MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

I've gotta agree with BW... You were leading the lynch mob the last couple of years against Coach Koelbl, and when they suddenly start the year off 5-0, you jump ship and hop on the "Yeah Koelbl!" bandwagon.

Coach K is a "competent", capable coach, and he clearly has his kids playing the way he wants them to.  It isn't a surprize to me that they've had the success they have thusfar.

Check out the top 25 page thread... it's kind of a "how I see the WIAC" leading in to the first conference games...

Does this seem very quick into the conference for anyone else?!

[laxeagles1]

right, i agree I never questioned his recruiting but he was a terrible coach the last few years..........hopefully he has it turned around........will take more for me to get on the Koelbl bandwagon......always have been on the LAX bandwagon, and never have been detrimental to the players, just the system........

I was not a big fan but I drew the line after they lost to superior or river falls at the end of last year in a game they should have won.......It's a good thing he can recruit..........

I am not surprised at the success.......the players are awesome, i am very surprised the coach has finally put the talent together in the right way........sometimes it takes awhile for someone to 'get it' and unfortunately it took koelbl 3 years to figure out how to properly utilize his talent, better late than never!

Trust me I am byfar not the only fan who feels this way, many others do I am just not afraid to say what I wanna say........always said i would give credit if, and a big if, he showed competency and turned it around and it looks like he might have finally turned the corner

[Greek Tragedy]

The fish beat the dogs tonight.  It was bad.  I'm depressed and Swampgoon is talking me off of the roof right now.   

Point was outplayed tonight by great defense from Lakeland.  More later...I'm too depressed! lol.  I didn't think Point would go 29-0 this year, so I guess I'll have to be satisfied with 28-1! 

[Greek Tragedy]

WIAC pick em league is up and running

[Champ99]

right, i agree I never questioned his recruiting but he was a terrible coach the last few years..........hopefully he has it turned around........will take more for me to get on the Koelbl bandwagon......always have been on the LAX bandwagon, and never have been detrimental to the players, just the system........

I was not a big fan but I drew the line after they lost to superior or river falls at the end of last year in a game they should have won.......It's a good thing he can recruit..........

I am not surprised at the success.......the players are awesome, i am very surprised the coach has finally put the talent together in the right way........sometimes it takes awhile for someone to 'get it' and unfortunately it took koelbl 3 years to figure out how to properly utilize his talent, better late than never!

Trust me I am byfar not the only fan who feels this way, many others do I am just not afraid to say what I wanna say........always said i would give credit if, and a big if, he showed competency and turned it around and it looks like he might have finally turned the corner

Most fans, posters and readers of this site won't argue NCAA D3 basketball being a special thing because of its humbleness, blue collar image compared to its scholarship counterparts in the NCAA.

When you, Laxeagles and others on this site choose to discuss coaching and coaches need to exhibit some patience and here's  a couple out of many reasons why:

1) The NCAA Division III philosophy states that it "...is primarily concerned with the student athlete experience and the completion of all academic programs by the student athlete."  Why does this matter?  Simple.  New coaches come into programs with previous players at all levels, HS on up through NBA.  The difference is, at High School and D3 (and some D2's) its not possible to wipe you roster clean and recruit 15 of the best players "unsigned" in the country like you can in NCAA D1.  DIII athletics are there for the students and their college experience (which is why we love it) and therefore, rosters often stay in tact a little more in comparison to higher levels.  There's not always much a coach can do initially but be patient with himself and the team he inherited.

2)  This matters a ton at UW-L because of 4 coaches in 5 years.  You're trying to tell me LaXeagles that Koelbl should meet all these winning expectations in one or two years with players who were either recruited by (or not recruited and showed up on the doorstep of) the previous 3 coaches?  I've heard your replies about "I just wanted them to make the playoffs and win a few more games... I wasn't looking for a league title."  The truth is I don't think you realize how tough of a job and how LONG the road is to take over a D3 program, let alone in the WIAC.  Most will agree, despite the high level of talent the WIAC has, it is a systematic "quality of program" type of league.  Where coaches focus on execution of small details versus who has the better players.  Point arguably has had some of the best talent.... but if you watch two seperate game tapes from either championship season, I would bet you would see a very high level of consistency in the execution of Bennet's philosophy in his players.  That didn't happen overnight or with just a great couple of years recruiting.

3) Most state D3 schools provide their coaches with 3-5 year initial contracts.  I am confident this is because that is the "expected window" for them to get the pieces in place to provide a good experience FOR THE PLAYERS, not impatient fans.

With all due respect, Laxeagles, since I know you're a fan like the rest of us, my point to you and everyone else, is sometimes you need to look into things a little bit more before making rediculous comments about a program.  Save that "immediate results" talk for the succeedor to Coach K at Duke (when it happens) or when the Wisconsin Badgers football team maybe fumbles around a little next year... no pun intended!

[fredfalcon]

RF now 0-4 after a 3 pt. loss to Cal-Irvine and a 7-8 pt. loss to Westmont College in Hawaii tourney. No stats available.

[John Gleich]

Amen Champ

[Brian Carroll]

   As a long- time fan of UWL basketball,I must side with Champp 99 in his analysis of Coach K's efforts. If anything, he seems to have the program ahead of what might be expected in light of the history of the last 20 years or so. It is apparant to me that this year's improvement is all about the increase in talent on the roster, as well as the development of returning players. M. Conigliaro and T. Owen have really improved in my view. No one can deny that the program is headed in the right direction, and this amount of progress in 3 years is impressive.                          On Wednesday,the Eagles will host Whitewater in the WIAC opener. The Warhawks, I assume, have realized that a trip to Mitchell Hall won't be the cakewalk it might have been in previous years. Utilizing his great depth - the roster lists 13 guards - Coach K. has unleashed a pesky and aggressive defense which will exhaust teams with less depth. Those who doubt this will likely be carrying their duffs home in their duffel bags this year. How far the team will go this season remains to be seen. I thought the turnaround was still a year away, but now I think we'll see the break- even point in WIAC play this year. How do the Warhawk fans see this matchup ? I'll need to post my picks soon. In any case, the sport is more enjoyable around here than it has been in some time.

[playdefense]

Hey laxeagles1,

I fully agree with the "Champ!"  Not only do you have to give a new coach 3-5 years, you also have to have a complete understanding of what goes into recruiting, planning, developing and preparing a team to compete.  To have success at the college level a coach and his staff have to work thier tails off.  Koelbl is an expert at this and is always on top of "his game."  When you "mature" laxeagles1, and maybe get into a college coaching position, you might actually have a full understanding of this.  

[Pioneerbacker]

The play from the Mississippi Challenge this weekend for the Pioneers is probably how the team will play for awhile.  Once Krause gets back, it will likely get a little more consistent on both ends of the floor, but I've been very pleased with the play of the new players (and the returners) up to this point.  The Dubuque game was just awful on every level.  The offense missed some opportunities and the defense gave up too many easy baskets and UD shot very well from the FT line.  Saturday was a different story vs Loras, shooting well from start to finish.  Of course, the best stat was keeping Loras under 50 points.  Shoot-outs will be hard to win, but if the team plays their defensive game, they'll be in any game.  One last NONCONFERENCE game before Stout. 

[keith45]

I remember when I played against Platt (when I played at UD), and they were physical as hell...was UD getting those calls? I know Nick Thomas is aggressive, but he has shot 30 free throws in 2 games versus Platt..are they ticky tack fouls, reach ins, or what? You guys outshot them, out rebounded them, put up more shots (maybe not, due to the fouls, hard to tell)...How was Moore down low for UD, was he able to compete with your bigs?

[badgerwarhawk]

BC, WHITEWATER[/color] is taking the game very seriously.  We've got a consecutive win streak going in Mitchell, I forget the exact number but it's double figures, and I'm sure Coach K wants nothing more than to put a stop to it.  We haven't been playing as well as we're capable but have been boosted a bit by the return of Melvin Williams.  It should be a very competitive game.  Certainly more interesting than some in the past few years.

GO WARHAWKS[/color]

[Pioneerbacker]

keith45-

I'm not going to get into the fouls called.  Let's just leave it at that.  Thomas actually hurt UD late in the game when they were up.  He kept launching 3's when they needed to run some clock, and that's what got Platteville back in the game.  UD did a great job at the FT line, and that was the big difference.  Platteville missed a great oppportunity late to tie the game, and UD sealed the deal.  

I can't remember who Moore is, but one of our big guys played Thomas quite a bit.  So, he wasn't in the paint very much.  UWP played a horrible game and UD took advantage.

[keith45]

Thanks for the insight..Moore looks like a linebacker, pretty thick kid...he is strictly in the post, so I was wondering how the WIAC bigs looked like agauins him..the IIAC only has a few dominat post players this year, so Iam hoping he can make an impact..did the big guy on Thomas affect him? I have an AAU team that scrimmaged UD this year, and we put Ben Kuepers on him (UW-Stout, late 90's, about 6-6, 225) and he had troubles with bigger, longer defenders..
Since Loras was blown out the next day by Platt, it really looks like Platt had an off day and UD made shots when they needed too, and got the stops when they needed them..thanks!

[Greek Tragedy]

Game of the week is got to be Oshkosh at Point.  Point will try to rebound from their loss at Lakeland, while Oshkosh will try to forget their road trip to Appleton (does that win against Finlandia count?  ) 

It's the big 3 vs. the big 3...Jahnke, Capelle and Gibson vs. Bauer, Krull and Hicklin.  I don't see them actually guarding each other, but those 6 will determine the game.  I think Point will again go zone to stop Gibson.  Unfortunately I won't be able to make the game.

Rorvedt will also make an impact if he can get on track and hit some outside shots.  El Amin didn't play much vs. Lakeland, because, imo, it was due to matchups and little Bobby Kutcha saw some action instead.  Not sure who'll get the minutes this time around, but I know Oshkosh has a real short guard, Matt Miller.

Any thoughts?