MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

Q (or anyone with info),

In the article Rose said Dwyer was "questionable for the start of practice", which would suggest that Rosenkranz will probably at least initially be the starting pg (which may have been the situation anyway, but competition is always a plus!).  Any insghts on Sean's readiness for the season itself?  If (God forbid!) anything were to happen to Travis, are we in for a pg season like last year?

I think Dwyer will be fine by about November 1st (maybe much sooner).  They are just being very cautious with him to make sure he gets healthy once and for all.

[Pat Coleman]

This most recent opponent was near the bottom of the Chinese pro league this past season. All I know.

[dansand]

On a different matter, the front page has a nice write-up on Augie's China trip.  They say that the Vikes are succeeding on defense (all three opponents have shot less than 40% from the field).  I know nothing about the opponents (and do not mean this as a shot at Augie!), but I can't help wondering: is the Augie defense really impressive, or are the opponents just lousy shooters?  Anyone have any insight?

So far I don't think any of their opponents have been the ones originally scheduled. They were supposed to play some of the top pro teams including the Hong Yaun (Guandong) Tigers, whom Bucks #1 (#6 overall) pick Yi Jianlian plays/played for; and the Beijing Aoshen Ducks, who had #40 overall pick Sun Yue (Lakers). I've heard the Chinese government may have had different plans.

If their defense has been as impressive as it looks, that's exciting, because Brett Wessels, probably their best defender, wasn't eligible to make the trip.

[AndOne]

Despite the general consensus that this class has a huge upside, I have heard various coaches and other observers be critical of all four of the above mentioned players. In fact, I know of at least one coach or other very knowledgeable observer  that feels each of the above 4 will never make more than a cursory contribution over the long run.

A lot of really good D3, and other small college, coaches would have to be dead wrong if that's the case (based on who recruited these four and how hard they pursued). 

I have seen all of IWU's incoming freshman play and if I had to rank them in terms of their longterm potential, I'd have Travis Rosenkranz as the #1 -- I think his upside is enormous.  #2 would be tough to sort out at this point, but I might go with guard Sean Johnson.  IWU is going to have a fantastic backcourt someday soon with these two and I don't think there is anything better to build around than a great backcourt.

Personnally I am very high on Doug Sexauer -- I think he is going to be a really good CCIW big man.  I am also real high on Duncan Lawson.  I have not seen O'Callaghan play enough to have a great feel for his game or potential.

Just to make it clear----its not the same coach(s) who made the comments about all 4 players. I meant at least one (different) coach expressed those feelings about each player. And, certainly those evaluators were in the minority about each recruit.

I also like Sexauer and Lawson. Nice inside (Sexauer) outside (Lawson) combination even though Lawson is 2 inches taller.

[cciwgrad]

Anyone have any type of complete rundown on the rest of the CCIW schools with regards to BBall recruits??

[AndOne]

CCIW----

Page back thru this board. Starting in about May, I believe, there is recruiting info by various regular posters here. I know you will find a lot of info about Wesleyan, Augie, & North Central recruits. There is also some info on North Park. I don't remember seeing much so far on Carthage, Wheaton, Elmhurst, or Millikin.

[cciwgrad]

Thanks AndOne

I did look at some past posts.  I was curious as to those other schools and what the concensus on which school got the best incoming class.  Appears IWU has alot of expectations in town. I Didn't see anything much on Carthage and I know Millikin lists 10 freshmen on the roster.  With the late hiring of Coach Smith and losing his assitant and his leading scorer, I don't think any recruits have gotten much pub this summer...

[dansand]

Here's what I could piece together. Most of the info courtesy Titan Q, AndOne and Gregory Sager and thanks to cciwgrad for the head's up that Millikin's roster is up on their website.

Augustana
Brett Wessels 6-2 G Jr. Bettendorf, IA/University of Iowa
Keaton Frye 6-4 F So. Eldridge, IA/Valparaiso University
Mike Avallone 6-4 G Neuqua Valley
Kyle Nelson 6-7 F Deerfield
Amin Ekalino 6-9 C Rock Island
Drew Croegaert 6-1 G Geneseo
Bryant Voiles 6-7 G Bryon
Tyson McCreight 6-2 G Sherrard

Carthage
Logan Derrick 6-0 Warren
Shannon Adams 6-3 Warren
Steve Djurickovic 6-3 Kenosha Bradford

Elmhurst
Jimmy Saris 5-9 Crystal Lake South
Marco Macias 6-3 Morton

Illinois Wesleyan
Sean Johnson 6-1 G, Washington
Duncan Lawson 6-8 F, Glenbard West
Ed O'Callaghan 6-7 F/C, St. Patrick H.S., Chicago     
Trvais Rosenkranz 5-11 G, Macon Meridian
Matt Schick 6-4 F, Lincoln   
Dan Schouten 6-5 F, Downers Grove South
Doug Sexauer 6-7 C, Lockport
Chris Stamas 6-2 G, Glenbrook North
Josh Sutton 6-5 F, Lincoln

Millikin
Colby Burdick 5-11 Mount Zion
Boston Fleming 5-10 Saint Anne
Dana Givens 5-10 Plainfield South
Jayson King 5-6 Mount Zion
C.J. McClellan 6-2 Maroa-Forsyth
Jackson Scott 6-7 Washington
Avery Smith 6-3 Oswego East
Kyle Taylor 6-7 Bement
Justin Thompson 5-11 Homewood-Flossmoor
Mark Wilkins 5-11 Hillcrest
Tunde Ogunleye 6-2 Jr. New Rochelle, NY/Keystone College

North Central
Brian Evans 6-2 Glenbard North
Brett Hulett 6-2 Glenbard North
Jamis Nelson 6-4 Oak Park-River Forest
Matt Rogers 6-4 Jr. Rochelle/Lakeland College
Dan Schacht 6-3 Rochelle/Kishwaukee JC
Jeremy Williams 6-6 Jr. Proviso East/Nebraska-Omaha

North Park
Christian Alsing 6-7 Brother Rice 
Phil Schniedermeier 6-6 Loyola
Nick Hoekstra 6-5 Illiana Christian
Bruce Durham 6-0 Lockport
Kendall Greer 6-5 Marian Catholic
Clayton Cahill 5-11  Cardinal Ritter
John Chimino 6-6 Jr. Marist/Moraine Valley
Ali Tai 6-0 Niles West
Jorge Gonzales 6-5 Jr. Niles North/Lincoln JC
Aaron Mead 6-4 Kijabe, Kenya
Trevor Hazen 6-0 St. Paul, MN

Wheaton
Jake Carwell 6-7 So. Timothy Christian/Benedictine
Andrew Jahns 6-2 Wheaton North
Josh Kvam 6-0 Cherekee (GA)
Zach Johnson 6-6 Aurora Christian

Feel free to update.

[mr_b]

Here's what I could piece together. Most of the info courtesy Titan Q, AndOne and Gregory Sager and thanks to cciwgrad for the head's up that Millikin's roster is up on their website.

Nice work!  Thanks for the summary.

[AndOne]

Dan---

I second Mr_B's nomination. Nice job, and here is a + 1 for your efforts.   

P.S. I believe you can remove the question mark from in front of Saris for EC.

[dansand]

P.S. I believe you can remove the question mark from in front of Saris for EC.

Thanks...done.

[kenoshamark]

Dan,  You can add one more name to the Carthage list.....Bosko's son, Steve from Kenosha Bradford H.S.

[cciwgrad]

thanks also

I know many of the downstate players and it appears to be a good crop.  And it looks like alot of teams are going young.  I wonder if the two Washington HS kids [Johnson for IWU and Scott from Millikin] will get time and help develop the programs.

[Titan Q]

If there was an organization that ranked Division III incoming freshmen classes (like the numerous Division I services), I think it would show IWU and North Park as the top two in the CCIW by a wide margin.   Ron Rose and Paul Brenegan both landed impressive talent at all positions.

In terms of transfers, Augie has two biggies in Wessels and Frye and sounds like Rogers at NCC is going to have a big impact.   

[Gregory Sager]

Dan, add Jorge Gonzales to your list for NPU. He's a 6'5 sophomore transfer from Lincoln College; I think he played his high school ball at Niles North. Gonzales is a scrappy, athletic role player who may see some time off the bench for the Vikings this season.

NPU has three other freshmen who'll be on the roster this year besides the ones you've listed, including a missionary kid from Kenya and a guard from Minnesota who spent a year at NPU's sister school in Ecuador, but you've listed all the ones whose names I can recall at the moment.

If there was an organization that ranked Division III incoming freshmen classes (like the numerous Division I services), I think it would show IWU and North Park as the top two in the CCIW by a wide margin.   Ron Rose and Paul Brenegan both landed impressive talent at all positions.

Carthage might be right up there as well. Steve Djurickovic has a chance to be an outstanding CCIW player, and the two kids from Warren (if they stick around) could both prove to be real head-turners. I don't know if Bosko has added any size -- the one ingredient his team dearly needs -- but if he got even one plus-potential big man to add to those three perimeter players, it might turn out to be a very special recruiting class for the Red Men. Retention is the key; as we've discussed on CCIW Chat before, Bosko's had a very difficult time lately with keeping his blue chips around and in uniform from year to year.

One of the reasons why a ranking of incoming freshmen classes is a slightly dubious endeavor (aside from the obvious fact that no one has any idea how any of these kids will pan out) is because not every coach is looking for the same thing. Augie's a perfect example of that; even though he will go after many of the same players that are being pursued by other CCIW schools, Grey Giovanine's main recruiting energies seem to be devoted to finding players who will fit the specific requirements of his system. And it obviously works, which is why I never pay much heed to how Augustana recruits each year. I never have any doubt that Giovanine will find the players he needs.

I wonder if Millikin transfer Tunde Ogunleye is related to Bears DE Adewale Ogunleye? Tunde is from New Rochelle, NY (which is just north of NYC), and Adewale is a Brooklyn native who went to high school on Staten Island.