MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 79
Stevens Point: 76

After the Pointers scored first and held a lead for the first three minutes a free throw by Trevon Chislom gave the WARHAWKS a lead, 6-5 that they would hold, though it was never more than eight points, until just over a minute and half when the two teams traded one point leads before the WARHAWKS got a jumper from Elijah Lambert and went into the locker room leading 37-35.  After a couple ties to start the second half the WARHAWKS once again took a tenuous lead, again never larger than eight points, which they held until the Pointers once again tied the game 52-52 and then again at 54 and 56.  Drew Fisher's three point play at the 11 minute mark gave the WARHAWKS a lead 59-56 that they would maintain through the remainder of the game.  A missed free throw with :27 gave the Pointers one last chance but both three point attempts were missed.  Fisher's 18/10 double double led the way with Jameer Barker adding 16 while Delvin Barnstable and Chislom both were good for 13 with Barnstable pulling down an additional 7 rebounds and leading the team with 4 assists.

Next: host Eau Claire Saturday 5pm.   

[Greek Tragedy]

I'd say it ended up being a disappointing 2022 for WIAC MBB. All three teams lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, including two at home. I thought we had three strong senior led teams to make deep tournament runs, but not to be. And the start to this season has been rather down. Underperforming mightily in the nonconference compared to the past. No teams really standing out among the pack.

New year and conference play resumes tonight!

Can we finally get the WIAC out of the top 25?
Whitewater might be the best team.

Go back to the NJAC! LOL. We don't need your negative talk here! 

[Greek Tragedy]

I'd say it ended up being a disappointing 2022 for WIAC MBB. All three teams lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, including two at home. I thought we had three strong senior led teams to make deep tournament runs, but not to be. And the start to this season has been rather down. Underperforming mightily in the nonconference compared to the past. No teams really standing out among the pack.

New year and conference play resumes tonight!

Can we finally get the WIAC out of the top 25?
Whitewater might be the best team.

Eau Claire at Whitewater is a huge game on Saturday. Winner of that should be in the top 25 or pretty close I think.

Whitewater has a mere 7 points in the poll. Beating an average Point team and Eau Claire, who doesn't have any votes, isn't going to get anyone's attention resulting in Whitewater making a huge jump into the Top 25...and probably nowhere near it. They'll gain some votes, in all likelihood. Apparently, beating Oshkosh (who only have 21 points of their own) isn't that big of a deal anymore. They've dropped out of the Top 25, so for Eau Claire, beating two ORV teams probably isn't going to make waves either. If EC beats WW, they'll probably just take their 7 points. But I'm not expert.

P.S. PauldingLightUp, I sent you a message.

[TheOsprey]

I'd say it ended up being a disappointing 2022 for WIAC MBB. All three teams lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, including two at home. I thought we had three strong senior led teams to make deep tournament runs, but not to be. And the start to this season has been rather down. Underperforming mightily in the nonconference compared to the past. No teams really standing out among the pack.

New year and conference play resumes tonight!

Can we finally get the WIAC out of the top 25?
Whitewater might be the best team.

Go back to the NJAC! LOL. We don't need your negative talk here! 

Someone got to rattle your cage!

[Greek Tragedy]

I'd say it ended up being a disappointing 2022 for WIAC MBB. All three teams lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament, including two at home. I thought we had three strong senior led teams to make deep tournament runs, but not to be. And the start to this season has been rather down. Underperforming mightily in the nonconference compared to the past. No teams really standing out among the pack.

New year and conference play resumes tonight!

Can we finally get the WIAC out of the top 25?
Whitewater might be the best team.

Go back to the NJAC! LOL. We don't need your negative talk here! 

Someone got to rattle your cage!

You'll find that frustratingly unsuccessful. Sorry to disappoint. LOL 

[Greek Tragedy]

La Crosse (11-4, 2-1) at Stevens Point (8-6, 1-2)
Two teams desperate for a win. La Crosse smoked at home by Platteville while Point lost to arch-rival Whitewater on their home court. Look for the visitors to steal one here.

Massey says: LX 72 SP 66 (71%)

River Falls (7-7, 1-2) at Oshkosh (9-5, 2-1)
The Falcons are feeling good about themselves after 3 wins in a row. Oshkosh still trying to figure themselves out, apparently. Look for some home cooking for the Titans.

Massey says: OSH 72 RF 60 (86%)

Stout (4-8, 1-2) at Platteville (8-6, 1-2)
Stout hasn't won since the end of November vs Point. Platteville trying to avoid a letdown after upsetting La Crosse. Pioneers should win this one.

Massey says: PL 80 ST 70 (80%)

Eau Claire (10-4, 2-1) at Whitewater 11-3, 2-1)
Best game of the night pits Eau Claire, fresh off a win over Oshkosh, and Whitewater, winners of 7 in a row. Whitewater in a nail biter.

Massey says: WW 71 EC 69 (55%)

[tomt4525]

Jake Buchanan is out today with illness against La Crosse.

[Greek Tragedy]

Oshkosh was ranked #3 in the preseason poll and today they received no points. What a fall from grace. They seemed to have all the pieces there to make another run, so it's interesting what has happened to them this season. They are 10-5 and 3-1 in the WIAC, so it's not the end of the world for them. But to not get any votes is amazing. The Ripon and Marian losses are really bad. Losing to St. Joseph CT is understandable, since they are #1 and undefeated. Calvin is pretty good, so the loss to them is also understandable. Eau Claire is showing that they are pretty good as well. So, consistency seems to be the issue.

On another note, Eau Claire swept the weekend and, as expected, received a few votes, 4 points to be exact. Whitewater's 7 points from the previous poll disappeared.

[tomt4525]

Couple of things from last night's Pointer Hoops Radio Show...

First, doesn't seem likely we will see Jake Buchanan tomorrow in River Falls.  He has been home sick since Christmas and doctors are still trying to figure out what the issue is as well as get him on the correct medication to battle whatever it is.  Get well soon Jake!!

Secondly, Semling talked very quickly about recruiting some forwards.  In my mind, some size is very important for next season.  I would consider it a glaring issue quite frankly.  Semling mentioned that there entire recruiting board consists of 3 forwards, one of which has already committed to a D2 school(my guess would be Caleb Glaser at Appleton East or Ethan Heck at West De Pere).  That board seems very light for a position of need, I really hope they hit on both of these forwards.  Also of note, Semling also said they need the 4 best players they can get in this recruiting class.  He said that before but it's interesting because when he said it, multiple players have since left the team.  I figured he'd bring in more than 4 because of it.  I'm sure this time last year he wasn't planning on bringing in all the transfers he did this season, so I'm sure things can and will change.

[Greek Tragedy]

None of the Top 3 play each other tonight, so La Crosse, Eau Claire and Oshkosh, all 3-1, can put some distance between them and Platteville and Whitewater, both 2-2. At the bottom of the table, it's a "6-pointer" as River Falls hosts Stevens Point to try to climb out of the relegation zone along with Stout, all 1-3. Platteville and Whitewater (2-2) are chasing Champions League spots, but will probably have to settle for the Europa League next season.

Platteville at Eau Claire
Platteville stole one from La Crosse, so they're capable of producing an upset here. Eau Claire will try to avoid a slip up after knocking off Oshkosh and Whitewater last week. Blugolds in a close one.

Whitewater at Oshkosh
Whitewater will try to keep pace with the league leaders after their Eau Claire setback at home. Oshkosh rebounded from their own loss to Eau Claire by topping River Falls. They'll try to keep things rolling tonight. Oshkosh is so hard to figure out, so I'll just go with the visitors.

La Crosse at Stout
There's no reason why the Eagles shouldn't win this game after dominating Point last time out. Stout has been really bad the last month, so that's why they've got a shot. In the end, that's all it is and La Crosse should roll.

Stevens Point at River Falls
Point could be without their best player and even with Buchanan, they aren't very good. The Falcons played tough in Oshkosh in the loss, so they should have enough to get by Point.

[tomt4525]

6'2" Owatonna(MN) G, Collin Vick, has committed to Stout.

[palum]

Platteville wins at Eau Claire 87-80. Julian Samuels and Brady Olson led the Pioneers with 22 points. Eau Claire led 37-31 at half and held the lead for much of the 2nd half Platteville chipped away and finally took the lead late in the 2nd half and made their free throws to put the game away. Platteville is a young team having to replace 4 starters from last years team it has taken some time but they are starting to play together. Platteville hosts RF on Saturday.

[Greek Tragedy]

La Crosse blows a huge lead to escape Menomonie with a 71-68 win. They were up 12 with 4 minutes to go but only managed 4 FTs to stave off the Blue Devils rally.

Oshkosh pulled away from Whitewater in the 2nd half to win going away 80-61.

Point again went cold down the stretch and lost 70-60 at River Falls. Rebounding and fouls continue to plague Point. Out-rebounded by 10 and River Falls shooting the bonus midway through the 2nd half.

La Crosse 4-1
Oshkosh 4-1
Eau Claire 3-2
Platteville 3-2
Whitewater 2-3
River Falls 2-3
Stevens Point 1-4
Stout 1-4

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 61
Oshkosh: 80

A tale of two halves.  We were competitive in the first half and kept the game close trailing by six, 41-35, when it ended.  However the second half proved to be another matter as the Titans quickly blew the lead into double figures, pushed it into the mid 20's and coasted to the final buzzer.  Titans outscore the WARHAWKS 39 to 18 from beyond the arc.  Trevon Chislom finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, a block and a steal to lead the WARHAWKS while Delvin Barnstable chipped in with 13.

Next: Stout on Saturday

[Greek Tragedy]

Platteville wins at Eau Claire 87-80. Julian Samuels and Brady Olson led the Pioneers with 22 points. Eau Claire led 37-31 at half and held the lead for much of the 2nd half Platteville chipped away and finally took the lead late in the 2nd half and made their free throws to put the game away. Platteville is a young team having to replace 4 starters from last years team it has taken some time but they are starting to play together. Platteville hosts RF on Saturday.

That seems to be the case. Those two OT losses at home to begin the conference season were rough. Impressive wins at La Crosse and Eau Claire show they've improved. Just think if they were able to close out those two OT games. Wow.