WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Usuallywrong24]

Wow. Just went to Kolf thinking the Titans could pick up a (much needed) win against Carroll College. Carroll flat outplayed them in the 2nd half. Oshkosh had a nice (not great, but nice) first half. But they came out of the break and looked lethargic and out of sync. The Hoewisch kid could not be stopped in the 2nd half and buried the Titans.

Coming into the game, I thought about mediocrity. However, this isn't mediocrity. The Titans are bad. I think that there needs to be a serious re-evaluation of the queen bee there. What a proud tradition of dominance that is being - check that - has been dismantled.

I vow to not step foot in that facility again until something (drastic) is done. I can't stand it.

I wonder what happened to Pugh from Oshkosh.  I see she didn't play last night.  Just wondering if she is hurt or she wasn't even on the bench last night.  I know they lost a player early in the season so just wondering. 

[The Champ]

No live stats on the Stout/Superior game - but the final was 76 - 73.  Tried watching it on the computer, but I had too many problems with the video feed.

In other action...

UW-Stevens Point 66, UW-Eau Claire 60  at Stevens Point   

UW-Whitewater 76, UW-Platteville 62  at Whitewater 

UW-La Crosse 71, UW-River Falls 54  at La Crosse 

Stout was the only victorious road warrior this evening, but UWS put up a solid effort!

[badgerwarhawk]

WHITEWATER scored first but Platteville took the lead 6-4 and built it to as many as 8 points twice before the half ended with the Pioneer up 36-32.  Two 3-pointers by Megan Thuene and another from Nicole Bundy kept the WARHAWKS close.  Early foul trouble by Tiffany Morton kept her on the bench for all but 5 minutes of the half.  With her off the floor Platteville held a commanding 26-15 edge in rebounds including 10 on the offensive end.   The second half was a different story.  After Grantman made a basket to put Platteville up by 6 points the WARHAWKS forced four consecutive turnovers with their full court press scoring on the first three to take the lead 41-38 which was the closest the Pioneer would get for the rest of the game.  The WARHAWKS shot a sizzling 60% from the floor in the half and built the lead to a high of 19 points, 76-57, with 1:18 remaining before Plateville cut into it against subs to finish 14 down, 76-62.  

Morton and Dana Thompson paced WHITEWATER with 12 points each.  Thompson had 8 rebounds and Morton 7.  Hiedi Sontag also finished in double figures with 11 points.  Kelsey Hendrickson dished out 8 assists.

Charity Stotmeister led Platteville with 14 points.  Dru Schneider had 10 rebounds and 5 assists to go with her 11 points.  

[The Champ]

Stats are up this morning for the Stout game...

Superior shot 54.2% overall, and 53.3 on 3 point attempts - making 8 of 15 3 pointers!!!

Hirssig led all scorers with 26 points and was the only player to have double digits on rebounds with 13.  Edwards added 16 points for the Devils.

The Yellow Jackets had 3 players in double digits - Houser, Davis and Petersen with 18, 16 and 11 respectively.  Petersen fouled out with 2:32 to go in the game with the scored 71 for Stout and 65 for Superior.  The Jackets kept things close right up to the end, with Davis making a layup with :07 left in the game to make the final score 76 -73.

This very young Superior squad is changing the expectations for the future.  Houser and Davis are freshman, while Petersen is a sophomore.  The other two starters are Zavodny, also a freshman, and Thingfold, a sophomore.  The 6th woman is Gosson, also a freshman, who played 21 minutes last night. 

I'll make a bold prediction that this team has a .500 or better WIAC season before Petersen and Thingvold gradutate!!!

Glad to see the turnaround for this team.

[closetothechest]

I had the chance to catch the big game last night and was impressed with both teams.  I thought that Stevens Point was ready to blow them out early in the second half, but EC kept clawing back into it and got it down to a one possession game.  Point was just too tough down the stretch behind Van Gomple, Sporle, Baker, and Bandow.  It seems like when they needed a score, they usually got it. 

It looks like Point is the best team in the conference and are living up to their high ranking.  They aren't having the problems that EC and WW are putting lesser opponents away like EC did against River and Superior and WW has had with Platteville. 

[badgerwarhawk]

We only had a problem in the first half when Morton was off the floor.   But the game includes two halves and Platteville was no problem at all in the second one.

Point still has to play at  WW and at EC.   WW still has to play at EC.  Point wins the first half.   But like the game the conference season has two halves.  Though I wouldn't argue that Point is a good team and has the edge now time will tell who has it in the end.

[closetothechest]

We only had a problem in the first half when Morton was off the floor.   But the game includes two halves and Platteville was no problem at all in the second one.

Point still has to play at  WW and at EC.   WW still has to play at EC.  Point wins the first half.   But like the game the conference season has two halves.  Though I wouldn't argue that Point is a good team and has the edge now time will tell who has it in the end.

I understand that Morton was off the floor, but when the team was trailing at the half, I would say that they had a little trouble with a team.  I do not know another team in the conference that is more dependent on one player than WW is with Morton. 

[billys]

I'll make a bold prediction that this team has a .500 or better WIAC season before Petersen and Thingvold gradutate!!!

That is a bold statement. Obviously they may be improved, and this is not meant as any disrespect to Superior or you Champ when I say this;
Three Thoughts
1) It's SOOOOOOOOO difficult to move into the top half of the conference; which is where you need to be to be .500 or better. EC and SP have been there for years and don't look like they're moving back. anytime soon. WW has established itself and is becoming a place good players want to go, and Stout will likely stay there with a very good coach and the Viking Club firmly entrenched on their campus. So basically WW has taken Oshkosh's spot while the rest remain the same from the past 10 years or so. La Crosse has been creeping around the perimeter of the top four, and may get 4th this year for I think the 2nd time in 4 years, but is likely to take a step back when they lose their two seniors who have virtually carried them all year.

2) At some point you have to get some of the best freshmen, or a collection better than the rest of these teams to be a .500 or better team. EC, WW, and SP are all getting good freshmen, likely better than the Superiors, they just don't start/contribute/play because those above them are so much better. Remember last year Oshkosh was playing all freshmen as well with some decent high school players; it's obvious that gap has not yet closed. And remember; they're still recruiting to Superior. In their situation they could also use a big time transfer back.

3) Changing a culture of perpetual losing is EXTREMELY difficult. Once you get to the point where you can even compete with the SP's, the EC's, and the WW's ... now you have to beat them. That's a huge hurdle to climb when you haven't learned how to win. Personally, I think I'd schedule the worst possible non-conference schedule I could to get that winning vibe and feeling in the program. Which then becomes a double-edged sword because now you're stepping into conference play in one of the toughest league's in the country.

I hope you're right and it happens. It would be great for the league and their school if they could become relevant. The year they finished sixth (I think it was) about 5-6 years ago they had some nice players and a group that could score the ball, a few of which I want to say transferred in. Am glad to hear though they are becoming more competitive.

[billys]

We only had a problem in the first half when Morton was off the floor.   But the game includes two halves and Platteville was no problem at all in the second one.

Point still has to play at  WW and at EC.   WW still has to play at EC.  Point wins the first half.   But like the game the conference season has two halves.  Though I wouldn't argue that Point is a good team and has the edge now time will tell who has it in the end.

I understand that Morton was off the floor, but when the team was trailing at the half, I would say that they had a little trouble with a team.  I do not know another team in the conference that is more dependent on one player than WW is with Morton. 

See La Crosse- Mackenzie Hunter

[closetothechest]

That may be so, but it just appears that WW is a different team with Morton off the floor.  You can use last night as an example in the first half.  I think most would agree that Platteville is not at WW's level, but with Morton out with fouls, they were able to keep up with them for a half. 

[closetothechest]

I'll make a bold prediction that this team has a .500 or better WIAC season before Petersen and Thingvold gradutate!!!

That is a bold prediction.  Its not going to happen, but it is a bold prediction.   

[stoutguy]

I'll make a bold prediction that this team has a .500 or better WIAC season before Petersen and Thingvold gradutate!!!

That is a bold prediction.  Its not going to happen, but it is a bold prediction.   

You know, I kind of think the prediction is a tad bold also.  But the Champ is a bold prediction kind of guy.  I do share his respect for Superior.  They played Stout last night without their leading scorer, are extremely young, and really were very competitive.  I too, think they will move up the ladder in the next couple years. 

[phoenix_rising]

Let's be honest: there's really no other direction for Superior to go...

[badgerwarhawk]

That may be so, but it just appears that WW is a different team with Morton off the floor.  You can use last night as an example in the first half.  I think most would agree that Platteville is not at WW's level, but with Morton out with fouls, they were able to keep up with them for a half. 

You think so? I have heard that the sun rises in the east.

[The Champ]

That is a bold statement. Obviously they may be improved, and this is not meant as any disrespect to Superior or you Champ when I say this;
Three Thoughts
1) It's SOOOOOOOOO difficult to move into the top half of the conference; which is where you need to be to be .500 or better. EC and SP have been there for years and don't look like they're moving back. anytime soon. WW has established itself and is becoming a place good players want to go, and Stout will likely stay there with a very good coach and the Viking Club firmly entrenched on their campus. So basically WW has taken Oshkosh's spot while the rest remain the same from the past 10 years or so. La Crosse has been creeping around the perimeter of the top four, and may get 4th this year for I think the 2nd time in 4 years, but is likely to take a step back when they lose their two seniors who have virtually carried them all year.

2) At some point you have to get some of the best freshmen, or a collection better than the rest of these teams to be a .500 or better team. EC, WW, and SP are all getting good freshmen, likely better than the Superiors, they just don't start/contribute/play because those above them are so much better. Remember last year Oshkosh was playing all freshmen as well with some decent high school players; it's obvious that gap has not yet closed. And remember; they're still recruiting to Superior. In their situation they could also use a big time transfer back.

3) Changing a culture of perpetual losing is EXTREMELY difficult. Once you get to the point where you can even compete with the SP's, the EC's, and the WW's ... now you have to beat them. That's a huge hurdle to climb when you haven't learned how to win. Personally, I think I'd schedule the worst possible non-conference schedule I could to get that winning vibe and feeling in the program. Which then becomes a double-edged sword because now you're stepping into conference play in one of the toughest league's in the country.

I hope you're right and it happens. It would be great for the league and their school if they could become relevant. The year they finished sixth (I think it was) about 5-6 years ago they had some nice players and a group that could score the ball, a few of which I want to say transferred in. Am glad to hear though they are becoming more competitive.

1.  You don't have to move into the top 4 to have a .500 record or better in the WIAC.  In fact, the number 5 team has been .500 or better every season since 1997.  With nine teams in the conference, all a team needs to do is win 5 of 8 at home and steal 3 wins on the road.

2. The point I was trying to make is that Superior only has no juniors or seniors on their team.  They very possibly could have this same starting 5 of 3 freshman and 2 sophomores (that would mature and become better players - at least in theory) for the next 2.5  seasons.

3. Prior to LaCrosse having a winning season in the 05/06 season, they hadn't had a winning season since 1988, and hadn't won more than 5 games in a season since the 2000 season.  Another example - prior to Mark Thomas coming to Stout in 1988 - Stout had never had more than 3 wins in a season.  In the 1990 = 91 season, Stout finished 9 - 7 and tied for 4th place...

Bottom line, Superior came very close to stealing 2 wins at home this season from the "upper tier".  Both the EC and the Stout games were within their grasp - they just couldn't close the deal.

Is it wrong to think that as other 8 teams lose players to graduation over the next 2 seasons that Superior just might be able to sweep the 3 "lower tier" teams and steal 2 wins from the 4 "upper tier" teams - who ever the upper and lower tier are?