MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

1. The annual NCC Tip-Off Tourney on 11/21 & 22----teams TBD

Pleasepleasepleaseplease no Bible schools this year. I know that it was not Todd Raridon's fault, because he had to replace a late cancellation, but that game against the Bible school in last season's NCC Tip-Off Tourney was an embarrassment.

Enough said!

[Sakman 1111]

Scheyer on the floor vs. Elmhurst Tuesday night in summer league looked very solid......

[Dennis_Prikkel]

1. The annual NCC Tip-Off Tourney on 11/21 & 22----teams TBD

Pleasepleasepleaseplease no Bible schools this year. I know that it was not Todd Raridon's fault, because he had to replace a late cancellation, but that game against the Bible school in last season's NCC Tip-Off Tourney was an embarrassment.

Enough said!

Whatever happened to those great Illinois patsies of days gone by:

Shimer, Shurtleff and George Williams (to say nothing of William Jennings Bryan's alma mater Hedding).

DGP

[iwumichigander]

1. The annual NCC Tip-Off Tourney on 11/21 & 22----teams TBD

Pleasepleasepleaseplease no Bible schools this year. I know that it was not Todd Raridon's fault, because he had to replace a late cancellation, but that game against the Bible school in last season's NCC Tip-Off Tourney was an embarrassment.

Enough said!

Whatever happened to those great Illinois patsies of days gone by:

Shimer, Shurtleff and George Williams (to say nothing of William Jennings Bryan's alma mater Hedding).

DGP

Bryan's alma mater was Illinois College were he graduated in 1881 as valedictorian. I find no reference to Bryan attending Hedding College.  His law degree was from Union Law College aka Northwestern University.

Hedding, by the way, was discontinued by the Methodist Church in 1924 and closed in 1927 (dependent upon the source you believe). Its records were merged with Illinois Wesleyan Univeristy in 1930.

[AndOne]

Scheyer on the floor vs. Elmhurst Tuesday night in summer league looked very solid......

Ah, yes, now playing for Washington U and wearing #25 Jon Scheyer.

The final 4 of the Deerfield Summer League were North Central 1, Old Gold, Wash U, and Augie. Old Gold beat NCC by 2 on a shot with .5 seconds left, and I believe Wash U beat Augie in the semi finals on Wed.

Division winners NCC Pro (alums) and Elmhurst were upset earlier in the playoffs.

The championship was to be played last night. I do not know who won.

Wash U (4-5 in the regular season) was a team in name only as very few of the players actually play for Wash U--unless Scheyer and others have truly transferred there over the summer.    Loaded up for the playoffs?
Old Gold is a collection of "all stars," possibly including at least a couple of DII players.

[Comet 14]

I have never posted on this board before but I need some help. I m a High School Basketball coach in Illinois and I and some of our other coaches are looking for a coaching clinic to attend before the 08' season gets underway. We play mostly man defense with some 1-3-1 half court trap thrown in. We like to run run run on offense but when we do set up in the half court we run mostly flex or isolation. I would appreciate any help either camp info or if there are any coaches on the board maybe some info. Thanks

[Gregory Sager]

Whatever happened to those great Illinois patsies of days gone by:

Shimer, Shurtleff and George Williams (to say nothing of William Jennings Bryan's alma mater Hedding).

Shimer once had intercollegiate sports? Wow. I thought that all of the Great Books colleges (Shimer, St. John's of Maryland, St. John's of New Mexico, etc.) were 100% egghead schools that were militantly opposed to any manifestation of jockdom whatsoever -- especially intercollegiate athletics.

Shimer is still alive and well, BTW. It moved from Waukegan into the city two years ago, and is now located on the IIT campus down on the South Side. It only has about 100 students. I remember reading in the papers about what a stink Waukegan raised when Shimer moved. Shimer had been one of the few things left that Waukegan could point to with pride.

George Williams was closed by the national YMCA leadership about thirty or so years ago, and its Downers Grove and Lake Geneva campuses were sold off. My theory is that embarrassment caused by the Village People's hit song scared off potential George Williams students.

Shurtleff? According to Wikipedia it merged into Southern Illinois University in the late '50s, and its former campus in Alton is now the site of SIU-Edwardsville's dental school.

[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
Brian DeSimone (6-1 PG/SG, Buffalo Grove) - 16.0 ppg
Griffin Dwyer (6-1 SG, Hersey H.S.) - 14.3 ppg
Josh Evans (6-4 SF/PF, Niles North) - 13.2 ppg
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
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
Zack Boyd (6-2 G/F, Warrensburg-Latham) -  23.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, .560 FG, .422 3-pt, .836 FT
Wes Dukeman (6-8/180 C, Arthur) - 16.0 ppg
David Lopez (6-1 G, Luther North)
Mike McCurdy (6-0 PG, Burlington Central) - 24.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 rpg
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
Nathan Swarts (6-5/215 F/C, Monticello) - 12.5 ppg

Illinois Wesleyan
Ryan Connolly (6-8/255 C, Springfield Lanphier) - 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg
Eliud Gonzalez (5-10 PG, Richards H.S.) - 7.4 ppg, 6.2 apg (203 total assists)
John Koschnitzky (6-6/205 SF/PF, Air Force Prep, Oak Forest H.S.) - 20.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg ('06-07, Oak Forest)
Eric McCullough (6-9/220 C, Normal U High) - 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.4 bpg, .540 FG
Steve Rudnicki (6-4/165 PG/SG, Evanston) - 9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.3 apg
Sean Seibring (6-2 SG, Normal West) - 12.0 ppg
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
Mark Adams (6-3 SG, Aurora Central Catholic) - 19.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg
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 PG/SG, Henry) - 26.8 ppg
Tyler Ruschmeyer (6-5 F, Pekin) - 11.6 ppg
(new) Cameron Sweatman (6-7 F, Bradley U. walk-on, Calvary Academy H.S.) - 10.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg (HS)

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)
Roshawn Russell (5-11 PG, St. Rita H.S. - Chicago) - 18 ppg, 4 apg

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 PG, Wheaton North) - 5.2 ppg
Spencer Schultze (6-6 C, Grand Rapids Christian, MI) - 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .530 FT, .650 FT

[Titan Q]

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.

Greg, did NPU ever announce anything on the transfers alluded to above, and the entire NPU recruiting class?

K-Mark or CC fans, anything on Carthage?

I don't expect we'll know whose Millikin's recruits are until they post an '08-09 roster...but I don't think they landed anyone of much significance.

Kids are getting ready to head to campus but it seems like we still don't have full info. on last year's recruiting picture.

[Titan Q]

I touched base with Ron Rose this past week - sounds like all of IWU's committed recruits are still in the fold and ready to head to campus this week...

Ryan Connolly (6-8/255 C, Springfield Lanphier) - 16.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg
Eliud Gonzalez (5-10 PG, Richards H.S.) - 7.4 ppg, 6.2 apg (203 total assists)
John Koschnitzky (6-6/205 SF/PF, Air Force Prep, Oak Forest H.S.) - 20.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg ('06-07, Oak Forest)
Eric McCullough (6-9/220 C, Normal U High) - 13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.4 bpg, .540 FG
Steve Rudnicki (6-4/165 PG/SG, Evanston) - 9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.3 apg
Sean Seibring (6-2 SG, Normal West) - 12.0 ppg
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


On the heels of a terrific recruiting class last year - highlighted by 6-1 guard Sean Johnson, 6-0 guard Travis Rosenkraz, and 6-7 PF Doug Sexauer - this one has a chance to be as good or better.  I see the top recruits being:

1) John Koschnitzky - should make a strong push to start as a freshman...a big wing who can shoot the 3 and also has a polished low-post game...1st Team All-CCIW potential down the road.

2) Eric McCullough - had 14 DI/D2 basketball scholarships, including Niagara, Holy Cross, Army, Eastern Illinois, Youngstown State, IUPUI, Tennessee-Martin and North Florida...at 6-9/220 brings great size to the squad...not a finished product by any stretch...has to continue to develop his offensive game...should compete for varsity P.T. as a freshman...could be one of the league's premier big men as a JR and SR.

3) Jordan Zimmer - a shooting guard/wing with terrific size (listed at 6-4 in H.S., may be closer to 6-5)...incredible work ethic and a pure 3-point shooter...can also put it on the floor, post up, and is a great passer...will have to make the big transition from Class 1A basketball to the CCIW...has a ton of competition at his 2/3 spots on the roster and will have to earn his way into the rotation...potential 1st Team All-CCIW player as an upperclassmen.

What make IWU's class so strong is its depth - there some very talented, heavily-recruited kids among those other 5.  Rose has done a tremendous job of stocking the cupboard with his first two recruiting classes.

Not that it means anything here in mid-August, by if I had to guess on a starting lineup, I'd go with...

G Travis Rosenkranz (6-0 So)
G Sean Johnson (6-1 So)
F John Koschnitzky (6-6 Fr)
F Doug Sexauer (6-7 So)
C Brett Chamernik (6-5 Sr)

As a Titan fan, what I am most excited about is the legitimate competition at every single spot and the depth the 2008-09 Titans will have.  Sean Dwyer, for example, is going to push Rosenkranz hard for that starting job.  At every position there will be a similar battle...it was not like that the last couple of years at most positions.  I've heard good things this summer about sophomore Matt Schick's development - another guy who will fight to get in the mix.  IWU's practices this year should be intense.

IWU will be extremely young again this season, but I think by CCIW time, this team will be strong.  And down the road, this group has a chance to do special things.

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, did NPU ever announce anything on the transfers alluded to above, and the entire NPU recruiting class?

I will have an NPU recruiting post shortly. Paul Brenegan wanted to wait until mid-August to make any public announcements, inasmuch as this has been much more of a late-breaking-developments sort of year than North Park has had recently. Lots of prospects on NPU's radar have turned out to be late deciders, as a number of them have been waiting on last-minute scholarship offers. That's true for the potential transfers as well as the potential freshmen.

Preliminary indications are that the Vikings should get a sizeable number of players who have CCIW talent -- some of them high-level CCIW talent. But we'll have to wait and see until the coaching staff is ready to make an announcement.

[Titan Q]

Lots of prospects on NPU's radar have turned out to be late deciders, as a number of them have been waiting on last-minute scholarship offers.

In mid-August, most kids are looking for notebooks, backpacks, and laundry baskets...not scholarships.  I'd say those are certainly "late deciders."

[mr_b]

Lots of prospects on NPU's radar have turned out to be late deciders, as a number of them have been waiting on last-minute scholarship offers.

In mid-August, most kids are looking for notebooks, backpacks, and laundry baskets...not scholarships.  I'd say those are certainly "late deciders."

Of course, students decide late for a number of reasons.  I'm not sure how many are waiting for scholarship  (athletic or otherwise) offers from other schools, but I'm certain that a number of fence-sitters are awaiting word on (non-athletic) financial packages to see which offer works the best for them.

It's probably best to wait until the semester starts to see who actually shows up in class on Day One (August 25th, at NPU).

[Gregory Sager]

Lots of prospects on NPU's radar have turned out to be late deciders, as a number of them have been waiting on last-minute scholarship offers.

In mid-August, most kids are looking for notebooks, backpacks, and laundry baskets...not scholarships.  I'd say those are certainly "late deciders."

You'd be surprised at how many unfilled basketball scholarships there are out there, Bob. Someone decides late that he's leaving the school, someone is academically disqualified, or (as we're seeing in the case of the Lisch kid at St. Louis who was originally going to go to Fontbonne) sometimes a scholarship school is simply unable to fill the scholarship quota during the normal recruiting cycle, for whatever reason.

There are two potential NPU recruits who as of late July were still waiting for word from scholarship schools (one from a D1, the other from a D2) as to whether or not they would get a free ride. As I said, within the next couple of days I should have a full report as to who is in the NPU fold and who isn't.

[robberki]

One of the transfers did not end up happening, I'd prefer that his name be left off the board for the time being due to a variety of reasons. There is another that we are still waiting on but I consider it a long shot, I'm sure Greg will have a full write up soon.