The baseball playoffs are still going, college football is in full swing and most Chicagoans are fixated on the Bears and their 5-0 start. But the college basketball season is less than a month away, and with Midnight Madness beginning Friday, it’s time to check in on area schools.
SCHOOL: ILLINOIS
Last season: 26-7, 11-5 in Big Ten
Opener: Nov. 13 vs. Austin Peay State at Assembly Hall
WHO’S GONE: Guard Dee Brown and forward James Augustine were fixtures in the starting lineup for four years and rank among the best players in school history.
WHO’S BACK?: Brian Randle, a talented, versatile forward, and Rich McBride, a solid shooting guard and defender. Other holdovers are centers Shaun Pruitt and Marcus Arnold, forwards Warren Carter and Calvin Brock and guards Jamar Smith, Chester Frazier and Chris Hicks.
WHAT WE KNOW: Non-conference schedule is loaded with home games, and the Illini are 93-4 at Assembly Hall over last 7 seasons. The competition doesn’t get tough until Maryland visits on Nov. 28, allowing coach Bruce Weber to experiment as he undertakes rebuilding process.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Can Carter, an intermittently effective performer off the bench, become an impact player as a starter? Who’s the point guard? Frazier doesn’t seem capable of filling the scoring void left by Brown, and neither Smith nor transfer Trent Meacham is a pure point guard.
SCHOOL: NORTHWESTERN
Last season: 14-15, 6-10 in Big Ten
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. Cornell at Welsh-Ryan Arena
WHO’S GONE: Forward Vedran Vukusic and his 19 ppg, and guard Mohamed Hachad (11.8) must be replaced. Forward Bernard Cote (4.2 ppg) graduated and didn’t return for a senior season of eligibility.
WHO’S BACK?: Jack-of-all trades senior forward Tim Doyle inherits leadership role, but he’s not a big scorer (8.0 ppg). Sophomore guard Craig Moore must improve his shooting. Senior center Vince Scott and sophomore swingman Sterling Williams will get minutes.
WHAT WE KNOW: After three straight years of finishing one game under .500, it’s rebuilding time. Junior Jason Okrzesik, a Fenwick product who transferred from Rice, will get a chance to be a steadying force in the backcourt.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: How quickly five scholarship freshmen will adapt. Forward Kevin Coble has a scorer’s mentality and may contribute right away. Guard Jeremy Nash and forward Jeff Ryan will get a long look. Croatian forwards Nikola Baran and Ivan Peljusic may need time to develop.
SCHOOL: DePAUL
Last season: 12-15, 5-11 in Big East
Opener: Nov. 11 at Bradley
WHO’S GONE: The Blue Demons were very young last winter and the only player of consequence to depart was senior center Marlon Brumfield. Brumfield was a rugged rebounder and a stout defender. His level-headedness will be missed.
WHO’S BACK?: Senior guard Sammy Mejia (15.1 ppg) is the team leader. Forward Wilson Chandler and point guard Jabari Currie, both sophomores, should make fewer mistakes. Juniors Draelon Burns and Karron Clarke can light it up and Cliff Clinkscales can run.
WHAT WE KNOW: The Big East may be the toughest league top to bottom in America, and the Blue Demons need more consistent shooting and ballhandling to win in coach Jerry Wainwright’s second season.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: How much incoming freshmen Will Walker (Bolingbrook) and Thijin Moses (Boys to Men Academy) will contribute. And if players can make curfew and practice times without facing Wainwright suspensions as they did too often last season.
SCHOOL: MARQUETTE
Last season: 20-11, 10-6 in Big East
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. Hillsdale College at Bradley Center
WHO’S GONE: Forward Steve Novak, a terrific three-point shooter who averaged 17.5 points and 5.9 rebounds; guard Joe Chapman, a streak shooter who provided tough defense; center Chris Grim; and forward Ryan Amoroso, an underachiever who transferred to San Diego State.
WHO’S BACK?: Sophomore guards Dominic James (15.3 ppg, 5.4 apg) and Jerel McNeal (11.4 ppg, team-high 64 steals). Wes Matthews Jr., a versatile swingman, and center Ousmane Barro, a 6-11 stringbean who’s improving. Dan Fitzgerald gets first shot as designated shooter.
WHAT WE KNOW: Marquette’s guard-oriented lineup will run, press and score. Not many teams will be quicker. James could be a first-team All-American given normal progress. Matthews could have a breakthrough season if he stays healthy.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Who’s going to rebound and guard the interior? The Big East is a tough league, and the Golden Eagles will occasionally be outmanned up front. They hope to offset their size limitations with speed, but someone has to rebound if the running game is to take flight.
SCHOOL: NOTRE DAME
Last season: 16-14, 6-10 in Big East
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. IPFW at the Joyce Center
WHO’S GONE: Point guard Chris Quinn, who led the Irish with almost 21 points per game in conference play. Forwards Torin Francis (11.6 ppg) and Rick Cornett (5.4 ppg).
WHO’S BACK?: Shooting guard Colin Falls, who averaged 13.8 points per game, is the top returning scorer. Sophomore Kyle McAlarney (6.6 ppg) will likely play point guard. Russell Carter, a senior guard, brings averages of 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.
WHAT WE KNOW: Look for increased production from Carter, whose superior athletic ability and nice shooting touch will finally be given space to flower. Carter will also be a force defensively. He led the Irish with 48 steals last season despite playing just 28.7 minutes per game.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Who’s going to handle the backboards with the departure of Francis, who averaged a team-leading 9.4 rebounds? Can Rob Kurz bump up his 5.1 rebounds-per-game average? He will have to.
SCHOOL: LOYOLA
Last season: 19-11, 8-8 Horizon League
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. Princeton at Black Coaches Assoc. Tournament, Columbus, Ohio
WHO’S GONE: Only guard Chris Logan, who averaged 8.8 points, is missing from the winningest Rambler season in 22 years.
WHO’S BACK?: All five starters, including league MVP Blake Schilb (19.1 ppg) and top reserves Leon Young and Tracy Robinson. Majak Kou is a first-rate defender and dangerous shooter. Young, guard J.R. Blount and 6-9 center Kye Pattrick complement Schilb.
WHAT WE KNOW: The Ramblers have their best team in at least two decades. Schilb flirted with leaving early for the NBA but stayed to polish his game. The experience of playing together will help Loyola in tight games. The team is on a mission.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: How coach Jim Whitesell will find playing time for freshman Andy Polka of Oskhosh, last year’s Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin. Can transfer Cortney Horton provide backcourt depth? Is 6-11 freshman Matt Adler’s knee OK?
SCHOOL: ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
Last season: 16-15, 8-8 in Horizon League
Opener: Nov. 11 vs. St. Edward’s (Texas) at UIC Pavilion
WHO’S GONE: Leading scorer Justin Bowen (14.7 ppg) and guard Rocky Collum, a sparkplug off the bench, are out of eligibility.
WHO’S BACK?: Four starters and five reserves, including 6-5, 215-pound workhorse junior forward Othyus Jeffers (11.6 ppg). Sophomore guard Josh Mayo (10.1 ppg) is an important cog, as are senior Serbian forwards Jovan Stefanov and Danijel Zoric.
WHAT WE KNOW: Coach Jimmy Collins’ group matured during the second half of last season, but they need reinforcements to put more distance between themselves and a .500 record.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: How five newcomers will mix with the holdovers, particularly 6-11, 250-pound center Scott VanderMeer, a transfer from Bowling Green, and 5-9 guard T.J. Gray, a transfer from Western Illinois.
SCHOOL: NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Last season: 17-11, 12-6 in Mid-American
Opener: Nov. 15 vs. St. Mary’s (Minn.) at NIU Convocation Center
WHO’S GONE: Leading scorer Todd Peterson (12.1 ppg.), the Huskies’ best three-point shooter, and guards Cory Sims (9.4 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Anthony Maestranzi (7.7 ppg, 2.6 apg). And much of their bench, which is why coach Rob Judson added five new faces.
WHO’S BACK?: James Hughes, an athletic 6-10 center who was the MAC’s Defensive Player of the Year (9.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg), 6-4 guard Mike McKinney and 6-1 guard Ryan Paradise, who will be asked to replace Peterson as the three-point threat.
WHAT WE KNOW: Coming off their first MAC West title, Huskies will need some of their newcomers to step up and fill the holes. One who could do that is 6-1 guard Cody Yelder, who can penetrate and hit the jumper. He left Richards High as the school’s career scoring leader.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Can McKinney, who was more effective as a sophomore than last season as a junior, have a big senior season? Can Ben Rand, a 6-7 junior who tore his ACL late in the season, come back healthy and contribute? Can anyone replace the steady Peterson?
SCHOOL: BRADLEY
Last season: 22-11, 11-7 in Missouri Valley Opener:
Nov. 11 vs. DePaul at Carver Arena
WHO’S GONE: Patrick O’Bryant, Tony Bennett, Marcellus Somerville and Lawrence Wright averaged almost 50 points and 24 rebounds for the Braves’ Sweet 16 team. The 7-foot O’Bryant, who was a first-round NBA draft choice, is irreplaceable.
WHO’S BACK?: Coach Jim Les will have a tough time duplicating last season, but there is some talent remaining. Guards Daniel Ruffin and Will Franklin are quick and very good. Zach Andrews is a physical talent. Guard J.J. Tauai is a good defender.
WHAT WE KNOW: Bradley will play pressure defense and up-tempo offense. Les has the players for the first half of the equation, but scoring may be a problem. Last season’s team had depth and instant offense in Wright. Thin may be in this season.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: How good is Matt Salley, a 6-7 junior-college forward? Can Jeremy Crouch regain his shooting touch? Will any of the freshmen contribute? Can Les get this group into the upper division of the tough Missouri Valley?
SCHOOL: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Last season: 22-11, 12-6 in Missouri Valley
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. Washington (Mo.) at SIU
WHO’S GONE: No one you’d remember. No players in the top eight graduated, though Jamaal Tatum will serve a three-game suspension for an off-court infraction.
WHO’S BACK?: Where do you start? How about guards Tatum, Tony Young of Schaumburg and Bryan Mullins of Downers Grove South? Tatum is as tough a scorer as the other two are as defenders. Randal Falker and Matt Shaw, 6-7 forwards, are seasoned and solid.
WHAT WE KNOW: The Salukis play the toughest defense in the state. Every pass, every shot is contested and every possession is precious. On the other hand, the Salukis don’t score much, but they make free throws and rebound well for their size.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Can coach Chris Lowery make this team reach its potential? With the top eight players back from an NCAA tournament team, expectations are high. Who of the newcomers will emerge? Maybe 7-1 transfer Kobby Acquah.
SCHOOL: ILLINOIS STATE
Last season: 9-19, 4-14 in Missouri Valley
Opener: Nov. 12 vs. Southern Methodist at Tallahassee, Fla.
WHO’S GONE: Neil Plank, 6-5 swingman who averaged 7.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2.8 assists and filled in wherever needed. Part-time starters Dana Ford, Khalif Ford and Nedu Onyeuku. Khalif Ford transferred and the other two graduated.
WHO’S BACK?: Senior forward Greg Dilligard was the top scorer (9.9 ppg) and rebounder (5.9). He can defend and rebound but can’t shoot free throws. Levi Dyer, a 6-10 junior, and 6-7 sophomore Mike Vandello had their moments, and junior Ronnie Carlwell is still 6-11.
WHAT WE KNOW: Coach Porter Moser wasn’t happy with his team’s point-guard play and recruited 5-8 Keith “Boo” Richardson, a Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College All-American, to fill the role. Richardson will likely team with Dominitrix Johnson, a 6-0 lefty who can score.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Can Richardson, Johnson, and 6-7 forward Anthony Slack of Coffeyville JC adjust to Missouri Valley? Redbirds have strong inside players but need improvement at guard. Can senior Roberto Fortes continue late-season scoring (16 ppg in final six games)?
SCHOOL: VALPARAISO
Last season: 17-12, 8-8 in Mid-Continent
Opener: Nov. 11 vs. Calumet at Valparaiso
Who’s gone: The top five scorers from last season, most notably Dan Oppland (19.8 ppg), top rebounder Mohamed Kone (8 rpg) and top assist man Ali Berdiel (3.8 apg).
Who’s back: Starting point guard and Lincolnwood native Jarryd Lloyd and a whole lot of role players.
What we know: The Crusaders, in final season in Mid-Con before joining Horizon League, will be a work in progress with five freshmen on the roster.
What we don’t know: With a roster half-full of fresh faces, can coach Homer Drew find the right chemistry?
SCHOOL: CHICAGO STATE
Last season: 11-19, 8-8 in Mid-Continent
Opener: Nov. 9 vs. St. Bonaventure in Austin, Texas
Who’s gone: Nate Carter, who started 15 games.
Who’s back: Senior guard Royce Parran, who averaged 17.8 ppg, leads a small lineup. Forward Kourtney Calvin (4.7 rebounds) and guard John Cantrell are academically ineligible until at least late December.
What we know: Cougars are no longer in the Mid-Continent and will play as independent as they search for a new league. That made scheduling tough.
What we don’t know: How team will react to playing only six home games.
SCHOOL: EASTERN ILLINOIS
Last season: 6-21, 5-15 in Ohio Valley
Opener: Nov. 10 vs. Louisiana-Monroe in Iowa State Tournament
Who’s gone: Top scorer Josh Gomes (15.1 ppg) and top rebounder George Tandy (7.1 rpg).
Who’s back: Three starters in sophomore guard Mike Robinson (9.6 ppg, 4.3 apg), a preseason all-OVC pick, junior forward Bobby Catchings (9.4 ppg) and junior center Jake Byrne (6.9 ppg).
What we know: Second-year coach Mike Miller has a young squad with five freshmen, two sophomores and five juniors.
What we don’t know: How fast the young squad will take to jell.
SCHOOL: WESTERN ILLINOIS
Last season: 7-21, 3-13 in Mid-Continent
Opener: Nov. 12 vs. Upper Iowa in Macomb
Who’s gone: Top rebounders Fred Oguns (5.1 plus 13.1 ppg) and Eliz Cepeda (5.1 rpg).
Who’s back: Starting backcourt of top scorer David Jackson (14.5 ppg) and Sammy Hunter (8 ppg) and guard Troy Okeson (8.9 ppg) and forward NaVonta Kentle (8.1 ppg).
What we know: Leathernecks have four of top five scorers back and a top recruit in 6-7 forward Mahamoud Diakite, a native of France.
What we don’t know: Can they improve on the road after going 1-12 last season?
