MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

Job well done UW-SP Pointers.

I didn't get a chance to see the game, but from reading the recaps, it certainly was a hard fought and well earned win. Come-from-behind, championship victories might be the sweetest ones of all.

Congrats again!!

[dman]

congratulations to stevens point.... that's twice you've broken my heart....

[BBGUY]

Looking at the story of the SP victory from an AP news piece out of Salem, VA. Interesting quote from the Williams coach>

" It;s not so much what they ( SPoint) did. It's probably more of what we didn't do.." coach Mike Maker said of the run ( by SP). I should have subbed more. I think we got a little tired and that made us a little careless offensively and not as solid offensively. But you go with the ones who got you there.."

I liked the SP coach's comment a tad bit more  .He applauded Williams on their great play......hmmm

[frank uible]

Paul Brown's aphorism is appropos: When you win, say little. When you lose, say less.

[GBMAN]

Congrats to the Pointers!!!!

[pickleshiner]

Does Point have anyone coming in next year that could somewhat make up for the loss of Moses?  I realize Tillema is a stud and Harris is only going to get better but he was a lockdown defender and was a great leader.  Point should be even better next year with 4 of 5 back but nothing can be taken for granted.  Forman was also a great addition for Point at the semester probably more than a lot of fans realize.  I was looking at Wissports.net and Mark Miller has a list of guys and where their going to school next year and I noticed Point hasn't locked down anyone as of yet.  Is it just because their only losing 3 seniors or are they getting some transfers?  Is Jason Ziemer playing next year at Point or going to another WIAC school?  No one has seemed to have a definite answer.  I was surprised Louis Hurd's younger brother didn't want to be a Pointer next year.

[Titan Q]

After the Stevens Point Sectional (last weekend), it is amazing how many IWU fans I talked to mentioned little #10...the backup PG.  He had 2 great games (vs UT-Dallas and IWU).  Everyone would kind of say the same thing - "wow is #10 going to be good."

Sorry, too lazy to look up his name right now, but I assume he will slide into the starting PG role next year for Moses?

[Ralph Turner]

After the Stevens Point Sectional (last weekend), it is amazing how many IWU fans I talked to mentioned little #10...the backup PG.  He had 2 great games (vs UT-Dallas and IWU).  Everyone would kind of say the same thing - "wow is #10 going to be good."

Sorry, too lazy to look up his name right now, but I assume he will slide into the starting PG role next year for Moses?

Jerrel Harris, Fr 5'10" 150 lbs.

[John Gleich]

Looking at the story of the SP victory from an AP news piece out of Salem, VA. Interesting quote from the Williams coach>

" It;s not so much what they ( SPoint) did. It's probably more of what we didn't do.." coach Mike Maker said of the run ( by SP). I should have subbed more. I think we got a little tired and that made us a little careless offensively and not as solid offensively. But you go with the ones who got you there.."

I liked the SP coach's comment a tad bit more  .He applauded Williams on their great play......hmmm

I read that too and I'm more apt to give a coach the benefit of the doubt, especially after just losing the biggest game he's ever coached in.  He probably felt that he let down his team at that point and that, clearly, his team didn't play as well as they could have...

Here's a link to a story from the Stevens Point Journal.  Here's a quote from the Williams quote that says things differently...

"I would like to congratulate them on their championship. They earned it. This was two heavyweights slugging it out. I don't think our kids lost the game," Williams coach Mike Maker said.

"We have great respect for Stevens Point and their rich tradition. We're very disappointed we didn't bring a championship back to Williams."


That bolded section, to me, says that his team simply got beat.  Again, I don't know know the context necessarily on either comment, but it seems more likely that the second comment (which is more generous to SP) is how Coach Maker feels.  Perhaps I'm wrong, but the SPJ quote seems to acknowledge Point a lot more.

[John Gleich]

Does Point have anyone coming in next year that could somewhat make up for the loss of Moses?  I realize Tillema is a stud and Harris is only going to get better but he was a lockdown defender and was a great leader.  Point should be even better next year with 4 of 5 back but nothing can be taken for granted.  Forman was also a great addition for Point at the semester probably more than a lot of fans realize.  I was looking at Wissports.net and Mark Miller has a list of guys and where their going to school next year and I noticed Point hasn't locked down anyone as of yet.  Is it just because their only losing 3 seniors or are they getting some transfers?  Is Jason Ziemer playing next year at Point or going to another WIAC school?  No one has seemed to have a definite answer.  I was surprised Louis Hurd's younger brother didn't want to be a Pointer next year.

I think Tillema can fill in the role of Moses and I think that Jordan Giordana will have more of a roll next year as well.  Jordan is more of a pure shooter than Moses, though he isn't as good off the dribble (yet) and Tillema really was THE guy in December until he got injured... I'm so happy for him that he was able to be such an integral part of the championship, with as many struggles as he had throughout the year.

Forman provided a much-needed big body for Point.  He got a bunch of key rebounds down the stretch for Point (in conference, in the conf tournament, and the NCAA tournament) and hustled a ton when he was in there.  Ross really played with a ton of heart which is pretty remarkable stepping into a team with one semester left in his basketball career.  I know that he wanted to finish his career off in this way and I tip my hat to him.  He left his mark on the program and he's a Pointer for life, even if he only was here for a short time!

I've got so many more thoughts about the season that I'll fill in as I am able, but I just wanted to tip my hat to Tillema and Forman.  I was a transfer to Point the same way that these guys were and I know how difficult it can be to come into a program in that situation (especially for Ross with such a short period of time).  It just shows the type of personable guys they are and what great basketball players they are too!

[John Gleich]

After the Stevens Point Sectional (last weekend), it is amazing how many IWU fans I talked to mentioned little #10...the backup PG.  He had 2 great games (vs UT-Dallas and IWU).  Everyone would kind of say the same thing - "wow is #10 going to be good."

Sorry, too lazy to look up his name right now, but I assume he will slide into the starting PG role next year for Moses?

Jerrel Harris, Fr 5'10" 150 lbs.

Yep, Jerrel Harris.

To be honest, though, it could be a battle between Harris and Tillema (per some of my comments above).  Dan Tillema really led Point in December until his injury, but you could see what he was able to do in the second half of that national championship game.

Jerrel is a heck of a player... and it's scary that he's just a freshman.  As he gets stronger and smarter... Wow!  The sky's the limit.

[bballBG]

Does Point have anyone coming in next year that could somewhat make up for the loss of Moses?  I realize Tillema is a stud and Harris is only going to get better but he was a lockdown defender and was a great leader.  Point should be even better next year with 4 of 5 back but nothing can be taken for granted.  Forman was also a great addition for Point at the semester probably more than a lot of fans realize.  I was looking at Wissports.net and Mark Miller has a list of guys and where their going to school next year and I noticed Point hasn't locked down anyone as of yet.  Is it just because their only losing 3 seniors or are they getting some transfers?  Is Jason Ziemer playing next year at Point or going to another WIAC school?  No one has seemed to have a definite answer.  I was surprised Louis Hurd's younger brother didn't want to be a Pointer next year.

Ziemer will be playing for UWSP next year.  They also have a transfer Devon Jackson.  He is a guard.  I haven't been able to find a lot of information about him on the internet.  He played high school basketball in Milwaukee and played junior college (can't remember where).  I am not sure how many years of eligibility he will have left.  That really only leaves one spot open unless someone who is currently on the team leaves or doesn't make the team next year.

I am not sure who is going to fill the starting spot left by Moses.  I like both D. Tillema and Harris.  Tillema just plays his heart out.  I can't wait to see him have a full healthy year.  Harris is great too.  He has quickness that few can match and he isn't afraid to take it to the hoop.  I feel he needs to get a little bit smarter with the ball sometimes but this year definitely helped.  I am pretty sure Harris did start a couple games at the beginning of the season when Jared Jenkins was just getting done with the football season.  We'll see what happens next year.

[bballBG]

Just looked it up...J. Harris started 3 games this year.

[pickleshiner]

Glad to hear Ziemer is playing for Point next year.  It never hurts to have a scorer on the team and with Jenkins being a stud in football it will take him some time to get ready after the long football season.  I never want to see Point do poorly in football but it certainly helps when they don't make the playoffs so Jenkins can get ready.  I'm curious about this junior college transfer and how good he will be.  Anyone else have any info?  How about the big kid from Burlington Catholic Central Craig Smith I believe his name was?  Is he still around and looking to make the team next year?  My personal favorite player on the team is Krull and he was last year also.  He does all the little things and is so unselfish.  The way he locked down Hostetter from Stout in the WIAC semi final was unreal.  He plays hard every possession and could score a lot more if he would look to.  Very quick for a big and has a great outside touch but rarely shoots.  Does anyone think this team is better than either of the previous Bennett championship teams?  I didn't think so based on the fact Bennett and Kalsow were all americans but by looking at Williams and the big 3 they had and Point winning one could argue this team may be better.

[bballBG]

Finally found some information on Devon Jackson.  He attended Rufus King (same school as Jared Jenkins).  Went to junior college at Williston State.  He averaged 15 points, five assists and four rebounds per game as a senior.