MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[T.F. Guy]

Getting back to Stout....
I had the chance recently to chat with a very accomplished former WIAC'er and we both agreed -- however grudgingly -- that Stout is winning because they're playing (for the lack of a better term) WIAC Basketball.

The Blue Devils have always seemed to be among the most talented teams in the league ... but whoever described them as playing at "panic button speed" got it absolutely right.  It's hurt them in the past.

As for this season ... I don't think it's Fast Eddie changing his style to fit his team, or his team changing its style to fit its coach -- it's a little of both.  Stout isn't going through its annual roster turnover; they've built around a solid core that should remain intact for a while. 

It appears Stout "gets it" when it comes to winning in the WIAC.  Which makes the Devils the dangerous team they've become, and -- right now -- the best bet to get what'll probably be the only NCAA bid the league will receive.

They're also avoiding their annual late-season fade.
Stout deserves all the credit they're getting this season.
(He said through clenched teeth.)

[T.F. Guy]

Oh, hey, Warhawk fans:
How do you fancy your chances for the regular-season title, with four of the last five games away from home?
Plus, as much as I admire your ice-water-in-the-veins free-throw shooting against Platteville, how much did it help Whitewater that the Pioneers committed two befuddling turnovers in crunch time (shot clock violation, wayward pass)?
Then again, the 'Hawks were mistake-free when the chips were on the table. 
Then again again, can anyone figure out Platteville? 

[bulk19]

FYI =
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel online poll about an hour ago, with 3,932 voters to the question "Who has the state's best college basketball team now?"
Marquette - 77.3%
UW-Madison - 8.2%
UW-Milwaukee - 7.2 %
Lawrence - 6.9 %
and UWGB - .04 %

 

[buf]

I wonder what Feidler is going to talk about???

[Greek Tragedy]

My thoughts on Stout...

I think in the past they have played that "up tempo" game and, yeah, I think it might have hurt them a little because they were so run and gun.  I noticed at the Point game this year, they were a lot more disciplined and actually used the Nonemachers more than just on defense and as decoys.  I applaud Andrist for that.

In regards to the Stout women's team and the women's game in general.  Not to be sexist here either.  The games I've seen Point play (against Stout especially and other as well) is that they just run up and down the court as fast as they can AT TIMES.  After a rebound, even if it's not a full breakaway, they are running at such full speed that sometimes when they go up for the shot, they actually overrun the hoop and hit the bottom of the rim or the backboard! 

As my friend would like to say, "They don't know where they are going, but they're getting there in a hurry!"  Funny stuff.  So, we both appreciate it when they actually SLOW DOWN and "regroup". 

One of the first full women's games I saw was about three or four years ago and Stout was playing Point.  I swear, there were like 60 turnovers.  It was crazy.  But, I figured out that I had to attribute part of that to Stout's full court press style of play and the fact the women's game is played much faster, IMO.  To say the least, it wasn't the best first impression to a women's game that someone could have! 

If any of you Oshkosh or Point fans (since it's relatively close for you) are bored on Friday night, head over to Ripon and see Grinnell play (talking about run and gun)!  It's entertaining to watch.

[Greek Tragedy]

Well, looking forward to tomorrow' game vs. La Crosse.  I hope its a full house with the students and band back.

This year has been tough for me and I'm sure other Pointer fans.  I'm still at a loss at some of our nonconference losses, especially against Clarke and Edgewood.  Lakeland played lights out vs. us in She-Vegas and Mid-America Nazerene is a pretty good NAIA team.  I was looking up some stats on Point and according to the WIAC website, Point hadn't lost a regular season nonconference game since December of the 1999-2000 season...against Edgewood at Quandt!  So, I guess every team can have a "down year" every seven years or so!    This and Point is still just a half a game out of the WIAC title.  I'm still hoping all these bumps this year will only make Point better next year.

[BDB]

Old School,

Your take on the Stout women's team is right on. (Are we on the right board?)

The big difference I see in the team this year is a less intensive defense. So many of their points in the past came off of turnovers and this year the opponents get down the court no problem and run their offense.

When Superior put up 70 against the Devils in December at Johnson Fiedhouse I began to be concerned.

P.S.- O.S  How come Swampgoon doesn't post 

[Rico 21]

BDB - 

Things must be kinda slow at the store today.  I see you've been the last to post on dang near every board out there.

Of course, you might say the same about me right now.

[fredfalcon]

BDB--of course stoutguy did not buy, "as advertised." When's the last time he bought you one?

[Greek Tragedy]

P.S.- O.S  How come Swampgoon doesn't post 

He only has a computer at his parent's house.  Plus, I like when he doesn't post because all he does is rip on me! 

[BDB]

BDB--of course stoutguy did not buy, "as advertised." When's the last time he bought you one?

Wow, Fred. I would have to have the memory of an elephant to come up with an answer to that question. 

[foul_language]

In regards to the Stout women's team and the women's game in general.  Not to be sexist here either.  The games I've seen Point play (against Stout especially and other as well) is that they just run up and down the court as fast as they can AT TIMES.  After a rebound, even if it's not a full breakaway, they are running at such full speed that sometimes when they go up for the shot, they actually overrun the hoop and hit the bottom of the rim or the backboard!  

I look at women basketball players and consider that most of them were probably the 'best', the 'fastest' on their high school teams. They used their speed to get a steal, a fast break, a layup. They were alone at the basket--except when a defender was there to foul or run past--and the player didn't even think about passing the ball off. Now they play with and against a team-full of 'best' and 'fastest' players and when they get to the end of a steal and fast break, they're surrounded by players. What to do?

Logically, the player should set off a series of passes to get to the basket. Younger players, especially, though haven't controlled that speed yet, so we end up with walks and passes that get to the open player just as she runs out of bounds, or the pass goes behind the player, or the ball goes where the player was but a defender is there now...

Does that make sense? I know the difference between girls' high school games and women's college games is huge--up in this neck of the woods, anyway. It isn't that they shouldn't use the speed, it's that they have to get used to everyone else keeping up with them.

[swampgoon]

Most of the time I have nothing important to say

[BDB]

Most of the time I have nothing important to say

Funny stuff, Swampgoon!

I was starting to think you were Old Schools "imaginary friend."  A mere figment of his imagination. 

[BanditUWSP]

I'd heard this recently but since he's no longer listed on the UWSP roster I guess it's official...reserve Gbenga Awe is no longer a Pointer.  I won't speculate why he is no longer on the team as I have heard nothing.                                                   As for Shawn Lee,  he's only played a few minutes since coming back in January.  He does warm up with the team but just hasn't played much yet.