MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

I was impressed with how quickly North Park acted in naming their new head coach, Tom Slyder from Anderson (IN) University. Slyder, who was interviewed last year, is North Park's third coach in 3 years. 

With the new coach being a Chicago area "outsider," coupled with his late in the off-season appointment, I think this makes it quite likely that NPU ass't coach Chris Edquist be retained. Edquist knows the Chicago and the suburban area, and not having such knowledge of what is the primary recruiting area for just about every CCIW team besides Wheaton, would seem to present a tremendous disadvantage to the new head coach and his recruiting efforts. By retaining Edquist, this will allow NPU to more easily and equally break from the gate in the 2012-2013 recruiting season which really starts this summer, rather than with the actual beginning of the HS season next fall.   

Edquist seems to be well thought of by Dennis and Greg, and I would guess most of the NPU family. I don't know much about his coaching ability, but I have talked to Chris both at NCC-NPU games and also several times at HS games, and have been impressed with him. It seems like the NP basketball program would be doing itself a disservice if Chris was not retained.
Don't know anything about the other ass't coaches. I believe one came from Miss Valley with now ex-Coach Howard, and the other is the dad of senior-to-be, Mark Holmes.

[Gregory Sager]

With regard to NPU's two other assistants, I'm not sure yet whether Allen Odum will be back for 2012-13 or not. My guess is that Kevin Holmes will be back for his son's final season as a Viking, at least.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Hope you don't mind a break in the action, as it were, but I want to share a story the D3 community should know about. You actually may have seen the story on the front page of D3hoops.com, but just in case:

A Goucher basketball player has been paralyzed in a freak accident. He was wrestling around with a friend one morning in his dorm building when he landed on his neck. The entire story is here.

He was released from the hospital to the Kennedy Krieger Institute for rehab shortly after that article was posted last week. However, over the weekend he was sent back to the hospital when he apparently had trouble breathing. Now he awaits a return to the rehab facility, probably any day if he hasn't been released already.

Please keep Damone Brooks, his family, the Goucher basketball team(s), and Goucher community in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers. The family certainly needs help with medical bills as well, so if you feel inclined, please consider them as well.

To follow his progress online, click here.
And to consider a donation, click here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

[newCCIWfan]

Updated Recruiting (including NPU:

AUGUSTANA RECRUITS
Jake Gylten---6-6, 220, Iowa City, IA (West HS)...8.2ppg
Hunter Hill---5-9, 165, Byron, IL (Byron HS)...10.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.9 spg
Nic Hoepfner---6-6, 230, F (United Township/Parkland College, IL)...16.6ppg, 8.4rpg
Tayvian Johnson---6-5, 190, East Moline, IL (United Township HS)...17.3ppg
Brandon Motzel---6-6, 200, Buffalo Grove, IL (Carmel HS)...14.0 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 bpg,
Jake Norcia---6-0, 170, Highland Park, IL (Highland Park HS)...14.5 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.9 spg
Griffin Pils---6-4, 195, Libertyville, IL (Libertyville HS)...17 ppg, 4 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2 spg
Ben Ryan---6-5, 205, Washington, IL (Washington HS)...17.3ppg

CARTHAGE RECRUITS
Sean Valentine---6-3, G (Prairie Ridge, IL)

ELMHURST RECRUITS
Bryant Ackerman---6-2, PG (Loogootee HS, IN)
Erik Crittenden---6-5, G/F (Marian Catholic H.S.)
Ken Payonk--- 6-6, F (Sandburg H.S.)
Tyler Thurston---6-4, PG (Chatham Glenwood, IL)...6.8ppg (14.2ppg as a Jr)
Kyle Wuest---6-2, G (Edinburgh, IN)
Peyton Wyatt---6-2/180, 2G (Newton, IL)

IWU RECRUITS
Ryan Coyle---6-6 G/F, Lisle, Ill. (Wheaton St. Francis HS)...16 ppg, 8 rpg
Bryce Dolan---6-0 SG, Washington, Mo. (St. Francis Borgia HS)...17.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 98 3-pointers
Conor Hart---5-11 G, Des Plaines, Ill. (Maine West HS)...19.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 rpg
Robert Mahlke---6-7 PF, Downers Grove, Ill. (Downers Grove North HS)...15 ppg, 7 rpg
Mike Marietti---6-7 F/C, Frankfort, Ill. (Providence Catholic HS)
Brian Nelms---5-10 PG, Arlington Heights, Ill. (Rolling Meadows HS)...14 ppg, 6 rpg
Joel Pennington---5-9 PG, Ballwin, Mo. (Lafayette HS)...14.1 ppg, 5.1 apg
Pat Sodemann---6-3, PG/SG, Chesterfield, Mo.,(Parkway West HS), transfer from D2 Truman State...14.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg (2009-10 season)

MILLIKIN RECRUITS
David Babb---6-1, G (Pontiac, IL)...11.7ppg, 7.4apg
Nate Bennett---6-1, G (Pekin, IL)... 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 2.0 apg
Tives Gardner---5-10, PG (Springfield (Southeast), IL)...12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .406 fg%, 38 3's, .809 ft%
Deavis Johnson---6-5, W/F (East St. Louis, IL)...3.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 61 blocks
Elijah Kinmon---6-5, W/F (O'Fallon, IL)...8.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, .327 fg%, .264 3p%, .602 ft%
Jaylon Owens---6-5, F (Belleville West, IL)...13.3ppg, 8.0rpg
Tommy Pilackas---6-4, G/W (Lebanon, IL)...19.3ppg, 34% 3fg, 9.1rpg, 2.5apg, 2.3spg (IBCA 2nd Team All-State)
Chase Robbins---6-2, G (Normal Community HS, Normal IL)...13.4ppg
Mitchell Wilfer---6-8, F (Wentzville Holt, MO)...9.4ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.2bpg
Trent Windemuller---6-2, G/W (Holland, MI)...16.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.2apg, 42 3fg%,

NCC RECRUITS
D.J. Morris---5-10, PG (St. Viator HS. Arlington Heights, IL)...9.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3 to 1 assist/TO ratio
Ben Heide---6-3, SG (Minnoka, IL HS)...10 ppg
Kevin Honn---6-6, F (Downers Grove South, IL)...11.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Adam Reynolds---6-5, 225, PF (Minooka, IL HS)...11 ppg, 7 rpg
Christian Spandiary---6-3, SG (Schaumburg, IL HS)...16.0 ppg, 5 rpg, FG% of 57%
Tyler Sutton---6-2. SG (Nequa Valley HS, Naperville, IL)...16.5 ppg, 40%+ from 3

NORTH PARK RECRUITS
Ryan Hyrn---6-0, G (San Ramon, CA / California HS)
Rodney Clarke---5'11, G (Memphis, TN / St. Benedict of Auburndale)
Craig Welch---6'0, G (Grand Rapids, MI / Northpointe Christian)
David Johansson---6'1, G (Norrkoping, Sweden / Norrkoping BK)
Per Magnus Muren---6'3, G (Asker, Norway / Asker Aliens)


WHEATON RECRUITS
Michael Berg---6-6, F (Midwest Central, IL)...27.9ppg, 12.8rpg, 2.4bpg
Nathan Berntsen---6-2, G (Chatham, NJ)...17.2ppg
Luis Miller---6-3, G (Miami, Fla.)... 21.0ppg, 5rpg, 2spg.
Joel Smith---6-6, F (Heritage Christian, IN)...18.1ppg, 5.8rpg
Riley Teuscher---6-1, G (Rockford Christian, IL)...11.5ppg, 3.7rpg
Brayden Teuscher---(Rockford Christian, IL/WashU)...7.9ppg, 2.rpg, 17.4min pg
Drew Wikelius---6-6, F (Westlake HS, TX)...12.4ppg, 8rpg

[newCCIWfan]

Anyone have an opinion about the ranking of recruiting classes?   We will know how good they REALLY are in a couple years, but on paper, who do you think helped themselves the most?

I think Augustana's recruiting class looks tremendous.  On paper I believe Augie clearly has the #1 recruiting class in the CCIW (as far as names that have been made public at this time).

Just my opinion from afar...I haven't seen any of those kids play.

Here's my take on the 2012-13 recruiting class (as they have been announced right now). These evaluations are based upon seeing the players in person, talking to coaches, and articles I have read (I am hardly an expert so I fully admit there may be mistakes).

Please take into account that we haven't heard much from the Carthage front, and it wouldn't surprise me if we hear more from NPU as the new coaching staff gets settled in.

Also, as it has been said, this is purely speculation, the true ability of this class won't be known for 4 more year. None of this matters until these men step on the court. (But it's fun to think about)


1- Augustana: Ben Ryan could be a stud, Griffin Pills, Brandon Motzel and Tavian Johnson have big upsides. I don't know much about their guards, but they seem to be fairly good. Biggest question is who is going to fill the big holes left in the Viking backcourt. Pills can play a guard spot, but the others are all 3-4-5 type players (a place that Augie is now extremely deep).

2 - Illinois Wesleyan: IWU's class has a little bit of everything. Ryan Coyle is going to be a major contributor in the league, he's tough, can score from the outside and inside. Dolan, Nelms and Pennington are guards who can all shoot from the outside. They have the depth that they may not need any of the freshman to step up immediately. Like Augie, questions lie in the back court. Who will apply the defensive pressure and scoring lost to Gonzalez' and Zimmer's graduation. Sodemann is the wild card. He could turn the Titan recruiting class from good to great depending on how he plays at the D3 level.

3 - Millikin: The Big Blue needed a lot of help in every area of the game. They not only upgraded, but could have one of the top classes in the conference. A college coach in St. Louis told me Mitch Wilfer could be a stud (has the size and skill set to be a great CCIW big). An alumnus told me that the coaching staff is very excited about Robbins, Windemuller and Gardner. They should help immediately in the back court, and Owens and Johnson will give Millikin size they desperately need upfront.

4 - Wheaton: The quality of Wheaton's recruiting class lies almost entirely on Michael Burg. He's put up some impressive numbers. The question is can he adjust from small school competition to CCIW competition. If he's a big in the line of McCreary ... then the Thunder recruiting class is #3 ... perhaps #2 in the conference. Burg, Wikelius and Smith should combined to give Wheaton minutes in the front court that they lose from McCreary and Shultze graduating.

5 - North Central: The returning conference champs got some good pieces coming in. They didn't need a whole lot, but have some nice players to develop when the graduation hits next year. Not much size coming in, but some very good guards in Sutton and Heide. Spandiary intrigues me the most of all the NCC recruits. I did not see him play this year but he could be a very good guard! The question for Cardinals is: who will replace Gillespie? He wasn't the best player, but I thought he was the heart and catalyst for NCC.

6 - Elmhurst: Brought it a lot of guards, 6-4 Tyler Thurston could be a very good player (I really like the idea of a point guard that is 6-4). Chrittenden also has some great upside. There were a lot of issues the Blue Jays had to address going into next year. They may have a few answers, but I'm not sure if any of them are immediate.

7 - North Park: To be honest, with all of the out-of-state, and out-of-country recruits, I don't know much about NPU's recruiting class. This means the class could really be ranked anywhere on this list. I have made some inquiries and searches online but I haven't been able to find much. The one thing I can say, it was clear the biggest need coming out of last year for the Vikings were guards to match the bigs. Hopefully one of these incoming freshman can be an immediate impact player. I also wouldn't be surprised if the new coaching staff is able to add a few recruits before the academic year starts.

8 - Carthage: This rating is based purely upon depth. We only know of one Carthage recruit. That said Sean Valentine is a very good player who might be able to develop into a nice 2G or Wing.


All rankings are subject to change as more info becomes available.

[dansand]

Two more the Big Blue:

Drew Bollier, 6-0, So, Dacula (GA) Mountain View/Oglethorpe (1.6 ppg, 0.1 rpg at Oglethorpe)
Brennan Coltrane, 6-2, Webster Groves (MO) (6.3 ppg, .414 fg%, .337 3p%, .667 ft%, 1.8 rpg, 1.1 apg)

[Titan Q]

2 - Illinois Wesleyan: IWU's class has a little bit of everything. Ryan Coyle is going to be a major contributor in the league, he's tough, can score from the outside and inside. Dolan, Nelms and Pennington are guards who can all shoot from the outside. They have the depth that they may not need any of the freshman to step up immediately. Like Augie, questions lie in the back court. Who will apply the defensive pressure and scoring lost to Gonzalez' and Zimmer's graduation. Sodemann is the wild card. He could turn the Titan recruiting class from good to great depending on how he plays at the D3 level.

6-7 F/C Mike Marietti (Providence H.S.) is also considered a big part of this IWU recruiting class.  Marietti had a big senior season, including a 39-point effort in the state tournament.  Most likely a JV player for a year or two, but from what I've heard, he has a very nice upside as a CCIW center.  He's not a real athletic kid, but he already has some very polished low post skills and can step out and shoot it.

Ron Rose did a nice job with this class and has the program on such solid ground.  He continues to add key players in every recruiting class, and when you do that, you're going to be good every year.  You'll never see Rose take a year off from the recruiting trail - he just doesn't have that in him.

I'm looking forward to 2012-13 - I think IWU has a chance to be really, really good.

[Titan Q]

If we were in October, I'd probably have the passion to try to complete this for all 8 teams.  But since it's early-June, with the sun shining and an 83 degree day expected in Lincoln, NE, I just don't have the fire.  So here is an IWU "capsule" of sorts, breaking down the players most likely to be in the varsity mix in 2012-13 (as I see it).

Really hoping a fan of each school will take a stab at complete something like this for their team.  I apologize for my summer laziness.


Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW)
Starters returning:
PG -
SG -
G/F -
PF - Victor Davis, 6-5 Jr
F/C - Kevin Reed, 6-7 Sr

Key reserves returning:
PG -
SG -
G/F - Eric Dortch, 6-3 Jr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5 Jr
C - Nick Anderson, 6-9 Jr

Top JV/injured players returning (best shot at varsity time):
PG - David Molinari, 6-1 So
PG/SG - Dylan Overstreet, 6-3 So
SG - Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Jr
F/C - Parker Musselman, 6-8 So

Potential impact newcomers (realistic chance at varsity time):
PG/SG - Pat Sodemann, 6-3 So (transfer from D2 Truman State)
G/F - Ryan Coyle, 6-6 Fr

[izzy stradlin]

If we were in October, I'd probably have the passion to try to complete this for all 8 teams.  But since it's early-June, with the sun shining and an 83 degree day expected in Lincoln, NE, I just don't have the fire.  So here is an IWU "capsule" of sorts, breaking down the players most likely to be in the varsity mix in 2012-13 (as I see it).

Really hoping a fan of each school will take a stab at complete something like this for their team.  I apologize for my summer laziness.


Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW)
Starters returning:
PG -
SG -
G/F -
PF - Victor Davis, 6-5 Jr
F/C - Kevin Reed, 6-7 Sr

Key reserves returning:
PG -
SG -
G/F - Eric Dortch, 6-3 Jr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5 Jr
C - Nick Anderson, 6-9 Jr

Top JV/injured players returning (best shot at varsity time):
PG - David Molinari, 6-1 So
PG/SG - Dylan Overstreet, 6-3 So
SG - Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Jr
F/C - Parker Musselman, 6-8 So

Potential impact newcomers (realistic chance at varsity time):
PG/SG - Pat Sodemann, 6-3 So (transfer from D2 Truman State)
G/F - Ryan Coyle, 6-6 Fr

Ok:
Wheaton (23-7 overall, 11-3 CCIW)
Starters returning:
PG - Tyler Peters 6-4 Jr
SG -
G/F -
PF -
F/C -

Key reserves returning:
PG -
SG - Nate Serenius 6-3 Sr
G/F - Jon DeMoss 6-3 Jr
F - Nathan Haynes, 6-6 Jr
C -

Top JV/injured players returning (best shot at varsity time):
PG - Caleb DeMoss 6-0 So
SG - Michael Kvam 6-2 So
G/F - Peter Smith, 6-6 So

Potential impact newcomers (realistic chance at varsity time):
SG - Brayden Teuscher 6-3 So
F/C - Michael Berg 6-6 Fr
F/C - Joel Smth 6-6 Fr

Bonus: players I am pretty sure will be in the starting 5:
Tyler Peters
Brayden Teuscher
Michael Berg

After that I am not sure.  Peter Smith (playing the 3 or 4 depending on his offseason lifting) and Caleb DeMoss (pure point guard) will be in the mix.  Jon DeMoss will probably play the role of defense stopper off the bench. Nate Serenius will likely come off the bench to provide offense.  I also think we might see two freshmen bigs in the starting lineup.  While Wheaton lost 4 good starters, Schauer has recruited well enough that there is way more depth in the program that years past. 

[Titan Q]

Thanks, Izzy...good stuff.

Keep 'em coming.

[AndOne]

OK, following TQ & Izzy.......

North Central (22-8 overall, 12-2 CCIW, CCIW Regular Season Champions, CCIW Tournament Champions)
Starters returning:
PG -
SG - Vince Kmiec, 6-4 Jr
G/F - Derek Raridon, 6-6 Sr
F - Aaron Tiknis, 6-6 Sr
F/C - Landon Gamble, 6-6 Jr

Key reserves returning:
PG - Pat Rourke, 6-3 Jr
PG/SG - Mike Boyd, 6-0 So
SG - CJ Goldthree, 6-0 Jr
SG - Kyle Pembrook, 6-2 Jr
F - Charlie Rosenberg, 6-5 Jr
C - Tyler Every, 6-7 So

Top JV players returning:
SG - Brandon Stinson, 6-2 So
Wing - Adam LeTourneau, 6-4 Jr
C - Mike Reinke, 6-9 So

Potential impact newcomers (Best chance for some varsity time):
PG - Ben Heide, 6-3, Fr
SG - Christian Spandiary, 6-3 Fr
PF - *Jack Burchett, 6-6 So

* Burchett, who started for NCC as a freshman in 2010-11, but sat out this past season, will return to the team this year.
He was the Cardinal's 6th leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder in 2010-11. While he won't start
this season, he will see considerable PT. He and Rosenberg will be the first 2 front court men off the bench.

As everyone knows, replacing graduated PG Kevin Gillespie will be NCC's #1 priority. Gillespie was arguably the best all around PG in the conference last season. Today, the battle is most probably between Rourke, Boyd, and Heide. However, 2 transfers might yet join the NCC squad. If so, either would be a candidate to also join the fray.
NCC is in a position this year where the PG doesn't really have to be much of a scorer. Accordingly, the ultimate sweepstakes winner may well be the player who shoots well enough to keep defenses honest, who most often demonstrates the ability to throw the ball to someone wearing the same color jersey, and who is capable of playing some semblance of defense.

[Gregory Sager]

As everyone knows, replacing graduated PG Kevin Gillespie will be NCC's #1 priority. Gillespie was arguably the best all around PG in the conference last season. Today, the battle is most probably between Rourke, Boyd, and Heide. However, 2 transfers might yet join the NCC squad. If so, either would be a candidate to also join the fray.
NCC is in a position this year where the PG doesn't really have to be much of a scorer. Accordingly, the ultimate sweepstakes winner may well be the player who shoots well enough to keep defenses honest, who most often demonstrates the ability to throw the ball to someone wearing the same color jersey, and who is capable of playing some semblance of defense.

What happened to Gillespie's heir apparent, Chris Smith?

[AndOne]

As everyone knows, replacing graduated PG Kevin Gillespie will be NCC's #1 priority. Gillespie was arguably the best all around PG in the conference last season. Today, the battle is most probably between Rourke, Boyd, and Heide. However, 2 transfers might yet join the NCC squad. If so, either would be a candidate to also join the fray.
NCC is in a position this year where the PG doesn't really have to be much of a scorer. Accordingly, the ultimate sweepstakes winner may well be the player who shoots well enough to keep defenses honest, who most often demonstrates the ability to throw the ball to someone wearing the same color jersey, and who is capable of playing some semblance of defense.

What happened to Gillespie's heir apparent, Chris Smith?

Chris, who would have been Kevin's backup last year, and who would likely have seen about 10 minutes a game, sustained a serious leg injury in practice approximately last Nov 1st. He underwent major surgery and extensive rehab. He did not attend NCC after the surgery. If he returns to NCC and is able to play, he would certainly be in the mix to be the starting PG. Should he be able to regain the skill set he possessed prior to his injury, he might well be considered the race favorite.

[newCCIWfan]

Key reserves returning:
PG - Pat Rourke, 6-3 Jr
PG/SG - Mike Boyd, 6-0 So
SG - CJ Goldthree, 6-0 Jr
SG - Kyle Pembrook, 6-2 Jr
F - Charlie Rosenberg, 6-5 Jr
C - Tyler Every, 6-7 So

CJ Goldthree will not be returning to NCC

[Titan Q]

TQ mentions several recruits but not Hoepfner who intrigues me the most.

Just FYI, you are quoting newCCIWfan...not me.  I did not comment on any Augie recruits individually.