MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr. Downtown]

Cubs, if 21-6 wasn't good enough last year, why would it be good enough this year?

Also, they've had some questionable losses outside of the conference, and a 19 point loss at home.

The Platteville loss hurts, so does Lawrence. I know both teams should be in the Top 25, but they're not.

Now a home game against Point, and then on the road to Platteville. Everyone knew that this was gut check time for this team when the schedule's came out. Nobody expected them to be in a position to talk about Pool C bid's, let alone winning the WIAC crown. From the very day that this crew has taken over (Johnson, DSA, Miller, Marsh) they set out a goal to get into the NCAA's.

I'm not being a debbie downer, I'm just being realistic. A 21-6 record last year didn't merit an invitation (also #9 in the country in D3hoops.com), I highly doubt a 21-6 record this year will get them in as well.

TVD always has said you get 5 region losses if you want to be taken seriously with the committee. That mean's one more loss for Oshkosh, the rest of the season. We'll see how it all plays out.

[Mr. Downtown]

Here's a look at Regional Rankings in the WIAC:

1) Whitewater       11-2
2) Stevens Point    11-3
3) Platteville         10-3
4) Oshkosh             9-4
5) Eau Claire           7-5

Right now Oshkosh, regionally, is behind three team's in it's own conference. If this trend continues, their is no way they have a chance.

My guess is, that regional rankings are the last thing on this team's mind. They are playing .500 basketball their last 6 games, and they have to fight back against two of the best in the WIAC. If Oshkosh keeps on this slide, they could go from 5-0 in the WIAC, to 6-4.

[mab]

Does anyone know who the big guy in street clothes at the end of the UWO bench was?  I heard he is another transfer who will be eligible next year in addition to Dan Tillema.

[sac]

Cubs, if 21-6 wasn't good enough last year, why would it be good enough this year?

Don't forget they use a new strength of schedule index, something closer to RPI.  The top conferences should benefit from the move.    Everything is now based on cold, raw numbers.

[kek]

Mr. Downtown,
The Titans only have 3 in Region losses.  Defiance and Augustana were out of region games.  Augustana was just out side the Milage requirement to be an in region game.

[Mr. Downtown]

One more look:

Having to deal with many regional rankings covering many sports (W. Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, etc.), I'm trying to look into the crystal ball, and see what the Regional committee would pick for their best 6 teams.

Here's what I think those teams would be (regional records):

1. #11 Puget Sound             8-1
2. #6  UW-Whitewater         11-2
3. #7  UW- Stevens Point      11-3
4.      St. Thomas                 11-1
5.      UW-Platteville             10-3
6.      Gustavus Adolphus       10-3

If you did a top 8 in the West, Oshkosh would be battling Whitworth (9-2 in the region) and Buena Vista (9-1) and Loras (8-3).

Is Oshkosh a better team than those three schools, perhaps on paper and in our imagination, but in the wacky minds of the regional committee, it's all about W's and L's...in the region.

[Mr. Downtown]

I would leave the 3 regional losses up to Pat.

On the D3hoops.com standings, it say's that both Elmhurst and Augustana were regional games.

If they weren't, then Oshkosh is an 8-3, and not a 9-4.

[Mr. Downtown]

And Sac, you're right. It should benefit Oshkosh, but they are already in a hole being behind three other WIAC team's.

And the MIAC is playing pretty well this season. When you consider St. John's (#4 in the MIAC) beat Whitewater (#1 in the WIAC), wouldn't a computer look at that and consider that the MIAC is better than the WIAC?

[Mr. Downtown]

Here's a link to the box score between LU/Osh

http://www.lawrence.edu/athletics/mbasketball/stats0708/0708-12.htm

20 more free throw attempts for Lawrence. In a 3 point game, I think that might have been the difference.   

[Pat Coleman]

On the D3hoops.com standings, it say's that both Elmhurst and Augustana were regional games.

They are in-region, indeed.

Don't forget, too, that this year is not last year. There could be a lot more losses going around this year -- it's certainly that way among the Top 25.

[Greek Tragedy]

Lawrence upsets Oshkosh, again

A tremendous game at The Alex tonight with Lawrence pulling out yet another win against Oshkosh.  They just seem to have their number, now winning four of five.  I wonder how many LU fans would be posting if they had lost the game.   

First thing is first, yes, Dane Seckar-Anderson got a long throw from the inbounds pass about half way between the 3pt line and midcourt.  It was basically a jump ball lob to him.  He was doubled on the lob, got out of it as the rest of the Oshkosh players spread the floor looking for a good look.  DSA dribbled and took about two steps towards the basket and heaved a shot that wasn't even close, hitting the backboard, but not the rim, I don't think...regardless, the ref waved off the shot, so it didn't count anyway.

I was sitting right next to the camera man the whole game and of course I didn't realize he didn't move it.  He was a Lawrence fan, so he was pretty excited.  The reason I was sitting right next to him is because I was supposed to do the play by play and commentary for MWCTV, but the mic was out and the only noise you could hear was from the mic from the video feed.  So, my first dip into broadcasting will have to wait for another time! lol...it was tested before the game but for some reason it didn't work once I got the headphones on.  I digress...

This truly was a great game.  The Titans came out and took a minimal lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the half and then LU came back and it went back and forth for the rest of the half.  The Vikings took a 5 pt lead, but Oshkosh fought back to actually take the lead before LU took a 1-pt. lead into the half.

In the first half, LU couldn't stop or contain DJ Marsh, as he went for 16.  Dane Seckar-Anderson was also hard to control, scoring 10.  Matt Miller on the other hand, was held scoreless (0-5, 0-3 3FG).  Hurley started out well, leading LU with 10, while Kroeger had 9.  Ten different players scored for LU. 

Kroeger was just getting started as he finished with 28.  Hurley was held to 1-5 shooting in the 2nd half though as LU went to their guard play.  It was a huge 2nd half for Miller after his goose egg in the first half.  He was 6-8 from the field, including 5-7 3s, many of them from LONG range.  Credit LU's coaching staff in adjusting to DJ Marsh.  The doubled and tripled him everytime he got the ball inside.  He was held to just FOUR points after the break on 2-7 shooting, and 0-3 from 3-pt. land.  I'll tell you what, if DJ wants to shoot 3s all day, by all means, let him.  DSA was a monster inside, scoring another 12 after the break. 

Although, looking at the boxscore, both teams shot well %-wise, it was a very well played game defensively.  There was a lot of in-your-face contested shots and a lot of bodies rolling around the floor diving for loose balls. 

Great game all-around and congrats to LU for another win.  I'm getting to the point where the lack of depth isn't really a problem for Oshkosh.  The starters played 38, 38, 39 and 30, while Schrimpf played 21 and Ryan Johnsen played 25.  DSA did have some foul trouble and that may have been the difference when he was out.  But, they are still getting their minutes.

[Greek Tragedy]

I believe a BIG factor why Oshkosh didn't get in with their record last year was because they LOST all three games to La Crosse, a team with a worse record than the Titans.  The talk, if I remember correctly, was that they couldn't possibly put Oshkosh in and not the Eagles because they lost to them three times, and they couldn't put La Crosse in because they were "ranked" below Oshkosh, but they couldn't possibly fit BOTH teams in, so they left both out.

Even if Augustana wasn't within the mileage, I believe Ill. and Wisconsin are in the same Administrative region.

[John Gleich]

One other thing you've got to keep in consideration... For any of these teams to be Pool C eligible, they need to lose ANOTHER game...

Another thing is to remember that, even more than the 250 mile rule, there's the new(er) "administrative region" which means any games between teams from IL and WI will always be considered regional, even though technically teams from IL belong to the Midwest and teams from WI belong to the West.

Check out this portion of the FAQ.  It explains everything nicely.

[LU_nut]

Mr. downtown

Check out last years game at Oshkosh.  The titans shot 22 more free throws than LU.   They still owe us two.

Nut

[Mr. Downtown]

In all honesty, I forgot about last year's free throw difference.

2 free throws is practically one trip to the charity strip, can we call it even (and let Oshkosh win next time)?