WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Bears rule]

JMM do not start this again. Lets talk BB.

The AD poll looks fair. As long as SP is #1, it is off to a good start.

#2 thru #5 as voted below can trade places anyway you like. You can make a augument for anyone of these teams.

I think things will clear up a bit when each team gets 3-4 games in.

2010-11 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors

                                                           2009-10 Record
1. UW-Stevens Point (8)                11-5, 24-7
2. UW-Eau Claire (1)                      8-8, 10-17
3. UW-River Falls                            10-6, 18-7
4. UW-Whitewater                           12-4, 21-8
5. UW-La Crosse                            10-6, 18-8
6. UW-Stout                                      10-6, 16-11
7. UW-Oshkosh                               3-13, 8-17
8. UW-Platteville                              5-11, 12-13
9. UW-Superior                                3-13, 8-17
( )--First-Place Votes

[Bears rule]

Any predictions on the UW vs Superior score this weekend? Based on what they did to Winona tonight-won by 30- I would say if Superior can keep it with 50 that is great, not a rip on Superior, Badgers are preseason big ten #5, so they are good.

85-38 final

[The Champ]

Again, would love to talk to J.H or K.D.

I've had several discussions with both these young women - away from the BB court.  I don't think they'd like to talk to you with your attitude about their coach.

Why don't you come to next year's Stout Alumni game and see how many former player come back to see their old coach and teammates again? 

I've been to several of these games, talked with the players before, during and after the games.  I've had the pleasure of chatting with players that traveled over 2000 miles roundtrip just for a Stout alumni game.

Try your "antics" around those girls like you do here, and they may not be as polite as I have been.

Never any coaching antics at EC.

I guess you see things through blue and gold glasses...   Tonya does her own "antics" to try and get the best out of her players too.  And I'm not saying that is a bad thing like you believe.

[The Champ]

The AD poll looks fair. As long as SP is #1, it is off to a good start.

#2 thru #5 as voted below can trade places anyway you like. You can make a augument for anyone of these teams.

I think things will clear up a bit when each team gets 3-4 games in.

I'm with you on this.  SP should be the clear cut favorite. 

#2 - #5 have lot's of question marks.  Will the new players gel well with the old.  Have the appropriate defiencies been filled.  Have the veteran players improved - or did they regress.

Time will tell.

[PRF2009A]

5th is right where Lax should be until they prove otherwise by stringing some quality wins together.  Until then, everything is just talk.

Watched UWL scrimmage Mankato last weekend.  They looked very good.  This team has great chemistry and seems to play smart basketball and not beat themselves.  Frank, churhchill, and Larson should all put up some solid numbers this year.

Frank looked great in the scrimmage which is good to see as she had a health scare about a month ago which took a few weeks to figure out.  (2nd time in her career she has gone through a health issue other than injury while playing ball) http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/02/08/819/nine_days_after_her_perplexing_heart_problem_is_solved_shes_the_basketball_player_of_the_week

I think the story of this team is going to come down to two things:

1.  Do they have enough depth.  Starting 5 should be able to play with anyone.  Not sure how quick they fall off after that.  (Can anyone step into Van Handel's role)
2.  Can they win the big games.  Until they win a few it is tough to pick them in a close game.

All in all should be a great season, let's hope for few injuries and some quality basketball.  Good luck to all..... even Stout 

[JMM]

Out of the MT bashing game now and forever. I do think that Superior could upset UW, but if I say it, I will lose what of the almost zero crediablity I may have left. Am interested in the SP game however. That one could be interesting.

[UWRF]

I was informed today about the background of a transfer that River Falls has, Danielle Jorgenson... a transfer from UW-Milwaukee.

http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/jorgenson_danielle00.html

Sounds like she could be a real difference maker for the Falcons. Especially with all the trouble RF had with the Danielle Franks' and Ellen Plendl's of the world...

[Just Bill]

Superior won't come within 30 points of UW.

[BDB]

Out of the MT bashing game now and forever.

I'll give it a season and see if the bashing rolls around again. You've got some deep seeded issue with Mark or his style, that's apparent. Going after a good man making an honest living on a public forum is not a good play.

Re-posting what I think about Coach T, what I know about how his players feel about him, what kind of family man and friend he is, and documenting his success, is overload. 

I do think you know alot about WIAC women's basketball and care much about it. I'll take you as that from now on.

I think Tonya rocks as well.

[hoop_junkie]

Superior won't come within 30 points of UW.

Way to go out on a limb. I could see Superior being held to under 30 pts.

[Just Bill]

Superior won't come within 30 points of UW.

Way to go out on a limb. I could see Superior being held to under 30 pts.

That was in response to JMM who believes Superior is capable of upsetting UW. Direct your sarcasm elsewhere.

[billys]

People have to stop caring about the final score of exhbition games or really anything that the box score says after. The game is as close as the D1's want it to be ... except in UW-Milwaukee's case cause they're a bit of a mess.

There are so many things going on in these games between teams not having sets/defenses/breaks in, players that won't normally get minutes on the court, figuring out your rotation, etc. Superior will probably get beat by about 50 ... means nothing.

Today Point could have played great and lost by 40 to Green Bay. I know we want to take something away from these games but in all reality there are a 1,000 things going on with each sideline that have nothing to do with the final score.

Someday it would be nice to see a WIAC team pull off one of these upsets but ultimately they mean nothing.

[JMM]

Took in the EC intra squad game. Plendil looked very good in it. Also Callie Halama. EC needed mucho help in the guard area last year. A host of good quality ball handlers have now joined the team. Laura Olson really came on strong in the gaurd role last year (that was about it for EC) , Laura looked very good the other night, but did not shoot much. Messick was Messick, subtley played very well. To me, it never seeems like Messick is doing alot on offense until I see the final stats her point total is always there between 14-18. Really like her defense, aggressive but usually very few fouls. The twin towers (Messick and Plendil) looked very good in the game. EC has added yet more hieght. Emily Miller, chatfield (same as Messick) is a very strong and aggressive player. Nice addition. Another player I'm interested in seeing more of is Brynn Salava, Eleva-Strum. Those sitting by me say she is really good. My general impression with the many new freshman was that they all had played alot of hoops and were very in controll of their game, controlled in bringing the ball up (or over or under). Not forcing the ball in passing (Sorry upper classmen, EC still needs to work on not forcing the ball - it killed them last year - still saw some of this going on in the game). Finally and most importantly, two new faces on the team, Nicole Christianson, junior, (Chetek) transfer from Mankato State and Casteele Miller, sophmore, I beleive another transfer. Both play guard. They played a fair amount in the game. Both were very seasoned and exceptional ball handlers. Both were cool, calm and collective while under fire when the defense put pressure on them. Both appeared to be play-makers who could also shoot. Saw a few 3 pointers dropped by them as well.
Reminded me  a liitle of Hendricks and Sonntag of WW (a liitle and pardon my spelling). Had that same mental toughness and extreme self assurance - seasoned. I could not wait to see the two WW players play and know WW will miss them. Sonntag had attitude and was fearless. Saw a little of that in both these players. Soooooo, the big question is will they fit in, will they play allot and will they be as they appear at first introduction - exceptional guards. If so EC may get a thought or two about the NCAA playoffs. That said, if the upperclassmen who have a tendency to throw too many forced, lazy, flopper passes, don't clean up their passing - don't even think about. Fundamentals - if she ain't open, don't throw her the ball and every haphazard pass is two points for the other team. It would be great if#21 Christianson and #20 Miller are what they at first glance appear to be, A number two finish in the WIAC (I really think SP is superb this year) and a trip to the playoff would be grand. Even without the two new additions, EC could go along way in the WIAC if they would do two things: get killer instinct and lose the toughtless uncontolled passes. Several well known names on the team who really shine, need to think before they pass. Good news is it appeared better than last year - that was tough to watch. Tonja, Becca, Amanda or Peg, if you ever read these amatuer posts, three days of intense passing drill and lots of film watching of last years games could correct this. Maybe even a $20 dollar fine for each not thought out pass - For you folk out there who take everything literal, I don't really mean this. Realize it is against the rules. Though, I do hear the pay in the WIAC is really good and the players could afford it.  n

[PRF2009A]

Took in the EC intra squad game. Plendil looked very good in it. Also Callie Halama. EC needed mucho help in the guard area last year. A host of good quality ball handlers have now joined the team. Laura Olson really came on strong in the gaurd role last year (that was about it for EC) , Laura looked very good the other night, but did not shoot much. Messick was Messick, subtley played very well. To me, it never seeems like Messick is doing alot on offense until I see the final stats her point total is always there between 14-18. Really like her defense, aggressive but usually very few fouls. The twin towers (Messick and Plendil) looked very good in the game. EC has added yet more hieght. Emily Miller, chatfield (same as Messick) is a very strong and aggressive player. Nice addition. Another player I'm interested in seeing more of is Brynn Salava, Eleva-Strum. Those sitting by me say she is really good. My general impression with the many new freshman was that they all had played alot of hoops and were very in controll of their game, controlled in bringing the ball up (or over or under). Not forcing the ball in passing (Sorry upper classmen, EC still needs to work on not forcing the ball - it killed them last year - still saw some of this going on in the game). Finally and most importantly, two new faces on the team, Nicole Christianson, junior, (Chetek) transfer from Mankato State and Casteele Miller, sophmore, I beleive another transfer. Both play guard. They played a fair amount in the game. Both were very seasoned and exceptional ball handlers. Both were cool, calm and collective while under fire when the defense put pressure on them. Both appeared to be play-makers who could also shoot. Saw a few 3 pointers dropped by them as well.
Reminded me  a liitle of Hendricks and Sonntag of WW (a liitle and pardon my spelling). Had that same mental toughness and extreme self assurance - seasoned. I could not wait to see the two WW players play and know WW will miss them. Sonntag had attitude and was fearless. Saw a little of that in both these players. Soooooo, the big question is will they fit in, will they play allot and will they be as they appear at first introduction - exceptional guards. If so EC may get a thought or two about the NCAA playoffs. That said, if the upperclassmen who have a tendency to throw too many forced, lazy, flopper passes, don't clean up their passing - don't even think about. Fundamentals - if she ain't open, don't throw her the ball and every haphazard pass is two points for the other team. It would be great if#21 Christianson and #20 Miller are what they at first glance appear to be, A number two finish in the WIAC (I really think SP is superb this year) and a trip to the playoff would be grand. Even without the two new additions, EC could go along way in the WIAC if they would do two things: get killer instinct and lose the toughtless uncontolled passes. Several well known names on the team who really shine, need to think before they pass. Good news is it appeared better than last year - that was tough to watch. Tonja, Becca, Amanda or Peg, if you ever read these amatuer posts, three days of intense passing drill and lots of film watching of last years games could correct this. Maybe even a $20 dollar fine for each not thought out pass - For you folk out there who take everything literal, I don't really mean this. Realize it is against the rules. Though, I do hear the pay in the WIAC is really good and the players could afford it.  n

I would sure hope that Plendl and Messick look good in an intrasquad scrimmage.  If they didn't then there are some problems.

Lax struggled against Milwaukee today.  Lost by about 15 and seemed to resort to having Lang throw up three pointers which seemed to be the same thing that would happen in tough games last year.  This team needs to learn how to move the ball on offense when they are in a tough situation.  But, that's why they play exhibition games.

[billys]

Nicole Christianson is a big addition for EC. Didn't know she was there. I haven't seen her since HS but assuming the natural skill progression she had a great WIAC body and athleticism back then. Add the toughness and experience of playing at the scholarship level for a few years and she'll make a definite impact. Good for her; she's a good kid.

I see Sam Barber came off the bench for UWSP yesterday and had a strong game (at least statistically). I'm guessing she'll play herself into the starting lineup fairly quickly.