MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bulk19]

Cole Kraft update:

As I type this, he's probably winging a baseball around the infield at Carson Park, getting set for the Eau Claire Cavaliers' (35-18) doubleheader tonight vs. Oshkosh.

He's hitting .276, and has played in 42 of the team's 53 games, starting 37, mainly at short. Done a terrific job, as he hasn't committed an error yet on the season, if I remember correctly... So, I probably jinxed him. 

[stoutguy]

WCBSAS
Being a Winona guy, what's your take on Cole Kraft (Menomonie) not playing basketball at Winona?  I know basketball has always been high on his list of things to do and even though he is now giving baseball a shot at UW-Milwaukee, it just seems like he would have been a fit at your fine school.  We have a great Menomonie/Winona pipeline (football), in my opinion.  Don't get too down on these Wis. posters.  We just all like our cheese and get fiesty about any comparisons.

As you know Cole Kraft was on scholarship for both football and baseball.  The football season goes into mid-November and the fb coach really didn't want him diverted during the football season so Kraft would really be behind (at least a month) not even counting fall workouts.

Secondly, Coach Leaf likes big guards (6'-3"+).  Of the 17 guys on the roster only 2 are smaller than 6'-2", with a average height for guards of 6'-3".  Cole Kraft is a phenomenal athlete and would have been a contributor in a year or two but Winona is stacked at the guard position this year.

Lastly, IMO Kraft isn't a true point guard and his size might have limited him somewhat at the off-guard position.  Kraft has a huge heart, unbelievable athleticism and obviously a passion for basketball.  Otherwise why leave D2 football/baseball program?

I know the football team will miss him ... as a true freshman he was already their most reliable receiver.   UW-Stout has a great athlete on its basketball team and he'll get a chance to really show Winona his stuff when Stout plays them this year.

Thanks for the info, but you need to read my post completely and pick up on the part where I tell you that he is playing baseball for UW-Milwaukee next year so he won't be showing anybody anything at that Stout/Winona game.

[BoBo]

...and UWM is D1 in baseball.

[Stout survivor]

Werner got a little action last night vs the steelers.  I hope he gets little more time next week vs the seahawks and maybe a pass in his direction.

Old School you can get a jersey should i ever have one on the market but dont hold your breath. 

[wcbsas]

Thanks for the info, but you need to read my post completely and pick up on the part where I tell you that he is playing baseball for UW-Milwaukee next year so he won't be showing anybody anything at that Stout/Winona game.

My apologies ... I didn't know he ended up at UWM.  Good for him and UWM.

Do you think baseball is his best sport?

[stoutguy]

Thanks for the info, but you need to read my post completely and pick up on the part where I tell you that he is playing baseball for UW-Milwaukee next year so he won't be showing anybody anything at that Stout/Winona game.

My apologies ... I didn't know he ended up at UWM.  Good for him and UWM.

Do you think baseball is his best sport?

I think basketball is his best sport but I am probably just being selfish because I was looking forward to watching him play again this year.  He is a fun kid to watch and be around.  My take on his move to baseball is this for what it's worth: His grandpa (former Stout bb coach Dewey Mintz who had a "cup of coffee" as a major league baseball player, has always been a big influence in Cole's life.  Dewey still thinks Cole has a shot at baseball and I think that has a big influence on this latest move.  I wish him well.  He is a great kid. 

[Gregory Sager]

Mike Leaf, Winona's bball coach is unmarried and thus no children. 

I haven't heard these two characteristics linked since 1985.   

Old School you can get a jersey should i ever have one on the market but dont hold your breath. 

He could sew shut the bottom of your jersey and use it as a sleeping bag.

[Greek Tragedy]

New Schedules!

Oshkosh

Eau Claire

That leaves just Stevens Point. 

Whitewater

Superior

La Crosse

Platteville

River Falls

Stout

[Greek Tragedy]

Oshkosh goes the "Eau Claire" rout and double dips Finlandia.  At least EC isn't playing them three times.   

[chmarx]

Tough to get games in this league.

[titan2000]

A double dip with Finlandia is alot easier on your record than say a short trip to Appleton for a home/away with Lawrence.

And the hunting and fishing up there at Finlandia is a lot better too.

[John Gleich]

A double dip with Finlandia is alot easier on your record than say a short trip to Appleton for a home/away with Lawrence.

And the hunting and fishing up there at Finlandia is a lot better too.

... Well, Finlandia, unlike Lawrence, isn't limited in the number of games they get to schedule in the non-conference.  In fact, due to their remote location, it probably is tougher for Finlandia to get games than some of their WIAC foes.

FU always has three local rivals (insomuch as a school 5.5 hours away can be considered "local", but in da UP, everything is relative I suppose ...) in D2 schools MTU, NMU, and LSSU... and there just simply aren't too many other D3 schools that AREN'T UMAC schools that are remotely close... Trips to WIAC schools each take at least 4 hrs (Point would probably be closest but UWSP and FU haven't played recently).

I know that it might not look the *best* on a WIAC schedule, but the WIAC has done quite well against FU in the past few years... a regional win is a regional win!

FU Schedule

In addition to Oshkosh, Stout playes once and has the possibility of two games with FU, and EC plays twice, with the possibility of the third.  Superior dips for two and UWRF goes for one.  I wonder how much longer it will be before FU applies to become the 10th WIAC team!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Until the administrative regions rule took effect (last season?), Finlandia was NOT an in-region game.  Despite the fact that the nearest Great Lakes regional team is nearly 500 miles away, that's where they've been placed, and no WIAC team fits into the 200-mile rule (Superior is closest, but about 240 miles).

Now that I think of it, they are STILL not in-region - Wisconsin and Michigan are in different administrative regions.  Until someone will do the logical thing and move Finlandia to the West, they will be hard-pressed to muster more than 2-3 in-region games a year (unless they can find a conference willing to accept that travel burden).

[Greek Tragedy]

A double dip with Finlandia is alot easier on your record than say a short trip to Appleton for a home/away with Lawrence.

And the hunting and fishing up there at Finlandia is a lot better too.

It'll be easier now that Tharp is gone. 

[John Gleich]

...Despite the fact that the nearest Great Lakes regional team is nearly 500 miles away, that's where they've been placed, and no WIAC team fits into the 200-mile rule (Superior is closest, but about 240 miles)...

Point is actually 217 miles while Superior is listed at 212 miles.  Now, this is with google maps... who knows how the wacky program the NCAA uses works... it could send the teams the LONG way around Lake Superior, or make them take a ferry into Canada and drive down...