IWU @ U. of Chicago

I've been out here in Phoenix the last three days on a business trip. Everyone I've met with has said something like, "Sorry about the weather." It's been 64 and sunny everyday I've been here. I just laugh to myself and think, "You have no idea."

I fly back to Midway today, stay with the parents on the south side tonight, and then head to the Ratner Center tomorrow for the IWU/Chicago game. Looking forward to seeing the Titans...but not Illinois weather.

Another very solid test for the Titans tomorrow against 3-4 Chicago. Here are the matchup notes.

Chicago has defeated 4-4 Lake Forest, 5-2 Transylvania, and 0-6 Kalamazoo. They have lost to 6-0 Trinity (TX) at home, @ 4-2 DePauw, @ 7-1 Wheaton, and @ 4-2 Loras. All of the losses were close games, including the 2-point margin vs Wheaton, in a game Chicago played without their returning leading scorer, Nate Hainje.

Chicago is one of the steady, solid teams from the Midwest Region...

2006-7: 20-6, 11-3 UAA
2005-06: 15-10, 8-6
2004-05: 15-10, 8-6
2003-04: 15-10, 8-6
2002-03: 15-10, 8-6

They are rarely a national power, but always a good team. Chicago plays in the University Athletic Association (UAA), which is arguably the best league in Division III this year. The current D3Hoops.com Top 25 has Rochester #1, Brandeis #2, and Wash U #12.

Chicago, led by a great backcourt of Brandon Woodhead and Jesse Meyer, relied heavily on the 3 last season. Of their 1447 field goal attemps in 2006-07, half (721) were 3-pointers. With their star guards gone, the Maroons are still a perimeter-oriented team. So far in 2007-08, 171 of 360 field goal attempts have been 3's (48%).

Leading the way for the Maroons long-distance attack is Jake Pancratz (14-40), sixth man John Kinsella (13-29), Matt Corning (11-30), and Nate Hainje (6-25). Chicago does have a little better balance this year though, as 6-4 Corning, the leading scorer, is a good slasher and someone who can post up smaller guards (ie 6-1 Sean Johnson). Hainje can also score from anywhere.

Chicago is very strong at positions 1-3. Their low post game is marginal at best. 6-5/205 Adam Machones (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and 6-7/205 Tim Reynolds (4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg) start at the 4 and 5 respectively.

IWU will need to pound it inside to Gant, Chamernik, and Sexauer, but also get good games out of the perimeter players (Rosenkranz, Johnson, Morris, etc). The Titans will have to work very hard in guarding the perimeter. On the season, IWU opponents are 61-153 (.399) from beyond the arc...that could spell big trouble against a team like Chicago that specializes in the long ball.

Hope to see a big Titan contingency on the south side tomorrow!