MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[kenoshamark]

All the profiles for the Carthage team are now available on the website as well...

[thundermike11]

I think thundermike and usee are deadon in the reasoning for Wheaton's high ranking.  Without that tournament run, the Thunder don't finish in the top 25 last spring.
I saw a good team in Wheaton, but nothing about them screamed pre-season top 5 in 2009.  Top 25, probably.  I do know I don't relish Hope's early December trip to King Arena, there's some payback due I suppose.

.
Congrats to all the CCIW teams that garnered preseason top 25 rankings!  As far as Wheaton is concerned, only time will tell if their high ranking is justified.  However, their projected returning starters are about as seasoned as any team in the top 5.  All five of their returning starters have played significant varsity minutes since their freshmen seasons (4 of the 5 have started on the varsity level since the first game of their first year-Raymond, Panner, Wiele, and Carwell).  Now that's seasoning that only Lawery's can rival!   Combine that with having a player of Raymond's caliber in the lineup, and I can understand why the voters ranked them in the top three!

CP or any Wheaton posters, did Carwell start every game last season, and am I remembering correctly that he transferred to Wheaton from Benedictine?  I'm not sure he has the same level of experience as Raymond, Panner and Wiele.

Pete,
As AO stated previously, Carwell did start in 26 of 30 games played last year.  Wasn't able to find out how many games Carwell started for BU as a freshman due to website complications.   I do remember him starting the NCC/BU game that year and the two teams play either late november or early december every year.  He also started the last game of the season that year against Dominican.  All indications have me to believe that Carwell has started or at the very least played in all 55 varsity games he has dressed for.  Granted Wiele and Raymond have more experience because they're seniors, but I do not believe Panner has played in as many collegiate games as Carwell.

According to his bio on the Wheaton website, Jake started all of his games at Benedictine

[AndOne]

Michael,

Been monitoring the website daily and you still beat me to it...

Well, the roster is finally up and unfortunately, not much size added to this class.  Tolo is indeed the player that I referenced and he sounds like he will help out right away.  I still think Stuart and Williams will be effective inside with a defined role.  Stuart started to see some action late last year and is a good jumper (former volleyball player).   Williams is an energy guy as noted in the profiles...so, will they dominate inside - no, but can they fit a role, sure they can.  To early to speculate if Jeffery will be part of the mix but his size will help too.   

Mark----

Jeffery does not appear on the Carthage roster which is current as of today.
Still holding out hope that he will be a part of this year's team?

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage's 2009 roster is up as of today...

http://carthage.edu/athleticspages/mens/basketball/roster.html

Adam Tolo is the transfer that K-Mark has been hinting at (I assume). 

Tolo comes with a ready-made nickname, for those interested. Call him "Cane Toad", as that's what Aussies call one of their compatriots who hails from the state of Queensland. Tolo's hometown in Queensland, Mackay, has an annual average temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Man, he's just going to love Kenosha in January!

The CCIW atlas spreads wider, as I believe that Tolo is the first Aussie and Ross Mathison is the first Scotsman to play CCIW basketball, unless Dennis can conjure up a native of Australia or Scotland from prior to 1979-80.

With the returning RedMen strength at guard, and that entering class, will we finally see the running Titan joke of the 5-guard offense played out in Kenosha?

At the end of last season NPU was starting four guards and a player best suited to play small forward, and I don't think that even Carthage will get that close to a five-guard setup.

And, Pete, you said your son really enjoyed his trip to Bloomington - what gives?

Looks like that postdated third-party check you signed over to young Pete didn't clear, Chuck.

Carwell did transfer to Wheaton from Benedictine prior to last season. He started 26 of Wheaton's 30 games, and averaged being on the floor for almost exactly 1/2 of the games he played in.

They weren't steady minutes, either. Carwell had a game in which he played 36 minutes, and games in which he played three, six, and eight minutes. In Wheaton's four tourney games, he played 15 minutes against Lawrence; nine minutes against Loras; seven minutes against Whitworth; and 34 minutes against Hope. Some of that variation may have been the result of matchups, but I have to think that it had a lot to do with being in and out of Bill Harris's doghouse as well. If you don't play defense for Harris, he'll do everything he can to keep you planted on his bench. I think that the major reason why he kept going back to Carwell over the course of the season was because he just didn't have other bigs to whom he could turn.

Jeffery does not appear on the Carthage roster which is current as of today.
Still holding out hope that he will be a part of this year's team?

According to what the Carthage people said earlier, Jeffery's only eligible to play in the second semester. I'm guessing that Bosko didn't include Jeffery on the current roster because only an eligible student can be listed.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I took some ribbing from Greg, Q, and iwumichigan for my preseason optimism yesterday.  Now that the d3hoops preseason poll has them #18, apparently I'm not the only one who can at least 'envision' the Titans in Salem!

Uh, Chuck, 18th in the country in the preseason poll isn't the same thing as "envisioning" a team making it to Salem.

Obviously it is not predicting Salem (nor did I), but since the 2001 Titan Final Four team started at #25, unless you have a radically different definition of 'envisioning' than I do, I'll stand by my statement.

And, Pete, you said your son really enjoyed his trip to Bloomington - what gives?

Looks like that postdated third-party check you signed over to young Pete didn't clear, Chuck.

I'm crushed that you would think I would be so clumsy in my bribery attempts.   It was a PRE-dated (March 2012, of course) one-party check - musta got lost in the mail.

[sac]

I took some ribbing from Greg, Q, and iwumichigan for my preseason optimism yesterday.  Now that the d3hoops preseason poll has them #18, apparently I'm not the only one who can at least 'envision' the Titans in Salem!

Uh, Chuck, 18th in the country in the preseason poll isn't the same thing as "envisioning" a team making it to Salem.

Obviously it is not predicting Salem (nor did I), but since the 2001 Titan Final Four team started at #25, unless you have a radically different definition of 'envisioning' than I do, I'll stand by my statement.

I can envision being in Salem...........but then I was just there.

[mwunder]

Michael,

Been monitoring the website daily and you still beat me to it...

I don't do a whole lot during the day!!!   

A couple South Suburban College boxscores from last year (Tolo was a starter)...

http://sports1.trcc.edu/menshoops/06-07/Game%2030%20Box%20Score.htm

http://www.vinu.edu/cms/opencms/athletics/statistics/mbasketball/2008/24.htm


And a player profile...

http://www.southsuburbancollege.edu/stulife/sports/basketball/mens/profiles/tolo.htm

Not much information to ascertain from looking at those box scores.  I found two more from the NJCAA tournament last year that revealed almost just as little about the player he is.  Lots of minutes, but that was about it.  Looking at the rest of the team he played with, you have 3 players who were all-region (1 the MVP or the regional tourney) and a 4th who was all-tourney at the national tournament, so I assume there weren't enough basketballs to go around on that team.  Being 6'6 and 190lbs, I'm not getting my hopes up that he'll make a huge splash in the CCIW.

Now, 6'5" and 245...that's a different story!!  Hopefully the kid from Scotland can play!

[dansand]

South Suburban CC stats for Adam Tolo:

Adam Tolo  G    FG    FG%    3P    3P%    FT   FT%  RB  RPG  As  St  TP  PPG
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006-07   32  56-148 .378  20-54  .375  30-44 .682  75  2.3  19   9 162  5.1
2007-08   33  44-117 .376  17-48  .354  36-??    ?  96  2.9  56  14 141  4.3 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals    65 100-265 .377  37-102 .363  66-??    ? 171  2.6  75  23 303  4.7

 

[Titan Q]

As the dust is finally settling on last year's recruiting, here is my best effort in ranking the CCIW's freshman classes.

My attorneys have asked that I note the following:

* I've attempted to rank each school's top 4 freshman in order of projected longerm impact.
* Overall rank is based on projected longterm impact of the listed recruits collectively.
* This is a terribly unscientific excercise.
* Very sure this exercise will get me in trouble and cause controvery, which I enjoy.

(Those in the know, please chime in if you feel I have missed a freshman who should be in your school's top 4, or if you propose a different order to your top 4.)



1. Illinois Wesleyan
- Jordan Zimmer, 6-5/195 G/F (Delavan H.S.)
- Eric McCullough, 6-9/205 C (Normal U High)
- John Koschnitzky, 6-6/195 F (Air Force Prep, Oak Forest H.S.)
- Ryan Connolly, 6-9/290 C (Springfield Lanphier H.S.)

2. Elmhurst
- Zack Boyd, 6-2/190 G/F (Warrenburg-Latham H.S.)
- Shaun Ratay, 6-8/230 (Geneva H.S.)
- Mike McCurdy, 5-10 165 PG (Burlington Central H.S.)
- Wes Dukeman, 6-9/190 F (Arthur H.S.)

3. Wheaton
- Jeremey Pflederer, 6-0/170 PG (Tremont H.S.)
- Tim McCrary, 6-6/195 F (New Trier H.S.)
- Phil Carr, 6-6/195 F (Southgate Anderson H.S., MI)
- Spencer Schultze, 6-6/210 C (Grand Rapids Christian, MI)

4. Augustana
- Chris Anderson, 6-4/190 F (West Carroll H.S.)
- Brian DeSimone, 6-1/188 PG (Buffalo Grove H.S.)
- Max Artis, 6-4/190 F (Kirwood, Mo. H.S.)
- Josh Evans, 6-4/173 F (Niles North H.S.)

5. North Central
- Lee Piccinelli, 5-11 G (Henry H.S.)
- Mark Adams, 6-3 G (Aurora Central Catholic H.S.)
- Tyler Ruschmeyer, 6-5 F (Pekin H.S.)
- Cameron Sweatman, 6-7 F (Bradley U. walk-on, Springfield Calvary Academy)

6. North Park
- Roshawn Russell, 5-10/150 PG (Chicago St. Rita H.S.)
- Joel Benson, 6-4/220 F (Elgin – Westminster Christian H.S.)
- D.J. Cooper, 5-11/165 G (Chicago Mt. Carmel H.S.)
- Clint Mixon, 6-6/190 F (Luther North H.S.)

7. Carthage
- Pace Bennett, 6-2/170 G (Rock Island – Alleman H.S.)
- Max Cary, 6-3/160 G (Geneva H.S.)
- Jake Hasse, 6-3/170 G (Naperville North H.S.)
- Ross Mathison, 6-5/245 C (Glasgow, Scotland)

8. Millikin
- Nick Sloman, 5-11 G (Girard H.S.)
- Cody Birky, 6-1 G (Gibson City - Melvin Sibley H.S.)
- Tyler Smith, 6-4 F (Vienna H.S.)
- Darion Collins, 6-0 G (Kankakee H.S.)

[Titan Q]

When did Elmhurst sneak 6-8 Shaun Ratay on the roster??  Ratay is a very good CCIW recruit.  Last year IWU was on him but he chose to walk-on at D1 Northern Illinois as a football player (QB).  I know Coach Rose was pretty high on him as a solid big guy recruit.  I had not heard Ratay's name associated with Elmhurst until I just pulled up the Bluejay's roster for this crazy little exercise.

Elmhurst does a great job finding quality CCIW players.

[kenoshamark]

AndOne,

I would venture a guess that Greg is dead on...Jeffery isn't listed due to the fact he isn't eligible.   I've heard nothing of late to say whether it will happen or not.

[kenoshamark]

Bob,

Nice work....I'd say Max Cary might need to be flip flopped with Pace Bennett.

Congrats as well on your recent nuptials....but a question begs to be asked....aren't you still in the honeymoon stage !!!   Much to much posting - relax 

[Titan Q]

On the flip side, the top Senior classes (all seniors listed):

1. Augustana
- Brett Wessels, 6-3/200 G (Bettendorf H.S., IA)
- Jordan Delp, 6-0/163 G (Mt. Carroll H.S.)
- Chandlor Collins, 6-7/193 F (Thornridge H.S.)
- Alex Washington, 6-1/180 G (Wheeling H.S.)
- Justin Bertrand, 6-6/229 F (Sterling H.S.)
- Jeff Becker, 6-6/188 F (Walther Lutheran H.S.)

T2. Wheaton
- Kent Raymond, 6-3/195 G (New Palestine H.S., IN)
- Andy Wiele, 6-8/230 C (Westminster Christian Academy, MO)
- Jeremey Bernsten, 6-2/185 G (Chatham, IL)
- Tom Sovocool, 6-3/200 F (Audobon, PA)

T2. Elmhurst
- Brent Ruch, 6-9/260 C (Blue Ridge H.S.)
- Ryan Burks, 6-4/195 F (Midwest Central H.S.)
- Robert Strzemp, 6-4/245 F (Oak Park-River Forest H.S.)

4. North Central
- Chris Drennan, 6-5/215 F (Normal Community H.S.)
- Matt Rogers, 6-5/220 F (Rochelle H.S.)
- Mitch Raridon, 6-3/190 G/F (Lincoln, NE)
- Dean Prince, 6-0/170 G (Bartlett H.S.)
- Dominique King, 6-2/183 G (Waubonsie Valley H.S.)
- Josh Corso, 6-5/225 F (Fenton H.S.)

5. Millikin
- Tunde Ogunleye, 6-2 G/F (Rochelle, NY)
- Mark Patrick, 6-2 G (Crown Point, IN)
- Jake Mott, 5-9 G (Hoopeston H.S.)
- Brandon Bright, 6-0 G (Whitney Young H.S.)

6. Illinois Wesleyan
- Brett Chamernik, 6-5/225 C (Benet Academy)
- Jordan Morris, 6-3/200 G (Pekin H.S.)

7. Carthage
- Billy Shemerdiak, 6-4/200 G (Sandburg H.S.)
- Joe Higgins, 6-0/170 PG (Kenosha, WI)
- Adam Stuart, 6-4/210 F (Buffalo Grove H.S.)

8. North Park
- Mike Ventura, 6-7/200 (St. Patrick H.S.)

[Titan Q]

Bob,

Nice work....I'd say Max Cary might need to be flip flopped with Pace Bennett.

Congrats as well on your recent nuptials....but a question begs to be asked....aren't you still in the honeymoon stage !!!   Much to much posting - relax 

Thanks K-Mark, old friend.

Very good point, but the ole ball and chain is out of town for the weekend!

[hopefan]

TQ

hope we'll run into you and the ball and chain in St Louis some time this season - with a little warning maybe you could meet up with me and 'the boss', for a pre or post game meal   -  if 'the boss' says it's ok.....