MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

I do see a potential positive aspect of this set-up. Yes, it will be strung (WAY) out compared to what we're used to.

But under the old system (or the current system... which we seemingly will be switching back to after a year), there were 16 first-weekend pod hosts and 4 Sweet 16/Elite 8 pod hosts (Note, I'm using a regular 64 team bracket... I don't remember how many teams we'll have this year. I think it was 62 last year, but it's the same idea). So, at the most, there could be 20 different host schools and as few as 16 (in reality, likely closer to the 16).

This year, 32 teams will host in the first round, 16 teams will host in the second round, and 8 teams will host in the Sweet 16. That's as many as 56 or as few as 32 (again, likely much closer to 32).

That's twice as many schools getting to host.

We have yet to see what this will do with the balance of the brackets... they may be more reluctant to fly teams in earlier rounds because they will have to fly up to 8 to Salem and up to 2 to Atlanta. I wonder what this really does with some of the outposts like the Pacific NW, Southern Cali, and West Texas...

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I have been told that flights won't be as big a factor in reference to Salem... that the NCAA realizes that they have put in some mandatory flights and so early on games won't be as punished as you would assume. That being said, they aren't going to just allow as many flights as possible or more than necessary... however, don't expect to see a number of games played nearby because of Salem's situation this year.

Also, if you listen to the podcast I did that is part of that article, you will notice that Mike DeWitt did say he is concerned they may get into spots where first-round games in Texas or out West may result in conference opponents... so as a result (whether he said it or not) they are making sure the NCAA is aware of these scenarios ahead of time.

My take is that we will still see some creative match-ups that will require flights in the early rounds (mainly because in some senses it will be unavoidable), but don't expect the NCAA to just green light flight after flight after flight.

[John Gleich]

I have been told that flights won't be as big a factor in reference to Salem... that the NCAA realizes that they have put in some mandatory flights and so early on games won't be as punished as you would assume. That being said, they aren't going to just allow as many flights as possible or more than necessary... however, don't expect to see a number of games played nearby because of Salem's situation this year.

Also, if you listen to the podcast I did that is part of that article, you will notice that Mike DeWitt did say he is concerned they may get into spots where first-round games in Texas or out West may result in conference opponents... so as a result (whether he said it or not) they are making sure the NCAA is aware of these scenarios ahead of time.

My take is that we will still see some creative match-ups that will require flights in the early rounds (mainly because in some senses it will be unavoidable), but don't expect the NCAA to just green light flight after flight after flight.

Yep, I listened to the podcast, though it was several weeks ago :-)

Thanks for doing that, it was very informative and entertaining (as all of the Hoopsville broadcasts are, on-demand or live!)

[frodotwo]

UWSP hasn't posted their 2012-13 schedule yet, but by checking the usual foes and recent years opponents:
@ Lawrence        ??/??
@ St. Thomas     ??/??
@ St. Olaf      11/17
St. John's      11/20
@ Buena Vista   11/24
Superior      12/01
Oshkosh      12/05   
Augustana      12/08
@ Whitewater   12/12
Edgewood      12/15
@ ? ? ?, TX      12/30(?)
@ Concordia, TX   12/31   

And the usual home-away WIAC schedule after the new year. Only 3 home NC games
Texas trip for the end of the year is 

[Greek Tragedy]

@ lu- 11/15
@stt-11/17
Stj-11/20
@bv -11/24
@sup-12/1
@osh-12/5
Augie-12/8
@ww-12/12
Edge-12/15
@stt-12/21
@tba??
@con.tx-12/31
Rf-1/3
@ec-1/5
St-1/9
Lx-1/12
@rf-1/19
Ww-1/23
Sup-1/26
@lx-2/2
Osh-2/6
@st-2/13
Ec-2/16

No pl schedule yet

[John Gleich]

@ lu- 11/15
@stt-11/17
Stj-11/20
@bv -11/24
@sup-12/1
@osh-12/5
Augie-12/8
@ww-12/12
Edge-12/15
@stt-12/21
@tba??
@con.tx-12/31
Rf-1/3
@ec-1/5
St-1/9
Lx-1/12
@rf-1/19
Ww-1/23
Sup-1/26
@lx-2/2
Osh-2/6
@st-2/13
Ec-2/16

No pl schedule yet

So, with the home and home Platteville, that should be 25.

I'm pretty sure we could figure out when they play each other based on the other schedules... But why go through that effort when they'll be posted soon enough?

Thanks for your work GT and frodo!

[Greek Tragedy]

I cant speak for frodo, but I was bored and had some time on my hands...and refused to use it in a productive manner! According to Carrie, anything related to d3hoops doesnt qualify as productive.

[Brian Carroll]

What ? D3hoops not productive ? Women.

[chmarx]

Don't listen to him.  He's hung over.

[tomt4525]

Got this from Mark Miller...

Whitewater recruiting class ... Darnell Harris, Reggie Hearn, Patrick Souter, Miles Chamberlain, ... all were considered scholarship kids.

All seem to be good to great gets.  Harris and Chamberlain I would expect to be mainstays in the startling lineup for the next 3 or 4 years respectively.  The backcourt seems to be crowded at Whitewater so Souter may find it tougher to find minutes.  And, I have never heard of Hearn, anybody have any info on him??

[havej]

Will be interesting to see how the Warhawk situation plays out - perimeter players who played significant roles on last year's squad could be fighting to get on the floor if the mentioned newcomers are as good as advertised.  Probably a great situation if you're the head coach.

[tomt4525]

Will be interesting to see how the Warhawk situation plays out - perimeter players who played significant roles on last year's squad could be fighting to get on the floor if the mentioned newcomers are as good as advertised.  Probably a great situation if you're the head coach.

Very true, but I think some negative things could possibly arise as well.  Most of these kids that are highly recruited by the top D3 schools aren't used to sitting the bench much at all, and some react to that better than others...some end up transferring over playing time and even worse, some could become a cancer to the team by voicing their displeasure to future recruits and/or high school coaches.  I definitely don't think it is common, but still happens from time to time I'm sure.

With that said, if I was a coach, I'm going to try and get as much talent on my team as possible and if I were to happen to overrecruit a certain position, so be it.

Whitewater is in a great position depth wise along with Point and to a lesser degree La Crosse in my opinion. Whitewater's backcourt is stacked with about 5 or 6 guys who can give quality minutes.  If Harris and Chamberlian are as advertised and help out Knoble in the frontcourt, they have to be about as deep as anyone.  Same thing with Point, they have some proven returners in the backcourt, so if their bigs they recruited give quality minutes they will have a ton of depth as well.  La Crosse impressed me with their recent recruiting class.  They will be young and inexperienced, but should be a force as well.

[havej]

Who projects as the starting #5 for UWW taking Davis' spot?

[tomt4525]

Who projects as the starting #5 for UWW taking Davis' spot?

I could be wrong but I would imagine Darnell Harris at 6'8" could start at the 5.  Offensively he is around the perimeter a ton but with his height he could at least guard opposing 5's.  Chamberlian and Knoble are both about 6'5" and Chamberlian has some definite beef to him, they should have enough size.

WW rotation??
PG  Merg/Young/Souter  most likely can split minutes here
SG  Odegaard
SF  Bryson/Fischer
PF  Knoble/Chamberlian/Burns
C  Harris

That is a pretty talented 10 deep right there, and I don't know anything about their other incoming player mentioned a couple posts back...Mark Miller thought he'd be a scholarship player so he may make it an 11 deep along with other guys who may have improved.

I'll have to do this for Point now.

[havej]

Didn't see the post about another scholarship player - do you have a name?

Also, where would one find a list of LAX's recruiting class?