Before the season started, first-year Harper College men’s basketball coach Justin Welke alluded to the importance of his team playing hard and playing tough defense in conference. He also wants his team peaking by season’s end. The Hawks will be put to the test starting tonight as they open North Central Community College Conference (N4C) play at top-ranked and defending national champion Rock Valley College at 7:30 PM.
The Hawks are 7-9 on the season with a 4-3 record at home and 3-6 record on the road up to this point. Freshman forward Admir Suljic (Chicago, Ill. /Lane Tech) is the Hawks’ leading scorer at 17.9 PPG and is already a two-time Region IV Player of the Week and NJCAA Div. III National Player of the Week. Suljic is shooting an impressive 50 percent from the floor and has knocked down 41 3-pointers at a 46.6 percent clip. He also averages 4.6 RPG and is disruptive on the defensive end with 2.1 steals per game.
Robert Hudson (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Conant) (13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG), a Region IV Player of the Week earlier this season, will be leaned on heavily for offense. Davion Benton (Chicago, Ill. /Alcott College Prep) (11.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG) is also crucial to the Hawks’ success as an inside player and force on the glass. Point guard Marcus Gatlin (Chicago, Ill./Curie) (6.2 PPG, 2.4 APG) will continue to direct the Hawks’ offense.
The N4C has shown its mettle in the early part of the 2014-15 season. Currently, three teams are ranked in the top 10 in the NJCAA Div III National Poll: Rock Valley College (#1), Joliet Junior College (#6), and Milwaukee Area Technical College (#10). Also, Triton College is ranked #8 in the NJCAA Div. II National Poll. Here’s a look at the records of each N4C team in non-conference play:
Joliet 14-2
Triton 14-2
Rock Valley 13-2
Milwaukee 13-2
Madison 8-3
DuPage 10-5
Harper 7-9
Wright 5-8
Harper plays each conference opponent two times in leagues play. Here’s a breakdown of each opponent:
Harper at Rock Valley, Jan. 7
Rock Valley at Harper, Jan. 31
The defending national champs score 89.3 PPG, eighth-best in the country. They do it with amazing balance, led by Jared Mayes (13.8 PPG), Ben Gryiel (12.4 PPG) and Frank Cimino (12.2 PPG). Mo Jackson (10.9 PPG) and Isaiah Box (10.0 PPG) also average in double figures, and Dalton Payton (9.5 PPG) and Antonio Dyson (8.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG) are complimentary scorers.
The Golden Eagles went 10-4 in N4C play last year and won 30 games under head coach Craig Doty. One of those conference losses last year came to Harper on Jan. 11, 2014, a game played at Judson University that the Hawks won 85-80. Rock Valley took the second matchup against Harper at home, 89-66.
Harper at Triton, Jan. 10
Triton at Harper, Feb. 4
The Trojans come into the conference slate on a seven-game winning streak. They score over 80 points per game and do it with a balanced attack led by sophomores Brian Howard (14.2 PPG), Donavan Smith (12.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG) and Darryl Howell (10.5 PPG). Sophomores Eric Ross (8.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Troy Pearson (8.0 PPG) and Nick Norton (7.2 PPG) add depth to an experienced group.
Last season, the Trojans won the conference with an 11-3 mark and finished 24-9 overall. Harper and Triton split their season series last year, with the Hawks winning 66-60 at home and the Trojans winning 100-91 on their home court.
Wright at Harper, Jan. 14
Harper at Wright, Feb. 7
The Rams are led in scoring and rebounding by Victor Osyuak (15.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG). They finished with a 4-10 record in conference last year and 6-22 overall record.
One of those wins last year came against Harper, a 70-62 home victory. The Hawks salvaged a season series split with a 74-62 home win.
Harper at DuPage, Jan. 17
DuPage at Harper, Feb. 11
The Chapparals are riding a three-game winning streak into N4C play with wins over Olive-Harvey College, College of Lake County, and Carl Sandburg College. Christian Mathis (10.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG) and Jonny Woolf (10.2 PPG) lead a well-balanced attack that features seven players who score six of more points per game.
In last season’s two meetings, the road team won both times. Harper picked up a 73-71 win on the road, and DuPage bested Harper 83-78 in Palatine. The Chapparals finished with a 5-9 record in conference and 11-21 overall record in the 2013-14 season.
Harper at Joliet, Jan. 21
Joliet at Harper, Feb. 14
The Wolves enter N4C play with an impressive nine-game winning streak and 14-2 overall mark. Two standout scorers – Daymeann Stewart (17.4 PPG) and Darious Randolph (16.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG) – lead the Joliet attack. First-year forward Matt Hund (9.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG) ranks 18th in the nation in rebounding, and Jalen Blackmon (8.7 PPG), Darius Wells (7.2 PPG) and Larry Moore (6.6 PPG) are all capable scorers.
Joliet went 10-4 last year in conference and 21-11 overall. After the Wolves and Hawks split the regular season series, Joliet ended Harper’s season with a 70-65 victory in the Region IV Semifinals on Feb. 28, 2014.
Milwaukee at Harper, Jan. 24
Harper at Milwaukee (at Alverno College), Feb. 18
The Stormers were just 7-7 in N4C play and 14-17 overall last year, but this year is a different story. They are currently ranked No. 10 in the national poll, hold a 13-2 record, and come into the conference slate on a seven-game winning streak. All of this is with only two sophomore players. One of those players, Melvin Brown (17.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG) leads the team, which averages 79.9 PPG, in scoring and rebounding. First-year players Austin Dunbar (12.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and Andre Neal (10.6 PPG) are also key pieces to the puzzle for head coach Randy Casey.
The two matchups against the Hawks figure to be thrilling once again. Last year, Harper won a 87-84 double overtime thriller inside the Wellness & Sports Center. Milwaukee avenged that loss with an 89-78 win at home in the second meeting.
Harper at Madison, Jan. 28
Madison at Harper, Feb. 21
The 2014-15 season is a much different one for the WolfPack under head coach Scot Vesterdahl. Last year, the team won just one conference game and went 4-25 overall. This year, Madison has an 8-3 record, knocked off No. 2 Rochester Community and Technical College back on Nov. 25, and strengthens an already loaded conference.
Talented scorer Jerrod Walton (17.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG) leads the WolfPack attack. Brian Bearden (11.7 PPG) and Antowan Epps (10.3 PPG) are also viable scoring options.
Harper swept the season series last year with 92-62 and 84-79 wins, but both teams are vastly different from what they were a year ago.
