MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Just Bill]

I believe Tom Crean called Nick Bennett "the best non-athletic basketball player I've ever seen" after the UWSP/Marquette exhibition game.

Maybe that's how he'll introduce him on his first day.

[John Gleich]

Actually JustBill, that quote was from the NBA scout there to see Travis Deiner.

... Just the same, it would still be a great introduction!

[Greek Tragedy]

As long as they didn't put him in charge of team defense I think they'll be alright.

THAT cracked me up.

I'll give up a little defense for a sniper-like 3-pt. shot anyday (especially since we had other people for that "defense" job). 

[titan2000]

UWO has added some frontcourt help with the transfer of 6'8" F/C Dane Seckar Anderson.  Seckar-Anderson is transferring from the University of North Dakota where he appeared in 19 games last season.  (I believe the transfer may be a result of the current coach resigning at the end of last season.)

Seckar-Anderson has Oshkosh ties as he was a standout player for Oshkosh West HS from 2002-04.

Hope he knows how to hunt or TVD will likely cut him.   

[BBall Coach]

Maybe I am a bit too early on this, as I am new and unfamiliar with the ettiquite, but who does everyone eye as the pre-season favorite? I like Point's recruiting class, and I like Oshkosh's frontcourt and recent addition, other than that I am clueless. We are a month away from the start of practice... who do we like?

[Winneconne_Legend]

We should like Oshy, just like last year...however that turned out to be a bit more rocky than expected...

This should be a very interesting yeay, I think Oshy is on top, but after its really up in the air. It has been a rocky summer for several programs so I think there is a plateau of LaX, SP, WW, PV, and maybe Stout, and then EC & Superior in the rear.

I think some Freshmen will have impact roles on a few teams this year, and the guy to watch is Bryce Welch at Oshkosh. I think he become their #1 perimeter threat the second he hits that campus.

One other name worth noting as a bit of a sleeper is Matt Moses of Stevens Point...looked very strong as a senior last year, and will be among the most physical guards the WIAC has seen in awhile, although may get lost in the shuffle at SP as a Frosh

River Falls seems to be taking a slightly different approach in their recruiting this year, and as an RF fan I am kind of excited to see a different approach. I always have been a stron supporter of Rick Bowen, but you knew year in and year out what kind of kids were coming into the program, I think Berk is going in a slightly different direction which could pay some dividends for the Falcons.

also, if anyone has some info...any truth to the rumors that Jerrod Bucholtz of Durand might be leaving Viterbo to head for Fast Eddie and the Blue Devils???

[Greek Tragedy]

It has been a rocky summer for several programs so I think there is a plateau of LaX, SP, WW, PV, and maybe Stout, and then EC & Superior in the rear.

Exodus of two key players at Stout, along with their graduating players.  Could be a tough year.

One other name worth noting as a bit of a sleeper is Matt Moses of Stevens Point...looked very strong as a senior last year, and will be among the most physical guards the WIAC has seen in awhile, although may get lost in the shuffle at SP as a Frosh

If he's good, he'll play.  Al-Amin (16+), Beamish (16+), Grusczynski (13+) and Rortvedt (started all games) all played solid minutes as freshman last year. 

[John Gleich]

I'm excited to see Point this year.  They definately competed last year and they had SO many first year players.  These guys (obviously) are now Sophomores, so they'll be a bit bigger, a bit stronger, possibly quicker, and they've got a year under their belts.  The scary thing it that Point only has 2 seniors and 2 Juniors again, just like last year, so these guys who played a ton of minutes last year will get a ton this year too.

The only thing I'm worried about is the lack of depth inside.  Wotachek showed signs last year that he could play well but just lacked a bit of consistency.  Big guys often take a bit longer to "get in the groove" jumping from high school to college because the inside game is so much different at college.  I think that Krautkramer will get a chance to shine too, but other than that, Krull is the only player who really has the size (read strength) to play inside.  Part of me wonders how they'll match up against Gibson and the Nonemachers, but Point split in the regular season with both Oshkosh and Stout last year.  They also graduated two post players though.  That's going to be the key to the Pointers' year, I think... how they'll deal with their lack of inside depth.

[diehardfan]

PS -  I met a guy this week who graduated from Point last may... I was like... Stevens Point!?! And then went into a tirade about how great Point was, how amazing Kalsow was, how strong his conference was... and it turns out he went to less Point games than I did.... despite being a former athelete and enjoying sports a lot, and undertanding how good the Point team was during that era. I think I understand your angst about student attendance at games a little better now! 

[first_timer]

Winneconne:  What is the differnt approach that RF is taking this year?  I haven't heard anyone mention who's coming in this year.

Is there anyone of note?

[John Gleich]

As OS has said, it seemed (seems?) like the students are more worried about talking on their cell phones and making plans for later in the night than actually watching the game.  I mean, I'm not going to complain about Point fans in general...  We've had some of the best attendance in the country, but when a large amt of the populous sits on their hands the whole game, it almost takes AWAY from the atmosphere!

Don't get me wrong, like I've said before there have been some great, great (as in LOUD) crowds... but this seems to have come more from the fans with gray hair rather than the ones with gel in their hair 

[frankiet]

first-timer, here is RF's recruiting class.....

Seven student-athletes are attending UW-River Falls and will join the 2006-07 Falcon basketball program according to Head Coach Jeff Berkhof.

Courtney Davis - Mesabi Range Community & Technical College; Virginia, Minn.
Maurice Baker - Scottsdale Community College; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nathan Robertson - Forest Lake HS; Forest Lake, Minn.
Jake Voeltz - River Falls HS; River Falls, Wis.
Anthony Williams - Park HS; Cottage Grove, Minn.
Deonte Compton - South HS; Minneapolis, Minn.
Jontae Koonkaew - Apple Valley HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

[mab]

Check out this press release from the WIAC.  Fox Sports Net North (WI) has started to broadcast WIAC sporting events.  They are tape delayed, but certainly worth watching.  Hopefully the ratings will be good enough that they will show a lot of basketball games this coming season.

http://www.uwsa.edu/wiac/press/wwwypagreement.html

[Greek Tragedy]

I was checking out the schedule for Lakeland College (because I know they play Point and there was discussion on another board about the scheduling of the newly formed NathCon) and noticed that Lakeland's trip to Quandt has been moved from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Jan. 8th for some reason.

Last year, Lakeland hosted La Crosse on a Friday, while Ripon hosted Point the same night.  Then, Lakeland hosted Point and Ripon hosted La Crosse on Saturday.  The original schedule had the back end of that two year deal (or maybe longer) with Point and La Crosse hosting Ripon and Lakeland on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and then flipflopping on Saturday, with Ripon traveling to La Crosse and Lakeland going to Point.  According to Ripon's schedule, they are still heading to La Crosse on Saturday after playing Point on Friday...but, Lakeland is just playing La Crosse on Friday, but not coming to Point on Saturday.  Seems a little strange. 

Because of the schedule change, Point has a backlog on games at the beginning of the year, playing four games in 7 days.  They have a Wednesday conference game, a Saturday conference game, the Monday Lakeland game and then a Wednesday conference game.  Lakeland has no alternate game scheduled for that original Saturday, so not sure what's up.  PS, you know anything?

[John Gleich]

I hadn't heard anything, no.  My only thought is that there possibly could have been a facility issue of some sort... though you'd think they would have had that all figured that out BEFORE both schools released their schedules.