MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

...Where is everybody? 

I actually ask that on two fronts... Where are people posting, and where are the fans at the games?  There have been only three non-Quandt gym 1000+ attendance games this year... one at Winona State, one at Whitworth, and Stout @ EC. 

I know that late January/February games bring in more fans... but still...

Last year, EC had played 4 games (vs. Stout and 3 others).
Platteville averaged over 1100 at home last year.
And Whitewater avereaged over 900 at home and over 1000 on the road.

The average home game attendance was 780 last year... and it's 580 this year.  That means to get back to last year's average, 400 more people are going to have to show up for every game... which isn't going to happen.  The only team that is up in attendance up to this point is River Falls.

Anybody have any ideas why?

Is anybody out there?

Was expecting a fairly large crowd tonight for the UWP-UWW game, but I'm not sure how many will show now with the weather sounding the way it does.  I'm guessing, there will still be a large student contingent, but anyone coming from out of town will probably decide to stay away now....dang Mother Nature.

[John Gleich]

They're all still reading your posts. 

If then don't post, I'll be forced to post more myself...!

...Where is everybody? 

I actually ask that on two fronts... Where are people posting, and where are the fans at the games?  There have been only three non-Quandt gym 1000+ attendance games this year... one at Winona State, one at Whitworth, and Stout @ EC. 

I know that late January/February games bring in more fans... but still...

Last year, EC had played 4 games (vs. Stout and 3 others).
Platteville averaged over 1100 at home last year.
And Whitewater avereaged over 900 at home and over 1000 on the road.

The average home game attendance was 780 last year... and it's 580 this year.  That means to get back to last year's average, 400 more people are going to have to show up for every game... which isn't going to happen.  The only team that is up in attendance up to this point is River Falls.

Anybody have any ideas why?

Is anybody out there?

Was expecting a fairly large crowd tonight for the UWP-UWW game, but I'm not sure how many will show now with the weather sounding the way it does.  I'm guessing, there will still be a large student contingent, but anyone coming from out of town will probably decide to stay away now....dang Mother Nature.

You don't think people will partake in some extra ice driving if given the chance?

... You do inadvertantly bring up a good point... The students have only been in session for 5 of the conference games... the last 4 were while students were at home, and student participation typically does grow as the season progresses.

[Greek Tragedy]

I'll be at the Oshkosh game this weekend as well.  A far cry from past years!  I've turned more into a lurker the last year or two.  I apologize for my lack of input, but believe me, I'm still a huge fan of the Pointers, the WIAC and D3 in general.  Because of my work schedule (among other things), I've been unable to attend more games.  I've recently moved to a more manageable schedule, though I still live in the Milwaukee area, so I do hope to make more games in the coming weeks.

I didn't think Point and Whitewater would be this good so far and I didn't think the rest of the league would be so balanced.  I really hope I can post something after tonight's games regarding the halfway point and my thoughts.  I guess I'll just have to have Carrie annoyed at me for awhile so I can post! lol. 

[John Gleich]

Point beat EC  74-68  Point has now beaten EC 19 straight time.
Whitewater beats Platteville 73-63
Stout beats Superior 70-66
La Crosse beat Oshkosh 61-55

[John Gleich]

Standings at the halfway point:
#1 Whitewater (7-1) (owns tiebreaker with Point)
#1 Point (7-1)
#3 La Crosse (5-3)
#4 Platteville (4-4)
#5 Eau Claire (3-5)  (in no particular order... I didn't want to figure out the tiebreak on 4 3 teams in a hypothetical situation!)
#5 Superior (3-5)
#5 Stout (3-5)
#8 Oshkosh (2-6)
#8 River Falls (2-6)

EDIT:  Cut and paste doesn't always work too well... especially when you change something else!

[chmarx]

I have to admit to being stunned that we beat Oshkosh there.

[Greek Tragedy]

Stunned?  Oshkosh has been playing well with a close loss at Point and an overtime loss at Whitewater recently, but about half of the posters did pick your Eagles to win in the pick em league.  I think stunned is a little strong.

[Greek Tragedy]

It's that time of year, time for the sudo-annual Midseason Awards.  Feel free to post your picks and any thoughts!

1. Player of the Year
2. Coach of the Year
3. Newcomer of the Year (Freshman or transfer)
4. All-Conference (Starting 5-no position requirements)
5. Surprise Team
6. Disappointing Team
7. Conference winner

Any other nominees for catergories/comments

[cubs]

I have to admit to being stunned that we beat Oshkosh there.

I'll go in depth a litle deeper later in the day, but you can thank Al Cherry....  He had A LOT to do with LAX pulling out the victory last night.

[UWBadgers]

I have to admit to being stunned that we beat Oshkosh there.

Not to mention you played a Greg Schrimpfless Oshkosh team. According the Oshkosh radio guy, Schrimpf will be having heart surgery in the next few days. Too bad for both Greg and Oshkosh becuase he was really starting to come around after the knee injury last season shooting 12-20 from three point range in his last 2 1/2 games.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

The weather never really developed, and Williams Fieldhouse was just about full with a little over 1600 in attendance.  Student section was so full, they had to move the left overs to the other side of the gym with season ticket holders.

Last night to me comes down to two things.  UWP had their hands absolutely FULL with Dustin Mitchell inside.  He had 17 in the first half, ended with 29 and 9.  He did pretty much anything he wanted last night.  He is just sooo long.

The second thing, was the lid on top of UWP's hoop last night.  Platteville just couldn't finish shots last night.  In great part to Mitchell and Bendall inside, but many shots in the lane were half down, and the hoop just spit them back out.  Platteville has 10 steals, forces 17 TO's, shoots 18 more times and still loses by 10 points.  It hurt to watch, and games like that when you're playing hurt more than you can imagine.  You have been struggling, you're playing a top team not only in conference but also in the country....but there just isn't enough going right to get over the hump...frustrating for sure.

Side note.  Last night was "Orange Out" for the fans in Williams Fieldhouse.  Not only did the fans do their part, but the Pioneers wore their Orange uniforms and Coach Gard even supported a Bruce Pearl type sports coat, which as you guessed it was Orange.  It was sharp and cool having all that orange out there last night.

[John Gleich]

I have to admit to being stunned that we beat Oshkosh there.

Not to mention you played a Greg Schrimpfless Oshkosh team. According the Oshkosh radio guy, Schrimpf will be having heart surgery in the next few days. Too bad for both Greg and Oshkosh becuase he was really starting to come around after the knee injury last season shooting 12-20 from three point range in his last 2 1/2 games.

That sounds pretty serious...  It's a blow for Oshkosh in a basketball sense, but I just hope everything goes well with the surgury.

Last night was "Orange Out" for the fans in Williams Fieldhouse.  Not only did the fans do their part, but the Pioneers wore their Orange uniforms and Coach Gard even supported a Bruce Pearl type sports coat, which as you guessed it was Orange.  It was sharp and cool having all that orange out there last night.

Wow...

I've got some thoughts about Oshkosh, but I want to hear Cubs' first.

[cubs]

Ok, went to the UWO/LAX game last night, and after finding out Schrimpf would not be playing earlier in the day, the game played out just about as I expected. 

1.  Once the ball was entered into Marsh in the post, the all too familiar triple team was back since there really wasn't an outside threat for UWO with Schrimpf out.  Two of the three 3-point shots Oshkosh made were both made with under three seconds left on the shot clock (one by Kretsch in the first half and Wittwer in the 2nd half.)  I honestly think the only reason they took them was due to neccessity.

2.  Tony Mane launched up shots at his normal pace, and outside of the first 5:00 and last 3:00 of the first half where Mane had all of his made field goals for the game (six,) LAX seemed to be a better team when they were getting the rest of the team involved.  There was more movement, more screens, and in general better basketball was being played.

3.  Al Cherry gave the Eagles a definite spark!!!  It was more than just the 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks that were on the stat sheet.  He defended Marsh and held him to a season low 10 field goal attempts.  Marsh really had to work hard to get an open look at the basket, and some of the shots he took were contested and in traffic thanks to Cherry's athletic ability.  His MONSTER two-handed dunk was pretty sweet too!!!!

4.  The loss of Schrimpf was too much to overcome.  The guy had shot 60% (12-20) from three point range in his last two and a half WIAC games.  His presence has a ripple effect as it typically keeps one less guy from helping on Marsh.  Something that doesn't show up in the stats is that he would have been defending Mane.  Would he have held Mane to less than 19?  I'm not sure, but he is a better defender than he gets credit for.

[cubs]

Not to mention you played a Greg Schrimpfless Oshkosh team. According the Oshkosh radio guy, Schrimpf will be having heart surgery in the next few days. Too bad for both Greg and Oshkosh becuase he was really starting to come around after the knee injury last season shooting 12-20 from three point range in his last 2 1/2 games.

Now that the details are public, (didn't think it was my place to say) you can see why Schrimpf didn't play the second half on the Superior game, or the Whitewater game.   It's not something to take lightly, as was evidenced by the D2 player that passed away after collapsing in a game last week.

[badgerwarhawk]

I also want to extend best wishes to Schrimpf.  It's such a shock when someone so young has to deal with a heart condition.  Hopefully the surgery goes smoothly and he has a complete recovery.