MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Long way to go before tip-off in November, . . . but if I were guessing on the Titan line-up I'd say:

PG Overstreet (due to better three ball range)
SG Brady Zimmer, if totally healthy, need the slashing as well as the trey shooting
F Zeimnik, due to strong rebounding and three ball range, he's bigger and stronger this year too.
PF Davis, without doubt, so so strong, chance for 1st team all-CCIW this year
C Reed, very experienced, better passer, court vision than Nick Anderson (he'll miss Gonzalez' assists/passing skills).

I hope the emphasis on tough, team defense continues.  I'm still of the view that some of the rising JV guys could have some breakout contributions, especially Mussleman, Heyen and Wiggs.  Not sure about the role of Oswald or Mayberger this coming season.  Oswald is immediate trey ball threat, always. 

Clearly Dortch first off the bench, defensive stopper, and Anderson with more minutes than last year.  This is the year we need to see improvement in Eric's offensive game, better jump shooting and passing.  I don't know much yet about Sodemann.  Any thoughts out there?  We'll see about Molinari.  He had some good early games last year, before his injury, has a nice inter-mediate game, good passing and court vision, but not as strong a trey shooter.  Didn't always seem to find the flow and chemistry with the others.

IMHO.

We'll see what improvements have come to all these players in coming weeks, no doubt.

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Sorry, Q, but I didn't put them up on the roster that was officially placed on the IWU website.   It's a reasonable question, though it seemed to me, too, that they had graduated and were done. 

I guess I just don't think it was reasonable to wonder if a guy who has been a fixture in IWU's rotation the last 4 years would be on IWU's 2012-13 roster.  That's all I'm sayin'.

[TitanPride]

iwu70---

Something seems amiss here.
Unless Koschnitzky, Gonzalez, or Rudnicki were able to play only 1/3 or less of their freshman, soph, or junior season due to season ending injury within that 1st one third of the season, they would not have been able to petition for a medical "redshirt" which would allow another season of eligibility. I do seem to remember Gonzalez being hurt for a substantial portion of a season early in his career, but I don't know exactly how many games he missed that year, or whether all the games he missed were due to injury or dnp-cd.
Additionally, if the players graduated, the gig is up as I believe that if a player is going to use his extra year in grad school, that extra year must be spent in the grad school division of the same institution from which he rec'd his undergrad degree. My understanding is that Wesleyan does not offer graduate degrees.
Of course, I could be mistaken. Why would the players be listed is there is no possibility of their playing?
Appears we need the "inside" story here.   

I have no insider information, but think the inclusion of them was just an error.  Everyone assumed last season they were done. 

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that IWU does now have a graduate program in nursing.

Still undergraduate only.

[Titan Q]

I apologize if this has been posted already, but heard a rumor today that Carthage picked up a 6-8 transfer from UW-Parkside who is expected to make an immediate impact.  Here is the 2011-12 UWP roster...

http://www.parksiderangers.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball&

Wonder if it is #15, Zygimantas Riauka from Downers South?  Anyone know?

Bosko's boys should be good this year.

[gordonmann]

I hope that's the guy.

My mind is fertile with puns and corny headlines involving a player named Ziggy...

[Gregory Sager]

If the rumor is true, then it would stand to reason that the transfer would be Zygimantas Riauka. He was the only 6'8 player on the Rangers last season, and the two 6'7 guys are both going to be seniors and are thus less likely to transfer out than Riauka, who will be a sophomore.

Riauka averaged 8.1 and 3.3, played in all 26 of UW-Parkside's games, and started eight of them, including the last six. While the Rangers are a punching bag in a very good D2 conference, the fact remains that a kid with those stats as a freshman at the D2 level should be very good in the CCIW, if indeed Riauka is going to be a Red Man.

[AndOne]

I apologize if this has been posted already, but heard a rumor today that Carthage picked up a 6-8 transfer from UW-Parkside who is expected to make an immediate impact.  Here is the 2011-12 UWP roster...

http://www.parksiderangers.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball&

Wonder if it is #15, Zygimantas Riauka from Downers South?  Anyone know?

Bosko's boys should be good this year.

While there is always a chance it isn't so, all signs point to this indeed being the case.
Some background:

* Rumors of Ziggy's possibly wanting to transfer surfaced this summer.
* Ziggy's best friend, Dan Jurjutis, plays for Augie.
* Neither Dan's family nor Ziggy's resides in Romneyville, or even a remotely close-in suburb.
* Dan goes to Augie for next to nothing. With the families being on the same economic plain, it was felt Ziggy would qualify for the same level of $ aid should he give up the D2 scholarship gig, and move to the D3 private Augie.
* Ziggy played a summer league game with the Augie team further fostering the idea of Dan and Ziggy being future teammates.
* Mr. Jurgutis and Mr. Riauka were known to have discussed the possibility of their sons being roommates.

After a fairly short time the rumors died down, and it was assumed that Ziggy would just go back to Parkside this year where he started 8 of 26 games, and averaged almost 19 minutes a game along with 3.3 rpg, and 8.1 ppg.

However, the vibe was still out there that there was at least some some interest in a transfer even if it wasn't to Augie. While initially the frontrunner, Augie, as usual, has a plethora of bigs. Just how much PT would be available on the Viking ship moored on the banks of the Mississippi?

Now contrast the big man situation at Augie with that at Carthage. The only legitimate big the Redmen (I just can't type that as 2 words  ) have is senior Tyler Pierce. The 275 (down from 290) pound Pierce was a starter at 230 in his freshman year, but he has seen his starts and minutes decrease in proportion to his increased poundage. You would think 6'9" Luke Johnson would be an ideal low post man for CC, but he has demonstrated a distinct distain for  just about any degree of physical play, and prefers to spend a majority of his PT lurking in the vicinity of the 3 point line when he can exercise his fondness for lobbing up long distance bricks. Bryant Voiles he is not. Accordingly, this creates an almost perfect situation for Ziggy who could probably qualify for as much $ aid at Carthage as he would at Augie.

A lineup of Logan and Kelly at guard, Thompson and Johnson at forward (rather than at pseudo guard in Johnson's case), and Ziggy at center would certainly make Bosko's boys a formidable opponent.   

[AndOne]

Carthage opponents can breathe a little easier. I have it on very good authority that the Parkside to Carthage transfer is NOT Ziggy Riauka.

While the actual player was not revealed to me, I believe there is a good chance it is 6'7" Steve Jaskulske from nearby Racine, WI. Jaskulske played in all 26 games last year, starting 16. He averaged 15.2 minutes, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.3 points per game.

Besides Riauka, there are no other players listed as being 6'8" on last year's Parkside roster. The next tallest are Jaskulske and Kevin Senechalle, also listed as 6'7", from St. Charles, IL.
These 2 players appear to be the best bets. And, if I have to bet, my $ is on Jaskulske.

http://www.parksiderangers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=974&path=mbball

[Titan Q]

Carthage opponents can breathe a little easier. I have it on very good authority that the Parkside to Carthage transfer is NOT Ziggy Riauka.

While the actual player was not revealed to me, I believe there is a good chance it is 6'7" Steve Jaskulske from nearby Racine, WI. Jaskulske played in all 26 games last year, starting 16. He averaged 15.2 minutes, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.3 points per game.

Besides Riauka, there are no other players listed as being 6'8" on last year's Parkside roster. The next tallest are Jaskulske and Kevin Senechalle, also listed as 6'7", from St. Charles, IL.
These 2 players appear to be the best bets. And, if I have to bet, my $ is on Jaskulske.

http://www.parksiderangers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=974&path=mbball

Looks like I could have done some simple Googling upfront on this...

https://twitter.com/WisBBYearbook/statuses/212974785611837441

Ex-Racine Case standout Steve Jaskulske will spend his senior year at Carthage after playing the past 3 years at nearby UW-Parkside.


So indeed, the 6-7/220 F from Racine is the player who has transferred to Carthage.

http://www.parksiderangers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=974&path=mbball

Seems like he should have 2 years of eligibility left.

[Titan Q]

Carthage has a lot of talent.  Potential starting lineup of...

G - Donte Logan, 5-11 So
G - Malcolm Kelly, 6-0 Sr
F - Mitch Thompson, 6-6 Sr
F - Luke Johnson, 6-9 So
F - Steve Jaskulske, 6-7 Sr

(6-5/275 F Tyler Pierce should still be around - not sure if he's gotten himself in any better shape.)


I was never sold on Mitch Thompson as a 3 -- he just doesn't seem to shoot it well it enough to play there.  I think Bosko eventually moved him back to the 4 as the 2011-12 season played out.

Seems like the best Carthage lineup would be one that puts 6-9 Luke Johnson at the 4.  They had to play him a lot at the 5 last year, but he's much more of a 4.

Malcolm Kelly should be one of the best players in the CCIW in 2012-13.  He can play.

[Titan Q]

Two-time defending champion North Central is clearly the favorite this year with three all-conference frontcourt players returning -- 1st Teamers Landon Gamble (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and Derek Raridon (12.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg) and 2nd Teamer Aaron Tiknis (11.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.7 apg).  The Cards will have to replace a very good PG in Kevin Gillespie, who was a huge part of their success in 2011-12.  And I think SG C.J. Goldthree has left NCC??  So a clear #1, but certainly plenty of issues to sort out. 

After NCC, it's hard to pick a definitive #2 if you had to do a preseason ballot right now.  It seems like you could make a case for Carthage, Illinois Wesleyan, Augustana, or Wheaton.  IWU, Augie, and Wheaton all lost a lot, but it seems all three have plenty of talent to be right in the mix this year, and plenty of history of quick reloads.

Elmhurst recruited a whole new roster it seems - lots of intriguing new talent.  North Park returns two studs in 6-6 Mark Holmes and 6-8 Mike Gabriel (both former D1 guys).

Millikin would seem to be a clear #8 until the Big Blue prove otherwise.


My preseason ballot as of today is...

1. North Central
2. Illinois Wesleyan
3. Carthage
4. Augustana
5. Wheaton
6. North Park
7. Elmhurst
8. Millikin


I put IWU #2 banking on Ron Rose having plenty of talent to choose from in sorting out his new perimeter situation, while having an outstanding frontcourt, led by 6-5 F Victor Davis, 6-4 F Andrew Ziemnik, 6-7 F Kevin Reed, and 6-9 C Nick Anderson.

[iwu70]

Agree with Q on Cathage's likely improvement. And, especially on Malcolm Kelley.  The guy is tough and can really light it up.  Likely a first team All-CCIW this year as a senior.  But I have a slightly different take on my pre-season ballot, for what it is worth.  I'd say:

1.  NCC (for the reasons Q outlined.  Guess I'm not a doubter this year.)
2.  Augie
3.  IWU
4.  Carthage and Wheaton tied
6.  NP
7.  Elmhurst
8.  Millikin (obviously, 'til proven otherwise).

I just don't think the Augie program and their tame, shy, coat-throwing Coach are going to take last year's underperforming sitting down.  They have lots of talent, especially the bigs, and with a little luck and some better perimeter shooting, combined with their notoriously tough D, I just think AC will be back in the mix more this season.  IMHO.

Top three, even the top five, not separated from each other by all that much.  I, too, think IWU will be very good, especially if the PG and SG situations come 'round in the pre-CCIW phase.  I trust Ron Rose and all that talent will find a way to a good mix, even with some of the rising JV guys making some key, surprising contributions and the 6-10 group in the rotation being very strong, making great contributions (i.e. Dortch, Anderson, Musselman, Molinari, Oswald, Heyen and Wiggs).  We don't know yet what kind of contribution, role Sondemann will play.  Time will tell. 

Anyway, there's my pre-season ballot, for what it is worth.  I very much respect Q's assessment, though I have a slightly different take at this point.  Viva la difference ! 

Enjoying the CCIW football season greatly so far.  Looking forward to some of the top games upcoming:  IWU vs. MU, IWU vs. NC, NCC vs. WC, and IWU vs. WC.  All should be really great games.  Lots and lots of football to go.  Bye week here at IWU today, so I'll be watching MSU vs. ND later on.

Had a wonderful evening last night watching Normal West come from behind over Danville, 49-39.  A truly wild and wonderful HS game, with a pretty high quality of play on display by both teams.  B/N area has some really great high school teams again this year, fun to watch.   

And, IWU men's soccer has started the year 5-0 . . . and that is NEWS!

Enjoy the gorgeous fall weekend all.   

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Wow. Knock me over with a feather. You're picking Wesleyan third, iwu70? It's even mildly surprising whenever you pick them as low as second in anything.

Speaking of surprises, I'd be surprised if Bosko went with the lineup that Bob suggested. Bosko has always been the sort of coach who is very comfortable with three guards on the floor. Heck, he won a national title at North Park with a three-guard lineup in 1984-85. He'd easily prefer a three-guard lineup to a standard lineup in which the small forward's perimeter skills are borderline. Mitch Thompson is not only an iffy shooter from downtown, he's also neither a penetration-capable ballhandler nor a savvy defender of smaller, quicker players.  His strengths are offensive rebounding, shot-blocking, and midrange jumpers, which are power forward attributes.

Bosko started the Logan-Kelly-Cary guard triumvirate in each of the last nineteen games of the 2011-2012 season. My guess is that he's going to fill the departed Max Cary's spot with another guard, probably Reese Herth or Kevin Sykes.

Also, it's Malcom Kelly, guys, not "Malcolm" ... he has no silent 'l' in his name. I've refrained from my usual persnickety behavior and let it go in the past , but the dude's a senior now and we should all be spelling his name correctly at this point. To me, it's a courtesy thing. However, I think that we can give a pass to iwu70; since he's still misspelling Kelly's last name as well, we can allow him to use the now-vacant term "Kman" to identify the Carthage senior shooting guard.

[iwu70]

Greg, thanks for watching over my numerous spelling and other errors of judgement.  I can always count on you.  Yes, I'm picking IWU third, but seem to remember we finished third last year in the Conference standings and still somehow made our way to the Final Four, so I do have faith in my Titans, no matter.  Am trying to lighten my "greenie" glasses just a bit and see more clearly.  Just think Augie will come back and show up a bit better this year.  We'll see.  You also might have pointed out that I'm giving NCC their due this go 'round too, even though I had my doubts last year.  I don't recall all you gurus being right about Augie last year.  Just say'in.

You are right, we should get the spelling correct.  I shall do my best to give due regard to Malcom Kelly . . . as I do respect his game.   Agreed, a courtesy thing.   You know me, I even had trouble spelling Kman and Eliud's names last year, so I'm sure I have much room for improvement.  Then again, I think everyone knew who I meant.  Guess it would be easier if every name on the roster was Nick Anderson or that mediocre perimeter player named Jordan Zimmer.  We're all hoping for more of that kind of mediocrity from the junior Zimmer this season.

As you saw from recent banter with Q, I was trying to bring the real Kman back for another year . . . sadly, no such luck, though he still appears along with others as a "Gr" on the officially posted IWU roster for 2012-13, now on the IWU website.  I'm sure they too will get it right eventually.  Have faith.

What you say about the "three guard" option for Carthage makes sense to me, too. 

More later, my persnickety friend.   We're all way used to you by now.

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Speaking of surprises, I'd be surprised if Bosko went with the lineup that Bob suggested. Bosko has always been the sort of coach who is very comfortable with three guards on the floor. Heck, he won a national title at North Park with a three-guard lineup in 1984-85. He'd easily prefer a three-guard lineup to a standard lineup in which the small forward's perimeter skills are borderline. Mitch Thompson is not only an iffy shooter from downtown, he's also neither a penetration-capable ballhandler nor a savvy defender of smaller, quicker players.  His strengths are offensive rebounding, shot-blocking, and midrange jumpers, which are power forward attributes.

I agree about Thompson not being a great fit at the small forward position, but Bosko did try him there for several games at the beginning of last season (when he was starting Thompson/Johnson/Pierce in the frontcourt).  Now, he did eventually move away from that later in the non-conference schedule, shifting Thompson to his natural power forward spot for the rest of the year.  But I just figure if Bosko tried it last year he could give it a another look this year, who knows.

I also think Bosko might take a look at this because of the presence of the new guy from UW-Parkside.  If the transfer is good enough to start at the 5, and it's clear Johnson is the best bet at the 4, then what do you do with Thompson?  He could be a nice first post off the bench, but as a senior it seems like he'll start somewhere.

I guess we'll see.