MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Let us give Chris Martin, his staff, with the coaches, AD's and Presidents a little time to figure this out.

1) I would encourage Commissioner Martin to issue an interim guideline before Saturday's games

Don't hold your breathe. It isn't going to happen and there really is no need to do so.

[AndOne]

NPU has 3 new players on the roster:  http://athletics.northpark.edu/roster.aspx?path=mbball&tab=basketball

1 - Ray Rubio, Guard 6'0''  - Transfer from Loras?

30 - Dyron Woods - 6'6'' - Lincoln Park High School

45 - Devontae Gines - 6'6'' - Cahokia - was on the incoming list over the summer.

No idea if any will make a contribution for the 2nd half of the season

Ray Rubio--Played a total of 55 minutes in 8 games for Loras this season. Averaged 2.3 PPG.
With Henry, Lake, & Cobbs, guard is not really where NPU needs help.

Dyron Woods--6'6" and 270 pounds! Yikes, Raul Guzman has been reincarnated! 
Lock the kitchen door! 

Devontae Gines--from Cahokia, IL, right across the river from St. Louis. Evidently took the scenic route to Chicago. Perhaps he was using an outdated map. 

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (7-6, 1-1) vs Carthage (7-6, 1-1), 7:00pm...

Illinois Wesleyan (7-6, 1-1)
G - Joel Pennington, 6-0/180 Sr.  (8.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.9 rpg)
G - Bryce Dolan, 6-1/165 Sr.  (16.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.2 apg)
G - Andy Stempel, 6-4/192 Jr.  (10.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.6 apg)
F - Ryan Coyle, 6-6/210 Sr.  (8.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
F - Trevor Seibring, 6-8/235 Jr.  (14.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Carthage (7-6, 1-1)
G - Jordan Kedrowski, 6-3/185 Fr.  (15.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 apg)
G - Tony Pierce Jr., 6-1/185 Sr.  (20.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)
G - Mike Leazer, 6-3/180 Sr.  (6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg)
F - Brad Kruse, 6-4/195 So.  (7.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
F - Mike Stevenson, 6-4/195 Jr.  (11.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Pantagraph - http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/basketball/men/iwu-looks-to-sustain-success-against-carthage/article_a9035e14-d31b-50d9-8e5c-ba688b56041f.html

Live Video/Stats - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/iwu/

WJBC Radio - http://portal.stretchinternet.com/wjbc/

[Pat Coleman]

Let us give Chris Martin, his staff, with the coaches, AD's and Presidents a little time to figure this out.

1) I would encourage Commissioner Martin to issue an interim guideline before Saturday's games

Don't hold your breath. It isn't going to happen and there really is no need to do so.

At Elmhurst, they believed this had already been done and they were within guidelines to offer the replay.

[Titan Q]

A look at CCIW rotations in the early going of conference play...


Augustana
  Starters:
   G - Hunter Hill, 5-9/165 Sr.
   G - Jawan Straughter, 6-0/186 Sr.
   G - Griffin Pils, 6-4/216 Sr.
   F - Ben Ryan, 6-5/216 Sr.
   F - Brandon Motzel, 6-7/210 Sr.

  Bench:
   F - Tayvian Johnson, 6-6/196 Sr.   
   G - Dylan Sortillo, 6-3/175 So.
   G - Chrishawn Orange, 6-2/178 Fr.
   F - Michael Hoekstra, 6-7/204 Jr.

Carthage
  Starters:
   G - Jordan Kedrowski, 6-3/185 Fr. 
   G - Tony Pierce Jr., 6-1/185 Sr. 
   G - Mike Leazer, 6-3/180 Sr. 
   F - Brad Kruse, 6-4/195 So. 
   F - Mike Stevenson, 6-4/195 Jr. 
   
  Bench:
   F - Sean Valentine, 6-4/200 Sr.
   G - Myles Olsen, 6-1/190 Sr.
   G - Derek Mason II, 5-10/175 So.
   F - Kiston Lee, 6-4/200 Sr.
   
Elmhurst
  Starters:
   G - Pat Coleman, 6-2/195 Sr.
   G - Kyle Wuest, 6-1/175 Sr.
   G - Bryant Ackerman, 6-2/205 Sr.
   F - Erik Crittenden, 6-7/215 Sr.
   C - Will Nixon, 6-7/210 Sr.

  Bench:
   G - Eric Leonard, 6-0/185 Sr.
   F - Brandon Schwebke, 6-4/195 Sr.
   C - Kenny Payonk, 6-6/225 Sr.
   G - Peyton Wyatt, 5-11/195 So.
   F - Jaylen Loving, 6-6/190 Jr.

Illinois Wesleyan
  Starters:
   G - Joel Pennington, 6-0/180 Sr. 
   G - Bryce Dolan, 6-1/165 Sr. 
   G - Andy Stempel, 6-4/192 Jr. 
   F - Ryan Coyle, 6-6/210 Sr. 
   F - Trevor Seibring, 6-8/235 Jr. 

  Bench:
   F - Alec Bausch, 6-6/210 Jr.
   G - Mark Falotico, 6-1/185 Fr.
   G - Colin Bonnett, 6-3/105 Fr.
   F - Rob Mahlke, 6-8/200 Sr.
   G - Brian Nelms, 5-11/170 Sr.
   F - Jaylen Beasley, 6-6/180 So.
   
Millikin
  Starters:
   G - T.J. Griffin, 6-0/168 Sr.
   G - Jack Simpson, 6-0/182 Fr.
   F - Tommy Pilackas, 6-4/210 Sr.   
   F - Elijah Kinmon, 6-5/195 Sr.
   F - Bryn Agnew, 6-8/200 Jr.

  Bench:
   G - T.J. Sims, 5-8/156 So.
   G - Nathan Lovekamp, 6-4/195 Fr.
   F - Leighton Lark, 6-5/180 So.
   G - Kyle Gibson, 6-1/170 So.
   F - Matt Kruse, 6-9/245 Jr.

North Central
  Starters:
   G - Jayme Moten, 6-0/175 Sr.
   G - Jagger Anderson, 6-0/175 Jr.
   G - Erwin Henry, 6-2/195 So.
   F - Connor Raridon, 6-5/185 Fr.
   F - Alex Sorenson, 6-8/240 So.

  Bench:
   F - Kevin Honn, 6-4/190 Sr.
   G - Aiden Chang, 6-3/175 Fr.
   G - Jaquan Phipps, 6-3/205 Fr.
   F - Jeremy Ireland, 6-6/215 So.

North Park
  Starters:
   G - Juwan Henry, 5-10/165 Jr.
   G - Colin Lake, 5-7/145 So.
   G - T.J. Cobbs, 5-10/165 Jr.
   F - Darius Brown, 6-3/180 Jr.
   F - Jordan Robinson, 6-3/205 So.
   
  Bench:
   F - Michael Hutchinson, 6-4/205 Sr.
   G - Trevor Pye, 6-0/170 So.
   G - Armahn Mooring, 6-2/180 Jr.
   F - Matt McNamara, 6-6/250 Jr.
   
Wheaton
  Starters:
   G - Troy Morrison, 5-11/165 Fr.   
   G - Jonathan Bernsten, 6-0/190 Sr.
   G - Ricky Samuelson, 6-3/185 So.   
   G - Murad Dillard, 6-4/195 So.
   F - Michael Berg, 6-6/210 Sr.

  Bench:
   F - Joel Smith, 6-6/235 Sr.
   F - Trae Masten, 6-6/185 Fr.
   G - Luke Peters, 6-3/170 Fr.
   G - Riley Teuscher, 6-3/185 Sr.
   

Starters by Class:
SR = 21
JR = 8
SO = 7
FR = 4

Bench by Class:
SR = 13
JR = 6
SO = 9
FR = 8

[Gregory Sager]

Ray Rubio--Played a total of 55 minutes in 8 games for Loras this season. Averaged 2.3 PPG.
With Henry, Lake, & Cobbs, guard is not really where NPU needs help.

Not true. At 37 and 36 minutes, respectively, Henry and Lake are first and second in the CCIW in mpg this season. On the one hand, Tom Slyder wants those two guys on the floor as much as possible because they're so good. On the other hand, wear and tear could be expected as the season goes on, especially since NPU isn't slowing down the game for stretches of the second half anymore by utilizing the weave. Neither Armahn Mooring nor Trevor Pye has really established himself in that extra-guard role. (It's not really the role of T.J. Cobbs, who is essentially the defensive stopper and is often the de facto small forward.) If Rubio can assert himself and take over that spot, then he'll be doing a needed service for the Vikings.

Dyron Woods--6'6" and 270 pounds! Yikes, Raul Guzman has been reincarnated! 
Lock the kitchen door! 

Again with the fat jokes, Mark?

Devontae Gines--from Cahokia, IL, right across the river from St. Louis. Evidently took the scenic route to Chicago. Perhaps he was using an outdated map. 

Huh?

[veterancciwfan]

Along with the newly expanded Shirk Center, the SID, Stew Salowitz has introduced an expanded game day program  It shows complete stats for both teams and Game Notes such as this one for today: Not since 1973 (Augustana, 16-0) has there been an undefeated CCIW champion. Since 1973, CCIW schools have won 6 D-3 national titles, finished 2nd three times & 3rd four times.
Note to Greg: It's not only me that attempts to show how strong our league year in and year out by pointing out this really interesting stat. But if you think it's irrelevant, just ignore it. No need to comment.

[Gregory Sager]

I'm just saying that the league really wasn't strong that year, that's all. It had two national-power teams, two above-average teams, and four super-crappy teams.

The mid-'90s in general wasn't great for the CCIW, top to bottom. Not like the middle of the last decade, when it seemed as though at least three-quarters of the league was strong every year, and it showed in the non-conference records.

[kiko]

Tonight:

Augustana 79, North Park 66 at the Crackerbox
North Central 71, Wheaton 62 at King Arena
Elmhurst 73, Millikin 65 at the Griz
Illinois Wesleyan 78, Carthage 52 at the Shirk

[Titan Q]

IWU 78
Carthage 52

http://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=3486&path=mbball

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/bausch-iwu-swamp-carthage/article_16884008-ee54-5fa8-83fd-227ef8953f3b.html

http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wjbc/media/mp3/Ron_Rose__Ryan_Coyle__IWU_basketball-1452396954.mp3

* Alec Bausch: 16 pts, 6 reb
* Joel Pennington: 14 pts, 3 reb, 2 assists
* Trevor Seibring: 11 pts, 7 reb
* Andy Stempel: 10 pts, 4 reb, 2 assists
* Ryan Coyle: 10 pts, 9 reb

* Tony Pierce Jr: 17 pts, 3 reb
* Jordan Kedrowski: 10 pts


IWU moved the ball extremely well tonight and looked good.  Carthage had no answer for IWU's big guys (Seibring, Coyle, Bausch) and once IWU settled into the game and starting exploiting that, the Titans could get just about any shot they wanted. 

Tony Pierce Jr. is a dangerous player.  Pierce doesn't need any space to get a shot off because, a) can can shoot from well beyond the arc, and b) he shoots a very unique step-back/fadeaway jumpshot.  He probably extends defense more than anyone in the league.

Carthage doesn't have a single low post player - or even anyone that resembles a low post player - in their rotation.  They are going to continue to get pounded by any team with size.

The Titans travel to Decatur Wednesday.

[Titan Q]

Additional IWU thought after the Carthage game...

This IWU team clearly has deficiencies (deficiencies that led to 5 non-conference losses), but when they get it clicking, they still possess the same elements of their great teams of the last few years - talent, depth, balance, unselfish play, great ball movement, and 5 guys on the floor at all times who can score.  While home wins over Wheaton and Carthage aren't anything to get excited about in the 2016 CCIW race, I am excited to see the Titans playing well.  The have some good things going on right now and just seem to be playing with a lot of confidence.  Last night they had 21 assists on 28 total field goals - just an example of how they have the ball moving.

The play of IWU's 3/4 players seems to be the biggest different right now.  Having 6-6 senior Ryan Coyle back and healthy/mobile is a significant for the Titans.  Coyle is averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists in conference games and is a very physical presence on both ends of the floor.  6-4 junior G/F Andy Stempel is also playing well in CCIW action, averaging 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists through 3 games.  Coyle and Stempel have both been assertive offensively in IWU's 2 CCIW wins, and most importantly, they bring much-needed versatility of IWU's offense.  Off the bench, 6-6 junior Alec Bausch is averaging 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds and shooting .611 from the field and .400 from 3.  Bausch is a very good rebounder and is a smart player who moves well without the ball on the offensive end.

I would love to see the Titans earn their way into the conference tournament.  After that awful MSOE game, I honestly did not think that was realistic.  Now I'm starting to feel like IWU will make a good push for the top 4.  The Titans are a strong offensive team, and teams that can score are always dangerous.  I hope they keep playing with the same confidence Wednesday at Millikin.

[Titan Q]

On the injury front...

Very unofficial and certainly not confirmed, but I think 6-8 senior F/C Mike Marietti (knee) and 6-2 sophomore Brady Rose (foot) are both done for the year. Neither recovery seems to be going well at all.  The rotation IWU is playing now seems to be what they'll go with for the rest of CCIW play.

[hopefan]

I would love to see the Titans earn their way into the conference tournament.  After that awful MSOE game, I honestly did not think that was realistic.  Now I'm starting to feel like IWU will make a good push for the top 4.  The Titans are a strong offensive team, and teams that can score are always dangerous.  I hope they keep playing with the same confidence Wednesday at Millikin.

Looking at in from the outside, I find it hard to think that any of Carthage, Millikin, North Park, or Wheaton have the consistency to finish in the top four... my thought is IWU remains solid, and in the 4 spot....

[Titan Q]

Looking at in from the outside, I find it hard to think that any of Carthage, Millikin, North Park, or Wheaton have the consistency to finish in the top four... my thought is IWU remains solid, and in the 4 spot....

I don't think Carthage, Wheaton, and Millikin have any chance to finish in the top 4.  I believe this group will beat top 4 contenders and impact the race, but this seems to be a clear bottom 3.

But I disagree on North Park.  The Vikings have deficiencies, but they have two legitimate CCIW Most Outstanding Player/All-Americans candidates:
- Juwan Henry (22.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.3 apg)
- Jordan Robinson (22.6 ppg, 11.6 rpg, .558 FG)

When you take the floor with the two most talented players, you can win any game.

And I agree NPU is not very consistent...but over 14 games, IWU (8-6) has probably been less consistent.  I think the Titans are settling in now and ready to play consistently well...but home wins over Wheaton and Carthage aren't enough to confirm that.

IWU and North Park are incredibly different teams, but I think these two will be in a tight battle for 4th place through February 20. (I see North Central at this point as the favorite for #3.)

[Titan Q]

+/- Standings Through Saturday 1/9
* Augustana: +1   (vs North Central, at Carthage)
* Elmhurst: +1   (at Carthage, at Wheaton)
* North Central: +1   (at Augustana, at Illinois Wesleyan)
* Illinois Wesleyan: +0   (at Millikin, vs North Central)
* North Park: +0   (vs Wheaton, at Millikin)
* Carthage: -1   (vs Elmhurst, vs Augustana)
* Millikin: -1   (vs Illinois Wesleyan, vs North Park)
* Wheaton: -1   (at North Park, vs Elmhurst)

+1 for road win; -1 for home loss