MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

Another key for UWW is how well the Warhawks can handle the physicality of Augustana, especially in Augie's defensive end. Pushing, leaning, grabbing, pulling, and the occasional forearm shiver to the solar plexus of a cutter in the lane is Augie's stock-in-trade. Augie players have an uncanny knack for understanding how much they can get away with and for attuning their defensive aggressiveness to how the refs are calling the game on any given night. It not only can give Augie an edge in any particular moment within the game, it can also be a significant psychological factor as well. Sometimes teams are intimidated by the way Augie plays -- and sometimes opponents retaliate physically or verbally or start complaining to the refs, a clear indication that Augie has gotten into their heads.

* And Augie is deep - they play 10 guys or so and the bench guys are all solid.  Not a lot of drop off at most spots.  Worth noting that the Vikings recently lost one of their top reserves to injury for the season - 6-8/261 Kevin Schlitter.  But I think they have other bench players ready to fill that void pretty well.

It should also be mentioned that, unlike most teams that go deep into the bench, Augie substitutes for defensive purposes more than for offense. Grey Giovanine expects his teams to expend a lot of energy on defense, whereas most teams try to conserve energy on defense and use more of it on offense. Burning the extra fuel on defense explains why Augie subs more.

[Greek Tragedy]

Thanks Greg!

[fredfalcon]

Falcons beat Eagles 64-59 after leading by 15 w/about 14 minutes left. RF never trailed, but could not put the pesky Eagles away. RF had trouble with the press the last 5 minutes. Cameron led Eagles with 14, Christensen had 12 and 8 rbds. for Falcons.

[Greek Tragedy]

Stevens Point 73 at Stout 56

Another balanced attack helped Point to the easy win over the Blue Devils. The visitors shot 64% in building a 13-point halftime lead. That lead stayed in the mid to high teens throughout the 2nd half and grew to 22 with 4 minutes to play. Behind career nights by Ryf (21 points, 5 3-pointers) and Jordan Lutz (14 pts and 6 rebs), the Pointers had four players in double-figures. Joe Ritchay had 20 and Alex Richard chipped in with 14 for the winners. Stout was again lead by Jarvis Ragland with 17, while Ahsenmacher and Keefe added 10 and 9 respectively. Point ended up shooting 57.7% for the game. Stout hit 46.5% of their shots, but just 35% after the break. Stout also had just 18 rebounds.

La Crosse 59 at River Falls 64

The Falcons built a 12-point halftime lead and hit enough free throws down the stretch to keep the Eagles at arms length and get the big home win. River Falls came out of the gates fast going up 10-2 and 19-5 before settling for a 30-18 lead at intermission.  In the last 3 minutes of the game, River Falls hit one basket and made just 7 of 12 free throws. Christensen lead River Falls again with 12 pts and 8 rebs while Connor Goodwin added 10 and 7. Erickson had 9 points and 7 assists. Zuiker had another double-double with 12 and 10 for La Crosse. Cameron had 14 and Johnny Coenen came off the bench to add 10 points and 5 steals.

Superior 67 at Eau Claire 58

The Yellowjackets got the upset win on the road as they rode Brian Lindlom's 22 points.  There were just 3 lead changes in the 1st half as Superior took their largest lead of 6 into the break. They never relinquished the lead and held off the Blugolds. In addition to Lindlom's night, Ty ketz had 15 pts, 5 rebs and 4 assists.  Brooks also chipped in with double-figures, adding 10. Eau Claire again played without Hjelter as Kalien lead the hosts with 16. Mau struggled to 1-9 shooting and finished with 2 points and 7 rebounds.  Jack Martinek added 9 and 5 as all 10 Blugolds who saw minutes scored. Neither team shot well as the visitors made only 38.9% which was slightly better than the host's 36.8%.

Oshkosh 47 at Platteville 52

Platteville struggled to put away a pesky Titan team. The Pioneers and Titans played it close through most of the first half with the hosts making a little room going into the break up 8. Platteville built their lead to 17 midway through the 2nd half, but Oshkosh cut it to just 3 with 1:38 to play. However,  they wouldn't get any closer. Both teams shot 20-49 with the Pioneers hitting 2 more 3-pointers and 3 more free throws.  Stocki lead the winners with 13 and 6, while Manning chipped in with 8 pts, 6 rebs, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Alex Olson lead Oshkosh with 19 and 6. No one else for the Titans scored more than 6.

[badgerwarhawk]

Augustana: 96
WARHAWKS: 94  2OT

After three ties and multiple lead changes Steve Egan's jumper gave the WARHAWKS a 23-21 lead with six and half minutes to play in the first half.  The WARHAWKS held the lead until two minutes remained and Augustana went back on top, 29-28, off a three pointer.  Egan's jumper with eight seconds remaining tied the game but Augustana sank a three pointer at the buzzer and led 33-30.  Augustana maintained the lead which reached a high of eleven points several times until a jumper from Ron Patton put the WARHAWKS on top 72-71 with three minutes tin regulation.  The WARHAWKS had opportunities to win the game in regulation and held the lead until the final seconds but missed a pair of shots, a free throw and turned the ball over down the stretch and the game went to overtime when Augustana hit a jumper tying the score 75-75.  Augustana scored first but the WARHAWKS took a lead after the first minute and held it until Augustana tied it, 82-82, with a three pointer.  With nineteen seconds remaining KJ Evans sank a pair of free throws making it 84-82 WARHAWKS but once again the Auggies tied it up with a jumper and sent the game into it's second OT.  Augustana drilled a three pointer to start the second OT and led through out. 

KJ Evans: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Quardell Young: 22 points, 6 assists, 1 block & 1 steal
Ron Patten: 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists
Cody Odegaard: 15 points

There were six ties and ten lead changes in the game.  We've got to get better at shooting free throws (15-25 60%).  Held our own on the boards (37-39) against a bigger team.  Patten saw his first extensive action (31 minutes).   

[Hoops_n_Golf]

Sure, the time I really like taking Superior and don't, they do win...  Kind of talked myself out of that one (pretty lonely and low-brow conversation!)

Kind of puzzled by Eau Claire. I have a feeling if Hjelter is out for a while, they're going to struggle. I understand he's had some back issues, hopefully that is not the issue again, I'd like to see the young man back before long.

Superior is a team that will win a few of these games. Largely with unheralded players, they've sustained some of that moxie they had with the big fella and Peterson. I can see them back in the tournament this year, and then it's off to the UMAC, right?

River did it again - kept me firmly on the bandwagon. Great balance in their scoring, and Erickson keeps on racking up the assists. Oh yeah, he also added 9 points!

LaCrosse is kind of a mystery. Zuiker and Cameron are a nice 1-2 punch. With a complimentary player like Finco, I think they've got as much firepower as anyone, definitely more than most. Is that the issue? Or, as it so often the case, is it the nature of the WIAC, that teams like Platteville and River are equally capable of winning?

Stout will get better. However, it is pretty tough sledding right now for them. They are so young, and undisciplined to boot. Don't understand their identity. Eddie says they're uptempo again, but you can't call yourself uptempo and score 51 ppg. They ground to a halt offensively vs. LaX and Point.

I still know very little about Oshkosh. From the season stats, they're great when they shoot the ball beyond the arc. Last night they were 3-14 from long-range, and that was the difference in the ballgame. Against Whitewater, they were 2-10. In a win vs. Edgewood, they were 8-17. Tough to rely on consistent outside shooting - when you're good, you're really good. When you're bad, not so much!

How about Point's balance out of their top 4??? They have (almost) 4 guys in averaging double figures in conf. so far. Perhaps I was a bit too eager to drop them out of the elite this season. 8-13 behind the arc against Stout is impressive. They have (as always) some difficult matchups, and perhaps that will neutralize their lack of size.

Whitewater with a thriller last night down south. Bummed they couldn't get the W, but I'm sure they'll rebound from that L. I figure they'll falter at least once in the WIAC, but haven't determined at whose hands that will come. My leading contenders right now are: River, Platteville, and Point.

Platteville is another well-balanced team. 6 different dudes have led the team in scoring this year. However, that can sometimes spell trouble without an absolute go-to guy. Nobody runs their stuff better than the Pioneers. Stocki is as complete of a player as you'll find - a prototypical Platteville guy.

So, as long as I'm wasting time, I'll throw out my bold predictions for the conference, based upon these early results. I reserve the right to amend them at any given moment!!!

1. Whitewater - no brainer
2. River - not a shocker
3. Point - on their laurels, perhaps
4. Platteville - seem to be consistent in that 3-4-5 range
5. LaCrosse - could be 4-5-6-7, just don't know yet
6. Superior - they'll be in, I'm pretty sure
7. Oshkosh - see LaCrosse
8. Stout - will win a game or two they shouldn't
9. Eau Claire - hate to do this, but don't see at this point who they're ahead of

[Hoops_n_Golf]

Sorry for the typos. Point was 8-13 in the first half...

Don't know how to edit. YET!

[Greek Tragedy]

Sorry for the typos. Point was 8-13 in the first half...

Don't know how to edit. YET!

At the top right of your post, it will say: quote, modify, delete.

Nice work on your thoughts. I agree with Superior. I think I talked myself out of picking them. Nice win by River Falls. My thoughts later...

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry for the typos. Point was 8-13 in the first half...

Don't know how to edit. YET!

At the top right of your post, it will say: quote, modify, delete.

Nice work on your thoughts. I agree with Superior. I think I talked myself out of picking them. Nice win by River Falls. My thoughts later...

I'm not sure all those buttons appear until some number of posts.  Particularly 'modify' had gotten abused by newbies, so Pat set a minimum (20?).

[Gregory Sager]

Another key for UWW is how well the Warhawks can handle the physicality of Augustana, especially in Augie's defensive end. Pushing, leaning, grabbing, pulling, and the occasional forearm shiver to the solar plexus of a cutter in the lane is Augie's stock-in-trade. Augie players have an uncanny knack for understanding how much they can get away with and for attuning their defensive aggressiveness to how the refs are calling the game on any given night.

Last night was a good example of this. Augie's starting small forward Tayvian Johnson was a little pushy and grabby early on, picked up two quick fouls, and then he didn't get called for a foul for the rest of the night. Augie players just have a good feel for how to adjust their physicality depending upon how a game's being called.

[RedHotFalcon]

Congrats to Coach Berkhof on the 100th win. Looks like UWRF is back in the swing of things. Got a chance to see them play LAX and though tough looking kids, playing hard and believing. Not a SR in the group should help out for the future. A lot of minutes with Soph and Freshman. Should be a good transition from Kargas to their new facility. I saw some pictures. Wow!  Freddy Where are they with the project?

[Greek Tragedy]

Another key for UWW is how well the Warhawks can handle the physicality of Augustana, especially in Augie's defensive end. Pushing, leaning, grabbing, pulling, and the occasional forearm shiver to the solar plexus of a cutter in the lane is Augie's stock-in-trade. Augie players have an uncanny knack for understanding how much they can get away with and for attuning their defensive aggressiveness to how the refs are calling the game on any given night.

Last night was a good example of this. Augie's starting small forward Tayvian Johnson was a little pushy and grabby early on, picked up two quick fouls, and then he didn't get called for a foul for the rest of the night. Augie players just have a good feel for how to adjust their physicality depending upon how a game's being called.

How did Whitewater adjust to Augie's physical style? The fouls were 23 for Whitewater and 22 for Augie. Whitewater is usually one of the more phyiscal WIAC teams, IMO.

[Gregory Sager]

Another key for UWW is how well the Warhawks can handle the physicality of Augustana, especially in Augie's defensive end. Pushing, leaning, grabbing, pulling, and the occasional forearm shiver to the solar plexus of a cutter in the lane is Augie's stock-in-trade. Augie players have an uncanny knack for understanding how much they can get away with and for attuning their defensive aggressiveness to how the refs are calling the game on any given night.

Last night was a good example of this. Augie's starting small forward Tayvian Johnson was a little pushy and grabby early on, picked up two quick fouls, and then he didn't get called for a foul for the rest of the night. Augie players just have a good feel for how to adjust their physicality depending upon how a game's being called.

How did Whitewater adjust to Augie's physical style? The fouls were 23 for Whitewater and 22 for Augie. Whitewater is usually one of the more phyiscal WIAC teams, IMO.

UWW did fine. I think that the Warhawks backed off a little more at the defensive end underneath the basket, but Augie's big men were more hesitant to go up strong than they usually are.

[Greek Tragedy]

Whitewater 6-2, 2-0
12/19: vs Monmouth
12/20: vs Kalamazoo
12/31: Beloit

Stevens Point 6-2, 3-0
12/13: at Lawrence
12/20: at St. Thomas
12/29: at Ponoma-Pitzer
12/31: at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

River Falls 5-4, 3-0
12/13: at Viterbo
12/19: vs Kalamazoo at Whitewater
12/20: vs Monmouth at Whitewater

Platteville 6-3, 2-1
12/13: at Loras
12/28: at Methodist
12/30: at William Peace

La Crosse 4-4, 1-2
12/20: vs Bethel
12/29: at Wooster
12/30: vs TBA at Wooster
1/1: at Millikin

Superior 5-5, 1-2
12/29: vs Coe in Wisconsin Dells
12/30: vs Luther in Wisconsin Dells

Oshkosh 4-3, 0-2
12/15: at North Park
12/19: vs Alma
12/20: vs Calvin
12/31: vs Carthage

Stout 2-6, 0-2
12/20: at Northwestern (MN)
12/29: vs John Carroll at St. Norbert
12/30: vs TBA at St. Norbert

Eau Claire 3-6, 0-3
12/13: vs St. Norbert
12/29: vs Hobart in Tampa
12/30: vs TBA in Tampa

Big holiday schedule for most teams. This is the chance to improve our paltry 29-23 nonconference record.

[Greek Tragedy]

I guess I'll have to match Hoops_n_golf's predictions with my own.

1. Whitewater - their's to lose. KJ and Young combo and Patten and Moananu coming off the bench.
2. Platteville - veteran presence of Stocki, Vaassen, Manning and Johnson keeps things together.
3. Stevens Point - it's not just Ritchay. Balanced scoring with Ryf, Richard and Pelkofer too.
4. River Falls - can Christensen and Erickson carry them?
5. La Crosse - can Zuiker and Cameron carry them?
6. Superior - will be inconsistent, but has the firepower in Lindblom, Ketz and Brooks.
7. Oshkosh- may pull a few surprises, young team that has Alex Olson, Mueller and Bolger.
8. Eau Claire - what's up with Hjelter? Could be a solid trio with him, Mau and Kalien.
9. Stout - Ragland or bust.