MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

It's OK WUH. During the "off" season nothing is off limits the CCIW basketball room. We feature football news 🏈, 5K results 🏃, baby sitting bulletins 🍼, and even cat sitting news 🐱.
Next month we'll be unveiling our new police blotter news 💊 🔪 🔫, and in August we'll reveal a special family travel favorites section 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🌍 ✈️.

But you've been around long enough to know this is STILL CCIW Chat!

Geez, it's been years since I put up a Spinoza quote - I'll try to do better.

[Gregory Sager]

Washington University Football Announces Associate Membership with CCIW in 2018
http://bearsports.wustl.edu/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20150611z55r5g

I know this is off-topic, but as often as I have joked about Washington University and Chicago being quasi-affiliated with the CCIW, I thought it was interesting to see the Bears align themselves officially with CCIW football as associate members.  This is a good move for Washington University football as far as I am concerned, but it is not a sport that I follow closely at all.

Chuck and I are already discussing this in the CCIW football room. As far as a more general statement about the CCIW is concerned, adding Wash U for football shows that the league continues to be flexible with regard to membership via the associate route. Wash U will be the fourth school to become an associate member of this league, although the CCIW will actually just maintain the current number of three associates. Rose-Hulman joined as an associate for men's and women's swimming in 2007; Carroll and Dubuque joined as associates for men's and women's lacrosse this past school year. Since Carroll becomes a full member of the league in 2016-17, the addition of Wash U for football in the fall of 2018 will bring the total of associate members back up to three schools.

It's nice to be a destination league. I get the feeling that there's a whole bunch of schools out there that would like to be a part of the CCIW, even if it's only for one or two sports and doesn't include voting rights. It's certainly a good way to fill in the ranks for CCIW sports that have only partial participation among full members (such as the two swimming sports and the two lacrosse sports) in order to get an automatic qualifying bid to the D3 tournament, playoff, or national meet in those sports. The big question is why the CCIW hasn't added associate members for wrestling, which has been down to four participating schools since Millikin dropped the sport six years ago. Perhaps the league has sought out associates for that sport but came up empty, which wouldn't surprise me; there's only 87 D3 schools left that still offer the sport.

[John Gleich]

Washington University Football Announces Associate Membership with CCIW in 2018
http://bearsports.wustl.edu/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/20150611z55r5g

I know this is off-topic, but as often as I have joked about Washington University and Chicago being quasi-affiliated with the CCIW, I thought it was interesting to see the Bears align themselves officially with CCIW football as associate members.  This is a good move for Washington University football as far as I am concerned, but it is not a sport that I follow closely at all.

Interesting that it's Wash U. Chicago just announced that they're leaving the SAC at the end of the season.


http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150612/BLOGS04/150619903/yes-the-u-of-c-has-a-football-team-but

The CCIW isn't even mentioned in "other Midwest leagues."

[Gregory Sager]

John, according to the front page of d3football.com, Chicago is likely to join the MWC as an associate member for football, filling the spot in the MWC's North Division that will be vacated by the departure of Carroll for the CCIW.

I cracked up when I read the one comment currently posted at the end of that *Crain's* article to which you linked: reader "D3Sports.com" [cough patcoleman! cough] said, "Not bad. There are some accurate things in this story." Classic.

[John Gleich]

John, according to the front page of d3football.com, Chicago is likely to join the MWC as an associate member for football, filling the spot in the MWC's North Division that will be vacated by the departure of Carroll for the CCIW.

I cracked up when I read the one comment currently posted at the end of that *Crain's* article to which you linked: reader "D3Sports.com" [cough patcoleman! cough] said, "Not bad. There are some accurate things in this story." Classic.

Wait, there's a d3FOOTBALL.com too?! What will they think of next?



I didn't even go over there... Just thought it was interesting that the story was in Crains yesterday, at almost the same time WashU is about to put an M into the CCIW (on the gridiron).

[matblake]

The big question is why the CCIW hasn't added associate members for wrestling, which has been down to four participating schools since Millikin dropped the sport six years ago. Perhaps the league has sought out associates for that sport but came up empty, which wouldn't surprise me; there's only 87 D3 schools left that still offer the sport.

Millikin has actually reinstated their program. http://athletics.millikin.edu/news/2014/12/11/Wrestling_1211143137.aspx

Also, qualifications for Nationals in wrestling are no longer determined by placement in the Conference Tournament.  That is done exclusively through the 6 NCAA regional tournaments.  The top 3 in each weight class at each regional tournament advance to nationals.  So while dual meets among conference foes remain an important part of wrestling, conference affiliation is not as important on a national scale as far as some of the more mainstream Pool A, B and C scenarios that exist in Basketball and Football.

[pylorus]

I had the opportunity to watch the IBCA All-Star games in Pontiac on Saturday. There were quite a few CCIW recruits there. I wish I had done more research on who to watch!!

Connor Raridon was awarded the Leadership Award for the 3A/4A North squad. From what I could see, the All-Star game format might not be the best to show off his best basketball attributes. I was impressed with how well he moved the ball, played solid defense, and was active on the boards. I watched Colin Bonnett closely as I had been very impressed with his play in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. He played well. The other CCIW recruit that stuck out was an Augie recruit, Pierson Wofford. He was awarded the MVP award for the 1A/2A South.

There were 2 other DIII players that I enjoyed watching. The Gallick brothers, Matt and Will, from Carterville. They will be at Wash U, and were very good, especially when on the court with each other.

[AndOne]

Another NCC recruit:

Chris Jenkins, 6'0" 170 PG/SG from Luther North

* 17.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG
* Associated Press Class 1A/2A 2nd team All-State
* Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 1A/2A 2nd team All-State

[WUPHF]

Chuck and I are already discussing this in the CCIW football room. As far as a more general statement about the CCIW is concerned, adding Wash U for football shows that the league continues to be flexible with regard to membership via the associate route.

I should have looked there first.  Interesting perspective from both of you.

[veterancciwfan]

The IBCA All-Star games, which have been played at the Shirk Center for many years, were switched to the Pontiac H.S. gym for 2015. The Shirk Center was filled with Special Olympic swimmers and a women's high school basketball event. Interesting comment that Connor Raridon played solid defense at Pontiac last Saturday. I've attended many of the Shirk All-Star games and the standing joke is that nobody plays defense in these games. Most of the games wind up with the winner scoring over 100 and the loser not far behind.

[AndOne]

The IBCA All-Star games, which have been played at the Shirk Center for many years, were switched to the Pontiac H.S. gym for 2015. The Shirk Center was filled with Special Olympic swimmers and a women's high school basketball event. Interesting comment that Connor Raridon played solid defense at Pontiac last Saturday. I've attended many of the Shirk All-Star games and the standing joke is that nobody plays defense in these games. Most of the games wind up with the winner scoring over 100 and the loser not far behind.

Well, the Rebels beat the Yankees 110-107 so if Connor was playing good D, he may have been the only one.

Comparisons have already begun to be made between Connor and his brother Derek, a D3 All-American who played on North Central's 2013 Final Four team, and graduated that same year. If people are going to do that, I hope they compare freshman year to freshman year, sophomore to sophomore, and so on, rather than than trying to compare the younger Mr. Raridon's first year to his brother's hugely successful entire career. Keep in mind that in his first year, Derek played on one of NCC's least successful teams in recent years, and was looked to primarily to score as that particular team had only one other proven scorer. Connor may be asked to fill a different primary role in his freshman campaign. Suffice it to say that, entering their freshman years, Derek was probably stronger in some facets of the game, and Connor in others. Frankly, Derek was a freshman long enough ago that it is hard to remember his relative strengths and weaknesses in each individual phase of the game. Overall, Connor has the potential to be a better overall player. But again, much depends on things like the primary role he is asked to play, how good his teammates are, and a further array of unknows at this point.
While not analyzing specific points at this time, one overall difference that I sense is that Connor is a little more demonstrative, and plays with a bit more of an edge than did Derek. This trait may manifest itself more on the defensive side of the ball where Connor seems to bring a little more intensity, at least outwardly/visibly, and possibly a touch more talent. I suspect more of Connor's fouls will be of the Charlie Rosenberg "how can it be a foul, there's no blood" variety than were the majority of his brother's.

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage seems to have added only guards to its squad, and North Park appears very likely, with the possible exception of the Swedish import, to have done the same. Wheres the beef? 

You're correct in assuming that Adam Sönnerås is a small forward.

NPU will have more additions forthcoming. They will mostly be of the transfer variety, given that summer is traditionally the time of year when a lot of transfers tend to emerge. Two of them have already put in deposits:

Darius Brown (jr), 6'3, Belvidere, IL (Belvidere) / Rock Valley CC
John Lorenz (jr), 6'2, Elk Grove Village, IL (Elk Grove) / Harper

I'm pretty sure that NPU will be adding a big or two.

[CCIW >]

The IBCA All-Star games, which have been played at the Shirk Center for many years, were switched to the Pontiac H.S. gym for 2015. The Shirk Center was filled with Special Olympic swimmers and a women's high school basketball event. Interesting comment that Connor Raridon played solid defense at Pontiac last Saturday. I've attended many of the Shirk All-Star games and the standing joke is that nobody plays defense in these games. Most of the games wind up with the winner scoring over 100 and the loser not far behind.

Well, the Rebels beat the Yankees 110-107 so if Connor was playing good D, he may have been the only one.

Comparisons have already begun to be made between Connor and his brother Derek, a D3 All-American who played on North Central's 2013 Final Four team, and graduated that same year. If people are going to do that, I hope they compare freshman year to freshman year, sophomore to sophomore, and so on, rather than than trying to compare the younger Mr. Raridon's first year to his brother's hugely successful entire career. Keep in mind that in his first year, Derek played on one of NCC's least successful teams in recent years, and was looked to primarily to score as that particular team had only one other proven scorer. Connor may be asked to fill a different primary role in his freshman campaign. Suffice it to say that, entering their freshman years, Derek was probably stronger in some facets of the game, and Connor in others. Frankly, Derek was a freshman long enough ago that it is hard to remember his relative strengths and weaknesses in each individual phase of the game. Overall, Connor has the potential to be a better overall player. But again, much depends on things like the primary role he is asked to play, how good his teammates are, and a further array of unknows at this point.
While not analyzing specific points at this time, one overall difference that I sense is that Connor is a little more demonstrative, and plays with a bit more of an edge than did Derek. This trait may manifest itself more on the defensive side of the ball where Connor seems to bring a little more intensity, at least outwardly/visibly, and possibly a touch more talent. I suspect more of Connor's fouls will be of the Charlie Rosenberg "how can it be a foul, there's no blood" variety than were the majority of his brother's.

The comparison is actually quite simple if you have seen both brothers play multiple times. Derek was without a doubt a lights out shooter. Could hit from anywhere on the floor with anyone guarding him. This (and free throws) is the one area that Connor doesn't match up with his older brother. However, there really isn't one other area that Derek as a freshman was better than Connor right now. Defense, rebounding/positioning, passing, IQ, leadership, dribbling, intensity, etc.

With that being said, if Connor can gain some ground in his ability to shoot and make free throws, odds are we will forget about brother Derek over the next few years. But we will see. Anticipate Connor posting up more than Derek did throughout the years. Anticipate Connor driving to the hoop more then Derek did throughout the years. Will be interesting to see how he fairs with the physical defenders in the CCIW. It's one thing to be a slasher type in high school, but a whole different world here in the CCIW.

[CCIW >]

Mark also left out our newest recruit from his list. He must not be aware of the 6'8 D2 transfer that committed this week.

[AndOne]

Carthage seems to have added only guards to its squad, and North Park appears very likely, with the possible exception of the Swedish import, to have done the same. Wheres the beef? 

You're correct in assuming that Adam Sönnerås is a small forward.

NPU will have more additions forthcoming. They will mostly be of the transfer variety, given that summer is traditionally the time of year when a lot of transfers tend to emerge. Two of them have already put in deposits:

Darius Brown (jr), 6'3, Belvidere, IL (Belvidere) / Rock Valley CC
John Lorenz (jr), 6'2, Elk Grove Village, IL (Elk Grove) / Harper

I'm pretty sure that NPU will be adding a big or two.

Darius Brown @ Rock Valley CC in 2014-15:
2.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, FG%-67.3, FT%_65.0%, No 3pt%

John Lorenz @ Harper CC in 2012-2013:
8.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, FG%-37.0, 3pt%-37.0, FT%-71.4
Was said to have committed to IL Inst of Technology for 2013-14, but it looks like he never played there or possibly anywhere else since 2012-2013.