CCIW scoring by class

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

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

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!

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