MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wow, that Mike Hart is a versatile guy!  Today he's ripping up MSU with 97 yards, and the first half isn't over yet!

[Gregory Sager]

Wow. Hart is starting for NIU? Interesting. I knew that he'd be good, but I didn't think he'd be that good. I know that he was having some personal problems when he left Carthage; it's good to see that he seems to be back on the right track.

Kyle Jeffery redshirted for UW-Parkside last season, so he'll be a senior for the Rangers this season. There may be two former Carthage players starting for NCAA scholarship schools this season, one on the D1 level and one on the D2 level.

[Sakman 1111]

UWW/Elmhurst scrimmage was 3 halves......UWW won the first 20 minutes and the Bluejays won the second 20 minute game. Third 20 minute game was all subs and was close and I don't remember who won that. Elmhurst trying many at guard to try and fill an obvious void.....they have some underclassmen at guard that may be able to help. Burks played well and scored a bunch while Ruch had a so so night. Strzemp played four man the entire night since none of the other big men played due to injury beside Ruch. For his first action since double knee surgery Strzemp looked pretty good with a few buckets and foul shots. Hard to assess the Bluejays without their other big men playing but their guards need to defend better and limit turnovers........but it was only one scrimmage. Both teams were pretty evenly matched.......

[cardinalfanrochelle]

 Greg,
         Mike Hart was about the only highlight from the N.I.U. team vs Aurora for the Huskies, there were 2 other players worth talking about and they were # 4 Michael Patton and #25 Shaun Logan. Aurora got a good game from #13 Dusty Magee and #24 Chad Trudo. I was not impressed with either team ,especially NIU .I am going to the Auggie vs NIU to see how Auggie stacks up against a lower D1 school. Can't beat the 15 min car ride to see a D3 take on a D1 team.

[AndOne]

I was fortunate enough to have a seat at the press table for the Aurora--NIU scrimmage Fri evening, and rec'd an official copy of the final stats from the NIU SID's office.

Michael Hart started and played 14 minutes. He hit 4 of 4 from the field (2 dunks I believe), and was 2 of 3 from the line for a total of 10 points. 1 off rebound and 2 def. No assists, 2 turnovers, & 1 block. 

[Goo 62]

First time poster on the bball site.  But not new to D3 sports.

Love to see the WIAC go down to the CCIW.  Such different game styles.  Both teams played physical down low.  UWW pressured the guards well and created many TO's.  Big man play went to Elmhurst with Ruch.  Jacked to see the bluejays challenge for the CCIW title.  You will definitely hear me at the games. 

[Titan Q]

Info on the Wheaton/Lewis scrimmage last week...

1st 20: Lewis 38 Wheaton 35
2nd 20: Wheaton 32 Lewis 24

Wheaton points:

Raymond 28
Panner 17
Wiele 8

Lewis had two key players limited in minutes due to injury, including returning leading scorer Brandon Daggons, who only played about 15 of the 40.

In an e-mail on the game, Scott Trost said, "Raymond was the best player on the floor."  That is saying a lot, because Lewis has a lot of talent and should do very well in the GLVC this year.

[martin]

I found the following story in the NIU student paper.  It talks about Michael Hart.  Also, some sad news - Zach Pancratz is out after knee surgery.  Brother Mark's career at Wisconsin-Milwaukee was limited because of injury.  I hope Jake has better luck.  Their father, Andy, was the key recruit that led to DePaul's resurgence.  Corzine went there because of him and that led to Agguire, Cummings, etc.


Men's basketball breezes past Aurora in season opener
By BEN GROSS

A win is a win for men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton.

It doesn't matter if it was an exhibition, who their opponent was or that the final score was 87-70. The only numbers that matter are those in the win and loss columns.

"You know what, I found out that you can never kick a win, no matter how you get it," Patton said. "That was a good-shooting basketball team."

Aurora focused its attack from beyond the arc. Of the Spartan's 55 field goal attempts, 27 came from behind the three-point line. Aurora was able to convert on 13-27 three pointers. In total, 56 percent of the Spartan offense was generated by treys.

However, NIU was able to defeat the three-point barrage, while giving all 16 available players a chance on the court.

Senior Zach Pancratz was unable to play as he is redshirting this year due to surgery early in the off-season. Center Sean Kowal was also unavailable, as is he is a transfer from Colorado and must sit out this season.

Finally, forward Najul Ervin didn't hit the court because Patton wanted him to rest a pulled muscle.

NIU had four players reach double-digit scoring. Forward Shaun Logan and guard Jarvis Nichols led the Huskies with 14 points each. Forwards Sean Smith and Michael Hart also added 11 and 10 points respectively in the win.

Hart proved to be a key offensive weapon for NIU. The 6-foot-7, 206-pounder provided dunks and a blocked shot that got the 1,469 fans at the Convocation Center on their feet.

The senior started his career playing at Carthage College, but came to NIU last season. After playing at the Campus Recreation Center for a year, Hart's path has finally taken him to Division I basketball.

"To be out here, and just to know that you actually made the step up and the progression up to the Division I level, it's just a great opportunity for me," Hart said. "I'm happy to be here."

Only playing 14 minutes in the first exhibition game, Patton hopes to give the forward more reps in the upcoming game. Patton will get his next chance today, as NIU plays its second and final exhibition game against Augustana at 7 p.m. at the Convo.

"Mike Hart is a guy, I think, because he hasn't played organized basketball in a few years he's got to get some game timing and figure it out," Patton said. "We need to get him as many reps as we can."

[augie22]

Anyone going to the Augie vs. NIU tonight?

How do the Vikes match up?

Any predictions?

[knarocky22]

I'll be at the NIU/Augie game tonight.  This will probably be one of the few Augie games I get to this year since I go to NIU now and barely have time to eat and sleep it feels like. 

As for a prediction goes.......I think Augie is a better team than Aurora.  That being said, I still think NIU will come out on top, but it will be a single-digit decision.  I'll post some comments after the game.

[Titan Q]

The NIU schedule page shows a "Gametracker" link and indicates radio coverage on The Score (AM 670 in Chicago)...

http://niuhuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/niu-m-baskbl-sched.html

I'm not sure if WSCR carries NIU exhibition games, but worth tuning in to see at 7:00.

[knarocky22]

Heard on The Score today that the game will be broadcast.

[Titan Q]

Chicagoland NAIA power Robert Morris had to forfeit all of its games from 2006-07 for using ineligible players.  Their record is listed at 0-29...

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/103107aaa.html

http://www.okbu.edu/news/view_article.php?id=1667


Robert Morris was ranked #1 in NAIA D1 all of last year, and was 32-0 before losing in quadruple OT in the national semifinals to Concordia (CA)...

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/103107aaa.html

[Titan Q]

Augustana starters --

G Jordan Delp (6-0,170, Sr)*
G Alex Washington (6-2/182, Jr)
G Brett Wessels (6-2/195, Jr)
F Oliver Rorer (6-6/215, Sr.)
C Dain Swetalla (6-9/240, Sr.)

* Point-guard Matt Pelton is out with a groin injury...that will hurt them tonight.  Delp is not a point-guard.  I'm a little surprised the Vikings did not start sophomore point-guard Brian Larson instead of Washington.

[Titan Q]

Augustana has really struggled so far tonight in Dekalb.  At halftime it's 42-21 Northern Illinois.  Augie has just 5 field goals. 

Swetalla (2), Delp (0), and Rorer (0) have just 2 points between them I believe.