MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Thrilled to see WC at 12.  We'll see if they can live up to that.  Different schedule this year. Some tough travel.

We will miss Haynes. 

Should have very good play 1-3.  4 and 5 positions will be the question. 

Go Thunder!

too old,

You have to consider the source of the rankings. As Pat said, it's DIIINews, not D3Hoops doing the rankings in this case. Not to burst your bubble, but the Thunderous Crusaders are ranked #21, not #12. But to say they are even the number 21 team in the country is a bit laughable. You bet they will miss Nate Haynes, one of my favorite enemy players in recent years, and the best pure center in the conference. BUT, I think they will certainly miss the CCIW POY, Tyler Peters even more. Don't you? I mean the guy was an All-American! You don't lose Haynes & Peters and even dream about being the pre-season #21 team in the country.
As you state, WC will have very good guard play this season with Teuscher & DeMoss. However, beyond those two, there is almost no experience returning. Peter Smith is a nice player, but not a league star, at least so far. Beyond that, I think you need to do a heap of hoping  that the Lord helps
Michael Berg come within a galaxy of the talent level he was projected as having when stepped on campus, and also that some of Wheaton's plethora of freshmen develop quickly.
One thing that's for sure is Mike Schauer will certainly get everything out of his troops that they are capable of producing.

[AndOne]

IWU ranked #2 in DIIIhoops preseason poll?  I don't see it.  I would have thought somewhere between 15 and 25.  Augie and WC also ranked -- 6 and 12?  Augie does seem the favourite, with everyone coming back, getting better.  Lots of questions with the IWU line-up, injury situation etc.  Must be a ranking based on last year's performance, not this year's prospect.

IWU70

70,

If nothing else works, your eyesight is still in tip-top condition. 

The Dodo was thought to be extinct, but it's alive and living at DIII News, as evidenced by their ranking the Green Team at #2 in the country, pre-season.
With what projects as tremendous guard play, they may be the #2 team in the conference, but in the nation? Not!
If that designation belongs to anyone in the CCIW, it's Augie.

[Titan Q]

With practice starting this week (IWU starts Friday), re-posting this list of returning/departing CCIW players.  Game on.


Illinois Wesleyan (27-5, 12-2)
G - Dylan Overstreet, 6-3/180 Jr   2nd Team All-CCIW       
G - Pat Sodemann, 6-3/195 Jr
F - Andrew Ziemnik, 6-5/220 Sr   1st Team All-CCIW      
F - Victor Davis, 6-5/235 Sr   1st Team All-CCIW
C - Mike Marietti, 6-8/245 So

G - Jordan Nelson, 6-1/170 Jr
F - Mike Mayberger, 6-6/205 Sr
G - Bryce Dolan, 6-0/160 So
F - Eric Dortch, 6-4/210 Sr
G - Brady Zimmer, 6-4/180 Sr
C - Nick Anderson, 6-10/230 Sr

Wheaton (21-9, 10-4)
G - Tyler Peters, 6-4/205 Sr    1st Team All-CCIW/Most Outstanding Player
G - Caleb MeMoss, 6-0/165 Jr
G - Brayden Teuscher, 6-3/205 Jr   2nd Team All-CCIW
F - Peter Smith, 6-6/190 Jr
F - Nate Haynes, 6-6/218 Sr    3rd Team All-CCIW

G - Tad Fisher, 6-0/185 Sr
F - Michael Berg, 6-6/210 So
F - Joel Smith, 6-6/235 So

Augustana (20-8, 9-5)
G - Hunter Hill, 5-9/160 So   2nd Team All-CCIW
G - Dan Jurgutis, 6-0/197 Jr
F - Tayvian Johnson, 6-6/197 So  3rd Team All-CCIW
F - Ben Ryan, 6-5/207 So
F - Brandon Motzel, 6-7/208 So

G - Jawan Straughter, 6-1/177 So 
C - Kevin Schlitter, 6-8/282 Jr
F - Nic Hoepfner, 6-6/220 Jr
G - Mark Roth, 6-1/167 Jr
G - Griffin Pils, 6-4/204 So
G - Jake Norcia, 6-0/168 So

Carthage (16-10, 9-5)
G - Donte Logan, 5-11/160 Jr
G - Malcom Kelly, 6-0/185 Sr    1st Team All-CCIW
G - Kevin Sykes Jr, 6-3/160 Sr
F - Marlon Senior, 6-5/195 Sr    2nd Team All-CCIW
C - Mike Kastel, 6-7/235 Jr

F - Cameron Van Wyk, 6-6/185 Jr
G - Reese Herth, 6-2/170 Jr
G - Myles Olsen, 6-1/195 So
F - Sean Valentine, 6-4/200, Jr

North Central (14-11, 7-7)
G - Brandon Williams, 6-1/170 Sr
G - Pat Rourke, 6-3/170 Sr
G - Vince Kmiec, 6-4/185 Sr   2nd Team All-CCIW
F - Jack Burchett, 6-6/215 Jr
C - Landon Gamble, 6-6/240 Sr    1st Team All-CCIW

G - Tyler Sutton, 6-1/160 So
F - Kevin Honn, 6-4/180 So
F - David Robinson, 6-5/200 Fr

Elmhurst (14-11, 6-8)
G - Pat Coleman, 6-2/190 So
G - Kyle Wuest, 6-1/180 So
G - Taylor Baxter, 6-5/205 Sr
F - Nick Sanford, 6-5/210 Sr    3rd Team All-CCIW
F - Will Nixon, 6-7/210 So

F - Erick Crittenden, 6-7/200 So
G - Bryant Ackerman, 6-2/195 So
F - Kenny Payonk, 6-6/220 So
G - Nathan Rogers, 6-1/185 Fr
G - Peyton Wyatt, 5-11/195 So

Millikin (8-17, 2-12)
G - TJ Griffin, 5-9/185 So
G - Tives Gardner, 6-0/165 So
F - Jacob Kueker, 6-5/175 So
F - Deavis Johnson, 6-7/210 So   3rd Team All-CCIW
F - Bryn Agnew, 6-8/200 Fr

G - Parker Day, 6-0/190 So
F - Elijah Kinmon, 6-5/190 So
G - Brennan Coltrane, 5-11/160 So

North Park (4-21, 1-13)
G - Juwan Henry, 5-10/155, Fr   3rd Team All-CCIW/Freshman of the Year
G - Garrett Gatz, 5-10/160 Jr
G - Jayquan Lee, 6-0/160 Fr
F - Joe Biko, 6-6/240 Fr
C - Nate Rummel, 6-7/245 Jr

F - Michael Hutchinson, 6-4/210 So
G - Ryan Hyrn, 5-11/175 So
G - Reggie MgGee, 6-3/175 Jr
F - Matt McNamara, 6-6/250 Fr

[Titan Q]

How I see the CCIW going in:

1. Augustana -- the Vikings return everyone and are loaded; should enter as a Top 5 team nationally.

2. Illinois Wesleyan -- will have elite guard play and a returning center with nice upside; questions to answer at forward spots but have some pretty good options.

3. Wheaton -- lost two great players, but have a nice nucleus returning and some good freshmen; big questions in low post.

4. Elmhurst -- a lot of experienced talent returning and a couple impact additions; a team I think will surprise in 2014-15.

5. North Central -- impressive talent returning at both the perimeter and post, but I'm not sure about the depth yet.

6. Carthage -- similar to NCC, several good players returning but questions about depth.

7. Millikin -- Matt Nadelhoffer finally has juniors; I think the Big Blue turns the corner this year and will be much improved; for me, big questions about the 5 though.

8. North Park -- star guard to build around and seems like a lot of other talent; who knows.

[iwu70]

AO, basically agree with you.  Titans are likely top 25 going in, but surely not #2.  Augie should be higher to start out.

Agree with Q's ranking pretty much -- probably would have Millikin a little higher, as I think this is the year that Nadelhoffer's recruiting and work pay off.  Yes, Baines and EC could surprise us.

Titans have a worry at depth in the post.  Seibring, Marietti and a few others have to stay healthy.  Could be a team that "lives by the three, dies by the three."  Lots of good perimeter players, lots of good penetration and dishing out.

Looking forward to the season.  Glad to see the Titan footballers get somewhat back on track with a convincing win at Millikin.  Yet another QB had to step up -- and he played very well.

IWU70

[newCCIWfan]

5. North Central -- impressive talent returning at both the perimeter and post, but I'm not sure about the depth yet.

Out of curiosity, and really not trying to pick a fight, but what impressive talent do you see returning for NCC? I think I have more questions then answers for this years team. Only time will tell. Hopefully they can replace Vince and Landon ... But that is easier said then done. Just my opinion.

[AppletonRocks]

Is Elmhurst guard Pat Coleman any relation to the famous Pat Coleman from D3Hoops.com?   

[CCIWbballfan]

Millikin has lost a few of those Junior returners recently.  Deavis Johnson and Brennan Coltrane will not be with the team this year.  Without Johnson (CCIW's leading rebounder, 2nd in steals, 3rd in blocks) I think Millikin is going to struggle defensively. Johnson wasn't a true 5 but did a lot of the dirty work in the middle that has helped Millikin overcome some size disadvantages.  Coltrane played a lot down the stretch last year due to injuries and showed some real grit and talent which will take away from the depth and size at guard.  Millikin will most likely start the smallest backcourt in the CCIW this year.  We'll have to see if some new-comers can catch on quickly and contribute.

[iwu70]

Agree, if Deavis Johnson is gone, then MU drops down substantially.  What happened, where did he go?  He was a beast in the paint.  Good player.

Official practices starting this week, right?

IWU70

[CCIWbballfan]

He was removed from the team for discipline reasons.  MU has had an issue with that and lost some valuable minutes from key contributors over the last year.  This is a very different team then it was at the beginning of last season.  MU's top 3 post players last year aren't even on the team this year. Yes, official practices start this week. 

[AndOne]

5. North Central -- impressive talent returning at both the perimeter and post, but I'm not sure about the depth yet.

Out of curiosity, and really not trying to pick a fight, but what impressive talent do you see returning for NCC? I think I have more questions then answers for this years team. Only time will tell. Hopefully they can replace Vince and Landon ... But that is easier said then done. Just my opinion.

First of all, Landon Gamble isn't going to be replaced. First team all-conference all 4 years is a gem rarely unearthed. And, if Vince Kmiec is replaced, it will be by committee, with one player being the defensive Vince, and another the offensive Vince. The combination of an exceptional defender and far above average scorer is what made him so valuable.

Secondly, not sure if this is in line with TQ's thinking, but one returning player he might see as impressive is Jack Burchett. Don't know if Jack has impressed TQ, but I think Ron Rose may have previously been impressed. There won't be a tougher player in the conference, and, while he probably won't do it consistently, Jack has the potential to post a double-double at any time.

And, continuing on theme of not being sure of TQ's thinking, another impressive "returning" player could be Charlie Rosenberg, who is returning to NCC after a red shirt year at D2 Minnesota State. If Charlie can play within himself and keep both his emotions and aggressiveness under control, his combination of physicality and speed has the potential to make him a dominant player in the league. Additionally, Jayme Moten, who transferred in from MN State with Charlie, can be as good as any guard in the conference.
Kevin Honn, who started about half of the games last year, has added both strength and range.

TQ may have some additional insight from afar.

[Gregory Sager]

Millikin has lost a few of those Junior returners recently.  Deavis Johnson and Brennan Coltrane will not be with the team this year.  Without Johnson (CCIW's leading rebounder, 2nd in steals, 3rd in blocks) I think Millikin is going to struggle defensively. Johnson wasn't a true 5 but did a lot of the dirty work in the middle that has helped Millikin overcome some size disadvantages.

Deavis Johnson is a massive loss, and I'm not just talking about his size.

Coltrane played a lot down the stretch last year due to injuries and showed some real grit and talent which will take away from the depth and size at guard.  Millikin will most likely start the smallest backcourt in the CCIW this year.

I highly doubt that.

He was removed from the team for discipline reasons.  MU has had an issue with that and lost some valuable minutes from key contributors over the last year.

The big question is: Will T.J. Griffin, who was one of those MU players who had disciplinary issues last season, return to the Big Blue again this season or not? It wouldn't be easy to prematurely lose a guy who averaged 19 ppg as a sophomore last year.

This is a very different team then it was at the beginning of last season.  MU's top 3 post players last year aren't even on the team this year.

Which two of the trio of Agnew, Bence, and Wilfer are included along with Johnson in that departed "top 3 post players" description?

[CCIWbballfan]

What part do you highly doubt? 

Griffin is back and should be giving up point guard duties to a new player of smaller size and the starting two guard should be new team captain Tives Gardner.  Griffin has the ability to fill some of the scoring holes left by Johnson but I don't see one player that can cover the defensive side.

Agnew and Bence didn't play much last year until late.  Owens opened the year as the starting 4 and his back-up was Shaq Edwards.  Both of them left the team late in the season and will not be returning.  Mitch Wilfer quit the team late in the season but never carried many minutes.

[Gregory Sager]

What part do you highly doubt?

Oh, sorry. I wasn't specific about that. I highly doubt that Millikin will most likely start the smallest backcourt in the CCIW this year.

Griffin is back and should be giving up point guard duties to a new player of smaller size and the starting two guard should be new team captain Tives Gardner.  Griffin has the ability to fill some of the scoring holes left by Johnson but I don't see one player that can cover the defensive side.

Agnew and Bence didn't play much last year until late.  Owens opened the year as the starting 4 and his back-up was Shaq Edwards.  Both of them left the team late in the season and will not be returning.  Mitch Wilfer quit the team late in the season but never carried many minutes.

Thanks for this info.

[AndOne]

Millikin has lost a few of those Junior returners recently.  Deavis Johnson and Brennan Coltrane will not be with the team this year.  Without Johnson (CCIW's leading rebounder, 2nd in steals, 3rd in blocks) I think Millikin is going to struggle defensively. Johnson wasn't a true 5 but did a lot of the dirty work in the middle that has helped Millikin overcome some size disadvantages.

Deavis Johnson is a massive loss, and I'm not just talking about his size

Millikin's only all-conference player, their leading rebounder, and only reliable inside scorer, losing Johnson is like losing 2 players. Rather than being ready to take a step up this year, Johnson's loss is a step backward for MU.