MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[maddog]

Congratulations to Ron Rose on being named as IWU basketball coach today. While my personal first choice would have John Baines, I have no problem with Rose getting the job. Being an ex IWU player and being in the area for a long time, he knows the IWU program, the expectations and what it takes to be successful at the D3 level. And I believe he will be the IWU head coach for a long time. He is a very high quality person and will relate well to D3 athletes, the IWU students and IWU fans. Welcome back, Ron, and best wishes in your new position, see you in Salem soon.

[maddog]

Here's an article from today's Pantagraph concerning Keelan getting a look from the Milwaukee Bucks. it's a long shot but I think it's always interesting when a D3 player gets a chance. Good Luck, Keelan.

BLOOMINGTON -- Former Illinois Wesleyan standout Keelan Amelianovich will participate in a workout at the practice facility of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

"I don't know too much about it right now. From what the guy told me it will be me and another player," Amelianovich said Friday. "I'm sure there will be some conditioning and a ton of drills. It will be a new experience."

The 6-foot-6 Amelianovich was a three-time all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin performer at IWU. He averaged 18.6 points and 4.4 rebounds during his senior season as the Titans finished third nationally in Division III.

"One of the kids I played with in high school, his dad is friends with one of the (Milwaukee) assistant coaches. And my girlfriend's uncle is a golf pro up there. He knows some of the management through golf," Amelianovich said. "It came about that way."

Amelianovich plans to participate in a pro exposure camp this summer and is hoping to secure a contract with a European team.

[titan2000]

I thought Ameliovich was an accountant and wanted to get behind a desk as soon as possible. 

[diehardfan]

Congrats to Keelan!!!

You gotta love the fact that Keelan played JV freshman year, and three years later he's getting NBA looks.

And T2000, if I can remember correctly from my conversations with Mrs A down in Salem, Keelan already had a job lined up in his major then, and he's obviously a very bright kid. But how many people go straight to the workforce anymore? Playing professionally gives him the chance to explore and experience the world before settling down... I may be biased as an adventurous soul myself, but I'm every bit as proud of him whatever he decides as I am of guys like Joel for going to med school after the end of his senior year.

This couldn't happen to a better guy... we're all rooting for you Keelan!

Seriously, as much as I rag on us being so conceited, the CCIW really is a special league... Thinking back to Joel Kolmodin, this is our second Jostens finalist (and the academics and service that come with that) that has also gotten NBA looks in only three years! Neato.

[veterancciwfan]

Some thoughts and comments about Ron Rose. First, from looking at the 87/88 IWU Media Guide, his senior year at IWU, some tidbits:

1) NPU fans, take consolation, maybe things will improve to what they were when Rose finished at IWU. On page 1 of the Guide, the pre-season rankings of D3 teams by Basketball Weekly showed NP (College then) #1 and IWU #2. Sometimes change is not a good thing.

2) The bio on Rose in the Guide has this to say: Bridges judges his effectiveness by how well the team's offense is working. Plays good perimeter defense, getting in face of an opponent. Team's quickest player. Tireless and team-minded.

Since that 87/88 IWU team averaged 90 points a game, it's a safe bet that Ron Rose knows something about how to run a team from the point guard position, the most important in college ball. And having 2 years experience at a good D1 program probably translates into a coach who understands the finer points of defense.  The last game of Rose's college career was one of the best D3 games I have ever witnessed. Ohio Wesleyan beat IWU 106-103 in a regulation game at Delaware, Ohio to advance to the Final 4 where OWU won both games in blowouts.

CCIW and IWU fans speculated about the tough job Trost would have trying to replace Bridges in 2001. Perhaps the same thing might apply to Rose trying to replace Trost, who won 73% of his games as IWU coach (101-37), won 3 CCIW titles in 5 years, and went 9-4 in D3 tourney games with many of the 13 games super-tough road games against the #1 and/or #2 ranked teams at the time. But like most IWU fans, I'm thrilled with Rose's selection. I'm sure that he will find out in a hurry that the CCIW is one super tough league in which to win, as Trost was taught by rival CCIW coaches in 2006 after steamrolling good teams in the nonconference start of the 05/06 season.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Now to pull together two unrelated topics: Ron Rose as PG and Keelan Amelianovich getting a look from the Bucks!

Anyone heard of (or think it possible) that Adam Dauksas will get a look by any NBA team?!

[titan2000]

Now to pull together two unrelated topics: Ron Rose as PG and Keelan Amelianovich getting a look from the Bucks!

Anyone heard of (or think it possible) that Adam Dauksas will get a look by any NBA team?!

Huh ?  Do you really believe he's good enough for that?  No offense to him, but as fans you CCIW people have to get out of the league a bit.  Maybe a few U of Illinois games might help you get some perspective.

I am going to the MWC board now to promote Chris Braier as the solution to the problems of the New York Knicks.  Rumour is Isiah Thomas has already been to Lawrence to work him out.  Gotta go....

[augiefan]

Congratulations to IWU on their new coach. It's always good to hire a qualified alum, who is committed to the school. Rose sounds like a good hire.

For Augie's sake I am glad Tharp didn't make the move to Bloomington, as I think he is currently the best coach in DIII basketball. As a Beloit grad it pains me to see Tharp at Lawrence, while his once proud alma mater is now a nonfactor in the MWC. I had hoped he would replace Knapton, when he retired, but the anti-sports President and administration at Beloit, which bypassed Tharp,  hasn't made a good athletic department hire in years.

[augiefan]

For the record I think Rose will do fine at IWU on the recruiting front. IWU's high academic standing and tradition of athletic excellence will continue to draw good recruits. Also, as noted Rose's familiarity with other Illinois high school coaches will stand him in good stead, when it comes to recruiting.

[martin]

Great that IWU hired a coach - now CCIW Chat can do what it does best during the offseason - baseball talk and getting downright silly.

Although talk of Adam Dauksas getting an NBA look is pretty silly.  He was a very good D3 guard but by no means great.  He was really exposed by the quicker VWU guards.  I saw him play 4 times during his career - plus the video from Salem.  Not a great data set so my opinion can be discounted.  I did not think he was a first team All American even though he was recognized as such his junior and senior years.  Maybe I caught him on off nights but I did not find him that impressive.  I thought other recent star guards in the CCIW like Drew Carstens and Antoine McDaniel were much better than Dauksas. 

OK - I am ready for the counter arguments from the green section.

On the baseball front, the good news is that the existence of the Pittsburgh Pirates keeps the Cubs out of last place and we may be rid of Dusty Baker soon.  The bad news - the White Sox have the best record in baseball.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Guys, there was a reason for the 'wink' at the end of my 'Dauksas get an NBA look' post - it was (mostly) a joke.  Maybe I'm too pessimistic, but I took it that Keelan's 'look' was more as a favor to old friends than a really legitimate chance - I don't think it was an out-and-out fraud (Keelan's good enough that he deserves at least one 'look'), but I doubt it would have happened at all except for those contacts.  I have no clue as to whether Adam has such contacts.

Titan 2000, it is ironic that you specifically mention watching U of Illinois games - they met in a season-opening exhibition game and Dauksas outplayed Brown that game!  I'm not crazy enough to suggest it would happen with any regularity (perhaps 3 or 4 of a hundred?), but THAT game, Adam had Dee's number.  No, I very much doubt Adam will play in the NBA; but, yes, I think he might be an intriguing 'look' for someone (but doubt it will happen).

[Mr. Ypsi]

martin,

Your bad news may or may not continue to be bad news - if the White Sox fail to hold their lead tonite, my 'national joke' Tigers (119 losses just 3 years ago) will have the best record in all of baseball!

Who'd a thunk it??!

I'm not sure I'm ready to drink their kool-aid quite yet, but is it really possible the kitty-cats could play meaningful games in September (or, dare we say it, October)??!

[emeritusprof]

Hey guys, there's another league in baseball, and in that one you'll find the current best record in the majors.

Yes, the St. Louis Cardinals.

And, for eye poppers, check the stats put up so far by Albert Pujols.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry, emeritus, but as of tonight the Cardinals are 24-14, the Tigers are 24-13, and the Sox are 24-12.

[diehardfan]

Guys, there was a reason for the 'wink' at the end of my 'Dauksas get an NBA look' post - it was (mostly) a joke.  Maybe I'm too pessimistic, but I took it that Keelan's 'look' was more as a favor to old friends than a really legitimate chance - I don't think it was an out-and-out fraud (Keelan's good enough that he deserves at least one 'look'), but I doubt it would have happened at all except for those contacts.  I have no clue as to whether Adam has such contacts.

I know this wasn't your intent, but I find this idea sorta rude. When did you last seen Keelan? What he did down in Salem was nothing short of amazing. He played so well he had everyone around me was in awe of him. And while I don't follow the NBA at all, I'm pretty sure he has the height to play in the NBA for someone who mostly shoots outside. If he wasn't good enough, no one would have let him get a shot, favors or not.