MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

It goes without saying that Carthage and Wheaton will have more than 1 and 2 recruits respectively. I also suspect North Park will be coming up with more than we already know about. It seems some of last year's NPU recruits were among the last to be revealed. Considering last year's huge recruiting class at Millikin, they may not be adding any more bodies this season beyond the 3 names that have already been posted. Its already a crowded field of youngsters going to the post in Decatur this season. Augie usually brings in more than 4 players. Will we see additional Augie recruits or will this year's class be held down in light of several good additions last year? They really need some more 6'6" or taller guys as they're down to only 6 such returning players, with the incoming Michael Hoekstra raising the count to 7.
It also wouldn't be surprising to see another name or two eventually appear on the NCC and Elmhurst lists.
At this juncture, it seems IWU is the least likely candidate to be adding any more new names. They are a little thin at guard though, so you never know. 

[Titan Q]

I posted this on Millikin's recruits a few weeks ago, but just FYI as we're back on the topic...

http://herald-review.com/sports/college/millikin-adding-to-building-blocks/article_86e2ba5e-d7d5-11e2-ab3e-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

Recruits noted are:

* Brody Bence, 6-8 F (Shelbyville H.S.)
* Jeremy Pezzelle, 5-9 G (Decatur LSA)
* Shacquille Edwards, 6-4/220 F (McCluer H.S., St. Louis)
* Bryn Agnew, 6-6 F (Normal U High, class of 2012)

[Titan Q]

Q, Wheaton typically starts indicating their recruits this time of year.  I think football, men's and women's soccer, and women's basketball have had their recruits for this year listed so far.  My guess would be men's basketball can't be too far away. 

Last year, Wheaton men's basketball announced recruits on May 18 - http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2012/5/17/MBB_recruits.aspx?path=mbball

The year before on June 2 - http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2011/6/2/MBB_recr.aspx?path=mbball

And women's basketball announced recruits this year on June 27 - http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2013/6/27/WBB_0627134732.aspx


So it seems they are later than usual this year.

[Titan Q]

Elmhurst additions...

http://www2.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2013/7/25/mbb_0725134247.aspx

[AndOne]

CCIW rivals North Central and Carthage (Red) will face off at 7:00 Thurs for the Deerfield Summer League championship. I believe Carthage Red was undefeated during the league regular season until their last game in which they were defeated by NCC who, surprisingly, was winless to that point. The Cardinals have caught fire at the right time winning 4 playoff games to advance to Thursday's final. They defeated an improved Benedictine team in the quarterfinals, and Kunkel in the semifinals. Kunkel is an independent team comprised of several former D1 players including, I believe, some from Northwestern. Carthage Red downed Illinois Wesleyan in the quarterfinals and Wash U in semifinal action.     

[iwu70]

Is it just me or does it seem like many CCIW programs are loading up on guards, smaller players.  Not much word on the transformational "big man" coming along here of late. 

Looking forward to seeing what IWU puts together with the plethora of returning talent, esp. the seniors this fall.  Ron Rose is going to have such a load of talent coming back, so hope he can put it all together again in a productive and tough way.  Seems defense is again going to be very very important, esp. on the perimeter.  Replacing Kevin Reed at the 5 a high priority.  Strange as this may sound, my money is on Parker Musselman or Nick Anderson.  I'm just not sure, not convinced that this fall or in the future Marietti is the answer.  At the 2 and 3 sounds like "Jordan" is the answer -- plenty of Jordans on offer.  Important also to develop some depth at PG -- Overstreet is there, but then it's not all that clear.  Gotta love all the depth returning at the 3 and 4 -- with all-conference players, experienced players, and lots of interesting combos and mixing/matching possible.  Surprise of the year = Heyen.  Most improved for the year = Musselman and Sodemann.   I'm ready for Victor Davis to have just an awesome, monster year, get off to a better start than in the past.  Whatever comes, it's going to be an exciting, fun and full team to watch, cheer for.  GO TITANS!  Football first, but really can't wait to see this year's edition of the Big Green. 

IWU70

[John Gleich]

Is it just me or does it seem like many CCIW programs are loading up on guards, smaller players.  Not much word on the transformational "big man" coming along here of late. 

It's not just you, but it's also not just the CCIW. D-III in general has really transitioned away from the true big man in the last decade.

Now, that being said, teams that HAVE one can dominate if they use him well. There have been some very "transformational" big men on top teams, and they've pounded it inside against good teams without an inside presence with great success.

[devildog29]

Is it just me or does it seem like many CCIW programs are loading up on guards, smaller players.  Not much word on the transformational "big man" coming along here of late. 

It's not just you, but it's also not just the CCIW. D-III in general has really transitioned away from the true big man in the last decade.

Now, that being said, teams that HAVE one can dominate if they use him well. There have been some very "transformational" big men on top teams, and they've pounded it inside against good teams without an inside presence with great success.

I'm certainly no expert on the HS basketball recruiting trail, but I wonder how much of this can be attributed to the old addage that "you can't coach size"?  Are perhaps many of the bigger kids with D3 talent getting offered $ at higher levels simply because of their size?  Thus, D3 loses out on some of these bigs that probably should be playing in the CCIW or WIAC for example?  Maybe this is way off base, but seems a likely possibility.

[newCCIWfan]

Is it just me or does it seem like many CCIW programs are loading up on guards, smaller players.  Not much word on the transformational "big man" coming along here of late. 
IWU70

Out of curiosity, what would you characterize as big man? There are 8 players 6-6 or taller coming into the CCIW next year (perhaps a low number, but not drastically so). As I understood it, anything 6-6 or over is generally considered a big man for D3

The CCIW, being one of the top D3 conferences, has always been on the "bigger side" --- though on average I would think the CCIW is maybe an inch taller than other conferences at the forward positions. What sets the CCIW out is that a conference guard is generally in the 6-1 to 6-5 range (whereas in most conferences guards tend to be in the 5-10 to 6-2 range).

[iwu70]

devildog, I agree with your point.

I guess in CCIW, D3 generally 6'5" is considered pretty big, if the talent and mobility, foot work, skills in the paint are there.  Victor Davis. Lipic, Luke Kasten, Kevin Reed etc..  Alot of the really good big men I remember had great foot work, and some of them could really step out and shoot the 3 as well.  I have high high hopes for Musselman this year. 

Looking forward to the season, for sure.

IWU70

[iwu70]

Friend with good knowledge of the situation confirms Brandon Heyen is fully healthy, working hard on strength and fitness this summer, fully ready to go for the new season at IWU.  So many experienced players ahead of him on the chart, but he could make a contribution.  We'll see about where it all plays out in due course . . . of course.  Coach Rose gotta feel good about his full house of talent.  Looks like a very strong JV line-up too, so hope they can put together a full, more consistent JV schedule too, for these younger guys to play in game conditions and develop. 

IWU70

[iwu70]

Q, any chance that Molinari returns . . . or his basketball career at IWU basically over now? 

Do you see any of the newbies challenging for varsity minutes?  Yes, I understand about the positive prospects of DI transfer, Jordan Nelson, at the 2.  Others?  What's your take on off-season conditioning, weight work, improvements and your take on Marietti as a key contributor, player in the rotation of bigs this year?

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Q, any chance that Molinari returns . . . or his basketball career at IWU basically over now? 

Do you see any of the newbies challenging for varsity minutes?  Yes, I understand about the positive prospects of DI transfer, Jordan Nelson, at the 2.  Others?  What's your take on off-season conditioning, weight work, improvements and your take on Marietti as a key contributor, player in the rotation of bigs this year?

IWU70

* I'm not sure where David Molinari is going to school in 2013-14.  He left IWU (not just the basketball team) last year and I haven't heard where he ended up.

* I don't think any incoming freshman has any chance at varsity minutes -- very good class, but too much talent ahead of each of player.

* I think transfer Jordan Nelson is the only newcomer who will play...and he will play a lot.

* I like 6-7 SF/PF Brandon Heyen as a prospect in 2014-15 and 2015-16 (he was granted a medical redshirt for last year), but I don't think he has any chance at varsity minutes in 2013-14.  A) He hasn't played basketball in a year, and b) Way too much ahead of him at both the 3 and the 4.  Heyen needs a strong season as a JV player and then will have every opportunity to get on the floor as a JR.

* Most people close to the program tell me that 6-8 C Mike Marietti has a chance to be a really good player, and that the battle at the 5 is expected to be very tight between the sophomore and senior Nick Anderson.  (Although Ron Rose could go small, with 3 guards, Ziemnik at the 4, and Davis at the 5.)

To me, there are 9 players who are locks to be in the varsity rotation...

Guards
Dylan Overstreet, 6-3 Jr
Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Sr
Jordan Nelson, 6-1 Jr
Pat Sodemann, 6-3 Jr

Forwards
Andrew Ziemnik, 6-4 Sr
Victor Davis, 6-5 Sr
Eric Dortch, 6-3 Sr

Centers
Nick Anderson, 6-9 Sr
Mike Marietti, 6-8 So

Then, assuming a 10-man rotation (11 is too many in my opinion), it's just a matter of which 1 player from the following group will play...

PG Bryce Dolan, 6-0 So
SF Mike Mayberger, 6-5 Sr
PF Parker Musselman, 6-8 Jr

That final spot would seem to be wide open between the 3 above, and with IWU's positional versatility, it could legitimately be any of the 3.

[hopefan]

TQ's lineup speaks volumes (to me) as to how good IWU is...   I though Mike Mayburger was the best player on the floor when IWU played at Wash U last year... yet he is seen as only a 'maybe' in TQ's analysis.....

There's no question in my mind that numbers 10, 11, 12 on TQ's list COULD be all conference players in the SLIAC.....

[ICUI4CU]

To me, there are 9 players who are locks to be in the varsity rotation...

Guards
Dylan Overstreet, 6-3 Jr
Brady Zimmer, 6-4 Sr
Jordan Nelson, 6-1 Jr
Pat Sodemann, 6-3 Jr

Forwards
Andrew Ziemnik, 6-4 Sr
Victor Davis, 6-5 Sr
Eric Dortch, 6-3 Sr

Centers
Nick Anderson, 6-9 Sr
Mike Marietti, 6-8 So

Then, assuming a 10-man rotation (11 is too many in my opinion), it's just a matter of which 1 player from the following group will play...

PG Bryce Dolan, 6-0 So
SF Mike Mayberger, 6-5 Sr
PF Parker Musselman, 6-8 Jr

That final spot would seem to be wide open between the 3 above, and with IWU's positional versatility, it could legitimately be any of the 3.

TQ, with these 12 spots filled, who is your guess to fill out the remaining couple spots on the travel squad?

Also, how do you think IWU will handle all of these players? Do they completely split into 2 teams and separate into exclusively JV and Varsity. Do they begin to cut players? Practice only players? Looks like there is potential for a whole lot of drama the first couple weeks of the season...