MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[petemcb]

DiSimone is also holding out hope for a D1 possibility.  More than once, I've heard talk of him possibly walking on at Loyola-Chicago, among others.  He certainly has the drive and intensity level that Augie seems to attract.  Both he and Griffin Dwyer will play with the fire that Giovanine expects from his players. 

[Titan Q]

If McCurdy decides to go to Augie, Augustana could possibly bring in a stellar backcourt.  Brian Desimone, a 6-1 guard from Buffalo Grove is considering Augie and IWU.  He and McCurdy would be a dynamic backcourt duo

For perspective, I'd say DeSimone and Wheaton recruit Jeremy Pflederer are about dead even (I've seen both multiple times).  Both are about the same size and are "combo guards" - not pure PG's, but not really pure shooters either.   Basically, both are pure scorers.  While both play the same position, they do play differently - Pflederer exploits his incredible speed on the court, while DeSimone is a more physical player.  Both score a lot of points via mid-range jumpshots and drives to the basket.

DeSimone obviosly gets a lot of attention because he plays in the Chicago area, while Pflederer did not because he played at little Tremont.  This website ranks players in Illinois...

http://illinoishsbasketball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=1

It has DeSimone #65 and Pflederer nowhere to be found.  IWU recruit Jordan Zimmer - who I believe is better than both players - is also not ranked.  (I think all three are All-CCIW-caliber players.)

A couple guys I have seen who I feel are terribly over-ranked: #49 Justin Jarosz and #55 Gozie Umeadi.  Both will play the 3 in college and I'm pretty sure there isn't a CCIW coach who'd rather have one of those two over Zimmer or some other "unranked" 3's out there.

[petemcb]

It is difficult to believe that there are roughly 75 better seniors in that ranking than Dylan Richter, who's going to Wash U next year.  I saw him a few times this year.  He's many of the things DeSimone is, plus 2-3 inches taller.

[Titan Q]

It is difficult to believe that there are roughly 75 better seniors in that ranking than Dylan Richter, who's going to Wash U next year.  I saw him a few times this year.  He's many of the things DeSimone is, plus 2-3 inches taller.

Which is what Jordan Zimmer is as well.  Zimmer is a 2/3 where DeSimone is a 1/2, but there are also a lot of similarities in their games and what they bring to the court...and Zimmer is a legit 6-4 whereas DeSimone is 6-1.

Zimmer (and I suspect Richter, who I have not seen) is a lot closer to Pinckneyville's 6-5 wing Kyle Cassity (ranked #22, which is probably too high) than that list would indicate.

I think these sites, to some degree, rank kids based on the level of schools recruiting them, as opposed to actual talent level.  And I'm sure they see a pretty small percentage of the top players in the state play.

[minneapolis miracle]

Desimone is ranked higher because he's better known than Richter.  All those lists are is who gets the most notariaty.  I believe though that Desimone is better than Richter. He has a better skill set than Richter and has a definite college position.  Richter on the other hand is going to have to play on the perimeter next year, something he has not done his entire high school career. He needs to improve his ball-handling and his perimeter shot to make the transition.  I have yet to see Zimmer play.


For the record, Desimone had lots of D1 interest and a couple D2 offers but everyone backed out on him, he's CCIW bound, no doubt about it.

[Fox 40]

Legendary Augustana Basketball Coach, Jim Borcherding, will be inducted into the Quad Cities sports Hall of Fame.  Here's the article from the paper today:

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/04/23/sports/doc480e6fac28f37544738791.txt

Congratulations Coach!

[Gotberg]

CCIW Alum Update:

Apparently Greg Ktistou runs a successful AAU team.  See second paragraph:

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/brianstinnette148.html

[Titan Q]

Zach Freeman has signed for another year in Germany after a very good first season (10.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg)...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/04/23/usports/doc480e6d68c912d412405959.txt


That photo the Pantagraph used sure looks like Andrew to me...and the fact the ball is in the right hand makes me feel even more strongly they have the wrong brother!

[petemcb]

Desimone is ranked higher because he's better known than Richter.  All those lists are is who gets the most notariaty.  I believe though that Desimone is better than Richter. He has a better skill set than Richter and has a definite college position.  Richter on the other hand is going to have to play on the perimeter next year, something he has not done his entire high school career. He needs to improve his ball-handling and his perimeter shot to make the transition.  I have yet to see Zimmer play.


For the record, Desimone had lots of D1 interest and a couple D2 offers but everyone backed out on him, he's CCIW bound, no doubt about it.

I like DeSimone, but I'd disagree on the talent comparison.  I've seen Richter be very comfortable draining shots from 12 feet out to beyond the arc.  His rebounding is clearly better and he has a strong base under the basket.  He plays bigger than his listed 6'3".  I could see him being comfortable as a 3 or even as a 4 in the UAA.  He also slashes to the basket fast and strong. 

[AndOne]

Desimone is ranked higher because he's better known than Richter.  All those lists are is who gets the most notariaty.  I believe though that Desimone is better than Richter. He has a better skill set than Richter and has a definite college position.  Richter on the other hand is going to have to play on the perimeter next year, something he has not done his entire high school career. He needs to improve his ball-handling and his perimeter shot to make the transition.  I have yet to see Zimmer play.


For the record, Desimone had lots of D1 interest and a couple D2 offers but everyone backed out on him, he's CCIW bound, no doubt about it.

Theres a reason "everyone backed out on him."

I saw him play 3-4 games in tournaments. He is definitely talented, but he doesn't let the game come to him, and tries instead to force the issue. He often tries to force it down the lane, and ends up out of control where the only thing he is in a position to create is a turnover.

[minneapolis miracle]

I don't think I ever said Desimone was higher than a Division III prospect.  I was just clarifying the college options that he has.  I still stand by my statement that Desimone is better prepared than Richter for the next level.  I agree with petemcb that Richter shoots the ball well and can get to the basket but the North Suburban Conference isn't quite the UAA.  He isn't used to the type of pressure that Desimone saw night in and night out playing the point for BG.

[petemcb]

I don't think I ever said Desimone was higher than a Division III prospect.  I was just clarifying the college options that he has.  I still stand by my statement that Desimone is better prepared than Richter for the next level.  I agree with petemcb that Richter shoots the ball well and can get to the basket but the North Suburban Conference isn't quite the UAA.  He isn't used to the type of pressure that Desimone saw night in and night out playing the point for BG.

Agreed......but neither is the Mid-Suburban League quite the CCIW. 

[Titan Q]

I don't think I ever said Desimone was higher than a Division III prospect.  I was just clarifying the college options that he has.  I still stand by my statement that Desimone is better prepared than Richter for the next level.  I agree with petemcb that Richter shoots the ball well and can get to the basket but the North Suburban Conference isn't quite the UAA.  He isn't used to the type of pressure that Desimone saw night in and night out playing the point for BG.

M M, do you see DeSimone playing the 1 or the 2 in the CCIW?

Here is a nice Daily Herald piece on him from 3/7/08...

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=148063

[AndOne]

I don't think I ever said Desimone was higher than a Division III prospect.  I was just clarifying the college options that he has.  I still stand by my statement that Desimone is better prepared than Richter for the next level.  I agree with petemcb that Richter shoots the ball well and can get to the basket but the North Suburban Conference isn't quite the UAA.  He isn't used to the type of pressure that Desimone saw night in and night out playing the point for BG.

Agreed......but neither is the Mid-Suburban League quite the CCIW. 

The basket----and one, Pete

[augie22]

Dave Pilalis has narrowed his choices to Lake Forest and St. Norbert.  I think he will choose Lake Forest by the end of the week.

*Also, speaking with Tom Fitzpatrick this past weekend, it appears that he is not in fact going to Illinois but considering Loyola, U of Chicago and IWU ( Q...do you know if they are still talking with him at all?!?!)