MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS (11-2): 63
Eau Claire (11-1): 68

The WARHAWKS got on the board first and for the first three minutes maintained a single possession lead until the BluGolds took a lead that they would build to a high of nine points after about eleven and half minutes of play.  Battling back with baskets by Drew Bryson, Scotty Tyler and Derek Rongstad the WARHAWKS forged a 20-20 tie after fifteen minutes.  At that point  Rongstad hit a trey giving the WARHAWKS their second single possession lead though it was brief and the BluGolds made a 10-5 run to close out the half and led 30-28 when it ended.  The BluGolds outshot the WARHAWKS 56.5% to 44% with both teams connecting on three treys in the half.  The dynamic that would decide the game had yet to appear as the WARHAWKS scored on 3 of 4 free throws while the BluGolds went 1-2.  Rongstad led all scorers with 12 points and Tyler followed with 7.  No BluGold hit double figures Weix had 9 while Martinek and Diekelman each scored 8.  A 6-2 advantage in offensive rebounding led to the WARHAWKS holding an 11-0 advantage on second chance points.  After the BluGolds opened the second half with a 7-2 run the WARHAWKS answered with a 9-0 run of their own and took a brief lead 39-37 at about five and half minutes.  Unfortunately it was the last lead we would hold as the BluGolds answered on their next possession and maintained a single digit lead until layups by Andre Brown tied the game twice 44-44 and 46-46 about half way through the half.  The WARHAWKS kept the deficit within single digits for the remainder of the game pulling to within a couple points on occasion but the BluGolds went 6-6 from the free throw line in the last minute and half to preserve the win.  In the game the WARHAWK scored four more baskets with each team hitting on six three point baskets but the BluGolds attempted two and half times more free throws 30-12 and outscored the WARHAWKS by two and half times 22-9 to make the difference. 

Brown: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Rongstad: 17 points, 7 rebounds
Tyler: 14 points
Demetrius Woodley: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists 

Greek, Jones was undercut on a layup against Lawrence and is injured. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Thanks, BW.

So, do you think that may be part of the reason your boys have struggled to kick off the conference season? He seems to be a big part of the team when he's healthy.  Any word on his return?

[badgerwarhawk]

Obviously missing Jones is a significant factor though not the only one.  Possibly just as significant is the defenses were seeing at this point and how we're adjusting or the lack thereof. 

I have no idea when he'll be able to play again. 

Equally obvious in the Eau Claire game were the free throws.  The game was decided on the line.  The foul count was 30-18, 21-9 (I think) in the second half when the game was decided.  I didn't see nor listen to the game so in saying that I'm intending no inference on the officiating.  It was whatever it was.  Eau Claire just got to the line a lot more than we did.  I've officiated games like that so it happens. 

[fredfalcon]

Tomt-- where did you learn Werdin has committed to River Falls?

[tomt4525]

Tomt-- where did you learn Werdin has committed to River Falls?

From his twitter feed, Bob Bradovich retweeted it and I follow him considering he's a Sports Director in the area.  For what it's worth, a local coach told me he really likes Werdin's game. 

[fredfalcon]

Thanks, tomt4525. I'll check Werdin out on Twitter.

[Just Bill]

Presented without additional comment....

Ex-coach: UWSP sanctions 'a punch to gut'

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/sports/college/2017/01/10/ex-coach-uwsp-sanctions-punch-gut/96281782/

[Greek Tragedy]

I enjoyed Dave's interview on Hoopsville with Stevens Point's AD. Give it a listen if you get a chance.

[Greek Tragedy]

Wow. Who would have thought Stout would be at the top of the WIAC standings and Whitewater would be at the bottom?

Stout 11-2 (2-0) at Stevens Point 7-5 (1-1)
So how long are we going to ask, "Is Stout for real?" They topped Platteville before surprising Oshkosh on the road. Point responded well after Semling's suspension with an emphatic win at La Crosse. Based on results, Point losing to Oshkosh at home and Stout winning at Oshkosh, the visitors should be favored. But, Point's crowd will really be behind the dawgs and that "us against the world" mentality may push them to the win.

Oshkosh 8-5 (1-1) at Platteville 7-6 (0-2)
After a shock loss to Stout at home, the Titans will look to bounce back in Platteville. They'll have confidence as they've already won in Point. Platteville finally gets some home cooking after two conference road losses. Oshkosh should have enough to get the road victory but the Pioneers will want to impress the home crowd.

Eau Claire 11-2 (1-1) at La Crosse 9-4 (1-1)
The Blugolds lost a tough 1-pt game at River Falls before topping the 2017 National Champs at home last weekend. The Eagles had 2 shocking results to kick off the conference season. First, they turned heads when they beat the Champions-elect at Karges and then had people scratching those same heads when they were dominated at home against Point. The visitors have enough talent to get the road win, but it'll be interesting what Eagles team shows up at Mitchell Hall tonight.

River Falls 12-1 (2-0) at Whitewater 11-2 (0-2)
River Falls packs their bags for the first time this conference season. They edged Eau Claire before blowing out Platteville in enjoying the friendly confines. The Warhawks are shockingly looking for their 1st conference win. After taking one on the chin at home to La Crosse, they lost a close one at Zorn. River Falls is a very good team, so the next Champs better have their "A" game to break into the win column.

[Greek Tragedy]

The new poll came out yesterday.

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2016-17/week6

River Falls jumped 10 spots to #7 after wins over previous #7 Eau Claire and previous #11 Whitewater.

Eau Claire drops 3 spots (a little harsh) to #10 after a 1-pt loss at River Falls and a home win vs The Guys in Purple.

The 2017 Champs dropped 10 spots after losing at home to La Crosse and on the road to Eau Claire.

Stout comes in with 2 points!

[Just Bill]

Stevens Point Journal interviewed some guy named Pat Coleman about the UWSP situation...

http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/sports/college/2017/01/11/expert-ncaas-finding-uwsp-sends-message/96281820/

[Gregory Sager]

Good article. I applaud the Stevens Point Journal for interviewing a source who can provide background and clarity to the story from an overall D3 standpoint.

[sac]

Pat should be required to put "Emeritus Editor" in his profile somewhere though.

[Gregory Sager]

... or at least "Guru Emeritus".

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Stevens Point Journal interviewed some guy named Pat Coleman about the UWSP situation...

http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/sports/college/2017/01/11/expert-ncaas-finding-uwsp-sends-message/96281820/

Good article. I applaud the Stevens Point Journal for interviewing a source who can provide background and clarity to the story from an overall D3 standpoint.

One thing I will clarify in that article - the investigation is over. The NCAA has finished the investigation and that is how UWSP understood where they stand in the eyes of the NCAA. The investigation's findings have been revealed to UWSP thus their reaction with self-imposed punishments (a second time around). Brad Duckworth made that clear in our conversation as well. We are currently the back-and-forth of timelines. UWSP has time to respond, clarify, and even dispute. Once they are done (and I believe they have 75 days in which to do so; clock as already started - we are about three or so weeks in), the Infractions Committee has 30 days, from what I've been told, to hear from the investigator, read the case, heard UWSP's response, and impose their ruling. Thus the delay to April or May, though I have a feeling we will hear in late March or early April.

Again, the investigation is over.

Also, I hope people realize that Jack Bennett's comments that this is once again "akin to jay walking" could not be further from the truth. I think Brad Duckworth has made that clear. No rule in the NCAA is minor, but practices out of season and recruiting "tryouts" or practices (compounded by coaches overseeing practices that recruits are in) are a major tent pole in Division III. Those are some of the biggest items that differentiate the division from the rest of the NCAA (though, I understand there could be an argument for the recruiting side of things; however, two proposals to change those rules were overwhelmingly defeated in the last two conventions). Then add in the "failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance" tagged to Bob Semling and a second version clearly pointing to the athletics department on the whole and we are no longer remotely close to "jay walking."

And I hate to say it, but maybe the fact that Bennett considering it jay walking is why UWSP has not been busted twice for essentially the same thing (even if the second time around is even worse). The "atmosphere" to be compliant may very well be anything but for quite some time.