MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

Article on IWU's recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/transfer-from-truman-heads-iwu-hoops-class/article_9cf7f8bc-9f06-11e1-abd8-001a4bcf887a.html


If the season began tomorrow, I'd guess that IWU's starting lineup would be...

G - David Molinari, 6-1 So
G - Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Jr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5 Jr
F - Victor Davis, 6-5 Jr
F - Kevin Reed, 6-7 Sr

It would seem the biggest questions are:

1) Is David Molinari ready to win the starting PG job?  IWU will have good competition, but there is virtually no varsity experience among the contenders for the PG job.  Sophomore-to-be Dylan Overstreet (6-3) will probably be in the mix here too, as will Division II transfer Patrick Sodemann.

2) Can Andrew Ziemnik transition from the 4 to the 3?  He's certainly a "combo forward", but has primarily been used as a 4 so far in college.  If this does not work out, Ron Rose has several ways he can go at the 3.


I think the Titans are in position to be a very good team in 2012-13.  Victor Davis turned a corner big-time during the NCAA tournament last year -- he has a chance to lead the way for IWU next season.  And I'm excited to see Brady Zimmer play finally - he's a different type of guard than his brother, but has a chance to be every bit as good as Jordan.

[iwu70]

Greg, thought you post on Dave's daughter was very appropriate, very good.  I'm one of the guilty parties on multi-sport postings as I'm a CCIW omni-sport fan.  Will try not to abuse it too too much.

Q, thanks for the recruitment info, . . . and thanks to other posters for all the recruiting news to date.  Lots of good talent coming into the league. 

I basically agree with Q's assessment on the potential IWU lineup upcoming.  Do feel there are big questions about PG, re: Molinari, and feel Overstreet has a good shot at it too.  The transition of Ziemnik will be key, and may not work out unless he gets quicker and more of a slasher instead of a post up guy, though we all know he can lurk at the 3-point line and shoot that shot.  May be some other combinations that work.  Of course, further development and contributions of Nick Anderson will play a part too, as he will likely have more minutes than he did this past season.  And, Parker Musselman will surely be more quickly off the bench, in the rotation this coming season. Lots of talent there, so just need to find the right combinations, rotations again.  Biggest questions are at the PG and the 2.  Do hope Brady Zimmer is healthy and able to really show us what he can do, stretch defenses, shoot the trey, and also slash and drive . . . make some contributions like Kman did in the past.  Eliud's defense and peskiness is going to be sorely sorely missed.  Next year's team will hopefully continue that defensive-mindedness of this past season.  Should be exciting to see how this new, yet quite experienced groups comes together.  Yes, more will depend on Victor Davis and Kevin Reed upping their games to a good degree, scoring and rebounding more.   Hard to replace that mediocre player, Jordan Zimmer. and two, experienced senior guards in Gonzales and Rudnicki.

Happy summertime, all.

IWU70

[hopefan]

Just noticed that IWU got a second recruit from the St Louis area in Joel Pennington from Lafayette....  I had been aware of Bryce Dolan of St Francis Borgia from previous posts....  Both of these kids appear to be 3 point shooters, with Dolan having better stats.  These are two of the BEST Suburban St Louis Basketball programs year in and year out....  Both players are listed as 6'0", I'd imagine a bit undersized for CCIW play, and I don't know if either could be a help at point... but as I said, they're coming from solid programs... will be interesting to see where each/either establishes themselves in the pecking order of play at IWU over the next couple years.


Bryce Dolan, guard, Washington, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia HS)  (98 for 224 43.75% from 3's.... only attempted 134  2 pt shots)

Joel Pennington, guard, Ballwin, Mo. (Lafayette HS)   (64 for 147  36.1% from 3's .... only attempted 115 2 pt shots)

[Titan Q]

I got a note on a couple Elmhurst recruits...

* Ken Payonk, 6-6 F (Sandburg H.S.)

* Erik Crittenden, 6-5 G/F (Marian Catholic H.S.)

[twocentsworth]

Thanks, newCCIWfan. Nice job.

Sager....get your investigative journalist "hat" on.....sources say North Park is looking for a new head coach after Dylan Howard left.  I assume it was to an asst. job at Morehead St (KY) where his former boss, Sean Woods, just got the head job after leaving Mississippi Valley St.

[AndOne]

This is not confirmed at this time, but I have heard that North Park head coach Dylan Howard has evidently left after just one season at NPU. As we know, Coach Howard came to North Park from D1 Mississippi Valley State, whose former head coach Sean Woods was just named the new head coach at D1 Morehead State KY. The thinking is that Howard might be leaving NPU and heading to Morehead State to rejoin Woods with whom he worked previously.

*Twocentsworth above post had not yet showed up on the board when I began typing. Nice job by him.
I therefore am evidently at least the 2nd person to hear this which seemingly makes it all the more likely that the NPU head basketball position is indeed open.
As twocentsworth indicated, perhaps Mr. Sager can confirm this.

[AndOne]

NORTH CENTRAL "RECRUIT"

During the 2010-2011 season one of the starters on North Central's CCIW co-championship team was 6'6" freshman Jack Burchett. Jack was the 6th leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder for the Cardinals during the 10-11 campaign. For personal reasons, he chose not to return this past season. However, I can report that Jack will return to the squad next season to team with Landon Gamble, Derek Raridon, Aaron Tiknis, Charlie Rosenberg, and Ryan Broyles to give the Cardinals a formidable front line ensemble.

[twocentsworth]

This is not confirmed at this time, but I have heard that North Park head coach Dylan Howard has evidently left after just one season at NPU. As we know, Coach Howard came to North Park from D1 Mississippi Valley State, whose former head coach Sean Woods was just named the new head coach at D1 Morehead State KY. The thinking is that Howard might be leaving NPU and heading to Morehead State to rejoin Woods with whom he worked previously.

*Twocentsworth above post had not yet showed up on the board when I began typing. Nice job by him.
I therefore am evidently at least the 2nd person to hear this which seemingly makes it all the more likely that the NPU head basketball position is indeed open.
As twocentsworth indicated, perhaps Mr. Sager can confirm this.

this was posted at 6:48am this morning.....

http://hoopdirt.com/job/925bda36/head-coach-north-park-university-full-time/

[AndOne]

Yes, a job posting by "Mr. Dirt" was posted early this morning. While I would initially be skeptical of anything posted by a guy named "Dirt," there is now a job description/opening on the NPU web site. Accordingly, it appears no further confirmation of Coach Howard's leaving is necessary.

http://www.northpark.edu/About/Prospective-Faculty-and-Staff/~/media/Files/PDF/Faculty%20and%20Staff/Human%20Resources/M%20Basketball%202012.ashx

It is interesting to note that the requirements for the position indicate 5 years of successful collegiate coaching experience, NOT 5 years of HEAD coaching experience.

[Titan Q]

I can't think of much worse timing for a losing a head coach than mid-May.  This has potential to set NPU's program back in a big way.

[AndOne]

Not to disparage NPU in any way because I think it would be applicable to the vast majority of D3 schools, but I'm always a little leary when a D1 coach takes a D3 position, even if its a head coaching post. Every individual of course has his own reasons, and some may legitimately desire a less frenetic pace than is likely usually required in a D1 position. However, even at the D3 level a head coach doesn't just work during the actual season and then basically take the rest of the year off. Recruiting is a required year round task, coupled with ongoing administrative work.
In many if not most cases, its very understandable that, having sampled life in the "big time" of coaching, a coach who for whatever reason took a dip in the D3 pool would harbor a desire to return to that "big time" arena. Accordingly, its not surprising to me at all to see Coach Howard leave after only 1 season. The NPU AD shouldn't be surprised either, as should no D3 AD who hires someone from the D1 ranks. If a D3 AD, for whatever reason, doesn't want to keep it in his particular school's family, I think there is some merit in keeping things within the D3 "family" or looking to a successful HS coach, when a head coaching job comes open. Good examples of the latter include NCC football coach John Thorne, and IWU basketball coach Ron Rose.

Also, as TQ touched on, you have to wonder what the kids who were considering joining NPU basketball neat year are thinking now.

[NCF]

NORTH CENTRAL "RECRUIT"

During the 2010-2011 season one of the starters on North Central's CCIW co-championship team was 6'6" freshman Jack Burchett. Jack was the 6th leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder for the Cardinals during the 10-11 campaign. For personal reasons, he chose not to return this past season. However, I can report that Jack will return to the squad next season to team with Landon Gamble, Derek Raridon, Aaron Tiknis, Charlie Rosenberg, and Ryan Broyles to give the Cardinals a formidable front line ensemble.

This one is very interesting and I'm very surprised he is returning.

[NCF]

Not to disparage NPU in any way because I think it would be applicable to the vast majority of D3 schools, but I'm always a little leary when a D1 coach takes a D3 position, even if its a head coaching post. Every individual of course has his own reasons, and some may legitimately desire a less frenetic pace than is likely usually required in a D1 position. However, even at the D3 level a head coach doesn't just work during the actual season and then basically take the rest of the year off. Recruiting is a required year round task, coupled with ongoing administrative work.
In many if not most cases, its very understandable that, having sampled life in the "big time" of coaching, a coach who for whatever reason took a dip in the D3 pool would harbor a desire to return to that "big time" arena. Accordingly, its not surprising to me at all to see Coach Howard leave after only 1 season. The NPU AD shouldn't be surprised either, as should no D3 AD who hires someone from the D1 ranks. If a D3 AD, for whatever reason, doesn't want to keep it in his particular school's family, I think there is some merit in keeping things within the D3 "family" or looking to a successful HS coach, when a head coaching job comes open. Good examples of the latter include NCC football coach John Thorne, and IWU basketball coach Ron Rose.

Also, as TQ touched on, you have to wonder what the kids who were considering joining NPU basketball neat year are thinking now.

As long as he wasn't tied into a multi year contract, he is free to do what he feels is best for him and his career. Unfortunately for North Park, the timing isn't the best, but I would be willing to bet the position will not take long to fill.

[sac]

Things haven't gone well for North Park since they let Bosko go, have they.

[bopol]

Things haven't gone well for North Park since they let Bosko go, have they.

Why did he leave?