MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Albion 67
Elmhurst 59

Nick Sanford: 13 pts
Taylor Baxter: 11 pts
Bryant Ackerman: 10 pts
D'Ante Foster: 7 asts

The 'jays are now 0-4 on the season, and I'm sure that Mark Scherer is looking forward with some relief to the fact that his beleaguered team will face two SLIAC opponents in the familiar confines of Faganel Hall next week.

[iwu70]

Wash U over IWU at the half, 37-29 in St. Louis. 

Same problems for the Titans, too many TOs, poor shooting percentage at 27%.  Davis did not start and has not appeared, so must be sitting, not dressed for the game, due to injury.  Anderson and Zimmer got starts tonight, along with Zman, Overstreet and Reed.

Playing ragged and loose vs. Wash U is just not going to cut it, as they are too disciplined and shoot it too well.  Truly time for the Titans to "get it together."

IWU70

[iwu70]

Wash U wins their tourney over IWU 67-57, and this game wasn't that close.  IWU played ugly again, and tonight against a much better opponent, lost ugly.  Again, not finishing, wasting possessions, with 15 TOs . . . and I can tell you there were more than LiveStats says . . . just no offensive flow.  Wash U is pretty good, tenacious, shot a good percentage on 2s and 3s, made more FTs, and committed less TOs.  Only bright spot for the Titans was Mayberger with a career night, 22 points.  He can't do it alone.  No one else in double figures.  Just don't know what it's going to take now after 7 games for this Titan crew to "get it together," as it is not really coming into view, not coming together and tonight the rotational arrangements were a mess, IMHO.  Davis not at the game and the Wash U announcers indicated he had a "family emergency" and was not at the game.  I send good wishes to Victor for his injury, if that was an issue, or for his family concern, whatever that may be.  No real bright spots in this game . . . none ... other than Mayberger.  No progress on so many areas of needed improvement.  Yes, Wash U is pretty good, but tonight the Titans just didn't play well at all.  Miscues, lost possession, errant passes, losing the rebounding battle against a smaller team,failing to finish numerous times right around the basket, at the rim, and a low percentage shooting.  Most of the game the Titans were shooting about 26%, though they finished at 33%.   Not going to get it done . . . can't win ugly against a team like Wash U (and this is not one of Wash U's greater teams either).  It was 2:40 to go, Titans at one point down 21, and at this point in the clock, the Titans had only 47 points.  Frustrating and discouraging . . . not really making any progress tonight.

I gotta sleep.

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Wheaton's live stats conked out at the end, but sac's reporting over on the MIAA board that Hope beat Carthage, 82-70. It wasn't that close; Hope was up by 16 to 20 points for most of the second half, but Carthage tightened it a bit in the last couple of minutes when the Hope starters were no longer in the game. Reese Herth led the Red Men with 25, while Donte Logan contributed 18 (I think) before fouling out and Luke Johnson had 11. Johnson, all 6'9, 230 of him, had as many trey attempts (five) as he had rebounds. And Tyler Pierce's only points in about 16 or 17 minutes of game time came on a trey.

And the bold portion of the above post is surprising to you?     

No, not at all. This info, of which everyone who follows the league is aware:

There is a preponderance of historical documentation of the fact that perhaps the greatest deficiencies in Johnson's game are 1) that he believes he is a 2 guard disguised in a 6'9" 230 pound body, and 2) that he plays soft, disdaining the thought of taking up residence anywhere near the basket for more than a few, brief moments, if at all during the course of a game. This history, particularly the part pertaining to his dislike of contact, dates back to his high school days at Wheaton Academy.

... is exactly why I brought it up in the first place. Although, to be fair to Johnson, I heard that he suffered a broken cheekbone in a game this summer, so that may be an additional reason why he's been tentative to go inside.

[Titan Q]

Wash U 67
IWU 57

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Stats/TeamStats/basketball-mens/2012-2013/game7.htm


Definitely a rough night for the Titans.  This game was very tight for the first 17 minutes or so, but the Bears opened up an 8-point lead at the half and were really never challenged after that.

IWU was definitely the more physical team, but that didn't really lead to IWU points.  The Titans would pound it inside and just not convert around the basket -- a bunch of missed shots in the paint.  And IWU being physically stronger certainly didn't slow down Wash U's offense.  Their perimeter players knocked down a bunch of shots tonight.  The Titans did outrebound the Bears by a 39-34 margin (Wash U is came in outrebounding opponents by something like 20 per game).

Victor Davis was not in St. Louis with the team today.  Unfortunately his grandmother suffered a stroke.  Certainly thoughts and prayers with Victor and his family.  His absence forced Ron Rose to alter the rotation and play some new combinations.  Rose started Kevin Reed and Nick Anderson together and 6-8 freshman Mike Marietti got his first meaningful varsity minutes (10 tonight).  There were just a lot of new combinations on the floor and it usually didn't look pretty. 

A bright spot for IWU was 6-6 junior forward Mike Mayberger, who had a career high 22 points (8-13 FG, 5-9 3-point).  Mike played his high school basketball just a few miles away at St. Louis University High.  He can really shoot the basketball and do a lot of nice things offensively.

IWU has suffered two losses now (#3 UW-Whitewater and at #10 Wash U), and has really not played particularly well in 2012-13, but I don't think Titans fans should give up on the season.  I firmly believe the Titans have the pieces to challenge for the CCIW title (in a CCIW that looks very strong this year).  Ron Rose and his staff just have to keep looking for the right combinations.  At this point I believe all focus has to be about getting ready for the league. 

I'd be tempted to start freshman Bryce Dolan at PG.  Dylan Overstreet is a talented kid who seems to be more SG and PG to me.  Dolan seems to handle the ball a lot better.  I'm not clear what the status of David Molinari (concussion) is but his absence is big - he's the best PG on the IWU roster.  Getting SG Pat Sodemann back soon should help the perimeter situation.

Wash U's Lopata Classic is a great tournament -- always good teams, competitive games, and very well run.  Really glad I was able to make the trip from Lincoln, NE.  Not sure I'm ready to go back home tomorrow to the depression that has certainly fallen over the city after the Big Ten title game tonight.  It's gonna be a long week in Lincoln.

[izzy stradlin]

Wash U 67
IWU 57

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Stats/TeamStats/basketball-mens/2012-2013/game7.htm


Definitely a rough night for the Titans.  This game was very tight for the first 17 minutes or so, but the Bears opened up an 8-point lead at the half and were really never challenged after that.

IWU was definitely the more physical team, but that didn't really lead to IWU points.  The Titans would pound it inside and just not convert around the basket -- a bunch of missed shots in the paint.  And IWU being physically stronger certainly didn't slow down Wash U's offense.  Their perimeter players knocked down a bunch of shots tonight.  The Titans did outrebound the Bears by a 39-34 margin (Wash U is came in outrebounding opponents by something like 20 per game).

Victor Davis was not in St. Louis with the team today.  Unfortunately his grandmother suffered a stroke.  Certainly thoughts and prayers with Victor and his family.  His absence forced Ron Rose to alter the rotation and play some new combinations.  Rose started Kevin Reed and Nick Anderson together and 6-8 freshman Mike Marietti got his first meaningful varsity minutes (10 tonight).  There were just a lot of new combinations on the floor and it usually didn't look pretty. 

A bright spot for IWU was 6-6 junior forward Mike Mayberger, who had a career high 22 points (8-13 FG, 5-9 3-point).  Mike played his high school basketball just a few miles away at St. Louis University High.  He can really shoot the basketball and do a lot of nice things offensively.

IWU has suffered two losses now (#3 UW-Whitewater and at #10 Wash U), and has really not played particularly well in 2012-13, but I don't think Titans fans should give up on the season.  I firmly believe the Titans have the pieces to challenge for the CCIW title (in a CCIW that looks very strong this year).  Ron Rose and his staff just have to keep looking for the right combinations.  At this point I believe all focus has to be about getting ready for the league. 

I'd be tempted to start freshman Bryce Dolan at PG.  Dylan Overstreet is a talented kid who seems to be more SG and PG to me.  Dolan seems to handle the ball a lot better.  I'm not clear what the status of David Molinari (concussion) is but his absence is big - he's the best PG on the IWU roster.  Getting SG Pat Sodemann back soon should help the perimeter situation.

Wash U's Lopata Classic is a great tournament -- always good teams, competitive games, and very well run.  Really glad I was able to make the trip from Lincoln, NE.  Not sure I'm ready to go back home tomorrow to the depression that has certainly fallen over the city after the Big Ten title game tonight.  It's gonna be a long week in Lincoln.

I watched some of this game and have seen IWU a couple times now.   I agree that IWU has a good amount of talent on this roster but it isn't meshing well so far this season (even in their victories). I almost think Ron Rose needs to tighten up his rotation to help create an identify for the team in where it wants to go with the basketball on offense.

As an opponent, the IWU lineup I wouldn't want to see would be:
1. Molinari (when healthy)
2. Zimmer
3. Mayberger
4. Davis
5. Reed

I agree that getting Molinari back would be huge.  Take your pick of who to bring off the bench but give all these starters closer to 30+ min a game and I think they will compliment each other well and contend in the CCIW.

Mayberger looks like a tough offensive weapon.  He is now their leading scorer in only about 55% of the minutes of many of the starters.  A 6-6 kid who can really shoot the three and put the ball on the floor a little is very tough to defend at this level. 

Just a few thoughts. 

[izzy stradlin]

Wheaton 79
Hope 75

These kids can play! Wheaton was very impressive, outrebounding Hope 38-32. They led by as many as 15 in the second half and the final 4 pt spread was as close as it got.

Head Coach Mike Schauer said on the post game "If you told me we would be 6-0 I probably would have laughed at you".

The Thunder are making a statement early. Smith, Berg, Kvam....these young guys are good and are going to keep the Thunder in a lot of games. Turnovers were a factor, Wheaton had 18 and Hope clawed their way back into this game with great defense, creating the turnovers.

First time Coach Schauer has won vs Hope in his tenure. Congratulations to the Thunder

Mike Schauer has brought in a lot of athletic, talented players in the last few years and we are starting to see the depth of his recruiting.   His first recruiting class are now juniors (Tyler Peters, Mike Kvam*, Nate Haynes, Jon DeMoss).  Tyler Peters has been all over the place on both ends of the floor. He is scoring 20 points shooting over 60% from the field, with 5 assists almost 5 rebounds and 3 steals a game.  He is just playing a very unique role as a 6-4 (probably closer to 6-5) point guard who commands the ball, passes well, gets most of his points at the rim and plays great defense.   

I'd like to see Teuscher get the ball a little more in the offense. So far as a newcomer to the program, he is easing his way into things, not being overly assertive in the flow of things.  When it comes time for the more physical play of the CCIW, Wheaton will need his ability to score with contact.   

[iwumichigander]

Q did a nice job sumarizing the Titans outing against WashU.  As a Titan fan, you knew pretty much it was going to be a long night early in the first half when on two consecutive possessions the Titans made not one, not two but three or more offensive rebounds under teh bucket and could not get the bunny to drop.

Regarding Mayberger, I think he earned more playing time if not a start.  A pretty impressive outing last night. I thought Marietti earned some more PT too as he showed some skills not oftern found in a freshman big guy.

Like Q, I am tempted to give Dolan a shot at PG unless Molinari is ready.  I am not sold Overstreet is a PG - I think he is a 2 guard or a 3 in the right circumstances.  He did not run the offense last night, it either ran him or he was looking for a shot when he should have been focused on getting the other four guys involved in the offense.

Ron Rose has a rough start with multiple lineups he has been forced to use.  At some point soon, I think he almost has to say CCIW coming up and this is the 7 or 8 guys we are going with.

[toooldtohoop]

It must be a difficult coaching decision at this time of the year when you are trying to establish rotations and effectiveness, while at the same time dealing with in region competition.  Hard to give your bench quality minutes in order to develop them when your goal is to make the tournament.

But I'm not always sure when I'm watching, if it's in region or not.

What are the rules?

[Mr. Ypsi]

It must be a difficult coaching decision at this time of the year when you are trying to establish rotations and effectiveness, while at the same time dealing with in region competition.  Hard to give your bench quality minutes in order to develop them when your goal is to make the tournament.

But I'm not always sure when I'm watching, if it's in region or not.

What are the rules?

FAQ summarizes it nicely.  Also, scoreboard indicates in-region status for all games (occasionally there are errors, but rarely).

[iwu70]

Agree with several here that it may be time for Ron Rose to settle down, focus down on a more limited rotation and see if they can get more minutes, get in better sync with themselves and with each other.  So far, not happening.  It's been all over the board so far.  Given the performances to date, I can't see why Victor Davis would be in the starting line-up, so just call me silly.  Guess he has a few more games to prove that he should still be there in early January.  Hope he's OK physically after the fall along the baseline in St. Louis, and very sorry to hear about his family member's health concern.  My thoughts and prayers are with Victor and his family. 

As I've said before, my lineup would be, given performances to date:

Overstreet - PG
Zimmer - 2
Dortch -3
Zman -4
Reed -5

I can understand the concerns about Overstreet at the PG as he has been shaky at points, esp. in this last game vs. Wash U.  Molinari is not even back to full practice as yet, as far as I know, and his body language and melding with the rest of the team is just, well, not there at all yet.  Can't see him getting starts at PG for some weeks to come, if then.  Yes, Bryce Dolan is a good option, could happen.  He has a good upside and seemingly a good frame of mind, high energy.  I'm still pretty big on the rotation of Musselman and Anderson off the bench, and Sodemann taking some minutes from Zimmer as needed, if he's healthy and playing well.  He played well earlier, before the injury, in the G/W scrimmage.    Mayberger and Dortch clearly sharing time at the 2/3, one with a emphasis on D, guarding the perimeter, the other on providing offense from the perimeter, slashing and scoring.  Sure wish Dortch had Mayberger's offensive skills and that Mayberger had Dortch's defensive skills.  Wouldn't that be ideal (dreaming)?

But, overall the team needs some basic layup, finishing drills, some ball-handling practice and clearly some hard work/lectures and rants about valuing each possession, taking care of the ball.  Don't want to look up the Assist-TO ratio for these first seven games.  Defensive intensity has been good, esp. with Dortch, Zman and Anderson . . . but seems the entire team was in something of a whacked out funk in the Wash U game . . . it wasn't just one or two guys.  Seems the funk Victor Davis has been in became a bit contagious.  Imagine the team is pretty frustrated too, in not getting things pulled together and functioning more smoothly at this stage yet either.  Perhaps there's a time when the light bulb just comes on and things fall into a better mode, with fewer of the silly plays, errant passes and TOs.  Sure hope so.  So far, it's just been ugly and rather out of whack, out of sync offensively. 

IMHO, being 5-2 at this stage given how poorly the Titans have played is very very fortunate.  Strange to see a Titan squad struggling so offensively and averaging, after seven games, only 65 ppg.  Haven't seen that in a few years. 

IWU70

 

[iwu70]

Given how the Titans have played to date, I'd think 8-3 would be mighty fine going into the CCIW race.  That's my prediction.  We'll see, won't we?  Of course, 9-2 would be lovely.

To me, NCC and WC seem to be playing the best basketball of CCIW contenders to date, with Augie close behind.  IMHO.

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mark, don't give up on Victor Davis too quickly.  I was in Holland for the opening rounds of the tourney last March.  He played like a future All-American.  They could have sat anyone and still beaten the Tyler Tillema-less Pointers, but they could NOT have beaten #1 Hope without Davis.  THE key to victory was that K-man and J. Zimmer, both in obvious pain throughout the game, simply REFUSED to have their careers end that night, but Victor was the dagger.

If he doesn't 'snap out of it', the Titans are middle of the pack CCIW (Augie and Wheaton are both looking better than anticipated); if he does (AND other pieces start fitting together), this team has the potential to be as big a threat for the 'big doorstop' as anyone.  (And no, that is NOT another crazy cabonney prediction of glory - just an observation that their potential is VERY high. )

[iwu70]

Ypsi, I won't give up on Victor Davis.  I know how good a player he is and how well he played, superbly, in the latter part of last season.  Surely hope he performs at the level we all expected, an All-CCIW level, but that just hasn't happened so far.  I'd take an average performance from him at this stage, like 10 and 10 each night,  . . . Seems we are pretty fortunate to be at 5-2 given how the Titans have all played, individually and collectively, so far.  Who would have thought that the best player to date for the Titans would be Mike Mayberger?  Who saw that one coming?   Reed has also played well, consistently -- averaging almost a double-double -- so far, IMHO. 

Yes, I feel the Titans surely have the potential but need to get it together mighty soon.  I'm still hoping for 8-3 or even 9-2 in the pre-CCIW portion, though that will be tough if we continue to tempt fates with so many TOs, such poor offensive play.  Don't think 65 ppg and games in the 50s or low 60s are going to cut it most nights.  Some tough games yet to go, esp. Hope in Orlando. 

Have enjoyed watching the women play, as they are much further along with their teamwork, development and defensive and offensive sets and schematics.  Mia Smith is an excellent coach.  Great to see Solari, Burton, and Hasselbring back for the banner dropping.  It looks great in Shirk now, with a good balance and symmetry to the Men's 1997 National Championship banner at the other end of the Shirk Performance Arena.   You'll have to come have a look . . . enjoy a visit sometime for a few games.

All best to you and your family for the upcoming holidays.

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Ypsi, I won't give up on Victor Davis.  I know how good a player he is and how well he played, superbly, in the latter part of last season.  Surely hope he performs at the level we all expected, an All-CCIW level, but that just hasn't happened so far.  I'd take an average performance from him at this stage, like 10 and 10 each night,

A little hard to call 10 & 10 "average."  Here are the CCIW's rebounding leaders the last 10 seasons (all games, not just conference):

2011-12: Tim McCrary, 8.4 rpg
2010-11: Tim McCrary, 9.4 rpg
2009-10: Tim McCrary, 8.9 rpg
2008-09: Chandlor Collins, 9.8 rpg
2007-08: Andy Wiele, 10.5 rpg
2006-07: Dan Walton, 9.2 rpg
2005-06: Korte Long, 9.2 rpg
2004-05: Chris Martin, 8.6 rpg
2003-04: Christ Martin, 9.8 rpg
2002-03: Joel Kolmodin, 10.1 rpg


A player averaging 10 rebounds per game is generally at the very top of the league.  Averaging a double-double is a very rare thing.