MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Mr. Downtown · December 18, 2006, 10:11:57 PM

I asked at Media Day to Coach Miller about who is his go to guy...and he listed almost everyone on the team. Which means he avoided my question, but that's whitewater's problem right now. They don't know who will step up and be the hero.

The Streak has been snapped, Oshkosh finally beats LU, 88-75.

UWPSUPERFAN77 · December 18, 2006, 10:16:52 PM

Mr. Downtown: Is LU Lakeland University? Blessings and Merry Christmas!

John Gleich · December 18, 2006, 10:26:58 PM

Lawrence U, UWP

bulk19 · December 18, 2006, 10:54:09 PM

Re: Define powerhouse -

Although they were a while back, how about two D3 National Championships for Whitewater, in 1983-84 and 1988-89...

Some of us old farts remember seeing those teams...

Greek Tragedy · December 18, 2006, 11:58:36 PM

Boxscore

Back from Oshkosh and the Titans pull out a good victory vs. a solid (as usual) Lawrence team.

The first thing I noticed was that Kerry Gibson was just plain out of it. He didn't seem like he wanted the ball and he seemed clueless on defense. There were a number of times when he was "kind of" defending his player and an opposing guard would run behind him for a layup...where's the help defense??? Also in the first half, there was a sequence when Lawrence had two or three offensive rebounds and Gibson was nowhere to be found!

Anyway, at the break, I saw Gibson running back and forth in another area of the gym and then riding the bike when he was subbed out. Finally I realized there was something physically wrong with him. That explains his subpar performance for most of the game. With about 8 minutes left, the light bulb came on and he played VERY well to finish the game.

Oshkosh played pretty well throughout with Capelle and D.J. Marsh being the most impressive on the Titans squad, while Ryan Kroeger ran circles around the Oshkosh defense and Andy Hurley also playing very well.

One of the best plays of the game came midway through the 2nd half when Kroeger ran the baseline, and with Gibson coming in for defensive help and the potential block, Kroeger went all the way around and with a beautiful reverse layup. Very nice stuff.

Both teams came out flat, but when Oshkosh took a double-digit lead, Lawrence fought back like they always do. Great effort by the Vikings. Come crunch time though, with the game still in the balance around the 5 minute mark, Oshkosh clamped down defensively and came up with some big stops that included a great steal by D.J. Marsh and some timely rebounding by Gibson.

Lawrence was still within about 3 or 4 with 5 to play, but Oshkosh was able to close it out with good free throw shooting at the end. Their FTs at the beginning were horrible, missing the first 3.

Key stats:

LU out rebounds Osh 34-25 and LU has 13 offensive boards. Wow. Osh only has 3 turnovers. LU 15-19 FTs, Osh 30-37 FTs.

LU ranked 9th in the NCAA Div. III by D3hoops.com...UWO's Gibson blocks 275th
career shot to set WIAC record...Down 60-59, UWO goes on 29-15 scoring run
over the final 8:02 of game...46th meeting between two schools, with LU owning
a 32-14 lead in series...Game has only 14 turnovers, just three by UWO..UWO scores
points (29) on its last 14 possessions of game...UWO snaps three-game losing streak
to LU...UWO has five players in double-figure scoring.

Oshkosh goes for the MWC sweep on Wednesday vs. Carroll.

Mr. Downtown...not sure where you sit or what you look like, but I kind of scanned the press row area. Last time you said you and titansrus were wearing suits, didn't see anyone this time. Anyway, throw me a message and if I make it to Oshkosh on Wednesday, maybe we'll meet. I was probably the only guy wearing a Pointer sweatshirt and a purple Pointer hat!

frankiet · December 19, 2006, 12:00:42 AM

Old School,

Why did Nate Wesener not play? Was he hurt? Or just on the bench?

Greek Tragedy · December 19, 2006, 12:01:37 AM

Quote from: frankiet on December 19, 2006, 12:00:42 AM
Old School,
Why did Nate Wesener not play? Was he hurt? Or just on the bench?

That'd probably be a question for Mr. Downtown...and also to see what was up with Gibson. Sorry, can't help ya.

Greek Tragedy · December 19, 2006, 12:21:11 AM

Quote from: Mr. Downtown on December 18, 2006, 10:11:57 PM
I asked at Media Day to Coach Miller about who is his go to guy...and he listed almost everyone on the team. Which means he avoided my question, but that's whitewater's problem right now. They don't know who will step up and be the hero.

Apparently that's not a problem for all teams.

Point seems to have a different player step up nearly every game from Krull going off in the first two games of the seaon, Rortvedt having game highs, Beamish's buzzer beater vs. Whitewater, Hicklin's hot hand in consecutive games and even Cory Krautkramer having a big game at River Falls.

chmarx · December 19, 2006, 12:45:06 AM

Its not the worst thing to have that much balance, as long as the players don't panic at crunch time.

OshDude · December 19, 2006, 02:53:03 AM

Frankiet,
Wesener lost his starting gig to Dane Seckar-Anderson a few games back. Wesener does not see the floor due to lack of production, though he got some minutes against Norbert when Dane got in foul trouble.
Gibby has been having some specific physical problems lately, but they're not things that a good massage can't cure.

I'm a newbie here. I'll chime in every once in a while.

Greek Tragedy · December 19, 2006, 06:31:49 AM

OshDude,

Welcome to the board. Thanks for the info and it's always nice to see a new face.

cubs · December 19, 2006, 09:17:42 AM

Here's an article from the Appleton Post Crescent about the LU/UWO game. You'll notice in the atricle that they mention Gibson having a "little ding on the thigh."

Here's the link:
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/APC0201/612190617/1892

BTW-Where is titan2000? I guess Van Dellen was able to go hunting and fishing this season and still beat his beloved Vikings......

ItIsWhatItIs · December 19, 2006, 10:10:05 AM

It's difficult for me to equate 2 championships in the 80's as a powerhouse in the 21st century.

The fact that Miller didnt name one or two guys when asked who his go to guys are is unsettling, this is why they are 5-4. I dont believe he has a grasp of who can do what and when on that team. Perry and Fruend should be the go to guys, with Price being able to provide a spark here and there.

Depth and talent is good only when it is utilized properly...so far they are underachieving. Will they be competitive? Sure. However, they should be dominant. The #4 ranking was high, but I dont think it was far fetched and now to be out of the top 25...has to speak volumes and may be more than just getting caught playing a hot team on the wrong night.

Mr. Downtown · December 19, 2006, 10:43:48 AM

Oshdude sums it up. Wesener hasn't been effective. Which is sad, and I hope he can bounce back. I still think he has some value to this team, but he didn't see a single minute last night.

Oldschool, I notice someone wearing purple, and because its break we are not doing TV right now. I was actually probably sitting on the same side as you.

Next time, if you come early, I'll start off in the press area. Just stop on by, and then we'll go from there.

Here's what I'm looking forward to...the new top 25 poll. I see Oshkosh making a pretty big jump after last night's win.

And Elmhurst, if they are not in the top 25, someone better call the SID's and tell them to pay attention to this team.

badgerwarhawk · December 19, 2006, 12:06:00 PM

Quote from: ItIsWhatItIs on December 19, 2006, 10:10:05 AM

The fact that Miller didnt name one or two guys when asked who his go to guys are is unsettling, this is why they are 5-4. I dont believe he has a grasp of who can do what and when on that team.

No offense intended but this is the stupidist thing you have said so far.