Ok - I was harsh, I admit that...first case, Stout. I won't take anything away from Point. I was pleasantly suprised to see them come out on the attack. Solid defense, great execution, they just were unbeatable. Outside of some poor shooting during a stretch this could have been an ugly loss for Stout.  And if I recall the last time they played before this one of Stout's top guns put up 37. I don't think this team fares to old Stout teams over the last 5-7 seasons and that's one reason I noted my opinion of their talent level. Of course Mark's a great coach, but to have to sit through that fouling bs for over 7 minutes to try to stay in it...that was lame. He called timeout with 48 seconds left to strategize the next move because they finally hit a three and were only down 14 or 15 at that point. Regardless, I just don't think this team was as tough as old Stout teams overall.

Normally I'd be cheering for a 3 WIAC team representation in the tourny...and I'm sure EC played great, but a loss like that on your own floor? What is that? Teams are supposed to be at the top of their game, win or go home attitude this time of year and that's what you came out with? I just don't think the #4 ranking and the hype is valid for a team that embarrasses themselves like that this time of year. It is harsh, but if they don't get a nod now from the committee, then won't that make some sort of sense. Be ready to compete or go home...accountability. SP goes 20-5 the year after they win the title - they received no bid. They were ranked, got no love. Nuff said, I would be defending my team as well if I was a WW fan, but this is not the time of year for a loss like that or excuses.

Good luck to SP - they appear to be a force to be reckoned with. Looking forward to a war this Saturday!

Been a long time since I posted. Had the opportunity to watch Stout at Point tonight. Got to admit, I didn't think Point was a top 10 team earlier based on previous seasons and teams that have played in the WIAC that have just dominated but this team has put it together and plays great together. It's fun to watch things executed successfully versus random this and that. Three words: Flees for President. Nuff said about that.

Stout - well, amazing to see a program so down in my opinion. They either put it together or have nothing. Not sound, not talented in my opinion (in general). It was dismal to watch them foul with 7 minutes to go to try to stay in it. Had Point shot better, this one isn't even close. Good luck to the Pointer women on Saturday as they go round 4 with EC.

As for the WW loss...wow. It's tourney time and you put up 34 - AND you're ranked #4. Give me a break. ZERO excuses, they do NOT deserve to be in the tourny. Best of luck to all the teams. I hope Point doesn't one and out again.

Looking for info on last night's SP/STN game...anyone have a perspective? Poor shooting? Great D? Act of God?

Wow...speechless. Glad I didn't go. Appears they laid quite an egg. Neunfeldt appeared to be the only one who showed up but I'm betting Norbert's did something pretty special to shut them down. Looking forward to reading up on this one. First Farve, now this. What a week...

Congrats to Neuenfeldt, Kranz, Houghton, Peeler, Nicastro and Heuer on some great careers. Some great players and spectacular human beings...looking forward to their contributions off the court!

Looks like I'm rootin' for WW! Sorry, EC - never have, never will be a Bluegold...not even sure what one is!

It'd be awesome to see SP vs WW for the national title! At this point you just want to win one game at a time!

Congrats to Point on hosting - looking forward to seeing some games!

And from the front page...

"The result would seemingly all but guarantee the WIAC will get three teams into the Field of 63 for the NCAA Tournament."

Wonder if the tournament chairperson has anything to say about that !

Well, the argument begins, from where we discussed a bit earlier...3 teams in? You have to think WW is in no matter what. EC and SP are a toss up because they're relatively even in region and W-L. Now obviously the winner of the game goes with the auto bid, but what of the loser?

I would think losing would hurt worse for EC in the championship but either way, nothing is a guarantee (again, see SP 20-5 in 2002-03; snubbed by committee after winning national title previous year).

What are your thoughts...especially you stat folks...

Great win for Point. On the road, sounds like they controlled the game from the tip.

Hating myself for not making the trip to see this one...man it sounds like fun...

...but it wasn't enough. Point finally gets strict on the defensive end and rolls by 25 or so. Gotta hand it to Zero though for putting up a fight. Watching this you were wondering how long Point was going to let them hang. Oshkosh puts up a 10-0 run and eliminates a 17 point lead in the second half to 7 and people were gritting their teeth.

Neuenfeldt and several players off the bench put a stop to that and the rest is history. Sad to see Tyriver end her career...would have been nice to see her play for someone better than Oshkosh.

Final Four...gonna be some fighting on Thursday! I'm taking Stout over EC at the Zorn and simply calling a toss up to WW/Point. It's war folks...

Quote from: Usuallywrong24 on February 26, 2008, 10:59:37 AM

Quote from: The Champ on February 26, 2008, 10:38:15 AM

Quote from: shootfromthearc on February 25, 2008, 03:02:40 PMGood choice, but you're forgetting Point? 2001-02 National Champs? Lost all of three times that year, including two at the hands of Stout.

Don't remind me of that year... 

Point didn't win the WIAC Championship, and didn't even get to the WIAC Tournament Championship game - yet made the NCAA Tourney got a home game to start the DIII tourney.  Three out of four games to start the tourney were at home....

Stout won the conference and the tournament, then had to go on the road to St. Ben's - who didn't win the MIAC Tournament...

Not sayin' that Stout would have gone all the way, but it's still a mystery to me how Point played at home that year and Stout was forced to play on the road...

I would think Stout would have preferred to go to St. Bens to play their first game then to take Point's road.  Point won a home game to start to the tourny, but then had to travel to Wash U.  Stout played at Wash U. that year in November and lost by over 50. 

Totally forgot about that...I would have been pretty mad too if I were from Stout. That sure was fun to watch that year. There were some pretty awesome teams that year, as always!

Quote from: buf on February 25, 2008, 02:21:58 PM

Quote from: billys on February 25, 2008, 01:18:09 PM
I have seen Whitewater twice this year and of the teams I've seen in the WIAC the last 5-8 years, they are as capable as any of winning the National Championship.

I would say that 03' UWEC team was the best that I have seen during that time span.  However, UWW is close behind.  One thing this UWW team has over the 03' EC team is that they seem to have a better inside/outside game.  The 03' EC team had awesome play underneath, but they struggled from the outside, which ended up costing them at the Final Four.

Good choice, but you're forgetting Point? 2001-02 National Champs? Lost all of three times that year, including two at the hands of Stout. Schmitt, Heuer, Groshek, Nechuta, Kraemer, Boehning...SICK team that year...the team that took care of 4peat Wash U.

Let's face it...WIAC is usually producing one relatively strong national power each year. I would love to see 3 teams and not scheduled to play one another. Man, a 3 WIAC team final four! It's on!

I would love to see this conference get three teams in the tourny. I think it's pretty possible. If the scenario ended up somehow with Point and EC in the title game, I couldn't imagine all three not getting in. Should be an interesting tourny. And as I said before, I certainly wouldn't overlook Stout in this thing.

Let's bring the trophy back to Wisconsin!

I'd like to see Stout take EC out Saturday...that would possibly slide Point up to #2 regionally, hopefully only slipping EC to #3 regionally and maybe () Stout jumps into the top 6 regionally.

I know it's a Viking fan's chance in Lambeau (nice way of stating the ol' snowball in you know where) to see 2, 3 or 4 teams in the tourny but man it would be great to see us make some noise.

Good luck to all next week. It's the best time of year!

Quote from: buf on February 20, 2008, 04:52:22 PM
This weeks regional rankings are out, and me likes what I see.

Central
1 UW-Whitewater 21-2 19-2
2 UW-Eau Claire 18-5 16-4
3 UW-Stevens Point 19-4 18-4
4 Illinois Wesleyan 21-2 18-2
5 Washington U. 16-6 13-4
6 Chicago 17-5 15-5

That rocks. Period. Let's go WIAC!

I like all of those picks as well...you don't see Kranz in that mix?