MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Greek Tragedy]

With the ferry is probably under two hours from Manitowoc. 

[petemcb]

With the ferry is probably under two hours from Manitowoc. 

On the high-priced turbo special, maybe.  The "old-school" (pardon the pun) boats don't make it that fast, do they?

[Dennis_Prikkel]

With the ferry is probably under two hours from Manitowoc. 

On the high-priced turbo special, maybe.  The "old-school" (pardon the pun) boats don't make it that fast, do they?

I always thought it was a four hour crossing on that big monster that sails from Ludington.

DoS

[sac]

The S.S. Badger does take 4 hours to make the 60 mile crossing.  First run of the year is May 9.  A round trip ticket will cost you $99

The LakeExpress Ferry out of Muskegon-Milwaukee will take 2 1/2 hours, and is even more ridiculously priced.  First run of the year, is May 1.

[AndOne]

Read in the Sun Times this morning that Augie is recruiting Eliud Gonzalez, the point guard for Richards---Have seen him play a few times and he is an excellent player---Hope they are fortunate enough to land him---He really knows how to play the position

Augie AND some other CCIW teams as well as several other regional teams. His stock has risen even more lately due to Richards' deep run into the playoffs and his corresponding added exposure. Eliud is a city/near suburban kid, who might feel a little more comfortable staying a little closer to his home turf.   
Additionally. we all know how hard it can be for a frosh to see meaningful minutes in a league as tough as the CCIW. Accordingly. Eliud would likely significantly increase his chances of seeing more floor time sooner rather than later by concentrating on schools who either graduate their point this year, had players manning that spot
who may be better suited to the off guard position, or had a plethora of guards who saw a great deal of time this season and will return next year. The later example aptly describes the Vikings as they started 3 guards this year who ALL will be back again in 08-09. Furthermore, in addition to Wessels, Washington, and Pelton, they now will apparently have an all conference player in Delp back from his injury for his 4th year of eligibility. Thats 4 battle tested guards, all of whom have already started on a conference winning team. That doesn't even take into consideration players like Larson or Avallone who saw varsity time this year, or any JV players.
Any incoming freshman guard will face exceptionally long odds as far as seeing any playing time next year at Augie. 

[Gregory Sager]

Rob, I know that you're not a big baseball fan, but I just thought that I'd mention that on Friday evening NPU is playing Doane down in Chandler, AZ, in the next-to-last game of the Vikings' annual spring trip. As far as I know, it marks the first time ever that your two alma maters have squared off in any sporting event.

[robberki]

wow! That is crazy Greg, thanks for the heads-up.

[Late nite]

Read in the Sun Times this morning that Augie is recruiting Eliud Gonzalez, the point guard for Richards---Have seen him play a few times and he is an excellent player---Hope they are fortunate enough to land him---He really knows how to play the position

Augie AND some other CCIW teams as well as several other regional teams. His stock has risen even more lately due to Richards' deep run into the playoffs and his corresponding added exposure. Eliud is a city/near suburban kid, who might feel a little more comfortable staying a little closer to his home turf.  
Additionally. we all know how hard it can be for a frosh to see meaningful minutes in a league as tough as the CCIW. Accordingly. Eliud would likely significantly increase his chances of seeing more floor time sooner rather than later by concentrating on schools who either graduate their point this year, had players manning that spot
who may be better suited to the off guard position, or had a plethora of guards who saw a great deal of time this season and will return next year. The later example aptly describes the Vikings as they started 3 guards this year who ALL will be back again in 08-09. Furthermore, in addition to Wessels, Washington, and Pelton, they now will apparently have an all conference player in Delp back from his injury for his 4th year of eligibility. Thats 4 battle tested guards, all of whom have already started on a conference winning team. That doesn't even take into consideration players like Larson or Avallone who saw varsity time this year, or any JV players.
Any incoming freshman guard will face exceptionally long odds as far as seeing any playing time next year at Augie.  

I guess it comes down to playing in a winning program vs immediate playing time---Not having to depend on Freshmen and developing them at the JV level is one of the major keys to Augie's success

[Fox 40]

Read in the Sun Times this morning that Augie is recruiting Eliud Gonzalez, the point guard for Richards---Have seen him play a few times and he is an excellent player---Hope they are fortunate enough to land him---He really knows how to play the position

Augie AND some other CCIW teams as well as several other regional teams. His stock has risen even more lately due to Richards' deep run into the playoffs and his corresponding added exposure. Eliud is a city/near suburban kid, who might feel a little more comfortable staying a little closer to his home turf.  
Additionally. we all know how hard it can be for a frosh to see meaningful minutes in a league as tough as the CCIW. Accordingly. Eliud would likely significantly increase his chances of seeing more floor time sooner rather than later by concentrating on schools who either graduate their point this year, had players manning that spot
who may be better suited to the off guard position, or had a plethora of guards who saw a great deal of time this season and will return next year. The later example aptly describes the Vikings as they started 3 guards this year who ALL will be back again in 08-09. Furthermore, in addition to Wessels, Washington, and Pelton, they now will apparently have an all conference player in Delp back from his injury for his 4th year of eligibility. Thats 4 battle tested guards, all of whom have already started on a conference winning team. That doesn't even take into consideration players like Larson or Avallone who saw varsity time this year, or any JV players.
Any incoming freshman guard will face exceptionally long odds as far as seeing any playing time next year at Augie.  

I guess it comes down to playing in a winning program vs immediate playing time---Not having to depend on Freshmen and developing them at the JV level is one of the major keys to Augie's success

Well said Late nite.  I would also add that Augie's strategy to go 10-12 players deep will allow any player on the team to see action if they understand what is expected of them and can demonstrate that on the court.  Mike Avallone, Drew Croegart would be examples from this years squad.

[Viking Mike]

A freshman coming in to Augie's program actually has a better chance of playing than most other conference schools as Coach G will play up to 12 players per game.  This year 2 freshman guards saw significant playing time for the Vikings.  I would think an incoming player would want to be a part of a program that is well established and surrounded by other good players who can help him to excel!  Another feature that may encourage prospective freshman is Augie's plans to renovate the Carver Center for next year.  Plans are in place to add theatre seating on the north side with improved handicapped accessibility.  New bleachers will be brought closer to the floor to make the Carver Center a more intimidating venue.  Also a large 360 degree scoreboard will be installed at center court giving the Carver Center a "big college arena" look.  With these changes and the state of Augustana basketball under Coach G, it's a great time to be a Viking fan!

[Late nite]

A freshman coming in to Augie's program actually has a better chance of playing than most other conference schools as Coach G will play up to 12 players per game.  This year 2 freshman guards saw significant playing time for the Vikings.  I would think an incoming player would want to be a part of a program that is well established and surrounded by other good players who can help him to excel!  Another feature that may encourage prospective freshman is Augie's plans to renovate the Carver Center for next year.  Plans are in place to add theatre seating on the north side with improved handicapped accessibility.  New bleachers will be brought closer to the floor to make the Carver Center a more intimidating venue.  Also a large 360 degree scoreboard will be installed at center court giving the Carver Center a "big college arena" look.  With these changes and the state of Augustana basketball under Coach G, it's a great time to be a Viking fan!

The two freshman guards saw time this year due to the Domino Effect of the Delp injury---Although both players had their positive moments, neither contributed on a consistent level---Typical of most freshmen in the CCIW---I don't think either player would have seen much time had the injury not occurred---However, I do disagree with AO on Gonzalez---I could see him get varsity minutes NEXT SEASON as a backup to Pelton---He can play the 1 spot---Pelton is the only true 1 in AO's assessment of the 4 returning guards---The others are 2's and 3's

[AndOne]

If Delp returns as projected, I don't think there is much doubt he and Wessels will be the starters. With Delp being a pure shooter, I think we'll see Wessels at the point, with Pelton as the top backup there. Therefore, any newcomer should only be the 3rd option, at best, on the point. Watching and learning, rather than playing, will likely be the activities that player will engage in most often during the course of the next season.   

[Titan Q]

If Delp returns as projected, I don't think there is much doubt he and Wessels will be the starters. With Delp being a pure shooter, I think we'll see Wessels at the point, with Pelton as the top backup there. Therefore, any newcomer should only be the 3rd option, at best, on the point. Watching and learning, rather than playing, will likely be the activities that player will engage in most often during the course of the next season.   

Wessels at the point?  Wessels is not a PG.

Before Delp's injury this year, Augie started PG Pelton, G Delp, and G Wessels.  I'd imagine we'll see the same thing next year, assuming Delp is 100%.  If he is not, they'll probably just start Washington at the 3 again.

[Gregory Sager]

In the first half of tonight's sectional semifinal against Whitworth, Kent Raymond has passed Tom Dykstra's Wheaton record for most points in a single season. Dykstra scored 682 points in the 1969-70 season. Congrats to Raymond upon that significant achievement.

[augiefan]

Unless Gonzalez is a regular on this board I doubt AndOne's not so subtle effort to encourage him to attend some school other than Augie will fall on deaf ears. He'd make a great addition at Augie as only Pelton is a true PG among the returning guards.

Gonzalez will be on TV tonite in the final game of the day in Peoria. I think tipoff is around 8:30 p.m. A good chance to check out his credentials.