MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[John Gleich]

I think there's a difference between Bennett and Rortvedt, simply as players.  Nick came into his career at UWSP, self-admittedly a slow, white post player ('cause he was one of the tall guys on the team) with one move, who couldn't jump.  The strides that Nick made over his 5 year career were really tremendous... and the leap he made from his sophomore year (as primarily a stand-up shooter) into a chiseled, well-rounded scorer (taking it off the dribble, backing people down with that lefty half-hook) were really a testament to his work in the off-season.  His body was finally able to do the things he wanted it to, and it really showed.

Pete, on the other hand, is just about as pure a shooter as you will find.  He came into the Point program as a guard, so he is more acclimated to the perimeter, off the bat.  He's one of the best catch-and-shoot players I've ever seen, and manages to get good shots off even on bad passes.  His release is just so quick.

One of the big differences between Bennett and Rortvedt's numbers are the minutes... Pete is averaging 12.2 points in 28.7 minutes per game.  That's a point every 2 minutes 18 seconds.  Nick averaged 5.6 points in 13.9 minutes.  That's a point every 2 minutes 28 seconds... so Nick actually was more proficient.

But Nick only started 4 games his freshman year... he was maining coming off the bench for DeVos or Nolting... and Point also had Josh Iserloth, at 20.8 pts/game.  Btw... I mentioned that PR's shooting performance was one of the best I've ever seen... Nick has a couple of the others, but the absolute best I've ever seen was Josh Iserloth's performance 4 years ago at River Falls... Izzy went for 40 on 14/18 shooting, making all 8 three pointers he took.  It was this night's record that Rortvedt broke (in terms of the UWSP 3 pt record for makes in a game).  Box Score

All in all, I'm not sure if it's fair to compare Bennett and Rortvedt.  Each had their first season on very different teams and they played very different roles on their teams.  I think it's safe to say that Rortvedt has a bright future (as do all of the young Pointers) and I can't wait to see how their careers turn out!

[Gregory Sager]

This week's regional rankings are out.

West
1 Wisconsin-Stout 16-4 19-5
2 Puget Sound 15-2 20-4
3 Carleton 17-4 20-5
4 Occidental 11-3 18-4
5 Wisconsin-Whitewater 15-5 19-5
6 Wisconsin-La Crosse 17-6 19-6
7 Wartburg 17-4 19-5
8 St. Thomas (Minnesota) 18-5 20-5

Well, I'm not sure what Carleton did that was so special that they jump so high.  Like Whitewater, they also won two games (Whitewater had two road wins, Carleton one).

Other stuff goes into shifts in the rankings, OS. Some of Carleton's previous opponents may have gone up a level in terms of their regional records, thus boosting Carleton's QOWI more than just the results of their two wins last week would've caused.

[Greek Tragedy]

Other stuff goes into shifts in the rankings, OS. Some of Carleton's previous opponents may have gone up a level in terms of their regional records, thus boosting Carleton's QOWI more than just the results of their two wins last week would've caused.

I understand that, and though I didn't go through and analyze all that, on the surface, that's still a pretty huge jump.

[foul_language]

This comparison between Rortvedt and Bennett is interesting, especially considering their probably gym-rat backgrounds. I think sitting his true freshman year has given R a leg up on true freshmen who play; did Bennett sit? The extra year gives the player a year to mature physically as well as put time in on the practice court with the team. That has to be a factor. If both sat a year, they're on a level playing court.

Is the math right on the proficiency thing?

Pete is averaging 12.2 points in 28.7 minutes per game.  That's a point every 2 minutes 18 seconds.  Nick averaged 5.6 points in 13.9 minutes.  That's a point every 2 minutes 28 seconds... so Nick actually was more proficient.

If Nick makes a basket every 2:28 but Pete every 2:18, isn't Pete more efficient/proficient? Not that it matters; either statistic is pretty impressive.

[Just Bill]

Interesting stat I noticed in the UWSP preview.

Until tonight, UWSP hasn't played a road game in the WIAC tournament since 1999, a streak of 15 straight games.  (and they weren't always the #1 seed).

Until last night the UWSP women hadn't played a road game in the WIAC tournament since 2000, a streak of 12 straight games.

[leroy]

One of the big differences between Bennett and Rortvedt's numbers are the minutes... Pete is averaging 12.2 points in 28.7 minutes per game.  That's a point every 2 minutes 18 seconds.  Nick averaged 5.6 points in 13.9 minutes.  That's a point every 2 minutes 28 seconds... so Nick actually was more proficient.

How is taking ten seconds longer to score a point more proficient.  As an SP grad I take offence to your math skills!

MODIFY- oops, i just saw foul made the same comment.  I did really make that comment w/o looking at his first- that's weird.

[badgerwarhawk]

A little WIAC history:

Ex-WARHAWK[/color] Eric Burdette holds the conference record for the most three-point baskets in a single game with 12 against EauClaire in 1996 and Ex-WARHAWK[/color] Ernest Williams is in a tie for second with 10 against River Falls in 2000.  Ex-Titan Joe Imhoff is the other player to hit 10.  

Point's Josh Isherloth is among five players with at least six attempts to have had perfect nights from beyond the arc when he went 8-8 against River Falls in 2002.   Jeff Seifriz (WW[/color] 7-7), Tim O'Connell (Plt 6-6), Pat Miller (WW[/color] 6-6), and Roger Maupin (RF 6-6) are the others.

[John Gleich]

Well that's just embarrassing... though my math wasn't wrong, my INTERPRETATION of the math was wrong... and that's just as bad as getting the wrong answer!

With Stout as top team in the West regional rankings, I think they are pretty much a lock for an at-large bid, even after Point beats them tonight (not a guarantee... but I need it to happen for my pick 'em!). 

Interestingly... if Stout DOES lose tonight, then Point moves to 16-8 in-region, which makes Stout's losses worth 2 more points per game... and Stout's QOWI stays the same, at 10.00 (barring any other QOWI-class movements by teams still playing), which is 31st best in the country, and #9 among the perceived Pool C candidates (with all of the Pool A's removed from the top 100 QOWI list).  Now, if there are lots of upsets, then there ARE other teams that have a better resume, from both a regional-record and QOWI standpoint... but I've gotta believe that Stout is going to get in, at this point, as things have shaken out.

[uww4ever]

bw, it's not melvin who hit those 10 threes, i think your thinking of earnest williams (i was at that historic game, he scored like 39 points and it was against former teamate of mine Rich Melzer) during his freshman year.  it could have been the start of a really great career for earnie, but i think the year he took off of the program really hurt him.

I talked to Rich that summer at an open gym and he remembered that game specifically, he said that earnie was on fire.  Which he was, I haven't really seen a shooting performance like that since from a UWW player.

I will also be in attendence tonight for LC/UWW, look for a big white 6 foot 7 kid who stands out in the student section.  It's kind of like "Where's Waldo" but luckily DLK gym 1 isn't a rat hole.

Go Hawks and Go Steven's Point

[badgerwarhawk]

Thanks uww4, I knew that.    duh...........I've corrected it. 

[John Gleich]

UWW4ever, was that game at WW, or River Falls?

If it was at RF, that's where Iserloth had his big night too... And come to think about it, whenever Coach Bennett used to talk about RF's gym, he spoke highly of it, because Point always shot well there.... C.B. attributed it to the close quarters behind the basket (very similar to many high schools) but Eau Claire, La Crosse, and specifically Platteville are the same way... and I know that it's hard for ANYONE to have a great shooting night there 'cause they don't let you get free looks!

[uww4ever]

SWEET BW, YOU DID CORRECT IT. 

I HOPE MELVIN CAN HIT 10 THREES IN ONE GAME.  HE HAS KIND OF AN AWKWARD SHOT (NOT THAT IT IS BAD, BUT HE LEAPS SO HIGH, HAS A QUICK RELEASE AND ONE SHOT HE HIT AGAINST EAU CLAIRE HE RELEASED IT WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE OTHER HAND AND HIT IT)

BUT TO ANSWER THE MOST QUESTIONS I'VE EVER HAD, IT WAS IN WHITEWATER.  I HAVE BEEN TO UWW/RF IN KARGES BEFORE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WAS A LOSS WHEN ALB WAS A FRESHMAN OR SOPHOMORE. 

I LIKE DLK GYM 1, I HAVE PLAYED SOME PICKUP GAMES DURING THE SUMMER THERE AND HAVE LAUNCHED A FEW THREES AND MOST OF THEM ACTUALLY HIT AND GO IN.  SOFT RIMS I GUESS, BUT FROM THE SPOTS NEAR THE BENCH THE LIGHT GETS IN YOUR EYES. 

FROM THE CORNERS THOUGH, THAT'S WHERE THE MOST THREES GO DOWN.

GO HAWKS

[titan2000]

Funny, rat, even I got that one.

Quandt, that is a rathole.   But it seems to fulfill UW-SP's needs......

As you stated in the MWC board, the LU fans are over the whole Quandt situation last year and you requesting me to do the same, I think you should get over this whole "Quandt is a rathole" thing everytime you post on this board!    At least you are over the whole "Super Bowl" thing. 

Maybe I'll return in 2006/2007, here are the canned responses, just pick a number:

1) Good riddance,
2) I hope you'll reconsider and stay away,
3) Lets see if LU can outlast the WIAC in the NCAA tourney
4) 

Is that Lawrence's goal this year?   

LU has a higher calling, Old School.  If they play the WIAC champion, that will be a great matchup.  The winner will likely go a long way.  Unfortunately, some school out in Bumblestick WA will probably get a bye so the NCAA can save $$ so the Midwest teams will get hosed in the draw, just wait and see.   Please save the "it didn't impact Point" talk, you got home games while we played 8-16 hours from home.  If the venerable Quandt wouldn't have been hosting the WWF or whatever in 2004, we wouldn't all had to travel out to Tacoma.   

Good luck to the Pointers, they look like they are coming together at the right time.   Can they win the WIAC ? My Titans sure blew a gasket this year. 

[Greek Tragedy]

LU has a higher calling, Old School.  If they play the WIAC champion, that will be a great matchup.  The winner will likely go a long way.  Unfortunately, some school out in Bumblestick WA will probably get a bye so the NCAA can save $$ so the Midwest teams will get hosed in the draw, just wait and see.   Please save the "it didn't impact Point" talk, you got home games while we played 8-16 hours from home.  If the venerable Quandt wouldn't have been hosting the WWF or whatever in 2004, we wouldn't all had to travel out to Tacoma.   

I wouldn't pull that comment on you.  It sucked for the fans of LU and UWSP.  Point was actually hosting the women's sectional that year, that's why the men didn't host. 

I think you are right about the "midwest" area teams getting hosed.  I think Larry U will also get hosed in the sectionals (assuming a WIAC team AND Larry U make it that far).  Because of the lack of capacity (is the 5,000 seats and north wall coming down true? lol) at the Alex, a WIAC rep like Whitewater or Stout (like I said, if they make it) will more likely host.  I can already hear the LU faithful complaining...let's get into the tourney first and win those first two rounds before that happens first! 

[John Gleich]

It'll actually be interesting to see what happens in those first round games because they're playing them in a 4 team regional... The WIAC gyms, with the exception of perhaps River Falls, would be able to host more fans than most D-3 schools... I wonder if this will factor in.