MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[gordonmann]

Yeah. I had UW-Eau Claire on the list of teams from which we requested information to send to voters (and the Blugolds obliged) but no one voted for them.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Yeah. I had UW-Eau Claire on the list of teams from which we requested information to send to voters (and the Blugolds obliged) but no one voted for them.

I considered them ... it was between them and Oshkosh. I took Oshkosh based on consistency over the years. But as my blog points out, it can sometimes be a crap-shoot: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3hoops/2017/11/02/daves-top-25-ballot-preseason-17-18/

[hoops2]

Not sure how good SP will be but we'll get a chance to find out.  They're scheduled to play the number 1, 2, 10, 11, 21 and four teams also getting votes.  That means 12 of their 25 games are against teams in the preseason top 25 and those getting votes.  I'm expecting a pretty good run by the Pointers with plenty of fire power.  Have to see how the big guys react as they'll be young on the front line. 

[Greek Tragedy]

A lot can change between now and Christmas, but at this time, Point will play #2, #21, #1 and #10 consecutively from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3.

[Coaching Hoops]

Just a heads-up... Not sure this is 100% accurate, so maybe instead I'm looking for confirmation... Heard that Josh Wiex did not return to UW-EC this fall, instead opting to enroll in an apprenticeship program. If this is accurate, it'd be a BIG loss for the Bluegolds.

[badgerwarhawk]

Top 25, 2017-18, is out with RF and WW ranked 10-11. Oshkosh "also getting votes" as is UST. EC not even mentioned and they return 3 starters in the first 20 or so WIAC stat categories. Again--WW loaded, altho I see Knoblauch transferred.

He transferred to Illinois Wesleyan. 

[fredfalcon]

Coaching Hoops--Weix not listed on EC roster.

[tomt4525]

http://www.wiacsports.com/news/2017/11/3/uw-river-falls-selected-to-win-mens-basketball-title.aspx

UWRF picked as the conference favorite...followed by Whitewater, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Stevens Point, Platteville, La Crosse and Stout.

[Greek Tragedy]

http://www.wiacsports.com/news/2017/11/3/uw-river-falls-selected-to-win-mens-basketball-title.aspx

UWRF picked as the conference favorite...followed by Whitewater, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Stevens Point, Platteville, La Crosse and Stout.

I'm hoping Point can make a move this season. Despite finishing 5th and being picked 5th this season, they were real close to being pretty good last year even though they were just 14-10. They were tied with Eau Claire at 8-6, but just a game back of Oshkosh and Whitewater. They also had 5 or 6 Close losses.

Although River Falls ran away with the league last year and Whitewater again looks like the best team on paper, I'm hardly going to concede the title. Eau Claire loses Martinek and Schniedermann and now Weix from their top 5, while Oshkosh returns their top 3, but also loses Schebel and Jansen. 

I guess it could  be wishful thinking, but that's why they play the games.

[fredfalcon]

RF over UM Duluth 61-60 on a last seconds tip in and free throw. Austin Heidecker, 6'5" junior reserve, tipped in the tying basket w/ seconds left. Matt Keller, sophomore guard made a free throw to tip the balance w/ half a second left.

Brennan Witt w/21, Alex Herink w/10, Heidecker w/8 led RF scorers. Very poor shooting by both teams. Scoring totals unofficial. Bowen Court dedication well done. 800 attendance smaller than I hoped for, but it took many games into the season a year ago to get that many in Karges. RF played tough D, gave good effort.

[hopefan]

May be my first ever post in WIAC chat... BUT... Eau Claire over Winona last night, 81-76.... Is that as shocking as it seems, or is Winona just way down from normal this season?

[aero75]

EAU has been good for several years now, I see no surprise there for a preseason affair.

[tomt4525]

RF over UM Duluth 61-60 on a last seconds tip in and free throw. Austin Heidecker, 6'5" junior reserve, tipped in the tying basket w/ seconds left. Matt Keller, sophomore guard made a free throw to tip the balance w/ half a second left.

Brennan Witt w/21, Alex Herink w/10, Heidecker w/8 led RF scorers. Very poor shooting by both teams. Scoring totals unofficial. Bowen Court dedication well done. 800 attendance smaller than I hoped for, but it took many games into the season a year ago to get that many in Karges. RF played tough D, gave good effort.

Nothing about the ridiculous ending??  Duluth handed the game to RF.  Duluth was up 3, RF had the ball with 17 seconds left.  RF makes a couple passes around the perimeter and Buckley ends up getting fouled with 12 seconds remaining.  He makes the first, misses the 2nd...Duluth fails to block out and Heidecker gets a tip in to tie the game at 61.  Entwistle for Duluth dribbles down the court and tries to drive to the hoop, near the hoop he loses the ball with a couple seconds on the clock....You would think OT at this point....but no...A player for Duluth obviously thought they were losing at that point and intentionally fouls Keller to send him to the line for the win.

Watching the game, RF was the better team.  Both teams really struggled on offense but played tough defense.  Witt converted on a short jump hook about 6 different times, he's a very tough player.  Herink really struggled in the first half but played much better in the 2nd half.

[tomt4525]

From the rosters I've seen at this point...

Eau Claire
As has been said recently, No Josh Weix listed on their roster.  That's a huge loss.  Freshman include Tyler Fuerlinger Marshfield Columbus, Cam Kuepers Lakeside Lutheran, Ryan David Kaneland IL, Royce Marker Waconia MN, Clay Kujawa Greendale, Ethan Weaver Barron.

La Crosse
It looks like highly recruited freshman last year Andrew Bruggink and Chris Ancius have not returned to the team.  I haven't seen their freshman class yet so I can't comment on their incoming players.

Oshkosh
Nothing big to mention as far as omissions go.  Freshman class includes Sam Ebersold Downers Grove IL, Connor Duax Dubuque IA and Jacob DeStarkey Pulaski.  Connor came from the same school as Platteville's Robert Duax so I'm assuming they are brothers.

Platteville
Chris Moore, a freshman last season, is not returning from the looks of it.  Incoming freshman include Drew Gunnink Laconia, Justin Jarvensivu Tomahawk, Alex Ranney Lake Mills, Quentin Shields Brooks Academy IL, Justin Stovall Chicago Whitney Young IL and Zach Zavada Milwaukee Pius.

River Falls
The transfer of Booker Coplin has been mentioned already, nothing else of note as far as players not returning.  Incoming freshman include Ross Ingersoll Elkhorn, Jalen Greenlee Brown Deer, Logan Rezac Andover MN, Travis Spafford River Falls, Alex Ohde McDonell Central and Austin Werdin Eau Claire North.  Werdin is a medical redshirt for this season.

Stevens Point
Geodeke has hung it up due to injuries.  That is the lone player with eligibility left not returning.  Koko Songolo is an incoming transfer, played high school ball for Madison Memorial.  Incoming freshman include Garrett Nelson Beaver Dam and Brady Wagner of Lake Mills.  I expect big things as an upperclassmen from Nelson.

Stout
Big omission is John Lahti.  For a team that's trying to put together more competitive teams, that's a big loss.  Stout has a huge incoming freshman class, which seems to be the norm for them lately.  They include Brady Booth Stanley Boyd, Cam Brussow Loyal, Jon Ciriacks East Troy, Joe Duty Adams-Friendship, Matt Fransen Milacka MN, McKinley Gehlhausen Watertown MN, Luke Geiger Burlington, Trey Hake Sheboygan Falls, Josh Mericle Neenah, Hayden Reese Evansville, Kevin Stroemple Madisonville LA, Arda Temel Istanbul Turkey, Aphahnae Thomas Mellen.

Whitewater
I was surprised to see Demetrius Woodley is not returning for a senior season in Whitewater.  I think that's a big loss, he did a lot of little things for the Warhawks....one of the better offensive rebounders in the conference.  Incoming transfers seem to be bringing some more talent to the team.  They include David Sachs from Division 2 Barry University, Dalton Menke from Rock Valley College and Tyler Lindquist from Madison College.  Sachs is from Highland Park IL, Menke from Winnebago IL and Lindquist played high school ball for Madison Memorial.  Bobby Brenner is listed as a freshman and must have been a medical redshirt last season.  New freshman include Terrell Grier North Chicago IL and Tre Williams of Westosha Central.

[Greek Tragedy]

May be my first ever post in WIAC chat... BUT... Eau Claire over Winona last night, 81-76.... Is that as shocking as it seems, or is Winona just way down from normal this season?

Not shocking, but as pointed out,  Eau Claire had an unexpected departure in top scorer Josh Weix.  Now they've lost three of their top 5 players.