MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

Current WIAC standings:

Stevens Pt     7-0
La Crosse      5-1
Oshkosh        4-2
Whitewater    3-3
Platteville       3-3
River Falls      2-4
Stout              2-5
Eau Claire      1-5
Superior         1-5

I don't know that we've seen a separation like this in the WIAC in a long time...  Barring a complete collapse by the top three, this appears to be a three horse race!  Two more weeks and we'll be at the halfway point in the standings.

I'd hardly count Whitewater out.  Platteville gets a big boost with Gossens back, but not sure if they can contend.  I was impressedwith River Falls when Point went up there, and they'll knock off a couple of more teams, as will Superior.

[Greek Tragedy]

Badger and other Warhawks...

So, I noticed G. Riley got a ton of minutes last night (30 min) and no one was really in foul trouble (aside from HIM!)...since losing his starting job, he's basically been playing 14-18 minutes, rarely getting into the 20s.  What's that about?  Is his playing time increasing or was it just a matter of how the game went?

[janesvilleflash]

I'm for sure not a basketball expert, but WW needs to start hitting the boards a whole bunch better.

[John Gleich]

OS,

Other than Point, La Crosse is the only team that holds their own destiny completely in their own hands.  LaX can knock off Point, win out, and be declared co-champs.  

Oshkosh would need to knock off Point, La Crosse, and hope that someone else can knock off the Pointers to have a shot (and they've had to win out too).  

Very key in the whole discussion of the 3-3 teams is that La Crosse is two full games ahead of them, and Point is 3.5 ahead... so they'll need to take care of business for the rest of the season AND get a little help from their WIAC enemies turned allies...

River Falls would need Point to go 5-4 in the rest of the league games (AND win out) to have a shot, but I certainly agree, because the Falcons are playing as well as they appear to be, they very well could knock off some teams.  This could be a game that could sneak up and nip Point, but it is equally the same for the other teams in the league, especially for teams that are focused on those AHEAD of them.

Look at RF's last 11 games.  Lose by 8 to Point, lose by 1 to EC, lose by 4 to PV, beat Bethany Lutheran 96-74, beat Crown 97-57, Lost to D-2 Concordia-St. Paul 72-105, Blasted North Central MN 110-66, Lost to #3 St. Thomas 84-87 in OT, beat Finlandia 93-54, lost at Whitewater 86-91, and beat Stout 76-62.  

Except for the CU-SP game, each of the losses were pretty close, and the wins were, for the most part, monsterous.  This team can put up some points.  Now, I'm not saying they're beating tremendous teams, but they're blasting lesser opponents by a ton.

I think they're on the verge of some breakout games, and they're so young too!

[Greek Tragedy]

OS,

Other than Point, La Crosse is the only team that holds their own destiny completely in their own hands.  LaX can knock off Point, win out, and be declared co-champs.  

We're not even halfway through the conference season and you're talking about destiny! lol 

I remember several years ago, a poster actually figured out a way where all nine teams could end up 8-8.  He had everything mapped out.  It was amazing.  Needless to say, that didn't happen, but I think that was the year two or three teams tied for the conference championship at 10-6 (I'm too lazy to look it up).

[titan2000]

How can Oshkosh only score 48 points

Must have been out fishing on the Mississippi all day before the game.  Sea legs?

[Brian Carroll]

So what exactly is the problem at underachieving Whitewater ?

[Greek Tragedy]

So what exactly is the problem at underachieving Whitewater ?

Is there a problem?  Here we go again throwing Whitewater under the bus.

5 losses seem like a lot, and maybe they are.  OK, they choked against Illinois Wesleyan at the beginning of the year after blowing a huge lead in the 2nd half and missed some free throws.  As we all know, La Crosse is VERY good (Whitewater lost to them).  La Crosse just beat Oshkosh (one of the hottest teams in the league) and their only conference loss is to Point, and Whitewater nearly (and could've) beat Point at Quandt.  Elmhurst is probably the best team in the CCIW, so losing to them isn't anything to be shamed about...and topping River Falls was solid since we all know River Falls is tough.  Umm, Platteville, they always play the Warhawks tough.  Like I said, I would still worry about Whitewater come February.  Should they and could've they beaten some of those teams making them only a 2 or 3 loss team, yeah.  So, if that's the problem, well then they might have one.

[ItIsWhatItIs]

UWW is underachieving because of poor game management.  G. Riley should not have played 30 mins. UWW needed rebounding and an inside presence not a 3 guard line-up.  The common denominator in the majority of the games they have lost is they have had the games seemingly under control and then down the stretch, they have blown it...regardless of the caliber of opponent.  They absolutely should have won in Quandt, definitely should have beat Platteville at home, had LaCrosse on the ropes at home and should have won that...and of course IWU.  They totally lucked out versus UWRF.  Miller has made some interesting decisions with this team that has absolutely damaged their chance of winning consistently.  The person who seemingly has thrown this team under the bus is Miller.  I said it early in the year, until they figure out who should be on the floor and when, they will struggle mightily.  Talent needs to be cultivated and right now in UWW, it is not happening...it is what it is.

[titansrus]

I know more than a couple people at Media Day were wondering why Whitewater was ranked 2nd to start out the year and have not lived up to those expectations. Sound familiar? Exatly what happened to Oshkosh last year and people are throwing them under the bus after just 5 losses because they were predicted to have that many maybe the entire season. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see them finish just like the Titans did last year-losing in the first round of the WIAC Tournament (maybe even on a questionable 3 point foul call).

[fredfalcon]

WW Backers--I have the perfect solution for your disappointment in this year's record: hire ItIsWhatItIs as coach. He obviously has all the answers.

[badgerwarhawk]

Thank you, Fred.  I will pass that on to the higher ups.

I think one thing Itswhatever isn't taking into consideration are defensive matchups.  When you're in a close game that's going down to the wire you can't think exclusively about the the offensive side of the ball.   You have to stop the other team too. 

Miller has over 100 wins in five years.  He didn't get them by not knowing how to manage a game and he sure as hell hasn't thrown his team under the bus.   

But I make it a point to never argue with experts.
   

[ItIsWhatItIs]

hire ItIsWhatItIs as coach. He obviously has all the answers.

Yes! Finally an endorsement!  I just tire of people making excuses about UWW.   All of the other teams on campus seem to reach their potential, but the Mens basketball team seems to fall short. 

It is beyond me why one would want to match up with a shorter team, it was not like they were pressing UWW or the guard play of Platteville was dominant...we were being killed on the boards. Kori Vernon was having a good game, but he goes to the bench...why?  But whatever, I am not here to argue, just telling things as I see them to be.  Miller has won 100 games because he has had great talent, but  you are fooling yourselves if you believe he has been able to get everything out of the talent that he has had on his teams.  They are capable of so much more.

[Pioneer Hoops Fan]

It is beyond me why one would want to match up with a shorter team, it was not like they were pressing UWW or the guard play of Platteville was dominant...we were being killed on the boards. Kori Vernon was having a good game, but he goes to the bench...why? 
[/quote]

The way I see it is rebounding is a mentality.  Some guys have it, some don't.  I think Coach Miller is a great coach, and probably knows more about the game than many of us give him credit for.  I defend his decision to go smaller.  Big guys don't move as quickly, and also looking at the box score, your big guys were not rebounding either.  Vernon was playing well, but only had 1 board.  Maybe give credit to the smaller Platteville players being grittier than the WW players and boxing out.  I don't know I was not there, but really coaches can only teach and do so much which includes drills and film preparation to get your guys ready, but it is up to the guys on the floor to execute and get things done.  Are there leadership issues?  Sounds like it to me.  Platteville probably doesn't win that game Wednesday if Goose isn't on the floor.  Physically he is limited, but his leadership presence goes a long way, especially with a group of Freshman and Sophomores. 

[Mr. Downtown]

I agree with Oldschool...

Don't throw Whitewater under the bus.

Wasn't just two years ago, when Whitewater finished 8-8 in conference? (Platteville and Point spilt the conference title that year)

The Warhawks only went on the road to knock off #1 Platteville in the conference tourney, and they were just one game away from going to the dance.

Whitewater is and will be a dangerous team in the WIAC this season, and before its all said and done, will determine who'll win the WIAC.