WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Becker]

I'm new here but had to respond to what Billy said about Dana Thompson.  I've only seen her play a couple of times but you can tell she's constantly looking for calls.  She's the exact opposite of what he said, she looks like she's getting hit when she's not.  And the stats back up what I am saying, she's shot 186 free throws and after Mesick with 166 no one else is even close.  She'll release the ball low into her defender's arms, flail her own arms, get that grimace on her face, and more times than not she get the ref's to give the call.  By contrast, Frank has only shot 77 free throws on about the same number of shots (actually more, 251-237).  It should be an interesting matchup tonight, wish I could be there to watch it.

[WithasilentK]

I'm new here but had to respond to what Billy said about Dana Thompson.  I've only seen her play a couple of times but you can tell she's constantly looking for calls.  She's the exact opposite of what he said, she looks like she's getting hit when she's not.  And the stats back up what I am saying, she's shot 186 free throws and after Mesick with 166 no one else is even close.  She'll release the ball low into her defender's arms, flail her own arms, get that grimace on her face, and more times than not she get the ref's to give the call.  By contrast, Frank has only shot 77 free throws on about the same number of shots (actually more, 251-237).  It should be an interesting matchup tonight, wish I could be there to watch it.

Meh, if a player is cunning enough to get those calls, more power to her. I hate it when players are whining to the refs, but I can't say I've noticed that from Thompson.

Also, the play of Frank is more keeping the ball above her head and making moves that don't give the other player a chance to affect the shot. They can't reach the ball so they're either trying to hit the elbow or pushing her inside if they're going to foul her. Frank draws her fair share of fouls (9 on Wednesday night I think), but they're more likely to occur before the shot. My guess is Thompson, with her body frame being shorter, is making more moves that are going into the players and trying to draw that contact (I'm guessing based on limited time actually seeing her play).

Looking forward to the game tonight.

[billys]

I'm new here but had to respond to what Billy said about Dana Thompson.  I've only seen her play a couple of times but you can tell she's constantly looking for calls.  She's the exact opposite of what he said, she looks like she's getting hit when she's not.  And the stats back up what I am saying, she's shot 186 free throws and after Mesick with 166 no one else is even close.  She'll release the ball low into her defender's arms, flail her own arms, get that grimace on her face, and more times than not she get the ref's to give the call.  By contrast, Frank has only shot 77 free throws on about the same number of shots (actually more, 251-237).  It should be an interesting matchup tonight, wish I could be there to watch it.

First of all I'm talking about everything that happens before the ball is touched.

But secondly, if you're able to draw fouls, you're able to draw fouls ... especially when height-wise you're a bit undersized. That's just good basketball and getting to the free throw line is as much a skill just like shooting and ball-handling are skills.

I have not noticed her whining her complaining for calls. Trying to sell calls and complaining are two different things and I have not seen that.

As WaSK said, Frank plays with the ball much higher and it's much easier to see her action.

My initial comment stemmed from saying I'm surprised Frank doesn't get called for more fouls cause I believe kids are often punished for being tall.

Good luck all four teams tonight. Should be interesting in WW

[UWRF]

Halftime Semi-final Scores:

Stevens Point 39, River Falls 27. UWSP shooting a blistering 62% from the field

La Crosse 30, Whitewater 29. UWL's Danielle Frank has 6 and 9 at the half

[WithasilentK]

Halftime Semi-final Scores:

Stevens Point 39, River Falls 27. UWSP shooting a blistering 62% from the field

La Crosse 30, Whitewater 29. UWL's Danielle Frank has 6 and 9 at the half

Exciting game in WW. Lax needs to bust through UWW's press if they're gonna finish this one.

[buf]

Point & UWW win

[Just Bill]

Nobody in this league ever got it hit harder or more often than Amanda Nechuta. The thing was she was stronger than virtually every kid she played against so often those hits would bounce off and she wouldn't get the calls. Nechuta of course dished out as many as she took. Sometimes it seemed like she started the game with 2 fouls.

[badgerwarhawk]

With the WARHAWKS holding a 3-2 lead after a little more than three minutes had been played LaCrosse ran off seven straight and held the lead until Chantel Burg made a jumper to tie the game 11-11 with about ten and half minutes remaining in the half.  The Eagles regained the lead and got it to six points, 20-14, before the WARHAWKS ran off seven straight to make it 21-20 with five minutes to go.  After that the lead exchanged hands until the Eagles led by three, 30-27, with seconds remaining when Burg got a rebound, drove the length of the floor, and was fouled.  She made both free throws and the half ended with the Eagles on top 30-29.  The WARHAWKS scored first in the second half on a basket by Kaitlyn Thill and with the exception of one tie, 36-36, at 17:11 maintained a lead for the entire half.  After it had grown to ten points with eight minutes remaining LaCrosse would get no closer than six points the rest of the way.  The WARHAWKS made 12 of 14 free throws in the final two minutes to finish up by twelve 71-59.

Burg finished with a game high 18 points.  After playing only six minutes in the first half Dana Thompson played eighteen of the final twenty and finished with 15 points.  The WARHAWKS out rebounded the Eagles 44-30 with Thompson and Burg pulling down 9 apiece.  Kaitlyn Thill had 9 points and a game high 5 assists.  Emily Bestor and Jamie Swanson came off the bench and each had a game high 3 steals.  The WARHAWKS dominated points in the paint, 32-20, and points off the bench 33-6.

After scoring six points in the first half Frank was held to a single basket in the second one.  She did have a game high 14 rebounds.  Dana Churchill (17) and Melissa Lang (10) led the Eagles.

It was a bit sloppy as the two teams combined for 46 turnovers (23 apiece) though the frantic pace at which it was played undoubtedly contributed.

FWIW I have to disagree about Thompson.  She should shoot more free throws than she does.  With the exception of free throws her entire game is played within six feet of the basket.  The idea that she "looks like she is getting fouled when she isn't" is absurd.  The stats back up the fact she gets to the line a lot they do not however back up that she's not getting fouled.  She gets the call because she's getting fouled and doesn't get the refs to give her the call anywhere near as often as they could.   

[PRF2009A]

FWIW I have to disagree about Thompson.  She should shoot more free throws than she does.  With the exception of free throws her entire game is played within six feet of the basket.  The idea that she "looks like she is getting fouled when she isn't" is absurd.  The stats back up the fact she gets to the line a lot they do not however back up that she's not getting fouled.  She gets the call because she's getting fouled and doesn't get the refs to give her the call anywhere near as often as they could.   

FWIW I think you are way off base on this one.  I don't think it's a bad thing that Thompson once in a while flops to get a call. Players that are as smart & aggressive as she is know how to draw contact and will attack the same way repeatedly because they know the odds of getting the defender to commit a foul are great.  Once in a while a defender will back off and she won't get the contact she was expecting hence creating a situation where she goes up flailing.

Again, not saying there's anything wrong with this practice, but to say it doesn't happen at least 1 out of 10 drives to the basket just doesn't add up.

To the game last night.  I thought Chantel Burg would be the difference and the stats seem to show that was part of the case.  She has killed the Eagles during her career and is an extremely tough player to defend.  WW has a great combination with her and Thompson.

[badgerwarhawk]

You're certainly entitled to your own opinion.  I've seen every home game and several road games that Thompson has played in her career and I think I've got a pretty good handle on it.  Obviously some will disagree as is their option.  I'm not saying that there aren't times when she doesn't get contact she is expecting but they're outweighed by the times she is fouled and doesn't get the call.  We'll just have to agree to disagree in this matter. 

Burg played well last night.  Another player who doesn't show up in the stats so much but played very well in the minutes she got was Emily Bestor. 

Despite the loss last night I still think LaCrosse will make the post season. 

[TellItLikeItis]

Koodo's to Becker, she gets it...WithasilentK, figure it out!  Basketball used to be finess game and now your part of the biggest issue that takes away from the purity of the game I used to love...FINESS. You like the new "who can cheat the best/most and not get caught era we are in...WHY? D. Frank was held, arm-bared, grabbed, basically mahled last night..brutal.  Shame on the 3BlindMice! Talk about whiners, howbout some cheese and crackers with it...Whitewater!
Regarding D. Frank...the most under appreciated player in the conference. Should've been player of the week at least once if not twice and was snubbed by the coaches all year. Went about her business without cheating like Mr. or Ms. WithasilentK promotes and likes..there is still room for Class in sports and life.  How many players in the history of the WIAC have career numbers with over 1,000 points and rebounds and 344 blocks? She is a true game changer, and does it without "cheating" my friend!

[WithasilentK]

Tough game last night for UWL. They had their chances to pull away and to come back, but they couldn't quite do it. Frank and Churchill both played tough and the team played their hearts out, but there were a couple things that made the difference in the game:

1) UWW's press killed the Eagles. They just couldn't figure out how to attack it, and it caused much more angst than it should have. UWL isn't deep enough at guard to not show a team they can't press them right away.

2) UWL was in double bonus with 11 minutes left in the game, and just couldn't take full advantage. That was prime opportunity to chip away at the lead.

Frank didn't get as many good looks in the second half because she got in foul trouble early in the half. I have to agree that it was pretty brutal inside, and it disappointed me that they didn't control that. Only one of Frank's fouls was a questionable call, but it can get frustrating when refs aren't looking for the push underneath on the other end. Overall, nothing out of the ordinary from what I've seen from WIAC crews.

I hope UWL gets a chance in the playoffs. I'd love to see what they can do.

[badgerwarhawk]

Talk about whiners, howbout some cheese and crackers with it...Whitewater!

Hello pot my name is kettle and we're both black.  The fans on both sides of the aisle had problems with the officiating.  The LaCrosse fans were no better nor worse than those of the WARHAWKS.  Both sides had their whiners and both sides had those who simply came to enjoy the competition.   Don't you find it interesting that in the post you flame WARHAWK fans for whining you whine about the "three blind mice" and Frank getting "arm bared, grabbed and basically malled." 

[billys]

Koodo's to Becker, she gets it...WithasilentK, figure it out!  Basketball used to be finess game and now your part of the biggest issue that takes away from the purity of the game I used to love...FINESS. You like the new "who can cheat the best/most and not get caught era we are in...WHY? D. Frank was held, arm-bared, grabbed, basically mahled last night..brutal.  Shame on the 3BlindMice! Talk about whiners, howbout some cheese and crackers with it...Whitewater!
Regarding D. Frank...the most under appreciated player in the conference. Should've been player of the week at least once if not twice and was snubbed by the coaches all year. Went about her business without cheating like Mr. or Ms. WithasilentK promotes and likes..there is still room for Class in sports and life.  How many players in the history of the WIAC have career numbers with over 1,000 points and rebounds and 344 blocks? She is a true game changer, and does it without "cheating" my friend!

Coaches don't pick player of the week; the conference office/SID does. I've talked to three coaches in the league this year and discussed Frank. They all talk about how good she is.

Are you allowed to talk about "class" and then write a post like this? Talking about three blind mice, cheaters, whiners?

My guess is the rest of the UWL fans would prefer you don't post again ... you're making them look really bad.

[buf]

Point wins the conference tourney, 73-53, over UWW