MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

SilversSports · November 23, 2011, 12:11:36 AM

Manor was very good as always, but Wade Guerin took the night in my opinion. Wade had four assists on the first four offensive possessions in the game. Than he got banged up late in the first half, but returned a few minutes later. When Manor and White were both on the bench with four fouls in the second half it became the Wade Guerin show. Making plays at the basket, drawing fouls and even stepping out for the 3-ball. Guerin put the team on his back during that stretch sustaining the lead until the other big guys could get back in there.

Also, through about the first 26 minutes of the game RF only had three turnovers. They did a great job controlling the ball and it definitely was a tone setter early being able to retain possessions and get good shots because they weren't turning the ball over.

emerging1 · November 23, 2011, 12:16:33 AM

As I listened, we seemed to have a great first half. But the second half we did not live by the 3 but "died by the 3". Also our lack of a consistent inside game hurt us tonight. Tough loss but a good learning experience for a young team. Let's hope they bounce back on Saturday. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kilroy · November 23, 2011, 01:50:52 AM

RF has a lot of talent. Manor is quick, smart, and great in transition. Kimble is a sparkplug at PG. Wade Guerin can move well for a 6'8" guy, as seen by his steal at halfcourt/ensuing one-handed dunk. Palmer came off the bench and went for the third-most pts on the team and second-most rebounds.

The good news for Palmer is that the coaches trust him enough to have 22 min of playing time. He also entered the second half (where RF was only up by four) within three minutes. The team does seem to keep him more in the paint, where he floated more around the perimeter at SMU. Him and Guerin could turn out to be a great team down low once they get a few wrinkles ironed out.

Both teams are good, and off nights happen for everyone. There is a lot of talent on that UST team... I'm still guessing a top-3 finish for them this year. RF will be very tough in the WIAC... hard to say what happened down in Viterbo. Again, hiccups happen.

frodotwo · November 23, 2011, 09:34:18 AM

From the box score last night:

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS 1 2 - Tot
UW-Stevens Point........ 7 4 - 11
Saint John's Univ....... 6 24 - 30

POINTS IN PAINT 1 2 - Tot
UW-Stevens Point........ 16 2 - 18
Saint John's Univ....... 6 8 - 14

Point had only 5 TO's in the first half and worked the ball inside, opening up the 3. The second half they had 12 TO's, and being unable to get inside or make the shots they did have (at least 5 layups missed) led to it being tougher to get open outside. The Johnnies scored half of their points after TO's. Still trying to force too much. The Tillemas combined for 3 assists and 13 turnovers and now have 38 of the team's 71 TO's on the year. I know it's a young team, but they need to play smarter within the system. Failing to get the ball inbound due to everyone running up court or getting a time out is something I've never seen a Point squad do til now.

cubs · November 23, 2011, 11:11:48 AM

Went and watched Oshkosh last night (instead of opening night of high school game) as I wanted to see how Oshkosh would fair against the likely new #1 team in the country Augustana. Not going to lie, but after following the St. Norbert game on-line last week my expectations weren't very high heading into tonight. Well needless to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Oshkosh played exceptionally well and actually held a five point lead six minutes into the second half. Unfortunately they got "caught" with a rotation on the court that allowed Augie to go on a 15-0 run in just over 3:00 and they were never able to recover.

All-in-all, UWO played well against a team that had a HUGE size advantage on them. (Started 6'7, 6'9, 6'9 and brought 6'7 and 6'7 off the bench.) I was impressed with how well Augie got up and down the court with their size. Definitely not the stereotypical "Big and Slow" type team. If Oshkosh plays like they did last night on a consistent basis, I think they may surprise people a bit.

emerging1 · November 23, 2011, 02:21:51 PM

UWSP has a more guard-oriented approach to its offense IMO. We certainly have very talented 1,2,3s but until will develop solid 4s and 5s we will not be consistent. JB can't be our only big, we will need others to step up. I've reviewed the stats. We seem to be pressing a bit which results in TOs. Games are won on the glass and we need to pick up this part of our game.

thrunt01 · November 23, 2011, 02:42:29 PM

I completely agree cubs. I was at the game as well and I thought that UWO played with a ton of fire despite playing a really good team that was also a bad match-up for them. Here is what worries me, it was clear UWO brought its best energy against the #2 team in the country on its home floor but when it faced a SNC team that couldn't score 50 against Augustana in De Pere they were flat and lost by 15. This makes me think that when the Titans get teams like Point, Falls and UWW at home it might surprise one of those teams BUT it ALSO means that when they go up to Superior or Eau Claire they might drop a game to a team they should beat. We'll see where their heads are at against SMU and Rockford this weekend when they play in front of a mostly empty gym.

Overall I'm noticing that there are some really low scoring affairs so far in non-conference play. Plenty of teams scoring in the 50s. On the plus side they are also holding some teams to the 30s. I have a feeling its going to be a low scoring year in the WIAC this year. After UWL throttled Viterbo and UWRF beat UST I have to think that Falls' game against the Vhawks was a fluke. River Falls is the team to beat this year.

badgerwarhawk · November 23, 2011, 04:11:21 PM

Oshkosh never "surprises" us in Kolf. If it's one place we hate to go and play it's there. It never matters how good we are or how bad the Titans are there's never an easy game in that place. I don't know what it is but there's no gym in the league that's harder to get a W in imo. I didn't mind it so much when my daughter played volleyball there but now that she's done I hate that place.

tomt4525 · November 23, 2011, 04:12:12 PM

Quote from: thrunt01 on November 23, 2011, 02:42:29 PM
I completely agree cubs. I was at the game as well and I thought that UWO played with a ton of fire despite playing a really good team that was also a bad match-up for them. Here is what worries me, it was clear UWO brought its best energy against the #2 team in the country on its home floor but when it faced a SNC team that couldn't score 50 against Augustana in De Pere they were flat and lost by 15. This makes me think that when the Titans get teams like Point, Falls and UWW at home it might surprise one of those teams BUT it ALSO means that when they go up to Superior or Eau Claire they might drop a game to a team they should beat. We'll see where their heads are at against SMU and Rockford this weekend when they play in front of a mostly empty gym.

Overall I'm noticing that there are some really low scoring affairs so far in non-conference play. Plenty of teams scoring in the 50s. On the plus side they are also holding some teams to the 30s. I have a feeling its going to be a low scoring year in the WIAC this year. After UWL throttled Viterbo and UWRF beat UST I have to think that Falls' game against the Vhawks was a fluke. River Falls is the team to beat this year.

I watched the UWRF game last night, and I'll definitely agree they are the team to beat. Manor is a matchup nightmare with his quickness and his athletic ability. Depending on who is guarding him, he will post up quicker guards or drive around bigger players. Palmer also impressed me quite a bit. He is a hustle player that always seems to make plays happen. Guerin looked good if you just look at the box score, but I will say I wasn't impressed. He seemed lazy the entire first half. He wouldn't box anyone out and gave up many offensive rebounds to Hannon. The second half he definitely picked up his intensity.

Also, I'm extremely shocked Point lost to St Johns. I mentioned earlier the Tillemas were extremely turnover prone, and it looks like that's what did them in last night. If Point continues to turn the ball over even remotely close to the rate they are doing now, they will play right into River Falls' gameplan. With how good Kimble and Manor work in transition, Point will give up a lot of easy layups to Manor on turnovers. Point is young and you have to expect growing pains, but these turnovers aren't being forced by the defense....that is a red flag at the moment.

thrunt01 · November 24, 2011, 12:09:21 AM

Quote from: badgerwarhawk on November 23, 2011, 04:11:21 PM
Oshkosh never "surprises" us in Kolf. If it's one place we hate to go and play it's there. It never matters how good we are or how bad the Titans are there's never an easy game in that place. I don't know what it is but there's no gym in the league that's harder to get a W in imo. I didn't mind it so much when my daughter played volleyball there but now that she's done I hate that place.

I am completely shocked to hear this. Not that UWO has pushed UWW at home because they have done that at least in my time at Oshkosh (loss in 2ots last year with Greg Schrimpf hitting some bonkers 3s, loss by 12 in 2010 and 1 point win in '09 on a clutch play by DJ Marsh) but the idea that overall Kolf is a tough place to play. Oshkosh consistently has the worst attendance in the league, especially on a per student basis. Point fans regularly outnumber Oshkosh fans when the 2 teams play at Kolf. I guess there isn't a great backdrop for shooters because the thing is a cavern but that affects both teams. Maybe it is the lack of atmosphere that helps the Titans since other teams are used to larger crowds while UWO regularly plays in front of a relatively empty gym. But the Titans haven't had a winning record at home for the past 2 seasons, given the teams that have played there are a factor but still I just don't see how Kolf is that tough. I have to tip my cap to Quant Gymnasium as being the hardest place to play in the WIAC, also the most fun place to watch a game.

badgerwarhawk · November 24, 2011, 11:40:19 AM

I don't have an explanation for it and I can't say that it's the same for other teams. I just know that we have a tough time winning in that gym.

frodotwo · November 24, 2011, 12:18:17 PM

Lost in all the consternation in the up and down play of the Pointers is Tyler Tillema making the Team of the Week for the first week of this season. Congrats.

http://www.d3hoops.com/awards/tow/2011-12/index

tomt4525 · November 24, 2011, 12:20:04 PM

They must not have taken into account turnovers in selecting that team.

Pat Coleman · November 25, 2011, 12:41:03 AM

Four a game was a little high but UWSP did win all three of those games so I figured it hadn't hurt the team too much.

cubs · November 25, 2011, 03:49:03 PM

Oshkosh scored the first basket of the game and never trailed as four of their starters score in double figures (led by Mathwig with 24 and Royston with 21) while putting up a season high 91 points in beating St. Mary's 91-79. Mathwig and Royston also contributed 8 rebounds apiece.

Both teams combined to go 46-52 from the free throw line as St. Mary's was 28-32 and UWO 18-20. It was a fairly turnover free game as well as St. Mary's committed just three turnovers while the Titans had eight.

Oshkosh will be in action again tomorrow, as they host Rockford College.