MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[John Gleich]

Quote from The Roop: "Might want to tone down (the break) because you're not going to get away with it..."

Interestingly, in UPS's NCAA tournament loss two years ago to Stevens Point, the Pointers essentially ran a "fast break" quite often...  Jason Kalsow merely threw the ball to half court, and Point got 2 on 1 after 2 on 1.  Nick Bennett had 37 points and 6 assists that game, and most of it came off those 2 on 1's.

When UWSP hosted UPS last season, UPS basically toned down their frenetic pace.  35 fewer points were scored and 23 fewer shots were taken.  This can't be completely attributed to UWSP's defense, though some of it may... I think that UPS just decided that they couldn't beat Point in their normal manner.

I think that they (UPS) is probably sick of teams from the midwest.  The UPS squads from the last 3 seasons have been good teams, but they've met up with very talented teams on a mission.  

Titan Q, can you compare this game to the one you saw in California?  Was UPS more prepared?  Did they have a different gameplan, or did they just execute better?

[Hoosier Titan]

One other item that seems to have been overlooked at Lawrence:  there is still no release about Saturday's game on the scoreboard page.  This is usually done by the host school, is it not?

[Titan Q]

Point, the biggest difference I noticed between Puget Sound in December and this weekend is simply that they made shots this weekend.  UPS was 29-75 (.387) from the field in the 12/29 game.  Saturday night the Logger went 34-72 (.472). Other than that, same exact team, with the same players and same style (facing the exact same IWU team). 

I guess I'd also say that UPS played with more confidence Saturday, which may be why they made more shots.  Eric Bridgleand really had them believing they should win the game...he's a great coach.

[ds0097]

I think the two main differences between the UPS teams that faced UWSP the last two years and this year's team are that a) Bridgeland has recruited more length than he ever has, which allows UPS to run its press against almost anybody (the UWSP game two years ago was about the most painful game I have ever seen, between UWSP throwing over the press all night and Matt Glynn having the first off night of his UPS career) and b) the non-conference schedule that Bridgeland set up for this season (2 DI teams, 2 or 3 DII teams, 2 or 3 top-notch NAIA teams and IWU) was geared towards acclimating this team to executing the press against top-level opponents and to getting the freshmen as much experience as possible so that they would play with the confidence that they could win any game.

Also, I have nothing but respect for IWU. UPS seemed to do exactly what it aimed to do—wear IWU down—but IWU's seniors did exactly what seniors are supposed to do, they reached down and found something extra when they needed it most. They were the better team and they deserved to win. Congratulations to the Titans. I guess UPS can take some solace, along with LU, in losing to the eventual national champion for the third year in a row.

[Greek Tragedy]

Saturday's seating situation was a joke.  "The Roop," you were probably sitting right by me!  I was in the top row in the UPS section. 

There was more than enough room for some of the overlow IWU fans to sit on the far end of the bleachers, far enough away from the UPS fans.  That was just plain dumb. 

The "megaphones" the children had were real little too.  That's just plain mean. 

While standing outside waiting to get back in for the second game, an LU fan told me that he and others were turned down at the door with tickets in hand at then 2nd round game vs. St. Thomas.  So, counterfeiting happened the previous weekend as well as the Sectional weekend.  That's the reason there were fans sitting on the floor and in the aisles. 

That's a joke that the LU site Nazi made the IWU student fans sit on the floor when the LU student fans were standing the whole time in front of their bleachers.  Oh well.  IWU is still playing!

Like previously posted, aside from the LU seating Nazis, the counterfeit tickets issues and the "clearing out the gym" thing, I enjoyed my time in Appleton...I've been there before, so I knew the parking was going to be headache! lol. 

I'm taking full credit for the rowdy IWU fans this past weekend.  I was critical of those said fans at the Whitewater regional and apparently they took offense to that and were plenty loud in Appleton!  You're welcome for waking the sleeping giant! lol.

Also, a pleasure to meet your Mr. Important AD on Friday and thanks goes to Professor French for getting me tickets to Friday's game...still undecided if I'm coming to Salem.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think the UPS game plan would have worked perfectly against any other team.  All of those really talentned Seniors who have come up short a few times were not about to quit.  Listening to the game it just never seemed possible for them to stay ahead, but it happened somehow.

That's why I always go with the Senior ladened teams in the d1 bracket.

[Greek Tragedy]

Similarities and differences:

Point and Lawrence:  Very similar.  Both play ball possession, motion offense and very patient.  IWU got smoked plenty of times on backdoor cuts and players making the extra pass for easy baskets.  LU shoots the ball very well from the outside.  But, can also shoot the ball poorly, just like Point.  

IWU and Point (last year):  Against UPS, specifically, Point can have five players on the floor that can handle the ball.  We had a point-forward, 6'7" Jason Kalsow who brought the ball up a lot.  6'6" forward/guard Kyle Grusczynski could easily bring the ball up and even 6'5" forward Jon Krull...along with our actual guards.  IWU seemed to have two, maybe three players that felt comfortable bringing the ball up.  Dauksas, #10 and maybe Keelan.  No one else seemed like they wanted to bring the ball up.  If Dauksas didn't bring it up, IWU had real problems.  Dauksas forced it several times as all three of his personal fouls were offensive drives to the hoop.  Thought that was interesting.

Point ate up UPS's press, while IWU took some time to get through it.  


IWU, as said previously, has THREE studs in AD, Keelan and Freeman.  Point had two studs in Kalsow and Bennett.  But, I think Point had a much better supporting cast that wasn't afraid to take shots.  Krull was a great #3 scorer and led Point in socring vs. John Carroll in the semis two years ago, and other very good scoring nights.  For IWU, it seemed like whenever someone not named Adam, Zach or Keelan got the ball, you knew they were looking pass first, second and third.  

IWu is one of the most talented and athletic teams I've seen.  Good luck to them in Salem.  With all WIAC teams out, I'm a IWU fan.  

[markerickson]

Is there an updated men's bracket on this website?

[Pat Coleman]

One other item that seems to have been overlooked at Lawrence:  there is still no release about Saturday's game on the scoreboard page.  This is usually done by the host school, is it not?

No. Only schools participating in the game have the ability to post releases about games.

[Pat Coleman]

Is there an updated men's bracket on this website?

The bracket is in the same spot it's been all month.

http://www.d3sports.com/playoffs/mbbbracket2006.pdf

[Greek Tragedy]

One other item that seems to have been overlooked at Lawrence:  there is still no release about Saturday's game on the scoreboard page.  This is usually done by the host school, is it not?

No. Only schools participating in the game have the ability to post releases about games.

Get on that, Titan Q!

[iwumichigander]

2) Though not a major deal, an LU student sang the National Anthem before the Friday LU/IWU game. Saturday? A mediocre instrumental which was probably a throw in with the antique end-zone bleachers LU bought, was played.
I know that if IWU hosted a Sectional, the championship game would not be slighted, even if IWU was eliminated on Friday.

I had a great conversation with two loyal LU fans waiting in to get in for the Firday night LU v IWU matchup.  These nice LU fans were lamenting that LU regularly uses a canned national anthem when over 400 students are in the wonderful LU music program.  I do not have a problem with a canned national anthem.  And by the way, as a parent of a music educator and voice major, the young man who sang the national anthem Firday night had a great set of pipes and did a fantastic job.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I prefer the canned anthem.  I'm already on-edge enough because of the game; I don't need the added stress of wondering whether or not the singer can make it through the anthem without making us all wince.  Unless you've just got a proven performer who can handle it with confidence, give us tha canned version (you can also use a short version if its pre-recorded, which gets to the game that much faster).

[Greek Tragedy]

They used the canned anthem for the UPS/Augie game too.

I don't think it was viewed as a "slight" for not having a real person sing it on Saturday.  I think it was simply because Lawrence wasn't involved...though, being the host school, I felt it was required to have Lawrence's trainers there on Saturday night.  Not sure if they were actual trainers because all I saw them do was hand out water [my apologies to diehardfan-sorry for the "guy" talk].

And by the way, as a parent of a music educator and voice major, the young man who sang the national anthem Firday night had a great set of pipes and did a fantastic job.

I concurr...he did a real nice job...and I have no musical bone in my body.

[Knightstalker]

They almost always use a canned anthem at NJCU, even with the presence of an outstanding music program with many fine classical, jazz and music theatre voice majors.  When they do use a live person it has never been a music major that I can recall, and usually it is someone who thinks they can sing and can't.  I can't sing, that is why I learned to play guitar, that and I can't dance either.