MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

Titan2000, I'm very sure you can do nothing but speculate about that.  Polls are a very inexact science and they are merely the opinions of the pollsters.  Especially in the preseason, they are just semi-educated guesses about how one team stacks up to another (or the rest of the country).

I think an even MORE inexact science is that of comparing scores.  The characteristics of one game to the next vary so much that trying to use the logic of "Team A beat Team B by 2 and Team B beat Team C by 30, so Team A will beat Team C by 32" will lead to questionable results at best.

Each game is an independent entity.  You can't reasonably compare one to the next because so much has to be taken into account (match-ups, players' health, foul trouble, unbelievable shooting performances - either positively or negatively, bus trouble, etc).

Just look at the WIAC on any given year.  Two seasons ago, Superior beat Finlandia 94-56.  Then Finlandia beat Eau Claire 94-93.  Using the score comparison logiv, Superior should have beaten EC by 39... but EC won the first meeting by 17 (69-52) and the second meeting Superior gets the W, but in 3 overtimes.

Based on preseason polls, you simply cannot make that assertion with any credibility.

[John Gleich]

Interesting thing to note from the WIAC Basketball page:  A weekly release.  I don't remember that in the past, but here's this week's:

http://www.uwsa.edu/wiac/mbasket/111505.pdf

It has information from last year, as well as some info for this year (such as results from the SID poll, etc).  It also has returning stat leaders (page 5), which I found interesting.  I hope they keep putting these out, because it's a great way to see how the teams from the conference are doing, in a single place.

[titan2000]

PointSpecial:

While you were tagging carp and drinking potato beer in Point, I was studying in Oshkosh.  And the theory you speak so eloquently of is called the "transitive theory".

I agree with you on the polls, I was trying to be sarcastic.  Instead of believing me, I will likely get another 30 negative karma points from all brain surgeons from Whitewater. 

[badgerwarhawk]

PS, you should know better than to take anything 2K says seriously. 

[titan2000]

All the WIAC teams are playing, including LAX and EC playing a usually tough Buena Vista team each at home.

Why aren't the Titans playing this weekend ?   

[John Gleich]

It's opening weekend, TVD won't play, he's out in the woods.

And I'm impressed that you learned something like that at Oshkosh... I would have called it such but I thought it would fly right over your head.  I was speaking in elementary terms so you could understand.


Wow, BW, I forgot that from last season...  it won't happen again!


UWSP opens at home against Cardinal Stritch on Friday @ 8:00 P.M.  There will be a ring ceremony and unveiling of the second National Championship banner preceeding the game.

[Greek Tragedy]

here's some Pointer news:

2005 preview:  hardly a preview, but tells us that Brad Kalsow isn't playing this year.  Also to note, from my Pointer source,  , that Kevin Grusczynski is still recovering from a broken bone and that transfer Gordy Zastrow may have eligibility problems.  Chris Dorner is also injured and didn't play in the purple/gold game. 

http://www.uwsp.edu/athletics/mbb/05-06/preview0506.htm

For the record, Point's webpage still has last year's roster on it.

Below is the Point/Cardinal Stritch preview:  Stritch is picked to win their NAIA D2 conference (Chicagoland).

http://www.uwsp.edu/athletics/mbb/05-06/mbbnov15notes.pdf

I can't wait for the season to start, and to get that kitchen schedule magnet on Friday! 

[titan2000]

Special One:

Next year they can start the first home game at 7:30 because you don't get rings for finshing 4th in the WIAC.

Are you telling me TVD goes deer hunting and he isn't there to prep for the Lawrence game?  That is not a good idea, even though they should beat LU.
But that was true the last 2 years and LU kicked their butts with tough defense both at Alexander and at Oshvegas.

Wow.  I guess Gaubatz should get all the credit if they win.

And thanks for dumbing down your posts for me, it is a nice gesture.

[John Gleich]

Hmm... Titan2000...

I've got two rings, yes I do, I've got two rings, how 'bout you?   


OS, injuries have been a problem for much of the early season for the Pointers.  A lot of guys have been pretty dinged up.  Hopefully by Friday guys will be well enough to have the (or "a") normal rotation (whatever that may be) ready to play.

[Greek Tragedy]

Be sure to head over to the Multi-Regional Topics Board and select your team for the new Survivor Pool! 

You might actually win something! 
Deadline is Friday before the first game's tipoff

[John Gleich]

UWSP's roster is posted.  9 returners from last year, 9 freshmen, only two seniors and two juniors.

This team will do nothing but get better as the season goes on as the players and team discover themselves.  Four years ago (Kalsow/Bennett's freshman year, 2001-2002) UWSP started the year off 0-2 and ended the year 11-5, tied with Whitewater and Oshkosh for the conference title.  That Point team had two seniors and just one junior, and 12 freshmen.

The norm in the WIAC is that seniors have matured (both with in-game experience and physically) to a very high level, making this conference what it is.  This team may take some knocks early on as the young kids gain experience, but, like what's been said, this team will be dangerous come February (if not sooner).

[titan2000]

Kind of like LaCrosse last year ?

[buf]

Coe 66
EC 54

Pretty much as I expected.  Blugolds did play hard but just not enough talent.  I would think LAX should beat Coe.  By the way,

Buena Vista 57
LAX 80

Eventhough BV lost all their starters, they are traditionally at or near the top of the IIAC year in and year out.

Also, I see WW lost to Loras by 2 ?!?!?!  Thats a surprise.  I guess WW was up 18 with 12 minutes to go and then blew it.

[buf]

Another Score:

Stout 91
St. Thomas 90
Final-OT

St. Thomas has been dabbed the preseason conference favorite by many of the MIAC fans.

Point was winning at the half by 10, I believe

[John Gleich]

Point wins 69-54