After last season’s season was cut short due to COVID cases around the CCIW, the NCC men’s basketball program has entered this season with a chip on their shoulder. In late October, the Cardinals were picked to finish fourth in the conference behind Illinois Wesleyan, Elmhurst and Wheaton. Now, the Helwig brothers are currently leading them on a four-game winning streak.
A season-opening one-point loss to California Lutheran helped add to the motivation. Since that loss, NCC has won four games in a row, three of them in blowout fashion. The matchup against the Greenville Panthers saw a new Cardinal record, as the team totaled 137 points.
Hello Helwigs
Headed into this season, the program was planning to turn to guards Matt Helwig ‘22 and Blaise Meredith ‘22. The Cardinals received some reinforcements in the form of Ethan Helwig ‘23, Matt’s younger brother. Ethan transferred to NCC after two seasons at DII Merrimack College.
“We started off a little slow getting connected in practice just because he had to learn a new system, but we’re starting to get in sync with each other,” said Matt.
Through five starts, Ethan has averaged 16.2 points per game, along with shooting 35.7% from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Matt has become the man that controls the Cardinal offense. The elder Helwig has averaged 29.4 points per game through five starts and shooting 50% from 3-point range. Blaise Meredith has been the only other Cardinal to average more than 10 points per game.
The team’s impressive early start has been dominated by their ability to outrebound their opponents, allowing for more second-chance points. Considering that three of the five games has seen the team make less than a quarter of their three-point attempts, seeing blowout wins is that much more impressive.
The Helwigs, Barak Diehl ‘22, and Shea Cupples ‘23 are the three-point specialists. In the CCIW opener against Carthage, the brothers were a combined 7-10 from deep.
Forward Brian Johnson ‘23, who’s started in every game so far, has been an offensive facilitator. The big man is in the top three on the team in both total rebounding and assists, along with Meredith and the Helwigs.
“[Three-point shooting] is definitely emphasized in practice,” said Johnson. “As soon as you find that rhythm, that’s when the offense clicks. Guys are working harder each day to improve their timing and their shots.”
Value off the bench
Outside of the starters, the Cardinals have been able to succeed due to the depth off their bench. Led by guards James Ruzicka ‘24, Terrance Moncrief ‘25, and John Blumeyer ‘25, the bench has been able to produce 22.4 points per game.
“I know my role coming [off the bench],” said Ruzicka. “I need to play tough defense and get rebounds, and score when I have an open shot. You can’t rely on the starters to be productive for 40 minutes. I’m proud of being an option that Coach Raridon looks to when he needs a sub.”
Raridon has been consistent with a starting five, consisting of the Helwigs, Meredith, Cupples and Johnson.
Tough upcoming games
The team will need the three-point shooting and the bench to step up even more, as they have a tough upcoming schedule. On Dec. 11, they’ll make the trip to Oshkosh to play the tenth-ranked Titans. The last time these teams played, NCC escaped with a two-point victory in the national tournament. After that, they’ll host the CCIW favorite and the nation’s second-ranked team: Illinois Wesleyan. NCC has won six of the last ten matchups against IWU.
“With IWU, Elmhurst, and Wheaton being in the top 10, it just gives us a better opportunity to prove people wrong,” said Ruzicka. “Let’s show them we can compete with the best in the nation.”
“The four wins are cool, but we need to be humble,” said Johnson. “All season long, we’re just focused on the next game. Whatever game is next on our schedule will always be the biggest game of the year.”
