MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

The post season is coming at a perfect time for the Hawks. They are playing their best basketball of the season right now. Since the 1/23 loss at Point, UWW has been winning by an average margarin of almost 18 points per game.

I like the Hawks' chances if they get another shot at Point in the conference tourny.

[stoutguy]

That loss really hurts Stout. Obviously Point is ranked higher so the Blue Devils shouldnt drop to far, but they just havent been able to get a "signature" win this season. Blew two halftime leads to Whitewater and now this OT loss to the Pointers. I don't know if they are going to have to necesarily win the conference tourny, but for sure get to the finals for a chance at the NCAA. Really hope they can take care of business on Saturday and concentrate on what they need to do.

I could not agree less.  This loss does not hurt Stout at all.  The pool C talk is just that---talk.  A team that finishes 3rd in their conference is not going to get a pool C bid.  What did matter in that game last night and everyone there saw it was a Stout team that played a deserving conference champion toe to toe and let themselves and everyone else know that this is an outstanding Stout team.  They hustle, they play defense, they are unselfish, and they didn't "blow" anything.  It was one of the best WIAC games I have ever watched.

One more thing.  I nominate the often disrespected Ed Andrist for COY honors.  Now let the bashing begin.

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 75
Oshkosh: 58

Oshkosh opened the scoring with a three-pointer and Quardell Young's layup on the next possession got the WARHAWKS on the board.  The Titans answered with a basket and with one exception held a lead for the next five minutes until a pair of free throws by Eric Bryson tied the game 8-8.  Neither team was able to score for the next couple of minutes when the Titans scored to regain the lead however the WARHAWKS tied it for a second time 10-10 on Patrick Souter's layup with eleven and half minutes remaining.  At this point Oshkosh regained the lead and held it for the next seven minutes.  Souter's three-point basket pulled the WARHAWKS into a tie 25-25 and Darnell Harris's jumper gave them their first lead since a 6-5 score early in the half.   The WARHAWKS defense held the Titans scoreless for the last four minutes of the half while the offense added three free throws and a basket to make the halftime score 32-25.   The WARHAWKS shot just 37% to the Titans 44% in the half but a 23-11 WARHAWKS advantage on the boards, including an 8-0 advantage on the offensive end, led to 4-0 scoring advantage on second chance points.  Free throws were also significant as the WARHAWKS sank 10 of 13 while the Titans only shot twice and sank one.  Luke Knoble led all scorers with 9 points while KJ Evans' 6 rebounds were a halftime high.  The Titans stayed within four to nine points for the first six and half minutes of the second half unitl a pair of free throws from Evans gave the WARHAWKS their first double digit lead 48-38.  The lead remained between twelve and seven points for the next eleven minutes when a pair of free throws by Young made the score 65-55 with two and half minutes to play and that was as close as the Titans would get. 

The WARHAWKS shot 55% in the second half to finish the game at 45%.  Five WARHAWKS  scored in double figures.  Evans' 12 points led the way while Souter, Bryson, Harris and Knoble scored 11 points each.  Evans' 9 rebounds were a game high .  Young and Alex Merg each had a team high 3 assists and Young's 4 steals were a game high.  Harris had a game high 4 blocks.

Alex Olson had a game high 14 points to lead the Titans who had 16 assists on 24 made baskets.     

[hoops2]

Stoutguy,

I agree Stout has no reason to be down after last night's loss.  Quite frankly, it shouldn't matter if you finish third in your league if you are one of the best teams in the country you should get in.  I believe the BlueDevils have a legitimate shot at a pool C.  Especially if they can get to the title game of the conference tourney but if they win Sat. and again in the opening round of the tourney that I believe gets them to the magical 20 win plateau.  Plus right now all their losses save one are against teams that will be in the tourney.  Good chance for your team.

Regarding Eddie, I believe he's doing a great job this year but in all fairness, the job Semling is doing with all the injuries UWSP has suffered and still winning the league can't go unnoticed.  I don't always believe the coach of the winning team deserves COY but at least in my mind this year there should be very little doubt.  If they gave out assistant COY honors I'd also give that to Kent Dernbach at Point because they are holding their team together with Elmers glue and duct tape.  (It doesn't hurt to have excellent players with great character--outstanding recruiting!)  Kudos as well to former Titan who is really helping UWSP, Dane Seckar-Anderson. 

Congrats Pointers and good luck on Saturday.

[voice]

In my humble opinion I think Stout WILL get a Pool C bid with a couple of wins in next week's WIAC Post-Season Tournament.

On a personal note:  I'm still trying to grasp yesterday's news that seven month's of chemo and radiation has destroyed the tumor that was found in my colon in early June. Thank you to the many who have given me the energy to wage this battle. Your thoughts and prayers have been so inspirational for me and my family!!

[02 Warhawk]

In my humble opinion I think Stout WILL get a Pool C bid with a couple of wins in next week's WIAC Post-Season Tournament.

On a personal note:  I'm still trying to grasp yesterday's news that seven month's of chemo and radiation has destroyed the tumor that was found in my colon in early June. Thank you to the many who have given me the energy to wage this battle. Your thoughts and prayers have been so inspirational for me and my family!!

Great news Voice!!! See you in September!

[badgerwarhawk]

Voice, I've been concerned because you haven't updated your WIAC basketball blog for a while and I figured it was your battle with cancer that was keeping you away so this is REALLY, REALLY FANTASTIC news.  Now get your strength back.  The WARHAWKS need you.

[hoops2]

Voice,

Great to hear!  Always enjoy reading your reviews and comments.  Party in whatever way possible and makes you happy.   

[stoutfan1]

That loss really hurts Stout. Obviously Point is ranked higher so the Blue Devils shouldnt drop to far, but they just havent been able to get a "signature" win this season. Blew two halftime leads to Whitewater and now this OT loss to the Pointers. I don't know if they are going to have to necesarily win the conference tourny, but for sure get to the finals for a chance at the NCAA. Really hope they can take care of business on Saturday and concentrate on what they need to do.

I could not agree less.  This loss does not hurt Stout at all.  The pool C talk is just that---talk.  A team that finishes 3rd in their conference is not going to get a pool C bid.  What did matter in that game last night and everyone there saw it was a Stout team that played a deserving conference champion toe to toe and let themselves and everyone else know that this is an outstanding Stout team.  They hustle, they play defense, they are unselfish, and they didn't "blow" anything.  It was one of the best WIAC games I have ever watched.

One more thing.  I nominate the often disrespected Ed Andrist for COY honors.  Now let the bashing begin.

Stout has been GREAT to watch this year and have been a GREAT team as well. They have played WW and SP very tough for 3 of the 4 games (and couldve/shouldve won a couple of them). All I was saying was it wouldve been nice to have a win or 2 against a top 25 team to really say "we belong." As I said, losing to Point isn't going to really hurt them, but now I think they are going to have to make the conference finals to have a chance at the NCAA's. This would mean finally beating a top team (In WW most likely), whick they are more than capable of doing. And about "blowing their chances", I said they blew  halftime leads against Whitewater, not anything about their chances. (Just wanted to clarify  )

Coach Andrist should definitely be in the talk about COY going from a 4-12 record (9-16 overall) good for 8th in conference last year to a 10-5 (18-6 overall) good for 3rd this year is pretty amazing. But as Hoops mentioned, Point lost their all-american early in the season and suffered other injuries and still managed to win the conference. Going to be tough to win it over Semling this year.

[Greek Tragedy]

And Chas Cross for POTY in a landslide

[Pat Coleman]

I could not agree less.  This loss does not hurt Stout at all.  The pool C talk is just that---talk.  A team that finishes 3rd in their conference is not going to get a pool C bid. 

Not true. Not true at all.

[Pat Coleman]

In my humble opinion I think Stout WILL get a Pool C bid with a couple of wins in next week's WIAC Post-Season Tournament.

On a personal note:  I'm still trying to grasp yesterday's news that seven month's of chemo and radiation has destroyed the tumor that was found in my colon in early June. Thank you to the many who have given me the energy to wage this battle. Your thoughts and prayers have been so inspirational for me and my family!!

Whoo hoo!

[stoutguy]

I could not agree less.  This loss does not hurt Stout at all.  The pool C talk is just that---talk.  A team that finishes 3rd in their conference is not going to get a pool C bid. 

Not true. Not true at all.

Okay, you are the boss, I know, so I will back down and say yes, the SP loss did hurt Stout's chances.  But I am still going to take a wait and see attitude on the  "3rd place in the conference" thing.  Sure hope I'm wrong. 

[Pat Coleman]

I could not agree less.  This loss does not hurt Stout at all.  The pool C talk is just that---talk.  A team that finishes 3rd in their conference is not going to get a pool C bid. 

Not true. Not true at all.

Okay, you are the boss, I know, so I will back down and say yes, the SP loss did hurt Stout's chances.  But I am still going to take a wait and see attitude on the  "3rd place in the conference" thing.  Sure hope I'm wrong.

Well, you only have to look back as far as last year to find the last time three WIAC teams made the tournament. Also, three CCIW and three NESCAC teams made the tournament last year as well.

[badgerwarhawk]

The WIAC has placed three teams in the post season twice in last five years.  2008-09  (Platteville, Stevens Point and WW) and last year (River Falls, Stevens Point and WW).

Keep the faith Stoutguy, all is not lost.....(yet).