MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

My last post mentioned a "break"out game for Brady Rose. Didn't know it had a double meaning as stress fracture discovered Monday. Pennington and Bonnett will get extra minutes. And IWU has a seriously talented freshman guard, 6"1' Mark Falotico, who may get some minutes. Pennington's stat line for 6 games seems too good to possibly be true. He's averaging 17 minutes and will surely get at least 25, which was Rose's avg. IWU well protected at guard.

But, of course - after all, we've been stockpiling them!

Now if only all the 'bigs' can get fully healthy.

[AndOne]

IWU starting guard Brady Rose (10.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, .419 3-point) will be out 2-3 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.  Tough loss for the Titans.

Who starts in Rose's place?

I assume that is 6-0 senior Joel Pennington (9.8 ppg, 2.7 apg, .688 3-point, .875 FT), who is a good player.

For me, the bigger question is who replaces Pennington's bench minutes...and what kind of production will the Titans get from whoever that is. 

My last post mentioned a "break"out game for Brady Rose. Didn't know it had a double meaning as stress fracture discovered Monday. Pennington and Bonnett will get extra minutes. And IWU has a seriously talented freshman guard, 6"1' Mark Falotico, who may get some minutes. Pennington's stat line for 6 games seems too good to possibly be true. He's averaging 17 minutes and will surely get at least 25, which was Rose's avg. IWU well protected at guard.

It seems like IWU is in need of a (backup) PG. I think Pennington has shown to be a very good player-certainly a very efficient player. i'm sure he can adequately man the PG position. However, when I think of Pennington, I think of a shooter first and a floor general second. And isn't Bonnett more of a SG than a PG. He certainly was a shooter first and passer second in HS at Benet. Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.
The player I'm wondering about as a backup to Pennington is soph Derrick Streety. He was definitely a "seriously talented" player in HS. Unless his skills have regressed, I would be surprised if he isn't at least as good, if not better, than anyone else that might be inserted into the backup PG position. TWO other advantages he brings are 1) he is a pure PG, and 2) he brings the element of speed. Something that a lineup of Dolan, Stempel, Seibring, and Marietti/Mahlke is not exactly overflowing with.

[kiko]

Turning in a superior defensive effort earlier tonight, the NCC Cardinals took down the defending national champions, and currently ranked #9 Wisconsin-Stevens Point by a 63-49 score. If not for several unforced errors, and the inability to convert an acceptable number of opportunities from the FREE throw line, the margin of victory could easily have been even wider over a team which certainly does not appear to be the nation's ninth best.   
The Cards limited the visitors to 27.6 shooting (16 of 58) from the floor as they defeated a top 10 ranked team for the second time this season.
After sinking the first basket of the game, UWSP never led again. NCC limited their visitors to 18 first half points, taking a 26-18 lead into the locker room. They eventually extended their advantage to 19 points in the second period, primarily on the strength of two double-doubles. 6'8" Alex Sorenson put up a game high 20 points, and collected 12 rebounds. However, the #1 star of the night was the Cards' Erwin Henry who seemed to ignite things on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor while registering 18 points and pulling down 10 boards.

This is becoming an uncomfortable pattern.  The Cards were woeful from the line against Chicago (9 of 17), righted the ship for a while, but then struggled again against Alma (2 of 7).  They are at 65% for the season -- among conference teams, only Wheaton and Augie are also below 70% on the young season.

[AndOne]

I don't think "woeful" is really a strong enough description, kiko.
The Cardinals have had no bigger fan over the last several years, and the guys know I love 'em. But honesty dictates that the most accurate description of their performance from the line for a majority of the season so far is something south of woeful. Unless they improve in this area, I'm afraid it may well cost 2-3 wins over the remainder of the season. 

[iwu70]

Sorry about the injury to Rose.  I am a HUGE fan of Pennington and am sure he'll fill in admirably.  Also Bonnet.  I like Streety as well -- lightning quick, can really move, run the point, run the floor.  Great getting into the paint.  I wouldn't be surprised if Spencer Seibring also gets a few more minutes -- not to mention Nelms.  Yes, hoarding does pay off when the injury bug bites.   

LOL 

IWU bigs need to get fully healthy -- Coyle, Marietti and Bausch. 

IWU70

[Titan Q]

Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.

Certainly no surprise that you would take a public swipe at an IWU player, but I have heard nothing but great things about freshman Mark Falotico (his skill set and his attitude) since he got to campus. The coaching staff is extremely high on him.

[John Gleich]

the inability to convert an acceptable number of opportunities from the FREE throw line...

I'm not sure you're giving UWSP's Free Throw defense enough credit...   

Point definitely isn't the 9th best team in the land right now. The team doesn't defend particularly well and struggles when rebounding. There is no real identity to this team right now and, it seems, a lack in creativity in trying to discover what that identity might be.

This isn't to take anything away from NC. On the contrary, it's precisely why I thought that SP would have difficulties!

I think that's part of what makes the CCIW a tough league right now. You're stocked full of great coaches who have the ability to cast vision to their teams to create an identity for each program. And it also goes to GS's "never going to have another team to undefeated" point. Even eliminating the quality of the players (which is certainly there as well) is the fact that each team has a different tact in how it will win the game and they're able to force this will on their opponent.

This, of course, is the goal of every team... but not all are able to achieve that goal. For even the best teams, they won't always be able to dictate the style of play and then they're forced to play the other team's game. And it's very difficult to be "all things to all people" on the basketball court and come out a winner each time!

[oldknight]

Final from Alma, MI...

Alma 67
North Central 66

http://alma.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/boxscores/20151206_mrgt.xml


Alma is picked 4th in the MIAA...NCC is picked 4th in the CCIW.

I've been saying for weeks now that Alma is a very, very good team. Elmhurst knows it; North Park knows it; and now North Central knows it, too.

Next Saturday it'll be Wheaton's turn to find that out.

I have a lot of respect for what former Knight player, Sammy Hargraves, has done in the center of the mitten. He has a lot of very solid players on his squad and more depth than the MIAA is used to seeing from teams not from Grand Rapids or Holland. While Hope was justly awarded the MIAA pre-season no. 1 ranking, most observers (including me) think the 2-4 spots are very much up for grabs and all three teams ranked there are pretty much impossible to distinguish. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Scots leapfrog past Trine and Calvin and finish runnerup to the Flying Dutchmen.

[AndOne]

Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.

Certainly no surprise that you would take a public swipe at an IWU player, but I have heard nothing but great things about freshman Mark Falotico (his skill set and his attitude) since he got to campus. The coaching staff is extremely high on him.

And its certainly no surprise that you would take a swipe at anyone who dared say anything less than he has the ability to walk on water about any IWU player.

* I did not, in any manner, berate his basketball skills. You know that.
* I did not say there was a problem, but only reported what i have heard. And I have heard it both from sources who don't root for IWU, and those that do.
* I specifically said it was a rumor, not a definite fact. I made no accusation whatsoever, and left out any unsubstantiated details. I am the messenger, not the source. But you seem to insist on shooting the messenger.
* You chose to completely ignore the fact that I complimented/praised two other IWU players, Pennington and Streety, in the same post.
* You always seem to want to attack anyone who says anything even remotely negative about any Green Team member, but you conveniently ignore/neglect any mention of anyone any time they say anything positive. Why is that?
I or anyone else could say player A, B, C, D, E, and F are fantastic, but player G is not so good, and you would be all over that particular poster.

If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll tell you exactly what I heard. In fact, I'm wondering why you didn't do that in the first place instead of immediately going into attack mode. You need to realize that being in Texas, you might not always be privy to everything that goes on here locally in Illinois.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey so maybe we don't need to post rumors like that then, eh?
http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=5787.0

[AndOne]

the inability to convert an acceptable number of opportunities from the FREE throw line...

I'm not sure you're giving UWSP's Free Throw defense enough credit...   

Point definitely isn't the 9th best team in the land right now. The team doesn't defend particularly well and struggles when rebounding. There is no real identity to this team right now and, it seems, a lack in creativity in trying to discover what that identity might be.

This isn't to take anything away from NC. On the contrary, it's precisely why I thought that SP would have difficulties!

I think that's part of what makes the CCIW a tough league right now. You're stocked full of great coaches who have the ability to cast vision to their teams to create an identity for each program. And it also goes to GS's "never going to have another team to undefeated" point. Even eliminating the quality of the players (which is certainly there as well) is the fact that each team has a different tact in how it will win the game and they're able to force this will on their opponent.

This, of course, is the goal of every team... but not all are able to achieve that goal. For even the best teams, they won't always be able to dictate the style of play and then they're forced to play the other team's game. And it's very difficult to be "all things to all people" on the basketball court and come out a winner each time!

John,

I think you make a great point about the level of coaching in the CCIW. Briefly, off the top of my head, and I know I'll leave some details out, but consider:

* Bosko D., currently at Carthage, has won national championships. it doesn't get any better than that.
* Grey Giovanine of Augie is a great tactician, and always has highly ranked teams. National runner up last year.
* Todd Raridon at NCC has taken two different schools to the Final Four, and has a national runner up finish as well.
* Look what Ron Rose has done at IWU. Almost automatic he goes to the national tourney every year, AND goes deep into the tourney. Has at least two Final Four appearances. 
* Mike Schauer at Wheaton has been successful for an extended period and has been to the national tourney multiple times with 2 different teams.
* John Baines has turned around the Elmhurst program in just a couple of years, and has a team capable of making a big splash on the national scene this year.
* Tom Slyder definitely has North Park on the upswing after years of floundering. I think his current team is capable of a win in any game they play. 
* Sorry, don't know much about the Millikin coach.

[devossed]

Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.

Certainly no surprise that you would take a public swipe at an IWU player, but I have heard nothing but great things about freshman Mark Falotico (his skill set and his attitude) since he got to campus. The coaching staff is extremely high on him.

And its certainly no surprise that you would take a swipe at anyone who dared say anything less than he has the ability to walk on water about any IWU player.

* I did not, in any manner, berate his basketball skills. You know that.
* I did not say there was a problem, but only reported what i have heard. And I have heard it both from sources who don't root for IWU, and those that do.
* I specifically said it was a rumor, not a definite fact. I made no accusation whatsoever, and left out any unsubstantiated details. I am the messenger, not the source. But you seem to insist on shooting the messenger.
* You chose to completely ignore the fact that I complimented/praised two other IWU players, Pennington and Streety, in the same post.
* You always seem to want to attack anyone who says anything even remotely negative about any Green Team member, but you conveniently ignore/neglect any mention of anyone any time they say anything positive. Why is that?
I or anyone else could say player A, B, C, D, E, and F are fantastic, but player G is not so good, and you would be all over that particular poster.

If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll tell you exactly what I heard. In fact, I'm wondering why you didn't do that in the first place instead of immediately going into attack mode. You need to realize that being in Texas, you might not always be privy to everything that goes on here locally in Illinois.

https://youtu.be/CFdJza0AbeA?t=39

[GoPerry]

Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.

Certainly no surprise that you would take a public swipe at an IWU player, but I have heard nothing but great things about freshman Mark Falotico (his skill set and his attitude) since he got to campus. The coaching staff is extremely high on him.

And its certainly no surprise that you would take a swipe at anyone who dared say anything less than he has the ability to walk on water about any IWU player.

* I did not, in any manner, berate his basketball skills. You know that.
* I did not say there was a problem, but only reported what i have heard. And I have heard it both from sources who don't root for IWU, and those that do.
* I specifically said it was a rumor, not a definite fact. I made no accusation whatsoever, and left out any unsubstantiated details. I am the messenger, not the source. But you seem to insist on shooting the messenger.
* You chose to completely ignore the fact that I complimented/praised two other IWU players, Pennington and Streety, in the same post.
* You always seem to want to attack anyone who says anything even remotely negative about any Green Team member, but you conveniently ignore/neglect any mention of anyone any time they say anything positive. Why is that?
I or anyone else could say player A, B, C, D, E, and F are fantastic, but player G is not so good, and you would be all over that particular poster.

If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll tell you exactly what I heard. In fact, I'm wondering why you didn't do that in the first place instead of immediately going into attack mode. You need to realize that being in Texas, you might not always be privy to everything that goes on here locally in Illinois.

https://youtu.be/CFdJza0AbeA?t=39

"My Cousin AndOne"??

[Titan Q]

Veteran mentioned Falotico, "a seriously talented" freshman. However, I've heard rumors, both from his AAU days, and since he entered IWU, that he has a bit of an attitude problem.

Certainly no surprise that you would take a public swipe at an IWU player, but I have heard nothing but great things about freshman Mark Falotico (his skill set and his attitude) since he got to campus. The coaching staff is extremely high on him.

And its certainly no surprise that you would take a swipe at anyone who dared say anything less than he has the ability to walk on water about any IWU player.

* I did not, in any manner, berate his basketball skills. You know that.
* I did not say there was a problem, but only reported what i have heard. And I have heard it both from sources who don't root for IWU, and those that do.
* I specifically said it was a rumor, not a definite fact. I made no accusation whatsoever, and left out any unsubstantiated details. I am the messenger, not the source. But you seem to insist on shooting the messenger.
* You chose to completely ignore the fact that I complimented/praised two other IWU players, Pennington and Streety, in the same post.
* You always seem to want to attack anyone who says anything even remotely negative about any Green Team member, but you conveniently ignore/neglect any mention of anyone any time they say anything positive. Why is that?
I or anyone else could say player A, B, C, D, E, and F are fantastic, but player G is not so good, and you would be all over that particular poster.

If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll tell you exactly what I heard. In fact, I'm wondering why you didn't do that in the first place instead of immediately going into attack mode. You need to realize that being in Texas, you might not always be privy to everything that goes on here locally in Illinois.

Well Mark, even way down here in Texas I know that posting a rumor in a public forum that a kid has a bad attitude is just a really crappy thing to do.

[Gregory Sager]