MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

How difficult are the offensive and defensive sets to learn?  That would be my only concern with Point playing lots of freshmen - you don't want them logging big game minutes if they don't know what they're doing yet.  You only reinforce bad habits.  It's always struck me that Point is successful when the guys they have execute well.  Obviously you need the talent to do it, but I'm not sure a d3 preseason gives you the time to make that happen for freshmen right away (which may be why they were so concerned about getting extra instruction in before Oct 15).

[tomt4525]

How difficult are the offensive and defensive sets to learn?  That would be my only concern with Point playing lots of freshmen - you don't want them logging big game minutes if they don't know what they're doing yet.  You only reinforce bad habits.  It's always struck me that Point is successful when the guys they have execute well.  Obviously you need the talent to do it, but I'm not sure a d3 preseason gives you the time to make that happen for freshmen right away (which may be why they were so concerned about getting extra instruction in before Oct 15).

That's a valid concern for sure.  That has always seemed to be the problem at UWSP as far as underclassmen seeing minutes, to learn the defensive system.  My point is, and this doesn't include the upperclassmen of Nelson, Timmerman and Mootz, but the others as well as most of the sophomores aren't going to keep you in a conference title race.  Give minutes to the highly rated(hopefully) incoming freshman and get them some experience.  Yes there will be growing pains but the experience will be invaluable when these players are upperclassmen.  Like GT alluded to in a prior post, a lot of these guys haven't played much with each other until they were seniors with the way the team was made up.  Let the underclassmen play together for years, that's my thought anyways.  If you're going to have a down year regardless, work towards the future.  I don't see any way of that not happening next season.

[PauldingLightUP]

On the eve of semifinal Thursday, it's pretty safe to say that Platteville defeating La Crosse on Championship Saturday would be the doom Pool C scenario for the WIAC. This could easily yield only the Pool A Pioneers.

Without too much bubble bursting across the country, the best Pool C scenario would be Eau Claire defeating Oshkosh in the final. This could yield Eau Claire, Platteville and Oshkosh.

Again without too much bubble bursting across the country the other two final scenarios would have good chance of getting two WIAC teams into the NCAAs. An Eau Claire at La Crosse final likely gets that winner and Platteville in. An Oshkosh at Platteville game in the final would leave a good chance both could get in.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think if La Crosse beats regionally ranked Oshkosh in the semis and then loses to top regionally ranked Platteville in the final, the Eagles have a good shot of getting in.

[PauldingLightUP]

I think if La Crosse beats regionally ranked Oshkosh in the semis and then loses to top regionally ranked Platteville in the final, the Eagles have a good shot of getting in.

Greek, how would you justify moving La Crosse ahead of Oshkosh in regional rankings in the scenario? Both would take on another loss and Oshkosh would still have a 2-1 H2H, more RRO wins and total games, higher SOS and NCSOS. La Crosse would only have better WP.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think if La Crosse beats regionally ranked Oshkosh in the semis and then loses to top regionally ranked Platteville in the final, the Eagles have a good shot of getting in.

Greek, how would you justify moving La Crosse ahead of Oshkosh in regional rankings in the scenario? Both would take on another loss and Oshkosh would still have a 2-1 H2H, more RRO wins and total games, higher SOS and NCSOS. La Crosse would only have better WP.

Admittedly, I haven't looked at the numbers closely. You seem to be in the right. LOL. I was basing my initial thought on La Crosse going 2-1 this week while Oshkosh would be just 0-1. From what you've pointed out, Oshkosh may still have the edge. I do think someone besides Platteville has to win the AQ in order for the WIAC to get two teams in. Stranger things have happened!

[WUPHF]

... and:

3) It makes people feel wise and in-the-know whenever they quote it, even though they tend to quote it unthinkingly.

LOL! True!

[Greek Tragedy]

Oshkosh up on La Crosse at HT 42-34

EC leads Platteville 38-28.

[Greek Tragedy]

EC up 2, 10 to play

Osh up 4 12 to play

[Greek Tragedy]

EC up 75-74, 51.6 seconds to go. PL with the ball, timeout.

[Greek Tragedy]

Platteville goes up for a contested shot. First thought was a blocking foul. Ref calls charge. EC gets the ball and misses a contested layup. PL with the ball with about 12 seconds to go, drives and turns the ball over. Foul to give, now 1 and 1  with 9 seconds to go.

[Greek Tragedy]

EC hits both free throws, 77-74. Hometown clock operator runs 1.6 seconds off the clock so PL can get to midcourt for a time out. LOL

[Greek Tragedy]

Osh and Lx tied 64 all with 35.5 seconds to go.

EC finishes off PL 78-74

Oshkosh and La Crosse going to OT

[Greek Tragedy]

Oshkosh wins 76-68

Oshkosh hosts Eau Claire on Saturday for the AQ.

I think if EC wins, the WIAC gets three teams in.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Oshkosh wins 76-68

Oshkosh hosts Eau Claire on Saturday for the AQ.

I think if EC wins, the WIAC gets three teams in.

If EC wins you have a shot at four.  They had the weakest resume coming into the semis.