BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[GBMAN]

What a sixth inning in the 2nd title game to say the least whitewater puts up an 11 spot that is unreal especially against a quality opponent.  Congrats to lacrosse on playing some outstanding ball I'm rooting for three Wiac teams but am assuming only war hawks get in this year.

I'm assuming Point does too. Nor sure on LAX

[Spence]

Did some numbers here.

SP is 7-6 vs. regionally ranked (all regions), UWL is 4-12 (ouch).
SP has beaten Rowan and Southern Maine, which will likely be top 2 seeds in their regions, and is 1-4 against UWW.
UWL is 1-5 vs. UWW and has no other what I would call high-high wins (they played Cal Lu, UST and Buena Vista, but lost).

UWL was 18-9, UWSP 15-10 against common opponents. Somewhat amazingly, there were none outside the WIAC.

Head to head is 3-2, UWSP; nearly a push. SOS is UWSP 3, UWL 5; nearly a push there.

UWL's regionally ranked record is *really* hard to get away from, even when you consider how many of those teams are top 2 seeds. Aside from UWW, UWSP's only losses to regionally ranked are to La Crosse, and they've got more wins than losses against them.

Using the primary criteria, it comes down to whether you value common opponents or performance against regionally ranked. I think the difference in the latter is big enough that it'll be the determining factor. Beating Rowan and USM vs. losing to UST, Buena and Cal Lu is pretty much what it comes down to.

[biggio34]

Did some numbers here.

SP is 7-6 vs. regionally ranked (all regions), UWL is 4-12 (ouch).
SP has beaten Rowan and Southern Maine, which will likely be top 2 seeds in their regions, and is 1-4 against UWW.
UWL is 1-5 vs. UWW and has no other what I would call high-high wins (they played Cal Lu, UST and Buena Vista, but lost).

UWL was 18-9, UWSP 15-10 against common opponents. Somewhat amazingly, there were none outside the WIAC.

Head to head is 3-2, UWSP; nearly a push. SOS is UWSP 3, UWL 5; nearly a push there.

UWL's regionally ranked record is *really* hard to get away from, even when you consider how many of those teams are top 2 seeds. Aside from UWW, UWSP's only losses to regionally ranked are to La Crosse, and they've got more wins than losses against them.

Using the primary criteria, it comes down to whether you value common opponents or performance against regionally ranked. I think the difference in the latter is big enough that it'll be the determining factor. Beating Rowan and USM vs. losing to UST, Buena and Cal Lu is pretty much what it comes down to.

Well done Spence.  If it is that close, who is to say that both teams won't be in? 

[badgerwarhawk]

Officially, UW-Superior leaves the WIAC for the UMAC in 2015-16. Except for ice hockey.

http://www.wiacsports.com/news/2014/5/7/GEN_0507142824.aspx

Let them find some other league to play hockey in.  Neither our men's or women's league has enough teams to earn an automatic bid so their leaving wouldn't impact either.  It doesn't seem right that they should be able to pick and chose which sports they want to be a league member of.  Because of the relative lack of hockey programs in the state they'd probably end up scheduling teams from our league to fill out their schedule anyway.  So let them function as an independent or find another league to join.

Your issue is with the conference then, not UW-Superior. They asked if they can stay for hockey and the WIAC said yes. They could have said no and made them survive as an independent if they wanted to. With WIAC hockey just through one year as it's own stand alone league it's not surprising that the WIAC wanted the stability of a quality UWS team.

Just want to be sure your criticism is directed to the right place.

I'm not sure what I said that led you believe my "criticism" was directed towards Superior and not the conference, JB.  I was aware that the decision whether they remained hockey members ultimately was that of the conference.  Honestly I didn't intend it to be critical though I can see how it could be seen in that light. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Did some numbers here.

SP is 7-6 vs. regionally ranked (all regions), UWL is 4-12 (ouch).
SP has beaten Rowan and Southern Maine, which will likely be top 2 seeds in their regions, and is 1-4 against UWW.
UWL is 1-5 vs. UWW and has no other what I would call high-high wins (they played Cal Lu, UST and Buena Vista, but lost).

UWL was 18-9, UWSP 15-10 against common opponents. Somewhat amazingly, there were none outside the WIAC.

Head to head is 3-2, UWSP; nearly a push. SOS is UWSP 3, UWL 5; nearly a push there.

UWL's regionally ranked record is *really* hard to get away from, even when you consider how many of those teams are top 2 seeds. Aside from UWW, UWSP's only losses to regionally ranked are to La Crosse, and they've got more wins than losses against them.

Using the primary criteria, it comes down to whether you value common opponents or performance against regionally ranked. I think the difference in the latter is big enough that it'll be the determining factor. Beating Rowan and USM vs. losing to UST, Buena and Cal Lu is pretty much what it comes down to.

Well done Spence.  If it is that close, who is to say that both teams won't be in? 

Following the loss Bloom was confident that the Pointers would get a bid regardless of what happened between us and the Eagles.  Evidently he feels that their strength of schedule is strong enough to get them in. 

Saturday's three wins were one of the most clutch performances that I've ever witnessed from a WARHAWKS baseball team.  I have to admit going into the day I didn't think it was possible given the status of the pitching staff.  Saturday's effort was so much different than Friday's that you could hardly recognize that it was the same team. 

[Spence]

I think it's more likely than not that Stevens Point gets in, but I sure wouldn't be "confident" about it. They're likely to be in the last 3-4 teams selected if they do get in.

As far as the "if it's that close" question, picking 8 teams to go out of the last 20 or so is basically splitting hairs. One result here, one result there making the difference. All the teams on my bubble except George Fox and Chapman have 4 wins over regionally ranked or more.

EDIT: Actually I found a couple more that have 3 wins over regionally ranked. But still, most of them have 4 or more.

[bleedpurple]

There's not an easy out whatsoever in whitewaters lineup they can afford a poor pitching performance at any time and still win.  They seem to rock everybody the harder u throw the harder they hit u.

While UW-W obviously has an excellent line-up, it seems to me the comment about being able to "afford a poor pitching performance at any time and still win" is only partially true. Their offense is good enough to win high scoring games. However, giving up 12 and 14 runs in two of the 5 conference tournament games is not acceptable.  I'm pretty sure that a team that gives up 26 runs in one day (two games) understands they need MUCH better and more consistent pitching and defense if they are going to meet their ultimate goal this season.   

[badgerwarhawk]

If we play like we did Friday the odds of lasting very long in the regional are not good.  When you get to that level you aren't going to win very often giving up 22 hits and 14 runs or playing like we did against LaCrosse on Friday night.  It's silly to think otherwise.

[biggio34]

Badger... Is haen for uww hurt?  I noticed in the box scores he hasn't played the last few weeks.

[cubs]

Badger... Is haen for uww hurt?  I noticed in the box scores he hasn't played the last few weeks.

Talk to Just Bill....      

[biggio34]

Badger... Is haen for uww hurt?  I noticed in the box scores he hasn't played the last few weeks.

Talk to Just Bill....      

It doesn't really have anything to do with that, does it?  Seems like the worse thing that could come from that situation that the kid would lose a year of eligibility.  But why would that take him out of the lineup now?

[cubs]

Badger... Is haen for uww hurt?  I noticed in the box scores he hasn't played the last few weeks.

Talk to Just Bill....      

It doesn't really have anything to do with that, does it?  Seems like the worse thing that could come from that situation that the kid would lose a year of eligibility.  But why would that take him out of the lineup now?

I was just joking...  Just thought it was ironic that kid has been out of line-up since that post was made.

[GBMAN]

Midwest Regional
1. UW-Whitewater
2. St. Thomas
3. Concordia-Chicago
4. UW-Stevens Point
5. St. Scholastica
6. Thomas More

Projected Midwest Regional

[ShineTime]

Bracket is out Wiac gets 3 teams.  Whitewater didn't need any help and got it getting the easiest bracket by far IMO.  St Thomas gets sent to Illinois and point to linfield.  Reminds me of year point and linfield were sent to Illinois in 2008 I believe.  Nice to see that the NCAA finally understands people want to see the best in appleton and broke top ranked teams up.  Anyone else shocked george fox didn't get in?  They beat linfield twice and linfield is rock solid. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Just to put the matter to rest despite JB's misgivings there were no violations committed in the Haen situation.  The matter has been reviewed by the conference commissioner's office and it's over and done with. I can see how one might assume that a violation occurred based on how the story was written but none were. 

Personally I like our bracket.  Six team regionals are not as hard on pitching staffs and we caught a break having St Thomas shipped elsewhere.  I don't remember a Michigan team having played in our region before so that's different too.  The NCAA will have to fly four teams to Linfield's regional.  Did someone die and leave them in their will? 

This would be the first time the WIAC has three teams playing since the year Oshkosh hosted.  If I remember correctly that regional had us, Point and the Titans playing in it.