MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I saw Djurickovic over 2 days in Grand Rapids, I thought he was one of the smartest Freshman players I can remember.

He should be. He would have no excuses if he wasn't one of the smartest freshmen players you can remember, because I'll wager that he's the only college basketball player in America who can say that both of his parents are or were college head coaches. Not only that, but both of his parents have been successful coaches. Remember, there have been six CCIW basketball championships won by a team whose head coach resides at Steve Djurickovic's house, and only five of those championships belong to Bosko.

[Gregory Sager]

Question:  What will NP do tomorrow night to shut down Elmhurst's size?  Will we see another zone?  From what I've read about Elmhurst's "inferior" backcourt, I would have to assume so...

I can't answer that question for you, TD, but I can tell you that the NPU coaches have the game tape from last Wednesday's Carthage @ Elmhurst game. I'm pretty sure that they've watched it enough to have it memorized, too.

NPU and Elmhurst will be an interesting game, because the Vikings and 'jays are two vastly different teams that promise to bring a clash of styles to the fray. It'll really be a matter of which team will be able to impose its will upon the other in terms of style of play. My hope as an NPU fan is that the Vikings will try to play to their strengths (slashing via the spread offense; defensive pressure and a strong transition game; drive-and-kick) more than they worry about trying to beat Elmhurst at the Bluejays' own game (static halfcourt sets designed around post play).

[mwunder]

I just did a little more research...

Fendley is (29-53) .547 from three in his last 13 conference games... If anyone, preferably Mwunder,  can show me someone who has made that many at that high a percentage, I will retract my statement that he is the best PURE shooter in the league.

For you to say youd take your chances with him means you would have worse odds than you would at the blackjack table.   

I didn't say the kid couldn't shoot...I said he hasn't proven anything yet.  He hasn't been named CCIW player of the week, he hasn't been named to a conference team, he hasn't averaged more than 12 points a game in his career.  Take away his 29 point performance against ITT (who??) and he's only averaging 8.4 points per game.  Is he a player...absolutely.  Has he proved he can carry a team on his back yet?  Nope.

Augie gave him and Trey all kinds of open looks in the first half on Sat night...Trey was 6-8 for 14 pts, while Sean was 1-4 with 3 points in 16 minutes.  I love that he hustles, plays bigger than he is, and all the other intangibles that he brings to the table, but, like I said...he hasn't proven that he can carry a team on his shoulders yet.  The other two have.

Take Ben Panner from Wheaton for example....Carthage DARED him to beat them and he sank dagger after dagger into Bosko's defensive game plan.  He finished 9-14 and 6-9 behind the arc.  That's the kind of break-out performance I'm looking for (against CCIW competition).

[79jaybird]

Greg, I am worried about tonight's game (from an Elmhurst view). We both know North Park had us dead to rights last year on their home floor beating EC for most of the game with hustle, penetration, and a greater "hunger" to win.
I think the real key is going to be the first 5-10 minutes of the game.  Will Elmhurst be able to match the hustle and intensity of North Park? 
I think Elmhurst will get their points inside with Ruch and Hintzsche,  but the real key is going to be the perimeter and if Elmhurst can keep up with NPU's speedsters. 

[Scream]

Greg, I am worried about tonight's game (from an Elmhurst view). We both know North Park had us dead to rights last year on their home floor beating EC for most of the game with hustle, penetration, and a greater "hunger" to win.
I think the real key is going to be the first 5-10 minutes of the game.  Will Elmhurst be able to match the hustle and intensity of North Park? 
I think Elmhurst will get their points inside with Ruch and Hintzsche,  but the real key is going to be the perimeter and if Elmhurst can keep up with NPU's speedsters. 

I'm excited to see how it unfolds. 

[Titan Q]

North Central (2-2) @ Carthage (3-1)

Live stats, Carthage.edu

WRJN - Racine broadcast

WONC - Naperville broadcast


Wheaton (2-2) @ Illinois Wesleyan (2-2)

Live stats, IWU.edu

WJBC - Bloomington broadcast

WETN - Wheaton broadcast


Millikin (1-3) @ Augustana (2-2)

Live stats, Augustana.edu

WAUG - Rock Island broadcast


Elmhurst (2-2) @ North Park (2-2)

WRSE - Elmhurst broadcast

[Titan Q]

Some information on the IWU/Wheaton game...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/01/22/usports/doc4796c6e1ba366315782652.txt

http://www.iwuhoops.com/notes08.htm


There will be a JV game at 5:15.

[REDMENFAN]

I just did a little more research...

Fendley is (29-53) .547 from three in his last 13 conference games... If anyone, preferably Mwunder,  can show me someone who has made that many at that high a percentage, I will retract my statement that he is the best PURE shooter in the league.

For you to say youd take your chances with him means you would have worse odds than you would at the blackjack table.   

I didn't say the kid couldn't shoot...I said he hasn't proven anything yet.  He hasn't been named CCIW player of the week, he hasn't been named to a conference team, he hasn't averaged more than 12 points a game in his career.  Take away his 29 point performance against ITT (who??) and he's only averaging 8.4 points per game.  Is he a player...absolutely.  Has he proved he can carry a team on his back yet?  Nope.

Augie gave him and Trey all kinds of open looks in the first half on Sat night...Trey was 6-8 for 14 pts, while Sean was 1-4 with 3 points in 16 minutes.  I love that he hustles, plays bigger than he is, and all the other intangibles that he brings to the table, but, like I said...he hasn't proven that he can carry a team on his shoulders yet.  The other two have.

Take Ben Panner from Wheaton for example....Carthage DARED him to beat them and he sank dagger after dagger into Bosko's defensive game plan.  He finished 9-14 and 6-9 behind the arc.  That's the kind of break-out performance I'm looking for (against CCIW competition).

Mwunder- I know what you were trying to say, and I'd say you're right that he really hasn't proven he can put a team on his back in a close game and take over. It is my guess though that coaches of opposing teams are saying if we limit these 3 guys (Stevey, Trey, & Fendley) we will have a great chance to win the game.  No coach, in this league at least, would dare any of the 3 to take open shots and put the pressure on them.  Who knows which one is the lesser of the 3 evils, I'd say it changes every game.  Bowens is a very streaky shooter, so he could be, or a lot of times he could be the hottest.  Against ITT he was not hitting very many shots at all in the first half, then scored ten points in 90 seconds in the second half, 6 of them from behind the arc....Yes Fendley hasn't proven what Steve did last week, but I'd bet anything coaches don't want to give him the opportunity to prove it either.  Every coach (in the CCIW) knows what he's capable of doing if given even the slightest opening to get his shot off

[REDMENFAN]

Nice article about the Carthage-NC game tonight.  Bosko gives Higgins a lot of praise in the article about how he does the little things that don't show up in the stats. Also talks a little bit about NC's "dynamic duo"

http://ksn.kenoshanews.com/view_article.php?articleNum=2422001

[AndOne]

I would zone the Redmen---flared 1-2-2 ---Fendley has taken 67% of his shots from behind the 3 point line and Bowens over 50%---Take all the shots you want from the corner---Take away their strength and see how they do when they have to put it on the floor and score among the big guys or from the FT area---They'll get some looks but you'll take them out of their comfort zone a little bit---Just one man's opinion

Mwunder- You make a great point about Basketball 101 and 5 guys packing down into the lane, but what happens when Bowens or Fendley are making 3 after 3? Then the defenders will have to go out and pressure the 3 point area. This then opens up the lane for Steve to penetrate and take it to the hole. With Steve being a smart player he won't force much if there isn't anything there, or he will dish it off to Neb, or to a shooter in the corner if he does get in the lane but is being guarded.

Steve was 2/3 from 3 last game, but his overall percentage from 3 is I believe 24%. There is definately room for improvement and you are correct with him needing to improve that.

Anyone agree with me that Carthage is so tough to game plan for because of their guards being able to shoot from all over, and the improved play of Neb down low?

Late-----

I would agree that at least some zone would be a good way to go against the Red Men. However, I'd be concerned that a 1-2-2 would leave a few too many holes open either for the initiation of drives between the point defender and the 2nd row of defenders, or for shots from the corner. While I haven't seen Steve D play yet, I've read a great deal here about his ability to drive and then kick it out to Fendley or Bowens who I am very familiar with as I saw both play extensively all through high school and in both the summer league and so far in their Carthage careers.
Bowens loves to put the ball on the floor to begin to build momentum as he begins to line up his shot. Although he is right handed, he likes to go left on his dribble, especially from the right side of the floor. Often he will only take 1 or 2 dribbles and then quickly pull up and fire. Fendley loves to shoot from the corner, especially the left corner. I'd bet I've seen him take as many shots from the corners as from all other spots on the court combined. He is more of a spot up shooter who gains position by running through screens rather than creating off the dribble. Accordingly, I'd employ either a 3-2 or a 1-3-1 more often when in zone rather than a 1-2-2 which would allow larger gaps on the perimeter for Steve D and Trey B to begin their drives and also allow more room for shots from the corners. While a 1-3-1 would also seem to present more opportunity for corner shots, one of its nuances is that while it invites passes into the corners, it also affords the defense a prime opportunity to trap in the corner and thus force a lob pass out of the trapping pressure than can easily be intercepted by one of the remaining defenders. If properly played, the 1-3-1 also positions 3 players between the ball and the basket at all times. The underlying problem with this defensive set is that its one of the more physically demanding zones, and usually can't be deployed for an extended time. One of the other tenants of the 1-3-1  is that the defenders must always play with their arms out to diminish the passing lanes. This also contributes to the physicality of this defense. Therefore, I think the best overall defense against a team like the Red Men is one that employs fairly frequent switches between man, 3-2, and 1-3-1.   

[martin]

Chicago just announced that 6-3 guard Tommy Sotos from Conant HS will be in Hyde Park next fall.  It was also in the Daily Herald:
Sotos-fying times: Conant senior Tommy Sotos had a pair of big post-holiday games with 12 points in a 46-23 win over MSL East leader Hersey and a career-high 24 points in a 53-49 win over MSL West rival Schaumburg.
Sotos also made his college choice last Thursday by picking the University of Chicago. Sotos picked the Maroons over Lafayette, Grinnell, St. Norbert's, Oberlin and Emory.

No CCIW schools in that list.  Was there any CCIW interest in him?

[Titan Q]

Chicago just announced that 6-3 guard Tommy Sotos from Conant HS will be in Hyde Park next fall.  It was also in the Daily Herald:
Sotos-fying times: Conant senior Tommy Sotos had a pair of big post-holiday games with 12 points in a 46-23 win over MSL East leader Hersey and a career-high 24 points in a 53-49 win over MSL West rival Schaumburg.
Sotos also made his college choice last Thursday by picking the University of Chicago. Sotos picked the Maroons over Lafayette, Grinnell, St. Norbert's, Oberlin and Emory.

No CCIW schools in that list.  Was there any CCIW interest in him?

I know IWU was not on him...not sure about the rest of the league.

[Late nite]

AO---As I stated earlier, take as many corner shots as you want---Lowest percentage shot in basketball---1-3-1 would be a nice changeup, but I have not seen anyone on the Carthage team (have seen them play 3 times)that could handle the responsibilities of a high post player vs a 1-2-2 zone---Maybe they have someone on the bench that could fill that role---That's why I would take my chances with the 1-2-2 (or 3-2, if that what you want to call it)---If the penetration breaks down the perimeter defender, the dribbler still has to make them pay from the FT line area---Don't leave the shooters who are sitting at the 45's or top of the key for help defense on the dribbler---This is exactly what they want you to do---Make the penetrator beat you or dish to the corner for the lowest percentage shot in basketball---Nice to have theories, but nobody really cares, except you and I---I think the 2nd time through the league you'll see some dramatic changes in game plans vs the Redmen---They've been pretty much a surprise up until now---The league will catch up to their strengths and weaknesses and make adjustments---Bosko will also have to make changes---It will be interesting to see the chess match

I would zone the Redmen---flared 1-2-2 ---Fendley has taken 67% of his shots from behind the 3 point line and Bowens over 50%---Take all the shots you want from the corner---Take away their strength and see how they do when they have to put it on the floor and score among the big guys or from the FT area---They'll get some looks but you'll take them out of their comfort zone a little bit---Just one man's opinion

Mwunder- You make a great point about Basketball 101 and 5 guys packing down into the lane, but what happens when Bowens or Fendley are making 3 after 3? Then the defenders will have to go out and pressure the 3 point area. This then opens up the lane for Steve to penetrate and take it to the hole. With Steve being a smart player he won't force much if there isn't anything there, or he will dish it off to Neb, or to a shooter in the corner if he does get in the lane but is being guarded.

Steve was 2/3 from 3 last game, but his overall percentage from 3 is I believe 24%. There is definately room for improvement and you are correct with him needing to improve that.

Anyone agree with me that Carthage is so tough to game plan for because of their guards being able to shoot from all over, and the improved play of Neb down low?

Late-----

I would agree that at least some zone would be a good way to go against the Red Men. However, I'd be concerned that a 1-2-2 would leave a few too many holes open either for the initiation of drives between the point defender and the 2nd row of defenders, or for shots from the corner. While I haven't seen Steve D play yet, I've read a great deal here about his ability to drive and then kick it out to Fendley or Bowens who I am very familiar with as I saw both play extensively all through high school and in both the summer league and so far in their Carthage careers.
Bowens loves to put the ball on the floor to begin to build momentum as he begins to line up his shot. Although he is right handed, he likes to go left on his dribble, especially from the right side of the floor. Often he will only take 1 or 2 dribbles and then quickly pull up and fire. Fendley loves to shoot from the corner, especially the left corner. I'd bet I've seen him take as many shots from the corners as from all other spots on the court combined. He is more of a spot up shooter who gains position by running through screens rather than creating off the dribble. Accordingly, I'd employ either a 3-2 or a 1-3-1 more often when in zone rather than a 1-2-2 which would allow larger gaps on the perimeter for Steve D and Trey B to begin their drives and also allow more room for shots from the corners. While a 1-3-1 would also seem to present more opportunity for corner shots, one of its nuances is that while it invites passes into the corners, it also affords the defense a prime opportunity to trap in the corner and thus force a lob pass out of the trapping pressure than can easily be intercepted by one of the remaining defenders. If properly played, the 1-3-1 also positions 3 players between the ball and the basket at all times. The underlying problem with this defensive set is that its one of the more physically demanding zones, and usually can't be deployed for an extended time. One of the other tenants of the 1-3-1  is that the defenders must always play with their arms out to diminish the passing lanes. This also contributes to the physicality of this defense. Therefore, I think the best overall defense against a team like the Red Men is one that employs fairly frequent switches between man, 3-2, and 1-3-1.  

[Mugsy]

Some information on the IWU/Wheaton game...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/01/22/usports/doc4796c6e1ba366315782652.txt

http://www.iwuhoops.com/notes08.htm


There will be a JV game at 5:15.

The most interesting stat from the pantagraph article is that the home team is 14-2 in CCIW action thus far.  Whoa!

[augiefan]

Augie wins 71-63 over Millikin. Ogunleye was incredible with 31 points, lots of RBs and numerous steals. He almost pulled off an upset single handedly. Pelton lead Augie with 17 with several others in double figures. In addition to Tunde O's big game numerous Augie TOs and poor 3PT shooting also help keep this one close.