Well, Chatsters, here comes the season, with practices beginning in a few weeks. 

A few thoughts on IWU.  I think it is pretty much a mystery what this new edition of the Titans might be. A very young, inexperienced team with only three upper classpeople, and one of the most untested groups in a long time, in many a season  Perhaps a rebuild not a reload for a change.  With their tough schedule and so many away games against difficult teams, this could be an ugly learning process early on.

Such huge losses to graduation in Sawyer White, Ava Bardic and Sara Balli -- some of the top players, record-holding players in the history of the IWU women's program.  Gone.

And, if it is true that Caitlyn Leyden is out, lost to the season due to injury, that's particularly tough.  She was likely the best returning player from last year's Titan squad.

Returning and likely to play major parts:

Leah Palmer
Asia Kobylarczyk
A possible PG in Rena Robinson
Alyssa Epps

Only Luigi Lam, Epps and Liz Meyers as upperclassmen.  So this new group dominated by sophomores and many fresh people.  Newbies.

I guess there are high hopes for Olivia Corson.

So so many newbies/freshmen:
Avery Braden
Aubrey Lamberti
Layne Nordstrom
Bri Harms
Averie Wolfe
Sofia Flynn
Emily Curry
Olivia Corson
and more?

I guess it all comes down to how fast these new players contribute, adjust to the speed and physicality of CCIW play.

Of others coming back -- I guess we could expect some rotational roles for Kadyn King, Hymes and Mahlum.  If they are healthy.

No way to predict a starting group at this point, though seems pretty clear the starting group will include Palmer and Kobylarczyk.   After that, really hard to say.  Epps is challenged on offense and Lam is challenged on defense and Robinson is prone to turnovers . . . so we'll have to see what improvements and new phases some of these returning players may exhibit.  Robinson is quick and good on defense, Lam is a great three-point shooter, and Epps is a good rebounder.  So, pick your poison.

It's going to be a challenge of a major type for Mia Smith and the coaching staff this season. 

I would not be surprised to see this team have a losing record in the pre-CCIW phase, before taking on the Conference schedule, with still a good chance to compete for a conference title.

IMHO.

IWU'70

As we look to the season in a few weeks now, here are a few thoughts about IWU.  I'm very optimistic about the new season -- yes, big losses in Cleveland (to ISU), Colak, Boldt and Anderson, but plenty plenty returning to be very optimistic about the new Titan edition.  And, we don't know much about what the newbies might bring.

Returning:

Two of the better PGs in all of D3 returning in Josh Fridman and Jackson Niego

Wings:  Likely pre-season All-American in senior Mason Funk
Returning starters and 3-point artist, Lawrence
Other major past contributors in Ruggles and Connor Williams
Others likely in the mix in Anthony Kemp and Alex Miller

Post:  Brady Kuehl, Alex Schmidts, Meyer and newbie, Owen Sanders

I don't know much about the other newbies -- perhaps a few in the mix for the rotation

Seems to me it might be Fridman/Niego, Funk, Lawrence, Kuehl and a new big, Owen Sanders?

This is a reload not a rebuild, IMHO.

Time will tell.

Looking forward to another possible CCIW championship season.

IWU'70

Jbothe, I hope you are right.  Still seems a strange schedule to me.   The Leyden loss is big. She was the best player coming back.  We'll see about a team with mostly sophomores and freshpeople.  Except for Palmer and Kobylarczk, not much set incoming this year.  It's going to be very dependent on how fast the fresh people, the newbies settle in and make major contributions.

Yes, a big change at Carroll. 

IWU'70

IWU men's schedule only 11 home games, women even fewer at 9.  Gonna cut down on the Shirk revenue, as the home crowds are almost always bigger than away games.  IWU one of the top attendance programs in all of D3.

Just say'n.

IWU'70

That's a pretty rough IWU schedule with so many away games, pretty much all of the Fall.  With a rebuilding year, this could be a tough road.  Leyden's loss is huge, for scoring and for rebounding.  With the newbies, it could be initiation by fire . . . learn fast to survive the gauntlet. 

I'm sure Mia will come up with something interesting . . . but it looks pretty tough to me. 

IWU'70

Tough loss for IWU with Leyden, perhaps their best returning player 

Why so few home games on the IWU schedule -- just nine out of 25? 

Looks like a rebuilding year to me.  Lots of freshmen and sophomores, very few returning upper class women. 

IWU'70

Both IWU schedules -- women and men -- why so few home games?   Strange. 

IWU'70

Green Beer, thanks for all the news.  I'm not on X, so didn't see/know about these recruits.  Surely sounds promising though IWU has much to address, re-build given the high quality, contributions of those graduating. A new team for sure.  Indeed, let the fun begin.

In Mia Smith we trust . . .

IWU'70

Congrats to Steve Schweer on the Oshkosh job. Seems a very good promotion. 

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Any further news on the recruiting front for next season?   

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IWU finishes ranked #7 in the final D3hoops poll, at 26-5.  A great season, one shot short of the Final Four.  I guess Emory now knows the heart-break of a buzzer beater loss too. 

The future of the IWU program is bright, even with Cleveland's departure.  Yes, Colak, Boldt and David Williams lost to graduation, but much talent returning, including Fridman from season-long injury.  IWU will reload, will need to find rebounding and post presence, but many good players on the perimeter returning . . . and strong guard play coming back.  I expect Kuehl to play a bigger role and for Connor Williams to perhaps enter the starting line-up.  If we are very very lucky, perhaps Cleveland will return. 

A strong recruiting class is needed.

Thanks to all the Titans and the coaching staff for a great season, Elite 8, CCIW regular season and tournament championships.  IWU basketball excellence and traditions continue . . .

IWU'70

IWU and Carroll finish 23-6, IWU ranked 15th in the final poll, Carroll ranked 21st.  Good years for both and for the CCIW.   Congrats to both programs. 

IWU now has a big rebuild, not a reload this time.  So many spots and minutes to fill, so much talent with White, Bardic and Balli out the door to graduation.  Some great freshmen to build on but surely many spots, minutes, scoring, defense and rebounding to find for next season.  I sure hope the recruiting class is exceptional.

Congrats to the Titans -- the Titan nation really enjoyed the ride. . . another year where we just couldn't get past Hope in OT games.  Good luck to the graduating seniors in all future endeavors. 

Best to all the CCIW chatsters and IWU fans here.

IWU'70 

Well, the Titans fought back, tied the game twice in the last 50 seconds, then it all came down to 10 seconds and one made-three by the Emory All-American.  A tough way to go out, fighting tooth and nail, to overcome #2 Emory.  A great season for the Titans, a sad ending, finishing out at 26-5 for the year.  Very proud of this team and thankful to them and all the Coaching staff.

The future of the IWU program is very bright.  Only Colak and Boldt depart to graduation, so a huge set of talented players with great experience coming back.

Congrats to Emory, a great team, especially from the three point line.  IWU played them tough, with Cleveland finishing off an outstanding first year with 17 and 8, Mason Funk on fire with a career-high 36 points. 

There's always next year . . .

IWU'70 

The only other common opponent that IWU-Emory shared was Yeshiva.  IWU barely beat them during the holidays,in New York City, by one point.  Emory most recently beat them in the tournament, quite easily, 101-80.  The other loss that Emory has was to Trinity (TX), 90-78.

IWU's size and tough defense will have to be key if they are to prevail on Thursday.  Game time is 2:30 p.m. CDT.

'70

I guess when it comes to the IWU - Emory game, whether offense or defense prevails may determine who wins.  If the game is played in the 60s or 70s, seems IWU has the advantage.  If in the 80s or 90s, perhaps Emory comes out on top.  Some really high-quality D3 players in this one.

A full day, four games in Ft. Wayne.  Wish I could be there.

Go Titans!

IWU'70