WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

Good luck to Olivia!
North Central coach Michelle Roof has made an interesting selection of her new assistant coach. Recent Olivet Nazarene coach Doug Porter has signed on to join the Cardinals' efforts.
I can't imagine that Porter would be brought in to help make the team play slow, so I think coach Roof is planning to up the tempo.
Checking on last season's NC shooting numbers : they shot .378 FG overall, .348 on threes and .392 on 2FGs.
One of Porter's ideas for offense is to not take low pct 2-point shots, so I'd look for their 2FG pct to improve.
We'll have to wait and see how far coach Roof wants to go in adapting "the System."

[Gregory Sager]

NPU has a new assistant coach. She's Lauren Rosengarden, nee Lauren Martin, a former shooting guard for the Vikings who graduated from NPU in 2007. Since then she's held several coaching positions in Chicagoland, including stints as an assistant coach at Judson and at Lake Forest, which was her most recent stop. Her predecessor, Rachel Theodore, recently resigned after her husband took a new job in another city.

Welcome back to NPU, Lauren!

[Gregory Sager]

Speaking of NPU's class of 2007, further congratulations are in order as former Vikings star Laura Mount has been named to the Viking Hall of Fame. She will be inducted along with three other honorees at a ceremony next month during Homecoming weekend. Congratulations, Laura, on this well-deserved honor!

[RogK]

Among Laura's basketball attributes was a fearlessness for getting clobbered when she drove to the basket. She must have had some previous experience playing Australian rules football.
New rosters are up for Millikin
http://athletics.millikin.edu/roster.aspx?path=wbball&
and Carthage
http://athletics.carthage.edu/roster.aspx?path=wbball
Millikin lists 29 players, but there are a lot of duplicate uniform numbers, so many of them will be primarily JV players.
There is a rumor circulating on Mongolian web sites that Millikin will be using an all-lefthanded starting lineup.

[iwu70]

Thanks RogK, that's quite a roster by the Big Blue, by MU.  That's a huge full lineup for both varsity and JV.  I think MU will be pretty good this year.  WC, Carthage and IWU all lost some key players to graduation, so will be interesting to see the new lineups, reload or rebuild?, the new speculation on how those traditional conference powerhouses will do.  ECC should be pretty good again this year, too, right?

IWU will again be very strong, rely more on the trey, surely on the "run and jump" and very tough defense, pressure, pressing all 40 minutes.  Key thing for IWU is to effectively spread the scoring better this year, with Lett gone, and find some key bigs, post area players to rebound and play interior D.  Shelby Jackson and others will need to come up big, to replace Solari and Burton, provide the rebounding and post defensive work.  I expect a huge year from Gardner.  IWU's perimeter players could be the best in the league -- Gardner, McMahon, Bilek, Scurlock, Baltes and Reaber -- running the floor, defending, and shooting the three.  Key for some newbies and rising underclassmen players to make a good, consistent contribution -- i.e. Seibring, Reabers, Brown, perhaps a freshmen or two.  We'll see. 

Starting lineup -- my guess:

PG -- Baltes, Reaber
SG -- Gardner
SF -- McMahon / Bilek
F -- Scurlock / Seibring
C -- Jackson / Brown

Will need some good strength, tough defensive work off the bench, in the 9-10 player rotation, making "run and jump" doable.  Don't know much yet about the freshmen and whether any of them will make a go at varsity playing time.  Rather doubt it, but we'll see in the coming 6-8 weeks.

Season not that far away now.  Let the defense of the national champions begin!    What a great season, great run we had last year . . . we'll be hanging the national championship banner in the Shirk rafters during one of the home games this fall, no doubt.  The natonal champions got their rings during halftime of a Titan football game a couple of weeks ago . . . with every single player and coach there for the festivities.  Great to see.

IWU70

[iwu70]

Rog, hope you aren't watching those "Mongolian" websites too too carefully . . . unless one of those left-handers you mentioned is a 6'10" Mongolian princess recruited by Millikin to join the CCIW this year. I didn't see her on the new roster just posted.  Quite sure the NBA or the WNBA are there looking . . . but perhaps not the CCIW.  I've heard of the "five guard" approach on the men's board, but not the "five lefties" strategy you've mentioned here on the women's board!   Stranger things have happened . . . perhaps Millikin is willing to try about anything to get its basketball programs back on top of the CCIW.

IWU70

[RogK]

iwu70, my guess is that Baltes, Gardner, Bilek and McMahon will be the top four Titans in minutes played, not necessarily in the order listed. They are all excellent athletes and each contributes in a variety of ways.
Another guess is that Jackson would be 5th in minutes played. Strictly all guesses. As you've suggested, Jackson may end up being the most important, given her size and agility.
On the topic of freshmen Titans, there was an extremely quick point guard (can't remember her name right now) that played in the summer league who may get to play varsity. Of course, she'd have to earn playing time like anyone else.
IWU should be very good again, as will Carthage. Wheaton, Elmhurst and Millikin all graduated players that were relied upon heavily (as did IWU and Carthage); we'll see who takes advantage of the opportunities. At this point I would not expect IWU or Carthage to deviate from their respective styles of play, which have brought them consistent success. Maybe Wheaton, Elmhurst or Millikin will somewhat alter how they play based on new personnel? Will Augie or North Park look much different in '12-'13? It appears that North Central will be trying something new, possibly really fun.
I'd say there is a chance for major volatility within the CCIW standings this year, but not affecting IWU and/or Carthage at the top. Then again, I could be full of doo-doo!

[iwu70]

Yes, I feel IWU returning players are very strong, but also interested to see any of the newbies, freshmen who may make an impact, or at least get into the varsity rotation.  We'll see.  Do feel a big and consistent year from Jackson and other IWU post area players will be needed.

I think the league will overall be more balanced, with more teams capable of beating the top teams, still IWU and Carthage, IMHO.  But, don't think IWU will be as far separated from the others this year, esp. with the dominant player, scorer, defender, ball-handler, etc. in Lett gone.  But, overall, I think they will be very balanced and very tough on their D, pressing etc. as in previous years.  They're not going away from that until other teams prove that the pressure and pressing can be well handled.  IWU still has a very good chance of winning the conference, the CCIW tournament and going deeply again into the DIII dance.  Lots of experience on this team returning, just a different mix, different type of team likely to emerge.  As mentioned, I expect Gardner to take up more scoring and for the Titans to also find more scoring from others in that returning perimeter group.  Baltes could emerge as an all-CCIW player, IMHO.  I think she's just as strong, good a player as Brittany Hasselbring was during her superb IWU career.  This year is her time.  Scurlock has a tremendous upside as well. 

Time will tell how it all comes together.  We are lucky to have such an excellent coach in Mia Smith and now a very strong tradition of women's basketball at IWU, these past 5-6 years. 

IWU70

[RogK]

All of IWU's opponents this year will be excited about the chance to "knock off" the defending national champs.
Of course, last season is done and a victory over IWU this year has no effect on last year, nevertheless I think this year's opponents will have that motivation, to try to upset the champs.
iwu70, you're right to say that Gardner could carry more of the scoring load, but I suspect she'll be given a lot of attention by opposing defenses. Fortunately for IWU, many Titans have the talent to score in double figures. Bilek keeps improving and will be among IWU's scoring leaders. But, as you say, contributions will also come from some who haven't seen a lot of floor time before this season.
I've re-read this
http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2012/5/17/WBB_0517122623.aspx
about new Wheaton players. Several sound rather good, especially the one from East Lansing, who was 1st team all-state. And she was very good in soccer; we've seen several examples in the CCIW of soccer athleticism translating well onto the hardcourt. While it takes time to work newcomers into the mix, the Thunder may have a strong team again.

[iwu70]

RogK, you are right, very strong WC freshmen class coming in.  Lots of talent there, esp. the student from Michigan.  I'm sure some of these kids will be top-notch CCIW players now and/or in a year or two.  WC and Carthage always tough, always finding good talent.  I'll try to find out more, post on the IWU newbies in due course. 

On IWU, I agree that many teams will give IWU their best shot . . . has been so for some years, esp. with the kind of pre-CCIW schedule that Mia books.  Look at IWU's schedule again for this coming year and you will see what I mean.  Usually some WIAC games, usually Whitewater, and Coe or Mt. Union, UC abd Wash U or Depauw.  Probably ONU too.  Very tough.   No wonder that last year early on the Titans were 3-4 and then went on to win the national title.  IWU could again be facing a number of teams in the top 25 rankings during November, December, before their run through the CCIW.  I think its a great strategy, even if you lose some games early on, drop out of the rankings like IWU did last season, then come back strong after a good run in CCIW and conference tournament play, well-steeled for the DIII dance, if you get in.  You learn how to play the toughest competition, how to play in close games, win or lose.  That seems to be Mia's strategy and thinking these past 4-5 seasons. 

Will be very interesting to see how the spread of scoring, style of offense goes for IWU this year . . . could be 4-5 players vying for points, and 4-5 scoring in double figures, much more balanced this year than with Lett in the lineup.  Defense will again lead to offense, so lots of layups, and then in half court sets, lots of trey attempts.  You may be right that Bilek will be in the top few scorers for IWU this season.  She and Gardner are the key trey shooters, though Jackson is also not afraid at the three-point line.  IWU will need some points in the paint in the half court.  McMahon and Scurlock will be more of the slashing, driving kinds of scorers.  Baltes, too.  If Lexi Baltes plays as well and steadily, as TO-free as Britt Hasselbring, the Titans can indeed go very far this year. 

IWU70

[iwu70]

New 2012-13 IWU roster up now, on the women's basketball page, iwu.edu sports.  Twenty players strong, with only two seniors (Gardner and Bilek) and four freshmen, so this team is very much experienced, yet relatively young and still around for some time, with 8 juniors and 6 sophomores.  Most of the rotation this year will be sophomores and juniors.  I'm sure Mia will again be looking for quick, tireless, tenacious, defense-oriented players, to run and jump, and to move in and out of the rotation with fresh legs, intense energy as has become characteristic of the Titans' signature pressure defense in recent years.  Scoring will be more balanced, with Lett gone, and surely the three ball will be evident.  Seems strong interior D and improved rebounding in the half-court sets will be key to the team's success this season.  Defending national champs . . . let's do it again! 

Don't know much about the freshmen or some of the sophomores either.  We'll soon see as formal practices begin now in about 4-5 weeks, right?  Given the strong, experienced talent returning, hard to see how any freshmen will break much into varsity playing time. 

IWU70 

[Backseat Driver]

  We'll soon see as formal practices begin now in about 4-5 weeks, right? 

Unless things have changed, practices begin Oct. 15.

[iwu70]

Ahhh, Backseat, you are right.  I was thinking it was now only mid-September, but it's already October 4th, isn't it???  Time flies when you're having fun and your football team is 4-0 and having a great season, so far!   You are right, practices will begin now in about 10 days, two weeks.  Can't wait.  I've watched "open gyms" of both the Titan men and women, and everyone is working out hard, seemingly coming back to official practices in very good shape.  Only worry I guess would be readiness and injury-free nature/status of Brady Zimmer.  We'll see in coming weeks.

I'm very optimistic about the IWU women again this year as they have lots of experienced, yet still young talent coming back.  It's, of course, impossible to replace a talent like Olivia Lett and no one here is saying that's possible, though everyone is optimistic about the overall team talent, prospects and the new mix that will be needed to continue the great success of the women's program at IWU in recent years.  Hasselbring and Solari will also be greatly missed.   Titans again have one of the toughest pre-CCIW schedules one could imagine. 

Superb coaching and strong team and player dedication is of course a big part of it here.  I have no doubt that the 2012-13 version of the Titans will be very different from last year's national championship edition.  But, with the returning talent coming back, I think they will be awfully good again. Looking forward to seeing who else emerges as an important contributor to that strong group we already know about -- as the Titans are pretty much 7-8 deep on proven, returning players in the rotation last year = Baltes, Gardner, McMahon, Bilek, Jackson, Scurlock and Reaber. Perhaps Seibring and Brown playing a bigger role this year. We'll see.   Some nice write-ups about the freshmen now on the tabs/links off the roster page of the new roster.  FYI.   I'm especially interested in Henzel and Beoletto, of the newbies.  We'll see again, soon enough.

IWU70

[RogK]

Here's a season preview for the W portion of the CCIW:
http://athletics.carthage.edu/sports/2012/10/5/Womens%20Basketball_1005124039.aspx?path=wbball
Several very good returning players and more talent (and size) arriving.

[iwu70]

RogK, thanks for the link/info on the Redpeople.  Looks like a tough pre-CCIW schedule as well for CC.  Some new faces, new mix will be needed there too, just like with the Titans.  Guess Carthage will not want to face the "team that shall not be named" again in 2012-13 after the four very tough losses to our ladies last season. 

Guess the official practices begin on Monday, right?  Let the games begin . . .

Looking forward to another very interesting, competitive season in the CCIW.  I'm sure the returning Titans are very very committed to defending their national championship.  A great spot to be in, a great tradition of women's hoops emerging at IWU.

IWU hosts the Redguys in football this weekend -- 1:30 p.m. kickoff for the IWU Homecoming encounter.

Go Yankees!!!

IWU70