Looking ahead

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.