MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bulk19]

I understand that Eau Claire  may have need for an arena of some kind, but I suggest that some thought be given to having the Blugolds  playing in a large arena. We have had some experience with that in La Crosse, and I think most would agree that it didn't work very well. The problem is that unless attendance increases greatly, the games get swallowed up in the large arena. UWL and Viterbo might attract 1200 to an intra-city game, but there was absolutely no atmosphere in the 6500 seat La Crosse Center. The games are much better suited to Mitchell Hall or Viterbo's small gym. Zorn is a great venue, and I hope it can be retained.

I'd have to agree with Brian here; Zorn is a great venue... But it's hard to turn down $10 million for a new facility, and EC could use a new concert venue/arena...

The Catbirds CBA team in La Crosse drew well, leading the league in attendance its first five years in the La Crosse Center, filling it up pretty good... It was a good environment because they were winning, too... La Crosse became a basketball town during that era... (I can't recall the numbers on subsequent La Crosse Bobcat teams that played there, but they weren't as successful as the Catbirds were...)

That being said, those Catbird attendance numbers/fans didn't filter over to Mitchell Hall to watch the Eagles and boost their numbers... And as BC says the regular Eagles' crowds would get lost in that larger arena...

When I was a senior in high school, our team played its season at the La Crosse Center the year it opened; I can't recall the attendance numbers, they were probably decent, as far as high school games go, but it was, indeed, cavernous. Twasn't cozy like when the team played at the Mary E. Sawyer auditorium, if anyone remembers that place... (The annual high school tournament played at the LaX Center does well and the Matt Thomas/Bronson Koenig showdowns were well attended, but not to capacity...)

Thus... even with a new venue and the novelty there of, I would find it hard to think UWEC would nowadays even be able to draw 3,000+ SRO crowds like it did during the glory years of the 1970s-80s...

[chmarx]

I wondered when Brian would see this news.

Part of the Catbirds' attendance success was giving away and heavily discounting tickets.  The Bobcats didn't do that, and had few or no sellouts but did better financiallly.

As far as Zorn, imho it is a glorified pole barn with no charm and few amenities.  UWEC would do well to  replace it.

[badgerwarhawk]

Any updates on UWW's roster? Interested to see if Skylar O'Laughlin from Elkhorn via Winona State is transferring here!

This isn't happening. 

[ShineTime]

Is he at least going to be a pointer?  Point really needs some transfers with what they lost.

[Greek Tragedy]

Point's recruiting class announced

Wow. Two players. Ouch!


http://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2014/9/5/MBB_0905143122.aspx?path=mbball

[tomt4525]

Point's recruiting class announced

Wow. Two players. Ouch!


http://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2014/9/5/MBB_0905143122.aspx?path=mbball

Not if it's the right 2 players....really excited to see Zuiker in a Pointer uniform.

[Greek Tragedy]

I understand quality over quantity,  but we lose 3 seniors and always seem to lose 2 or 3 others.

[tomt4525]

I understand quality over quantity,  but we lose 3 seniors and always seem to lose 2 or 3 others.

Very true, and lost not to mention the seniors lost were all All Conference quality...I am very surprised that the class was only 2 players.  If this is truly it for incoming players, I expect the team will still be solid but would be a down year for Point's standards.  Next year will be a very important recruiting class with Lutz, Richard, Ryf and Ritchay all graduating.

[AndOne]

I understand quality over quantity,  but we lose 3 seniors and always seem to lose 2 or 3 others.

Very true, and lost not to mention the seniors lost were all All Conference quality...I am very surprised that the class was only 2 players.  If this is truly it for incoming players, I expect the team will still be solid but would be a down year for Point's standards.  Next year will be a very important recruiting class with Lutz, Richard, Ryf and Ritchay all graduating.

Not only were all 3 of the seniors lost (1st team) All-Conference quality, but 2 of the 3 were D3Hoops All-American quality.
Heuer was Point's primary "big," Tillema was unbelievable, and Hass was the best 2nd best player on any team I saw last year either in person or via video.
In the best D3 conferences, not many freshman usually make a major impact, so its probably unrealistic to expect the 2 new recruits to play a major role from the get go. The real question facing UWSP this season is who is going to make up for the production of 3 first team All-Conference players, 2 of who were also All-Americans, who collectively averaged 47+ points per game, not to mention their other contributions beyond their scoring production. What returning players are going to be ready to step up to fill the huge void glaring up at the Pointers?

[tomt4525]

I understand quality over quantity,  but we lose 3 seniors and always seem to lose 2 or 3 others.

Very true, and lost not to mention the seniors lost were all All Conference quality...I am very surprised that the class was only 2 players.  If this is truly it for incoming players, I expect the team will still be solid but would be a down year for Point's standards.  Next year will be a very important recruiting class with Lutz, Richard, Ryf and Ritchay all graduating.

Not only were all 3 of the seniors lost (1st team) All-Conference quality, but 2 of the 3 were D3Hoops All-American quality.
Heuer was Point's primary "big," Tillema was unbelievable, and Hass was the best 2nd best player on any team I saw last year either in person or via video.
In the best D3 conferences, not many freshman usually make a major impact, so its probably unrealistic to expect the 2 new recruits to play a major role from the get go. The real question facing UWSP this season is who is going to make up for the production of 3 first team All-Conference players, 2 of who were also All-Americans, who collectively averaged 47+ points per game, not to mention their other contributions beyond their scoring production. What returning players are going to be ready to step up to fill the huge void glaring up at the Pointers?

Obviously, players of Hass and Tillema's caliber will be almost impossible to replace.  With that said, I expect a lot of improvement from guys like Ritchay, McGann and Pelkofer.  Ryf and Richard also need to become reliable scorers.  I liked what I saw from Freeborn as a freshman, I would be shocked if he didn't find himself in the rotation.  Gjertson will be called upon to make big steps due to his size.  It will be interesting to see how the season plays out.

[AppletonRocks]

The Titans could be an interesting team.  While losing Wurtz and Royston, a lot of underclassmen got some quality time.   Any news on their recruits?  Likely a small class with all the frosh Coach Juckem had to recruit in 2013/14.   

[tomt4525]

Transfers into the Whitewater program....Brendan Ortiz and Jamar Morris from Madison Memorial...Austin Mecca from D2 Upper Iowa and Justin Stanko from D1 Loyola...Wow

This is what I was hoping to see from Point after losing 2 All Americans.

[Titan Q]

Transfers into the Whitewater program....Brendan Ortiz and Jamar Morris from Madison Memorial...Austin Mecca from D2 Upper Iowa and Justin Stanko from D1 Loyola...Wow

This is what I was hoping to see from Point after losing 2 All Americans.

Wasn't Stanko a soccer player (not basketball) at Loyola? 

[badgerwarhawk]

Transfers into the Whitewater program....Brendan Ortiz and Jamar Morris from Madison Memorial...Austin Mecca from D2 Upper Iowa and Justin Stanko from D1 Loyola...Wow

This is what I was hoping to see from Point after losing 2 All Americans.

Wasn't Stanko a soccer player (not basketball) at Loyola? 

Yes, my understanding is that he transferred to WHITEWATER because he wants to play two sports.  We've had other two sport athletes so we're more than happy to accomodate him.

[AppletonRocks]

Can the transfers play immediately? 

What ever happened to those Madison Memorial players that got busted for theft at the retail store?  I recall one of them was a D-1 recruit.