MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Civic Minded]

OK gang...  here is the Wesminster report....

Thanks!

Ditto, thanks hopefan!  Is it Friday yet?!?!!     

[oldknight]

OK gang...  here is the Wesminster report....
First a little education.... when I moved to St Louis from Holland, I could hardly have told you where Missour is, much less Westminster in Fulton Missouri...

That's odd. Winston Churchill had no trouble finding it.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

OK gang...  here is the Wesminster report....

Thanks!

Ditto, thanks hopefan!  Is it Friday yet?!?!!     

Not yet, but if you like 2's this board is perfect for you right now

[frodotwo]

I'm looking forward to seeing the DeVos Fieldhouse tomorrow (but not looking forward to the 400 mile drive  - or the expensive tolls through Illinois  ) to watch the Pointers play IWU. I've been reading the background pages on the facility on the Hope website and it looks like a magnificent facility. Visiting teams must feel like the Hickory team from the movie Hoosiers when they walk in the door. I've been in the crowd when Point plays in front of 2400+ fans and the atmosphere is electric, I can only imagine what it's like to play in front of 3000+ on a regular basis.

The ticket manager here in Point promised that our seats were nearly behind the Pointer bench (she also thought the facility was small because we were only allotted 200 tickets), but in looking at them, they are General Admission. After looking at the seating chart, GA appears to be end line only. Any fan regulars able to shed more light on this?  I'm hoping for something other than that, my eyesight is not what it used to be  .

UWSP comes in to the Tourney in a slump due to the injury to Tyler Tillema who is the guy that makes the offense work. I think it's doubtful he plays, but the team has had two weeks to adjust to him not being out there. Dan Tillema is an incredible athlete who can carry the team, but needs help from the rest of the players. Lack of size inside has been their downfall against taller teams with strong PF. I fully expect Point to step up their defensive pressure to make up for TT not being out there.

Here's what Coach Semling had to say today in our local newspaper:

  The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men's basketball team will be making its sixth straight NCAA Division III Tournament appearance when it opens play Friday against Illinois Wesleyan.

That doesn't mean, however, that UW-Stevens Point enters its tournament opener with a wealth of postseason experience littering its roster.

Only four players on the team -- and junior Tyler Tillema's playing status remains questionable because of a thumb injury -- have seen significant minutes in the Big Dance.

This means the Pointers will be relying heavily on seniors Dan Tillema and Jordan Brezinski and junior Jordan Giordana to lead the way in Friday's matchup with the Titans at 4:30 p.m. in Holland, Mich.

"I've shared with our veteran players the importance for them to set the tone for the young guys on and off the floor," said UW-Stevens Point coach Bob Semling, whose program is in search of its second national title in three years, and fourth overall.

"Dan and JB (Brezinski) and Gio (Giordana) understand how we've been successful in this tournament," Semling added. "They know when we need to be locked in and focused, and when it's time to relax."

Semling also emphasized enough time has passed since leading scorer and playmaker Tyler Tillema, who is listed as day-to-day, was injured Feb. 15 for the team to move on if necessary.

"I'm not going to pretend it's not going to be more of a challenge or more difficult without him, but we need the mindset of no excuses and guys have to pick up the slack," Semling said. "We have to expect to win and find a way to be victorious."

Seeing Illinois Wesleyan in the NCAA tourney is nothing new.

The Pointers (20-7) crossed paths with the Titans (19-7) in regional play on their way to the 2010 national championship.

A number of current players were on that IW team, including Jordan Zimmer, a 6-foot-5 senior guard who leads the Titans in scoring at 15.5 points a game.

"(Zimmer is) one of those guys who's always been a shooter and a scorer. He's their primary guy and the rest of the team plays off him," said Semling, who compared him to UW-Superior's Ben Aalfs.

"I promise you, we will fight and compete and make it hard for Illinois Wesleyan," he added. "We've been working hard to shore up our defense and be more consistent."

The Pointers, who received an at-large bid to the tournament, have lost three of their last four games.

The regular season is over and the second season is about to begin.

"The preparation we've gotten from our league and the No. 1 strength of schedule in the country has prepared us for the best competition," Semling said. "It's all about survive, conquer and advance to the next round. It's all about playing 80 good minutes."

[Civic Minded]

I'm looking forward to seeing the DeVos Fieldhouse tomorrow (but not looking forward to the 400 mile drive  - or the expensive tolls through Illinois  ) to watch the Pointers play IWU. I've been reading the background pages on the facility on the Hope website and it looks like a magnificent facility. Visiting teams must feel like the Hickory team from the movie Hoosiers when they walk in the door. I've been in the crowd when Point plays in front of 2400+ fans and the atmosphere is electric, I can only imagine what it's like to play in front of 3000+ on a regular basis.

The ticket manager here in Point promised that our seats were nearly behind the Pointer bench (she also thought the facility was small because we were only allotted 200 tickets), but in looking at them, they are General Admission. After looking at the seating chart, GA appears to be end line only. Any fan regulars able to shed more light on this?  I'm hoping for something other than that, my eyesight is not what it used to be  .

The arena, except for the far end, has reserved seating (with chairbacks) in the upper 2/3's or so, and general admission (bleacher seating) in the lower 1/3 or so.  There are indeed general admission seats behind and adjacent to the benches.  Hope that helps!

[goodknight]

One can imagine that the Tillemas will feel right at home in West Michigan.  One of their high school compatriots from Randolph, WI, is T.J. Huizenga, a Calvin freshman who saw some modest varsity minutes this season.

[gohope]

Kudos to BOTH hopefan and frodotwo for the fine reports/updates that you shared with all of us!!  Thanks!  I can't wait until Friday - sure wish it was here now!   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Link to the live video feed is now up (of course there is nothing there until tomorrows games)

http://www.hope.edu/live

[SKOT]

Link to the live video feed is now up (of course there is nothing there until tomorrows games)

http://www.hope.edu/live

Has anyone herd anything else about the broadcast?  Will there be audio?  Will it be the radio broadcast synced to the video? 

[ScotsFan]

OK gang...  here is the Wesminster report....
First a little education.... when I moved to St Louis from Holland, I could hardly have told you where Missour is, much less Westminster in Fulton Missouri... the only Westminster I knew was the one North of Pittsburgh, famous for Being a part of the coaching career of Charles 'Buzz' Ridl, who later became a good friend of mine when he was coaching at Pitt and I was in Admissions there  (early 70's)

I'm an alum of the one north of Pittsburgh ('94).     That's pretty cool that you knew Coach Ridl.  The gym at Westminster (PA) is named after Buzz.

[hopefan]

Kudos to BOTH hopefan and frodotwo for the fine reports/updates that you shared with all of us!!  Thanks!  I can't wait until Friday - sure wish it was here now!   

Well gohope.... remember me next week just in case a trip to Holland is planned for the old Hopefan !!!

[NW Hope Fan]

Link to the live video feed is now up (of course there is nothing there until tomorrows games)

http://www.hope.edu/live

[Mr. Ypsi]

hopetix posted on the WIAC board in response to grumbling that UWSP had only received 200 tickets (when the NCAA would mandate 500).  She informed them the UWSP only requested 200, has sold only 50, and has already returned 100.  Not remembering that I was still on the WIAC board, I asked how many Westminster and IWU have sold.

I might have better luck if I repeat the question here!  How many Westminster and IWU fans are currently anticipated?

[hopefan]

Westmin.. 12, if the bus Driver needs a ticket...   nah  that's mean ... let's just say I don't expect many to make the trek up from Fulton... Westmin may have had 200 at the SLIAC conference Championship... but that was at Webster in St Louis, and a portion of the people attending were player's family and alums that lived in St Louis already...  going up to Hope... I'm very doubtful.. 

[hope52]

i wish it was friday   today can not wait go  hope