Welcome back to our substitute empire with the Western Illinois Leathernecks in College Hoops 2K8 You can discover a complete description of this job + spoiler-free web links to previous periods right here. Check out the intro to this collection from very early April for complete context. As a suggestion, we imitate every video game in this collection as well as just manage the recruiting as well as mentoring methods. Dynasty setting competes 40 years.
Before we grab with the Leathernecks at the beginning of Year 33, right here’s a wrap-up of whatever that took place last period:
- We returned 4 beginners from a Sweet 16 group the year prior to, as well as started the brand-new project placedNo 10 in the preseason surveys. We shed our initial 2 video games of the period to Florida as well as Indiana, and after that triumphed with the meeting event. We went into the NCAA event at 28-2 on the period.
- We were offered aNo 6 seed to the huge dancing. We beat George Washington in the preliminary, Stanford in the round of 32, Baylor in the Sweet 16, as well as Houston in theElite Eight We after that dealt withNo 1 seed Ole Miss in the Final Four as well as shed, 90-84.
- We hired for 4 scholarships as well as landed 4 gamers: PG Arvydas Hardy, SF Reece Mascoll, PF Al Reece, CFelipe Hopes It was placed as theNo 5 hiring course in the nation.
Here’s an initial check out our lineup for Year 33:
When we won our 7th championship game at the end of Year 28, it covered a run of 3 natties in 4 years for ourLeathernecks We have not reduce the internet considering that. Last year’s Final Four run had us so near our objective. While we did shed 3 gamers to college graduation, the mass of the schedule that we began throughout last period’s event run returns.
We start the periodNo 13 in the preseason surveys. Let’s fulfill the beginners:
- Randolph Pompey, redshirt junior, 87 total: Pompey flew under the radar as a hire (No 134 total,No 58 point player), as well as can be found in with the most awful possible ranking (D quality) in program background. Why did we take him? We enjoyed his dimension at 6′ 5 PG out of senior high school, as well as he’s expanded 3 inches to 6′ 8 as he enters his redshirt junior year. Pompey is an exceptional finisher, a strong three-point shooter (83 ranking), as well as has excellent recognition on both ends. He’s only standard as a round trainer as well as passer, as well as qualities out as a C+ in speed. After an exceptional video game in our Final Four loss to Ole Miss last period (23 factors, 10 aids), we believe he can take the following action as well as end up being a leading point player. We’re not mosting likely to grumble if his reduced possible ranking indicates the NBA does not desire him early. Native of Mesquite, TX.
- Scott Doornekamp, redshirt junior, 91 total: Doorekamp was an additional three-star hire that looks positioned to totally beat his position. We relocated him right into the beginning schedule for last period’s event run as well as he provided us a constant racking up strike as a 6′ 6 wing that can fire. Doornekamp is our highest-rated three-point shooter (88 ranking), as well as qualities out as an A in completing, a B in soaking, a B in handling, as well as an A- in passing. He additionally has A rate as well as A- speed. He need to be our centerpiece this year as Dave French’s substitute in the schedule. Native of Erie, as well as forecasted preliminary choice.
- Spanky Fanning, redshirt elderly, 93 total: Fanning began for us last period prior to we changed him in the schedule with Doornekamp for the event run. The 6′ 6 wing has actually constantly been an unsteady three-point shooter, however has actually functioned to enhance to a 75 ranking because location. He has a great deal of excellent ‘glue guy’ design connects: he qualities out as an A- passer as well as sphere trainer, an A in on-ball protection, A- in stamina as well as speed, as well as strong recognition on both ends. Will he have the ability to strike sufficient shots to take us on a lengthy event run?Former No Former No. 92 total hire out of Davis, CA.
- PF Ernesto Mack, redshirt junior, 88 total: Mack is a very solid 6′ 8 power onward that can protect the edge as well as rating within. He has a 92 ranking in shot stopping as well as a 90 ranking in stamina as he goes into the beginning schedule for the very first time as a junior. He’s excellent on the block on either end of the flooring, as well as is only standard as a rebounder, however we discover his A- passing as well as sphere handling qualities to be fascinating.Former No 108 total hire as well asNo 8 power onward out of Columbus,Ohio
- Vinnie Harmon, redshirt elderly, 93 total: Harmon balanced 19 factors per video game in 2015 as a newbie starter, as well as need to be positioned to tackle an also better offending lots as an elderly. His racking up bundle is generally unstoppable: he qualities out as an A- in completing as well as midrange capturing, a B+ in 3 aiming, as well as an A+ in offending recoiling. An eruptive upright professional athlete, Harmon has an ultra hostile offending way of thinking, eliminates it on the glass, as well as jobs as regarding standard as a protector.Former No 122 total hire as well asNo 8 facility out ofCincinnati
Our bench will certainly be composed of 4 redshirt students: SF D.J. Stapleton (84 total), C Stevie Strong (85 total), SG Rob Borchardt (83 total), as well as PF Kendric Morales (82 total). Stapleton is an additional adhesive guy-style wing that has a hard time to fire, Borchardt resembles a possibly actually great 3-and-D wing, Morales is an all-natural facility that can fire, as well as Strong resembles a strong well-rounded huge.
We additionally have 4 real freshers from theNo 5 hiring course inAmerica Each gamer will certainly redshirt. They are:
- PG Arvydas Hardy, 79 total, C- possible: 6′ 3 point player from Mesa, AZ was ranked as theNo 12 total possibility as well asNo 6 point player. He’s our 2nd highest-rated hire ever before, as well as the 4th highest-rated real fresher we have actually ever before had.
- SF Reece Mascoll, 80 total, C possible: 6′ 8 little onward from Riverside, CA looks excellent however he’s just ranked as a 70 in three-point capturing which is a little unsatisfactory.No 40 total hire,No 4 at his setting. He’s connected for the second-highest ranked real fresher we have actually ever before had.
- PF Al Reece, 75 total, C- possible: 6 ’11 power onward from Glendale, AZ was rankedNo 138 total,No 19 at his setting.
- C Felipe Hopes, 74 total, B+ capacity: 6 ’11 facility from Federal Way, WA was rankedNo 139 total as well asNo 8 at his setting.
Recruiting
We have 2 offered scholarships as well as desire a high-impact capturing guard to couple with in 2015’s course. We make a decision to supply the adhering to gamers:
- 6′ 2 PG Cecil Wilkins,No 9 total gamer as well asNo 4 at his setting, out of Cincinnati
- 6′ 6 SG Jerald Elliott,No 35 total gamer as well asNo 9 at his setting, out of Sacramento
Wilkins would certainly be our highest-rated hire ever before if we can land him. Elliott resembles he has a suitable mix of dimension as well as capturing for an off-guard. There are some strong back-up choices if we lose out, however it appears worth it to turn for the fence this circumstance.
We have high assumptions as theNo 13 in the preseason surveys. Let’s do this.
Regular period
Here’s what our non-conference routine appeared like:
@ Michigan, Great Alaskan Shootout, vs.St John’s, @ Ole Miss, @ Florida, @ Stanford, vs. South Florida, @ San Francisco, Gossner Foods Holiday Class, vs. Illinois State.
Who did we do? Well …
WE BEAT EVERYBODY *
* other than
Ole Miss
Yeah, the group that knocked us out in the Final Four in 2015 defeat us once again to spoil our ideal beginning. If we attract them once again in the event I’m most likely mosting likely to go nuts a bit.
You will certainly discover that Harmon went pork racking up the sphere in the loss toOle Miss That was additionally a style of the non-con slate. Dude was going off for 30+ factors weekly. He had not been simply our most constant marker by a mile, he dragged us to success offensively every evening. It seemed like that guy had 20 factors by the time he connected his footwear.
We stood up to as high asNo 2 in the surveys throughout our non-conference run, as well as floated within the leading 10 also after it. Now we needed to secure down our tourney proposal throughout meeting period.
Can we run the table in Summit League play?
Yes we can. We run the table 18-0 in the routine period and after that move with the Summit League event to secure down the automated proposal.
We’re going into the event at 33-1 total.
In regards to just how the meeting video games went, our gain Southern Utah paints a respectable image:
Fifty 2 damn factors Vinnie Harmon went down 52 Yes, that’s a program document. No, that had not been the only time he damaged 40– he additionally did it on a number of various other celebrations. I can not bear in mind an additional gamer that installed huge racking up numbers as continually as he did.
The end of period statistics verify what I presumed: this is the best racking up period in Western Illinois background:
Harmon balanced 27.5 factors per video game– simply fantastic. That’s the best racking up period I have actually ever before seen from a ‘Neck He completed third in the NCAA in factors per video game just due to some unusual problem that had 2 gamers with total rankings in the 50s averaging near 40 per video game.
I observed that Harmon has greater than 2,200 factors for his job. That’s a program document as well, unusual the excellent Roberto ‘Jorts’ Djordjevic that bet us years back. He’s just mosting likely to contribute to that total amount throughout our event run.
Harmon generally took 3x as several shots as every person else on the group, however shout-out to Doornekamp for still balancing double-figures as well as striking half of his 3s. We’re mosting likely to require him as high as Harmon for this event run.
We’re 33-1! What sort of seed are we going to obtain??
2040 NCAA event
We’re offered aNo 3 seed in the NCAA event. I assumed we had an instance for aNo 1 orNo 2 seed, however we’ll take it. That’s our highest possible seed in years.
Our challenger in the preliminary isNo 14 seedHartford Hartford is ranked as a 77 total. We’re ranked as a 100 total.
Here’s a consider our lineup heading right into the event:
It’s a lineup that’s practically ideal. We have a leading facility in Harmon, a sweet-shooting 2 guard in Doornekamp, a 6′ 8 point player inPompey I’m simply fretted Spanky Fanning, that is connected for our highest-rated gamer, will not offer us sufficient three-point capturing to make sure a long term. Having a knockdown shooter at the little forward setting has actually been so crucial throughout several of our earlier runs that I make a decision to make an adjustment: student Rob Borchardt, that predicts as a straight 3-and-D person, is relocating right into the beginning schedule. Spanky will certainly lead the bench.
Does it really feel unusual to bench your highest possible ranked gamer on a group that’s 33-1? Well, yeah. But allow’s see just how it goes.
Hartford looks totally overmatched in this video game. This much better be a very easy dub:
Win, 100-65. We’re onto the round of 32.
Hartford played valiantly in the initial fifty percent, as well as we just led by 4 factors at halftime. Fortunately, we blew the video game open appearing of the break as well as took place to a blowout triumph.
The Doornekamp-Harmon inside/outside combination was doing job. Scotty D. went 4-of-7 from three-point array as well as do with 25 factors. Harmon stood out off for 23 factors as well as 14 rebounds on 9-of-20 capturing. Randolph Pompey, our 6′ 8 point player, simply missed out on a double-double with 8 factors as well as 10 aids. I’m currently offering him a Tyrese Haliburton compensation.
As for changing Spanky with Borchardt in the schedule … we simply really did not look right in the initial fifty percent. I’m beginning to be sorry for that step.
The win establish a video game withNo 6 seed Texas A&M in the round of 32
We attract the Aggies in the 2nd round. They’re dramatically much better than Hartford, certainly, however we’ll still have an obvious skill benefit versus them.
Before the video game starts, we’re making an adjustment to the beginning schedule: Fanning is back, Borch is mosting likely to the bench. I believe that was a galaxy mind alternative by trainer in his seniority. We looked much better with Fanning on the flooring versus Hartford, so we’re wishing that proceeds.
Sweet 16 on the line. Let’s go!
Win, 96-77! For as soon as, we really did not need to count on being a 2nd fifty percent group We squashed them right out of evictions.
This was simply a truly total efficiency from our men. Everyone added. All 5 beginners completed in double-figures, led by an additional double-double from Vinnie Harmon (19 factors, 13 rebounds). Doornekamp had the ability to strike shots as well as reach the line, while Pompey (13 factors, 7 aids, 3 swipes) played an additional stimulating two-way video game at point player.
I additionally assumed Fanning played a fantastic well-rounded video game, as well as actually resembles the connective cells of this group. He do with 13 factors, 5 aids, 3 rebounds, as well as 2 swipes on 4-of-8 capturing.
Great group win. Let’s maintain it rolling.
The win establish a video game vs.No 2 seed Pepperdine in the Sweet 16
Pepperdine has actually constructed a fantastic program in this sim as well as have actually been continually obtaining front runners in the event. They are generally what Gonzaga is IRL.
This will certainly be our largest difficulty of the event thus far. Can we punch our ticket to the Elite Eight? Let’s go!
Win, 103-95! It began to obtain a little frightening in the 2nd fifty percent, however we hung on for the win.
The beginners actually lugged us in this one. Harmon was fantastic once again in what was most likely his ideal video game of the event thus far: 24 factors, 13 rebonds, 6 aids, as well as 5 blocks on 10-of-16 capturing. He’s currently the program’s all-time leading marker as well as maintains contributing to his credibility. If he brings us to a champion, does he have a GOAT situation?
Harmon additionally did this in the video game as well as I can not quit considering it:
Absolute tale.
I like our backcourt a lot, as well. Randy P. stood out off for 20 factors as well as 13 aids with 2 swipes as well as 2 blocks. Felt like among the very best point player efficiencies we have actually ever before had. Doornekamp is simply the image of uniformity. He do with 21 factors on 7-of-12 capturing.
Another excellent ready Spanky (15 factors, 4 aids), as well as Ernesto Mack played well as well. How regarding 8 factors as well as a number of 3s from D.J. Stapleton off the bench!?! I’m liking the method we’re integrating today.
The win establish a video game withNo 4 seed West Virginia in the Elite Eight
The Mountaineers are packed. They get in the video game as a 98 total. We’re a 100 total.
West Virginia has a quite ill lineup. They are led by a set of elderly guards ranked in the 90s, however it’s their front court that has us trembled. WVU has a 7-foot power onward, a 7′ 1 facility, as well as an additional 6 ’11 huge guy off the bench. Typically we have a substantial dimension benefit in the front court, however that will not hold true in this one.
I fidget. Final Four on the line. One time, ‘Neck Nation. One time. Let’ s go!
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Win, 126-79! Holy heck, we controlled that video game. It was such a burn out that we determined to sim to finish in the 2nd fifty percent.
Just check out our shooting numbers as a group: We struck 44-of-70 shots from the area (63 percent) as well as 17-of-23 shots from three-point array (74 percent). Did I state we went 21-of-22 from the line, also? We actually could not miss out on.
Everyone was so great that it really feels crazy to call out private efficiencies, however allowed’s do a couple of shout-outs. RANDY. Our 6′ 8 lead guard went off for his 2nd straight double-double with 15 factors as well as 10 aids. He’s so great. Scotty D. hung 22 factors on a definitely simple and easy 5-of-6 capturing from 3.
The 2 connected for this alley-oop very early in the video game:
Harmon could not make a layup, however did go 11-for-11 from the nasty line. All 4 participants of our bench kicked butt as well, with each of them completing in double-figures in racking up.
That was such an awesome efficiency. We’re onto the Final Four!
The win establish a video game with Baylor in the Final Four
Baylor goes into as a 98 total. We’re a 100 total.
We shed in the Final Four in 2015 as well as we can not fathom obtaining so close just to fail yet once again. Baylor was a group we defeated in the Sweet 16 in 2015, so I make certain they have vengeance on their mind.
We are so near obtaining nationwide titleNo 8. Don’ t quit currently, young boys. Let’s go!
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Win, 82-71! WE’RE IN THE NATIONAL TITLE VIDEO GAME.
It had not been extremely rather, however we did the job. Scotty did it once again. Doornekamp went off for 26 factors on 11-of-19 capturing to lug us once again offensively. We required him in this one since Harmon had his initial weak video game of the event, do with just 7 factors however still including 13 rebounds as well as 3 blocks.
Pompey as well as Fanning were excellent as well. Randy went off for 15 factors as well as 6 aids, while Spanky had 14 factors as well as 5 aids on 7-of-9 capturing from the flooring. Spanky is the king of the pump counterfeit, evidently:
We could maintain going, however why? We will bet a nationwide title. Let’s obtain it.
The win establish a video game with Louisville in the championship game
It’s been 5 years considering that we last won a nationwide title. That’s a long period of time for this program.
If we intend to capture John Wooden’s 10 championship games prior to the collection finishes after Year 40, we requirement to win this video game to obtainNo 8 for us. We’re betting all the ‘Necks that dropped simply brief prior to us.
Only Louisville is separating us as well as a title. Let’s go!
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Win, 82-73! Western Illinois are nationwide champs!
Say it with me: 2nd fifty percent group! Louisville looked excellent in the initial fifty percent, rattling our guards with a complete court press to take a four-point lead entering into halftime. I fidgeted, however I need to have understood our men are constantly much better in the last 20 mins.
Scott Doornekamp placed a bow on an outstanding event run by going down 21 factors also when he was chilly from three-point array (1-of-6). Pompey had his 3rd double-double of the event kept up 16 factors as well as 11 aids. He additionally had 4 swipes as well as a block. Gosh, I like having a 6′ 8 point player.
Louisville made a run late to make it intriguing in the last mins. It was a link from Randy P. to Scotty D. that secured the win for us.
We have not also discussed Harmon yet. Another beast stat line of 18 factors, 22 rebounds, however he required 24 basket tries to arrive. While this had not been his ideal video game, Harmon was undoubtedly extraordinary throughout this run. He was currently the program’s all-time leading marker. Now he has a championship game for his GOAT debate, as well.
Did I state he was called event Most Outstanding Player? If the Macomb Daily claims it, it needs to hold true.
Harmon finishes his job with 2,452 complete factors. I want to picture a 40-something Roberto Djordjevic remained in the stands to see the lantern obtain passed.
National titleNo 8! We’ll have 7 periods left prior to the collection finishes after Year 40. We require 2 even more nationwide titles to connect John Wooden, as well as 3 to exceed him. Harmon as well as Fanning are finishing, however every person else might be back. Scotty is forecasted as an initial rounder, so we’ll see what does. If he returns, we’ll be considering going back-to-back following year.
Holy cow, we simply had a 39-1 period. Maybe our fantastic??? Let’s increase the banner!
Please slap for my picture editing and enhancing abilities.
Now it’s time to relocate onto the offseason.
Offseason
- National champs for the 8th time under Coach Rick:Western Illinois University Feels great to compose that once again.
- Harmon as well as Fanning both obtain composed. Again: 2,452 job factors for Harmon, a program document. Harmon in some way does not obtain called an All-American We’re never ever obtaining that mentoring factor. I have actually shed all regard sorry this is definitely set up for cash … Or rankings in not exactly sure which. I will not be quiet.
- DOORNEKAMP IS RETURNING. One extra year with Randy as well asScotty We are honored.
- I decrease all task provides, substitute a help, as well as we prepare to roll right into recruiting.
Recruiting
We have actually been hiring for 2 scholarships all year. While we really did not land any individual at the very early finalizing duration, we do have a gamer prepared to dedicate on the initial day of the springtime finalizing duration. Jerald Elliot, a 6′ 6 capturing guard out of Sacramento, is a ‘Neck
I’m extremely delighted regarding this. Elliott is placed as theNo 35 total gamer in the course as well as theNo 9 gamer at his setting. He balanced 14 factors per video game as well as struck 40.9 percent of his 3s on the AAU circuit while additionally uploading good protective statistics. We required a two-guard to support in 2015’s four-man course as well as we believe Elliott is ideal for the task.
We lost on Cecil Wilkins, the top-10 total point player possibility we provided, early in the period. We provided his scholarship to an additional capturing guard, Augustine Bruthelieus, as insurance coverage in situation we really did not obtainElliott While we took into consideration dropping our deal to Bruthelieus to look for a large guy, he prepares to dedicate as well as is the highest-rated gamer offered.
Bruthelieus devotes to Western Illinois a pair weeks later on.
Bruthelieus is ranked as theNo 42 total gamer as well asNo 10 shooting guard. The San Diego indigenous appear like he has some fascinating playmaking abilities as well as might at some point wind up obtaining relocated to point player.
I’m really feeling great regarding this course! Now it’s time to make our routine for following year:
Cyclone Challenge, @ Washington State, vs. Indiana, @ UConn, vs. Illinois, @ Michigan State, @ Colorado State, @ Purdue, vs. Ohio State, @ Arizona
Year 34
Here’s an initial check out our lineup for Year 34:
We begin the yearNo 4 in the surveys.
Bruthelieus is ranked as a 79 total with C+ capacity. Hell yep. Elliott is a 76 total with B- capacity. Also great. Both gamers will certainly redshirt. We additionally have our ill fresher course from in 2015 signing up with the turning after redshirting. I’m extremely delighted for them.
The following stream is tentatively arranged for Sunday, March 8 at 8:30 p.m. onTwitch Follow my network for updates. Go ‘Necks
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