MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[tomt4525]

Tomt - regarding your assessment of Cross and Platteville, I'll be most interested to see how WIAC coaches defend Cross this year.  Based on what is surrounding him on the perimeter, I'm not letting him beat me.  Stocki, Gerber, etc.  will have to make shots consistently in order for me not to double down or dig in the post.  I saw Platteville play about 6 times last year, and rarely saw him doubled in the post or forced to his right off perimeter catches.  And when he did catch on the block, he was almost always right shoulder.  That was hard for me to believe as their perimeter shooting was a tad suspect.  During WIAC play (and that's all that really matters) the 3 point FG% of Gerber (30%), Stocki (34%), and Stallion (16%) was such that I'm fine losing to Pville if those three guys beat me.  I'll play those odds anytime. 

Bottom line, Cross' support will have to be really good for them to finish #2.

It is really hard for me to argue with anything you have just said.  Platteville isn't the greatest shooting team where you can't afford to double down or dig down on Cross.  Which, exactly like you said, made me wonder why some teams allowed Cross to beat them.  I'm taking my chances with everyone else besides Cross.  I'll definitely be tuning into the beginning of WIAC play to see how Cross is being defended.

My preseason predictions could very well change after I see initial rosters of teams.  Whitewater had only announced a few of their incoming recruits so they could have more incoming guys or even guys from previous years not returning.

[madzillagd]

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously but in the Where Are They Now category...   Arik Smith of RF is listed on the Cal Lutheran roster.  http://www.clusports.com/mens_basketball/roster/

[tomt4525]

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously but in the Where Are They Now category...   Arik Smith of RF is listed on the Cal Lutheran roster.  http://www.clusports.com/mens_basketball/roster/

Thanks for the info...I had noticed he wasn't listed as a returning player for UWRF but had no idea where he ended up.

[AppletonRocks]

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously but in the Where Are They Now category...   Arik Smith of RF is listed on the Cal Lutheran roster.  http://www.clusports.com/mens_basketball/roster/

Thanks for the info...I had noticed he wasn't listed as a returning player for UWRF but had no idea where he ended up.
[/quote

Better beaches in River Falls than Cali?

[AppletonRocks]

Is Cross primarily a lefty or a righty shooter?  Did not see PVille in 2012/13.  Thanks.

[jimhoops1234]

Cross is a Lefty.

RF did pick up a junior college guard that should help fill the scoring void that Arik Smith is leaving.  Not as big but has been a dynamic scorer in high school and junior college.  Should be quite a few new faces in RF this year. 

[havej]

Sounds like a good pickup for RF as Smith was a fairly consistent scorer, although not super efficient.  If White returns at full srength, do you think they contend for that last playoff spot?  LAX and Stout would probably not be as strong as last year, and I haven't heard if any Superior players decided not to return.

[tomt4525]

Attended the Backcourt Club Appreciation day yesterday and took in some practice drills and a short scrimmage drill by Point players. The good news is that all of them were healthy!! 15 on the roster this year, down from 22 last year at this time. Not much height beyond Heuer and 6'7" frosh Gjertson though. Not too much you can tell from a 45 minute practice, but very impressed with Pelkofer, who reminds me of a young Matt Moses.

Two scrimmages set, Friday at Duluth this week and Michigan Tech here next week Friday (2PM starts).

Was perusing the schedule to see what away games I can make trips to and see a tough ending to the year in store for the players. 12/28 vs Whitworth (26-4 #11 D3 Hoops last yr), then 12/29 vs Whitman (19-8 last year) at 6PM (8PM CST). A flight home & then turn around and get on the bus for a 4PM date on 12/31 vs North Central (28-4 #3 D3 Hoops last year).   Not sure if any teams have a tougher year end (doubtful), but we'll certainly know what type of team we have after these trips.

From 11/23/13 to 1/25/14 Point plays eight teams in Massey's current top 25 - #2 Whitewater - #3 St Thomas - #4 North Central - #13 Whitworth - #16 La Crosse - #17 Stout - #20 Platteville - #22 Hope.

Do any Point fans know what the deal is with the scrimmage next Friday??  Do the coaches frown upon people watching them??  I haven't ever watched one of their preseason scrimmages before but I will be in Stevens Point that day.

[frodotwo]

Attended the Backcourt Club Appreciation day yesterday and took in some practice drills and a short scrimmage drill by Point players. The good news is that all of them were healthy!! 15 on the roster this year, down from 22 last year at this time. Not much height beyond Heuer and 6'7" frosh Gjertson though. Not too much you can tell from a 45 minute practice, but very impressed with Pelkofer, who reminds me of a young Matt Moses.

Two scrimmages set, Friday at Duluth this week and Michigan Tech here next week Friday (2PM starts).

Was perusing the schedule to see what away games I can make trips to and see a tough ending to the year in store for the players. 12/28 vs Whitworth (26-4 #11 D3 Hoops last yr), then 12/29 vs Whitman (19-8 last year) at 6PM (8PM CST). A flight home & then turn around and get on the bus for a 4PM date on 12/31 vs North Central (28-4 #3 D3 Hoops last year).   Not sure if any teams have a tougher year end (doubtful), but we'll certainly know what type of team we have after these trips.

From 11/23/13 to 1/25/14 Point plays eight teams in Massey's current top 25 - #2 Whitewater - #3 St Thomas - #4 North Central - #13 Whitworth - #16 La Crosse - #17 Stout - #20 Platteville - #22 Hope.

Do any Point fans know what the deal is with the scrimmage next Friday??  Do the coaches frown upon people watching them??  I haven't ever watched one of their preseason scrimmages before but I will be in Stevens Point that day.

Scrimmages are not advertised or officially announced by rule (NCAA?), but are open to the public. Last years' scrimmage here was 3 halves, score reverting back to zero after the end of each. Coach didn't "invite" the public, but said he'll leave the upper bleachers open for those interested.

[frodotwo]

DIIINews (WHO??  ) 2013-14 Preseason poll

1. Amherst
2. St. Mary's (Md.)
3. Washington (Mo.)
4. Cabrini
5. Mary Hardin-Baylor
6. Williams
7. Illinois Wesleyan
8. St. Thomas
9. Wooster
10. Whitworth
11. Wis. Stevens Point
12. Christopher Newport
13. North Central
14. WPI
15. Hampden-Sydney
16. Dickinson
17. Baldwin-Wallace
18. Calvin
19. Alvernia
20. Rose-Hulman
21. Franklin & Marshall
22. Centre
23. Middlebury
24. Morrisville St.
25. Virginia Wesleyan

Others to watch:
St Norbert
Rhode Island College
Stevens
Scranton
Texas-Dallas
DeSales
Staten Island
Stockton
Hope
Capital
Lakeland
Wis. Whitewater
Rochester
Ithaca

[tomt4525]

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2013-14/preseason

D3 hoops preseason poll is out!!  This is about where I expected UWSP to start out, so much talent.

I think WW may have started out a little high here.  There is some mystery to their roster so that could be why I feel that way.

I also think that Platteville should atleast be getting some votes.  Nice to see Stout get some votes, they have some solid talent this year along with experience.

[voice]

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2013-14/preseason

D3 hoops preseason poll is out!!  This is about where I expected UWSP to start out, so much talent.

I think WW may have started out a little high here.  There is some mystery to their roster so that could be why I feel that way.

I also think that Platteville should atleast be getting some votes.  Nice to see Stout get some votes, they have some solid talent this year along with experience.

What mystery??

[tomt4525]

http://www.d3hoops.com/top25/men/2013-14/preseason

D3 hoops preseason poll is out!!  This is about where I expected UWSP to start out, so much talent.

I think WW may have started out a little high here.  There is some mystery to their roster so that could be why I feel that way.

I also think that Platteville should atleast be getting some votes.  Nice to see Stout get some votes, they have some solid talent this year along with experience.

What mystery??

I have only heard of a couple of their incoming recruits for WW, all from in state.  I imagine they have more new players coming in than just the couple I've heard of.  They are close to Illinois so I could see a player or two from there along with them known to get a transfer or two.  I just want to see a roster for them, that's all.  It should happen soon with either the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook showing up at my door or rosters starting to get posted on their websites.

[John Gleich]

Attended the Backcourt Club Appreciation day yesterday and took in some practice drills and a short scrimmage drill by Point players. The good news is that all of them were healthy!! 15 on the roster this year, down from 22 last year at this time. Not much height beyond Heuer and 6'7" frosh Gjertson though. Not too much you can tell from a 45 minute practice, but very impressed with Pelkofer, who reminds me of a young Matt Moses.

Two scrimmages set, Friday at Duluth this week and Michigan Tech here next week Friday (2PM starts).

Was perusing the schedule to see what away games I can make trips to and see a tough ending to the year in store for the players. 12/28 vs Whitworth (26-4 #11 D3 Hoops last yr), then 12/29 vs Whitman (19-8 last year) at 6PM (8PM CST). A flight home & then turn around and get on the bus for a 4PM date on 12/31 vs North Central (28-4 #3 D3 Hoops last year).   Not sure if any teams have a tougher year end (doubtful), but we'll certainly know what type of team we have after these trips.

From 11/23/13 to 1/25/14 Point plays eight teams in Massey's current top 25 - #2 Whitewater - #3 St Thomas - #4 North Central - #13 Whitworth - #16 La Crosse - #17 Stout - #20 Platteville - #22 Hope.

So, 6'8" VanHandel isn't back on the team this season??  He was showing improvement last season.

Does anyone know about Nate Van Handel?

I think he suffered through some injuries over the past couple of years... they may have become too much.

[tomt4525]

Attended the Backcourt Club Appreciation day yesterday and took in some practice drills and a short scrimmage drill by Point players. The good news is that all of them were healthy!! 15 on the roster this year, down from 22 last year at this time. Not much height beyond Heuer and 6'7" frosh Gjertson though. Not too much you can tell from a 45 minute practice, but very impressed with Pelkofer, who reminds me of a young Matt Moses.

Two scrimmages set, Friday at Duluth this week and Michigan Tech here next week Friday (2PM starts).

Was perusing the schedule to see what away games I can make trips to and see a tough ending to the year in store for the players. 12/28 vs Whitworth (26-4 #11 D3 Hoops last yr), then 12/29 vs Whitman (19-8 last year) at 6PM (8PM CST). A flight home & then turn around and get on the bus for a 4PM date on 12/31 vs North Central (28-4 #3 D3 Hoops last year).   Not sure if any teams have a tougher year end (doubtful), but we'll certainly know what type of team we have after these trips.

From 11/23/13 to 1/25/14 Point plays eight teams in Massey's current top 25 - #2 Whitewater - #3 St Thomas - #4 North Central - #13 Whitworth - #16 La Crosse - #17 Stout - #20 Platteville - #22 Hope.

So, 6'8" VanHandel isn't back on the team this season??  He was showing improvement last season.

Does anyone know about Nate Van Handel?

I think he suffered through some injuries over the past couple of years... they may have become too much.

I'll be attending the scrimmage on Friday against Michigan Tech, so if anyone doesn't answer this question by then, I will.  Looking forward to seeing this team in person, I've been excited for this upcoming season since last year ended.