Quote from: closetothechest on January 30, 2009, 12:11:52 AMWell I would assume it would have been a much better game that the first one.  If the first one was a 54 point loss, it can't get much worse than that. 

And they might just have won the game. 

Stout beat Point twice - 1st game 72 - 71 and the second game 82 - 64. 

Point beat Wash U  66 - 60. 

Stout's first game against Wash U. might just have been an aberration.

We'll never know.

I would like to extend a congratulations to Lisa Gratman for becoming UWP's most prolific three point shooter in UWP women's basketball history.  She is now UWP's all time leader in three point baskets made.

story here

UWEC puts the hammer down on UWW by a score of 71-50.  Witt has a career high in points with 28.  Pam Kaye comes off the bench to put up an impressive 12pts. 

A very well played game by EC.  They had no trouble with the UWW pressure.  EC only had 8 turnovers, compared to 18 for UWW.  Actually, UWW's press really hurt themselves.  EC burned them down the court time and time again, especially in the 2nd half.  Most of these instances lead to a EC layup attempt by Witt.  Besides the turnover advantage, the Blugolds also out rebounded UWW, 41 to 35, and outshot them, 41% to 32%.  Defense was big again for EC.  Holding a team like UWW to 50 points is tough to do.  The zone defense in the post really limited Morton offensively.  She only finished with 9pts.

Another good effort from EC's bench.  They are starting to find scoring from those players to help complement the big 3 (Heidi A, Witt, Mesick)

Other scores from today,

Stout comes from behind to defeat UWO, 66-63.

UWP rolls RF, 61-43.

UWL over Superior, 80-72

Above description of EC very accurate. I would add:

I believe EC was waiting for the WW press. They had been working on the break off the press for much of the year. Tonight they perfected it. Was Witt in the "Witt Zone", absolutley. Her steals and game was superb. Hooray Heather. One could argue she is the best point in the conference and a good chance the best all round defender.  Good to see Archie get the 13 points and Kaye was magnificant. D3 hoops noted something about the zone beating WW. I think it was the EC offense. They have so many weapons and really out ran WW.

Curious to see if EC breaks the top 5 in the national rankings. They have wins against the current #2 team - Whitewater; and #3 team - Steven's Point who are also the only two EC loses. #5 Rochester beat Case Westtern Reserve 63-51. EC beat Case Western Reserve 82-40. While Amherst has only one loss, their schedule looks much easier than EC. Hope has substantial wins - all against teams with very substantial loses. Guess will leave it to the pros to decide.

EC still has several road games including an improving Stout team and of course the UWSP game at EC. EC could go very deep if they play confident and up to their ability. The Whitewater game maybe was a turning point.

Lately we haven't been able to throw the ball in the ocean.  ugh

Quote from: buf on January 31, 2009, 08:30:32 PM
UWEC puts the hammer down on UWW by a score of 71-50.  Witt has a career high in points with 28.  Pam Kaye comes off the bench to put up an impressive 12pts. 

A very well played game by EC.  They had no trouble with the UWW pressure.  EC only had 8 turnovers, compared to 18 for UWW.  Actually, UWW's press really hurt themselves.  EC burned them down the court time and time again, especially in the 2nd half.  Most of these instances lead to a EC layup attempt by Witt.  Besides the turnover advantage, the Blugolds also out rebounded UWW, 41 to 35, and outshot them, 41% to 32%.  Defense was big again for EC.  Holding a team like UWW to 50 points is tough to do.  The zone defense in the post really limited Morton offensively.  She only finished with 9pts.

Another good effort from EC's bench.  They are starting to find scoring from those players to help complement the big 3 (Heidi A, Witt, Mesick)

I think that maybe WW should look into not pressing so much.  They really don't have that athletic post player that could trap last year like they had with Beuchner.  Looks like their coach needs to get their team in order otherwise they are going to have to go to Point/EC in the second round on the WIAC tourney, then go to the other one possibly in the final.  Going to be a tough road for the Warhawks. 

Also, I am not so sure about those Blugold role players.  It is so much easier to play at home when the team has a big lead than it is on the road in a close game.  At last check, EC has four players in the 10 in minutes played this season for conference team.  That shows that even their coach doesn't have that confidence in her role players. 

They have a very challenging couple of weeks here.  They go to Oshkosh on Wednesday, a long trip and potentially tough game.  Then they must go to River Falls on Saturday in what is for sure to be a difficult game.  Then they must get on the bus and travel out to South Dakota to play on Sunday!  That is a lot of miles.  After their trips, they get to come back home to play Stevens Point.  This is going to define what kind of team EC is this season. 

Wow, a meaningless nonconference game that was canceled earlier in the season because of weather.  This game, played on Sunday before their biggest test of the season against Point.  I would have thought that Tonja would have fought tooth and nail to not make that Sunday jaunt.

Quote from: stoutguy on February 01, 2009, 11:47:06 AM
Wow, a meaningless nonconference game that was canceled earlier in the season because of weather.  This game, played on Sunday before their biggest test of the season against Point.  I would have thought that Tonja would have fought tooth and nail to not make that Sunday jaunt.

Well I am guessing she did.  I am assuming that they are getting some cash for this game since they are playing a a high ranking D2 school on the road.  They did make it to the D2 championship game last season.  Who would have ever thought a non-conference game scheduled for December could have influence on a conference title. 

Quote from: closetothechest on February 01, 2009, 12:00:59 PM

Quote from: stoutguy on February 01, 2009, 11:47:06 AM
Wow, a meaningless nonconference game that was canceled earlier in the season because of weather.  This game, played on Sunday before their biggest test of the season against Point.  I would have thought that Tonja would have fought tooth and nail to not make that Sunday jaunt.

Well I am guessing she did.  I am assuming that they are getting some cash for this game since they are playing a a high ranking D2 school on the road.  They did make it to the D2 championship game last season.  Who would have ever thought a non-conference game scheduled for December could have influence on a conference title. 

Actually, I believe that South Dakota is now D1.  Tonya probably just really wanted to have her team play this game.  How often does a D3 team get to play a D1 team in the regular season.  I bet it will provide a great experience for the players.

I do agree with you that the game takes place at a not-so-good time on the schedule.  Going to River Falls on Saturday, then play a game on Sunday in the Dakotas, then travel all the way back to take on Point on Wednesday.  It will definitely provide a challenge to the Golds.  Its just so tough to reschedule these games.  It would have been nice if EC could have done it during their bye (Feb 14), but you also have to see how it works in with South Dakota's schedule.  It will be interesting to see how long Englund plays the starters in that South Dakota game.

I listened to Hoopsville today.  Great interview by Coach Englund, who was a featured guest.  Good job coach!

Englund explained some reasons on why they are playing the South Dakota game:

- Englunds former coach from when she played at Wyoming coached at South Dakota (he retired before this season).  It was scheduled last season when he was coaching.  Englund wanted to make it a commitment to play the game.

-A good opportunity to test her team.  Very good competition.

-To show what D3 has to offer.  How far is the gap between D1 and D3?


I think you can listen to the past shows of Hoopsville, in case if anyone wants to catch the interview.  It occurred about and hour and a half into the show.

A big THANK YOU to Pat Coleman, who broadcasted the game from Zorn yesterday.

What were your thoughts about the game/atmoshpere?


Hope you will be back soon.

I know you EC guys don't like to pull for us "Stoutguys" much, but how about on Wednesday night?  I am looking forward to watching a great battle.  I predict Stout catches Point looking ahead and pulls the upset.  Julia scores at least 26 for the 4th straight game and the bus pizza tastes the best that it has tasted all season.

As an EC guy, I think JH on Stout is the best player in the conference. She is also a wonderful person. Of course EC fans are routing for Stout at UWSP. More so fear playing the Blues Devils on their turf in a few wweks. l live close to  Menomonie, and am often at Stout. Mark is a grand coach and always ready to talk.