MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

The transfers

Delmore
Dodge
Robinson
Williams

Bryce Williams (1 yr left)
Frosh - ?
Soph - 13-14 Crown 20.4 ppg
Sat out - 14-15 St. Leo (bio, DNP)
Junior - 15-16 Lancaster Bible 20.5 ppg

Jontrell Robinson (2 yrs)
Frosh - 14-15 Rock Valley
Soph - 15-16 Rock Valley

Nate Dodge (3 yrs)
Frosh - 15-16 Army

MJ Delmore (2 yrs)
Redshirt - 13-14 SMSU
Frosh - 14-15 SMSU
Soph - 15-16 SMSU

Dodge played games in 2 different years for Army, he should have 2 years to play at UWSP....unless he gets a medical redshirt for last season...he played 7 games, maybe he was hurt for the rest of the season??

Thanks, fixed it (unless he's got the medical redshirt). I'm not sure about last year either.

The Army site isn't that easy to gather information from... what are they doing, defending our country or something?

[frodotwo]

Thinking about it logically...

looking at minutes played for the returners:

Bublitz 32 mpg
Goedeke 19 mpg
Tauber 17 mpg (19 of 26 games played)
Freeborn 15 mpg
Zuiker 15 mpg

3 posts, a wing and a guard in the top 5 of minutes played

You have a logjam of minutes played after these 5

Nelson 11 mpg (17 of 26 games played)
Gjertson 10 mpg (15 of 26 games played)
Retzlaff 10 mpg (23 of 26 games played)
Fredrickson 10 mpg (23 of 26 games played)

2 guards and 2 posts in the next wave, most of the post minutes seem to be distributed between the returning players...especially since the only forwards/posts in the incoming class are freshman, not transfers.

The transfers

Delmore
Dodge
Robinson
Williams

Robinson is strictly a wing defender, he can play that role for the team but will only be playing in certain matchups.  As far as the other 3 transfers, they are known as shooters...something Point struggled with consistently last season.  I don't know how minutes will be distributed but along with Zuiker, Bublitz, Nelson and Fredrickson...among these 7 I'd expect the 1,2 and 3 positions to be filled.

Unteidt, Mootz, O'Heron have not been mentioned.  O'Heron played some as a freshman and seems to me that Semling has a plan for him in the future.  Unteidt got some decent minutes as a sophomore.  He very well could overtake any of the guards already mentioned for minutes if he makes some strides this offseason.  Mootz is a hustle guy that seems like a very good teammate who is happy with his role. 

The freshman

Normally, it's hard for a player right out of high school to jump into Point's rotation..especially a year like this coming year with as many returning players as there are.  Add the fact that they brought in an abnormal amount of transfers, it seems unlikely any of the freshman play more than a few minutes in blowouts.  If they break into the rotation, they are special players.

Knez
Spray
Koerner
Ehrke

Don't quote me on this because I very well could be way off....The coaching staff definitely has some things to sort out....mainly the guard rotation.

Joslin didn't make your list of incoming frosh, not yet announced as a player, but that makes 21 for the roster. Highly doubtful they will carry that many even on the practice roster. With the influx of big men I doubt Gjertson sees the floor this year, he saw very little playing time after the first 6 games of last year and really added nothing offensively or on the boards. I realize he's a senior but I think he'll be the first casualty of the overload. An injury derailed Untiedt's junior season, but I don't see him surviving the logjam of guards. Same for Mootz and Knez, there's just too much talent ahead of them and coming in. That leaves 17 and the most players they've had on the roster since Semling became coach was 16 in his second year. Tough situation to be in for the players and coaches as well.

[tomt4525]

Thinking about it logically...

looking at minutes played for the returners:

Bublitz 32 mpg
Goedeke 19 mpg
Tauber 17 mpg (19 of 26 games played)
Freeborn 15 mpg
Zuiker 15 mpg

3 posts, a wing and a guard in the top 5 of minutes played

You have a logjam of minutes played after these 5

Nelson 11 mpg (17 of 26 games played)
Gjertson 10 mpg (15 of 26 games played)
Retzlaff 10 mpg (23 of 26 games played)
Fredrickson 10 mpg (23 of 26 games played)

2 guards and 2 posts in the next wave, most of the post minutes seem to be distributed between the returning players...especially since the only forwards/posts in the incoming class are freshman, not transfers.

The transfers

Delmore
Dodge
Robinson
Williams

Robinson is strictly a wing defender, he can play that role for the team but will only be playing in certain matchups.  As far as the other 3 transfers, they are known as shooters...something Point struggled with consistently last season.  I don't know how minutes will be distributed but along with Zuiker, Bublitz, Nelson and Fredrickson...among these 7 I'd expect the 1,2 and 3 positions to be filled.

Unteidt, Mootz, O'Heron have not been mentioned.  O'Heron played some as a freshman and seems to me that Semling has a plan for him in the future.  Unteidt got some decent minutes as a sophomore.  He very well could overtake any of the guards already mentioned for minutes if he makes some strides this offseason.  Mootz is a hustle guy that seems like a very good teammate who is happy with his role. 

The freshman

Normally, it's hard for a player right out of high school to jump into Point's rotation..especially a year like this coming year with as many returning players as there are.  Add the fact that they brought in an abnormal amount of transfers, it seems unlikely any of the freshman play more than a few minutes in blowouts.  If they break into the rotation, they are special players.

Knez
Spray
Koerner
Ehrke

Don't quote me on this because I very well could be way off....The coaching staff definitely has some things to sort out....mainly the guard rotation.

Joslin didn't make your list of incoming frosh, not yet announced as a player, but that makes 21 for the roster. Highly doubtful they will carry that many even on the practice roster. With the influx of big men I doubt Gjertson sees the floor this year, he saw very little playing time after the first 6 games of last year and really added nothing offensively or on the boards. I realize he's a senior but I think he'll be the first casualty of the overload. An injury derailed Untiedt's junior season, but I don't see him surviving the logjam of guards. Same for Mootz and Knez, there's just too much talent ahead of them and coming in. That leaves 17 and the most players they've had on the roster since Semling became coach was 16 in his second year. Tough situation to be in for the players and coaches as well.

I don't want to speculate on who or who won't make the final roster, when it comes down to it at this point...all it is, is speculation.  We don't know what will happen, we just know that the roster is bigger now than Semling has ever had it.

As far as Joslin goes.  I didn't include him as I haven't been able to confirm he will be playing basketball.  I know for sure he is going to school at UWSP.  If he's on the roster for basketball, he'll be a true 5 that plays with his back to the basket.

[AndOne]

With D3 being overwhelmingly guard orientated, a true 5 man is becoming a rarity. This can be evidenced by the fact that many teams now feature feature a 3 guard, 2 forward, or less frequently, a 3 forward, 2 guard attack. Either variation usually features a designated "wing," be he either a true guard or forward. With many true 5s garnering D1, D2, and NAIA scholarships, despite the fact they are often awarded based only on height and/or potential as opposed to real talent, it is not often that you see a true 5 playing at the D3 level. One that has the added dimension of being able to operate effectively with his back to the basket is equivalent to finding a rare gem, and a tremendous weapon and advantage at the D3 level.

[AppletonRocks]

With D3 being overwhelmingly guard orientated, a true 5 man is becoming a rarity. This can be evidenced by the fact that many teams now feature feature a 3 guard, 2 forward, or less frequently, a 3 forward, 2 guard attack. Either variation usually features a designated "wing," be he either a true guard or forward. With many true 5s garnering D1, D2, and NAIA scholarships, despite the fact they are often awarded based only on height and/or potential as opposed to real talent, it is not often that you see a true 5 playing at the D3 level. One that has the added dimension of being able to operate effectively with his back to the basket is equivalent to finding a rare gem, and a tremendous weapon and advantage at the D3 level.

So how would you categorize a 6'8" or 6'7" player with some body mass, ala Jeff Skemp type?  Is that a true 5 or do you have to be super tall like Gib Hinz or Kerry Gibson?  Interested in your viewpoint.  Does a true 5 shoot the 3 point shot like Frank Kaminsky did at UW, or is he a stretch 4?   

[AndOne]

Rocks,

IMHO, height and/or body mass alone is not the determining factor in what I consider to be a true 5. Instead, I view a true 5 as a player who is not really capable of playing another position. This can be due to a variety of reasons--size/weight alone, lack of mobility due either solely to body mass, poor footwork, or both, inability to create space by other than body mass (poor dribbling/ball handling skills), or inability to shoot the ball from more than 3-4 feet from the basket.
A true 5 can also be a player who is competent at these facets of the game, or at least most of them, but who just feels more comfortable, and/or is only effective when playing within a few feet of the hoop.
A mobile, good shooting 6'8" player may play the 5 spot without being a true center. This is prevalent in today's D3 game where teams often employ a 3 guard, 2 forward lineup or vice versa. Someone is usually going to be designated as the "5" when players set up and run a play, but more often than not, this is not going to be a true 5 or center in the traditional sense.
The best example I know right now is Alex Sorenson of North Central in the CCIW. When you look at him you see a 6'8" player who, at first glance, you naturally think of as a (5) center. While he does have both the height, weight, and inside moves and scoring ability traditionally associated with the center position, he also has the mobility, ball control skills, and especially, the shooting touch that enables him to move outside and to function as a very effective 4/PF, or even a 3/SF occasionally.
While he most often occupies the space on the floor that you associate with a center, he also spends considerable time as far from the basket as the 3 point line. So much so, in fact, that he led the conference in 3 point shooting percentage. He is listed on the roster as a forward, and it was at that position that he was named All-Region despite spending considerable time in a low post position and functioning as the Cardinals 5 without being a true 5 post player.
There just aren't a lot of true 5s around. There are even less who are true 5s who are good with their back to the basket. Coaches fortunate enough to have such players can be excused for getting so excited as to occasionally drool on themselves. 
Anyway, to answer your question, thats my opinion. I'd love to hear other viewpoints.

[tomt4525]

Rocks,

IMHO, height and/or body mass alone is not the determining factor in what I consider to be a true 5. Instead, I view a true 5 as a player who is not really capable of playing another position. This can be due to a variety of reasons--size/weight alone, lack of mobility due either solely to body mass, poor footwork, or both, inability to create space by other than body mass (poor dribbling/ball handling skills), or inability to shoot the ball from more than 3-4 feet from the basket.
A true 5 can also be a player who is competent at these facets of the game, or at least most of them, but who just feels more comfortable, and/or is only effective when playing within a few feet of the hoop.
A mobile, good shooting 6'8" player may play the 5 spot without being a true center. This is prevalent in today's D3 game where teams often employ a 3 guard, 2 forward lineup or vice versa. Someone is usually going to be designated as the "5" when players set up and run a play, but more often than not, this is not going to be a true 5 or center in the traditional sense.
The best example I know right now is Alex Sorenson of North Central in the CCIW. When you look at him you see a 6'8" player who, at first glance, you naturally think of as a (5) center. While he does have both the height, weight, and inside moves and scoring ability traditionally associated with the center position, he also has the mobility, ball control skills, and especially, the shooting touch that enables him to move outside and to function as a very effective 4/PF, or even a 3/SF occasionally.
While he most often occupies the space on the floor that you associate with a center, he also spends considerable time as far from the basket as the 3 point line. So much so, in fact, that he led the conference in 3 point shooting percentage. He is listed on the roster as a forward, and it was at that position that he was named All-Region despite spending considerable time in a low post position and functioning as the Cardinals 5 without being a true 5 post player.
There just aren't a lot of true 5s around. There are even less who are true 5s who are good with their back to the basket. Coaches fortunate enough to have such players can be excused for getting so excited as to occasionally drool on themselves. 
Anyway, to answer your question, thats my opinion. I'd love to hear other viewpoints.

AndOne, we share basically the same definition of a "True 5."  When a I think of a true center, I don't think so much about height and girth...although it probably helps...I think of a guy who is comfortable posting up and scoring on the low block.  I also think of a guy who clogs the lane on defense and has no problems making it difficult for opponents to post up and score on him.  They tend to be atleast 6'5" in height and 220-240 pounds...so normally, big guys.  If they are able to step out and hit jumpers if left open, it makes them even more of a threat offensively.  Like you already alluded to, these guys are becoming few and far between in the D3 ranks...atleast guys with offensive abilities.  Guys that are that big to be a true 5 and have the ability to score in high school seem to be getting scholarship money elsewhere.  The true 5's in this league seem to either be completely defensive oriented...or guys that had to develop their offensive abilities while in college.

What I'm getting at there...is a guy like Jared Gjertson for UWSP.  He has typical "true 5" size...but he is limited offensively.  Those are the bigs that seem to be going the D3 route nowadays.  If you can develop them, they can be a force as an upperclassmen.  If they don't get developed offensively, you get a big guy who can come in on certain occasions to play defense.  UWSP has other guys with true 5 size as well that are underclassmen that could potentially develop offensively.  If Tauber and O'Heron get the game to slow down so to speak, Point could be very difficult to guard while they are upperclassmen.

[AppletonRocks]

I like to think that if the players does not shy away from contact, or in fact seeks it, that may be the true definition of a 5.  Probably a successful lineman on the football team in high school. Ignoring football but using an NBA example, what number is Thon Maker 

[Greek Tragedy]

Bryce Williams? Wow! I know Crown and Lancaster Bible isn't Point, but I remember Williams doing well in Fantasy Land.     

[AndOne]

Anyone know who SP's non-conference opponents will be this year? 

[tomt4525]

Anyone know who SP's non-conference opponents will be this year? 

I'm assuming it will basically be the same as last year...with a different road trip during Christmas Break.

Superior should be visiting Stevens Point...along with North Central, Edgewood and Augustana.
Away games I assume include St Olaf, St Norbert, St Thomas, Hope and Lawrence.

They have been playing against North Central, Edgewood, St Olaf, St Thomas, Hope and Lawrence longer than just a home and home series...so seems these teams will be on the schedule unless something freaky happens. 

Augustana already has their schedule up and it includes a trip to UWSP.  So, this will be the 3rd year in a row they have played and look to continue that series longer than a home and home.  This should be the 2nd year of a home and home with St Norbert and Superior.

I haven't heard where the Christmas trip will be yet.

[AppletonRocks]

Anyone know who SP's non-conference opponents will be this year? 

I'm assuming it will basically be the same as last year...with a different road trip during Christmas Break.

Superior should be visiting Stevens Point...along with North Central, Edgewood and Augustana.
Away games I assume include St Olaf, St Norbert, St Thomas, Hope and Lawrence.

They have been playing against North Central, Edgewood, St Olaf, St Thomas, Hope and Lawrence longer than just a home and home series...so seems these teams will be on the schedule unless something freaky happens. 

Augustana already has their schedule up and it includes a trip to UWSP.  So, this will be the 3rd year in a row they have played and look to continue that series longer than a home and home.  This should be the 2nd year of a home and home with St Norbert and Superior.

I haven't heard where the Christmas trip will be yet.

Rumor is the Christmas trip will be deferred this year as Semling will serve his NCAA jail time over the break. 

[Greek Tragedy]

I think Hoops Fan said they might be at the Hoopsville tourney at the beginning of the year. I have no idea who is playing, where or when that is, though.

[badgerwarhawk]

Most programs haven't posted their 2016-17 schedules yet but I was able to find Point playing Lawrence on 11/26, Superior 11/29 and Edgewood on 12/21.  Lawrence is an away game.  Superior and Edgewood are home games.

[UWSAlum]

Anyone know who SP's non-conference opponents will be this year? 

Superior should be visiting Stevens Point

Superior is playing at Point 11/29/2016

Superior also plays vs UWEC (11/19), at Stout (11/22/), and at UWRF (12/6)

http://uwsyellowjackets.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball