MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ItIsWhatItIs]

In Miller's five complete seasons as head coach he's won 2 conference championships and finished 2nd twice.  His worse finish was 4th.  That's one year out of five that we haven't really been in the running for the league title.  I'd like to win a conference championship every year but how realistic is that?

Yet we have a leadership problem.   
 

I think with the talent and depth this team displays year after year, there is a problem, maybe not a huge, unable to recover from problem, but there are things that happen to this team that start at the top.  Whom to have on the court when and basic fundamental decisions that are missed. 

For the most part, the games they lose are not because they are not hustling or lack talent, they suffer in the elements of the game that are well in the control of the coaches (substitutions, timeouts, lineups that work well together/continuity). 

If Warhawk fans are satisfied, then more power to them, but these teams should be going further because they are capable of so much than what they produce.

[Greek Tragedy]

I think you're blowing Whitewater's loss last night a little out of proportion.  Down 11 with 7 to play and they go full court press and hammer the Pointers in the tune of a 19-5 run.  Where is the problem there?

For the most part, the games they lose are not because they are not hustling or lack talent, they suffer in the elements of the game that are well in the control of the coaches (substitutions, timeouts, lineups that work well together/continuity). 

Game decisions are still the downfall of this team.  I understand Mlachnik has been a good freethrow shooter, but until he attempted the freethrows that could have sealed the deal, he had not gone to the line all night.  Why not seek out Toellner, Price or Fruend to get the ball in that situation.  Talent and depth is limited without structure, guidance and brain power. 

...but until then, they must improve including coaches' decisions.

Mlachnik, according to the WW website, is one of the best FT shooters on the team that gets regular minutes.  Coach puts in the players that can win the game for them.  I can't remember who was all out on the court for WW, but I'm sure Price, Toellner/Fruend, Mlachnik and Rob Perry were all out on the floor at one time or another at the end of the game.  When someone is throwing the ball in under pressure (5 second rule, full court press etc), he's not thinking, "Hey that guy is wide open, but he hasn't shot any free throws tonight, so I'm not going to pass him the ball..."  That's not going to happen.  You throw the ball into who's open and hope he hits the free throws.  It's not like Mlachnik is a big piece of crap when it comes to shooting FTs.  Did you see Riley (43.8% FT) or Vernon out there?  No, I don't think so...so obviously the coach is making a wise decision!

Whitewater wins this game, no one is complaining.  It was just a matter of missing a couple of free throws.  I don't hear anyone talking about how great of a job Miller and the players did coming back from 11 down in a very hostile environment and taking the lead.  It's disappointing because you aren't giving the players or coaches any credit for that.  They could've just given up, but they fought back and put themselves in a position to win. 

The bottom line is that they didn't win, but I don't think it had anything to do with bad coaching, bad personnel on the floor or anything like that.

Next to Point, Whitewater probably has the most success in the conference in recent history. 

[ItIsWhatItIs]

Did you see Riley (43.8% FT) or Vernon out there?  No, I don't think so...so obviously the coach is making a wise decision!


Next to Point, Whitewater probably has the most success in the conference in recent history. 

Well, I am not just referring to last night, but I have seen Riley on the floor sprinting to get the inbound pass in similar situations at the end of the game when the opponent is in an obviously fouling predicament (versus Illinois Wesleyan).  I have seen them down 3 in the closing seconds of games with their better three point shooters (Anderson and Price) firmly on the bench.  So, I guess it is an aggregate effect that prompts me to post.  I wish them the best, but I must state that I dont think the water reaches its level with this team, they are better than what they demonstrate...success can be defined in many ways.

[frodotwo]

WW has lost to some pretty good teams by only a few points and sometimes that happens even to the best of teams. I think by the time the end of the year rolls around you will still find them VERY near the top. After this latest loss it will take some character for them to reboound well, but I feel sorry for Superior on Saturday. I've been a Pointer fan since the late 60's and always will be, but I love fiery coaches and I don't see anything in Pat Miller or his coaching that is anything less than top shelf. He always recruits great athletes that can play ball and it looks like this group is more than capable of being at the top when the WIAC season is over. If Point has an off shooting night they are in big trouble because they struggle inside. I haven't seen LX yet this yr so I'll withhold judgement on them, but WW has size and players capable of scoring inside or out and there must be some reason they were picked by the coaches in the league to win it all.

[UWPSUPERFAN77]

Why such a panic about UWW BB? You have a good young coach, plenty of talent, and 3/4 of the season to play! As a fan, I do not think your fans appreciate how good you have been, you should average 1500-2000 per game. What is your attendance 700-800 per game. get behind the team and quite complaining. Good luck, and enjoy playing in a great Conference. God Bless!

[Greek Tragedy]

I really don't know much about La Crosse, aside from Werner and Ask, but the results I've seen have been impressive...winning AT Whitewater and AT Platteville.  What's up over there, Brian R. Carroll and Chmarx? 

[Mr. Downtown]

To all the Stout peoples...

TitansRus and I (nationally nominated announcers)will be broadcasting the game via radio.

Which for all those Oshkosh fans, or peoples interested whats going on in Stout, tune in to www.uwosh.edu/wrst

[Brian Carroll]

OS: Sorry that I haven't commented yet on the Eagles. They have exceeded my expectations, as I agreed with the SID's who picked them 5th in the conference. Guess not. We all know that Werner is a beast, possibly the league MVP. Ask and Fehrenbach have both developed into top-notch players as well. Soph. Brandon Brown is holding down the PG spot, and Billy Kegler is contributing rebounds and hustle to good overall team effort. Off the bench, T.J. Nehring is a real scoring threat, and some of the others have shown some talent as well. Good depth and team chemistry. Good defense, well coached, looking tough. I look for WW and Oshkosh to join the Pointers and Eagles in battling for the top spot. A previous commitment precludes my being at Quandt tomorrow. I hope you and Swampgoon make the trip to La Crosse later in the season.They should be great games.

[chmarx]

I pretty much agree with everything Brian said.  I'm particularly impressed with the maturation of Kegler.  We have a fine team, well coached.  They are off to a great start.  But it is a long season and this is a VERY tough league.

I'm not going to be able to make it to Point either.  Not happy about that, but a trip just isn't possible right now.  Hope to see you in La Crosse later, OS and SG.  If you like, maybe Brian and I can show you the river area before the game.

[buf]

According to Superior's website, they defeat Whitewater today, 82-71.  If in fact this is not a misprint, congrats to Superior on their 1st conference win in some time!

[Just Bill]

According to Superior's website, they defeat Whitewater today, 82-71.  If in fact this is not a misprint, congrats to Superior on their 1st conference win in some time!

Stevens Point radio reported that score the other way around. 
Update: The article on the SUP web site says Whitewater won.  Must be typo on the schedule.


Pointers beat La Crosse 67-64.  Rortvedt scores 23, Krull gets 14.  Point shoots 9-21 from 3.  Werner scores 10 and struggled with foul trouble much of the game.  Ask scores 21 on 8-20 shooting. Brown adds 13.

[frodotwo]

Very tight game in the Quandt today with neither team reaching a double digit lead. Pointers defense held Werner in check, with Krull getting most of the credit. Pete R was hot early and late and just missing in between, but hit 'em when they were needed. Another team win (DUH). Another case of two excellent teams matching up and LX deserves alot of credit for playing very well in a hostile environment. Haven't seen Stout or Pville yet, but not much separates SP/LX/WW so far.

[fredfalcon]

No, WW did not lose to Superior today. They won by 81-72 (as I remember the score). Osh, Point, Plat were other winners.

I did not see the game, but evidently RF played very well, losing 70-66. Robertson, the 6'7" freshman, had a double/double with 20 pts., 10 rbds. Davis, second in scoring in the conference coming into the game, got only 8. Koonkaew and Thompson were in low double figures.

RF is surprisingly  competitive considering their lack of experience.

[John Gleich]

RF is surprisingly  competitive considering their lack of experience.

I was going to say the same thing FF.  Seems like they could knock off some teams come the new year.

[UWPSUPERFAN77]

Dear Fred Falcon, and others: I was at the UWRF game today. I thought game was over when UWP scored 6 points in 15 seconds on 2 steals and 3 baskets with 7 minutes to go. RF rallied and made it close. We hit enough free throws at the end to win. UWRF has to get fans into the stands and support the Team. Your new players are terrific, Your Junior College Transfer and Freshman post player. We won because our bench had a terrific game. I enjoyed your pep Band, but your concessions need some work, no hot food. the SF needs something to eat! Overall a good experience but not a very threatening environment for the Visitors. I would be surprised if RF does not win 6 conference games ,as you do have potential If this is a 7th or 8th place team, what a great conference! God Bless!