WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

badgerwarhawk · November 09, 2009, 04:17:00 PM

I don't think the SID's are necessarily totally creative. Howver they did switch Platteville and Oshkosh.

I hope that WHITEWATER can pull it off but, honestly, if I were betting money I'd probably go with Stout so I'm somewhat surprised to see them picked to finish fourth.

jam8788 · November 09, 2009, 04:25:25 PM

Stout is ranked too low and Lax is ranked too high. RF is returning most of their starters (if not all of them?) so I'd rank them ahead of Lax for sure.

closetothechest · November 09, 2009, 08:07:56 PM

I think Stout would be ranked higher if they had a playmaker, as in a guard, returning for them. Basketball for the most part is a guard's game. After watchin Point's game last Thursday, they have a good one and I know WW has a good one too. The Gregorich sisters are pretty talented too, but I'm not sure who Stout or EC has. They have good front lines but pretty unproven in the backcourt. Might have factored into why Stout and EC were lower than SP and WW.

I am not sure why LX was so high. They had a good transfer from St Bens, but it is hard to see her have a huge impact on that team. No idea.

Bears rule · November 10, 2009, 12:59:03 AM

I think the SID's must not talk to their Coaches. They did Stout a favor, Coach Thomas will let his players read this everyday. Real motivating for them. They have the best player in the conference and many good players from last years team back. Whitewater has so many good players back, so I can see them 1 or 2.

I can see SP right there too. Looks like EC is very tall, tough to get through the forest there. LX, not seeing what the SID's are seeing. RF, many returners, I can see them making some noise. Oshkosh, making Stone look good at UW. Looks like they got a good freshman guard. Platteville and Superior will make it a stronger conference for all teams.

We will learn a lot over the next few weeks before conference play. However, like the Bears and Packers, you just never know until they play the games.

I

WithasilentK · November 10, 2009, 12:21:45 PM

UWL may be ranked high, but a dominant center can make a big difference on a team: giving the guards a little breathing room defensively, keeping possessions alive, ending a defensive possession by grabbing boards, and generally making it difficult for players to get inside the lane. I don't think finishing fifth would be too big of a stretch.

But the preseason polls more often than not go off of program prestige, previous years' success, and rarely get it right.

billys · November 11, 2009, 09:41:58 PM

I don't think there's anything egregious about the picks at all.
First of all, the coaches should vote, not the SID's. How many of the SID's know about newcomers or have seen the other teams more than twice even in the previous year. So either they're basically picking on last year or their coaches are giving them advice.

Really though. La Crosse at 5 vs. what ... 6? I don't think anyone can give a great reason why any of those bottom four teams would be in a certain spot. It's completely a crap shoot down there.

I do think Stout is a Top 3 team, and can see anyone's argument for 1-3 with WW, Stout, Point. Give the champs the target to carry.

The league is there to be had for maybe 5 teams, more likely 3. As closetothechest said, backcourt at Stout is their question mark ... Point has big youth ... and WW has to replace Morton's production.

I really hope River Falls can make some noise up there. I love it when one of those teams outside the Top 4 breaks in. Whitewater supplanted Oshkosh a few years ago but now they're considered a front-runner. I do and don't like their schedule. Three of their first 5 conference games are Point, EC, Stout ... all at home. They will need to win 2 of those to be in the mix cause they have a brutal finish with 4 of their last 5 on the road with the home game against WW. Tough

Bears rule · November 12, 2009, 12:09:26 AM

Billys, you are right about the SID's. Let the Coaches vote. I think the WIAC winner may lose 3-5 games this year. Too many question marks/ new players for the top teams. They may knock each other off one time each and slip a loss against some of the other mid level teams.

Who will be the surprise team like RF ways last year? After the top four, including EC, Who will make that push to get to #3 or #4? Maybe no one, maybe they are all fighting for #5.

The WIAC on the top may not be as good as the last few years, however, #5-#9 may be better making everyone stronger by year end.

I still look for WW and Stout 1-2.

Usuallywrong24 · November 12, 2009, 11:48:50 AM

No way the winner will have 5 conference losses. I am thinking it will be 4 at the most.

billys · November 13, 2009, 02:42:15 PM

La Crosse has their roster posted, and I'll be honest, they might not be too bad. Maybe not this year yet but they may have the best group of freshmen in the league. Sheila Opelt, Briana Radowicz (sp?), Casey Weber, and Emily Newman all have a chance to be good D3 players. Stacie Van Handel also appeared on the roster and she took Freedom to the State Title game two years ago, but didn't play last year while going to school there.

That's a really good group for this year. We'll see how fast they grow up and who makes the transition.

Bears rule · November 13, 2009, 05:10:23 PM

Billys, I saw the same thing about LX. Wow, they just made a jump. Watch out for them now.

stoutguy · November 15, 2009, 10:16:15 AM

Stout finishing 4th with JH in the paint? Ah, sorry, SID's, but you guys have been too busy printing out stuff. If you have been watching these WIAC games the past 4 years, you would not have Stout in the middle of the pack. Not gonna happen.

billys · November 15, 2009, 11:49:58 AM

Quote from: stoutguy on November 15, 2009, 10:16:15 AM
Stout finishing 4th with JH in the paint? Ah, sorry, SID's, but you guys have been too busy printing out stuff. If you have been watching these WIAC games the past 4 years, you would not have Stout in the middle of the pack. Not gonna happen.

Didn't they finish 4th last year with "JH in the paint"?

badgerwarhawk · November 15, 2009, 05:15:39 PM

The WARHAWKS scrimmaged Lake Forest Friday night. Combining the scoring in both halves the WARHAWKS out scored LF by a score of 98-51.

Bears rule · November 16, 2009, 11:37:44 AM

I see Stout lost to St Cloud St, a D2 school by a few points. Looks like another great year for Stout. Julia Hursig was great. 28 pts, 11 rebounds.
This makes them legit, them and ww #1 and #2

http://athletics.uwstout.edu/news/2009/11/15/WBB_1115094158.aspx?path=wcbball

billys · November 16, 2009, 11:57:49 AM

Quote from: Bears rule on November 16, 2009, 11:37:44 AM
I see Stout lost to St Cloud St, a D2 school by a few points. Looks like another great year for Stout. Julia Hursig was great. 28 pts, 11 rebounds.
This makes them legit, them and ww #1 and #2

http://athletics.uwstout.edu/news/2009/11/15/WBB_1115094158.aspx?path=wcbball

69 TO's and 71 fouls!!!!
St. Cloud is an average to below average D2 and extremely young; but still a solid performance by the Devils.

Looking at Stout's schedule it appears we'll find out a lot about them when the calendar turns. WIAC starts with Point and Whitewater at home. Good chance for them to get an early jump on the main competition.