WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[kluch]

Oshkosh beat Maryville. I forget the score, all apologies for not posting the score that night.
The Lady Titans won fairly easily, Maryville did have some talent but not enough to beat UW-Oshkosh. Oshkosh had a double digit lead at half time. Maryville tried to make it interesting cutting the lead to 5, i think, at one point.

Overall impressions for me looking at Oshkosh for the first time this season, Sloppy.
I don't know if it's the new coach/offensive scheme, but it just seems like the girls don't have alot of movement on offense, or i think there is less than what i'm used to with the Pam Ruder offense.
I didn't see a killer instinct.  They had a double digit lead over the upset minded Maryville and let them back in the game in the second half. That, I am not used to seeing.

There are of course some very good things:
Shannon Eggers is an All-American. She's not that quick off the dribble, but she makes things happen and she can hit any shot on the floor, from any position. She is just smooth off the dribble and just as smooth behind the Arc. Great court leader, can take over the point at any time and run the offense if need be. Solid, solid player.

Brittany Herrick is an All-American. She may have the best all around post offensive skill that I've seen. Now take that in stride, I was there calling games during the Kay Mik years, but Kay didn't have the 10-15 foot jumper that Herrick has made automatic, she just doesn't miss it.  She did get outmuscled alot in the Emory game, but fought back hard against girls that had at least 25 pounds on her.

Becky Knapp still playing inconsistently. I think at this point she should be able to run the point consitently when she is in the game.  She made some really really bad passes against Emory and Maryville and Eggers would take the point for the next couple posessions.  I still love her heart though. She is probably the most atheletic point that UW-O has had in a while, don't get me wrong, the Turtenwalds were really good, but just not as quick as Knapp is.

Kelly O'Keef is a dead eye. When she is on, she can really light it up. She doesn't do much inside the arc, but I think with her height she could pose as a tough matchup with smaller shooting guards, same goes for Eggers.

Whitney Tyriver is waiting for something. She seems slightly hesitant at times. Coming from Ohskosh-WEST, she is the one girl that knows the coach Shumacher and her offense better than anybody else(Shumacher coached at Oshkosh WEST previous to UW-O).  While it may not be her place, I think at times, she needs to take the offnesive reigns a little bit more. She'll be a good player when she gets a chance to shine.

The bench play is...inconsistent. If the starting 5 can't get it done, it's not going to get done.

So, there you have it. I wish the Lady Titans all the best, I'm rooting for you all the way from Atlanta.
And if all else fails, just beat Eau Claire!

[buf]

Kluch-

UWO at EC this upcoming Saturday.  However, EC plays at WW on Tuesday.  The way EC has played on the road, this one doesn't look good.  Look at the difference playing at home and on the road for EC:

EC's road games
Millikin L 56-77 
St. Norbert L 47-61 
UW-Stout L 62-82
UW-River Falls L 61-72
Chapman L 44-60
Claremont-Mudd Scripps L 55-69
 
EC's Home Games
St. Scholastica Zorn Arena (EC) W 60-48 
Luther College Zorn Arena (EC) W 64-59
UW-La Crosse Zorn Arena (EC) L 63-72 
Sat Dec 10, 2005 Carroll College W 66-61 
Tue Dec 13, 2005 Carleton College W 59-50

Luther blew out Millikin earlier this season and their only loss is to EC.  I think they will go deep into the tourney and possibly even win it.
UWL is currently undefeated
Carroll defeated UWO and Point.  Their only loss is to EC.
Carleton has been at the top of the MIAC the last few years.

So EC has been playing pretty well at home.  However, they need to do WAY better on the road, where they aren't even close to winning games.

[Voice of the Titans]

Kluch-

Hope all is well in Atlanta. But ya gotta edit Oshkosh North to Oshkosh West before my brain hemmorages.

[cmhwest]

Well Here it is Jan 2nd and the top 25 womens poll has not been updated since dec 18th. The current poll posted on the 18th of December has 16 teams with atleast 1 loss and of those 16 there are 13 ranked ahead of uw la crosse. There are 15 teams in the top 25 that have less than 10 wins (whether they have a loss or not) and 7 teams with 10 wins , one team with 12 and one team with 13..... Guess who has 13 ??  yup La crosse ...  they better get some respect in the next poll cause 19th dont cut it....  They should be in the top 5 easy....  it will be intresting to see the new poll if it ever comes out.  La crosse fans...  Get  in your cars and make the trip to menomonie wed...   the girls need the support on the road. I love the fact that most of you on this post think La crosse will be handed there first loss of the year wed...   I wouldnt be trying to get this team even more motivated than they already are if your a stout fan.   Should be a good game        GO EAGLES

[cmhwest]

One more thing    ...  The undefeated in the top 25 have records that consist of           ....  4 teams 10-0   2 teams 9-0 1 team 8-0 and then there is LAX  13-0    thats a pretty big statement if you ask me...   

[foul_language]

I believe the Stout-LaCrosse game isn't already decided. LaCrosse gave Stout a tremendous game last year in the post-season, and you could see UW-L was priming for a run. All they needed were a few more players and/or more experience, and I believe they got both. If I were Stout, I'd be doing some serious talking about collective effort.

What a flip flop from last year to this! What a great conference.

[Voice of the Titans]

I agree LX may need to be higher, but top 5 may be a stretch.

[Mr. Downtown]

Kluch

Fair assements for Herrick, Eggers, and O' Keef.

I think Knapp is consistent...her role on the team is the lock down defensive player. Here and there, she will drop double digits for ya. But that wasn't expected out of her in the beginning of the year, so I suggest thats a nice surprise for Oshkosh. Passing-wise, she is NOT the point guard on this team. That is still Eggers position. Knapp is more of a 2-guard.

Tyriver...she is a sophomore and I believe that she will come around in the second half. I was impressed that she guarded Duoss against Stout. Not really slowing her down much, it was still impressive that she went at her. Again, look for Tyriver to improve in the second half.

If LaCrosse wasn't having the season they were, I would suggest Schumacher coach of the year. And again, what you saw of the offense Kluch in Atlanta is not what we have seen here in the WIAC. Just ask Stoutguy how good the offense was against Stout 

[Pat Coleman]

Well Here it is Jan 2nd and the top 25 womens poll has not been updated since dec 18th. The current poll posted on the 18th of December has 16 teams with atleast 1 loss and of those 16 there are 13 ranked ahead of uw la crosse. There are 15 teams in the top 25 that have less than 10 wins (whether they have a loss or not) and 7 teams with 10 wins , one team with 12 and one team with 13..... Guess who has 13 ??  yup La crosse ...  they better get some respect in the next poll cause 19th dont cut it....  They should be in the top 5 easy....  it will be intresting to see the new poll if it ever comes out. 

We took a week off for Christmas. I hope that didn't offend you too much. Also, remember they are called RANKINGS, not standings. Simply being unbeaten doesn't guarantee you a spot at any particular space.

I agree LX may need to be higher, but top 5 may be a stretch.

Agreed. Oglethorpe may deserve to be higher as well -- 9-1 with a loss to D-I Davidson and handled Chapman with ease, unlike UW-L.

[BDB]

I believe the Stout-LaCrosse game isn't already decided. LaCrosse gave Stout a tremendous game last year in the post-season, and you could see UW-L was priming for a run. All they needed were a few more players and/or more experience, and I believe they got both. If I were Stout, I'd be doing some serious talking about collective effort.

What a flip flop from last year to this! What a great conference.

 Foul, you and I know this game is far from decided. Stout at 7-5 comes off a couple losses in holiday tourney play.

LAX is, well, undefeated.

I would say the 20 game BlueDevil winning streak vs. the Eagles is definately in play. Last win for LAX against Stout was in January 1996.

[billys]

I agree LX may need to be higher, but top 5 may be a stretch.

Agreed. Oglethorpe may deserve to be higher as well -- 9-1 with a loss to D-I Davidson and handled Chapman with ease, unlike UW-L.

Chapman led Oglethorpe most of the game, up by as many as 15 or so. Like your rankings comment. Final score does not always indicate how close a game was.

[Pat Coleman]

Can't find a box score on this game, but you're saying that Chapman led by as many as 15 before losing by 11?

I note with some amusement that Chapman's athletics site thinks Oglethorpe is in Nebraska. They should visit D3hoops.com once in a while.

[Pat Coleman]

Found a box score. Chapman got off to a quick start, led by 10 for six minutes. Over the final 23 and a half minutes, Oglethorpe outscored them 48-27.

Chapman's biggest lead was 14.

I'll take my version of events over your spin. Over the final 16 minutes, Chapman led just one time, and it was never a one-possession game in the final five minutes, with Oglethorpe keeping Chapman at bay. Not bad for a team traveling 3,000 miles to play.

[badgerwarhawk]

I doubt anyone is going to rise from 19th to 5th in a single poll, let alone a program that's just establishing itself for the first time.   LaCrosse is on the national voters radar and if they keep winning they'll advance up the ranks in due course.  Chmwest would be better off waiting for the regional polls are released to see how much respect the Eagle get.  Those are the ones that count.

[kluch]

VOFT(n.b.?)
I'm so sorry, and I'm better than that...I wrote that really early in the morning, I think I went thru 3 or 4 previews before i actually posted. Again my bad.  How's your squad doing?