MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[fredfalcon]

I forgot to mention that 5'9" Koonkaew also had 11 rebounds to lead both teams.

[UWRF]

FINALLY!!

Since ive been doing radio for RF (just three years) we have had so many games like that we just couldnt finish!!

It was time to finish and we did it.

[John Gleich]

FINALLY!!

Since ive been doing radio for RF (just three years) we have had so many games like that we just couldnt finish!!

It was time to finish and we did it.

Another good broadcast, btw!  Who was doing your color...?  I thought I remembered a girl last time, but whoever it was spoke like someone with lots of coaching experience, based on some things he said..

[UWRF]

FINALLY!!

Since ive been doing radio for RF (just three years) we have had so many games like that we just couldnt finish!!

It was time to finish and we did it.

Another good broadcast, btw!  Who was doing your color...?  I thought I remembered a girl last time, but whoever it was spoke like someone with lots of coaching experience, based on some things he said..

Haha yeah, my regular color commentary was out. Rick Bowen was doing color for me. You could say he has a lot of coaching experience.  

Im glad the broadcast turned out ok, ive been sick lately and my voice was dying.

[John Gleich]

FINALLY!!

Since ive been doing radio for RF (just three years) we have had so many games like that we just couldnt finish!!

It was time to finish and we did it.

Another good broadcast, btw!  Who was doing your color...?  I thought I remembered a girl last time, but whoever it was spoke like someone with lots of coaching experience, based on some things he said..

Haha yeah, my regular color commentary was out. Rick Bowen was doing color for me. You could say he has a lot of coaching experience.  

Im glad the broadcast turned out ok, ive been sick lately and my voice was dying.

Yes indeed!  Let him know he did a good job too!

I wondered if it was him... he just spoke with authority while speaking about the Falcons (like someone would who was at the helm of the program for 20 years!!)

[phoenix_rising]

Started watching Superior via Ifan when UWS was up by 7 or so midway through the first half. By half, the lead had changed frequently, and it was apparent my "presence," even if only virtual, was holding UWS back. Stopped. Was surprised and heartened to see the win. You're welcome, UW-Soupmen. Shocked at the River Falls-Whitewater outcome; I can only hope Whitewater will be as kind to us. I'm very happy a couple other teams have to play them to wear off the steam; Stevens Point wasn't particularly goods hosts to Superior when we went there after Point's loss.

[badgerwarhawk]

I wish I'd seen this one coming, but the way RF has played at home this year there was  no predicting a Falcon win. Koonkaew with 19, Guerin: 16 and 10 rbds., Voeltz: 15. WW leaders were Negri with 16, Dantzler: 15, Mitchell: 15 and 10 rbds. Falcons "outshot" WW 39% to 35%. F.T. percentage was biggest differential:  70% for RF, 59% for WW.

There is an old basketball saying that goes like this.....
There are two things which do not last long.  The first is dogs that chase cars and the second is teams that can't make their free throws. 

All we had to do was make a few free throws down the stretch in regulation and/or the overtime and we could have won.  We did neither.  Congrats to RF, I knew it was going to be tougher this time around with Voeltz returning but I still thought we would pull it out. 

[John Gleich]

I wish I'd seen this one coming, but the way RF has played at home this year there was  no predicting a Falcon win. Koonkaew with 19, Guerin: 16 and 10 rbds., Voeltz: 15. WW leaders were Negri with 16, Dantzler: 15, Mitchell: 15 and 10 rbds. Falcons "outshot" WW 39% to 35%. F.T. percentage was biggest differential:  70% for RF, 59% for WW.

There is an old basketball saying that goes like this.....
There are two things which do not last long.  The first is dogs that chase cars and the second is teams that can't make their free throws. 

All we had to do was make a few free throws down the stretch in regulation and/or the overtime and we could have won.  We did neither.  Congrats to RF, I knew it was going to be tougher this time around with Voeltz returning but I still thought we would pull it out. 

It's amazing how something that is seemingly so easy can hold a team back.  And it's really the biggest place a team can beat themselves... they aren't being guarded, they have all the time they want (well, up to 15 seconds per throw, plenty of time).

Point missed 7/14 FTs against Whitewater and lost by 2.  They missed 5/13 against Stout and lost by 2.

Now, in both of those games, they were on the ropes, a team was giving them all they could handle.  The same goes for WW vs. RF.

And that all goes back to what I said earlier... that FT's are mostly mental!   

[fredfalcon]

BW--yes, free throws were big, but also, WW had to have played one of their poorest games. They could not buy a basket, get a break on a call, or an offensive rebound in the first ten minutes when RF got up 24-2. And during that stretch, RF played their best of the night.

But when WW caught up with ten minutes left, I said to the guy next to me that RF has seen its last lead. But that was the biggest difference in the ebb and flow of the usual game at Karges this season:  after falling behind, RF did manage to get another slim lead or two down the stretch.

I was puzzled that WW, with about 17 seconds left in regulation time, and the score tied, had the ball out of bounds in their front court. The pass was made into Dupree and he just stood in place, unchallenged, and dribbled the clock down to about 5 seconds, tried unsuccessfully to dribble inside, and ended up missing a desperation 23 footer as the buzzer sounded. WW did not try to get the ball inside where a foul was highly possible and Guerin had  four fouls. The strategy, if that was the plan, seemed faulty. Maybe the D was too tough to pass it inside, but it seemed WW botched that possession.

[John Gleich]

BW--yes, free throws were big, but also, WW had to have played one of their poorest games. They could not buy a basket, get a break on a call, or an offensive rebound in the first ten minutes when RF got up 24-2. And during that stretch, RF played their best of the night.

But when WW caught up with ten minutes left, I said to the guy next to me that RF has seen its last lead. But that was the biggest difference in the ebb and flow of the usual game at Karges this season:  after falling behind, RF did manage to get another slim lead or two down the stretch.

I thought so too.

I was puzzled that WW, with about 17 seconds left in regulation time, and the score tied, had the ball out of bounds in their front court. The pass was made into Dupree and he just stood in place, unchallenged, and dribbled the clock down to about 5 seconds, tried unsuccessfully to dribble inside, and ended up missing a desperation 23 footer as the buzzer sounded. WW did not try to get the ball inside where a foul was highly possible and Guerin had  four fouls. The strategy, if that was the plan, seemed faulty. Maybe the D was too tough to pass it inside, but it seemed WW botched that possession.

I was absolutely shocked that WW didn't go inside to Mitchell...  I think Guerin had fouled out by that point and even if they (RF) double teamed, then Mitchell is a good enough passed and basketball player in general to kick it out and get a great look.

[Greek Tragedy]

Recent Results

Tue 2/2/10 UW-Superior 89, Finlandia (MI) 78  Superior

Wed 2/3/10
UW-Eau Claire 76, UW-River Falls 71 @River Falls   
UW-Platteville 83, UW-Oshkosh 69 @Oshkosh 
UW-Stout 69, UW-Stevens Point 67  @ Menomonie 
UW-Whitewater 67, UW-La Crosse 52 @ Whitewater 

Sat 2/6/10
UW-Eau Claire 79, UW-Platteville 70  @ Eau Claire   
UW-River Falls 69, UW-Whitewater 68 (Overtime)  @ River Falls   
UW-Stout 70, UW-Oshkosh 48  @ Menomonie 
UW-Superior 98, UW-La Crosse 89 @ Superior

Old School's Sporadic Unofficial In-Season Conference Power Rankings

1. Whitewater (17-4 overall, 9-3 conference, 1-1 since last rankings)
Handles business at home but is the victim of one of the biggest upsets this conference season.  Losing to last place and 2-win River Falls was a shocker to say the least, especially since River Falls hadn't even won a home game yet.

2.  Stevens Point (18-3, 9-3, 0-1)
Point falls to an improved and streaking Stout team that had just knocked off Whitewater at home.  The Pointers have a week to think about it with a bye on Saturday.  Must take care of business at home before ending the year on the road.

3.  Stout (12-9. 7-6, 2-0)
Stout continues to roll with a huge home win against the Pointers and then avoids a letdown by crushing Oshkosh.  Things are far from finished for the Blue Devils with road trips to Superior and Platteville on the horizon.

4.  Eau Claire (14-7, 6-6, 2-0)
The Blugolds return to form with a solid week.  A road win against anyone is a good road win (especially after River Falls knocks off Whitewater) and another good result against Platteville vaults Eau Claire up the rankings.

5.  Platteville (12-9, 6-6, 1-1)
The Pioneers get a good win on the road against an improving Oshkosh team that had won two in a row.  However, things fall apart in Eau Claire after a fast start. Huge week for Platteville with a trip to Whitewater and then hosting Stout on the weekend.

6.  Superior (13-8, 6-6, 2-0)
We won't really count their win against Finlandia, but a shootout victory against La Crosse puts Superior in the post season tournament if it ended today.  Balanced scoring by the Yellowjackets makes them a tough team to defend.  Of course, they also gave up 89 points!

7.  La Crosse (14-8, 6-7, 0-2)
The road was not kind for the Eagles as they drop two and fall out of the postseason tournament.  Outmatched at Whitewater and couldn't outscore Superior up north. 

8.  River Falls (9-13, 3-10, 1-1)
Shocker of the season with the Falcons knocking off the 1st place Warhawks at home.  River Falls also blows a double digit lead late in the Eau Claire game and can't hold on for a tough loss at Karges. 

9.  Oshkosh (9-12, 4-9, 0-2)
Two blowout losses drops the Titans to the bottom of the pile.  An uninspiring loss at home to Platteville is followed up by a blowout loss against Stout, the hottest team in the league.

Upcoming games

Wed 2/10/10
UW-Eau Claire @ UW-Stevens Point   
UW-Oshkosh @ UW-La Crosse 
UW-Platteville @ UW-Whitewater   
UW-Stout @ UW-Superior   

Sat 2/13/10
UW-Eau Claire  @ UW-Whitewater 
UW-Superior @ UW-Oshkosh   
UW-Stout @ UW-Platteville   
UW-River Falls  @ UW-Stevens Point
 

[John Gleich]

I've gotta disagree with your 4,5,6.  This should be #4 Sup, #5, EC, #6 Platte.

Sup is 6-3 in the last 9, all three losses are to Point and Stout.  1 win is against Finlandia, beat both EC and Platte in that 9 game stretch.

EC is 6-3... losses to Point, Sup, and Oshkosh.  Also, 2 wins are against Finlandia.  EC did beat Whitewater... but it was 7 games ago.

Platte is 4-5 in the last 9.  Lost to the top 3 and EC and Sup.  They did beat EC, but that was 9 games ago.

I haven't looked at any tiebreakers (no point... too far to go from here), but I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up this way anyway, with Stout and Sup hosting Platte and EC in the first round of the tourney.  Those would be really good games.

[chmarx]

A week ago, we were sitting 3rd in the conference and daring to hope for a home tourney game.  Now we are outside looking in.  That's what happens when a team stops doing the fundamental stuff against opponents as tough as Superior and Whitewater.

[John Gleich]

This is a repost from about two weeks ago... For Whitewater and Point, I said that there were basically two mini-seasons after their match up.

At the time, Point was down a half game... Whitewater was 8-1 and Point was 8-2.

Well, Point "won" the first mini season by virtue of going 1-1 and Whitewater went 1-2.  Hardly spectacular for two top 5 caliber teams, but I'm not sure that Point and Whitewater really should have fallen all that far.  What people don't realize is how good this league actually is this year.  The teams with the most playing experience are the ones near the bottom of the standings, and they're really starting to come on strong.

Also, the league is back to winning 80% of their non-conference games.  As a conference, they'd slipped and started to lose a few more Non-Con games over the last 6 or 7 years...  But the win% shows the dominance of the league over nearby conferences and it shows how much better the teams, from top to bottom, really are.

Here's that repost...

The second part of the mini-season for Point and Whitewater is from 2/10-2/20.  Point has 2 at home, then 2 on the road.  WW has 2 at home, 1 on the road, and the finale at home.

2/10
Point hosts EC
WW hosts Plt

Rematch of a tough game for Point.  I don't think Platteville has played to their expectations... after a 2-0 start, they're 1-5 in their last 6 conference games.  They didn't let WW run away with the game last time, but they couldn't get much closer than about 10 in the second half.

EC has the firepower to win this game vs. Point... they showed it by beating Whitewater and playing Point close the first time.

Both teams (EC and Platte) are stuck in the logjam at 6-6.

The question for me is how will Whitewater bounce back?  They're back home... but their confidence has to be shaken.

2/13
Point hosts RF
WW hosts EC

Eau Claire is going to wonder who does the scheduling... they play Point and WW in back to back games in the first AND second half of the season.  This is the alumni game for WW and it could have some big implications for both teams in terms of seeding (or even making the conference tournament).  Point hosts RF... this one scares me a bit.  Point only led RF by 6 in the first game and though they won by 12 (just 2 points shy of their biggest lead), RF caused 17 turnovers for Point, their second highest total of the season.

Two weeks ago I said the RF game scared me.  Now it does even more.  They're coming off the bye and RF caused Point fits in terms of turnovers.

I don't see EC beating WW again... but maybe they're just that team that gets to the Warhawks.  That game in EC wasn't close... but this is WW's alumni game.  I think the Warhawks will be looking for redemption.

2/17
Whitewater at Oshkosh
Point at Platteville

Oshkosh gave Whitewater all they could handle in Kachel gym and they've won 4 of the last 5 in the Kolf as well.  Point has won 18/25 against Platteville since 2000 but just 6/10 at Williams.

Oshkosh has lost their touch at the Kolf... they've lost 3 in a row. 

Platteville has a really tough stretch... at Whitewater, home against Stout, and then home against Point.  They may be gassed  by the time Point comes around... but if they can score some upsets, they may have a ton of confidence too.  Could be a big game for Platteville.

2/20
Point at La Crosse
Whitewater hosts Superior

It's really too hard to project this game.  LaX and Superior may be playing for their playoff lives, and I'm sure it's going to have conference championship implications (unless either Point or WW implodes over this final stretch, which I don't see happening).

Hard to project two weeks ago... and I still don't think we'll know much until then, but LaX has dropped 3 straight and 6 of 8.  They just simply need to win to give them a chance at the conference tournament... but even if they win out, they aren't guaranteed a spot.  They play Oshkosh and River Falls, who are below them, and Point, who they can't catch.

Superior, on the other hand, will have to take the LONG trip down to Whitewater... but they may be playing for their WIAC tourney lives too.  I think that other than Stout, Superior is the hottest team... but who knows if they'll still be hot in two weeks!

[John Gleich]

Team	Record
Whitewater	9-3
Point	9-3
Stout	7-6
Superior	6-6
Platteville	6-6
Eau Claire	6-6
La Crosse	6-7
Oshkosh	4-9
River Falls	3-10

The schedule really favors Whitewater... they play 5 at home and just 2 on the road, at River Falls and Oshkosh, the two bottom teams in the league.  Point has to travel to La Crosse, Platteville, and Stout, two of which are in the top half of the conference.

That post was from a couple of weeks ago...  The schedule still favors Whitewater, they play 3 at home (including the finale) and 1 on the road, where as Point has 2 at home and 2 on the road (last two on the road).

Point: (Point beat all 4 in the first round)
vs. EC  (last time Point won by 6)
vs. RF  (last time Point won by 12)
at Platteville  (last time Point won by 21)
at La Crosse  (last time Point won by 16)

Whitewater: (Whitewater went 3-1 in the first round)
vs. Platteville  (last time WW won by 10)
vs. Eau Claire  (last time EC won by 13)
at Oshkosh  (last time WW won by 5 in OT)
vs. Superior  (last time WW won by 19)