MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[markerickson]

My brother-in-law had limited access to email when he was last stationed at Camp Victory.  He appreciated hearing from me about college and pro football.  I didn't veer toward his duties and observations...just wanted to get him some good state-side stuff.  He did volunteer info, but I never asked.

[cardinalpride]

I don't know if this is just me, but isn't NCC the obvious favorite coming into this season? I've pretty much assumed that the team that won the CCIW tourney, and returns their top two players, Simmons and Walton (whom I am glad is starting to get the recognition he's deserved for a while) plus Adam Krumtinger and Chris Drennan (who put up some pretty nice stats for a freshman under the shadow of Simmons and Walton) would start on top. I mean, they're obviously going to need to find some guard replacements, and I always liked Teising a lot more than he got credit for but I don't think that Vicario and Teising are irreplaceable.

Augustana, on the other hand, to a large extent, lost the soul of it's team with the loss of Harrigan and McAdams-Thornton. I don't doubt one bit that Augustana will be tough as they always are (especially when they play Wheaton at Rock Island, blah... though we almost got you last year!!! ) the same way that IWU will probably be tough next year, and how Wheaton was tough last year despite losing almost everyone after the 04-05 season. Augustana returns three of their starters just like NCC. But I still think NCC has to be the favorite based on the players that both programs lost.

I wasn't going to bring this up until closer to the season, but what the heck, since it was brought up already... what do you guys think? Who's the favorite this year?

Diehardfan, I agree with you 100%.  They would get my vote as the preseason favorite.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

You make a lot of sense, April.

[diehardfan]

Diehardfan, I agree with you 100%.  They would get my vote as the preseason favorite.

Lol... can you see me looking not surprised?

I should probably clarify the obvious and state that just because someone is the obvious preseason favorite, doesn't mean that I think they'll win. I'm not going to lie, I'm liking our chances, with a solid core of Mohan, Standard, and Wiele returning, plus the comeback of our friend Kent Raymond. To a large extent, Bollier and Kemper were definitely the soul of our team last year, and were tremendous leaders, but Mohan, Standard, and Wiele regularly had huge showings last year in crucial games. Plus KENT RAYMOND IS COMING BACK. 

But NCC still has to be the preseason favorite.

[armywife]

Great Job Apirl, the guys are going to love those. I think home make cookies are more valuable than cold, hard cash over there.

[Titan Q]

I don't know if this is just me, but isn't NCC the obvious favorite coming into this season? I've pretty much assumed that the team that won the CCIW tourney, and returns their top two players, Simmons and Walton (whom I am glad is starting to get the recognition he's deserved for a while) plus Adam Krumtinger and Chris Drennan (who put up some pretty nice stats for a freshman under the shadow of Simmons and Walton) would start on top. I mean, they're obviously going to need to find some guard replacements, and I always liked Teising a lot more than he got credit for but I don't think that Vicario and Teising are irreplaceable.

I agree.  I think North Central is an overwhelming favorite this year.  Their frontcourt of Walton/Simmons/Krumtinger has to be one of the best in the country, especially considering how good Raridon's offense is.  Regarding Teising and Vicario, I agree with April -- very solid, steady players, but certainly not irreplaceable.  That being said, it's hard (not impossible) to win the CCIW with a young, inexperienced backcourt.  We'll have to keep an eye on how the Cards' guards develop during the non-conference.

After North Central, it seems totally up for grabs.  I think Augustana, Wheaton, IWU, and Elmhurst belong in preseason slots 2 through 5, but in what order I have no idea.  Augie, under Giovanine, is always in the mix and they have plenty of talent...Wheaton has Raymond back to go with some promising players from last year...IWU has an All-American candidate in Zach Freeman and some young, inexperienced guys who have a chance to be very good ...and Elmhurst has an outstanding frontcourt with Ruch/Michael/Strzemp.

[diehardfan]

That being said, it's hard (not impossible) to win the CCIW with a young, inexperienced backcourt.  We'll have to keep an eye on how the Cards' guards develop during the non-conference.

Good point. Though other teams lost key guards, Dauksas and Harrigan being the obvious examples, it's just intrinsically hard to win without a solid, mature point guard to lead the game on the floor. It's also going to be important that teams can match Wheaton's Mohan-Raymond combo, which should be fun to watch.

After North Central, it seems totally up for grabs.  I think Augustana, Wheaton, IWU, and Elmhurst belong in preseason slots 2 through 5, but in what order I have no idea.  Augie, under Giovanine, is always in the mix and they have plenty of talent...Wheaton has Raymond back to go with some promising players from last year...IWU has an All-American candidate in Zach Freeman and some young, inexperienced guys who have a chance to be very good ...and Elmhurst has an outstanding frontcourt with Ruch/Michael/Strzemp.

Personally, while I'd be hesitant to do any sort of preseaon rankings right now, I'm sorta thinking it's more like Augie-Wheaton for the 2-3 slots, and IWU-Elmhurst for the 4-5 slots... with possibly any of the three remaining teams thrown in the mix for fifth.... again, preseason only, of course. There's a pretty significant difference in the losses in terms of point generation between those two groups.

And not in any way to slight Coach Rose at all, but it could definitely be argued that 2006 National 3rd place IWU will be further hurt in preseason conf rankings due to the fact that they are dealing with a coaching transition in addition to losing 8 of their 9 top players in terms of scoring and minutes.  Zach is an awesome player, no one will dispute that, but any good preseason ranking that IWU gets come November is probably going to have a lot to do with the full body of school history and known ability of the actual school itself to recruit good players, rather than any tangible evidence.

[markerickson]

With Woodside, Alexander, Lenoir, et. al, (has the 6'9" Greek guy returned?),  I think the NPU Vikings will have plenty of height to compete in the paint.  The Big Q in my mind is whether guard play will be competitive.  Last year, with Gordon's injury, the Vikings sorely lacked in this regard.

I am optimistic for a finish easily above .500.

Ryan Dempster, OMG!!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

This is NOT a prediction, but merely to sow the seeds of doubt in NCC and other contenders' fans:

NCC is clearly (on paper) the favorite for the coming year, but not NEARLY as clearly as IWU was last year.  Review how IWU finished both regular season and conference tourney.

In 1996, IWU finished third in the nation, and graduated four seniors.  In 1997, IWU won the national title.

In 2006, IWU finished third in the nation, and graduated four seniors.  In 2007, IWU ...?  To be continued.

Right now, if you put a pistol to my head and said 'pick!', I'd say NCC will win it, and IWU will be middle-of-the-pack, but there is a reason they play the games!

[John Gleich]

Another interesting point, Chuck, is that there is a great senior leader who returns... Crabtree for the '96 Titans, and Freeman for the '06.  As I said after seeing him play in Whitewater this spring, Freeman is my pick for preseason POY.  The questions that remain are with those who surround him... I think the Titans might possibly have some growing pains early (which every team seems to that loses as many seniors as IWU did), but I think they'll be in great form come spring, which is the most important time anyway.

[diehardfan]

My favorite switch recently is probably the 03-04 season where Elmhurst was predicted to finish 7th and tied for 2nd...

In 2006, IWU finished third in the nation, and graduated four seniors. 

Actually, they graduated 4 starters... they actually graduated a total of 8 seniors... like I said... 8 of the 9 players who contributed last year on any substantial level.

Plus there's a different  COACH... better than Trost in the long run for the program for sure, but seriously, no one is expecting the coaching growing pains to compound the player growing pains? I don't know, I'm just not getting this overwhelming optimism....

I think IWU making the conference tourney will be a good showing for them this year... if other people want to wildly speculate anything further, that's up to them.

[armywife]

Wow, I really have been out of the loop for awhile. This is the first I've heard of Scott Trost leaving IWU and Rose being named head coach. Reading his bio makes me think he's going to be a great fit for the Titans, but this may be a rebuilding year for them. They may prove me wrong, but I'm looking for the other teams to be able to step up and compete for the conference. North Central, Augie, and Wheaton all should have a great chance. I'm anxious to see what North Park can do this year, I'd love to see them turn things around.

Unlike many of you, I have to use emotion and pure speculation for these predictions of mine, since I have no hard evidedence to present. I've just been away from the board too long. Besides, with the rest of you doing all of the hard work, it's fun to be able to read what you post and get caught up.

[mr_b]

(has the 6'9" Greek guy returned?)

Themis Chalkias did not return.  He decided to stay in Greece, but I don't know where or at what level he's playing there.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

(has the 6'9" Greek guy returned?)

Themis Chalkias did not return.  He decided to stay in Greece, but I don't know where or at what level he's playing there.

Any chance he is the proud owner of a brand new silver medal?


Probably not.

[Knightstalker]

MMMMMM lets see, Illinois in winter or Greece in winter.  I have been to both during the winter, I would take Greece too.