Coincidentally, both of these teams run triangle offense.
Actually, maybe it is no coincidence. Both coaches often go by the same book – John Wooden’s book.
Eureka coach Chip Wilde remembers when he was a Western Illinois student taking a basketball class when Mike Miller was an assistant coach teaching that course.
“One thing he turned me onto was the book ‘Practical Modern Basketball’ by John Wooden,” Wilde said. “He swore by it and I’ve used it as well.”
Contacts between tonight’s opposing coaches in today’s 6 p.m. game at Lantz Arena actually began before they were student and pupil at Western.
“He probably doesn’t remember this but he was actually my basketball counselor at the Milwaukee Bucks Camp at Knox College,” Wilde said.
Miller, a Monmouth High School standout at the time and now in his fifth season coaching Eastern, does remember the Macomb native Wilde during his time at Western.
“I’ve know Chip since I was in school,” Miller said. “He was around the basketball offices all the time. His parents were involved in the university.”
The relationship has led to this first EIU-Eureka regular season basketball meeting since 1948 as Wilde is bringing his NAIA Eureka Red Devils to challenge an NCAA Division I team.
Eureka is off to quite a start winning a 91-90 opener Wednesday at Rockford College where the former Clinton High School guard Kameron Bell scored 44 points hitting 17 of 28 field-goal attempts, two of four 3-pointers and all eight of his free throws.
“I think the best way to say it is he is just a very aggressive player,” Wilde said. “He’s aggressive at both ends. The ball bounced his way the other night. He’s a very aggressive player.”
Bell, was honorable-mention All-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last season while 6-foot-5 forward Michael Zasada was first team averaging 14.4 points and 9.3 rebounds.
“They can score,” Miller said. “They had the kid get 44. We see again they have three guys who are capable of scoring.”
Eastern just got through defending a three-pronged offense against IUPUI, which defeated the Panthers in their home opener 69-66 on Wednesday dropping them to 1-1.
Now the Panthers, playing the early season with All-Ohio Valley guard Romain Martin sidelined by injury, are looking to take advantage of this chance to get over the .500 mark again facing an NAIA visitor.
Eureka, which was 12-13 last season including a loss to Western Illinois, is trying to knock off the bigger program.
“Obviously, it’s a bigger game in our eyes than in their eyes,” Wilde said. “Any time you’re playing up a division, you’re excited. My guys are excited.
“I think coach Miller does a great job. It’s hurting him to lose the (Romain) Martin kid. I know they’re going to be well coached and organized and they’re going to be tough.”
Miller, meanwhile, pays tribute to the guy who first saw as a basketball camper and then as a student in his class.
“He’s got them doing a lot of stuff offensively,” the EIU coach said. “The kids execute it pretty well. He’s a guy who studies the game. For a young guy he’s got a lot of experience.”
EUREKA (1-0) AT EASTERN (1-1)
Tip-off: 6 p.m. today at Lantz Arena
Radio: WEIU Hit Mix 88.9 FM
Probable Eureka starters: forwards-Michael Zasada, 6-5 sr. (15.0 points, 11.0 rebounds); Ethan Neitzel, 6-3 jr. (0 ppg, 1.0 rpg); guards-Jordan Kindred, 6-0 so. (19.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg); Andy Leppard, 6-1 so. (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Kameron Bell, 6-3 sr. (44.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg)
Probable EIU starters: forward-Edin Suljic, 6-7 sr. (12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds per game); center-Ousmane Cisse, 6-8, 250 (3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg); guards- Jeremy Granger, 6-1 so. (12.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Tyler Laser, 6-1 jr. (11.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg); T.J. Marion, 6-4 sr. (9.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg);
Notes: The first guard off the bench for Eureka in its season-opening 91-90 win over Rockford was Sullivan’s Craig Black, a junior who scored two points. Black was a 2007 JG/T-C All-Area selection. Lovington’s Dan Bolsen is a freshman on Eureka’s team. He did not play in the opener. . .Eureka’s Kindred returns to Lantz where he earned a spot on the 2007 Charleston Holiday Tournament team helping Chrisman to fourth place. Kindred is the grandson of former EIU guard and then IBCA Hall of Fame Chrisman coach Roger Beals. . .This is the first regular season meeting between the two teams since 1948 but Eastern won a 71-56 exhibition game over Eureka. The Panthers have won all five regular season meetings. . .EIU is to play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Chicago State and then play host to Belmont at 6 p.m. at week from today.
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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