MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

BTW, if the 6 sports where there is not 100% participation were eliminated (i.e., instead of a zero for not participating, and downgraded 'earnings' for those who do, count only those 15 that all 8 contested), the standings are shaken a bit:

IWU        95.5
Carthage  85
Wheaton  83.5
Augie       82
NCC        74.5
Elmhurst  49
Millikin     45
NPU        25.5

Wheaton cashed in big on those sports not everyone plays.  In fact, they won 4 of their 5 titles in those sports, with Carthage and NCC each winning one.  That greatly alters the titles list if only "fully-contested" sports are included:

IWU        7
NCC        3
Augie      3
Carthage  2*
Wheaton  1
Elmhurst   0*
Millikin      0
NPU        0

*see note in previous post - w/ Carthage 1, Elmhurst 1, for those so inclined.

[augie22]

You can add Brian DeSimone to the Augie roster.  The PG from Buffalo Grove gave Augie his word over the weekend.

[titanfan]

You can add Brian DeSimone to the Augie roster.  The PG from Buffalo Grove gave Augie his word over the weekend.

That's a good pickup for Augie.  DeSimone is quick and can score.

[Titan Q]

I heard today that Elmhurst is getting small school scoring machine Zack Boyd, a 6-2 guard from Warrensburg-Latham (near Decatur).

Boyd averaged 23.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists as a senior, leading the Cardinals to the 1A Final Four in Peoria, where they took home the 3rd place trophy. 

Boyd was a 1st Teamer on every small school all-state team.  Illinois Basketball Services tabbed Boyd as the Small School (1A/2A) Co-Player of the Year, along with Pinckneyville's Kyle Cassity (heading to St. Louis U).  He was the IHSS.com Class 1A Player of the Year.

Here is a video created for Boyd's recruitment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoYfDmNhzEo

As you'll see, he is a strong, physical guard...not very athletic, but extremely skilled.  He had a chance to walk-on at Division II Quincy, but most of his interest in the end was Division III.  For some bizarre reason, I do not think Millikin was on Boyd, who is in their backyard. 

I think Elmhurst found another good one from Central Illinois, where they've had a lot of success (Ryan Knuppel, Chris Martin, Brent Ruch, Ryan Burks).



http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/ihssallstate/2008IHSSClass1Aallstate.html

http://www.ibsrecruiting.com/ibs-2008-illinois-bo.php

http://www.ihsa.org/activity/bkb/2007-08/1info3.htm

[Titan Q]

You can add Brian DeSimone to the Augie roster.  The PG from Buffalo Grove gave Augie his word over the weekend.

I like DeSimone...he'll be a very good player at Augustana.

[Titan Q]

Here are two more kids heading to Elmhurst...

A.J. Sutherlin, North Montgomery H.S. (Crawfordsville, IN), 6-5 SF

Nate Swarts, Monticello, 6-6 PF

[Titan Q]

And here are the remainder of Augustana's recruits...

Josh Evans, Niles North, 6-4 F

Troy Rorer, Bettendorf, 6-2 G/F

Peter Wessels, Bettendorf, 6-3 G

[robberki]

Greg,

Are these guaranteed transfers?  Or just hopeful?

I've learned over the years that there's no such thing as a guarantee until October 15 rolls around. But of the various impact transfers that the NPU coaches have been courting, one has already made an oral commitment to the Park but has to wait until all of his previous school's bills are paid off (which will probably be the middle of the summer) and his tuition deposit is in before he's formally on board. The other one has told his coach and school that he is considering transferring to North Park, and he obtained the required release in order to make an official visit to the corner of Foster & Kedzie. He made that visit either this past weekend or the previous weekend. it's expected that he will make his decision sometime before the middle of May.

Transfer #2 is thus less of a sure thing than Transfer #1, but the North Park coaching staff believes that they have a better than 50-50 chance of landing Transfer #2, not only because the visit he and his family made to North Park was so positive but because prior experience indicates that when a student-athlete goes to the extent of informing his coach and school that he is contemplating a transfer to a particular school, and he makes a visit to that school, the transfer usually comes to pass. Telling your coach and other people at your school that you're contemplating a move to another school is always a big psychological threshold for a student-athlete to cross.

Both of these players are not only easily CCIW-starter quality, they could potentially be All-CCIW quality as well. I make no guarantees as far as their impact is concerned, because that would be unfounded and premature. But the NPU coaches are ecstatic at the thought at getting Transfer #1 into a Viking uni, since he had been one of their most highly-sought prospects back when he was in high school. Transfer #2 is one of those serendipitous developments that came out of nowhere (a la Rob Berki ).

There's also still a good chance that Stephano Jones will return to the Park for the 2008-09 school year, which would be a terrific addition as well for the Vikings.

Incidentally, I should amend what I said yesterday about North Park not pursuing more than one prospect whom other CCIW schools are also pursuing. There are two of them, not one. I forgot about the big man (whose name I will not disclose) whom both NPU and Millikin are after. I think that NPU's gonna get him, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Good summation Greg, one of the transfers I'm particularly excited about...and so is former NPU great Chris Edquist who also works with me at NPU now. One of our colleagues actually caught us talking about next years basketball season today and said something to the effect of "are you guys already talking about basketball?" and Chris said "hey, we gave it two months!"

[Titan Q]

MidStateHoops.com is reporting that Ron Rose and IWU have landed 6-8/255 Ryan Connolly from Springfield Lanphier.  While I don't think IWU is in position to confirm and announce it quite yet, I know the information is accurate.

Ryan Connolly is an enormous 18-year-old kid.  He is certainly not hard to pick out in a photo of his high school team.  (Note - the players to his left and right are basically the size of Darius Gant, 6-3.)  He had a good season at Lanphier, averaging 16.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, and leading the Lions to an 18-win season and a sectional final appearance.  He had several big games, including a 37-point, 21-rebound effort vs Peoria Notre Dame at Bloomington's U.S. Cellular Colliseum.  He was named to the 3rd Team of the IBS 3A/4A All-State Squad.

Connolly drew interest from some D1's early this year - Illinois-Chicago especially - but wasn't offered by any of them - I don't think he is polished enough offensively to be a D1 player.  That said, Connolly is good enough offensively to do damage vs your typical 6-6 or 6-7 D3 center.  He also runs the floor well for his size.  At the Division III level, he is going to be an impact player.

IWU is going to be very big someday with 6-9 Eric McCullough and 6-8 Ryan Connolly sharing 40 minutes at the 5, or maybe even playing them together a little bit for stretches.  I think this is a significant addition.

Connolly, appropriately, is nicknamed "Big Country."


Photo from 3/6/08 Sectional Final game

IBS Class 3A/4A All-State Team

State Journal Register All-Central State 8 Team

MidStateHoops Player Profile

"Things looking up for Lanphier's big man" (State Journal Register)

[augie22]

Q,
Does anyone give ranks as to who brought in the best recruiting class in the CCIW?

Also, Augie is in the midst of revamping the Carver Center.  Currently, they have hung a scoreboard from the ceiling right above center court.  They are also putting in all new bleachers that is supposed to give CC a little more magic with moving them closer to the floor.  The seats behind both benches will have backs on them and should bring a new look to the CC.  I hope it is a really nice venue to watch a CCIW game at next year.....maybe another Conf Tourney...and possibly a couple more NCAA games!!!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Q, from the team pic you posted, Ryan Connolly's nickname should perhaps be "Big Continent" - wow!  (Any chance Ron will share him with Norm? )

I'm looking forward to sometime seeing a pic of him next to Elmhurst recruit Wes Dukeman (6-8, 180).  No disrespect, but is Wes allowed outside on windy days?

On the other hand, I might regret seeing pics of him next to Doug Sexauer, Duncan Lawson, or Eric McCullough - suddenly they seem a bit 'frail'!

[Fox 40]

And here are the remainder of Augustana's recruits...

Josh Evans, Niles North, 6-4 F

Troy Rorer, Bettendorf, 6-2 G/F

Peter Wessels, Bettendorf, 6-3 G

This is an exceptional recruiting class for the Vikings, especially when you consider pairing up these recruits with the size and length of some of their younger players such as Kyle Nelson (6'8"), Bryant Voiles (6'8"), Amin Ekalino (6'9") and Terrance Green (6'10"). The groups seem to fit together very well for future success.

Here is a quick recap of the 2008 Viking class with some quotes from the coaching staff & some tidbits not previously mentioned:

Brian DeSimone 6'2" – MSL East conference POY. Chose the Vikings even after receiving assured roster and travel spots from Loyola & Indiana St. Billed as "Exceptional athlete and playmaker".

Eric Safranski 6'0" Putnam County Guard – Helped lead team to 23-7 record and win over Delevan in sectional contest. Athletic family, Father was 20th round draft pick of Phillies and All American track star at WIU.

Griffin Dwyer 6'2" – Great senior season at Hersey, shot 44% from the 3 pt line, described as a "Strong, Athletic defender".

Troy Rorer 6'2" – First team all-conference player and MVP for 20-3, perennial Iowa power, Bettendorf Bulldogs. Described by the Viking staff as an "Athletic slasher", with same freshman potential as current player Alex Washington.

Peter Wessels 6'3" – Coach Giovanine's simple assessment – "He's a Wessel's".

Chris Anderson 6'4" – All stater. "As good an athlete as we have had the chance to recruit since I have been here". (Giovanine quote from local paper.)

Josh Evans 6'4" – Won the Dunk contest at Chicago High School Classic all star game despite competing against 21 other players who committed to D1 schools. Father played @ Iowa State.

Max Artis 6'4" – Undersized front liner with huge potential and son of former Viking great, Max Artis. (1981 Final Four MOP)

[Titan Q]

Per the Pantagraph website, Randy Reinhardt is working on a story for tomorrow's paper about three IWU recruiting commitments.


6-6/215 Dexter Walker is a "combo forward" from Morton.  Walker made the Peoria Journal Star's 3A/4A All-Area Team for the third consecutive year, which is pretty rare, and was named IBCA 3A/4A Special Mention all-state after a big senior year for the Potters - 18.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg.

Walker does a lot of things well.  The game I saw him play, 6-6 Walker was asked to defend 5-10 Limestone superstar freshman point-guard Donivine Stewart, who has already been offered by the Illini.  Walker chased Stewart all over the court and really took him out of the game in a Morton win - it really impressed me that a big, strong kid like that could defend a quick little guard.  Walker, a lefty, can really shoot it from all over the mid-range, as well as from 3, but can play in the paint too.  When I saw him, I compared him to former Titan Matt Hoder ('98) - like Hoder, he is a big, strong forward who can shoot the basketball.

Walker, who was a wide receiver on the Morton football team, had a lot of interest from top CCIW and D3 programs.  He was a highly regarded, heavily recruited high school player.  In Dexter Walker, Ron Rose has his first recruit from his alma mater, Morton H.S..  This is a nice addition.
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6-4 combo guard Steve Rudnicki led Evanston to Peoria and a state 3rd Place finish.  Rudnicki averaged 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.3 points for the 30-4 Wildkits.  He was named IBCA 3A/4A Special Mention all-state (link above for Walker).

I've never seen Rudnicki play, but everyone seems to describe him the same way - smart, solid, not flashy but just a guy that helps you win.  His height and versatility is a good fit with IWU's current group of young guards.

Rudnicki was featured in a photo sequence I love.  These IllinoisHighSchoolSports.com pics were taken immediately after Zion-Benton's Ronald Stewart hit the buzzer beater 3 to defeat Evanston 54-51 in the state semefinal game.  Check out the jubilation from the Zee-Bees and the absolute shock from Rudnicki (#30).  Good stuff.  (A video of that sequence.)

I know Coach Rose was very high on Steve all year long and is happy about his decision.
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6-2 shooting guard Sean Seibring averaged 12.0 points for Normal West this year.  He made the 10-man Pantagraph All-Area 1st Team, alongside fellow CCIW recruits Jordan Zimmer (IWU), Jeremy Pflederer (Wheaton), and Eric McCullough (IWU).  He was also named 1st Team all-conference in the loaded Big 12.  He is a smart, strong, steady guard.

With his father being a longtime employee at Illinois Wesleyan, Sean grew up going to Titan games at the Shirk Center.  He was probably about 5 when the building opened, so he's seen a terrific era of IWU basketball (4 Final Four teams).  It's hard for me to believe he's old enough to be in uniform next year.

Sean's father Steve and uncle Scott (also an IWU employee) are legendary Shirk Center noonball players.  Both are "combo forwards" who utilize their posteriors to create space in the paint vs thinner defenders, like myself.  They are tough matchups.  Sean's game, fortunately, is much more fundamentally sound.

I'd say "welcome" to Sean, but he's been part of the IWU family his whole life.

[Titan Q]

Augustana
Chris Anderson (6-4 SF/PF, West Carroll) - 17.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
Max Artis (6-3 SF/PF, Kirkwood, Mo.) - 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .592 FG, .674 FT
(new) Brian DeSimone (6-1 PG/SG, Buffalo Grove) - 16.0 ppg
Griffin Dwyer (6-1 SG, Hersey H.S.) - 14.3 ppg
(new) Josh Evans (6-4 SF/PF, Niles North)
(new) Troy Rorer (6-2 G/F, Bettendorf) - 9.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg
Eric Safranski (6-0 PG/SG, Putnam County) - 12.9 ppg
(new) Peter Wessels (6-3 SG, Bettendorf) - 10.7 ppg

Carthage
Pace Bennett (6-2 G, Rock Island Alleman) - 11 ppg, 4 apg
Jake Hasse (6-1 G, Naperville North) - 11.1 ppg

Elmhurst
(new) Zack Boyd (6-2 G/F, Warrensburg-Latham) -  23.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, .560 FG, .422 3-pt, .836 FT
Mike McCurdy (6-0 PG, Burlington Central) - 24.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 rpg
Wes Dukeman (6-8/180 C, Arthur) - 16.0 ppg
(new) A.J. Sutherlin (6-5 SF, North Montgomery H.S., Crawfordsville, IN) - 18.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .547 FG, .392 3-pt, .758 FT
(new) Nathan Swarts (6-5/215 F/C, Monticello) - 12.5 ppg

Illinois Wesleyan
(new) Ryan Connolly (6-8/255 C, Springfield Lanphier) - 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg
Eric McCullough (6-9/220 C, Normal U High) - 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.4 bpg, .540 FG
(new) Steve Rudnicki (6-4/165 PG/SG, Evanston) - 9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.3 apg
(new) Sean Seibring (6-2 SG, Normal West) - 12.0 ppg
(new) Dexter Walker (6-6/215 SF/PF, Morton) - 18.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Jordan Zimmer (6-4 G/F, Delavan) - 23.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 123-293 3-pt (.420), .913 FT

North Central
Kenny Branch (6-3 G/F, Mundelein)
Kevin Gillespie (5-10 PG, Geneseo) -  12.2 ppg, 3.8 apg, 66 3-pointers made
Josh Glenn (6-2 G, South Elgin) - 10.0 ppg
Lee Piccinelli (5-11 SG, Henry) - 26.8 ppg
Tyler Ruschmeyer (6-5 F, Pekin) - 11.6 ppg

North Park
Joel Benson (6-5/225 F/C, Westminster Christian) - 18.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg
Dawon Mitchell (6-5/190 F, St. Joseph's)

Wheaton
Phil Carr (6-5 F, Southgate Anderson, MI) - 13.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, .438 FG, .624 FT
Drake Diamond (6-8/225 F/C, Centreville, VA) - 4.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 38-76 FG (.500), 29-45 FT (.644)
Tim McCrary (6-6 F, New Trier) - 10 ppg, 7 rpg
Jeremy Pflederer (6-0 PG, Tremont) - 25.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, .544 FG, .813 FT
Steve Pierotti (6-1 G, Wheaton North)
Spencer Schultze (6-6 C, Grand Rapids Christian, MI) - 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .530 FT, .650 FT

[augiefan]

Sounds like a great class for Augie, although they did not land a recruit to replace their two departing senior centers. However, with the Wessels and Artis legacies plus other real talent, including high percentage perimeter shooters, the Vikings could be even better next year.

I think most of us feel that almost every one of our teams landed top recruits and that 1 thru 8 the CCIW is about to reclaim its place as one of the two or three top DIII conferences in the country. It's hard to wait for the season to begin.