MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

Hope you're feeling better, Tom. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Ouch! Hope you're ok.

[tomt4525]

Listened to the Pointer Hoops Radio Show tonight, Lutz is sore but will be back playing soon.  They didn't mention if it would be as soon as Wednesday or not but good news regardless.

[Greek Tragedy]

Whitewater (12-0): @ SP, vs RF, vs OSH, @ ST
Stevens Point (12-1): vs WW, vs ST, @ SUP

Platteville (8-5): @ EC, vs LC, @ RF
River Falls (7-5): @ ST, @ WW, vs EC, vs PL
Oshkosh (6-6): @ LC, vs SUP, @ WW, vs EC

La Crosse (5-8): vs OSH,  @ EC, @ PL
Eau Claire (4-8): vs PL, vs LC, @ RF, @ OSH

Superior (2-11): @ OSH, vs ST, vs SP
Stout (0-12): vs RF, @ SP, @ SUP, vs WW

[Greek Tragedy]

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/11/first-regional-rankings-released-today/

1st regional rankings are out.

Whitewater
Augustana
Stevens Point
Washington U
Illinois Wesleyan
St. Norbert
Elmhurst
North Central

[AppletonRocks]

SNC is better than Point. JMHO.

[John Gleich]

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2015/02/11/first-regional-rankings-released-today/

1st regional rankings are out.

Whitewater
Augustana
Stevens Point
Washington U
Illinois Wesleyan
St. Norbert
Elmhurst
North Central

With all other things being equal (as they currently are) between UWSP and Augustana EXCEPT for record vs common opponents (Augustana is 1-0 against UWW, Point 0-1, though the rematch is tonight; Augie is 1-1 against North Central, Point is 0-1), it will be interesting to see how a positive result for Point this evening mixes things up (assuming SP knocks off WW at home tonight... which is how Massey sees it (SP -3) and how the majority of WIAC Pick-em/National Pick-em prognosticators have selected).

Does Point 1-1 against WW and 0-1 against North Central compare favorably against Augie's 1-1 against NC and 1-0 against WW?  Also not sure how the SOS will shake out... Point hosts WW and Stout and travels to Superior while Augie is at Illinois Wesleyan (IWU -5), vs. Millikin, @ Wheaton. IWU (.572) Millikin (.568 SOS) and Wheaton (.583 SOS) will factor favorably for Augie compared to UWW (.551) Stout (.524) and Superior (.513) for Point in the OOWP portion of the SOS (Opponents' Opponents Winning Percentage - i.e. who the opponents have played) as well as the OWP (Opponents Winning Percentage - because the Win % of Augie's opponents is higher than the Win % of Point's).

So, this result tonight may, in fact, be the tipping point... if Augie wins, then they will appear have the upper hand in head to head AND the SOS metrics instead of just H2H, regardless of Point's result against WW. But if Augie loses, then... it could get more interesting.

And this is a moot point regardless if one of them wins their respective conference tournament.... those teams would be "removed" from the regional rankings come Pool C selection time.

[tomt4525]

SNC is better than Point. JMHO.

Great analysis.

[Greek Tragedy]

SNC is better than Point. JMHO.

Great analysis.

I probably wouldn't disagree with that (though I'm not sure I would actually agree with it either). Point's 2nd round games against Eau Claire and Oshkosh were struggles. St. Norbert's results were better. But Oshkosh is probably playing better than they were at the beginning of the year. Obviously St. Norbert isn't challenged with their conference schedule as Point is with theirs.

[frodotwo]

No kj Evans tonight

[tomt4525]

No kj Evans tonight

From what was said during the broadcast, he is at his sisters' wedding.  Good to hear that he isn't injured.

[ShineTime]

Big win by point even more impressive game by whitewater given Evans didn't play.  Point is one of toughest places to win no matter how good you are I expected point to win by 15 or more once I saw Evans was out.

[bleedpurple]

Big win by point even more impressive game by whitewater given Evans didn't play.  Point is one of toughest places to win no matter how good you are I expected point to win by 15 or more once I saw Evans was out.

I agree with this.  It was a really even game that came right down to the end. The Pointers were playing from about a 3-4 point lead most of the last couple of minutes, but  UW-W had a couple of shots at the end that could have tied it. I haven't seen many games this year. I think both teams are actually better than I thought they were.

[Hoops_n_Golf]

Sounds like a good one. I was wrapped up in the Stout vs. River game and I have one observation: the smart money is on Coach Andrist leaving at the end of the season (or before.) If he or the administration haven't thought about it yet, they should start. That is the least amount of energy I have seen on the sidelines in the WIAC in, well, ever. He looks as though he's given up on those kids and the program. There's nothing going on positive in that program right now. It might just be time to step aside and let Robinson try to resurrect the program or bring in a new guy. It is really puzzling.

The Devils are likely to be winless this year. With decent young talent, they need a breath of fresh air at the top, imho. Look at Oshkosh, for example... Juckem has brought that program back from an 0-16 season a few years back to a team vying for a home playoff game. That's what the Blue Devils need.

And something needs to spring at Eau Claire, or they'll be in a similar boat. This could be the fourth (or fifth?) straight year missing the tournament.

Before I get lambasted here, I recognize Point and WW are the darlings of the league, but the terminal inconsistency of EC and the rapid demise of Stout are troubling.

[badgerwarhawk]

Sounds like a good one. I was wrapped up in the Stout vs. River game and I have one observation: the smart money is on Coach Andrist leaving at the end of the season (or before.) If he or the administration haven't thought about it yet, they should start. That is the least amount of energy I have seen on the sidelines in the WIAC in, well, ever. He looks as though he's given up on those kids and the program. There's nothing going on positive in that program right now. It might just be time to step aside and let Robinson try to resurrect the program or bring in a new guy. It is really puzzling.

The Devils are likely to be winless this year. With decent young talent, they need a breath of fresh air at the top, imho. Look at Oshkosh, for example... Juckem has brought that program back from an 0-16 season a few years back to a team vying for a home playoff game. That's what the Blue Devils need.

And something needs to spring at Eau Claire, or they'll be in a similar boat. This could be the fourth (or fifth?) straight year missing the tournament.

Before I get lambasted here, I recognize Point and WW are the darlings of the league, but the terminal inconsistency of EC and the rapid demise of Stout are troubling.

Just out of curiousity I'm wondering why you think you would get "lambasted" for either of those troubling patterns if you hadn't recognized Point and WW are the "darlings of the league."  I can't speak for Point fans but speaking for myself I wouldn't have any problem with it had you left it out.

Personally I don't think there is any way Andrist leaves before the end of the season unless the university dismisses him given that there are only three games remaining.  He may leave once it finishes.