Really tough "in-region" start for the CCIW

The CCIW's 10-11 (.476) start in in-region games (through Nov. 24) is absolutely awful, especially considering that 8 of the losses, in my opinion, were games we probably would have considered "upsets" before the season started:

- Carthage to Whitworth
- Elmhurst @ Cornell
- Elmhurst vs Hamline
- Millikin vs Franklin
- North Central vs Bluffton
- North Central vs Edgewood
- North Central vs Aurora
- North Park vs Concordia

(Wheaton @ Manchester, Elmhurst @ St. Norbert, and Millikin vs Nebraska Wesleyan on a neutral court were probably games you expect to lose coming in.)

6 of the games above were home games, and 1 was by the preseason #5 team in the nation on a neutral court.

The league could really use a 5-0 record the next 2 days to get back on track a little. Those games are:

11/26, Carthage vs Pacific (in Honolulu)
11/27, Illinois Wesleyan vs Dominican
11/27, Augustana vs Anderson
11/27, North Central @ Illinois College
11/27, North Park @ Fontbonne


How the CCIW fares in its 65 in-region non-conference games is very important in building a good Opponents' Winning Percentage (OWP). With 34% of the precincts reporting, it looks like we're not going to build much of an advantage there this year.

I'll see my first 2010-11 IWU game in person Monday @ Webster. So far I've been all live video, live stats, and radio. Looking forward to seeing the boys in person...will blog about my observations here afterwards.

Season Preview

Titan fans, here is my 2010-11 season preview...enjoy!

We're just 4 days away now!

A first look at the freshmen

I was in Bloomington-Normal this weekend for Art Kimball's visitation and funeral, and also got to see the Titans practice Friday and Saturday.

It was good to finally see the freshmen play. Here are the ones who seemed to catch my eye the most in those 2 practices...


Victor Davis (6-5 PF, Galesburg H.S.)
Davis looks like an upperclassman on the floor – he is a powerfully built young man. I’m trying to think of another IWU freshman post player over the years as physically developed as Davis and can’t really come up with one…Davis is bigger and stronger than Cory Jones (’06) was coming in.

Victor is more polished offensively than I thought he’d be. He has nice low-post skills (which will need to keep improving in college), and he can also put the ball on the floor from the perimeter and score in a variety of ways near the basket, including a nice, soft half hook from 5 feet or so. He has good touch out to maybe 15 feet or so (he is not a 3-point shooter.)

Davis brings a couple things that IWU does not have a ton of in the returning nucleus - pure strength and athleticism. He also brings an intensity level that IWU fans are going to love. I can see Victor developing into a fan favorite at the Shirk Center.

If the Titans played a game today, Davis would not be ready to play (obviously 3 days in he doesn't even know the offense), but I have to believe by November 15 he will be right in the middle of the varsity power forward playing time discussion. He is going to push JR John Koschnitzky, SO Kevin Reed, SR Duncan Lawson and anyone else in that picture. Victor is going to be a very good player for the Titans…I won’t be surprised if that happens sooner than later.


Eric Dortch (6-3 SF, Wilbraham & Monson Academy/Evanston H.S.)
I’m excited about Eric’s future at IWU. He is pretty raw right now, but extremely talented. Dortch has Darius Gant’s frame and athletic ability, and is also what you would call a “combo forward”, but he is much more 3 than 4 (where Darius was much more 4 than 3). Dortch can handle the ball on the perimeter, which Darius really could not, and is a better jump shooter (out to 15 feet or so…he is not a 3-point shooter). Dortch is your prototypical “slasher”-type 3, but he also has a solid back-to-the-basket game (which he was known most for in high school). I think he will be a good player down the road for the Titans. I’m really looking forward to seeing Dortch and Davis on the floor together someday…that will be quite an athletic and talented forward duo.


Nick Anderson (6-9 C, Edwardsville H.S.)
I now see why strong Division III programs like Williams, Wash U, and Wheaton recruited Nick Anderson aggressively. Anderson is not ready to play in a CCIW varsity game, and is definitely going to need JV time, but I love his upside. He is a very legitimate 6-9 (some think closer to 6-10), with a wingspan that must be 7 feet. Right now, the kid looks like a baby giraffe, with elbows and knees and arms and legs all going in different directions, but he has a very nice offensive skill set, and he knows what he is doing around the basket.

Anderson was not used very effectively in high school (they played him away from the basket, and he is just not a 3 or 4), and just needs time to learn how to play the low post. He will get that chance on the JV team this season.

I was impressed by Nick Anderson. I assumed this kid was kind of a "project", but I don't think that is the case at all. I think this is a very talented kid with tremendous height for Division III who just needs time.


Brady Zimmer (6-4 G, Delavan H.S.)
Brady (6-4) looks exactly like his older brother Jordan (6-5) did two years ago – he is long and lanky and rail thin. Like Jordan, adding muscle is just going to be a matter of hard work and time…it has taken Jordan 2 years just to get to 190 lbs...Brady is probably 180 now. (And Jordan, while still very thin, is starting to fill out nicely with muscle as a JR.) I'm pretty sure the Zimmer brothers could lift weights for 2 hours a day and eat McDonald's extra value meal #1 (supersized) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and only gain about 5 pounds over a 6 month period. (They'll love this in their 30's!)

In the couple practices I saw, it was clear Brady has an adjustment ahead of him from IHSA Class 1A to the CCIW…both from a strength standpoint and “speed of the game.” Jordan had the same adjustment to make two years ago.

Brady seems to shoot the ball about as well as his brother, who is one of the best shooters in the CCIW, and he handles it better. It is going to take Brady time to adjust to the college level, but he has all the tools to be a very good player.


Mike Mayberger (6-5 G/F, St. Louis University High)
Nothing flashy here, but this kid is really solid. Of all the freshmen, Mayberger looked the most comfortable on the floor in his first two days of college basketball practice. Mayberger just handles himself like a player – seems like one of those “high basketball I.Q.” kind of players. I also noticed he was the last player to leave the gym both days.

Definitely a JV player this year, but I can see Mayberger being a solid contributor down the road.



Of the 10 freshmen, these are simply the 5 that caught my eye the most in two days. Looking forward to getting a better look at Andrew Ziemnik, Joe LaTulip, Austin Borton, Bobby Czarnowski, and Trent Swigert next time I'm in town.

Welcome to the 2010-11 Season!

Well, here we are -- October 15. NCAA basketball teams across the country, including the Illinois Wesleyan Titans, begin practicing today.

Titan fans have a lot of reason to be excited about the 2010-11 campaign. Their team returns all 5 starters, and most reserves, from a 23-win team that advanced to the Elite 8. This should be a great season of basketball in Bloomington.

In terms of personnel, my best guess at IWU's top 10 heading in is...

PG - Travis Rosenkranz, 6-0 Sr (Eliud Gonzalez, 5-9 Jr)
SG - Sean Johnson, 6-1 Sr (Stephen Rudnicki, 6-3 Jr)
SF - Jordan Zimmer, 6-5 Jr (Matt Schick, 6-4 Sr)
PF - John Koschnitzky, 6-6 Jr (Kevin Reed, 6-7 So)
C - Doug Sexauer, 6-7 Sr (Ryan Connolly, 6-9 Jr)

(I'd probably have Dan Oswald included if healthy, but he's been dealing with knee problems.)


There is a very talented group of players behind these guys ready to push for spots though...especially at the PG, SG, SF, and PF reserve positions. Competition at practice should be fierce all season long...which is a very healthy thing.

I'm interested to see how Ron Rose's rotation looks on November 15 (opener at Benedictine), and then on January 5 (first CCIW game, vs NCC).

Here we go again...go Titans!

2010-11 Titans Should Start Season as Top 10 Team

Hello Titan fans, and welcome to the 2010-11 season. It's hard to believe, but we're just 3 weeks away from the start of practice!

As a voter in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll since its inception, I've recently been analyzing the national picture in anticipation of the preseason poll in a few weeks. I've posted some of my findings on the D3hoops.com Top 25 message board, and will also post here.

Below is a look at what teams 1-12 from the final 2009-10 poll return (and lose). I think you'll find that Illinois Wesleyan looks to be a pretty safe bet for a spot in the Top 10 of the preseason poll.

There is a lot of reason to be excited about 2010-11...this is going to be a very fun season!

----------
#1 UW-Stevens Point (29-4 overall, 12-4 WIAC, national champion) – West
Starters Returning: (4) F Louis Hurd, 6-5 SR (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg),G Jared Jenkins, 6-4 SR (11.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), F Scott Hoelzel, 6-6 SR (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Nick Krull, 6-7 SR (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) PG Matt Moses, 6-2 (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: PG Jerel Harris, 5-10 SO (7.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg)


#2 Williams (30-2 overall, 9-0 NESCAC, national 2nd place) – Northeast
Starters Returning: (2) G James Wang, 6-0 JR (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Harlan Dodson, 6-8 SR (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) G/F Blake Schultz, 6-3 (19.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Alex Rubin, 6-4 (9.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg), C Joe Geoghegan, 6-8 (7.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: C Troy Whittington, 6-5 SR (11.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg)


#3 Guilford (30-3 overall, 14-2 ODAC, Final 4) – South
Staters Returning: (2) F Martin Stephenson, 6-4 SR (6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G T.C. Anderson, 6-0 SR (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Tyler Sanborn, 6-9 (19.9 ppg, 14.1 rpg), G Clay Henson, 6-2 (17.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Rhett Bonner, 6-1 (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Josh Pittman, 6-1 SO (6.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg)


#4 Eastern Mennonite (25-5 overall, 14-2 ODAC) – South
Starters Returning: (5) G/F Todd Phillips, 6-3 SR (17.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 rpg), G/F D.J. Hinson, 6-4 SR (15.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G George Johnson, 5-10 SR (15.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), F Eli Crawford, 6-2 SR (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), F Orie Pancione, 6-5 SR (7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: G/F Andrew Thorne, 6-4 SO (3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#5 Randolph-Macon (26-7 overall, 11-5 ODAC, Final 4) - South
Starters Returning: (5) F Brandon Braxton, 6-5 SR (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G Eric Pugh, 6-0 SR (10.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.2 apg), G/F Jordan Brown, 6-4 SR (10. 2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G Calvin Croskey, 6-0 JR (8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), G/F Kevin Voelkel, 6-5 SR (2.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: F Danny Jones, 6-6 SR (13.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)


#6 Washington U. – St. Louis (24-3 overall, 13-1 UAA) - Midwest
Starters Returning: (1) F Spencer Gay, 6-6 SR (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (4) G Aaron Thompson, 6-4 (17.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg), PG Sean Wallis, 6-3 (12.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.7 apg), F Cameron Smith, 6-5 (7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Zach Kelly, 6-7 (5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Caleb Knepper, 6-6 SR (7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#7 Whitworth (26-3 overall, 16-0 NWC) – West
Starters Returning: (2) F David Riley, 6-5 SR (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Clay Gebbers, 6-1 SR (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Nate Montgomery, 6-8 (16.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Eric Beal, 5-11 (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.7 apg), F Bo Gregg, 6-5 (11.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: F Jack Loofburrow, 6-6 JR (8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)


#8 Wooster (25-6 overall, 15-1 NCAC) – Great Lakes
Starters Returning: (4) G Ian Franks, 6-4 SR (17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Nathan Balch, 6-1 SR (11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F/C Bryan Wickliffe, 6-5 SR (11.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg), F Justin Hallowell, 6-7 JR (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Starters Lost : (1) G Brandon Johnson, 6-2 (6.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Matt Fegan, 6-1 JR (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg)


#9 UW-Whitewater (23-6 overall, 13-3 WIAC) – West
Starters Returning: (2) G Phil Negri, 6-3 SR (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Alex Edmunds, 6-4 JR (7.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Starters Lost: (3) C Dustin Mitchell, 6-9 (18.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg), G Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 (14.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg), F Mike Bendall, 6-6 (10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Nolan Free, 6-1 SO (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg)


#10 Carthage (24-6 overall, 12-2 CCIW) - Midwest
Starters Returning: (4) PG Steve Djurickovic, 6-3 SR (24.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.3 apg), C Tyler Pierce, 6-5 SO (12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Max Cary, 6-3 JR (10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), F Mitch Thompson, 6-6 SO (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg),

Starters Lost: (1) G Cody Hilton, 5-11 (3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Malcom Kelly, 6-0 SO (7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#11 Franklin & Marshall (26-5 overall, 15-3 Centennial) – Mid-Atlantic
Starters Returning: (4) F James McNally, 6-6 SR (18.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), G Georgio Milligan, 6-2 JR (13.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.9 apg), F Mike Baker, 6-6 SR (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg), G Justin Driver, 6-0 SR (2.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg)

Starters Lost: (1) G Anthony Brooks, 6-2 (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Top Returning Reserve: G Steve Tolliver, 6-2 SR (6.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg)


#12 Illinois Wesleyan (23-8 overall, 10-4 CCIW) - Midwest
Starters Returning: (5) G Sean Johnson, 6-1 SR (17.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg), C Doug Sexauer, 6-7 SR (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Jordan Zimmer, 6-5 JR (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg), PG Travis Rosenkranz, 6-0 SR (8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.1 apg), F John Koschnitzky, 6-6 JR (5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Starters Lost: none

Top Returning Reserve: C Ryan Connolly (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 6-9 JR

A terrific class from A to Z - Illinois Wesleyan recruiting recap (Class of 2014)

Ron Rose has done it again, Titan fans. After leading his team to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 in 2009-10, Rose has landed another outstanding recruiting class. This group is deep, diverse, and extremely talented. Quoting City/Suburban Hoops Report, "At the Division III ranks, perhaps no school has brought in a better class featuring Illinois prep players than coach Ron Rose at Illinois Wesleyan."

Below you will find notes on these talented young men heading to Bloomington.


* Nick Anderson (6-9 F/C, Edwardsville H.S.) - 3.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg

* Victor Davis (6-5 F, Galesburg H.S.) - 17.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg

* Eric Dortch (6-4 F, Wilbaham & Monson Academy, Evanston H.S. '09)

* Joe LaTulip (5-10 PG, Prospect H.S.) - 15.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg

* Mike Mayberger (6-5 SF, St. Louis U. High, Mo.) - 12.1 ppg, 5.5 apg

* Kyle Miklasz (6-4 SG, Hersey H.S.) - 13.2 ppg

* Andrew Ziemnik (6-4 F, Oswego H.S.) - 18.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg

* Brady Zimmer (6-4 G, Delavan H.S.) - 29.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.4 apg

Brady Zimmer (6-4 G, Delavan H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

In 6-4 Delavan combo guard Brady Zimmer, Ron Rose has landed a big-time talent. As a senior Zimmer averaged 29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He was 299-549 from the field (.545), 45-124 from 3 (.363) and 265-303 from the FT line (.875).

He was named the AP Class A 1st Team all-state, IBCA 1A/2A 1st Team all-state, and Chicago Sun Times Class A 1st Team all-state. So far he has been named the Pantagraph Area Player of the Year (all levels), and the Pekin Times 1A/2A Player of the Year. He holds the Delavan H.S. record for points in a game (46), season (908), and career (2048).

While his high school numbers are eerily similar to his brother’s (he passed Jordan on the all-time Delavan scoring list with the last basket of his career), Brady is a different basketball player. Whereas Jordan Zimmer (a 2/3) is a pure 3-point shooter first, Brady is a slasher. Brady does shoot it well…just not quite as well as Jordan. And while Jordan is learning to handle the ball a lot better, he doesn’t have the handles Brady does. With the skill set he has, Brady could end up being a very good player at the 1, 2, or 3 at IWU. He will have to work hard and develop, just as junior-to-be Jordan is in the process of doing as a collegiate player -- it is a huge step up from IHSA Class 1A to the CCIW. I think how he develops in handling the ball will determine if he ends up as IWU’s next point-guard, or as more of 2 or 3.

While different players, the biggest similarity between Jordan and Brady (outside of their long, thin frames) is their work ethic. Some of the articles linked to below really paint a picture of how hard they work. For example, from the Pekin Times piece…

-----

“My brother and I, our games aren’t very similar, but if you compare our work ethics, they’re pretty similar,” Brady said. “He was working really hard when I was a freshman, so I followed him because I figured that’s what I had to do if I wanted to be as good as him.

“I started going in the mornings with him, and we’d work together. We shot a lot of shots. That’s what gave me the year I was able to have. His work ethic showed me what it takes to be successful.”

“Brady has a work ethic second to none,” said Delavan coach Ryon Kramer. “He’s been blessed with God-given ability, but he has not just gotten by on that. He’s put in so much time and effort into becoming the player he is.”
-----

Brady Zimmer is a 4.0 student (as Jordan was at Delavan), and to say he is a “high character kid” would be an understatement.


Pantagraph Player of the Year

Pekin Times 1A/2A Player of the Year

IBCA 1A/2A all-state team

Pantagraph feature (Jan. 2010)

Andrew Ziemnik (6-4 F, Oswego H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

Even though undersized for a power forward, Oswego's 6-4 Andrew Ziemnik had a huge high school career. As a junior he led his team to Peoria, averaging 16.7 points and 10.2 rebounds. In 2009-10 he averaged 18.5 points and 11.3 rebounds. He was named to the 4th Team of the IBCA 3A/4A all-state team.

Ziemnik is a fierce competitor, a very physical player on both ends of the floor, and a relentless rebounder. The biggest question mark for him at the next level is obviously his height. Can he do what he did in high school vs 6-6 and 6-7 players in the CCIW?

I've spoken to multiple people who have seen Ziemnik play (unaffiliated with IWU) who all kind of say the same thing - "this kid just knows how to play." It also sounds like he is the kind of kid who will not be outworked.

Sounds like Ron Rose found a good one in Andrew Ziemnik.


"Oswego's Ziemnik puts on a show"

IBCA 3A/4A all-state team

Kyle Miklasz (6-4 SG, Hersey H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

Ron Rose may have landed a late steal in 6-4 shooting guard Kyle Miklasz of Hersey. City/Suburban Hoops Report has Miklasz rated as the #66 senior in the IHSA Class of 2010...only IWU's Victor Davis (#62) is rated higher among current D3 recruits.

As a senior at Hersey, Miklasz averaged 13.2 points per game. He shot 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Miklasz scored 32 points in the 4A state tournament vs Lake Zurich, connecting on 9 3-pointers.

Miklasz brings great size at the 2 and can really shoot it. He has a chance to be a good player at Illinois Wesleyan.

Video 1

Video 2

Daily Herald Northwest All-Area Team

Mike Mayberger (6-5 SF, St. Louis U. High, Mo.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

In Mike Mayberger, Ron Rose has found a wing player with great size (6-5), who can shoot the basketball. As a senior at St. Louis University High, Mayberger averaged 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds.

I see Mayberger developing on the JV team for 2 years and then competing for time at the wing as a JR and SR. I saw him play twice this year and he reminds me a lot of senior-to-be Matt Schick - one of those players that does a lot of things well.

Joe LaTulip (5-10 PG, Prospect H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

Some kids just know how to play the game the right way, and Prospect's Joe LaTulip is one of those. LaTulip plays with heart and is a fierce competitor.

Playing for former Titan John Camardella (2003), the 5-10 point-guard had a big senior season, averaging 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He shot 45% from 3-point range and 81% from the FT line.

Joe is undersized, and he'll have a lot of talented guards around him at Illinois Wesleyan, but don't bet against him earning his way into the varsity mix at some point. He can play.


Daily Herald Northwest All-Area Team

Eric Dortch (6-4 F, Evanston Township H.S. '09) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

Eric Dortch comes to Illinois Wesleyan from Wilbraham & Monson Academy. He spent the 2009-10 season at the Massachusetts prep school after graduating from Evanston Township H.S. in 2009.

The strong, athletic, and versatile combo forward seems to be the wildcard in the IWU Class of 2014 - no one seems quite sure what the Titans are getting in Dortch, but it's clear he has a huge upside.

Dortch was a very highly regarded player as a JR and SR at Evanston and received significant scholarship level attention. He was offered by Ivy League Penn, as well as D2's Missouri Tech and St. Joseph's. From the New England Basketball Reporting Report (November 2009)...

---
Eric Dortch is a post-graduate from Illinois who is capable of starring at a couple of different positions from Wilbraham this year. Dortch is a six-foot-five forward with a strong body and good athleticism. He scores going to the rim, shows signs of a devastating mid-range game, and is also capable of being the team’s best defensive player. Dortch previously committed to Pennsylvania but is now generating interest from a variety of other division I schools after opening up his recruitment.
---

Like everyone else, I'm not 100% sure what to expect from Eric Dortch, but I think Ron Rose may have found a steal here.


Photo

Wilbraham & Monson duo off the board

Chicagohoops.com mention, July '09

"Dortch takes on big role" (Evanston Review)

Victor Davis (6-5 F, Galesburg H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

In Galesburg standout Victor Davis, Ron Rose has landed that "scholarship caliber" player every Division III coach works very hard to find. Davis is the headliner in the incredibly talented IWU Class of 2014 and has a chance to be a star player for the Titans. City/Suburban Hoops Report calls Davis, "perhaps the premier Division III in-state recruit."

The 6-5 combo forward is a physical specimen, built like a Division I post player. As a senior he averaged 17.8 points and 12.7 rebounds, earning 3rd Team all-state honors on the IBCA 3A/4A team. He received interest from a number of D1 schools, but never received an offer. But Division 2 Quincy pursued him aggressively and did offer a scholarship.

Davis should present big matchup problems for opponents at the D3 level. If you put a bigger defender, he'll take you off the dribble...go with a smaller player and he'll post-up. On the other end of the floor, he is a relentless rebounder.

Davis has a very good chance to make an immediate impact at the varsity level for the Titans...even considering how loaded the Titans will be in 2010-11 and how many options they currently have at the 4. Victor Davis has a chance to be a special player at Illinois Wesleyan.


Relentless Rose lands Victor Davis (Galesburg Register-Mail)

"Davis headed to Illinois Wesleyan" (Galesburg Register-Mail)

Victor Davis simply amazing (Galesburg Register-Mail)

Nick Anderson (6-9 F/C, Edwardsville H.S.) - Illinois Wesleyan Class of 2014

Heading into 2009-10, Nick Anderson was considered a priority recruiting target by several top Division III programs. By October 2009, Illinois Wesleyan, Wash U, Williams, Wheaton and others were on the 6-9 center with a tremendous academic profile. He was even contacted by a few low D1 schools.

Before his senior season ever tipped off, Anderson suffered a broken hand. The injury sidelined him for several weeks. When he finally returned, he was only used for 3-4 minutes at a time, and he was primarily used at the small forward spot (which is not his natural position). He was hardly used in the low post at all. When the dust settled on the season, Anderson averaged just 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Because his final season at Edwardsville was so quiet statistically, Anderson very well may be the real sleeper of this year's IWU recruiting class. He is a legitimate 6-9...maybe even closer to 6-10. And he is not just tall, he is also skilled. Now, it seems clear Anderson will not come to Bloomington ready to contribute as a freshman. He will need to hit the weight room hard and add muscle, and he will need to develop his low post skills and overall game. Anderson has never really been used as a pure center, so he'll get a great chance to learn how to play the 5 at the JV level. He will definitely be a work in progress when he gets to campus in the late-summer.

I've spoken with assistant coaches at some of the other schools that recruited Anderson and they all say the same thing Ron Rose does -- that Nick Anderson could end up being a very good player at Illinois Wesleyan.

Sean Johnson's miracle buzzer beater

The video has emerged. Here is Sean Johnson's near-halfcourt buzzer beater yesterday vs Manchester...

What a big shot. Wow.