MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[titan2000]

Point must be tiring of playing those cupcakes like Whitewater.

[John Gleich]

We'll see the kind of cupcakes Point has scheduled when it's released...

Something happened to Point that hadn't happened in over 5 years (maybe six?  It was long before I was here)... we lost a non-conference game.  Now, with a trend like that, who would want to schedule the game?  Point hadn't lost a non-con game since 1999.  45 straight games.  Quite a track record when you're calling opposing coaches up to try and schedule games.

[Greek Tragedy]

Last regular season nonconference loss (prior to last season) was Dec. 29 vs. Edgewood at home.  It was the 2nd time we played them that season.  We beat them by 10 (47-37) in Madison as part of the LMC/WIAC challenge.  We lost to them at home in the Sentry Holiday Tourney 69-64.  We made up for lost time last season, losing to Lakeland, Edgewood, Mid-America Nazerene and Clarke (and I saw three of those road losses  ).  Ouch. 

Since that loss, teams we beat until our loss to Lakeland at the beginning of last season:

1999-2000:  Mt. Senario

2000-2001:  Barat College, Upper Iowa, Viterbo, Marian, Edgewood, Lawrence, Mt. Senario, WLC.

2001-2002:  Trinity Int., Coe, Viterbo, Edgewood, Marian, Carroll, St. Francis, Mt. Senario, St. Francis.

2002-2003:  Upper Iowa, Viterbo, Marian, Edgewood, Coe, Carroll, Viterbo, Carnegie Mellon, La Roche.

2003-2004:  Northland, Kendall, Marian, Calumet College, Carroll, Kalamazoo, Oshkosh (NC), Edgewood, Viterbo.

2004-2005:  Southwestern (TX), U of Chicago, Lakeland, Ripon, Viterbo, WLC, Marian, Edgewood. 

I think I got them all.

[diehardfan]

Hmmm... it's a pretty big deal no matter what... but a large majority of those teams definitely fall in the cupcake category. 

[titan2000]

Last regular season nonconference loss (prior to last season) was Dec. 29 vs. Edgewood at home.  It was the 2nd time we played them that season.  We beat them by 10 (47-37) in Madison as part of the LMC/WIAC challenge.  We lost to them at home in the Sentry Holiday Tourney 69-64.  We made up for lost time last season, losing to Lakeland, Edgewood, Mid-America Nazerene and Clarke (and I saw three of those road losses  ).  Ouch. 

Since that loss, teams we beat until our loss to Lakeland at the beginning of last season:

1999-2000:  Mt. Senario

2000-2001:  Barat College, Upper Iowa, Viterbo, Marian, Edgewood, Lawrence, Mt. Senario, WLC.

2001-2002:  Trinity Int., Coe, Viterbo, Edgewood, Marian, Carroll, St. Francis, Mt. Senario, St. Francis.

2002-2003:  Upper Iowa, Viterbo, Marian, Edgewood, Coe, Carroll, Viterbo, Carnegie Mellon, La Roche.

2003-2004:  Northland, Kendall, Marian, Calumet College, Carroll, Kalamazoo, Oshkosh (NC), Edgewood, Viterbo.

2004-2005:  Southwestern (TX), U of Chicago, Lakeland, Ripon, Viterbo, WLC, Marian, Edgewood. 

I think I got them all.

Most of those schools bring along their own icings and little colored sprinkles.   

[Greek Tragedy]

THE WAIT IS OVER!

2006-2007 Schedule!!!

I'll have to agree that the nonconference schedules in previous years have hardly been earth-shattering, but you play who you can get. 

With that said, this year's schedule looks pretty solid.  Away games to MWC powerhouses and NCAA tourney teams Carroll College and Lawrence.  Ripon and last year's LMC champ Lakeland are next.  Lakeland beat Point last year in She-Vegas.  Edgewood (another LMC team that beat Point), Viterbo, Regis Univ (Colo)-an NCAA D2 school, Northern Michigan and CCIW-NCAA tourney participant Augustana round out the holiday schedule.  Not to shabby.

[titan2000]

Good schedule. 

See you at Alex.

[Greek Tragedy]

Hmmm... it's a pretty big deal no matter what... but a large majority of those teams definitely fall in the cupcake category. 

Most of those schools bring along their own icings and little colored sprinkles.  

I understand that Point hasn't scheduled premium nonconference opponents in the recent past.  There may be reasons for that and it may not all be Point's fault.  Regardless, if I get time, I may go and "compare" some schedules of other teams to see if Point is the only one guilty of this cupcake thing! lol.  I doubt they are alone. 

[John Gleich]

Wow...  This schedule is a lot tougher than it even looks at the outset.  Back to back games against D-2 squads, IN THE SAME WEEK, both on the road.  That's trips to Colorado and the U.P., then having to come right back and play Augustana, who won the CCIW last year.


Regarding Point's quality of schedule in the past... sometimes you have to accept the hand you are dealt.  I know first hand that many schools flat out said they wouldn't play us a few years ago because, seemingly, they knew it would be tough, at best, to win.

Point has never shied away from big games.  We've probably been involved in the most biggest games in the last 6-7 years than anybody. 

[diehardfan]

I doubt they are alone. 

I'd echo that, wholeheartedly. Shoot, sometimes Wheaton's preseason (cough) slate frustrates me too.

I actually understand teams from WIAC (and the CCIW) playing teams so they can post easy wins against decent teams in poor league and rack up the wins and schedule ratings to try to make up for the inevitable conference losses. I also know it's hard sometimes for teams which are historically good to schedule games against teams thanks to a fear of losing.

The only non-conf (and non-playoff) game I've seen Point play was against Chicago, and while they were certainly not a great team that year (Wheaton won by 12 and never lost the lead after four minutes into the game) I'd hardly call Chicago a cupcake. Especially since they were winning most of their game against Point!

the most biggest games

Most biggest, huh?

The Williams-Point game is still my favorite game of basketball that I've ever seen... I also think it was the best in terms of quality of individual players and teamwork on both sides of the court... hands down. But I've seen a bunch of huge games that are right up there, whether it was the triple overtime Wooster-Witt game, the final four games this year, the Calvin tip in win over Wheaton ( ) and some crazy intense conference rivalries going into overtime. There are a couple of teams that could rival Point for being in "big games" in the last 7 years.

[Greek Tragedy]

I actually understand teams from WIAC (and the CCIW) playing teams so they can post easy wins against decent teams in poor league and rack up the wins and schedule ratings to try to make up for the inevitable conference losses. I also know it's hard sometimes for teams which are historically good to schedule games against teams thanks to a fear of losing.

I don't know what it takes to schedule games and I'm not going to guess.  But, I'll have to disagree with the first statement.  I'm not so sure teams from the WIAC or CCIW or any conference for that matter, purposely schedules games because they think it'll be an easy win.  If you look at past seasons, I think Point has a history with at least four nonconference opponents each year.  We've been playing Viterbo for as long as I can remember.  I'm sure there were times where Viterbo played well against us or possibly even beat us.  The former LMC and the WIAC have had a good working relationship in the past which actually included the LMC/WIAC challenge...and also the close vicinity of LMC schools to WIAC schools.  On the same note, distance plays a part in the annual Carroll College/Whitewater games, as well as Whitewater seemingly playing WLC every year.  Is it because they're an easy LMC team to beat?  Hardly, IMO.  On the same note, I have no doubt that it's harder for some WIAC/CCIW etc teams to schedule games simply because other teams have the fear of losing.  Obviously D3 teams don't have the luxury of getting spanked by a "big time" opponent and in exchange for a nice "game check" like they do in D1.

The Williams-Point game is still my favorite game of basketball that I've ever seen... I also think it was the best in terms of quality of individual players and teamwork on both sides of the court... hands down.

The Lawrence/Ill. Wes. game last year was really exciting too.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I actually understand teams from WIAC (and the CCIW) playing teams so they can post easy wins against decent teams in poor league and rack up the wins and schedule ratings to try to make up for the inevitable conference losses. I also know it's hard sometimes for teams which are historically good to schedule games against teams thanks to a fear of losing.

I don't know what it takes to schedule games and I'm not going to guess.  But, I'll have to disagree with the first statement.  I'm not so sure teams from the WIAC or CCIW or any conference for that matter, purposely schedules games because they think it'll be an easy win.  If you look at past seasons, I think Point has a history with at least four nonconference opponents each year.  We've been playing Viterbo for as long as I can remember.  I'm sure there were times where Viterbo played well against us or possibly even beat us.  The former LMC and the WIAC have had a good working relationship in the past which actually included the LMC/WIAC challenge...and also the close vicinity of LMC schools to WIAC schools.  On the same note, distance plays a part in the annual Carroll College/Whitewater games, as well as Whitewater seemingly playing WLC every year.  Is it because they're an easy LMC team to beat?  Hardly, IMO.  On the same note, I have no doubt that it's harder for some WIAC/CCIW etc teams to schedule games simply because other teams have the fear of losing.  Obviously D3 teams don't have the luxury of getting spanked by a "big time" opponent and in exchange for a nice "game check" like they do in D1.

The Williams-Point game is still my favorite game of basketball that I've ever seen... I also think it was the best in terms of quality of individual players and teamwork on both sides of the court... hands down.

The Lawrence/Ill. Wes. game last year was really exciting too.

If the coaches are playing the QOWI/SOSI system for improving pool C chances, that is exactly what they will do - beat a top team from a weak conference, and you've got yourselves a 14/15 point victory.

I'm not suggesting that proximity, traditional rivalries, friendship with the other coach, etc., may not also enter the equation, but the surest way to increase pool C chances is to schedule teams you SHOULD beat, but who are likely to end up .667+ because of their other opponents.

[I was only able to listen to the Lawrence/IWU game (alas), but it WAS a keeper!]

[Greek Tragedy]

If the coaches are playing the QOWI/SOSI system for improving pool C chances, that is exactly what they will do - beat a top team from a weak conference, and you've got yourselves a 14/15 point victory.

I'm not suggesting that proximity, traditional rivalries, friendship with the other coach, etc., may not also enter the equation, but the surest way to increase pool C chances is to schedule teams you SHOULD beat, but who are likely to end up .667+ because of their other opponents.

[I was only able to listen to the Lawrence/IWU game (alas), but it WAS a keeper!]

True enough, but it takes two to tango.  What motivation does team B have to play a team that they should lose to?  They also have to agree to play the game!

[Mr. Ypsi]

If the coaches are playing the QOWI/SOSI system for improving pool C chances, that is exactly what they will do - beat a top team from a weak conference, and you've got yourselves a 14/15 point victory.

I'm not suggesting that proximity, traditional rivalries, friendship with the other coach, etc., may not also enter the equation, but the surest way to increase pool C chances is to schedule teams you SHOULD beat, but who are likely to end up .667+ because of their other opponents.

[I was only able to listen to the Lawrence/IWU game (alas), but it WAS a keeper!]

True enough, but it takes two to tango.  What motivation does team B have to play a team that they should lose to?  They also have to agree to play the game!

Ay, there's the rub!  The prestige of a 'big-name' opponent?  (And the 'win-win', as long as it doesn't happen TOO often!, of 'sure we lost, what did you expect' vs. 'what a win - biggest win in years!')

[Greek Tragedy]

Ay, there's the rub!  The prestige of a 'big-name' opponent?  (And the 'win-win', as long as it doesn't happen TOO often!, of 'sure we lost, what did you expect' vs. 'what a win - biggest win in years!')

Both Lakeland and Edgewood were pretty excited to beat Point, sans Nick Bennett, Jason Kalsow, Jack Bennett and John Gleich.