|
| Andrew Ziemnik and Illinois
Wesleyan made it to the Sweet 16 last season, then had a
character-building offseason. IWU athletics photo by Marc Featherly |
Illinois Wesleyan men’s basketball coach Ron Rose said his team is focused on the journey this season.
Though the coach used the word as a metaphor, a journey to Costa Rica this offseason helped the Titans develop a bond on and off the court.
The Titans have used that camaraderie to build and 18-3 overall record and cement themselves in the thick of the CCIW race.
“The energy is really good right now. We have great team chemistry,” said Andrew Ziemnik, the team's leading scorer and rebounder.
The 6-5 senior said the experience of traveling with his teammates brought the group together. While in Costa Rica, the Titans played against other teams but also enjoyed activities such as whitewater rafting and zip-lining.
“You're around the guys pretty much the whole year,” Ziemnik said. “If you don't have good team chemistry it's kind of hard to be successful.”
The Titans have won seven of their last eight and sit a half-game back of Wheaton (Ill.) in the CCIW standings.
Illinois Wesleyan hopes to repeat as conference champions and make a push in the NCAA tournament.
“We have the experience that you need to go a long way in the tournament and win conference championships,” said Ziemnik, who played on IWU's Final Four team in 2012 and helped the Titans win the CCIW championship in 2013. “Then you have guys that come off the bench and give you those quality minutes that you need.”
Rose agreed that his team's experience is a strong suit, but added that his players all have the ability to score, which makes Illinois Wesleyan difficult to defend.
“These seniors have been a part of both of those (2012 and 2013) teams — and not just a part it, but key contributors,” Rose said. “If you kind of look at some of the common traits, it's the work ethic and the unselfishness that really stands out.”
The coach also feels the team's spirit is high, which is leading to solid play on the hardwood.
“February is always kind of the dog days of a basketball season,” Rose said. “Being in the conference hunt, especially with as many upperclassmen as we have, we haven't felt that. I think there is an excitement about the end of the season.”
Ziemnik is averaging 13.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game to lead the Titans on the court this season.
“I'm a high-energy guy. I get the loose balls, set screens,” Ziemnik said. “I'm the leading scorer and rebounder, but I couldn't do that without my teammates. … I just do as best as I can for the team.”
“Andrew is absolutely one of the toughest kids I've ever coached. He's tough physically, but he's also very tough mentally,” Rose said. “When it's a close game or it's a highly competitive game, he's at his best. He just has an ability to rise to the occasion.
“He exerts his will on the game.”
The coach raved about Ziemnik's flexibility on the court as he is able to play multiple spots. He is also talented enough to guard any opposing player, regardless of position.
“That versatility is certainly a luxury to have as a coach,” Rose said.
IWU suffered a pair of setbacks in conference play, losing at Augustana and dropping a decision at Carthage in January. But Ziemnik said the team has corrected some issues and has regained its focus.
|
| The IWU men's basketball team's season started with summer practices, games in Costa Rica and a little whitewater rafting. |
“We've tightened things up,” Ziemnik said. “We're playing really well as a team and I think we're starting to figure everything out at the right time.”
“I think there's a renewed energy because we feel like we're really moving in the right direction and starting to peak at the right time,” Rose added.
The Titans will play a key game at North Central (Ill.) on Wednesday before getting an opportunity to avenge its loss to Carthage at home Saturday. Illinois Wesleyan will finish the regular season at CCIW-leading Wheaton (Ill.).
“In the CCIW, things can change dramatically in a weekend. We're not looking toward the postseason at all,” Rose said. “We just want to finish strong.”
“We're at a good spot right now,” Ziemnik said. “We just need to keep playing well, and hopefully at the end, we're conference champs.”
Rather than worrying about the outcome of future games, Rose said his team in simply enjoying the ride. He hopes that attitude will lead to successful seasons like the ones his program enjoyed the last two seasons.
“As a coach, I have the great fortune to have six seniors on the team – six tremendous young men. I think our focus right now is enjoying this particular team, and enjoying the journey,” Rose said. “You never know where that journey is going to take you. If you focus on the journey, the results take care of themselves.”
Where they rank
Despite suffering its first loss of the season, UW-Stevens Point remained the No. 1 ranked men's team in the country, edging Cabrini by five points in the latest Top 25 poll.
UW-Whitewater moved up to No. 3 after topping the Pointers in overtime last week. Illinois Wesleyan and St. Norbert also represent the Region as the Nos. 5 and 6 teams, respectively.
St. Thomas rose three places to No. 11 in the poll while Whitworth shot up five spots to No. 16. Dubuque enters the field at No. 23, boasting a 20-1 overall record.
Wheaton (Ill.) (48), Augustana (13), Rose-Hulman (3) and St. Olaf (2) also received votes in this week's poll.
In the women's poll, undefeated Whitman climbed one spot to No. 2 to lead the Region's teams.
George Fox, Carthage and UW-Whitewater all stayed put at Nos. 7, 9 and 11, respectively.
St. Thomas and UW-Oshkosh remain at Nos. 16 and 17, respectively, and St. Mary's (Minn.) slid two places to No. 18.
St. Norbert (11), Wheaton (Ill.) (7), Concordia-Moorhead (6), Whitworth (5), Illinois Wesleyan (4), Transylvania (2) and Wisconsin Lutheran (1) also received votes in this week's poll.
Marquee games
The women's schedule features the week's biggest game as Northwest Conference rivals Whitman and George Fox rematch Friday in Walla Walla. The No. 2 Missionaries enter undefeated while the No. 7 Bruins look to avenge its only loss of the season.
No. 11 UW-Whitewater can clinch a share of the WIAC title at UW-La Crosse Wednesday. The Warhawks will also travel to No. 17 UW-Oshkosh Saturday.
No. 9 Carthage plays at Illinois Wesleyan Saturday in a key CCIW matchup. Also Saturday MIAC leading St. Thomas travels to Concordia-Moorhead, who sits a half-game back. And Minnesota-Morris travels to St. Scholastica Saturday for a meeting of first and second place UMAC squads.
In men's competition, St. Norbert can clinch an outright Midwest Conference championship at Carroll Tuesday.
Marian will try to end a two-game skid at Lakeland with first place in the NACC on the line.
No. 11 St. Thomas and St. Olaf meet Wednesday in a battle of first and second place MIAC schools, and Saturday No. 23 Dubuque and Central face off in a first versus second IIAC matchup.
Monday features a crucial SLIAC game between Spalding and host MacMurray.
Check in
Do you have a story idea for the Around the Region column? Contact me about approaching milestones, broken records, break-out players or any other storylines in the area's conferences. Or just drop me a note and let me know what you like or don't like about the column. All ideas and feedback are welcome. Email me at josh.smith@d3sports.com or follow me on Twitter @DU_Josh_Smith.
