WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[billys]

I can't count the number of times in the last 15 years, I've heard some variation on the phrase, "This is the year that La Crosse and/or River Falls step up."  Still waiting.  When it happens, I'll congratulate them, but I won't be expecting it until it does.

(I've also heard the phrase, "Stout is down, they'll fall back this year," quite often.  That doesn't seem to happen either.)

I agree ... this is La Crosse's final chance at a run. I believe they lose something like 8 kids after this year? They project to have 6 seniors and then I heard another two younger kids will be done with basketball because of their schooling. VanHandel is set to graduate in 3 years and I think Opelt is in an academic program where she can't play sports as an upperclassman (something to that effect).

I think River Falls took the necessary step last year to be considered a contender this year. I think Point wins the league without question but River Falls got a good enough taste of winning that I think it's logical to say the next step is being a Top 3 team.

I will forever subscribe to the theory that you have to learn how to win. As a program, as a player, and as a coach. Similarly I don't think you can have set-backs to that culture or you need to do it over again. La Crosse had their chance after Hunter was a freshman and kind of blew it. River Falls is in that spot right now; if they can make another step again right now they might have staying power, if they don't move forward they could blow it too.

Whitewater made an abrupt jump a few years ago to somewhat debunk this but still needed to do their maturing during post season play.

This is a HUGE year for River Falls and their future. I think the ship has sailed on La Crosse for now; even with a good year this year losing so many kids is going to put a lot of stress on a bunch of freshmen and newcomers the following season.

Stout is going to win games they probably shouldn't win because in general I'm guessing those kids still expect to win. There's a big difference in knowing or expecting that you're going to win ... and hoping that you can win. Now put two straight below .500 years together and you start accumulating a roster that hasn't won again.

[billys]

Stout won't be 5-11.

I concur - which is why I had the problem with someone saying they'd be 7th or worse.

(I've also heard the phrase, "Stout is down, they'll fall back this year," quite often.  That doesn't seem to happen either.)

I've heard that when Stout lost "All-Time All-WIAC Women's Basketball Selections"
(listed alphabetically) Stacie Anderson, Erin Churchill, Kelsey Duoss, Charlee Edwards, Lindsey Erichsen, Tanya Halbach, Molly Hendricks, Sara Kahl, Savanah Oeltjen, Laura Verdegan and Amy Zelinger over the last decade.

Yes the losses of Julia Hirssig, Megan Maslowski and Kim Stokke are some big holes to fill.  But that doesn't mean the UW Stout Basketball falls off the end of the earth as some of the doomsayers are trying to proclaim.

That's all I was trying to say earlier. 

People are saying though that they are not getting the type of talent they have gotten in the past ... that would be the difference now.

I'm not saying they're right or wrong; I don't know their new kids. All I'm saying is it's a common thought around the league now.

[roaringtwenties]

1. Stevens Point
2. River Falls
3. LaCrosse
4. Whitewater
5. Eau Claire
6. Stout
7. Oshkosh
8. Superior
9. Platteville

This seems like a good starting point, but about January 15th, this will start to take a firmer shape.

[The Champ]

People are saying though that they are not getting the type of talent they have gotten in the past ... that would be the difference now.

I'm not saying they're right or wrong; I don't know their new kids. All I'm saying is it's a common thought around the league now.

I've never seen any of the new players play yet myself.  But 4 transfers (2 coming from DII programs) adds maturity that you don't get from freshman.

And speaking of freshman, they did pull in one of the best players in the NW part of Wisconsin - Sami Shroeder - also.

Schoeder is a four-time all-conference selection and was a first team all-state selection by two different selection groups. She was the Middle Border conference player of the year, as well as the All-Northwest player of the year, as selected by the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire. Schoeder averaged 18.7 points per game during her senior year and broke the 1000 point mark.

That is why I posted that things may not be as dire for Stout as some have posted.  I just don't see this team as a bottom feeder in the WIAC.

[Out_Of_My_Kitchen]

I think WW will be like EC from last year.  Really good post play, but not much in the back court.  Only difference is I don't think they have as good as coach as EC or as good post play.  I would take EC posts last year over WW posts this year in a heart beat. 

[Bears rule]

To win in this league you have to have special, difference makers players. A player that can have a impact on there team.

How many impact players does each team have. I do not mean good solid players, I mean players that are the tops in the conference. There team is 10-15 points better with them in the game.

I bet the top few teams have the most difference makers.


WW-Thompson
SP- Peterson, Flease
EC Mesiak
LX- wow, many very good players, not sure who the  impact player. Frank?

[Bears rule]

Cont: Difference makers
RF- Gregorich, New post Jorgenson?
Stout?
Superior- none
Oshkosh?
Platteville?

[billys]

Jorgenson should definitely be for River Falls.

Put Sam Barber on the list for UWSP.

[JMM]

Anyone with info on EC recruiting. Have they found the guard they so desparetly need? Don't see ST or RF having that great of a season. I think if EC finds real back court help, could finish #2 in conference. Might be a big if. Plendil has improved each year. Expect her to do very good. Mesick is offensively outstanding and her defense is has gotten excellent. Two solid players in Bingea and Laura Olson. Both really came on at the end of the year. Think that SP may be a contender for National Numero Uno.

[Out_Of_My_Kitchen]

National Rankings have to come out in the next couple days I would think.  How many teams will be ranked from the WIAC?  I am going to think UWSP and La Crosse are no brainers.  River Falls maybe too?

Also, I would be willing to bet that Central Region has the most ranked teams out of the regions.  Illinois Wesleyan and Wash U should be included.  Also could see a team from the MidWest in there as well. 

More than a month out from the official tip here. 

[badgerwarhawk]

LaCrosse is a "no brainer?"   I'm curious how do you figure that?  They didn't receive a single vote in last year's final poll and you expect them to crack the Top 25 before a game has been played? 

I'm not saying they won't be that good.  I just find it odd that a team which essentially has had no recognition since who knows when would suddenly vault into the Top 25 in a poll that is configured nationally.  Perhaps they will get there once games start being played but I'd be pretty surprised to see them there in the pre-season poll.   But who really knows.

[PRF2009A]

LaCrosse is a "no brainer?"   I'm curious how do you figure that?  They didn't receive a single vote in last year's final poll and you expect them to crack the Top 25 before a game has been played?  

I'm not saying they won't be that good.  I just find it odd that a team which essentially has had no recognition since who knows when would suddenly vault into the Top 25 in a poll that is configured nationally.  Perhaps they will get there once games start being played but I'd be pretty surprised to see them there in the pre-season poll.   But who really knows.

Agreed.  I would expect to see Point very high and maybe RF ranked in the 20s.

However, with the strength of the WIAC year in and year out I would expect to see 3 teams in the top 25 come January before the conference schedule gets too deep and they all start beating up on eachother.

[bulk19]

Point starts out at #8...
http://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2010/10/14/WBB_1014100219.aspx?path=wbball

I can't find them on the D3 site?

[Just Bill]

Point starts out at #8...
http://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2010/10/14/WBB_1014100219.aspx?path=wbball

I can't find them on the D3 site?

That's because that's the crappy D-III Women's News poll, which isn't worth bandwidth it travels on.  Wait for the real poll to come out.

[Bears rule]

Anyone post rosters yet? Who are the transfers and freshmen who will make a impact on their teams this year?