Top 25 talk

[nwhoops1903]

I'm still taking Point over Whitworth.  

We have a winner!!!  TD scores a TD...give the man 6 points.  Although, I think Whitworth would win the rematch because I know they have improved in so many ways over the course of the season and Point appears to have a weakness.  Point made.

[WUPHF]

Washington University takes down regionally ranked Rochester (68-59) for the second time this season.  All American Aaron Thompson scores 29 points, including seven from three point range.

[WUPHF]

At this point, comparing schedules for Stevens Point and Whitworth is like comparing apples and oranges; we can make comparisons, but they are clearly not the same.  I would take Stevens Point every day of the week, neutral, home or away.

[nwhoops1903]

At this point, comparing schedules for Stevens Point and Whitworth is like comparing apples and oranges; we can make comparisons, but they are clearly not the same.  I would take Stevens Point every day of the week, neutral, home or away.

Whitworth has a top 25 SOS and this is not fruit salad.  I don't see the clear in clearly.  Whitworth"s pre-conference schedule was as formidable as it could have been.  I think it was intended to prepare the team for postseason competition and way down the list hopefully to prevent condescending remarks like this from elite program's fans.  

Point shot .678 FG, .500 3pt, .632 in game vs WW.  Their averages over the season are now .506, .308, .757.  Replay that game on the computer and they score about 75pts.
WW shot .467, .407, .750.  Now .481, .382, .734. WW reduces by 4-5 points from 79.  Close game in overtime, every day of the week, neutral, home or away.  Overall stats don't have a fan bias.

[John Gleich]

At this point, comparing schedules for Stevens Point and Whitworth is like comparing apples and oranges; we can make comparisons, but they are clearly not the same.  I would take Stevens Point every day of the week, neutral, home or away.

Whitworth has a top 25 SOS and this is not fruit salad.  I don't see the clear in clearly.  Whitworth"s pre-conference schedule was as formidable as it could have been.  I think it was intended to prepare the team for postseason competition and way down the list hopefully to prevent condescending remarks like this from elite programs fans. 

Point shot .678 FG, .500 3pt, .632 in game vs WW.  Their averages over the season are now .506, .308, .757.  Replay that game on the computer and they score about 75pts.
WW shot .467, .407, .750.  Now .481, .382, .734. WW reduces by 4-5 points from 79.  Close game in overtime, every day of the week, neutral, home or away.  Overall stats don't have a fan bias.

A couple things... Point is 38% from 3, not 30% (this isn't a a huge part of their game so it doesn't matter too much, but that's a big difference).  The other thing is that, if you look at their styles, they are quite different.  Whitworth is going to try to outscore you.  They've only had 2 games where they scored less than 75 points, and they lost one of them.  They also have scored over 100 3 times, and over 90, 6 times.

They have held their opponents under 60 6 times, which is pretty good.  They average an 11th-in-D-III 85.5 points per game.

Point, on the other hand, has scored over 100 twice and those are the only games where they've scored more than 90 too.  But they've held their opponents under 60 13 times and under 50 twice.  They actually average giving up a 5th-in-D-III 58 points per game.

Because of the contrasting styles, you can't simply look at the statistics... they don't match up.  Point is going to make it difficult to score, so WW won't score what they normally do.  WW is going to push the ball, so there will be more possessions and Point will let up more than they normally do.

It's the same kind of thing as when Point played Puget Sound back in 03-04 in Tacoma.  UPS was the third highest scoring team and Point was the second best defensive team.  The result?  Point won 100-79.  That 79 points was the fewest UPS had scored all year and the most Point had let up all year (2 of the last 3 games that season broke that highest-score-against mark... but I digress).

Look at other stats... turnovers, for instance, or free throws.  WW turns it over just over 12 times, but Point just over 10.  In those two extra possessions, Point, shooting a better shooting percentage, would get the upper hand.  In FT's, Point has the edge there, too.

Now, this might be negated by 3 point shooting... Whitworth shoots 40% of their shots from 3 and makes a 13th-best-in-D-III 8.9 per game, but UPS was the same way.  They were hampered by Point's size, and while this Point team isn't as big, they ARE still pretty big, and they're more athletic, so they get to shooters pretty well.


I'm not going to say that it would be a blow out again... I, too, think Point would win (but there honestly isn't a game that UWSP plays that I don't think they'll win, or at least should), but I think Whitworth has a very, very good team this year.  I've thought that way for a long time... even before I watched the vid of them beating Whitewater.

[nwhoops1903]

All your points are valid Point Special.  Great to be a fan and I hope we rematch in Salem...not a prediction just saying.  Cheers!

[WUPHF]

Overall stats don't have a fan bias.

Statistics do not have a fan bias, but as subsequently stated, and agreed upon by you, stats do not tell the whole story.  My post was a little condescending, but that had nothing to do with my allegiance to an elite program.

I appreciate your passion for the team, but I found your posts to be a little condescending as well.

[nwhoops1903]

Overall stats don't have a fan bias.

Statistics do not have a fan bias, but as subsequently stated, and agreed upon by you, stats do not tell the whole story.  My post was a little condescending, but that had nothing to do with my allegiance to an elite program.

I appreciate your passion for the team, but I found your posts to be a little condescending as well.

Elite program is a compliment, well deserved by Wash U.  Great coach and fantastic players, supportive school and MUCH success.  Good luck and I hope we get the opportunity to see the game that was suppose to happen in Dec. (our fault).

[WUPHF]

Elite program is a compliment...

I figured as much.  You have to forgive me.  I added the emphasis because I am riding high after the win last night.

Whitworth should have had a chance at Washington University and they should have had a chance at Wooster.  Its been an interesting season and should be a very interesting post-season.  Only a few weeks away.

[John Gleich]

Unbelievable... possibly another upset brewing in the WIAC.  River Falls leads Whitewater 39-26 with 14 minutes to go in the game.

Live Stats

[Mr. Ypsi]

Unbelievable... possibly another upset brewing in the WIAC.  River Falls leads Whitewater 39-26 with 14 minutes to go in the game.

Live Stats

Or maybe not.  All tied with 7:17 to go.

[John Gleich]

Unbelievable... possibly another upset brewing in the WIAC.  River Falls leads Whitewater 39-26 with 14 minutes to go in the game.

Live Stats

Or maybe not.  All tied with 7:17 to go.

WW retook the lead with about 10 mins and it's been back and forth... with 6 mins, RF retook the lead and WW hit a 3.  RF was called for a charge.

And WW just missed and RF got a layup, all tied at 51.

[John Gleich]

WW now with a 5 point lead with 2:32.  RF with the ball

[KnightSlappy]

Unbelievable... possibly another upset brewing in the WIAC.  River Falls leads Whitewater 39-26 with 14 minutes to go in the game.

Live Stats

Would WW losing to another WIAC also-ran still be considered an upset? 

[John Gleich]

Unbelievable... possibly another upset brewing in the WIAC.  River Falls leads Whitewater 39-26 with 14 minutes to go in the game.

Live Stats

Would WW losing to another WIAC also-ran still be considered an upset? 

Good question...  Going to overtime in River Falls.

The WIAC is really showing their depth right now... and proving that the 80% win percentage in the non-conference isn't just Point and Whitewater mopping up.