MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[mab]

Mr. DT-

My feeling is the problem is your placing unreasonably high expectations on them, and then being critical of them for not meeting your expectations.  For example, expecting them to win at Whitewater, and win the conference tournament.  For Oshkosh to be in a position at this point of the season to get the number one seed with two more wins is reason to believe they have already exceeded expectations.  Oshkosh finished second in the conference last year with a 12-4 record, but have only 45% of their minutes and 44% of their scoring back this year.  For perspective, Stevens Point finished first in the conference last year with a 15-1 record, and have 78% of their minutes and 74% of their scoring back this year.  At this point, anything more the Titans do this season is a bonus.  As a long time Titan fan, I hope they win every game, but I know better than to expect them to win championships in what reasonably should have been a struggle in a rebuilding year.

[Greek Tragedy]

I would like to take exception to Mr. DT who is waiting for this years UWO team to "let things slip through their fingers" as past teams have.  I would remind Mr.DT that the past four years were pretty much a huge letdown with all the expectations that were there.  But please do not compare this year's team to that of the past few. 

I think the bold hits it on the head.  There were huge expectations with Gibson, Cappelle and Co.  This year, there weren't any (outside of the Oshkosh campus).  So, with that rationale, they've already exceeded those expectations.

Honestly, in the poll, I picked No for the answer.  11-3 with 2 games to go, tied for first place?  Wow.  I mean, Oshkosh could've easily started out 2-2 in the league and 4-3 or something and then come on strong and some posters' views would be totally different.

I think it kind of goes both ways.  At the beginning of the season if you told your average Oshkosh fan this is the position they would be in, they'd crap their pants.  As the season went on and people realized that this is a pretty good team, the expectations built throughout the year and some would say if they don't close out the deal, then it's a disappointment.

[OshDude]

Congrats to one our very own on their All Tournament Team selection this past weekend.......

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080219/APC02/80219092/1892

Gotta love the spelling in the article!!!!   (I believe BJ Larue played at UWGB if I'm not mistaken.)

And Glen Nelson was a teammate of UWSP and Lawrence guard Keven Bradley. Nelson and Bradley led Omro HS to the state championship game in 1999 – not that anyone cares.

Looks like a lot of talent at that tourney. Good find, Cubs.

[BDshotblocker]

Congrats to one our very own on their All Tournament Team selection this past weekend.......

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080219/APC02/80219092/1892

Gotta love the spelling in the article!!!!   (I believe BJ Larue played at UWGB if I'm not mistaken.)

Good Pick up Cubs.  I was going to look for that yesterday and post something, but it slipped my mind.

The tourney was fun, and playing with Jack...I mean Jacob was great.  He was a great pick up not only for our team, but for the tourney I believe.  A lot of people were drawn to him for his obvious reason of being an excellent player, but I don't know if there was anyone affiliated with the tourney that didn't like him.   

LaRue did go to UWGB, and I believe (from the games we either played or watched) shot about 85% from "3".  A lot of former WIAC players in the tourney, along with the other private schools in the state.  Some former D-I & D-II players as well, make the tourney a competitive battle.

Here's to DPM's!  I know you'll like that one Dave 

That made the paper

PHF,

It's easy to look good when your gaurds are shooting 75+% from 3-land   Thanks for inviting me.  GREAT TIME!!  DPM's

OshDude,

You must read every, last, part of the paper   Congrats to Oshkosh being in 1st, hope they can finish it out.   I plan on being at the UWO-SupTown game on the 23rd.

[cubs]

Rankings as of 2/20/08
West Region
1.  Wisconsin-Stevens Point  19-4  17-4 (+5 Spots)
2.  St. Thomas (Minnesota)  20-3  18-2
3.  Occidental  19-3  12-2 (-2 Spots)
4.  Wisconsin-Whitewater  19-4  17-4
5.  Cal Lutheran  19-3  15-3
6.  Buena Vista  19-4  15-2 (+1 Spot)
7.  Wisconsin-Platteville  17-6  15-5 (-4 Spots)
8.  Wisconsin-Oshkosh  17-6  14-5 (??)

Rankings as of 2/13/08
West Region
1. Occidental 18-3 11-1 .496 .535 (SCIAC)
2. St. Thomas 19-3 17-2 .487 .529 (MIAC)
3. UW-Platteville 17-4 15-3 .510 .554 (WIAC) (tied with Whitewater)
4. UW-Whitewater 18-3 16-3 .466 .545 (WIAC) (tied with Platteville)
5. Cal Lutheran 17-3 13-3 .504 .522 (SCIAC)
6. UW-Stevens Point 17-4 15-4 .566 .530 (WIAC)
7. Buena Vista 18-4 14-2 .464 .543 (IIAC)
8. Loras 17-5 14-3 .511 .547 (IIAC)

It looks like all the teams are the same, except Oshkosh has now entered the rankings and taken Loras' spot.  That makes me think Oshkosh was probably the #9 team last week.  I would have to think regardless of what happens the rest of the year, the WIAC should be picking up multiple bids this season.

[Greek Tragedy]

Here's the rest of them...I thought it was interesting that Oshkosh kicked Loras out, even though they didn't lose.  Oshkosh played River Falls and (9-14 overall) and Loras played Loras played Luther (6-17)...not much of a difference, but I guess enough to knock them out...that surprised me.

Listed is last week's regional ranking and record

New (2nd list) Regional Rankings; games played through Sunday, Feb. 17

Black is conference leader
Red is Pool C contender
Blue is Pool B contender

Atlantic
1. *(LW1; 1-1) Richard Stockton 16-6 16-5 (NJAC)
2. *(LW2; 1-1) William Paterson 17-5 17-5 (NJAC)
3. (LW3; 3-0) Farmingdale State 19-4 18-3 (SKY)
4. (LW4; 2-0) York (N.Y.) 19-7 17-6 (SUNYAC)-tied with Brooklyn
5. (LWNR; 2-0) SUNY-Old Westbury 14-9 14-7 (SKY)

*William Paterson leads the NJAC North Div.
*Richard Stockton leads the NJAC South Div.

Dropping out:  St. Joseph's (L.I.)-5th (2-0)

East
1. (LW2; 2-0) Plattsburgh State 21-2 18-0 (SUNYAC)
2. (LW1; 0-2) Rochester 17-5 16-5 (UAA)
3. (LW3; 2-0) Brockport State 18-6 15-4 (SUNYAC)
4. (LW4; 1-1) Stevens 20-4 20-4 (Empire 8 )
5. (LW5; 2-1) Nazareth 17-6 17-6 (Empire 8 )

Great Lakes
1. (LW1; 2-0) Capital 20-3 19-3 (OAC)
2. (LW2; 2-0) Wooster 20-3 13-2 (NCAC)
3. (LW3; 2-0) Hope 19-3 13-2 (MIAA)
4. (LWNR; 2-0) Albion 16-5 12-3 (MIAA)
5. (LW6; 2-0) Penn State-Behrend 19-4 17-3 (AMCC)-tied with Lake Erie
6. (LW5; 2-0) Heidelberg 18-5 16-4 (OAC)

Dropping out:  Ohio Wesleyan-4th (1-1)

Middle Atlantic
1. (LW1; 2-0) Ursinus 22-2 19-1 (Centennial)
2. (LW2; 2-0) Gettysburg 19-3 17-2 (Centennial)
3. (LW3; 2-0) Widener 19-4 16-3 (MACC)
4. (LW5; 2-0) DeSales 19-4 16-3 (MACF)
5. (LW7; 1-0) York (Pa.) 17-6 17-5 (CAC)
6. (LW4; 0-2) Messiah 15-8 14-7 (MACC)
7. (LW8; 1-1) Moravian 18-6 17-6 (LAND)-tied with Juniata and Susquehanna
8. (LWNR; 2-0) Lycoming 15-8 13-7 (MACC)

*The MACC has 6 teams-Pool B conference.  LAND (Landmark) is also a Pool B conference.

Dropping out:  Albright-6th (0-2)

Midwest
1. (LW2; 2-0) Washington U. 18-4 15-3 (UAA)
2. (LW1; 1-1) Augustana 18-5 17-5 (CCIW)
3. (LW3; 2-0) Lawrence 18-2 16-2 (MWC)
4. (LW5; 2-0) Chicago 15-7 14-7 (UAA)
5. (LW6; 2-0) Illinois Wesleyan 15-8 14-6 (CCIW)
6. (LW4; 1-1) Wheaton (Ill.) 17-6 13-6 (CCIW)
7. (LWNR; 2-0) Elmhurst 17-6 16-6 (CCIW)
8. (LW7; 0-1) Carroll 14-6 13-6 (MWC)

Dropping out:  Webster-8th (2-0)

Northeast
1. (LW1; 1-0) Amherst 22-2 22-1 (NESCAC)
2. (LW2; 1-1) Mass-Dartmouth 21-2 21-2 (LEC) tied with RIC
3. (LW6; 2-0) Brandeis 18-4 17-4 (UAA)
4. (LW7; 2-0) Worcester Tech 18-5 17-4 (NEWMAC)
5. (LW8; 2-0) Rhode Island College 18-5 18-5 (LEC) tied with Mass-Dartmouth
6. (LW3, 1-1) Bowdoin 19-5 19-5 (NESCAC)
7. (LW4; 1-1) Trinity (Conn.) 18-6 16-5 (NESCAC)
8. (LW5; 1-1) Middlebury 18-6 17-5 (NESCAC)
9. (LW9; 2-0) Emerson 20-3 19-3 (GNAC) tied with Emmanuel
10. (LW10; 2-1) Bates 17-7 16-6 (NESCAC)

South
1. (LW1; 1-0) Centre 21-1 16-1 (SCAC)
2. *(LW2; 2-0) Mary Hardin-Baylor 20-3 18-2 (ASC)
3. (LW3; 3-0) Guilford 19-4 18-4 (ODAC)
4. (LW5; 2-0) Virginia Wesleyan 19-5 18-4 (ODAC)
5. (LW4; 1-0) Maryville (Tenn.) 21-2 15-2 (GSAC)
6. (LW6; 0-1) DePauw 18-5 15-4 (SCAC)
7. (LW7; 2-0) Millsaps 21-3 16-2 (SCAC)
8. (LW8; 1-1) Randolph-Macon 18-5 13-5 (ODAC)

*Mary Hardin-Baylor leads ASC-West

West
1. (LW6; 2-0) UW-Stevens Point 19-4 17-4 (WIAC) tied with Whitewater and Oshkosh
2. (LW2; 1-0) St. Thomas 20-3 18-2 (MIAC)
3. (LW1; 1-1) Occidental 19-3 12-2 (SCIAC) tied with Cal. Lutheran
4. (LW4; 1-1) UW-Whitewater 19-4 17-4 (WIAC) tied with Stevens Point and Oshkosh
5. (LW5; 2-0) Cal Lutheran 19-3 15-3 (SCIAC) tied with Occidental
6. (LW7; 1-0) Buena Vista 19-4 15-2 (IIAC)
7. (LW3; 0-2) UW-Platteville 17-6 15-5 (WIAC)
8. (LWNR; 1-0) UW-Oshkosh 17-6 14-5 (WIAC) tied with Stevens Point and Whitewater

Dropping out:  Loras-8th (1-0)

[John Gleich]

Rankings as of 2/20/08
West Region
1.  Wisconsin-Stevens Point  19-4  17-4 (+5 Spots)
2.  St. Thomas (Minnesota)  20-3  18-2
3.  Occidental  19-3  12-2 (-2 Spots)
4.  Wisconsin-Whitewater  19-4  17-4
5.  Cal Lutheran  19-3  15-3
6.  Buena Vista  19-4  15-2 (+1 Spot)
7.  Wisconsin-Platteville  17-6  15-5 (-4 Spots)
8.  Wisconsin-Oshkosh  17-6  14-5 (??)

Rankings as of 2/13/08
West Region
1. Occidental 18-3 11-1 .496 .535 (SCIAC)
2. St. Thomas 19-3 17-2 .487 .529 (MIAC)
3. UW-Platteville 17-4 15-3 .510 .554 (WIAC) (tied with Whitewater)
4. UW-Whitewater 18-3 16-3 .466 .545 (WIAC) (tied with Platteville)
5. Cal Lutheran 17-3 13-3 .504 .522 (SCIAC)
6. UW-Stevens Point 17-4 15-4 .566 .530 (WIAC)
7. Buena Vista 18-4 14-2 .464 .543 (IIAC)
8. Loras 17-5 14-3 .511 .547 (IIAC)

It looks like all the teams are the same, except Oshkosh has now entered the rankings and taken Loras' spot.  That makes me think Oshkosh was probably the #9 team last week.  I would have to think regardless of what happens the rest of the year, the WIAC should be picking up multiple bids this season.

... And if we really want multiple bids, we need to HOPE that the other regionall ranked West region teams (above WIAC teams) don't get upset... that will move WIAC teams to the top of the line and allow them to be considered earlier in the discussion, which should help to get bids!

[Mr. Downtown]

I think tonight was a statement game for Whitewater.

On paper, cause I wasn't at the game tonight, either A) Whitewater played amazing defense against Oshkosh, having Matt Miller and Jordan Johnson shoot a combined 5-24 from the field or B) Oshkosh couldn't make shot to save their lives.

Whitewater had 13 assists, while Oshkosh had 4...

Okay, I'm done pulling out numbers here. Tonight Myles McKay went off against Oshkosh, big time, and I would really like to know who was guarding him?

Also, why did Jordan Johnson take 12 shots tonight, with 4 of those from beyond the arc?

I'm just confused, Oshkosh start off great, leading the first 10 minutes of the game, and then it went downhill from then on.

Would love to hear a game recap from Whitewater.

[janesvillebb]

I think tonight was a statement game for Whitewater.

On paper, cause I wasn't at the game tonight, either A) Whitewater played amazing defense against Oshkosh, having Matt Miller and Jordan Johnson shoot a combined 5-24 from the field or B) Oshkosh couldn't make shot to save their lives.

Whitewater had 13 assists, while Oshkosh had 4...

Okay, I'm done pulling out numbers here. Tonight Myles McKay went off against Oshkosh, big time, and I would really like to know who was guarding him?

Also, why did Jordan Johnson take 12 shots tonight, with 4 of those from beyond the arc?

I'm just confused, Oshkosh start off great, leading the first 10 minutes of the game, and then it went downhill from then on.

Would love to hear a game recap from Whitewater.

Marsh was on Mckay and at times Johnson really didn't matter Mckay had it going.

Goodwin and Koski were on Miller and Schrimpf and neither really had many clean looks, many of their 3's were rushed. Since neither ever really attempted to take it to the hoop they were easy to guard.

Johnson had to bring the ball up the floor often--and WW let him shoot from outside, his 3's were all from about 22'. He looked like he was trying to make something happen.
Not amazing D just solid.

[Mr. Downtown]

By your observation's, janesville, did TVD and Oshkosh seem to make any adjustments in the game? I mean, if you can't get open looks for Miller and Schrimpf, then you have to go elsewhere.

Having Jordan Johnson taking shots from 20 feet plus sounds like they were settling for whatever Whitewater gave them.

Second straight year Oshkosh loses by double digits late in the year at Whitewater.

Hopefully the Titans take care of the pesky Yellowjackets on Saturday.

[janesvillebb]

By your observation's, janesville, did TVD and Oshkosh seem to make any adjustments in the game? I mean, if you can't get open looks for Miller and Schrimpf, then you have to go elsewhere.

Having Jordan Johnson taking shots from 20 feet plus sounds like they were settling for whatever Whitewater gave them.

Second straight year Oshkosh loses by double digits late in the year at Whitewater.

Hopefully the Titans take care of the pesky Yellowjackets on Saturday.

No adjustments really. Osh set screens for the shooters, dumped it into DSA or Marsh trying to attack the basket. DSA had a decent game but just didn't get much help.

WW seem to control the tempo all game--either Koski pushing and finding the open man for early offense, if nothing was there WW took the shot clock deep and Mckay took over.

[Greek Tragedy]

Also, why did Jordan Johnson take 12 shots tonight, with 4 of those from beyond the arc?

Marsh only had 6 shots, so the shots gotta come from somewhere.  Not sure who was guarding Marsh, but maybe a quick guy like McKay was on Marsh.

and Mckay took over.

Usually that's Goodwin's job! lol...I'll have to read up on the game reports.  Back from Point and the two hour drive, then finished up the results for the Regional Rankings.  Time for bed...

[badgerwarhawk]

Some observations:

Marsh got in early foul trouble and only played 10 minutes of the first half.   This helped because he was playing well and scoring early.  Oshkosh got outplayed once he left the floor.  He got an early foul in the second half and had to tone things down a notch.  He never really seemed to play as well as he had early in the game.  Marsh's foul problems probably hampered him defensively particularly trying to defend a player as athletic as McKay is.  But WW did a good job limiting him to 6 shots.  Oshkosh also limited Goodwin to 9 attempts and played good defense on him.

Miller didn't get alot of good looks and both of his three-point baskets were from 4-5 feet beyond the arch with no defensive pressure to speak off.   He's got range. 

Oshkosh looked gassed late in the game.  Neither team substituted much each essentially using seven players with their eighth seeing less than 3 minutes.   But the WARHAWKS set the tempo and Oshkosh wasn't able to keep up with it down the stretch.

McKay played very well.  He and Vernon defended Marsh well and offensively he was very difficult for Oshkosh to defend.  He made a pair of three-pointers to ignite the WARHAWK offense in the first half and when the Titan defense got in his face he took them off the dribble.   Plus Oshkosh only had 6 turnovers, four of which were steals by McKay.  The other thing sometimes missed about McKay is that he can rebound.  He had a game high 8 last night. 

Billy Kolinske gave the WARHAWKS some good minutes with 8 points, 7 rebounds and a pair of assists in 19 minutes.  He also took stints defending Marsh and was effective. 

SeckarAnderson had a nice game.  He was strong in the low post.  Next to Skemp and Perry he's the best big man I've seen in the league this season.  He also had 8 rebounds. 

Despite ranking fourth in the league in assists and less than 1.5 assists per game behind league leader Stevens Point the myth that the WARHAWKS don't play with enough basketballs persists in some quarters.  For the record the WARHAWKS had 13 assists on their 26 made baskets to the Titan 4 on 16.  Oshkosh ranks last in the league in assists per game. 

I thought the new Titan mascot was kind of cool.  Though I had to help him navigate the labyrith which is the Williams Center locker rooms. 

Lastly, where the heck was Super Fan? 

[Mr. Downtown]

He was probably at the Women's Game, BW.

[voice]

A couple of points that I took from last night's OSH @ UWW game...

UWW impressed me most last night the way they beat Oshkosh. McKay obviously stole the headlines, but it was the Warhawks' defensive effort that really stood out to me.  Holding Oshkosh to 51 points and 30% from the field was an outstanding effort.  It was team defense that held one of the nation's top 3-point shooting teams to 4 of 21!  

Whitewater currently has the 3rd best scoring defense in the conference at 64.5 ppg.

I'm also sooooo happy for the Warhawk win after the radio announcer for Oshkosh absolutely trashed Whitewater a couple of weeks ago on the Saturday morning sports show (which is terrific) on WMEQ (880 AM).  His basic theme was that UWW didn't belong with the other three confence leaders at the time. That their weren't enough basketball to go around for UWW.  They don't want to play defense. His comments stunned not only me!

I'm sick of these kind of characterazations of this year's team - they don't deserve it.

Also congratuations to Pat Miller's team picking up it's 20th victory of the season, his 5th 20+ win seasons in his 7 years as UWW's head coach.  His two "off-years" his team's won 19 and 18 games. Not bad for taking over for a coaching legend in Dave Vander Muelen.

In WIAC (WSUC)history,  head coaches with at least 5 years at the helm - Pat Miller, with a .735 winning winning percentage entering the current season,  trails only Bo Ryan, Ken Anderson and Jack Bennett in winning percentage.  Not bad company to be keeping!

Congratulations to Coach Miller and top assistant, Todd Skrivseth, on the job you guys are doing.