MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

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.

Amen to that!  Krull was really an unsung hero this year for Point and really set the tone for Point's defense.  

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.

When you look at the two teams, I think the offensive prowess of the back-to-back champs would push them over the top.  It's possible to think about matchups (whereas comparing 03-04 vs 04-05 for Point is tough 'cause you'd have guys guarding themselves!) but it isn't easy.  

I just think that the back-to-back team had everything and that's why they were #1 basically from start to finish (though they slipped in the rankings for a couple of weeks after losses, but then jumped right back).  That team is seen as the best D-III team ever... and for good reason.  But I don't think that it's really fair to make a comparison of the teams.

I don't want to take away anything from this year's team because they were battlers.  This team's effectiveness came first from the defense (same as the other championship teams), which is a change from the Point teams of the last few years, and they could certainly score, though there were those notorious droughts during the year, but they were a defensive team first and foremost.  They won a lot of games "ugly" when the shots weren't falling, though it didn't happen very often.  Something that seemed to get pushed to the side in the coverage of the Final Four was Point's offensive effectiveness... they were 8th in the country in field goal percentage, and actually outshot Williams in the National Championship game.

Like I said, there are so many great stories from this team... but I just don't have time to write about them all right now!

BTW, check out Hoopsville from tonight LINK.  Most of the conversation is about this past weekend and specifically about Point.

[nescac1]

First, unfortunately the ESPN article only chose that one quote.  This article also had other quotes from Maker praising WSP:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/ci_14720882

Coach Maker is a classy guy and certainly recognized that Stevens Point played a great game.

Obviously I haven't seen many WSP games, but I thought this team was not quite as powerful on offense but a smidgeon better on defense than the first Stevens Point title team.  The second title team, however, seems like it may have been the most dominant of the three.  Comparing Williams teams, I actually think this team was about as good as the 2003 title team, with the 2004 team being just a tad behind both of them, but that the 2004 team played basically its very best game yet still came up short vs WSP.  I think the best game from this Williams team was better than the best from 04, but 04 had a lot more big game experience and maybe a bit more consistency.  It is scary to think how good WSP will be next year, even with the loss of Moses.  Tillema killed the Ephs, the frosh point created a lot of defensive havoc, and Harris and Hurd should be two of the top players in the country next year.  I was also very impressed with Krull's defense.  Schultz was on a major roll in the second half until Krull was switched back on him, and that made a big difference.

[John Gleich]

First, unfortunately the ESPN article only chose that one quote.  This article also had other quotes from Maker praising WSP:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/ci_14720882

Coach Maker is a classy guy and certainly recognized that Stevens Point played a great game.

Obviously I haven't seen many WSP games, but I thought this team was not quite as powerful on offense but a smidgeon better on defense than the first Stevens Point title team.  The second title team, however, seems like it may have been the most dominant of the three.  Comparing Williams teams, I actually think this team was about as good as the 2003 title team, with the 2004 team being just a tad behind both of them, but that the 2004 team played basically its very best game yet still came up short vs WSP.  I think the best game from this Williams team was better than the best from 04, but 04 had a lot more big game experience and maybe a bit more consistency.  It is scary to think how good WSP will be next year, even with the loss of Moses.  Tillema killed the Ephs, the frosh point created a lot of defensive havoc, and Harris and Hurd should be two of the top players in the country next year.  I was also very impressed with Krull's defense.  Schultz was on a major roll in the second half until Krull was switched back on him, and that made a big difference.

This story really puts his comments in context.  Specifically at the point when SP made their run from the time they went down 54-44...


"I don't know if they did anything differently. It was probably what we didn't do," Maker said. "I should have subbed more down the stretch. I thought we got a little tired and maybe it made us a little careless offensively, and not as solid defensively."


So Point continued to do what they had done, and Williams slipped a bit.  That turned into a 22-5 run and sealed it for Point.  It wasn't that, for the whole game, Williams just didn't play up to snuff, like the initial article made it sound.  Thanks for sharing that article nescac1!!

[John Gleich]

BTW, check out Hoopsville from tonight LINK.  Most of the conversation is about this past weekend and specifically about Point.

And Coach Semling ends the show from about the 1:39 mark to the end.

[voice]

What a great tournament run by the Pointers.   Reviewing the Point's, Platteville's and Whitewater tournament roads to a National Title over the past 25 years, their tournament road included at least one weekend of games played at home. 

Not making excuses for Whitewater but history proves getting tournament home dates is a huge advantage. 

In retrospect, Whitewaters conference championship game loss to Point at Whitewater was REALLY huge!!


Now that basketball is over - it is time to shift my focus to WIAC baseball.   Since I have no life I have begun publishing a blog on UW-Whitewater and WIAC baseball this spring.  It debuted this morning.

Check it out:  http://voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com/   please tell your freinds about it!!

-Voice-

[John Gleich]

What a great tournament run by the Pointers.   Reviewing the Point's, Platteville's and Whitewater tournament roads to a National Title over the past 25 years, their tournament road included at least one weekend of games played at home. 

Not making excuses for Whitewater but history proves getting tournament home dates is a huge advantage. 

In retrospect, Whitewaters conference championship game loss to Point at Whitewater was REALLY huge!!


Now that basketball is over - it is time to shift my focus to WIAC baseball.   Since I have no life I have begun publishing a blog on UW-Whitewater and WIAC baseball this spring.  It debuted this morning.

Check it out:  http://voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com/   please tell your freinds about it!!

-Voice-

Point's 03-04 run had only one home game... the initial Thursday game, then on the road to Gustavus Adolphus, then two in Tacoma at Puget Sound. 

As an aside, the present format actually takes home game away from 1/4 of the teams for that first round... and that's really a shame.  That first round home game would likely save the NCAA money because only 2/4 teams would have to be paid for with buses, meals hotels, etc... and then one team for that Sat game.  Instead, all three teams have to be bused (or flown, though they still limit flights). 

And even if I'm off base on that, one game is a neutral site game... there will be fewer people to see that game than if it was at one of the other teams' gyms.

[cubs]

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? 

I assume you are talking about Matt Smith?  I have no idea, but wcb_sas I'm sure could fill us in, unless of course he is still too busy trying to trying to tell people that "Point's lack of size is going to hurt them in Tournament play."   

[badgerwarhawk]

  It never hurts to have a scorer on the team

Really, are you sure? 

[02 Warhawk]

Congrats to Point. Way to represent the WIAC....showing why we are the most athletic conference in DIII...that goes for all sports.

Which has been more impressive:

UWSP basketball over the past 7 years
UWW football over the past 5

Both VERY impessive..being able to win after reloading.

[The Roop]

As an aside, the present format actually takes home game away from 1/4 of the teams for that first round... and that's really a shame.  That first round home game would likely save the NCAA money because only 2/4 teams would have to be paid for with buses, meals hotels, etc... and then one team for that Sat game.  Instead, all three teams have to be bused (or flown, though they still limit flights). 

There would be a lot more missed class time so I doubt the DIII membership would go for a Thursday-Saturday schedule. And what if the Thursday winners happen to be 501 miles apart instead of already on location for a "neutral site" game.

[frodotwo]

Point's tournament run echoed that of the '04-05 team. Unbeaten in non-conference games, lost their last conference game, won WIAC tourney as second seed, won NCAA tourney games (rnd 2 in '05, rnd 1-2 in '10)  at home and then the title.

I think the '04-05 team would top this years team in most match-ups. Hoelzel-Maas would be pretty much even; Hurd-J. Krull also even; N. Krull-Kalsow a big Kalsow advantage; Jenkins-Bennett to Bennett and Moses-Relerford/Hicklin to Moses. This years' bench would have the advantage and coaching to Bennett over Semling.

[Just Bill]

As an aside, the present format actually takes home game away from 1/4 of the teams for that first round... and that's really a shame.  That first round home game would likely save the NCAA money because only 2/4 teams would have to be paid for with buses, meals hotels, etc... and then one team for that Sat game.  Instead, all three teams have to be bused (or flown, though they still limit flights). 

There would be a lot more missed class time so I doubt the DIII membership would go for a Thursday-Saturday schedule. And what if the Thursday winners happen to be 501 miles apart instead of already on location for a "neutral site" game.

That happened regularily when they played the Thursday-Saturday format. Often it would be 2 Northwest teams playing Thursday with the winner flying to Texas for Saturday.

[Gregory Sager]

That team is seen as the best D-III team ever... and for good reason.

Oh? And who crowned them that?

Don't get me wrong, PS, your Kalsow/Bennett UWSP teams were fantastic. I had the privilege of seeing them play a couple of times, and I was extremely impressed. But "the best D3 team ever"? No. Here's a little history lesson for ya.

[frodotwo]

That team is seen as the best D-III team ever... and for good reason.

Oh? And who crowned them that?

Don't get me wrong, PS, your Kalsow/Bennett UWSP teams were fantastic. I had the privilege of seeing them play a couple of times, and I was extremely impressed. But "the best D3 team ever"? No. Here's a little history lesson for ya.

Pretty sure he meant this headline:

Nine out of 10 coaches agree

By Pat Coleman
Publisher, D3hoops.com

Quite simply, the 2003-04/2004-05 UW-Stevens Point men are the best Division III basketball team I've ever seen.

http://d3hoops.com/salem/05/wrapup.htm


I guess that pre-D3hoops.com the clear winner is North Park and after that would be UWSP. Somehow, somewhere, however, the '98-99 Platteville program needs to be recognized as well, in fact, they were the team of the decade in the 90's.

[UWP SID]

I would like to think that a 31-0 1994-95 team and a 30-0 1997-98 squad would enter into that discussion of best teams of all-time.