MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[chmarx]

Re Point's prospects for next year.

They are at the point where they reload, not rebuild.  I think WW is there too.

[nescac1]

Sorry to take over a WIAC board with a discussion of non-WIAC teams in 1996, but I'll just add one more thought.  That Rowan team also victimized one of the best ever Williams teams in the Sweet 16 (they were definitely better than the 97 and 98 teams who each finished third).  They had two all-American type players, future national player of the year Mike Nogelo, who even as a Sophomore was unstoppable, and Geoff Chapin, who lit Rowan up for, I believe, 30 despite missing a good portion of that game with a migraine headache ... the Ephs could well have won but for Chapin's absence.  They also had two of the best Eph defenders I've seen, John Botti and Mike Humphreys (Botti, in particular, was the best front court defender I've seen in NESCAC), who combined to shut down everyone they played in the tourney that year up until Rowan, yet were basically helpless against, I believe, Stewart and Dasher respectively.  So that Prop 48 team knocked off one of the very best versions of three different TRUE D-3 powers of the late 90's, IWU, Hope (who I imagine was stacked as well), and Williams.  What a shame ...

[Gregory Sager]

FWIW, Greg, I think it's fair to call it officially a bad call. Did you see the video?

Nope. I didn't know that there was a video of that game. I just remember Warren Thompson being amused that NYU people were still complaining about that call years later.

[D O.C.]

Now that the dust has settled I would like to congratulate PointSpecial for personally pushing his team to the national title through his support here on d3hoops.com.
Job well done.

[Pat Coleman]

FWIW, Greg, I think it's fair to call it officially a bad call. Did you see the video?

Nope. I didn't know that there was a video of that game. I just remember Warren Thompson being amused that NYU people were still complaining about that call years later.

http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2009/03/16/buzzer-beater-decided-94-title.html

[Just Bill]

Nice little video slideshow from the National Title game:

http://bit.ly/bmobDp

[chmarx]

Now that the dust has settled I would like to congratulate PointSpecial for personally pushing his team to the national title through his support here on d3hoops.com.
Job well done.

ROTFLMFAO

I gave positive karma for this bit of humor.

[John Gleich]

Now that the dust has settled I would like to congratulate PointSpecial for personally pushing his team to the national title through his support here on d3hoops.com.
Job well done.

ROTFLMFAO

I gave positive karma for this bit of humor.

I gave one up for that too 

[wcbsas]

So what's next for the Pointers?

1. Do they have the returning talent to challenge for a repeat?
2. Will their cocahing staff remain in tact?
3. Does Semling emerge from the shadow of the Bennett's?
4. Does Jared Jenkins' 2-sport activities jeaprodizes what could UWSP's most important returning basketball player next season?
5. Does UWW and other WIAC schools derail UWSP's repeat attempt?

[cubs]

So what's next for the Pointers?

1. Do they have the returning talent to challenge for a repeat?
2. Will their cocahing staff remain in tact?
3. Does Semling emerge from the shadow of the Bennett's?
4. Does Jared Jenkins' 2-sport activities jeaprodizes what could UWSP's most important returning basketball player next season?
5. Does UWW and other WIAC schools derail UWSP's repeat attempt?

1.  They have to replace Moses and Forman, which won't be easy, but other than that, everyhting else returns.
2.  I'm going to go out on a limb, and say that both Semling and Randall will be back.
3.  Never really felt he was in Benett's "shadow...."
4.  It didn't seem to affet the basketball team much this year....
5.  Doubt it....  Even if Point doesn't garner the Pool A bid, I would think they will still earn a post-season bid with a solid regular season which would put them in position to repeat.

[UWBadgers]

I'm going to go out on a short limb and say Randall will be a finalist for the UW-Superior position.

So what's next for the Pointers?

1. Do they have the returning talent to challenge for a repeat?
2. Will their cocahing staff remain in tact?
3. Does Semling emerge from the shadow of the Bennett's?
4. Does Jared Jenkins' 2-sport activities jeaprodizes what could UWSP's most important returning basketball player next season?
5. Does UWW and other WIAC schools derail UWSP's repeat attempt?

1.  They have to replace Moses and Forman, which won't be easy, but other than that, everyhting else returns.
2.  I'm going to go out on a limb, and say that both Semling and Randall will be back.
3.  Never really felt he was in Benett's "shadow...."
4.  It didn't seem to affet the basketball team much this year....
5.  Doubt it....  Even if Point doesn't garner the Pool A bid, I would think they will still earn a post-season bid with a solid regular season which would put them in position to repeat.

[Brian Carroll]

A belated but sincere congratulations to the Pointer players, coaches and fans for their national championship. A special congrats to the venerable Old School on his team's triumph. WIAC wins national titles in football and basketball. Nice job.

[Greek Tragedy]

So what's next for the Pointers?

1. Do they have the returning talent to challenge for a repeat?
2. Will their cocahing staff remain in tact?
3. Does Semling emerge from the shadow of the Bennett's?
4. Does Jared Jenkins' 2-sport activities jeaprodizes what could UWSP's most important returning basketball player next season?
5. Does UWW and other WIAC schools derail UWSP's repeat attempt?

1.  Yeah.  Tough to replace what Moses brought to the table, but you can insert Jerrell Harris as the starting point guard, most likely.  Forman didn't have a great post season, but he showed his value as a big man.  That will be hard to replace.  Dan Tillema showed what he can do when healthy and we have a good bench.
2.  Possibly some moves.  I don't see Semling going anywhere. 
3.  I didn't think he was in their shadows either. 
4.  Jenkins can only jeapordize the basketball team if he gets hurt playing football.  I love all Pointer sports, but would like football not to make the playoffs!  Jenkins made the trip out west and played in the 2nd game of the season and started in the starting linupe by the 5th, I think.
5.  I'm sure everyone will be gunning for the Pointers.  I think teams will challenge the Dawgs.

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm still giddy about the Pointers coming home with a championship!  What an awesome weekend.

[wcbsas]

So what's next for the Pointers?

1. Do they have the returning talent to challenge for a repeat?
2. Will their cocahing staff remain in tact?
3. Does Semling emerge from the shadow of the Bennett's?
4. Does Jared Jenkins' 2-sport activities jeaprodizes what could UWSP's most important returning basketball player next season?
5. Does UWW and other WIAC schools derail UWSP's repeat attempt?

My thoughts on these points:

1. Absolutely they only lose 3 seniors, of which only Moses will be tough to replace.  The current junior class is loaded.

2. I think is probably not ... Lance Randall obviously wants to be a head coach.  He was a finalist for the UWP job, he applied for several other jobs.  I do not think his family has moved to SP so this may just be a pit stop for him.  I did think that his hiring at UWSP is an orchestrated move to put Semling's successor on board for a year or two.  I can't see Semling moving on at this point expecially with a chance to repeat.

3. I do think he was in Bennett's shadow.  The specter of what they've done is really big.  Heck you're playing on Bennett court.  Imagine if Semling can get a back-to-back NC ... they may have to rename the court the Bennett-Semling court!

4. Jenkins at times was UWSP's best player on the court.  I think playing two sports (that conflict somewhat) is easier when you are the 2nd or 3rd guy.  But Jenkins is arguably the best returning player on this team, in someways their most important player and to not have him available until mid-November will hurt chemistry, leadership and unity.  Plus the injury factor.

5. I think UWW will be stacked especially with the Lawson twins returning to action.  It'll end up a UWW/UWSP title challenge.  Do not underestimate the importance of home court advantage in the playoffs.  UWSP really benefitted from it this year.  They got it with a good regular performance and a tournament championship.  They'll likely have to duplicate that effort to even remotely have a chance next year.