Terry Gibbons with quite a few tweets regarding EC Basketball...doesn't every actually mention them by name, but we would call this being passive-aggressive. Google "Terry Gibbons Twitter" or go to his twitter handle @Gibbons285Tg.

Oshkosh and River Falls at the top of the conference...interesting

Quote from: badgerwarhawk on December 14, 2015, 09:53:08 AM
That would be the "inept" Packer offense that ran for 230 yards and put 435 yards on the board. Ran 81 plays to their opponent's 51 and had over a quarter of play advantage in time of possession to go with four scores. 

I'm not sure what game you were watching but there really wasn't that much ineptness in the one against the Cowboys. 

It was 14-7 and we had just punted 4 straight possessions. Looked pretty inept...until!
Offense still struggled. 3 & 1...4 straight punts...anytime we beat the Cowboys I'm happy though! 

Quote from: sac on December 12, 2015, 11:58:50 PM

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on December 12, 2015, 11:52:18 PM
Friendly reminder...Platteville just got beat by 30 at home to North Central.

Not with Woodrow

Don't think Woodrow would have made a difference vs NCC. Haven't seen the kid play but thats a pretty big jump. He scored 21 points and they just lost to Hope by 10.
Oshkosh has won 5 straight.
Whitewater has won 2 straight after losing to Augustana.
Stevens Point beat Lawerence after losing 2 straight.
River Falls has lost 2 straight after winning 4 in a row.
Eau Claire lost BIG to St. Norbert after winning 2 in a row.
La Crosse beat Luther after dropping 2 straight.
Stout beat Dubuque after losing to Buena Vista.

This WIAC wrap-up is brought to you by someone who has nothing better to do but watch an inept Packer offense.

10 point loss for the Pioneers at Hope. Kid named Woodrow had 21 points off the bench, freshman from Indiana playing in his first game of the season. Cool rematch of the 1998 (or 1999) National Championship Game. Different outcome...different world.

Quote from: GreenKnightAlum on November 16, 2015, 10:41:37 PM
I feel that the Green Knights out-played the Titans this evening, even with the projected leading scorer (Bobinski) being held to 7 points. Coach Grzesk had them in mid-season form defensively. DeValk definitely played more confident than last year and the group as a whole played their roles really well. As seems to be the trend with a lot of games around the area, the reffing around the low post area seems to be very touchy. SNC had only 10 turnovers tonight and it feels like 8 of them were off of offensive fouls. Reinthaler will be another great stretch 4 for Coach Grzesk after losing Schwoerer to graduation.

One place I did not expect the Green Knights to succeed was on the boards. They were able to get a +11 rebound differential while being a relatively small team. The guards came back to rebound well when Marshall or Reinthaler had their guy boxed out.

SNC always seems to catch Oshkosh before they get their feet under them. I don't think this game is necessarily indicative of how Oshkosh's season will go, but it was a great win for SNC tonight. Now they get rewarded with getting to play the defending National Champions on the road. Schuldes has turned into a nice home-court advantage over the years, but a road game next Tuesday will tell me a lot more about how good this team really is.

My comment about Juckem being out-coached is because I saw a much sharper team from SNC than I did from Oshkosh. I thought Oshkosh played well, they have talent, but SNC was arguably, more prepared. This is again, just my take on it but being that good defensively, which I thought SNC was, to me, is coaching.

Also, saying a team coach out-coached another is in no way a shot at SNC's players.

It was a very well-played game. Must be Mrs. Juckem that I offended by saying he was outcoached tonight. Sorry Mrs. J!

Quote from: cubs on November 16, 2015, 11:09:40 AM

Quote from: badgerwarhawk on November 15, 2015, 12:24:01 PM
Superior transfer Ty Ketz led the Red Hawks with 19 points.

Probably better suited for the MWC board, but does anyone know "why" Ketz transferred from Ripon to Superior and then right back to Ripon after just one year at Superior?

I asked the same type of question on the MWC board and was told that many of his credits didn't transfer at Superior so he came back to Ripon. Sounds like he has been welcomed back with open arms although I would think coaches and players may not have been too excited. Seems like he is fitting in well again.

Platteville loses 75-74. Down by 15+ to start the game. Pioneers had a shot to win at the end.
Pioneers looked slow and unathletic.
Oshkosh looked good but Juckem was out-coached tonight.
Seems like the WIAC has a long way to go.

Quote from: GreenKnightAlum on October 28, 2015, 10:22:23 PM
I know this might be a bit early, but I'm extremely excited for the season to start and wanted to see how you all think this season will play out. I don't know really anything about incoming freshman for any team, so these are mainly based on returners.

1. St. Norbert
Even with the loss of Schwoerer, Elliott, and Hofacker, I still see the Green Knights staying on top of the conference. Bobinski and Garner will be a sneaky good offense/defense pairing. DeValk will make leaps headed into his second year. Also, look for big man Tim Marshall to anchor down low and provide some stability. Lacking some game experience, but they still have the athleticism and skill to stick with and beat anyone in the conference. Coach Grzesk will get them playing defense, which wins them yet another conference title.

2. Monmouth
Tons of returners here for a team that was probably the most complete behind SNC last year. Mathison will be a double-double machine, and if he developed his left, he could be borderline unstoppable in the MWC. Look for him to make a run at PoY. They have a ton of depth and I really like what Coach Skrivseth is doing in getting these young men to play with some fire. 

3. Ripon
Sabin will be another tough guard this year. Ketz returning will be able to provide some of what Loughrin brought, but I don't think he is quite as skilled on offense. If their big guys developed over the off-season, they could make a run at SNC, but I just don't see it. Let Sabin get his 30ppg, the role players will get about 20ppg, and that's about it. With the way they play defense, they won't be winning many games only scoring 50-60ppg. Planning on outscoring an opponent only works if they can't stop you, which Monmouth and SNC are both able to do.

4. Carroll
Nagy and Keranen return for their final year in the MWC before they head to the ultra-competitive CCIW. Look for them to work on a physical style of play with a pounding inside game with Nagy and Fritz. They play a very methodical style which will get them into a lot of close games, and I think the extra year of experience will give these guys an edge in a lot of them. Wouldn't be surprised if they got as high as #2 in the conference.

5. Grinnell
This looks like it will be one of the more mediocre Grinnell teams in recent years. Yeager and Taylor did a lot of heavy lifting last year, and it looks like Marx and Parker will be getting the nod this year. They undoubtedly will have some role players come in and hit shots (3's). The system will win you some games you shouldn't win, but it also loses you games you shouldn't lose. Grinnell just misses out on the 4 seed.

6. Lake Forest
Schick and Nikitas could both be potential all-conference players. This team will go as far as those two can carry them. Schick is a match-up nightmare for any other 4 or 5 in the conference with his inside-out ability.

7. Lawrence
Nikitas and Sonnleitner will the the go to 1-2 punch for the Vikings. They will be able to pull off a few upsets, but I can't see them sustaining a high level of play for the entire season.

8. Illinois College
Probably a little low here for the Blue Boys, but they will be a young team again this year. Look for them to make some noise towards the end of the season, building into next year.

9. Beloit
McAfee will be able to put up some huge numbers for the Bucs, but I don't see much else behind him. I see Bentley on the roster, but after his recent stints at Carroll and Whitewater, not sure if he'll be there or not. If he is, he provides leadership and experience for this team.

10. Cornell
11. Knox
Not sure on the order for these two. They both seem to have some turnover with players. The order really depends on if any freshman can step up and contribute right away.

MWC Tournament (Schuldes Sports Center)
1. St. Norbert vs. 4. Carroll
2. Monmouth vs. 3. Ripon

Final: St. Norbert over Monmouth (73-60) to earn their 4th straight post-season berth.


Let me know what you all think. I think there is a lot of room for movement in spots 2-7 really. Should be a fun year and I already can't wait! I'll do some All-Conference predictions early next week if others get involved with discussion ranking the teams and develop some interest.

I think Monmouth dethrones St. Norbert at the top of the league. They have done a great job of gathering talent and play a style suitable to beating SNC late in the season. Ripon, Grinnell and Lawerence are next. The way the Pioneers of Carroll played last year I can't see them having success this year. Maybe a year from now. Too many young players. Monmouth goes to the tournament from the MWC unless Sabin gets hot in the conference tournament. Nothing surprises me anymore.

I think Sabin struggles from the floor vs more athletic defenders than he is used to playing against. The Warhawks will use a lot of different guys and try and wear him down. Still finishes with 20+ but a lot of it comes with game already decided.
I wonder how Ketz's teammates feel about him coming back after his failed experiment at UW-Superior. Coaching staff obviously decided it was a good idea, but it still is a surprising move.

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on November 11, 2015, 08:05:58 AM
Dropping the conference game schedule to just 14 games means an extra 2 nonconference games. If a WIAC team is going to go 10-4, their nonconference record is going to have to be about 9-2.

Friday, Nov. 13
Whitewater at Ripon: A new look Warhawk team takes on 2015 MWC Co-POY and preseason All-American Ty Sabin and the Red Hawks.

La Crosse at Augustana: The Eagles travel to Rock Island to take on the National runner-ups. This could get ugly.

Saturday, Nov. 14
Platteville at Lake Forest: The Pioneers travel to Illinois to take on the Foresters. Both teams are predicted to finish near the middle of the pack of their respective conferences.

River Falls at Concordia (WI): The Falcons take on the Falcons in Mequon as River Falls tries to improve on their horrible 2-7 nonconference record from a year ago. It will be a tough start against Concordia, the NACC preseason favorites.

Stevens Point at Superior: The National Champs start their title defense vs a familar foe, but this time as a nonconference opponent in Canada. The Yellowjackets are picked 3rd in the UMAC, just a point behind 2nd place St. Scholastica.

St. Thomas at Eau Claire: The Blugolds host 10-time defending MIAC champ St. Thomas to kick off the season.

Minn. - Crookston at Stout: The Blue Devils host D2 opponent Minn. - Crookston.

My best guess at the weekend games:

Whitewater handles Ripon easy (17+)
Augustana in a no-brainer vs LaCrosse (25+)
Platteville by 20 over Lake Forest
River Falls struggles and loses to Concordia as non-conference woes for the Falcons continue
Stevens Point struggles early with Superior before winning by 18
St. Thomas beats Eau Claire by 6
Crookston has ZERO problems with Stout

I will most likely be completely wrong...but I took a shot

Quote from: tomt4525 on November 01, 2015, 04:54:09 PM
Newcomers for each team in the WIAC

UWEC

Dan Becken 6'6" Sophomore  Centennial, MN     transfer from Northern State
Kyle McDonald 6'1" Freshman  Cambridge-Isanti, MN
Adam Pronschinske 6'5" Freshman  Neenah
Wilyam Wright  6'1"  Freshman Plainfield East, IL
Gianni Rossato 6'7" Freshman  Eau Claire Memorial
Steven Christiansen 6'5" Freshman  Apple Valley, MN

UWL

Devin Yurk  6'2" Junior Sheboygan North     Took last 2 years off from basketball
Taulvish McCray 5'10" Freshman  Neenah
Ben Meinholz  6'3"  Freshman  Milwaukee Marquette
Emmanuel Okafor  6'4"  Freshman  Chicago Mount Carmel, IL
Sam Skoyen  6'3"  Freshman  Hastings, MN
Mike Vidmar  6'0"  Freshman  Muskego
Paul Weiss  6'5"  Freshman  Christian Liberty, IL
Luke Norcia  6'1"  Freshman  Highland Park, IL
Brendan Manning  6'3"  Freshman  Cedar Rapids, IA
Kirk Martin  6'3"  Freshman  River Ridge
Jake Martig  6'1"  Freshman  St Cloud, MN
Colten Haack  6'5"  Freshman  Mishicot
James Kuefler  6'4"  Freshman  Belgrade-Brooten-Elrose, MN

UWO

Ben Boots  6'1"  Freshman Kimberly
Brett Wittchow  6'4"  Freshman  Laconia
Alex Van Dyke  6'8"  Freshman  Union Grove
Sam Johnson  6'6"  Freshman  Riverside Brookfield, IL
Ezeka Omeka  6'4"  Freshman  Maine East, IL

UWP

Daniel Lowe  6'6"  Sophomore  Transfer from NAIA St Xavier
Ethan Woodrow  6'8"  Freshman  Fountain Central, IN
Nathan Cokenour  6'11"  Freshman  O'Fallon, IL
Robert Duax  6'4"  Freshman  Dubuque, IA
Colin Connelly  6'4"  Freshman  Clayton Ridge, IA
Clay Gerds  6'8"  Freshman  Fort Atkinson
Zach Gaines  6'5"  Freshman  Cuba City

UWRF

Logan Halvorsen  6'1"  Freshman  Rosemount, MN
Austin Heidecker  6'5"  Freshman  Prior Lake, MN
Andy Leo  6'9"  Freshman  Blaine, MN
Luke Trio  6'5"  Freshman  Easton, MN

UWSP

Mark Nelson  6'3"  Freshman  Monona Grove     Transfer from Lindenwood University
Drew Fredrickson  6'0"  Freshman  Mount Horeb
Ethan Bublitz  6'2"  Freshman  Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Canon O'Heron  6'6"  Freshman  Bangor
Brett Tauber  6'7"  Freshman  Madison Memorial
Chaz Mootz  6'0"  Freshman  Merrill

UWST

Luke Murphy  6'1"  Freshman  River Falls     Transfer from UW-Whitewater
Caleub Watkins  6'0"  Freshman  Eleva-Strum
Tanner Schmitt  6'2"  Freshman  Westby
Justin Thomas  6'3"  Freshman  Arcadia
Michael Fifield  6'7"  Freshman  Oconto
Dalton Soto  6'4"  Freshman  Blair-Taylor     Was committed to UWSP last year, no idea if he ever made it to campus
Devin Oesau  6'3"  Freshman  Gilmanton

UWW

Trinson White  6'5"  Senior  Milwaukee Riverside     Transfer from UW-Milwaukee
Haki Stampley  6'3"  Senior  Milwaukee Hamilton     Transfer from Lynn College
Isaac Quinn  6'8"  Senior  Kenosha Tremper     Transfer from  Cardinal Stritch
Ethan Guske  6'0"  Junior  Sheboygan North     Tranfer from Augustana
Tyler Edmondson  6'7"  Junior  Waubonsie Valley, IL     Transfer from MKendree College
Shaquille Francis  6'3"  Junior  Sheboygan North     Transfer from Kishwaukee CC
Deiondre Cunningham  6'1"  Junior  Wisconsin Lutheran     Transfer from Otero CC
Andre Brown  6'0"  Freshman  Kenosha Indian Trail
Mitch Pfeifer  6'3"  Freshman  Kettle Moraine
Marquis Turner  6'3"  Freshman  Milwaukee King
Andre Carroll  6'1"  Freshman  Wauwatosa West
Pat Hamilton  6'4"  Freshman  Glenbrook North, IL

Looks like some talented all the way around. After googling a handful of these recruits it looks as if UWW, UWSP and UWP certainly did a great job of filling needs.

My predicted order of finish after seeing the incoming players:
1. Oshkosh
2. Whitewater
3. River Falls
4. Stevens Point
5. Platteville
6. Eau Claire
7. Lacrosse
8. Stout

Go ahead...I know what everyone is going to say, Stevens Point will not finish #4. I actually thought about dropping them down to #5...
It's that time of year!!!

River Falls
-St. Norbert (potential match-up)

Eau Claire
-St. Norbert
-Buena Vista

Whitewater
-Augustana
-Wheaton
-Ripon

Stevens Point
-Hope
-St. Norbert
-Augustana
-North Central

Platteville
-Hope
-Dubuque
-North Central

Stout
-Dubuque

Oshkosh
-St. Norbert
-Carthage College
-Augustana

Lacrosse
-Augustana
-Lakeland
-Hope

Just went through all of the schedules, wondering what they looked like. Tough non-conference schedules from Oshkosh and Point. Should be a great test for the league early. Most disappointed in River Falls and Eau Claire, especially because I think the Falcons should be among the league's elite. Maybe last years early season record kept them away from difficult scheduling.

Better to go .500 in non-conference against good competition or +.750 against bad?
-The Dino Man...needs his sleep

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on October 14, 2015, 02:56:23 PM
http://www.smallcollegehoops.com/Home_files/D3NOct15FactSheet.pdf

This poll has Point 9th...and Whitewater isn't even in the "others to watch".

Silly preseason polls!

Greek Tragedy is a cocky one huh?
We'd call that being passive-aggressive.
I'd say when losing that many starters, #9 in the country in a pre-season poll is extremely high. I think it makes 100% sense for Whitewater not to be in the poll at all. Look at who's returning. Being raining National Champs doesn't hurt however. I'd also look at the rest of that poll and say that my bet is 60-75% of the schools listed won't be in the final poll at the end of the year. Just my opinion though...which I think we are able to have on this message board. Central Region is highly under ranked, again.

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on October 06, 2015, 11:15:46 AM

Quote from: The Dino Man on October 05, 2015, 10:28:17 PM
We are all really saying the same thing. Although I would like to think that with River Falls and Oshkosh's returning players they should be able to contend for a title, I'm not saying it WILL happen. I'm purely saying that if this league is as cyclical as it has shown, this should be the year that another team who does not wear the color purple, should challenge and make a NCAA Tournament run. Those two teams in my estimation would be River Falls and Oshkosh.
Based on returning players ALONE, Stevens Point should not finish better than 4th in the league. That is how pre-season polls work. Who is returning and what was their output the year before. I would argue that River Falls, Oshkosh and Platteville (maybe EC) all have more returning than Whitewater and Stevens Point. If I'm wrong show me the data. If Monanu and Patten have left Whitewater, who on that team that is returning that we know of gives them the right to be in the top half? Again, that is what pre-season polls do.
This isn't D1...we don't have ranked recruiting classes that can help us in these issues.
Semling and Miller obviously have this thing figured out. Platteville had the best player in the league and maybe the country in Cross for two years and couldn't beat those two teams. I would imagine that those two teams will finish higher than I predicted, but judging on past experience, can't we all say that this should be the year one of them doesn't make it or at least a third joins the party?

Based on your argument and theory, Whitewater would probably be polled last in the WIAC. They lose 7 of their top 8 players with only Drew Bryson returning...and he's a disposed starter who ended up averaging about 20+ minutes a game. No other returner averaged more than 5 minutes a game except for Brandon Thompson (6.8 minutes a game). At least Point returns ONE starter and another guy who averaged 25+ minutes a game off the bench...and Gjertson averaged 10 minutes a game!

I've always thought preseason polls were nonsense, though fun to look at. The pollster's poll on this site starts at the new year, giving the teams some time to figure out who they are.

My point exactly. Preseason polls, especially at D3 level are based on returning. It doesn't always turn out that way because the coaches/media who watch the leagues will bet on a coach rather than team...but that is what a preseason poll is done for at this level. I agree, pre-season polls aren't a great indicator of where teams will finish. But based on returners...RF and Osh lead the way for me.

Quote from: Hoops_n_Golf on October 05, 2015, 10:15:41 PM

Quote from: The Dino Man on October 05, 2015, 12:12:54 AM
Miller and Semling are the best coaches in the league, but I would argue that 50% of them being the best coaches is they have the best players.

Not by a long shot. They don't recruit as hard as an 0-16 coach does, nor do they love their players as much. At least, that's what I was told previously.

Both of them recruit similar players to those who have fit and they know who fits. You see the same "types" of players in each one of these programs on a year by year basis. Working hard doesn't mean working smart. Miller and Semling loving their players has nothing to do with it...I bet they were all pretty happy to have won national championships whether or not they liked the coach they play for. I can guarantee that the Badgers players don't all love Bo Ryan, even those who starred for him. I'll use the word guarantee just like you used "not in a long shot".