MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

Any Pointer fans actually go to the game want to give a report? I didn't even listen to it... just followed live stats and picked up on the things that I mentioned.

As an aside... I got REALLY confused at about quarter after 7 when I opened up what I thought was the live stats link and saw Point had already won the game by 8... and that Tyler Tillema had played.

Turns out this was just a copy of the first game of the year against Lawrence (though the mascot was the Northwestern Eagle). I was very confused for a few minutes there until I found the right link!

[Greek Tragedy]

Game sites for next Saturday's "Sweet 16" men's playoff games will be announced later today.  While North Central has a better season record and higher NCAA Regional Ranking it appears that UWW will be hosting next Saturday due to the fact that NCC is hosting the D3  National Indoor Track and Field Championships next weekend which will require NCC's basketball arena to be used as a staging location for events being run in the adjacent track and field arena.

NCC did put a bid in to host and that game could be held at Benedictine University! Approximately 2-3 miles from NCC.

And that's what will happen.  NCC vs. Whitewater at Benedictine University at 7:00 PM.  http://www.northcentralcardinals.com/news/2013/3/3/MBB_0303135721.asp

Pretty disappointed that NCC gets to "host" Whitewater and its not even on their own campus. I understand the close proximity and NCC has a slight edge in regional criteria, but I think it should be a requirement that it should he held on your own campus.

[Just Bill]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS FANS

-The Athletic Department Office will have North Central game tickets (starting Tuesday at 1pm). Fans interested in tickets need to call the Athletic Department at 262-472-4661. Fans must pay for and pick up their tickets before Friday at 4:30PM.
-Free STUDENT tickets will be provided.
-Adult tickets will cost $6.
-A fan bus, sponsored by DLK Enterprises, will load Perkins Stadium at 3:00PM (depart at 3:30PM) on Saturday. Interested fans need to call the Athletic Department Office at 262-472-4661 to reserve a spot.
-There will be a pre-game social at Benedictine. More information to come.

[frodotwo]

Any Pointer fans actually go to the game want to give a report? I didn't even listen to it... just followed live stats and picked up on the things that I mentioned.

As an aside... I got REALLY confused at about quarter after 7 when I opened up what I thought was the live stats link and saw Point had already won the game by 8... and that Tyler Tillema had played.

Turns out this was just a copy of the first game of the year against Lawrence (though the mascot was the Northwestern Eagle). I was very confused for a few minutes there until I found the right link!

Playing before a large and raucaus crowd was a big boost for UWSP as they fell behind 16-6 in the early minutes of the game. Point led 4-2 then NWC drained four straight treys sandwiched around a Ritchay layup to go up 14-6 and a layup by the Eagles produced the ten point lead. The crowd got into the game and the entry of Devon Jackson, Sean McGann and Alex Richard turned the momentum around. The defense tightened up and open looks from behind the arc for the Eagles disappeared. A turnover led to a Trevor Hass breakaway and began a 14-3 run for Point, putting them up 20-19. The lead changed hands a couple of times in the next few minutes, with NWC  seeing their last lead of the game at 23-22 with 3-1/2 minutes left. Point was up one before a strong rebounding effort in the last few seconds resulted in a Jackson putback with a tenth of a second left to give Point a 30-27 halftime lead.

The second half started with Giordana making three free throws after being fouled in the act behind the arc. From there, defense took over and NWC committed six turnovers in the first 7 minutes of the half and Point led by 11 at 43-32. The Eagles then made their last run at the Pointers, scoring seven straight to pull within 4. Two foul shots by McGann and a Jackson jumper put Point back up by 8, but  another Eagle 3 pointer tightened the score again. Enter the game hero, Jordan Giordana, who then buried three straight treys to put Point up by 14 and put the game out of reach for the Eagles.

The stars of the game for Point were pretty obvious, Giordana got hot and made shots, Jackson added instant offense, defense and rebounding. McGann was steady and helped greatly on defense. Richard made several short jumpers, rebounded and played very good interior defense. Heuer was nearly invisible for his short time on the court and was outplayed by much shorter players. Ritchay never seemed to get in the rythym of the game on either end of the court.

Defense was the key to the game as Point forced 18 turnovers (11 in the second half) leading to 24 points. The Eagles missed several layups that would have tightened the game, but didn't miss many three point attempts. Point just shut down the opportunities after the early going, limiting them to 3-11 in the last 36 minutes of the game.

The crowd was loud and into the game and there was finally a pulse from the student section, which was great to see (and hear). Speaking of hear, I don't know why the pep band is parked next to the Point bench instead of the visitor bench. Seems to me the distraction of the band blaring out hits would be better aimed at the opposing team rather than ours. Is there a rule guiding where the band has to go??

[badgerwarhawk]

I don't know if there are any NCAA rules about it.   But wouldn't it be kind of classless to deliberately seat the school's band behind the opponent's bench?  It just doesn't seem appropriate and/or in the spirit of sportsmanship to use a band for that purpose.  At least it doesn't to me.

We were entertained by the Carthage pep band this weekend.  They were fantastic and their director was insane.  He jumps around, dances with the mascots and generally speaking gets into the music.   They were a great addition to the venue and were seated across the court from either bench.  One night they were opposite their own bench and the next night opposite ours.

[02 Warhawk]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

[robertgoulet]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

But not close enough to walk to from the downtown Naperville bars, like NCC's gym

[Pat Coleman]

Nor is it the gym they play in and practice in every day.

[Just Bill]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

Still better for UWW then playing on NCC's campus. I can't figure out why UWW fans don't like it. They caught a break.

[badgerwarhawk]

I don't have any problem with it.  We were fairly certain we wouldn't host if NCC won and a neutral site, abeit in NCC's backyard, was the best we could hope for. 

[02 Warhawk]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

Still better for UWW then playing on NCC's campus. I can't figure out why UWW fans don't like it. They caught a break.

Yea, it is a bit of a break. I actually fully expected NCC to host this game after both teams won.

But to call it a "neutral" site...I'm not buying it.

[voice]

When I first heard yesterday that UWW would be playing North Central at Benedictine in nearby Lisle, IL it brought back some great memories. My first UWW basketball broadcast was from Benedictine when the Warhawks opened the 1988/89 season with a season opening victory over Benedictine that Saturday afternoon. It was the first of hundreds of UWW men's basketball broadcasts including the one-time "Voice of the Warhawks" for the next 24 years.

BTW... that season opening win at Benedictine was the first stop on a journey that culminated with the 1989 D3 championship.

Great memories!!!

[robertgoulet]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

Still better for UWW then playing on NCC's campus. I can't figure out why UWW fans don't like it. They caught a break.

Yea, it is a bit of a break. I actually fully expected NCC to host this game after both teams won.

But to call it a "neutral" site...I'm not buying it.

NCC played @ Benedictine earlier this season and had a rough go of it, squeaking out a 61-55 win. They only shot 40% from the field.

[02 Warhawk]

It's only a requirement that you submit a bid, so good forward thinking by NCC to submit a bid for an alternative site for this weekend. Schools in New Jersey played home games at other schools too last weekend, due to the NCAA's sports gambling ban.

Really, UWW should consider it a bonus. You get to play a neutral site game instead of a road game.

It's a bit of a stretch calling it a neutral site. The game is down the streeet from NCC's campus.

Still better for UWW then playing on NCC's campus. I can't figure out why UWW fans don't like it. They caught a break.

Yea, it is a bit of a break. I actually fully expected NCC to host this game after both teams won.

But to call it a "neutral" site...I'm not buying it.

NCC played @ Benedictine earlier this season and had a rough go of it, squeaking out a 61-55 win. They only shot 40% from the field.

AND NCC has experience playing on this so-called "neutral" court???!!!