MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[diehardfan]

Now that it's November I thought it was about time to check in.

Just want to say a belated congrats to Coach Harris, Matt Nadelhoffer and Tony Bollier! Also Owen Handy. Haha. Okay fine, congrats to him too.

Your guys' predictions of Wheaton's chances this year make me sad.

Does anyone know why Wheaton is moving further and further away from doing Christmas vacation trips?

[NCF]

Pretty tough to top Chip Wedgeworth, especially as far as a name for a golfer.

Not CCIW or even sports related, but back in my insurance investigator days, I had cases where fairly often I had to either obtain records from or interview a surgeon in Hinsdale, IL by the name of Dr Dwayne Butcher. Ouch!   

We have two local dentists with appropriate names - one fortuitous, one not so much:  Dr. Smiley and Dr. Payne!

I had three students from the same family named Sherry, Brandy and Bud. What were their parents thinking (or maybe drinking )

[iwu70]

Diehard, where have you been?  Nice picture of the best cookies ever!

On names, my Dad had a urologist once named Dr. Leekey . . .and, to match it, there is a very famous custom-made shoe company in Hong Kong named Lee Kee Boot Company.

On basketball, article in today's Pgraph, leadup to the G/W scrimmage on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. @The Shirk.  Indicates that several others are in the realm of competition both for the PG and the 2 -- including Overstreet, Molinari, Nelms, Zimmer, Sodemann, and another freshman, Bryce Dolan . . . and others mentioned by Ron Rose in the picture for the two, including Oswald, Dortch (sometimes from 3 to 2?) and Mayberger.  In addition to all the tough, experienced bigs we know, Rose also adds, mentions freshman, Mike Marietta (6'8", 240 lbs).  Seems the Titans have now six big big bigs, so I'd expect alot of pounding it to the paint, and alot of very effective interior passing, pounding the boards, and kicking out to trey shooters.  This may bode well for those perimeter players who can play good perimeter D and hit treys at a very high percentage.  My money is still on Overstreet, Zimmer (if healthy, though still apparently with back issues) and more minutes for Oswald.  We'll see.  Sure hope injury issues for Molinari and Zimmer clear up soon. 

Lots of talent, lots of varying styles, skills and player combinations -- Ron Rose has a surplus of riches this season, on the starting group and off the bench.  Really some great depth.

Of course, in this Randy Reinhardt piece, Ron Rose was very high on, complimentary about his returning bigs -- how strong they are, how much they've improved, worked over the off-season -- that's DAVIS, Reed, Ziemnik, Anderson and Musselman.  (add Marietta) = 6'5, 6'6, 6'4", 6'9", 6'8", and 6'8"  respectively and 1605 lbs in total).  Not quite a ton actually, but a ton in post presence basketball terms!!!

Saturday, IWU Football vs. Augie at 1 p.m. @ Tucci (Senior Day), then G/W basketball scrimmage @The Shirk 4:30 p.m.

IWU70

 

[sac]

Pretty tough to top Chip Wedgeworth, especially as far as a name for a golfer.

Not CCIW or even sports related, but back in my insurance investigator days, I had cases where fairly often I had to either obtain records from or interview a surgeon in Hinsdale, IL by the name of Dr Dwayne Butcher. Ouch!   

We have two local dentists with appropriate names - one fortuitous, one not so much:  Dr. Smiley and Dr. Payne!

I had three students from the same family named Sherry, Brandy and Bud. What were their parents thinking (or maybe drinking )

The only boy in the Bush family from my hometown had the middle name Anheuser.

[Titan Q]

Diehard, where have you been?  Nice picture of the best cookies ever!

On names, my Dad had a urologist once named Dr. Leekey . . .and, to match it, there is a very famous custom-made shoe company in Hong Kong named Lee Kee Boot Company.

On basketball, article in today's Pgraph, leadup to the G/W scrimmage on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. @The Shirk.  Indicates that several others are in the realm of competition both for the PG and the 2 -- including Overstreet, Molinari, Nelms, Zimmer, Sodemann, and another freshman, Bryce Dolan . . . and others mentioned by Ron Rose in the picture for the two, including Oswald, Dortch (sometimes from 3 to 2?) and Mayberger.  In addition to all the tough, experienced bigs we know, Rose also adds, mentions freshman, Mike Marietta (6'8", 240 lbs).  Seems the Titans have now six big big bigs, so I'd expect alot of pounding it to the paint, and alot of very effective interior passing, pounding the boards, and kicking out to trey shooters.  This may bode well for those perimeter players who can play good perimeter D and hit treys at a very high percentage.  My money is still on Overstreet, Zimmer (if healthy, though still apparently with back issues) and more minutes for Oswald.  We'll see.  Sure hope injury issues for Molinari and Zimmer clear up soon. 

Lots of talent, lots of varying styles, skills and player combinations -- Ron Rose has a surplus of riches this season, on the starting group and off the bench.  Really some great depth.

Of course, in this Randy Reinhardt piece, Ron Rose was very high on, complimentary about his returning bigs -- how strong they are, how much they've improved, worked over the off-season -- that's DAVIS, Reed, Ziemnik, Anderson and Musselman.  (add Marietta) = 6'5, 6'6, 6'4", 6'9", 6'8", and 6'8"  respectively and 1605 lbs in total).  Not quite a ton actually, but a ton in post presence basketball terms!!!

Saturday, IWU Football vs. Augie at 1 p.m. @ Tucci (Senior Day), then G/W basketball scrimmage @The Shirk 4:30 p.m.

IWU70

But remember, when he had to trot out a real rotation @ Olivet Nazarene (and send the rest to the JV court), Ron Rose went with...

PG - Overstreet (Nelms)
SG - Sodemann (Oswald, Mayberger)
SF - Ziemnik (Dortch)
PF - Davis (Musselman)
C - Reed (Anderson)

(With Zimmer and Molinari hurt.)

The Pantagraph articles mentions the names of some other guys, who have very nice upsides, but when it comes right down to it that group of 13 above (including the two injured players) is really who is in the mix for 9 or 10 rotation spots. 

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/physical-wesleyan-basketball-team-to-scrimmage-saturday/article_d93cb020-2489-11e2-85c8-001a4bcf887a.html

[iwu70]

Yes, again I take your point, Q.  No disagreement.  I'm sure the rotation will focus down, esp. in the CCIW season phase.  Guess we can see the varsity 13 including the two injured players, adding Dolan and Marietta and I guess you get to the 15 who might well dress for varsity games. Only surprise to me in all this would be where is Heyen in all this, as I think he's an excellent player, good swing man, extra for the 3 with good shooting range and slashing abilities.  When JV games start, we can get some guage on all the rest, mostly the 7-8 freshmen, a few sophomores who will be playing mainly JV minutes this coming year, at least initially.  As always, let's hope Zimmer and Molinari get/stay healthy very soon and that the injury bug doesn't bite further.  Knock on wood.  I'll be attending the G/W scrimmage tomorrow and await to see if Zimmer and Molinari are able to take part, see some action.  Look forward to watching the bigs play big and check out some of the IWU newbies on the Shirk floor too.   A report with impressions later on . . .

Sure to like the size, strength of IWU's front court, and the overall depth that Ron Rose shall enjoy this season. 

IWU70

[petemcb]

I'm sitting at Benedictine University watching them scrimmage Wheaton.  Wheaton won the first period 36-30 in a session that featured many of the characteristics:  plenty of missed shots, missed rebounds, missed defensive switches, and missed opportunities in general.  Coach Mike is substituting liberally and his vocal chords are clearly in mid-season form, reflecting a sideline intensity that has me watching for a Giovanni-esque jacket toss.

[petemcb]

That was supposed to read"many of the characteristics of a preseason scrimmage rust-scraping".

[und63]

My urologist's associate is Dr. Leak.

[petemcb]

Wheaton wins the second period 49-26.  While it sounds like they might have found their collective shooting eye, it was more a case of tightening the screws on the defensive end, both in the paint and on the perimeter.  Control of the defensive glass, protecting the rim, and many turnovers - forced and unforced, led to many fast break opportunities with Tyler Peters and Pete Mith combining on several.  Braydon Teuscher is a better addition than his Wash U stats might even indicate.  He shoots well from the outside, which you'd hope for from a starting shooting guard, but what was really impressive was his ability to break Benedictine's defense down, drive into the point and float up a nice short-range teardrop or kiss off the glass.  Works hard on the defensive end of the floor as well.  He really is a nice addition for the Thunder.

[petemcb]

Wheaton wins the third period 40-33.  Nice workmatnthe point by Caleb Demoss, who also drained a couple from beyond the arc.  Joe Sokovich showed some improved footwork and the ability to post up about 8-10 feet from the basket, pivot and score as well as a little more tenacity under the defensive basket.  I'll be very surprised is freshman Luis Miller doesn't get a little varsity tick at some point during the season.  He is a smooth-playing, big play potential kind of player.  Over and out.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Yes, again I take your point, Q.  No disagreement.  I'm sure the rotation will focus down, esp. in the CCIW season phase.  Guess we can see the varsity 13 including the two injured players, adding Dolan and Marietta and I guess you get to the 15 who might well dress for varsity games. Only surprise to me in all this would be where is Heyen in all this, as I think he's an excellent player, good swing man, extra for the 3 with good shooting range and slashing abilities.  When JV games start, we can get some guage on all the rest, mostly the 7-8 freshmen, a few sophomores who will be playing mainly JV minutes this coming year, at least initially.  As always, let's hope Zimmer and Molinari get/stay healthy very soon and that the injury bug doesn't bite further.  Knock on wood.  I'll be attending the G/W scrimmage tomorrow and await to see if Zimmer and Molinari are able to take part, see some action.  Look forward to watching the bigs play big and check out some of the IWU newbies on the Shirk floor too.   A report with impressions later on . . .

Sure to like the size, strength of IWU's front court, and the overall depth that Ron Rose shall enjoy this season. 

IWU70

Bear in mind that jv does NOT necessarily mean 'not good enough for the rotation'.  I seriously doubt Keelan's game jumped enough from freshman to sophomore years to go from jv to conference MOP!  I've always assumed Trost thought being the focus of a jv team was better for his development than being a backup on the varsity.

Some of the guys you've touted may be better off on jv for the same reason.

[Titan Q]

Yes, again I take your point, Q.  No disagreement.  I'm sure the rotation will focus down, esp. in the CCIW season phase.  Guess we can see the varsity 13 including the two injured players, adding Dolan and Marietta and I guess you get to the 15 who might well dress for varsity games. Only surprise to me in all this would be where is Heyen in all this, as I think he's an excellent player, good swing man, extra for the 3 with good shooting range and slashing abilities.  When JV games start, we can get some guage on all the rest, mostly the 7-8 freshmen, a few sophomores who will be playing mainly JV minutes this coming year, at least initially.  As always, let's hope Zimmer and Molinari get/stay healthy very soon and that the injury bug doesn't bite further.  Knock on wood.  I'll be attending the G/W scrimmage tomorrow and await to see if Zimmer and Molinari are able to take part, see some action.  Look forward to watching the bigs play big and check out some of the IWU newbies on the Shirk floor too.   A report with impressions later on . . .

Sure to like the size, strength of IWU's front court, and the overall depth that Ron Rose shall enjoy this season. 

IWU70

6-8 sophomore Brandon Heyen has a very intriguing upside but he'll be a JV player this year.  Right now he's a tweener between the 3 and 4 spots.  I think you'll see them move Heyen to the 4 and develop him there this JV season. 

You won't see Brady Zimmer or David Molinari in the Green/White tomorrow.  With two weeks to the opener I think it's safe to say that those two are too far behind to have a realistic shot at starting in the early going.  They'll have to battle and try to get back in the mix during the non-conference season.  It would seem the PG spot is a close competition right now between Dylan Overstreet and Brian Nelms.  I'm guessing Pat Sodemann is a pretty safe bet to start at the 2.

[Titan Q]

Bear in mind that jv does NOT necessarily mean 'not good enough for the rotation'.  I seriously doubt Keelan's game jumped enough from freshman to sophomore years to go from jv to conference MOP!  I've always assumed Trost thought being the focus of a jv team was better for his development than being a backup on the varsity.

Some of the guys you've touted may be better off on jv for the same reason.

Ron Rose has some very good JV players again this year, but I promise you there is no Keelan Amelianovich in that group.  I think it's safe to say that the guys who end up playing JV at the start of the year just aren't ready for varsity yet.

That said, the JV guys to keep the closest eye on seem to be:

- Bryce Dolan (PG/SG), 6-0/155 Fr -- I guess can just shoot the heck out of it

- Mike Marietti (F/C), 6-8/240 Fr -- huge bodied freshman that seems to have a chance sooner than later

- Ryan Coyle (G/F) - 6-5/205 Fr -- big wing player who is going to be a good player for the Titans at some point

- Brandon Heyen (F) - 6-8/200 So -- as mentioned above


Ron Rose has really done a nice job recruiting.  The Titans have good players in every class - he's built a system where guys can develop at the JV level and then get plugged in when their ready.  The program is in a very strong position right now.

[AndOne]

I'll just add some impressions/thoughts/questions for any poster who might have a differing opinion or some additional insight they might want to share. While not necessarily a sign of total agreement, I'll take the teams in the same order newCCIWfan used.

Wheaton: It seems the majority of the hoopla surrounding Wheaton's incoming class is centered around 6'6" Michael Berg. With an average of almost 28 ppg, this is readily understandable. While we've certainly seen a good number of small school kids be very successful at the college level including the CCIW, there are just as many who have superior HS careers, but then fizzle at the next level. I'm not saying Berg won't be successful or even a major player, but it seems reasonable to hoist a yellow flag at this early juncture.
I'm intrigued with WC recruit Luis Miller, a 21 ppg scorer from Miami, FL. While I know nothing about him, I do know that there is some very good basketball played in the Miami, FL area. My parents lived in a Miami suburb for 15 years, and I saw some pretty high level ball played down there during several Christmas visits. Keep in mind that all the kids in Miami need do to play ball even during the winter, is head down the street a few blocks to the playground. Lastly, might not Wheaton's top recruit actually be Brayden Teuscher? After all, he already has one season of pretty successful college experience at Wash U under his belt. At present, WC's back court looks to be its strength.

Wheaton wins the third period 40-33.  Nice workmatnthe point by Caleb Demoss, who also drained a couple from beyond the arc.  Joe Sokovich showed some improved footwork and the ability to post up about 8-10 feet from the basket, pivot and score as well as a little more tenacity under the defensive basket. I'll be very surprised is freshman Luis Miller doesn't get a little varsity tick at some point during the season.  He is a smooth-playing, big play potential kind of player. Over and out.

As I said back in June when the recruiting classes were being formulated and announced, they play some pretty good ball down there in the Miami area and, sight unseen, I was intrigued with Miller. Now we have a favorable impression by pete after actually seeing him play. Evidently a player to keep an eye on.