MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

I need double-check

You've come to the right board, D-Mac:

Yeah... was typing too fast while trying to multitask items with Thursday's marathon show and didn't "double-check" what I wrote. SMH I went back to edit and included the words I should have included the first time.

And as a Chicago Bears fan since I was a kid... no need to use Aaron Rodgers signage with me... I may just punch a computer screen. ROFL

Very nice. Too funny! I may pay to see Dave punch his computer screen.

[badgerwarhawk]

Chirs Jones gets his second WIAC POW

Chris Jones (Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech), Junior, Guard
Jones averaged 23.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game and shot 56.7 percent from the floor, 60 percent (3-of-5) from 3-point range and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line to help the No. 24 ranked Warhawks post a 2-0 mark in a pair of WIAC games last week. On Wednesday against UW-Stevens Point, he tied a game high with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting and tallied five assists and four rebounds in UW-Whitewater's 80-74 triumph. Jones registered 25 points, including 20 in the first half, and added three rebounds and three assists in the Warhawks' 67-62 victory at UW-La Crosse. He currently leads the WIAC in scoring with 19.2 points per game and in 3-point field goal percentage at 53.8.

[Greek Tragedy]

Well, based on the standings, it was chalk last week (which made the standings what they are, I guess!). River Falls, Oshkosh and Whitewater swept both their games last week. At the other end of the table (soccer term), Stevens Point, La Crosse and Platteville dropped their two games. LaCrosse and Platteville are in the relegation zone. If the standings hold, La Crosse and Platteville will get relegated to the Championship Midwest Conference while St. Norbert and Ripon will be promoted to the Premier League WIAC.

River Falls 8-0 (18-1)
The Falcons keep rolling and won both their games by double-digits while holding Stout and Stevens Point below 60 points. This week, they get to feast on mama's chicken noodle soup as they host La Crosse and Oshkosh, teams that they beat by 15 and 22, Jack Kerouac-style.

Oshkosh 5-3 (12-7)
After two home losses to Whitewater and River Falls, Zeus, Poseidon and the rest of the Titans bounced back and, with the help of Pegasus, defeats Medusa La Crosse and Calibos Eau Claire. Next up for Perseus is a clash with Stevens Point and then a trip to visit the seemingly unbeatable Kraken River Falls.

Whitewater 5-3 (16-3)
The 2017 National Champs are on a roll now. ShineTime U. dominated Stevens Point and their 80-74 win over the visitors was never in doubt. After their easy win over Point, the Champions-elect topped La Crosse over on the Mississippi. The original plan of playing on the deck of an aircraft carrier was scrapped and they ended up playing on a riverboat casino instead. Adele was there and Rumor Had It, ShineTime played Roulette. Instead of listening to Wesley Snipes' advice of, "always bet on black" (movie reference), ShineTime bet on purple instead. Next up for Arsene Wenger Pat Miller and the Invincibles is a trip to Platteville and a home date with Stout.

Eau Claire 4-4 (14-5)
The Blugolds have been alternating wins and losses for 6 games now. They topped Platteville at home and then lost to Oshkosh, again, being on the wrong end of a season sweep. Eau Claire will try to get back on track with a trip to Menomonie before hosting the Pointers.

Stout 4-4 (13-6)
After a promising nonconference season, the Blue Devils aren't doing too well now. After losing at River Falls, which pushed their losing streak to 3, Stout was able to bounce back and edge Platteville on the road. The road only gets tougher as they host Eau Claire and then make the long trip down to Transfer U. this weekend.

Stevens Point 3-5 (9-9)
After a promising start to the league season, the Dawgs have now lost four of five. They should have just saved their traveling costs down to Whitewater because, according to ShineTime, they never had a chance. Point wanted to replicate the barnburner in River Falls when they nearly knocked off the Falcons, but the visitors would have none of that and the game was basically over at halftime. The Pointers pack their bags this week as they travel to a surging Oshkosh team and then it's up to Zorn this weekend.

La Crosse 2-6 (10-9)
It may be time to check the expiration date on the food in the pantry because the Eagles' home cooking was awful. The Eagles have had one win since their opening shocker in Whitewater. They suffered two close losses to Oshkosh and Whitewater at home. Unfortunately, close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. Tonight, the Eagles head north to face the Falcons before coming home and hosting the Pioneers, their only win since opening day of the conference season.

Platteville 1-7 (8-11)
Hard times for Platteville as they've only beaten Point this conference season. They just got hammered at Zorn before they kept it close and lost to the Blue Devils on their home court. This week, the Pioneers host the Warhawks and then travel to the Mississippi to battle the Eagles. Sorry, no riverboats this time.

[Gregory Sager]

You're in rare form this morning, Tom!

[WUPHF]

Somewhere in Appleton...

[gbpuckfan]

Well, based on the standings, it was chalk last week (which made the standings what they are, I guess!). River Falls, Oshkosh and Whitewater swept both their games last week. At the other end of the table (soccer term), Stevens Point, La Crosse and Platteville dropped their two games. LaCrosse and Platteville are in the relegation zone. If the standings hold, La Crosse and Platteville will get relegated to the Championship Midwest Conference while St. Norbert and Ripon will be promoted to the Premier League WIAC.

I thought WIAC schools got relegated to UMAC, a la Superior???

[Greek Tragedy]

It's February, so you know what that means. Start getting your taxes ready, start planning Valentine's Day and, most importantly, start thinking about Pool C.

If you've been living under a rock, the Regional Rankings determine who gets Pool C bids. There are four of them (once a week on Wednesdays) and the 1st one comes out next week, based on games played through this weekend. To remind you, the D3hoops poll has absolutely no bearing or influence on the at-large bids.

Looking at strictly the Central Region, the WIAC goes up against the CCIW, NACC, SLIAC, MWC, a few independents and 2 teams from the UAA, Chicago and Washington U.

At this time, the WIAC is in good position to get 3 teams in the NCAAs, 1 AQ and 2 at-large. According to Knightslappy, the WIAC holds 4 of the top 5 spots in his regional rankings.

http://detroitjockcity.com/division-iii-mens-basketball-regional-rankings-data/

His stats are completely independent of the NCCA's but many of us use his information as a pretty accurate guide.

Anyway...it's  a pretty good bet that River Falls will probably be ranked #1 in the Central based on their record (16-1) and their estimated SoS of .605 (strength of schedule). They are only 16-1 because the NCAA doesn't count games against non-D3 teams, at least not in their primary criteria.

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2017DIIIMBB_PreChamp_DIII_M_Basketball_20161024.pdf. Start around page 15.

Whitewater (15-3) will also be expected to be highly ranked based on their record. But, their SoS of .563 is less than Eau Claire's, Stout's and Oshkosh's. Eau Claire will also be ranked. Their record is 13-5, but they are just 4-4 in the conference. The Blugold's SoS .571 is good and that helps.

Despite having a .593 (outstanding) SoS, Stout is just 10-6, with three wins against non-D3 opponents really hurting them. I don't see Stout being 5th in the region come next Wednesday.

Oshkosh is in the same boat Stout is. They are just 12-7 (I'm counting the Maranatha game) but with a high SoS (.589).

In past years, the norm has been that if you have 7 or 8 losses, you are really skating on thin ice. The consensus is that there's more parity so we may see more 8-loss teams and, gulp, a few 9-loss teams. So with that said, Oshkosh basically has to win out (and then lose in the conference tourney).

Washington U (15-3, .596 SoS) will probably be #2 next week. It's unlikely Chicago will be a factor at just 11-7 (.562 SoS).

The CCIW is a mess. Both IWU and North Central were considered contenders but injuries have hurt both teams chances to not only win the conference but to also get a NCAA bid. Well, that's good news for the WIAC teams.

Here's how the CCIW stacks up

Carthage 12-6, .578
IWU 12-6, .578
Augustana 15-4, .528
North Park 15-4, .516

1-bid leagues?

St. Norbert 15-3, .487
Ripon 14-4, .488

Benedictine 16-3, .504

[Greek Tragedy]

Good battles in the WIAC tonight.  According to live stats

Sp 61 Osh 56 under 5 min to go

Pl 57 Ww 55 2 min to go

Ec 84 St 74 2 min to go ec pulling away

[cubs]

River Falls stays perfect in WIAC play with a 73-59 victory over La Crosse.  Devin Buckley leads the Falcons with 19 points.

La Crosse actually had a 27-26 lead at the half....

[cubs]

UWO misses a three point shot at the buzzer, as UWSP knocks off the Titans 69-68...

[fredfalcon]

As  has been their custom at home lately, RF spots Lax a 12-0 lead, then rallies to trail by a point at half. Devin Buckley, with no points at half, catches fire, scoring 11 straight and 13 of 15 points in one stretch. He ends with 19, Herink w/16 and Keller w/16 off the bench. 34 total bench points for the Falcons.

[ShineTime]

Whitewater with very impressive road win at platteville looks like whitewater vs river falls for national title is a good possibility.  Whitewater is the most talented team top to bottom in the entire country

[Gregory Sager]

I have to admit that ShineTime is growing on me. He should have his own stand-up special on Comedy Central.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I have to admit that ShineTime is growing on me. He should have his own stand-up special on Comedy Central.

Wonder if he has Marietta or Stockton blood in him.

[Gregory Sager]

I don't think he's seriopus enough to have Stockton blood in him.