North Central Basketball Preview

Ah, it's good to have that logo back in COAS. We're into November, the NBA is underway, and I'm gearing up for another season of Cardinal basketball. This will be my 6th season participating in some capacity with the program, since I called my first ever game in February of 2008 with Nick Shepkowski, now with 670 The Score in Chicago, and my second year as the full time public address announcer for the North Central women's basketball team.

Women's Basketball
Last Year: 7-18 (1-13 CCIW, 8th) (Stats)

As you can tell from just the record above, last year was not a good year for the Lady Cardinals. If you read any of last season's game recaps, the consistent problem was that despite pretty good defense and rebounding, the offense consistently struggled due to a lot of turnovers, missed layups, and the like. But to be fair, last year was something of a rebuilding year with Jackie Errico, one of the best players in NCC's history lost to graduation (though she's back again for her second year as a grad assistant coach) and a large group of incoming freshmen that had to contribute right away. Really, there was a lot of potential from this group going forward, and they ended last year on a high note with a win on Senior Night.

This year that group of freshmen returns intact with a year of facing the CCIW Gauntlet under their belts. The keys obviously are the senior leaders in three point specialist Jenny Swanson, strong defender and slasher Sophie Newson and low post presence Emily Murphy, three pillars from last year's squad. Bobbi Johns will probably take over the point guard role, and there's a plethora of perimeter sophomores she'll have the oppotunity to pass to including Callie Rezin, Kelsey Cooling, and Lauren Hernandez.

I stopped by Merner Fieldhouse on Halloween to say hello to head coach Michelle Roof, and we both share an optimism about this season with so many key players returning, many of them young. Hopefully the new class can come in and contribute, and I'm sure they will. Coach Roof told me there will probably be a pretty deep rotation of players and ball movement around the perimeter. A lot of these girls can shoot from deep, so I'm already preparing my voice for a lot of work. Someone get me a giant pack of Gatorade. and if late on a Wednesday night you here a loud yell of "THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!", don't worry; I'm just trying to swing momentum to get the crowd involved and help this team get back to the CCIW Tournament for the first time since 2009. The coaches' poll has them slotted 6th out of 8, with defending national champion Illinois Wesleyan at the top.

It's hard to go down from where they were last season, but with the talent and experience on this squad, they'll be a pretty good team this year. Hopefully I can see the pleasant surprise of a tournament berth.

Lucas' Prediction: 11-14, 5th in CCIW
Men's Basketball
Last Year: 22-8 (12-2 CCIW, 1st), CCIW Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 (Stats)

I'm really excited for these guys this year. The obvious big hole for this team from last year is the loss of point guard Kevin Gillespie, whose leadership throughout the season and elevation of his game in topping Wheaton for the conference crown back in February. I'm honestly not sure who's going to fill that role this year, but as long as they can play good defense, distribute the ball, and hit some shots here and there this team will be fine.

Other than that, this team brings back almost all of its key contributors from last year. Derek Raridon and Landon Gamble were both named All Americans this year, and those are the two main guys for this team. Derek is the all around guy who can score (he's currently ranked 12th all time on NCC's scoring list) while Landon is one of the best post scorers probably in all of D-III. Aaron Tiknis is also back for his senior season, and he can play well down low while also being lethal from long range.

What amazes me with this team though is their depth. While I'm not 100% certain on how their backcourt depth will look after CJ Goldthree left, leaving Vince Kmiec as the likely starter at the 2 spot, the frontcourt depth is astounding. After Gamble and Tiknis, you have Charlie Rosenberg who plays incredibly tough defense and can do a little damage in the paint as well. The huge surprise for me was hearing that after a year off, Jack Burchett returns to the team. 2 years ago he was a starter in the backcourt with Gamble but played more of a Dennis Rodman-type role as an excellent rebounder and defender. Even if he comes off the bench he's a welcome return to this squad.

Coach Todd Raridon knows how to get the best out of his teams. Since he came to NCC from Nebraska Wesleyan in 2004, his worst season was a 10-15 mark in 2007-2008, with one other year below .500. This is going to be a fun team to watch, and given their ranking coming into the year (unanimous pick to win the CCIW in the annual coaches' poll and a preseason Top 10 team), we're going to be seeing basketball into March in Naperville. I can't wait.

Lucas' Prediction: 20-5 (regular season), 1st in CCIW, CCIW Tournament Champions, deep postseason run

If you aren't doing anything on Friday the 16th or Saturday the 17th, come on by North Central as they host the annual Chicago Marriott Naperville Tip Off Tournament. I will be behind the mic for the first 3 games each day: both of the non-NCC games as well as the NCC women's game. I think Coach Roof is excited to have me back, and hopefully I can help pump the crowd for them this season. Jim Godo (I'm assuming) should be back to do them men's games for NCC, and he's a really good announcer and more of a level-headed guy which is always nice too.