MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fredfalcon]

I'm liking RF's chances to finish in the top 4 better now that I see how much Point and Lax have lost. Thanks, Greek. Unfortunately, GS, lots of our players come from Minnesota so WIAC means nothing. Stensgard transferred from S. Dakota (I think) and Jackson played h.s. ball in Minneapolis. Among the freshmen, we have one from Winona and one from Bemidji. Beyond that, I'm not sure even Wis. kids are thinking about, or know much about, the WIAC. I get that from talking to current and retired coaches.

This year, for the first time, RF has 14-15 players listed on the roster and they are the only ones out. There were no walk-ons. It's the same for WBB. I don't know if that's a policy change or not. I plan to check.

[fredfalcon]

Now that I look again, Keller, our third starter, is also from Minnesota. Now that Boots is gone, my vote for the best guard in the conference goes to Shields, an excellent player.

WW also looks depleted, but they will recover, as they always do.

[John Gleich]

https://d3hoops.com/top25/index

Oshkosh #2, Platteville 4th ORV

Apparently Oshkosh's losses are worth 14 points (or greater) more than Swarthmore's. Because Oshkosh won the game that counted last year... and yet Swarthmore begins the year at the top of the heap.

[Pat Coleman]

Well, we already had a poll which counted last year's players and results. This should be a poll which includes this year's players.

[Greek Tragedy]

Here's where last year's Wisconsin Top 50 players are playing this year.

https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1060657

[Greek Tragedy]

In a huge surprise... Oshkosh picked to win the conference.

https://wiacsports.com/news/2019/10/29/uw-oshkosh-selected-to-win-mens-basketball-title.aspx

[tomt4525]

UWSP scrimmaged UM-Duluth yesterday.  Duluth is loaded this year and I assumed Point wouldn't match up very well.  The first period showed that as I was told they won pretty easily.  2nd half was quite the contrary as Point was leading the entire way but wasn't able to hold on late.  As good as I think Duluth will be this year, I think that's a positive result.

[Greek Tragedy]

Unlike most preseason polls, the WIAC doesn't seem to release 1st place votes or points each team accumulated. That's too bad.

[fredfalcon]

I don't get the "logic" involved in some of the pre-season finish order picks:  UWW has no returning starters or All WIAC returners, yet they are picked above RF? Much the same for Point (1 returning starter), LaCrosse (1 returning starter). Falcons have 3 returning starters, one All WIAC returner. Oh well, pre-season picks are meaningless anyway.

[Greek Tragedy]

I don't get the "logic" involved in some of the pre-season finish order picks:  UWW has no returning starters or All WIAC returners, yet they are picked above RF? Much the same for Point (1 returning starter), LaCrosse (1 returning starter). Falcons have 3 returning starters, one All WIAC returner. Oh well, pre-season picks are meaningless anyway.

I get where you're coming from. But like you said, it really is meaningless. But even with all of La Crosse's losses, River Falls has to make up 6 conference games to equal them. And your Falcons lose a few good players too. They also have to gain four games on Platteville and Stevens Point. That's a lot to ask for in a 14-game schedule.

Also, as I previously stated, I'm disappointed that they don't disclose the votes/point each team received. I imagine Oshkosh was light years ahead of everyone else. Who knows, there may have only been 10 points separating 2-7.

[badgerwarhawk]

One thing I've noticed about the WIAC preseason poll is that it looks remarkably similar to last season's final standings.  It doesn't really matter what the sport is.  Not necessarily identical, though often it is, but practically the same list recreated.  I just don't pay any attention to it anymore.

They are meaningless Fred.  We will likely struggle this year. 

[Pat Coleman]

One thing I've noticed about the WIAC preseason poll is that it looks remarkably similar to last season's final standings.  It doesn't really matter what the sport is.  Not necessarily identical, though often it is, but practically the same list recreated.  I just don't pay any attention to it anymore.

Most conference preseason polls are like that.

[John Gleich]

Well, we already had a poll which counted last year's players and results. This should be a poll which includes this year's players.

That was my point, actually - that those who are left at Oshkosh look ever so slightly "worse" (or not as good?) as those who are left at Swarthmore.

I don't necessarily subscribe to the notion that the champ is the champ until someone else beats them... but, when you have a team (*or teams) who did well last year and return a lot, then it seems natural that those teams should be at the top of the heap, which they are!

[Gregory Sager]

Oh, the champ is still very much the champ until the following spring, much as last year's Miss America is still Miss America until they crown a new one.

But that doesn't mean that the reigning champ remains the best team in D3 once the new season starts.

[cubs]

Unfortunately I don't have any "names" but reports coming out of La Crosse is that their best player this year tore up his knee and is out for the season.  (With everything the Eagles lost to graduation, it's hard for me to even take a guess based on looking at last year's stats.) 

Additionally, it sounds like their second best player has a significant shoulder injury that will cost him time as well.

I'm guessing those names will become a little more "clear" after their scrimmage against the Badgers tomorrow night....