Big week ahead

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!