Titan Tidbits

2009-10 IWU Depth Chart

2009-05-09T07:56:00.008-05:00

So here is a very early look at a projected IWU depth chart heading into the summer. Note that I've automatically placed the freshmen at the bottom of their respective positions, although I think most actually will end up higher next year. (I'll let them earn their way higher up the chart.) Also note, I've assigned every player just 1 position...even those who can play at multiple spots (like Jordan Zimmer 2/3, John Koschnitzky 3/4, etc.)

A ton of experience and talent returning. My guess is that, with all of this talent at every position, playing time is going to come down to who works the hardest between now and mid-November. Should be a very fun 2009-10 season!

Point-guard:

Travis Rosenkranz (6-0 Jr)
Sean Dwyer (5-10 Sr)
Eliud Gonzalez (5-9 So)
Michael Kempf (5-11 Jr)
Bradley Ghere (5-11 Fr)

Shooting-guard:

Sean Johnson (6-1 Jr)
Jordan Zimmer (6-5 So)
Steve Rudnicki (6-3 So)
Sean Seibring (6-2 So)
Dan Oswald (6-2 Fr)

Small Forward:

John Koschnitzky (6-6 So)
Matt Schick (6-4 Jr)
Josh Sutton (6-5 Jr)
Luke Radliff (6-5 Fr)

Power Forward:

Doug Sexauer (6-7 Jr)
Duncan Lawson (6-7 Jr)
Dexter Walker (6-5 So)
Kevin Reed (6-7 Fr)
Tyler Bontemps (6-4 So)

Center:

Edmond O'Callaghan (6-7 Jr)
Ryan Connolly (6-9 So)
Eric McCullough (6-9 So)

Mahomet Seymour standout Luke Radliff picks Illinois Wesleyan

2009-05-09T07:52:00.002-05:00

6-5 small forward Luke Radliff of Mahomet-Seymour has picked IWU over several small college offers. Radliff had a big senior year, averaging 17.9 points and 6.5 rebounds, and shooting 80% from the FT line.

A very nice addition to a solid recruiting class for Ron Rose. Welcome to Luke and fellow recruits Bradley Ghere, Dan Oswald, and Kevin Reed!

Prospect's Kevin Reed and Ridgeview's Bradley Ghere choose IWU

2009-05-01T13:09:00.002-05:00

Ron Rose received verbal commitments from two more impressive student-athletes - 6-7 forward Kevin Reed from Prospect H.S. and 5-11 point-guard Bradley Ghere of Ridgeview.

Here is Randy Reinhardt's article from the Pantagraph

Reed averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on a 21-8 Prospect team, coached by IWU alum John Camardella. He is a long, athletic low-post player who should develop into a very solid CCIW performer.

Ghere had a huge senior season, averaging 23.0 points and 5.2 assists for the Mustangs. He connected on an impressive 130 3-pointers on a team that finished 29-4 and went to the 1A super-sectional.

Two very nice additions to the IWU program.

Dan Oswald will be a Titan

2009-04-20T06:30:00.003-05:00

Last week, Ron Rose received a commitment from Riverside-Brookfield H.S. sharpshooter Dan Oswald, a 6-2 guard. As a senior, Oswald averaged 17 ppg and connected on 45% of his 3-point attempts. From all accounts, it sounds like Oswald will be a very good player at Illinois Wesleyan.

With 17 players returning, this certainly won't be the type of recruiting year the last two have been, but there are still a couple players out there who would be nice to get. Stay tuned.

Looking ahead

2009-02-15T16:13:00.005-06:00

Well, the bubble officially burst last night - the Titans are now eliminated from the 2009 CCIW conference tournament field. In the end, I think it simply comes down to a young team just overmatched too many times in league play by older, stronger, more experienced teams.

The future is very bright though, Titan fans. Consider...

2009-10 Returning Points/Rebounds/Assists (CCIW-only stats through 2/14):
(listed in order of most likely 2009 finish)

Wheaton – 47% points, 58% rebounds, 72% assists
Elmhurst – 47% points, 53% rebounds, 70% assists
North Central – 30% points, 38% rebounds, 23% assists
Augustana – 36% points, 40% rebounds, 43% assists
Carthage – 90% points, 78% rebounds, 78% assists
Illinois Wesleyan – 90% points, 94% rebounds, 98% assists
Millikin – 61% points, 74% rebounds, 57% assists
North Park – 98% points, 95% rebounds, 99% assists

This year, the four oldest teams will probably finish in the upper half of the league, while the 4 youngest will probably finish in the bottom half. Next year and beyond, IWU will get back to putting veteran teams on the floor.

This IWU nucleus will have to make a big improvement on the defensive side of the ball, however. I'm willing chalk a lot of this year's struggles in stopping opponents to the fact that most other CCIW teams are bigger and stronger (because they're older). But there is going to have to be a committment from every single player to doing whatever it takes to become a good defensive team next year. That's what will determine how good this group becomes.

Still two games left - it'd be great to finish strong @ Millikin and then at home vs Augie.

Still in it...

2009-02-14T08:58:00.004-06:00

In looking at the standings and remaining games, it looks to me like IWU's road to the conference tournament is a little more reasonable than I thought. If the Titans win out, I believe they have a pretty good chance of winning an 8-6 tie-breaker.

Wheaton 8-3
Augustana 8-4
Elmhurst 7-4
North Central 7-4
Carthage 6-5
Illinois Wesleyan 5-6
Millikin 4-7
North Park 0-12

Remaining schedules:

Wheaton - @ IWU, @ Carthage, vs North Central
Augustana - @ North Central, @ IWU
Elmhurst - @ North Park, @ North Central, vs Carthage
North Central - vs Augustana, vs Elmhurst, @ Wheaton
Carthage - vs Millikin, vs Wheaton, @ Elmhurst
Illinois Wesleyan - vs Wheaton, @ Millikin, vs Augustana
Millikin - @ Carthage, vs IWU, @ North Park
North Park - vs Elmhurst, vs Millikin

One of those 8-6 tie-breaker scenarios actually involves Augustana. If Augie loses at North Central tonight and picks up loss #5, and IWU wins out (including a home win vs Augie), both would be 8-6. In that scenario, IWU would most likely own the tie-breaker via a 1-1 record with Wheaton vs Augie's 0-2.

IWU would also have a decent chance to win 8-6 tie-breakers with North Central and Carthage. Still way too many scenarios possible to evaluate in detail, but it is reasonable.The Wheaton @ IWU and Augustana @ North Central games tonight are huge (Elmhurst and Carthage have big games tonight too, but I think they are both big favorites).

If the Titans are going to get it done, it will have to start with defense:

CCIW Opponents Points Per 100 Possessions:

Augie 94.1
Wheaton 97.9
NCC 103.9
Elmhurst 105.1
Millikin 106.4
Carthage 109.2
IWU 112.5
NPU 120.4

Only 0-12 North Park has struggled more defensively this year.

Can the Titans turn the corner with a week to go?? It all starts tonight at the Shirk vs Wheaton.

Duane L. Sampen, 1936 - 2009

2009-02-05T20:54:00.008-06:00

Jordan Zimmer's grandfather, Duane Sampen, passed away yesterday morning. Mr. Sampen (Class of 1959) played basketball for the Titans...incidentally with my father, who graduated in 1957.

Last year I traveled to Delavan's state playoff game vs Putnam County to watch IWU recruit Jordan play...along with several CCIW coaches who also made their way to Dee-Mack H.S. that night. I remember meeting Duane Sampen after the game, as all of the coaches wrestled to talk with Jordan. While Coach Giovanine (Augustana) was speaking with him, I asked Mr. Sampen something like, "So where do you think Jordan is going to end up?", looking over at the conversation taking place. He smiled, kind of winked, and said, "He'd look good in green wouldn't he?" The way he said it and the look in his eye said it all. On the way home I told Coach Stein, "I think we're in good shape."

I'm sure I speak for the entire IWU community in extending sympathies to the Sampen and Zimmer families on the loss of one very proud Titan.

CCIW scoring by class

2009-01-30T06:35:00.003-06:00

CCIW's top 30 scorers by class, conference games only (actually top 31 since there is a tie at 30):

Seniors:

Kent Raymond, PG (Wheaton) - 27.3
Brent Ruch, C (Elmhurst) - 17.6
Chris Drennan, PF (North Central) - 16.0
Ryan Burks, G/F (Elmhurst) - 14.7
Matt Rogers, PF (North Central) - 13.7
Andy Wiele, C (Wheaton) - 12.2
Brett Wessels, SG (Augustana) - 11.9
Tunde Ogunleye, G/F (Millikin) - 11.0
Mitch Raridon, SG (North Central) - 10.9
Mark Patrick, PG (Millikin) - 8.4
Chandlor Collins, PF (Augustana) - 7.8
Alex Washington, G/F (Augustana) - 7.6
Dustin Bainter, PG (Elmhurst) - 7.0

Juniors:

Nick Williams, PF (North Park) - 13.1
Sean Fendley, SG (Carthage) - 12.9
Chris Childs, SG (Elmhurst) - 12.7
Ben Panner, SG (Wheaton) - 11.7
David Twyman, SF (North Central) - 10.6
Joscar Demby, C (Millikin) - 9.1
Robert Burton, SF/PF (Millikin) - 8.9
Matt Pelton, PG (Augustana) - 8.5
Reid Barringer, SG (North Central) - 8.1
Corey Mitchell, SG (Millikin) - 7.7
Adam Tolo, PF (Carthage) - 7.0

Sophomores:

Steve Djurickovic, PG (Carthage) - 25.0
Doug Sexauer, PF (Illinois Wesleyan) - 15.1
Travis Rosenkranz, PG (Illinois Wesleyan) - 12.1
Sean Johnson, SG (Illinois Wesleyan) - 10.4
Phil Schniedermeier, PF (North Park) - 9.1

Freshmen:

Roshawn Russell, PG (North Park) - 15.9
Tim McCrary, PF (Wheaton) - 11.0
Jordan Zimmer, G/F (Illinois Wesleyan) - 10.6
John Koschnitzky, SF/PF (Illinois Wesleyan) - 9.4

Still a long way to go

2009-01-25T09:06:00.002-06:00

I know 2-4 is not where we wanted to be right now, but there is a long way to go in the 2009 CCIW race, Titan fans. This time of year I like to put the standings in perspective using the following simple formula...

Home win = 0
Home loss -1
Road win = +1
Road loss = 0

So this is where we are through Saturday, January 24...

Carthage +2
Elmhurst +1
North Central +1
Augustana +0
Wheaton +0
Illinois Wesleyan -1
Millikin -1
North Park -2

Notes...

* Augustana has already played 5 home games...and is 0-2 on the road.
* Carthage has played 4 road games, but still has to play @ IWU, @ Augie, @ Elmhurst
* IWU has already played @ Augie, @ Carthage, and @ Wheaton
* North Park has already played 5 road games
* Wheaton still has to play @ NCC, @ Augie, @ Elmhurst, @ IWU, @ Carthage

In terms of the title race and the conference tournament field, there is a long, long way to go. I don't even think it is safe to say that 0-7 North Park is out of the race for the #4 spot...the Vikings play 5 of their final 7 at home.

At +1 and based on remaining schedule, Elmhurst might be in the best position on paper right now. (Tough call, but if I had to pick one team, I think that's who I'd go with.)

In terms of making the CCIW conference tournament, the Titans are right in the picture. Stay with these guys...there is a lot of basketball yet to play in 2009.

January 28
Augustana @ North Park
Elmhurst @ Carthage
Millikin @ Ill. Wesleyan
Wheaton @ North Central

January 31
Wheaton @ Augustana
North Park @ Carthage
Ill. Wesleyan @ Elmhurst
North Central @ Millikin

0-2 start

2009-01-11T08:38:00.003-06:00

Well not the start the Titans were hoping for. Losing on the road to the #1 team in the nation in a very close game - a game, quite frankly IWU should have won - is no biggie. But losing any home game in the league is - especially to a North Central team that, while good, probably won't end up in the league's top 2 when things shake up.

I received a text from a former Titan immediately after the game that simply said, "outplayed and outhustled." I think everyone can live with outplayed - that happens. It's hard to swallow outhustled though, if that indeed was the case. And since I wasn't there I can't really comment, but I heard the same sentiment from a few others at the game as well.

The last time IWU had a team this young was 2003-04, when Adam Dauksas, Keelan Amelianovich & Co. were sophs and Zach Freeman was a freshman. I remember people having similar observations about that team after early losses in the league - that they lacked intensity for stretches. I think what happens is that a young team just doesn't comprehend how hard you have to play on every single possession, and how much you have to value every possession, in CCIW play. The intensity level has to be on 10 (out of 10) at all times and there has to be a sense of urgency throughout the game. Some of that can only be learned by experience I think, and via learning the consequences the hard way unfortunately (ie losing games).

That 2003-04 team started 2-2...and then never lost again in CCIW play, finishing 12-2. I'm not saying this team is similar to that one (it is a different group), but rather that you never know when a young team is going to figure it out.

This is a very talented group of kids, Titan fans. We knew we were in for a roller coaster ride with them this season. We've seen the down, but I promise, we're going to enjoy some ups as well. The great thing about the CCIW is that there is always another great test just a few days away. Wednesday the Titans travel to Kenosha, WI to take on one of the best players in Division III (sophomore Steve Djurickovic) and a Carthage squad that just beat Augie. It will be sink or swim for the Titans.

Stay positive.

It's CCIW time again!

2009-01-05T20:12:00.003-06:00

Saturday marked the beginning of the 63rd season of basketball in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, one of the nation's premier small college leagues. The all-time men's basketball standings through 2007-08 are (league play only):

Illinois Wesleyan 633-236 (.728) - 27 titles
Augustana 513-355 (.591) - 12 titles
Wheaton 436-337 (.564) - 8 titles
North Park 360-326 (.525) - 6 titles
Millikin 442-427 (.508) - 9 titles
Lake Forest* 85-112 (.432)
Carthage 321-437 (.423) - 4 titles
Illinois College* 28-41 (.406)
North Central 335-534 (.386) - 4 titles
Elmhurst 306-478 (.390) - 1 title
Carroll* 187-364 (.339)

* no longer in conference

The CCIW has six Division III national championships:
1978 North Park
1979 North Park
1980 North Park
1985 North Park
1987 North Park
1997 Illinios Wesleyan

(IWU left NAIA and joined NCAA Division III at the start of the 1983-84 season.)

Illinois Wesleyan has had 16 Fred Young Most Outstanding Player winners since the award began in 1968...

1970 Tom Gramkow
1975 Jack Sikma
1976 Jack Sikma
1977 Jack Sikma
1982 Greg Yess
1984 Blaise Bugajski
1989 Jeff Kuehl
1991 David Caldwell
1994 John Lipic
1995 Chris Simich
1997 Bryan Crabtree
1998 Brent Niebrugge
1999 Korey Coon
2000 Korey Coon
2004 Keelan Amelianovich
2005 Adam Dauksas

Big week ahead

2008-12-14T14:38:00.007-06:00

Sitting at 2-1 "in-region", the Titans have an extremely big week ahead, with two in-region games. On Wednesday, IWU makes the long drive to southern Indiana to take on Hanover. Then a quick turnaround, as the Titans host Chicago in a rare IWU Friday evening game.
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Hanover is in rebuilding mode a bit as they transition from longtime head coach Mike Beitzel to new skipper Jon Miller, a 1997 Hanover graduate and former Panther standout player. The Panthers are just 2-6 but do own an impressive win in their conference (HCAC) over Translyvania, which was ranked #22 at the time of the game.
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U. of Chicago's start has been shocking. Coming off a UAA championship in 2008 (remember, national champion Wash U did not win the UAA last year), the Maroons were ranked #22 in the preseason. They returned a lot of talent, including guards Matt Corning and Jake Pancratz. After 7 games, Chicago is still winless. The Maroons have faced some tough teams (Augustana, Loras, Wheaton), but they've also lost some head scratchers - Edgewood, Illinois Tech, Lake Forest, and Kalamazoo. At some point you have to think Chicago will turn things around, so from that standpoint, Friday's game seems dangerous to me.
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I've seen the Titans play 4 games now (all but Maryville and Olivet Nazarene). Some general thoughts:

This team is really loaded with talent. They have enough talent to win the CCIW this year, but the fact is a) they're young, and b) they're still trying to establish roles and settle in as a group. It is just a matter of whether or not it all comes together in time or not.
I'd like to see 6-7/225 sophomore Doug Sexauer become the focal point of the offense. Through six games, Doug has 54 field goal attempts, which is third on the team to Sean Johnson (60) and Travis Rosenkranz (56). Believe me, there is no bigger fan of IWU's guards than me, but establishing in inside/out offense would make everything flow much smoother. Right now, IWU is kind of an outside/in team. I'd like to see Sexauer with the most FGA moving forward.
Speaking of the guards, they are outstanding. Sean Johnson should have another big year and as I see it, the sky is the limit for point-guard Travis Rosenkranz. That kid can play. And what a luxury to bring a kid as good as Sean Dwyer off the bench! Dwyer brings toughness and leadership to the floor.
Edmond O'Callaghan has improved quite a bit from his freshman season. I like what he brings to the floor - good height and leaping ability, specificially. This teams needs rebounding help and Ed brings that.
I am a huge fan of both freshmen currently getting time - John Koschnitzky and Jordan Zimmer. The development of these two key pieces is going to go a long way in determining how 2008-09 turns out. Koschnitzky and Zimmer could be stars at Illinois Wesleyan - they're both very talented.
A tip of the cap to some of the very talented players that seem to be out of the PT mix right...guys like Matt Schick. I know everyone would like to be playing, but the ones who aren't seem to have such a great team mentality. It is impressive. Jordan Morris is another guy who is not playing as much as I'm sure he'd like to be but just keeps working hard and supporting his teamates.

Really need 2 wins this week. One at a time, Titans!

#1 Wash U 93 IWU 86

2008-12-07T07:27:00.004-06:00

Overall, I was extremely impressed with IWU's effort and performance today in St. Louis. The Titans gave Wash U a good battle.

The big play of the game happened with 2:44 to play. IWU trailed by just 3, 83-80, and Wash U had the ball with the shot clock winding down. The Bears almost threw the ball out of bounds, but it was saved in by Cameron Smith to Tyler Nading with 2 seconds on the shot clock. Nading was about 4 feet behind the 3-point line on the right wing, took a quick look around and realized his only option was to throw up a bomb...and he made it. That shot put Wash U up 6. Had he missed, the Titans - with the momentum at that point - get the ball in good shape.

IWU could not stop the Bears for any consistent stretch. Wash U shot 57% from the field. They are just such a talented and well-coached team though - it is just incredibly hard to stop their offense. Wash U will have some games this year where they come out flat or where they don't shoot it well (or both) and will lose, but when they come to play and are making shots, like today, they are very hard to beat. Wash U was also helped by a huge game from freshman Dylan Richter, who is going to be a Division III All-American someday.

A lot of positives for the young IWU team today though. The Titans shot 61% from the field against a very good defensive team, in a pretty hostile environment. Point-guard Travis Rosenkranz was outstanding - 20 pts, 6 reb, 4 assists, and just 1 turnover. Backcourt mate Sean Johnson had 17 points, 6-7 sophomore Doug Sexauer finished with 13, and 6-6 Edmond O'Callaghan had 10 & 5 off the bench. Much like the Olivet Nazarene game though, the Titans just did not shoot the 3 well - 5-19 today.

I think anyone at the game today would agree that this was a game between two pretty evenly matched teams in terms of talent, with one just being older, more experienced, and more ready to win a game like this. The Titans gained tremendous experience today, just as they did last year in a tough loss @ Wash U.

IWU is certainly not the favorite to win the CCIW this year, but the Titans are going make it tough on everyone they play in January and February. I'll go as far as to say the Titans can win the CCIW this year if (big if) they can learn to defend and rebound better. They will only go as far as those two things.

IWU vs #1 Wash U

2008-12-06T08:21:00.003-06:00

Well after laying an egg in the second half at Olivet Nazarene, we'll see what the Titans are made of here in the early going. IWU travels to St. Louis to take on defending national champs and current #1-ranked Washington University.

I'm very familiar with the Bears, having seen their last four NCAA tournament games last season as well as their exhibition game vs NCAA Division II Missouri-St. Louis this year (which Wash U won). Wash U has three All-American-caliber perimeter players - point-guard Sean Wallis, shooting-guard Aaron Thompson, and wing Tyler Nading. That trio is about as good as a Division III perimeter group gets.

Coming into the year I assumed Wash U's low-post game would be its weakness after they graduated D3 Player of the Year Troy Ruths, their 6-7 stud center. The Bears have been getting great contributions from 6-7 Zach Kelly though. Kelly had 18 points and 10 rebounds in Wash U's big overtime win at Augustana and then followed that up with 23 & 9 vs Aurora.

Wash U is a tremendous basketball team, but IWU can play with them if the defend and rebound. The Bears are shooting .511 from the field on the season and are out-rebounding opponents by 14 per game. IWU will have to work very hard to defend and rebound.

It should be a great test to see where this team really is...I don't really know what to make of the Olivet Nazarene loss. Wash U is providing a live video stream, so if you can't make it to St. Louis, you can watch!

http://www.iwuhoops.com/notes09.htm

Millikin registers D1 win

2008-12-05T05:32:00.003-06:00

Hats off to the Big Blue of Millikin University for knocking off Division I SIU-Edwardsville last night, 70-59. Millikin was led by Justin Thompson (24 points, 7-10 FG) and Tunde Ogunleye (13 pts, 8 reb).

Not bad for the team picked 8th, huh? The CCIW is absolutely loaded, wow.

http://www.siue.edu/ATHLETIC/MBB/20082009/1204.html

3-0 Titans head to Olivet Nazarene

2008-12-01T20:02:00.005-06:00

Overall, a very impressive performance by the Titans Sunday vs Maryville. Keep in mind, that same team IWU led by 29 with 5:32 to play in the 1st half took NCAA Division II Drury to the buzzer two nights earlier. I'm not suggesting Maryville is a powerhouse by any stretch, but the Saints are much better than the Titans made them look at the Shirk Center.

Tuesday IWU will travel to Bourbonnais for the annual contest vs NAIA Division I Olivet Nazarene. Ralph Hodge always has a solid squad and this should be a nice test for the Titans. In looking at the probable starting lineup matchups and stats, ONU and IWU look very similar - Gameday Notes. Where the Titans should have a huge advantage is in the depth department. As I've said many times now, I'm just so impressed with IWU's depth...what a luxury.

Let's hope the young Titans don't look past Olivet with the matchup with #1 Wash U looming Saturday. As bad as ONU pasted the Titans last year at the Shirk Center (97-79) I don't think that will be the case.

Keep in rolling Titans!

Good start

2008-11-24T18:40:00.003-06:00

I was able to make the trip to North Manchester, IN this weekend and I'm glad I did. I left feeling very good about the 2008-09 season. General thoughts...

1) IWU has incredible depth this year. Friday the Titans started 6-0 Rosenkranz (So), 5-10 Dwyer (Jr), 6-1 Johnson (So), 6-7 Lawson (So), and 6-7 Sexauer (So) - 3 starters from the team that went 9-5 in the CCIW last year, with Lawson replacing Darius Gant and Sexauer for the injured Chamernik (Zimmer started in place of Dwyer Saturday). The "next 5", though, seems to be every bit as good as the starting unit. The Titans don't lose anything when they start subbing with 6-5 Zimmer (Fr) or 5-10 Dwyer, 6-6 Koschnitzky (Fr), 6-7 O'Callaghan (So), 6-3 Morris (Sr), and 6-4 Schick (So). And again, Chamernik really isn't even in the mix yet. I got to thinking during both games that I can't envision a scenario when this IWU team will be in foul trouble - at every position, the 2nd guy on the depth chart is just about as good as the first.

2) Defense and rebounding will be the big question mark for this young IWU team. This Titan team will be great offensively - there is no question in my mind about that. But can they defend and rebound? They did a great job in these areas in the 1st half vs Manchester, but on the weekend defense and rebounding were inconsistent.

3.) This team will be a "work in progress." It is going to take a while for Ron Rose and staff to sort out who should be starting, how the rotation should be setup, etc.. Having tremendous depth is a great thing, but it also means you have to really work hard to put all of the pieces together.

I'm not sure the Titans are quite ready to beat #1 Wash U, #2 Augustana, or #3 Wheaton today, but I'm pretty sure this team will be very good by the time the CCIW schedule starts. The Titans are loaded with talent.

CCIW action underway

2008-11-19T22:02:00.003-06:00

The official start of the Division III season was Saturday, November 15. Several CCIW teams took advantage of the new, earlier start date and have games in the books...

Wed, 11/19:

#2 Augustana 58 #22 Chicago 57

#17 Elmhurst 80 Simpson 65

Tues, 11/18:

#17 Elmhurst 79 Aurora 65

Sun, 11/16:

North Park 70 La Verne 65

Sat, 11/15:

#1 Wash U 89 North Park 65

#2 Augustana 82 Simpson 79

#17 Elmhurst 91 MacMurray 65

Millikin 67 Aurora 61

The league is 7-1 right now, with the lone loss being North Park's to #1 Wash U. Look for a great non-conference record from the CCIW collectively in 2008-09 - maybe .700+.

Augie survived a real scare on the south side of Chicago tonight. The Vikings trailed by 1 when Jordan Delp hit a shot with :02 to play to win the game.

The Titans tee it up this weekend!

Green/White scrimmage in the books

2008-11-15T12:53:00.002-06:00

Veteran IWU assistant coach David Steinbrueck took it to rookie coach Chris Jones ('06) this morning as the White beat the Green. Leading scorers noted...

White 80 (Coach - David Steinbrueck)

G Eliud Gonzalez (Fr), 5-9 - 13 pts
G Jordan Morris (Sr), 6-3 - 17 pts
F Matt Schick (So), 6-4
F John Koschnitzky (Fr), 6-6
C Doug Sexauer (So), 6-7 - 24 pts

Reserves: Ryan Connolly (Fr, 6-9) - 10 pts, Michael Kempf (So, 5-11)

Green 65 (Coach - Chris Jones)

G Travis Rosenkranz (So), 6-0 - 16 pts
G Sean Johnson (So), 6-1 - 9 pts
F Jordan Zimmer (Fr), 6-5
F Duncan Lawson (So), 6-7 - 13 pts
C Edmond O'Callaghan (So), 6-6 - 16 pts

Reserves: Eric McCullough (Fr, 6-9), Steve Rudnicki (Fr, 6-3), Sean Siebring (Fr, 6-2)

Brett Chamernik (Sr, 6-5) DNP
Sean Dwyer (Jr, 5-10) DNP
Josh Sutton (So, 6-5) DNP
Dexter Walker (Fr, 6-5) DNP

Time to go play someone else now!

Illinois Wesleyan 2008-09 Season Preview

2008-11-14T09:20:00.002-06:00

I posted the '08-09 Season Preview today. Enjoy!

http://www.iwuhoops.com/

D3 UW-Platteville defeats D1 Bradley

2008-11-09T22:46:00.002-06:00

An exhibition game, but a great win for the Pioneers of UW-Platteville. UWP is ranked #7 in the D3hoops.com preseason Top 25.

City/Suburban Hoops report - good reading

2008-11-08T11:13:00.002-06:00

Division I is not the be-all, end-all, by Joe Henricksen.

D3hoops.com All-American team

2008-11-07T05:53:00.003-06:00

D3hoops.com released its 2008-09 preseason All-America team today. Five CCIW players are on the 20-man team...

Kent Raymond, Wheaton (24.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.9 apg) - 1st
Brent Ruch, Elmhurst (16.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, .618 FG) - 2nd
Steve Djurickovic, Carthage (23.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.3 apg) - 3rd
Brett Wessels, Augustana (14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.0 apg) - 4th
Andy Wiele, Wheaton (15.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg, .571 FG) - 4th

In addition to these outstanding players, there are eight other all-conference performers returning to the CCIW this season...

2nd Team
Ryan Burks, Elmhurst
Nick Williams, North Park
Chris Drennan, North Central

3rd Team
Matt Pelton, Augustana
Ben Panner, Wheaton
Tunde Ogunleye, Millikin
Sean Johnson, Illinois Wesleyan

And Jordan Delp, and 2nd teamer in 2006-07 who missed the entire conference season last year with injury.

When you also consider all of the young talent in the league (like on the IWU roster), you realize that the CCIW is just absolutely loaded this year.

Rollie Massimino, Northwood vs Villanova tonight

2008-11-06T09:50:00.004-06:00

IWU's Christmas trip this year is to NAIA Northwood University in beautiful West Palm Beach, Florida. The pairings for the tournament are:

12/29 - IWU vs St. Xavier (Chicago), Northwood vs Missouri Baptist

12/30 - winners vs winners, losers vs losers

Northwood is coached by Rollie Massimino, who is best known for leading Villanova to the 1985 NCAA Division I national championship.

Tonight Northwood plays at Villanova. Since the Seahawks are a potential IWU opponent, it might be worth checking on that score tomorrow. Northwood appears to be loaded this year, with a very D1-like roster. They have transfers from Seton Hall, Providence, and George Washington and have 3 players listed as 7-0 or taller.

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The Villanova basketball site is here. And below are links to a couple articles from the Philadelphia Inquirer on the game:

Massimino returning for exhibition vs 'nova

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Rollie Massimino has Spectrum of memories from his time at Villanova

This date in Titan history: IWU @ Illini, 11/3/05

2008-11-03T17:52:00.014-06:00

It was three years ago today the Titans traveled to Champaign to take on the Fighting Illini, fresh off a loss to North Carolina in the national championship game in 2004-05. Here are some pictures from that game, taken by my good friend Bob Freeman, and the boxscore.

Despite playing the game without starting center Cory Jones (injury) and only having Zach Freeman on the floor for 22 minutes due to foul trouble, the Titans gave Illinois a game. IWU only trailed by 6 at the half, and with 14:38 to play in the game, Jason Fisher tied it at 41 with a 3.

Adam Dauksas and Keelan Amelianovich sure looked like they belonged on the floor with the D1 guys that night. I remember Chris Jones playing very well too vs the bigger, strong Illini and the fact that the Titans never looked intimidated.

Probably an experience those players won't ever forget. It was a lot of fun.