IWU @ Elmhurst, 1/19/08

Size vs quickness...what wins? That's what we'll find out tonight at Elmhurst.

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Year-in and year-out, Elmhurst is one of the biggest, strongest teams in the CCIW. As a program, they really commit to the weight room - that is obvious. This year is no exception.

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Elmhurst is led by 6-9/255 beast Brent Ruch (Farmer City - Blue Ridge H.S.), a junior. Other low post players include 6-8/210 senior Jared Hintzsche, 6-5/220 junior Mark Aloisio, and 6-3/225 junior Robert Strzemp. All are well put together young men.

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IWU's two starting low post players, 6-4 Darius Gant and 6-5 Brett Chamernik, are very strong, but they're both very undersized. And 6-7 freshman Doug Sexauer is very thin compared to his Elmhurst counterparts.

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Where the Titans have an advantage is in the quickness department. Starting at the guard position, Travis Rosenkranz and Sean Johnson can really move, and Gant and Chamernik are also quick around the basket. As I see it, the real key tonight is whether or not the Titans can control the tempo and establish a fast pace. The Titans need to get the Bluejays big guys running the floor. I don't think there is anyway IWU can win a slowed down, halfcourt type of game. Elmhurst may be so concerned about this they play some zone. If so, the Titans will have to knock down 3's.

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The guys could really use a huge Titan crowd there tonight. It should be fun.