MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sac]

Quevyn Winters has played 2 years of D1 basketball, one year each at  Duquesne and Washington and one year of JC at Indian Hills.  He has 1 year of eligibility remaining.  If he's sitting out this year, its either personal, academics or suspension from Washington.  There is nothing online about academic ineligibility or suspension.

[Just Bill]

That's what I was thinking. He might be sitting out the year, but it doesn't appear he's required to sit out the year, unless he was ineligible at the school he transferred from at the time of the transfer. Then he would have to do a year in residence to re-gain his eligibility.

[Hoops_n_Golf]

Back from my summer stint, and ready to make a stink by my critical yet un-informed posting. I see dozens of pages and Im not willing to look at them all - I've got more golf to play yet this autumn.

Here are my predictions for the upcoming season - based upon what my magic 8 ball said to each of the questions I asked of it.

1) Will Whitewater reign again in the WIAC? It is decidedly so

I agree with the 8-ball. It seems as though Coach Miller recruits hard and gets a ton of return. But his teams also benefit from his ability to get a bunch of individuals to by in to his program. I have no idea who they have but rest assured they will have enough.

2) Will Oshkosh be in the upper-tier of the WIAC? Signs point to yes

Olson led the league in scoring and Mueller was a nice co-star. They were fairly young, I expect them to build off the maturity they had gained last season. I kind of likr their Coach although I only see him from afar.

2) Can Steven's Point repeat? My sources say no

Richard, Ryf, Ritchay and Lutz - how do you win a National Title and have guys that are this unassuming? Well you play a system and get really, really, really good at it and have guys (like these) that play extremely well together. But they're gone. And Semling will have to get the next batch of guys up to par. Now I should admit I made the same prediction last year. But I've already admitted these predictions are a bit haphazard. Just enough to stir the pot.

4) Can River Falls get to the top of the conference? Don't count on it

I like them in the middle. They had GREAT youth last year and were my sexy pick. But didn't seem to get it done (cost me in pick-em!) I don't know if it is the opposite of Miller and I am not being critical. But they have done less with more I think than anyone I remember. I see a fast start. Perhaps a 2 or 3 game streak early. Then back to the pack.

5)  Eau Claire    Berkeley, Mau and Effertz graduate but Eau Claire played so many guys that they still return a ton of experience.  Hjelter and Kalien is a great backcourt to work around and have size up front to go with it.  It may not seem like it that I have them slotted 5th, but I expect Eau Claire to be much improved.

6)  Is Boston Johnson enough to get the Pioneers more than 10 wins? Cannot predict now

Not only was he my favorite named guy - I think his play in certain games last year was some of my favorite. However, I am not sure he is a "nucleus" guy. He certainly is a sidekick, and an impressive one at that.

7) Are La Crosse's best years behind them? Outlook good

Its been a few years since I really liked the product they had on the floor. Last year they were unbelievably inconsistent. Play Whitewater and Stout to 2 points in back to back games. Lose two going away to Eau Claire, but split with River Falls. Befuddles me. I see more of the same this year with unfortunately more of the bad than good for the Eagles.

(8)  Will Stout win a conference game this year? Reply hazy try again

I will resist the urge to comment on the Coach here as it disturbed many last time... I will wait to see how the hardest working recruiter in the league follows up an 0-16 year. But I CAN speculate that it will take a great deal to get them moving a great deal in the right direction. I suspect a different W/L result next year but I'm not convinced it will get them out of the cellar.

There you have it. Predictions by the great and powerfull HNG and his magic 8 ball...

[badgerwarhawk]

May or may not agree but I absolutely love your style. 

+K for just being you.

[The Dino Man]

The Dino Man Magic 8 Ball:
Bottle neck at the top with 3 or 4 teams at the end of the year having a chance to win it. I don't see Eau Claire being anywhere near the top half of the league as I just don't like the product Siverling puts out...I don't think he is a very good coach and I think they have average talent (at best). I think WW & Stevens Point are always a pick to be at the top because it is just too hard to pick against them. As much as I'd like to pick against Oshkosh to be in the mix I can't, Juckem has continued to bring in solid program players but I don't think Olson is as good as his stats indicate and without a go-to player it's tough to win the WIAC. Jeff Gard has his team in the Top 4 of the league almost every year and even with the losses of Manning and Stocki, I think they will find a way. River Falls could be a Top 25 team if they can break through and beat WW & Point.

1. Oshkosh
I see them winning the league but not the WIAC Conference Tournament
2. River Falls
Back to the NCAA's they go...a talented new freshman arrived on campus from MN-Melzeresque?
3. Whitewater
It isn't a matter of did they bring in transfers but WHO are the transfers they brought in...
4. Platteville
Johnson, Vaassen, Oestreich and some new faces...I've heard REALLY good things with a buzz around the program
5. Stevens Point
A young group but talented. Semling will have them playing well, especially at the end of the year. Best overall recruiting class SP has had in a few years.
6. Eau Claire
Average coach makes it difficult to win games in the WIAC. Recruiting has been below average
7. Lax
Among the most poorly managed teams in the league. Half way through last year it looked like his players no longer wanted to be a part of the team, played all young kids...will that experience help?
8. Stout
Fast Eddie still kicking...another winless season the horizon

Who could possibly pick Oshkosh and River Falls 1 & 2...  
-The Dino man

[Greek Tragedy]

I will bet the proverbial farm that Point doesn't end up 5th. The last time that happened was, I think, 98-99. Even the year after the 2nd championship, where they were 17-10 overall, they finished 3rd at 11-5, this after losing two All-Americans, Relerford and Maus, and some guy named John Gleich.

Obviously they have a lot to replace this year with 4 senior starters gone and only Pelkofer (starter) and McGann getting minutes last year. But with the new conference schedule, they have until the new year to get their act together before the 14-game conference grind.

But, I just don't have faith in the league, as a whole, to challenge the top 2, even with what they've lost. It just seems Miller and Semling always out-do themselves and make it happen.  Believe me, as a WIAC fan, I want someone to challenge Point and Whitewater to make the league more exciting and to get more WIAC teams in the NCAAs.

I'm not trying to be an arrogant Pointer fan, but teams in the past have disappointed me after they've been primed to "get over the hump" only to disappoint me when Whitewater or Point end up on top.

Of course I want Point to win it every year, but I also hope, as a WIAC fan, that Oshkosh or River Falls, or someone else, makes the league a lot more open and exciting this year.

[The Dino Man]

A guy can dream can't he?
At the end of the day, the two Purple teams could very well end up 1 & 2 and another year of "getting over the hump" will be nothing more than preseason talk.
Miller and Semling are the best coaches in the league, but I would argue that 50% of them being the best coaches is they have the best players. Two weeks until season starts? That time of year!
-The Dino Man

[Mr. Ypsi]

A guy can dream can't he?
At the end of the day, the two Purple teams could very well end up 1 & 2 and another year of "getting over the hump" will be nothing more than preseason talk.
Miller and Semling are the best coaches in the league, but I would argue that 50% of them being the best coaches is they have the best players. Two weeks until season starts? That time of year!
-The Dino Man

Of course.  AT LEAST 50% of being the best coach is recruiting the best players!

Dennie Bridges, the legendary coach at IWU, used to say something like (I can't find the exact quote right now): 90% of success in coaching is getting off the bus with the best players.

[Greek Tragedy]

Depends what your definition of "the best" means, I guess. None of last year's senior group of Lutz, Richard, Ryf and Ritchay made even AC-HM the previous year. Hardly a forecast for being the best. They obviously ended up having the best team though.

[badgerwarhawk]

 

I will bet the proverbial farm that Point doesn't end up 5th. The last time that happened was, I think, 98-99. Even the year after the 2nd championship, where they were 17-10 overall, they finished 3rd at 11-5, this after losing two All-Americans, Relerford and Maus, and some guy named John Gleich.

Ever hear of addition by subtraction? 

[John Gleich]

I will bet the proverbial farm that Point doesn't end up 5th. The last time that happened was, I think, 98-99. Even the year after the 2nd championship, where they were 17-10 overall, they finished 3rd at 11-5, this after losing two All-Americans, Relerford and Maus, and some guy named John Gleich.

Obviously they have a lot to replace this year with 4 senior starters gone and only Pelkofer (starter) and McGann getting minutes last year. But with the new conference schedule, they have until the new year to get their act together before the 14-game conference grind.

But, I just don't have faith in the league, as a whole, to challenge the top 2, even with what they've lost. It just seems Miller and Semling always out-do themselves and make it happen.  Believe me, as a WIAC fan, I want someone to challenge Point and Whitewater to make the league more exciting and to get more WIAC teams in the NCAAs.

I'm not trying to be an arrogant Pointer fan, but teams in the past have disappointed me after they've been primed to "get over the hump" only to disappoint me when Whitewater or Point end up on top.

Of course I want Point to win it every year, but I also hope, as a WIAC fan, that Oshkosh or River Falls, or someone else, makes the league a lot more open and exciting this year.

I agree.

I think the best case scenario for an Oshkosh or RF to compete would be in an 08-09 scenario (minus the bracket of death). The WIAC had 3 in the top 10 going into the NCAA tournament. That would require Osh or RF to rise to the level of WW and SP, not for the upstarts to replace one of them.

Do you realize the chasm that existed between the two purple monsters and the rest of the league? Everyone else had double digit losses last year! Only two other programs (Platte and Osh) were even above .500. Maybe a program or two is poised to make that leap... but this league is starting to look a lot more like the MIAA every year.

UWSP has made the NCAA tournament 12 of the last 13 years, including the last 9 in a row, and they brought home the Walnut and Bronze four times. Whitewater has made the NCAA tournament 8 of the last 9 years, including the last 4, and  they brought home the Walnut and Bronze twice.

Since 2002-03, Oshkosh has made the tournament once ('03, Elite 8), Stout once ('06, 2nd rd), LaX once ('06, 1st rd), Platte once ('09 2nd rd), RF twice ('11, '12, 1st rd).

That's everybody but Superior (who we don't have to keep stats on anymore....) and EC, who last made the tournament in '01 and took second in '00.

So everyone has had a modicum of success in the last 15 or so years... but it hasn't been sustained.

[John Gleich]

I will bet the proverbial farm that Point doesn't end up 5th. The last time that happened was, I think, 98-99. Even the year after the 2nd championship, where they were 17-10 overall, they finished 3rd at 11-5, this after losing two All-Americans, Relerford and Maus, and some guy named John Gleich.

Ever hear of addition by subtraction? 

I like to think of it a different way.... if I hadn't been holding them back, they would have won four straight!

[Hoops_n_Golf]

Miller and Semling are the best coaches in the league, but I would argue that 50% of them being the best coaches is they have the best players.

Not by a long shot. They don't recruit as hard as an 0-16 coach does, nor do they love their players as much. At least, that's what I was told previously.

[Hoops_n_Golf]

I will bet the proverbial farm that Point doesn't end up 5th. The last time that happened was, I think, 98-99. Even the year after the 2nd championship, where they were 17-10 overall, they finished 3rd at 11-5, this after losing two All-Americans, Relerford and Maus, and some guy named John Gleich.

Obviously they have a lot to replace this year with 4 senior starters gone and only Pelkofer (starter) and McGann getting minutes last year. But with the new conference schedule, they have until the new year to get their act together before the 14-game conference grind.

But, I just don't have faith in the league, as a whole, to challenge the top 2, even with what they've lost. It just seems Miller and Semling always out-do themselves and make it happen.  Believe me, as a WIAC fan, I want someone to challenge Point and Whitewater to make the league more exciting and to get more WIAC teams in the NCAAs.

I'm not trying to be an arrogant Pointer fan, but teams in the past have disappointed me after they've been primed to "get over the hump" only to disappoint me when Whitewater or Point end up on top.

Of course I want Point to win it every year, but I also hope, as a WIAC fan, that Oshkosh or River Falls, or someone else, makes the league a lot more open and exciting this year.

I agree.

I think the best case scenario for an Oshkosh or RF to compete would be in an 08-09 scenario (minus the bracket of death). The WIAC had 3 in the top 10 going into the NCAA tournament. That would require Osh or RF to rise to the level of WW and SP, not for the upstarts to replace one of them.

Do you realize the chasm that existed between the two purple monsters and the rest of the league? Everyone else had double digit losses last year! Only two other programs (Platte and Osh) were even above .500. Maybe a program or two is poised to make that leap... but this league is starting to look a lot more like the MIAA every year.

UWSP has made the NCAA tournament 12 of the last 13 years, including the last 9 in a row, and they brought home the Walnut and Bronze four times. Whitewater has made the NCAA tournament 8 of the last 9 years, including the last 4, and  they brought home the Walnut and Bronze twice.

Since 2002-03, Oshkosh has made the tournament once ('03, Elite 8), Stout once ('06, 2nd rd), LaX once ('06, 1st rd), Platte once ('09 2nd rd), RF twice ('11, '12, 1st rd).

That's everybody but Superior (who we don't have to keep stats on anymore....) and EC, who last made the tournament in '01 and took second in '00.

So everyone has had a modicum of success in the last 15 or so years... but it hasn't been sustained.

Good stuff. Puts the conference into perspective.

[The Dino Man]

We are all really saying the same thing. Although I would like to think that with River Falls and Oshkosh's returning players they should be able to contend for a title, I'm not saying it WILL happen. I'm purely saying that if this league is as cyclical as it has shown, this should be the year that another team who does not wear the color purple, should challenge and make a NCAA Tournament run. Those two teams in my estimation would be River Falls and Oshkosh.
Based on returning players ALONE, Stevens Point should not finish better than 4th in the league. That is how pre-season polls work. Who is returning and what was their output the year before. I would argue that River Falls, Oshkosh and Platteville (maybe EC) all have more returning than Whitewater and Stevens Point. If I'm wrong show me the data. If Monanu and Patten have left Whitewater, who on that team that is returning that we know of gives them the right to be in the top half? Again, that is what pre-season polls do.
This isn't D1...we don't have ranked recruiting classes that can help us in these issues.
Semling and Miller obviously have this thing figured out. Platteville had the best player in the league and maybe the country in Cross for two years and couldn't beat those two teams. I would imagine that those two teams will finish higher than I predicted, but judging on past experience, can't we all say that this should be the year one of them doesn't make it or at least a third joins the party?