MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WUPHF]

Seems Coach Rose is playing the underclassmen more now -- giving them more experience leading into next season -- true of Wallen now starting, and Leritz and Lambesis.

I have watched my share of IWU games over the season and I am not sure as a blanket statement that this is true.

[Titan Q]

Seems Coach Rose is playing the underclassmen more now -- giving them more experience leading into next season -- true of Wallen now starting, and Leritz and Lambesis.

Having just spoken with Ron Friday, I can promise you his personnel/rotation has ZERO to do with next season. 

I mean, this is just a silly statement.  Rose and the Titans are trying to make and win the CCIW tournament, 70.  Think of what IWU's biggest problem has been this season - guarding dribble penetration, and guarding mobile posts. Lambesis is an outstanding perimeter defender...and Wallen and Leritz provide mobility at the 4 and 5.  Those are *this year* personnel moves.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Seems Coach Rose is playing the underclassmen more now -- giving them more experience leading into next season -- true of Wallen now starting, and Leritz and Lambesis.

Having just spoken with Ron Friday, I can promise you his personnel/rotation has ZERO to do with next season. 

I mean, this is just a silly statement.  Rose and the Titans are trying to make and win the CCIW tournament, 70.  Think of what IWU's biggest problem has been this season - guarding dribble penetration, and guarding mobile posts. Lambesis is an outstanding perimeter defender...and Wallen and Leritz provide mobility at the 4 and 5.  Those are *this year* personnel moves.

In fairness to Mark, he didn't say Coach Rose was playing them in order to prepare for next season, but that is the good by-product.  I think you're both correct - it improves the team for THIS season, in (alas, slender) hope of winning the AQ, but it also helps for next season.  I just hope they can survive the simultaneous graduation of Rose, Bonnett, and Gregoire without falling TOO far down the standings (see 2007, after Amelianovich, Dauksas, et.al. graduated en masse).

[iwumichigander]

So what's more important SOS or winning %?

https://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2018-19/marathon

6:29:45

Sam Atkinson, D3 Men's National Committee Chair

An experienced investigator would have found this even a retired old fart investigator

[Titan Q]

I just hope they can survive the simultaneous graduation of Rose, Bonnett, and Gregoire without falling TOO far down the standings (see 2007, after Amelianovich, Dauksas, et.al. graduated en masse).

2006-07 is not a great comparison because that was a lot about the coaching transition.  IWU obviously lost a ton from 2005-06...but Ron Rose also didn't inherit much depth and balance for his first team.

Rose has done a really nice job replacing big graduation losses over the years.  He has reloaded several times now.  Next year he will have a lot of talent returning -- PG Grant Wolfe, G/F Peter Lambesis, F Doug Wallen, F Charlie Bair, C Alex O'Neil, and F/C Matt Leritz will provide a really nice nucleus.  All 6 are in the rotation this season.  There are also some talented JV guys ready to jump in.  When I think about all of the great seniors leaving the CCIW this year (Ebel, Orange, Benning, Francis, etc), and what IWU has coming back, I feel pretty good about things for next year.

Still lots of basketball to play this year though.

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, I give all credit to Johnson.

You didn't do so in your initial post, which was my point.

He had a great game on D, but was absent at the crucial moment when Rose drove through the lane for the winner.

Yes, and you're a little late to the party in terms of making that observation as well. (As was I, to be fair. Kudos to K-Mark for first mentioning it.)

So what's more important SOS or winning %?

https://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2018-19/marathon

6:29:45

Sam Atkinson, D3 Men's National Committee Chair

An experienced investigator would have found this even a retired old fart investigator

[Gregory Sager]

I mentioned earlier today that Baltimore, Ebel, Francis, Raridon, Rhode, and Rose are first-team shoo-ins this season. That leaves two spots left on the first team. Anyone care to share their theories as to which duo will get the remaining honors?

Given Augustana's dominance, it seems likely that Augie will get a second player on the first team. But which one? The obvious candidates seem to be Chrishawn Orange and Pierson Wofford. Wofford's actually had more of an impact in CCIW play this season than has Orange, but Orange has had all of the prior accolades (both league and national) and three years' worth of playing time to establish his rep, while Wofford's career has been truncated by injuries and off-the-court issues. Orange is also a senior, while Wofford, although he came in four years ago as well, is only listed as a junior (he must've received a med red after only playing three games last season). That might play into the selection process.

Statistically, the three best remaining players who could join what is already a guard-heavy first team are forwards Elijah Henry (7th in scoring, 4th in rebounding), Matt Cappelletti (10th in scoring, 2nd in rebounding), and Jeremy Ireland (5th in scoring, tied with Baltimore for 9th in rebounding). Elmhurst isn't going to get another player onto the first team, which leaves Henry and Cappelletti. Does one or both of them make first team?

GoPerry makes the case for Luke Peters, the best perimeter defender in the league and a player who, although not a scorer, does rank as the league's 8th-best rebounder (and from a guard spot, no less*) and has good floor-general numbers (3rd in assists, 4th in a:to ratio). He'd be a bit of an outside-the-box choice, based upon how the team is usually picked, and the coaches tend to be a conservative bunch. I think that you can make a case for Peters; I just don't see it happening, especially if it meant that either Augie or NCC was deprived of a second member of the first team as a result.


* Wheaton has the top rebounder in the league and the 8th-leading rebounder in the league ... and they're both guards. In fact, they're the only CCIW guards who are in the top ten in rebounding. That's one of the weirdest CCIW statistical factoids that I've ever come across.

[AndOne]

So what's more important SOS or winning %?

https://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2018-19/marathon

6:29:45

Sam Atkinson, D3 Men's National Committee Chair

An experienced investigator would have found this even a retired old fart investigator

Ah, grasshopper. One of the principles of good investigative technique is to conserve time and energy by letting outside sources gather and provide the information you seek. 

[Gregory Sager]

So what's more important SOS or winning %?

https://www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2018-19/marathon

6:29:45

Sam Atkinson, D3 Men's National Committee Chair

An experienced investigator would have found this even a retired old fart investigator

Ah, grasshopper. One of the principles of good investigative technique is to conserve time and energy by letting outside sources gather and provide the information you seek. 

AndOne has ypsi'd Titan Q.

[iwu70]

Well, Q and WUPHF, no need to argue.  It's the holiday here.  Yes, one can say these are "this year" decisions.  I'm sure they are as the TITANS clearly hope to make the CCIW tournament, perhaps go further, though I think it unlikely given recent form with whatever line-up.  In any case, the result the same, these younger guys getting experience, more minutes that will surely help for next season.  Bair was in a funk, pulled from the starting line-up, O'Neil under-performing, the same result.  Baker not really turning out to be the answer, either.  The Titans needed one or both of those guys to provide some paint scoring, more to the tune of 10 and 10.  Perhaps better chance of that with Wallen and Leritz.  Lambesis is the better perimeter defender and that is surely, sorely needed.  Plus, he's the heir apparent on the perimeter, at the 2 or 3.  So, why not more time. . . ?  Gregoire has had good games and bad, lacking in consistency.  So, here we go. . . let's hope for the best in the remains of this year, and next.  I agree with Q that the TITANS have a nice core for next year and hopefully Bair and O'Neil will improve and provide more in the coming season.  Wolfe and Lambesis will need to take up more scoring, harder for them to replace Bonnett and Rose . . . hopefully, others emerging, some surprising freshmen.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

'70

[GoPerry]

Seems Coach Rose is playing the underclassmen more now -- giving them more experience leading into next season -- true of Wallen now starting, and Leritz and Lambesis.

Having just spoken with Ron Friday, I can promise you his personnel/rotation has ZERO to do with next season. 

I mean, this is just a silly statement.  Rose and the Titans are trying to make and win the CCIW tournament, 70.  Think of what IWU's biggest problem has been this season - guarding dribble penetration, and guarding mobile posts. Lambesis is an outstanding perimeter defender...and Wallen and Leritz provide mobility at the 4 and 5.  Those are *this year* personnel moves.

Plus, with 4 games remaining, both 6-6 IWU and Elmhurst are vying for that first home "play-in" tournament game just to advance to the host site.   Elmhurst has a slightly tougher path but every game is big for the green team.  And if they do advance, would any non-green poster be totally shocked if they win 2 games on the weekend?  Surprised certainly, but not shocked.  So that Tuesday night game at Shirk is worth playing all out for.

I mentioned earlier today that Baltimore, Ebel, Francis, Raridon, Rhode, and Rose are first-team shoo-ins this season. That leaves two spots left on the first team. Anyone care to share their theories as to which duo will get the remaining honors?

Given Augustana's dominance, it seems likely that Augie will get a second player on the first team. But which one? The obvious candidates seem to be Chrishawn Orange and Pierson Wofford. Wofford's actually had more of an impact in CCIW play this season than has Orange, but Orange has had all of the prior accolades (both league and national) and three years' worth of playing time to establish his rep, while Wofford's career has been truncated by injuries and off-the-court issues. Orange is also a senior, while Wofford, although he came in four years ago as well, is only listed as a junior (he must've received a med red after only playing three games last season). That might play into the selection process.

Statistically, the three best remaining players who could join what is already a guard-heavy first team are forwards Elijah Henry (7th in scoring, 4th in rebounding), Matt Cappelletti (10th in scoring, 2nd in rebounding), and Jeremy Ireland (5th in scoring, tied with Baltimore for 9th in rebounding). Elmhurst isn't going to get another player onto the first team, which leaves Henry and Cappelletti. Does one or both of them make first team?

GoPerry makes the case that Luke Peters, the best perimeter defender in the league and a player who, although not a scorer, does rank as the league's 8th-best rebounder (and from a guard spot, no less*) and has good floor-general numbers (3rd in assists, 4th in a:to ratio). He'd be a bit of an outside-the-box choice, based upon how the team is usually picked, and the coaches tend to be a conservative bunch. I think that you can make a case for Peters; I just don't see it happening, especially if it meant that either Augie or NCC was deprived of a second member of the first team as a result.

I'd have to agree that Peters is a longshot, if not simply from Wheaton finishing 3rd.  My comment had to do with Luke deserving that accolade amongst several others every season who would also be deserving.  One never knows how the coaches appreciate and evaluate such things since they're the voters.  I would hope that Peters would get on the 2nd team anyhow.

If think Orange gets the 2nd Augie player nod and possibly Wofford the 3rd.  Beyond them my sense would be that Cappalletti is a strong candidate.  At Wheaton he shredded the Thunder while in the midst of his 3 point barrage run. 

* Wheaton has the top rebounder in the league and the 8th-leading rebounder in the league ... and they're both guards. In fact, they're the only CCIW guards who are in the top ten in rebounding. That's one of the weirdest CCIW statistical factoids that I've ever come across.

It's really a commentary on the relatively poor rebounding of the WC front court.  There's a definite cost to having to hold back your guards to help with defensive rebounding.

[Smitty Oom]

Both guys have the following top of the West region...

1. Nebraska Wesleyan
2. Whitman

These two teams are most likely the overall #1 and #2 seeds in the country at the moment.

Then consider overall #3 and #4 could be Augustana and UW-Oshkosh (both from the Central).

Gonna be real interesting to see this bracket.  I am still projecting a 10-year anniversary Bracket of Death.

Then the 5th best team might be UST from the west. Currently the longest win streak in the nation. They lost their first game against Brooklyn on the road but have really come together for some strong results lately winning. 19 in a row. They are #5 in the d3hoops poll and a lock by Drew's estimation as well. Their SOS is only .515 right now but their nknCSOS (which may be weighed more this year by the selection committee) is a pretty solid +.560. At some point if the tommies keep cruising they should enter the convo with those top 4 elite teams.

The only other one loss team in the nation is from the west, the sagehens from P-P who is ripping through the SCIAC this year. They also have one of the best non-Loras wins in the nation with a win over Whitman. Not saying they are the sixth best team in The nation, and I totally understand the hesitation around totally buying into the sagehens, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they give one of these elite teams in the Central/West a great game in the NCAA tourney.

All in all, Titan Q was spot on with his foresight of the bracket of death anniversary.

[BobbyO]

Wheaton has two games this week that should help clear up the conference hosting.  On the 6th they play Augie and the 9th NC.  If they loses either game they are out. If Augie wins and NC wins Augie will host if tied and if Wheaton is in third by themselves Rule 3 (Augie 2-0 NC 1-1).  If Wheaton beats Augie, and loses to NC then too many possibilities.  So watch these two games this week and perhaps we know where the tournament will be.  If I goofed please let me know.

[tomt4525]

One of the better PG's in the state of Illinois, Geneva's Jack McDonald, will play basketball at Augustana.  Big get for Coach Giovanine.

[GoPerry]

Both guys have the following top of the West region...

1. Nebraska Wesleyan
2. Whitman

These two teams are most likely the overall #1 and #2 seeds in the country at the moment.

Then consider overall #3 and #4 could be Augustana and UW-Oshkosh (both from the Central).

Gonna be real interesting to see this bracket.  I am still projecting a 10-year anniversary Bracket of Death.

It's been 10 years??  Still feels too soon . . .