MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm surprised Point got so many votes.  I don't see Point cracking the top four in the WIACs preseason poll either. 

Without thinking about it:

Oshkosh
Stout
Platteville
Whitewater
La Crosse
Point
Eau Claire
Superior
River Falls

Apparently, I'm not as cool as Badger.  I got Oshkosh and Eau Claire right! And since Oshkosh was a gimme, 1 out of 8 isn't good.  12.5%  I hope my pick em league goes  a little better. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Apparently, I'm not as cool as Badger. 

That's ok, OS, not many are. 

[Mr. Downtown]

After sitting through press conferences all day yesterday, I forgot to mention that Coach Bowen for River Falls once again proved that he would have the most laughter during his press conference. 

Also, the biggest topic of discussion was the expanison of the tournament. Every coach brought it up, and every coach really believes that the WIAC for SURE this year has to have 2 teams in the tourney.

With that being said, the WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner (who is a great guy, and another class act) will be approaching the NCAA committee in Jan. to submitt a proposal that D-III should add in conference strength as another factor of a team getting into the tourney. I know the Ohio Valley and the CCIW are also joining in as well.

So, a conference RPI. Finally, we will have something other then people's opinions to figuring out the strongest conference's.

IF it passes in Jan.

[Greek Tragedy]

Also, the biggest topic of discussion was the expanison of the tournament. Every coach brought it up, and every coach really believes that the WIAC for SURE this year has to have 2 teams in the tourney.

With that being said, the WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner (who is a great guy, and another class act) will be approaching the NCAA committee in Jan. to submitt a proposal that D-III should add in conference strength as another factor of a team getting into the tourney. I know the Ohio Valley and the CCIW are also joining in as well.

So, a conference RPI. Finally, we will have something other then people's opinions to figuring out the strongest conference's.

IF it passes in Jan.

Would that effect this season's NCAA tourney?

Also, last year, I posted the "next best" 10 teams in regards to last year's requirements (SOSI etc) and no WIAC team was in that category.

[BDB]

Coach Eddie Andrist of the Blue Devils has a new website.

You can check it out at www.eddieandrist.com.   8)

[oldpa]

http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/index.php?ntid=60405

[Gregory Sager]

With that being said, the WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner (who is a great guy, and another class act) will be approaching the NCAA committee in Jan. to submitt a proposal that D-III should add in conference strength as another factor of a team getting into the tourney. I know the Ohio Valley and the CCIW are also joining in as well.

There's no "Ohio Valley" in D3. I take it that you're referring to the Ohio Athletic Conference (John Carroll, Baldwin-Wallace, Otterbein, etc.), which is generally acknowledged as one of the top five conferences in D3 in terms of top-to-bottom strength.

[titansrus]

I was also at Media Day and I, along with Mr. Downtown, think that La Crosse is a team to watch out for. I have a question for anyone from Stout: You guys have a freshman that's 7'0", 170 lbs. How is he gonna survive in this league being that skinny? But I do like Stout, and think they might be prove the biggest challenge to the Titans. My power rankings look somewhat like this:

1. Oshkosh
2. Stout
3. Whitewater
4. La Crosse
5. Platteville
6. Stevens Point
7. Eau Claire
8. Superior
9. River Falls

If Melvin Williams for Whitewater (honorable mention WIAC last year) sits out for the year w/his broken hand, which he is contemplating, I think La Crosse moves up into the 3 slot and Whitewater may fall all the way to 5. They have no low-post presence which could prove to be troublesome for them come conference time. I also liked Bill Chambliss' (Superior's new coach) attitude at the conference. He was optimistic, yet he knew they were gonna be rebuilding, but I have a hunch this team stays out of the cellar. And Mr. Downtown is right on the money w/coach Bowen from River Falls; he's a laugh a minute. When asked what he hopes to get out of their tournament in Hawaii he answered, "A tan." Great line. I can't wait for basketball season and hopefully watching the Titans go all the way.

[BanditUWSP]

I truly can understand why many of the posters here, including my friend Old School, don't give the Pointers much of a chance to finish near the top of the WIAC this season.  A lot of roster changes, unlike Oshkosh and some of the others, means a lot of question marks.  But I do think that this Bob Semling coached team will surprise a few.  A freshman laden UWSP womens team last year started slowly  but won the WIAC, to the surprise of many.  I do expect Oshkosh to win the WIAC but I expect the Pointers to be more competitive than others think.
My (vague) picks...Oshkosh, pick em' (WW, Point, Stout, Plt, LAX) Eau, RF, and Superior.

badgerwarhawk...hope you get to take care of Linfield next month!

[Greek Tragedy]

My (vague) picks...Oshkosh, pick em' (WW, Point, Stout, Plt, LAX) Eau, RF, and Superior.

Way to go out on a limb on those 2-6 picks Bandit! lol 

****I'm keeping my expectations low, so when they do well, I'll be "pleasantly surprised"****


P.S. I'm trying to figure out how to put an excel table in here, for future WIAC pick em league reference.



I got this part, but here do I paste the table?  It came out all weird when I tried it.  Any suggestions?

[bulk19]

Old School -

You're keeping your expectations low on the Pointers? Nah, you're just sandbagging all the others... Ha. Just kidding...

It's been a treat living in Point for the last 17 years, and watching the Pointers, and being on the bandwagon. But now I'm living back in EC, where I'll be watching my Blugolds on a regular basis instead. Ouch.

It's going to be a long season here; I am going to miss out on watching a team in Point that I think will pleasantly surprise you...

Might have to come back for old time's sake for the banner raising game, though....

[megalomaniac]

Longtime follower of WIAC basketball, relatively new to the board. Played in the MIAC for the last 4 years, so looking forward to getting connected more thoroughly back to the WIAC. Noticed the media rankings came out, and thought I would join the parade by throwing in my two cents.

1. Oshkosh
2. Stout
3. La Crosse
4. Whitewater
5. Stevens Point
6. Platteville
7. Eau Claire
8. Superior
9. River Falls

Very eager to see the early season matchup between Stout and St Thomas at the Wooster tournament. Will actually be in attendence. UST is the frontrunner to take the MIAC title, so playing a strong Stout squad should give everyone a good idea of just how could they could be. Especially posters on the MIAC board, who consistently downplay the strength, and veritable dominance, of the WIAC. UST is loaded this year, so it should be fun.

[megalomaniac]

Oshkosh, I think, is a national Top 5 kind of team. Very, very solid club. Feel Stout could do some major damage this year. Extremely athletic. And very excited to see what Koebl does with a talented and experienced LX squad. This seasons RF team could be one of the worst teams in the WIAC over the last decade. And Im not sure that Point doesnt find a way to finish in the Top 3 in the league, even without Kalsow and the Bennetts. Tradition probably pushes the Pointers in there, somehow.

[Freeman]

Which WIAC team has the best freshman class?  I haven't really heard much about the new additions to the league.  Anyone that will contribute right away?

[stcroix]

Matt Miller at Oshkosh should contribute right away.