  Now, they don't play a very rough non-conference schedule (whether their choice or the lack of people wanting to play them) so it's hard to tel where they would stack up compared to the top tier WIAC or CCIW teams.  However, the MWC seems to have a decent top 4 teams this year in Lake Forest, Grinnell, Ripon and St. Norbert's so they should have some tests on those weekend road trips.

[Titan Q]

For any IWU fans interested, this is a video created by alum Dan Ginavan a couple years ago in honor of 100 years of Titan basketball.  I did not realize it was on Youtube until I bumped into it yesterday.  Dan did a really nice job with this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j7Ot-Q2cs-c#!


The Steve Czirjak blocked shot/basket @ North Park (2:54 mark) is one of the most memorable baskets of my student days...cool to see it again.

[Gregory Sager]

The Steve Czirjak blocked shot/basket @ North Park (2:54 mark) is one of the most memorable baskets of my student days...cool to see it again.

Yet another reason for me not to watch it, as if I needed another one.

But the next time that I see Jason Vukas, I'll alert him to the fact that he is immortalized on YouTube for something that he has probably spent years trying to forget.

[bopol]

As far as Grinnell, they are a hard team to beat also.  Their system itself presents problems but it seems like the actually have a decent group of shooters on the team this year to go along with it.  They are prone to bad shooting nights though and can always be upset but I think they are better than they have been in the past.  Only time will tell.

It seemed like the formula to beat Grinnell a few seasons back was to make sure you got 2 points every time down the floor by making the extra pass and let them overplay their defense so that your big got a lay up.  Sure, they'll score a ton of points, but generally, you'll score more if you have good ball-handling guards.  That's why you ended up with bigs on the opposing teams with lines like 21-25 from the field, 44 pts.

Have they corrected this little definicy of their 'style' of play?

No, it is exactly the same as its always been.  Now, I have only seen them once in person in my life which was this years game against Ripon.  Ripon seemed to have the players that could handle the ball but the press just ate them up.  I'm sure if they had their other missing player (Koth), they would've been better off.  However, Grinnell got so many open looks from 3 point land and they didn't miss very many when they were open.  Their entire team was shooting so well that their star (Lentsch) barely even took any shots.  Now, they don't play a very rough non-conference schedule (whether their choice or the lack of people wanting to play them) so it's hard to tel where they would stack up compared to the top tier WIAC or CCIW teams.  However, the MWC seems to have a decent top 4 teams this year in Lake Forest, Grinnell, Ripon and St. Norbert's so they should have some tests on those weekend road trips.

I saw them 6 years ago when they played Carthage.  What was hilarious is that they pressed, but when Carthage broke the press and a normal team would settle into half-court defense, Grinnell kept pressing.  Well, 3 passes later the big had a layup.  I might have to go see them play Lake Forest in January. 

The funny thing about the Grinnell game was that Cartage was up by 10 with 2 minutes left and I was thinking, well, this isn't over yet.  I've never thought that in a basketball game before.

[markerickson]

Last night I did not see a single Viking chomping at the bit to shoot a trey.  Also, I saw a Brenegan-era offense where four guys hang around the trey line passing the ball to one another, which irritates me.  Players have to penetrate.  Players have to create.  Players need to cut.  North Park should have blown out the Griffins by at least 25.  Is Alsing the purest trey shooter?  He did not suit last night.  He and Schniedermeier can provide energy and quality minutes, I believe.  This team...with its height, seasoning, and a very good transfer...should finish in the conference's top four.

The Griffins deployed a full-court press for much of the game.  Ro Russell and Mark Holmes exercised patience and resolve to break the press; I do not recall a single TO in the backcourt by those starters.  Fontbonne's Garner hit four treys in the first half to account for 50% of his team's points.  The recently-tenured history professor who I sat near yelled numerous times for the Vikes to more closely guard #30.  And the Vikes did effectively adjust their defense slightly in the second half.

Coach Schafer rarely if ever shouted instructions as a Viking coach.  Last night, he coached loudly throughout the game.

[robertgoulet]

North Central 74
Benedictine 60

Landon Gamble had 19, Derek Raridon had 18, and Kevin Gillespie had 10 for the Cards, but the star was clearly Aaron Tiknis, who flirted with a triple-double by scoring 10, pulling down 9 boards, and dishing out 7 assists. Of course, the flip side to this is that Benedictine really isn't any good this year; their star player Nate Green scored 22 but was 7-18 from the field, and I can guess without even having watched the game that a number of his shots were most likely ridiculously wild, off-balance runners that had little or no hope of going in.

But NCC always loves to win the Battle of Maple Avenue, and at this point the Cards -- and the CCIW in general -- will take any win that they can get.

Well, you can't throw corn dogs in the cafeteria, and unfortunately for the NCC Cardinals, you can't play all your games at home.

Last night in the cavernous but friendly confines of the airplane hangar in Naperville, the Cards took down their neighbors from 3.15 miles to the east, the Benedictine Eagles. In so doing, NCC recaptured the 'Battle Of Maple Ave' traveling trophy which BU had held for the past 2 years, following a 4 year win streak by the Cardinals.
In grounding the Eagles, the Cards won their 4th of 4 home games so far this season to balance their record which reflects their ineptness on the road so far this year.

As Mr. Sager advised above, NCC was led in scoring by Landon Gamble with 19, and Derek Raridon with 18. They were strongly supported by 15 (NOT 10) points from Kevin Gillespie who was perfect on the evening, hitting all 4 of his FG attempts, and all 4 of his FTs. Three of Kevin's baskets came from far behind the arc, and his 2 pointer was an artful running floater from along the left baseline as the shot clock expired.
The number 1 star of the night for the Cardinals was undoubtedly Aaron Tiknis who hit the Eagles with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a large dose of frustration. One of Aaron's several nice servings was a Magic-like no look, over the opposite shoulder bullet between 2 defenders to a cutting Gamble for a layup. Additionally, Aaron played some in your shirt defense. With 6:12 remaining in the 1st half, BU's Matt Mackowiak clearly didn't appreciate the close attention being paid him by Mr. Tiknis, and came of of a scrum with a wild roundhouse right which, while aimed at Aaron's head, caught nothing but air, and left Mackowiak almost falling down, hit with a flagrant T, and ejected from the contest.

The Cardinals hit 61% of their 1st half FGs, and finished at 55% compared with 39% by BU. BU was successful on 68% of their FTs while the home team registered an impressive 89%. The Cards won the rebounding battle 32-23.

Boarding the plane today for the flight to Florida and the Daytona Beach Shootout in which NCC will face the University of Scranton (PA), and Bridgewater College (VA). We'll see how the Cards handle things on a neutral court before returning to beautiful downtown Napperville  on 12/23.

**Special mention and congrats to Derek Raridon. His 18 points last night, in the 8th game of his junior year, put him at an even 1,000 for his career. He is the 23rd player in school history to hit the 1,000 point plateau.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Otherwise known as the Scranton Stranglers, I believe.

[devildog29]

North Central 74
Benedictine 60

Landon Gamble had 19, Derek Raridon had 18, and Kevin Gillespie had 10 for the Cards, but the star was clearly Aaron Tiknis, who flirted with a triple-double by scoring 10, pulling down 9 boards, and dishing out 7 assists. Of course, the flip side to this is that Benedictine really isn't any good this year; their star player Nate Green scored 22 but was 7-18 from the field, and I can guess without even having watched the game that a number of his shots were most likely ridiculously wild, off-balance runners that had little or no hope of going in.

But NCC always loves to win the Battle of Maple Avenue, and at this point the Cards -- and the CCIW in general -- will take any win that they can get.

Well, you can't throw corn dogs in the cafeteria, and unfortunately for the NCC Cardinals, you can't play all your games at home.

Last night in the cavernous but friendly confines of the airplane hangar in Naperville, the Cards took down their neighbors from 3.15 miles to the east, the Benedictine Eagles. In so doing, NCC recaptured the 'Battle Of Maple Ave' traveling trophy which BU had held for the past 2 years, following a 4 year win streak by the Cardinals.
In grounding the Eagles, the Cards won their 4th of 4 home games so far this season to balance their record which reflects their ineptness on the road so far this year.

As Mr. Sager advised above, NCC was led in scoring by Landon Gamble with 19, and Derek Raridon with 18. They were strongly supported by 15 (NOT 10) points from Kevin Gillespie who was perfect on the evening, hitting all 4 of his FG attempts, and all 4 of his FTs. Three of Kevin's baskets came from far behind the arc, and his 2 pointer was an artful running floater from along the left baseline as the shot clock expired.
The number 1 star of the night for the Cardinals was undoubtedly Aaron Tiknis who hit the Eagles with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a large dose of frustration. One of Aaron's several nice servings was a Magic-like no look, over the opposite shoulder bullet between 2 defenders to a cutting Gamble for a layup. Additionally, Aaron played some in your shirt defense. With 6:12 remaining in the 1st half, BU's Matt Mackowiak clearly didn't appreciate the close attention being paid him by Mr. Tiknis, and came of of a scrum with a wild roundhouse right which, while aimed at Aaron's head, caught nothing but air, and left Mackowiak almost falling down, hit with a flagrant T, and ejected from the contest.

The Cardinals hit 61% of their 1st half FGs, and finished at 55% compared with 39% by BU. BU was successful on 68% of their FTs while the home team registered an impressive 89%. The Cards won the rebounding battle 32-23.

Boarding the plane today for the flight to Florida and the Daytona Beach Shootout in which NCC will face the University of Scranton (PA), and Bridgewater College (VA). We'll see how the Cards handle things on a neutral court before returning to beautiful downtown Napperville  on 12/23.

**Special mention and congrats to Derek Raridon. His 18 points last night, in the 8th game of his junior year, put him at an even 1,000 for his career. He is the 23rd player in school history to hit the 1,000 point plateau.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Otherwise known as the Scranton Stranglers, I believe.

False.  The University of Scranton athletic teams are knicknamed the Royals and Lady Royals.  The Jesuit university is in no way affiliated with a fictional serial killer character from a popular sitcom.

[iwu70]

Great win for the Titans vs. Wash U, greatly enjoyed by the Titan faithful at Shirk this past Saturday.  Even Santa was cheering!   

Also, great to see all the 2010-11 Lady Titans back to hang their banner in the Shirk rafters, just inside the SW corner doors of the main arena.  (Check out the picture on the IWU sports site!).  What a wonderful group, truly successful team that group of seniors was -- the best ever in IWU women's basketball history, with four CCIW championships in a row, ending with the home Final Four appearance.  Great stuff.  Congrats to Mia Smith, all the other coaching staff, and that premier IWU team in women's sports history.

A few more impressions about the Titans vs. Wash U and in general:

*  My admiration for Eliot Gonzales continues to grow, with his overall ball-handling and very tight, disruptive on-ball defense.  He was unrelenting and was a big reason why the Titans won this game, even with only 3 points, but 8 assists.  His biggest contributions were on the defensive end and controlling the pace and flow of the entire game, on both sides of the ball.  Interesting that in this game, David Molinari did not play a single minute . . . don't know if this was due to the intensity and seriousness/importance of the game or because he was ill or injured.  But, it is ever more clear to me that Gonzales makes the Titan world go 'round, is the key player who stirs the good tasting Titans' brew. 

*  Having said that, one of the key elements here now, when the "good Titans" appear, is their depth, their significant and lengthy rotation.  This has been commented on by many others, but it is becoming more evident as the season progresses that the rotational shifts do not lead to much decline in the overall pace and quality level of play.  Rudnicki, Ziemnick, Dortch and Anderson have all played very well, making their contributions, playing their roles very effectively, be it on defense, rebounding, some good scoring, and also excellent ball-handling and passing.  To me, this has turned out to be more than we earlier could have expected, especially from Anderson.  They can only improve further and gain greater confidence, giving Coach Rose a very good feeling about his bench strength and consistent contributions.  And, on top of this, there are some pretty darn good players just sitting on the bence from the JV group who could easily come in a make effective, meaningful contributions -- esp. Overstreet, Parker Musselman, and Brandon Heyen. 

*  Still, for this team to go far, we need more output, still more consistent performances from Kman.  Pretty good so far from Victor Davis and Kevin Reed.  Victor is now well-past any freshmanitis, freshman unease or jitters of last year.  Great to see his growing confidence, athleticism and aggressive play.  Reed is contributing more than expected, IMHO, but I would love to see him play even more aggressively, with more edge, especially on the offensive glass.  Eliud is finding him in such skilled and clever ways during penetration and Kevin has wonderfully soft hands, good positioning on the offensive sets.  I would love to see further improvement on offense from Rudnicki and Dortch.  Both are so solid, Dorch a good defender as has been mentioned often, but I'd love to see them get to the glass, penetrate and slash effectively more on offense, stretching defenses further for the obviously good trey shooting that the Titans have, even from Davis, Zeimnick, and Kman.

*  Free-throw shooting could use some further work.  Love to see the Titans have more than average steals and blocks this year, actually an area of normal Titan weakness, given the kinds of defenses used in the past.  This year, we are much more intense on defense and these stats are also improving as a results.

*  Jordan Zimmer, what can you say?  He really lit it up in the first half vs. Wash U and that made so much more happen more easily.  As the Pgraph reported, the teammates where finding him "in rhythm" and he was stroking them from great range, with confidence.  He really got the Shirk crowd hopping enthusiastically for really the first time this home season.   Hope that trey ball success rubs off more on Rudnicki, Kman, even Eliud in future outings.  IWU's bigmen (Davis and Ziemnick) can actually shoot threes pretty darn well -- shades of Doug Sexauer at the top of the key. 

*  IWU needs to continue developing all the "small things," chasing more on loose balls, garbage rebounds, esp. offensive boards, disrupting passing lanes, taking charges, scraping, scrapping for every possession, every single attempt at a defensive stop.  If they all take on the defensive intensity and mind-set, mentality of Gonzales, this team could really be very tough in CCIW play.  They are having fun with it all, it is obvious from the tenor and temperament of the team, coaching staff etc.  Nice to see such depth with such a positive team-orientated dynamics so well established.   Kudos to Coach Rose and his staff.

Good luck to the Titans in the Big Apple.  Undefeated Bethany will be another good test, I'm sure.  Hope the Titans are able to get two Ws out East and come back to start CCIW play at 9-2.   After two Ws, perhaps the team can experience Times Square as the Crystal Ball comes down.  Hold on to your wallet! . . . and give my regards to 'ole Broadway. 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all . . . and thanks to the coaching staff and the team for some wonderfully spirited and skilled basketball to date. 

GO TITANS.

IWU 70

[Titan Q]

*  My admiration for Eliot Gonzales continues to grow, with his overall ball-handling and very tight, disruptive on-ball defense.  He was unrelenting and was a big reason why the Titans won this game, even with only 3 points, but 8 assists.  His

May that admiration lead you to spell both his first and last names correctly next time! 

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