MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Ao - Any word on the Khalil Small front?

robert--

Not a peep. Unfortunately, it may come down to a question of $$.

On one hand you have NCC, which is closest to Mr. Small's home, and is ranked #13 in the Midwest Regional Universities category by US News & World Report, but who, as an NCAA D3 institution, cannot give athletic money.

On the other hand, you have Northern Michigan, ranked way below NCC by the US News Report at #77, and located far, far up in Michigan's frozen tundra region of the Upper Peninsula on the shore of frigid Lake Superior. However, as an NCAA D2 institution, they can of course, extend an offer including athletic dollars. 
You also have Ashford Univ, located out in Clinton, Iowa. Ashford is a school ranked as "Tier 2" by the US News & World Report, meaning its not in the top 107 schools in the Midwest Regional Universities category. Ashford is an NAIA school that is a member of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) which most people have never even heard of. However, as an NAIA school they, like a NCAA D2, can offer athletic money.

The Cardinals would indeed be fortunate to land Mr. Small, and are still actively recruiting him. Its their sincere hope that an acceptable offer can be extended and accepted that will enable North Central to enter into a successful academic and athletic partnership with Mr. Small.

Ashford has released a list of 10 new basketball commitments for 2013-14, and Khalil Small is not on it.
Hopefully, that narrows the final choice down to NCC and No. MI. However, you never know if a previously unknown possibility has emerged somewhere along the line so at this point, nobody is holding their breath.
The NCC staff would certainly love to see Khalil become a Cardinal.

[iwu70]

Thanks, Q.

I think Q got it about right on IWU's situation, possible rotations, etc., though we might have a few differences, variations on themes he raised.  I happen to think Musselman is ahead of Marietti and that Mayberger may be more in the mix due to his length, three point shooting abilities and overall basketball experience and smarts.  He's a zone buster for sure.  Ron Rose does have just a ton of talent and so many variations, mixes and matches that are going to be very fun to watch, given what opponents present.  A nice situation to be in, for sure.  Some of this may depend on who really did the off-season work, improved their game and is really ready to make an impact in a new way this coming season. 

If I were guessing on the rest of the travelling squad, who will be sitting on the varsity pine this year, I'd bet on those mentioned by Q, plus Nelms, Ryan Coyle and Brandon Heyen.  All others to JV and even some of these guys deep down on the varsity pine playing JV minutes just to stay in game shape, get more experience.    Given the big freshman class IWU has coming in, I do hope a full JV schedule is organized.  Last year really wasn't a very full schedule of JV games.

Thanks again, Q, for your assessment, news on various players. 

IWU70

[URockets]

http://www.iwusports.com/news/2013/8/2/MBB_0802134416.aspx

[bopol]

Heard an 'please don't repeat' rumor about a player transferring out of North Central. 

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Sorry, I cannot give more information (name) without betraying my friend.

[veterancciwfan]

Regarding IWU's schedule, the exhibition game against Winona State should be entertaining. The non-conf. slate features trips to balmy locales like northern Iowa and Holland, MI (Holland is a great town, but not so much the week before X-mas). IWU should be a fun team to watch and a very difficult team to defend.

[iwu70]

Looks like a great trip to Costa Rica for the Titans . . . three games plus lots of eco-experiences, good time for bonding and fun, in a truly unique environment.  Most of the varsity guys, player options we've been talking about are going, but not all.  Also, looks a pretty good 2013-14 schedule with some tough pre-CCIW season games vs. Chicago, Wash U and Manchester -- always good match-ups.  Hope to see a few of these in November. 

With the various international trips being taken by a variety of IWU varsity squads -- seems the Athletic Department is becoming one of the bigger, stronger advocates of study/sports abroad, at least of a short-term nature.  Hope some of these athletes catch the bug and then pursue semester or year-long or full-time summer options in various countries in future . . . or post-BA international experiences like Rotary, Fulbright, NSEP, Watson, Teach for China, JET program in Japan etc., teaching in Korea, or Princeton-in-Asia.  Educational sports tourism is good, a start, but nothing like in-depth culture and language learning experiences for a full year or more.  Everyone starts somewhere . . .

We are looking for the next Yao Ming over here to send IWU's way!   Gotta find some good soccer, Lacrosse, baseball, and golf squad members for Dennie internationally too!

Warm lazy hazy days' greetings to all CCIW chatsters from warm, rainy Hong Kong, with a typhoon lingering nearby.  So it goes in the Hong Kong summer . . .

Football camps opening very soon now.

IWU70

[TitanPride]

Heard an 'please don't repeat' rumor about a player transferring out of North Central. 

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Sorry, I cannot give more information (name) without betraying my friend.

Per the NCC Basketball twitter feed on Thursday, Charlie Rosenberg has transferred to Minnesota State, a Division II school.

[Titan Q]

The Costa Rica trip should be a great way for the Titans to get a headstart on the 2013-14 season.  The 2005-06 team with Dauksas, Amelianovich, and Freeman took the same trip and really hit the ground running (11-0 non-conference).

The exhibition vs Winona State should also be a really nice addition to the schedule.  The Warriors were 23-8 last year and made it to the NCAA D2 Elite 8, falling to then #1-ranked West Liberty. 

[Titan Q]

I've heard that IWU's practices for Costa Rica are going really well and that 3 players in particular have stood out (all seniors) - 6-9 center Nick Anderson, and forwards Victor Davis and Andrew Ziemnik.  It sounds like Anderson has really worked hard since the 2012-13 season ended and looks great so far.

[iwu70]

I'm pulling for Nick Anderson to win the 5 spot. 

Overall, the Titans need to improve on FT shooting % this coming season. 

So many options, combinations possible with all the talent.  Hope everyone is on a "team page" and not too too concerned about getting minutes.

Looking forward to Nick Anderson's blog on the CR trip.

IWU70

[bopol]

Heard an 'please don't repeat' rumor about a player transferring out of North Central. 

Has anyone heard anything about this?

Sorry, I cannot give more information (name) without betraying my friend.

Per the NCC Basketball twitter feed on Thursday, Charlie Rosenberg has transferred to Minnesota State, a Division II school.

Yep.  That.  Do the NCC fans think this will have a significant impact?  I liked the kid's energy, but he did have a tendency to play out of control.   

[Denny McKinney]

Sounds like IWU soph. Bryce Dolan needs to make a move. He seems to be buried. He needs a slightly lower level DIII program. He would of been a cinch New Comer of the Year in the SLIAC. And maybe a POY canidate this year.

I know he really enjoyed his experience of playing at IWU last year. Could be he stays for the education and maybe some time his Senior year.

[iwu70]

I think Rosenberg is a pretty big loss for NCC. 

Let's hope Bryce Dolan stays put, stays patient, and realizes his time will come at IWU.  He's a good player, has to get stronger, better on defense.  IWU does need a good backup for Overstreet at PG, as the others -- Zimmer, Sodemann and the new Nelson -- are basically SG, at the 2.  The one buried is Nelms.  Zimmer can play at the 3 as well.  (Gotta remember last year when we had injuries, guys out much of the pre-CCIW games, etc. when Dortch was playing the 2, remember that?).  A lot of basketball to be played, a lot of decisions still to be made. 

IWU70

[AndOne]

New seating installation progressing on the north side in The Hangar at NCC:

https://twitter.com/NCC_Athletics/status/360033608431448064/photo/1/large

[NCF]

New seating installation progressing on the north side in The Hangar at NCC:

https://twitter.com/NCC_Athletics/status/360033608431448064/photo/1/large

It's looking GOOD!