WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[seventiesraider]

Mount Union appears to be a deliberate bunch, I would imagine WW's pressure and attacking will bother them. They only average 14 TO's which is tough to do unless you play a slower tempo. Obviously just going off of stats though ... has anyone seen them? They also don't have a ton of size (5-10 for their bigs that most contribute). Guard dominated scoring-wise. Looking forward to that one.

Mount Union is anything but deliberate, more like Run, Gun and have some fun. You really need to check game to game for who is dominant. If you look back five games, it was bigger girl dominant, Amanda Rose (F) and Lauren Forquer (C) but other games will be lottsa guard action like the John Carroll game. There will be three guards on the floor most of the time. They substitute freely; 3,4,5 everytime the clock stops. I would expect 14-15 ladies to see action. Rosa LaMattina and Cory Wiedt are the floor generals and they feed who ever is hot. They are very much designed to be like the 1998 final four team which featured Suzy Venet, who is now coach.

They may come out slow as they have a habit of feeling out the opposing defense. They can be down 10 or 12 and have the floor presence to just keep playing. They are very young, but they are very disciplined and play hard no matter what combination of players is on the floor.

I've missed very few games and I can say with some prejudice, they are tough and fun to watch. I'd predict that they play a close game, but pull away in the last 6-8 minutes. From what I've read about this year's UWW, they have nothing in common with the teams that Mount has had problems with.

I'll be watch on my computer screen from Daytona Bike Week. Good luck Warhawks and fans

BTW: I recognize and totally respect the fact that UWW played one of if not the hardest schedule in the country

[PRF2009A]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

I'm sure Mount has a solid squad.  I'll take my chances with Whitewater.  Thomas Moore cannot be too thrillled about possibly seeing WW in the 2nd round.

Now on to UWL.  UWL can and should win their first game.  They will have  to come out a focused group and limit mistakes to make that happen though.

 IWU would be a tough matchup for UWL, but an assumption without seeing them play this year is that they play the same style of ball as Point and WW.  If this is the case, UWL will have a fighting chance with their solid post play with Frank, Churchill, & Robinson combined with some timely 3-point shooting.  This is of course if they can limit turnovers which they haven't shown me they can do yet.

[badgerwarhawk]

Mount Union appears to be a deliberate bunch, I would imagine WW's pressure and attacking will bother them. They only average 14 TO's which is tough to do unless you play a slower tempo. Obviously just going off of stats though ... has anyone seen them? They also don't have a ton of size (5-10 for their bigs that most contribute). Guard dominated scoring-wise. Looking forward to that one.

Mount Union is anything but deliberate, more like Run, Gun and have some fun. You really need to check game to game for who is dominant. If you look back five games, it was bigger girl dominant, Amanda Rose (F) and Lauren Forquer (C) but other games will be lottsa guard action like the John Carroll game. There will be three guards on the floor most of the time. They substitute freely; 3,4,5 everytime the clock stops. I would expect 14-15 ladies to see action. Rosa LaMattina and Cory Wiedt are the floor generals and they feed who ever is hot. They are very much designed to be like the 1998 final four team which featured Suzy Venet, who is now coach.

They may come out slow as they have a habit of feeling out the opposing defense. They can be down 10 or 12 and have the floor presence to just keep playing. They are very young, but they are very disciplined and play hard no matter what combination of players is on the floor.

I've missed very few games and I can say with some prejudice, they are tough and fun to watch. I'd predict that they play a close game, but pull away in the last 6-8 minutes. From what I've read about this year's UWW, they have nothing in common with the teams that Mount has had problems with.

I'll be watch on my computer screen from Daytona Bike Week. Good luck Warhawks and fans

BTW: I recognize and totally respect the fact that UWW played one of if not the hardest schedule in the country

It should be a very interesting game.  The two teams on paper seem to be mirror images of one another.  We are also a very young team.  Our front court players are the more experienced and tend to be the dominant scorers.  We like to touch the post with the ball as often as possible.  But we'll take three pointers when the opportunity presents itself.  We'll pressure every possession and try to make the guards work hard to get the ball into the front court.  Our freshman guard, Kaitlyn Thill, has 109 steals on the season.  We want to play the game at the fastest pace possible.  We may not substitute as many at a time as you've indicated Mount does but we will substitute often.  Ten players average over 14 minutes.   Our style gets us to the free throw line quite a bit.  We easily shot more free throws than any other team in our league and at 74% we get points there.

I don't think I'll get to watch the webcast as I'll more than likely be broadcasting a high school game that evening.  But I know our sister station is broadcasting so we should be getting updates on a regular basis.  This sounds like a really fun game to watch.

GO WARHAWKS

[badgerwarhawk]

Congrats to Eau Claire's Hannah Mesick who is one of the eleven Jostens Trophy finalists.

http://d3hoops.com/notables/2011/03/jostens-finalists-named

[LA RAMS]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

[WithasilentK]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

I wouldn't hesitate to say this is a down year for the MIAC, but I'd say talent level on a yearly basis is usually very similar. The MIAC has proven to have some very good teams over the years.

That being said, the style of the play between the two conferences is night and day. The WIAC looks like football compared to the MIAC.

[Mr. Ypsi]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

I wouldn't hesitate to say this is a down year for the MIAC, but I'd say talent level on a yearly basis is usually very similar. The MIAC has proven to have some very good teams over the years.

That being said, the style of the play between the two conferences is night and day. The WIAC looks like football compared to the MIAC.

I'd be curious to what degree that is a difference in what refs allow, as opposed to 'innate' differences in style - any speculation?

[billys]

Mount Union appears to be a deliberate bunch, I would imagine WW's pressure and attacking will bother them. They only average 14 TO's which is tough to do unless you play a slower tempo. Obviously just going off of stats though ... has anyone seen them? They also don't have a ton of size (5-10 for their bigs that most contribute). Guard dominated scoring-wise. Looking forward to that one.

Mount Union is anything but deliberate, more like Run, Gun and have some fun. You really need to check game to game for who is dominant. If you look back five games, it was bigger girl dominant, Amanda Rose (F) and Lauren Forquer (C) but other games will be lottsa guard action like the John Carroll game. There will be three guards on the floor most of the time. They substitute freely; 3,4,5 everytime the clock stops. I would expect 14-15 ladies to see action. Rosa LaMattina and Cory Wiedt are the floor generals and they feed who ever is hot. They are very much designed to be like the 1998 final four team which featured Suzy Venet, who is now coach.

They may come out slow as they have a habit of feeling out the opposing defense. They can be down 10 or 12 and have the floor presence to just keep playing. They are very young, but they are very disciplined and play hard no matter what combination of players is on the floor.

I've missed very few games and I can say with some prejudice, they are tough and fun to watch. I'd predict that they play a close game, but pull away in the last 6-8 minutes. From what I've read about this year's UWW, they have nothing in common with the teams that Mount has had problems with.

I'll be watch on my computer screen from Daytona Bike Week. Good luck Warhawks and fans

BTW: I recognize and totally respect the fact that UWW played one of if not the hardest schedule in the country

That's shocking to me ...  that they can play fast and only turn it over 14 times a game. Very impressive. As far as dominant goes I was just looking at their three leading scorers being guards.

They get off nearly the same amount of shots per game but WW turns it over over 19 times per. WW gets to the line about 3 times more per game.

Have I mentioned how impressed I am about the lack of TO's? 

WW forces 23 and MU only gives it up 14+ ... should be interesting. I'll still take the Warhawks! When in doubt I'll revert to what the computers tell me 

Good luck to all three WIAC teams. Can't wait to follow

[Becker]

In comparing the MIAC to the WIAC I wouldn't put much stock in GAC's defeat of UWRF as that was UWRF's first game of the year and GAC's second so GAC had a little bit more idea what their players could do and their rotation.  What I would look at it UWRF went up to Concordia-MN over Christmas and beat them while UWRF lost to UWSP all three times they played them by about 10.  Using that as a basis I would think UWSP will be coming away with the win.

[JMM]

Congrats to Messick. Finally some great news for EC. Her family is wonderful and they also laugh alot. Here are my 3 cents:

SP over St Norbert - it will not be so easy.
WI Lth over LAX - Love LAX but  think they have had trouble with the big games this year.
Union over WW - Love WW but nerves may cost the Warhawks - young

Round II SP over Concordia Moorhead - no sweat

Round III SP over GF - no sweat

Round IV SP over Ill Wey - a nail bitter

I see Hope taking SP in the SEMI (Unless Shirley inspires - which we know she can)

[RogK]

to billys, while I haven't seen either of the teams being discussed here, I do feel slightly different than you do in regard to turnovers.
I think turnovers can just as easily occur for a slow offense as for a fast offense. I've seen many turnovers committed when a slow team insists on feeding the low post even when the defense has collapsed onto the low post player.
You're thinking (correct me as needed) that pushing the ball up the court can result in turnovers, and that it's safer to bring it up slowly. I'd say that there is no such correlation. A good ball-handling team can be safe with the ball at any speed, while a crummy ball-handling team is going to cough it up no matter the pace.
I've found that teams that shoot early in a possession are less likely to commit a turnover than those who pass the ball around a lot. Kind of a generalization, but often true. I think there's a trade-off : either you take the first or second open look and commit few turnovers or you work the ball around for a higher pct shot, but commit more turnovers in the process.
A side issue: offensive fouls are turnovers too, but they can occur in a fast or slow offense.

[WithasilentK]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

I wouldn't hesitate to say this is a down year for the MIAC, but I'd say talent level on a yearly basis is usually very similar. The MIAC has proven to have some very good teams over the years.

That being said, the style of the play between the two conferences is night and day. The WIAC looks like football compared to the MIAC.

I'd be curious to what degree that is a difference in what refs allow, as opposed to 'innate' differences in style - any speculation?

From what I've seen, the refs seem to allow a lot more of a physical style in the WIAC and that drives the teams to play a little more wreckless when defending, going after loose balls, blocking shots, etc...

[Mr. Ypsi]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

I wouldn't hesitate to say this is a down year for the MIAC, but I'd say talent level on a yearly basis is usually very similar. The MIAC has proven to have some very good teams over the years.

That being said, the style of the play between the two conferences is night and day. The WIAC looks like football compared to the MIAC.

I'd be curious to what degree that is a difference in what refs allow, as opposed to 'innate' differences in style - any speculation?

From what I've seen, the refs seem to allow a lot more of a physical style in the WIAC and that drives the teams to play a little more wreckless when defending, going after loose balls, blocking shots, etc...

Kind of what I figured.  Elite athletes are likely to play as 'rough' as they can get away with.  Teams WILL differ depending on whether they are 3-point oriented or 'slasher' oriented (as well as guards vs. 'bigs' oriented), but there is also a heavy component due to officiating.  Are MIAC and WIAC refs pretty much separate pools?

[billys]

Actually my line of thinking is just have more possessions, therefore more of everything statistically. Odds of TO's with a typically team at normal pace are maybe a every 6-7 possession? I think it's hard to have that many extra possessions, let's say 25 more than teams at normal pace, that's likely 3-4 extra turnovers at a regular rate. Mount Union is 10th nationally. If you play high possession games I just think it's very impressive.

I agree with everything else you say. I just know the faster pace teams I'm familiar with at this level; Whitewater, Stout, and Illinois Wesleyan seem to be up around 17-20 TO's per game when it's all said and done. If Mount Union gets up and down like these teams 14 is a great number.

Olivet Nazarene takes as many quick shots as anyone with their "system" style and still averages around 24 TO's. I just think law of averages says more possessions=more turnovers (and points, and shots, and rebounds, etc.). That is really the only reason.

[WithasilentK]

It would not be the craziest thing in the world if Point lost to Concordia, but as billys said I'm not hesitating too much making that pick.  There are not too many cases that I would pick a MIAC squad to beat a WIAC squad.  After watching a lot of both conferences the last 4 years there's no comparison.

While this may have been something of a "down" year for the MIAC I would be hesitant to state that there's "no comparison" between the two conferences.  While UW-Stevens Point impressed me very much when they beat UST (St. Thomas) in St. Paul back in the early part of the season, keep in mind that GAC did beat UW-River Falls in their matchup at about the same time as well.  Unfortunately, because of scheduling quirks in the MIAC, we don't get to play as many non-conference games as we should/need to get more recognition by the NCAA Tournament Committee. 

I wouldn't hesitate to say this is a down year for the MIAC, but I'd say talent level on a yearly basis is usually very similar. The MIAC has proven to have some very good teams over the years.

That being said, the style of the play between the two conferences is night and day. The WIAC looks like football compared to the MIAC.

I'd be curious to what degree that is a difference in what refs allow, as opposed to 'innate' differences in style - any speculation?

From what I've seen, the refs seem to allow a lot more of a physical style in the WIAC and that drives the teams to play a little more wreckless when defending, going after loose balls, blocking shots, etc...

Kind of what I figured.  Elite athletes are likely to play as 'rough' as they can get away with.  Teams WILL differ depending on whether they are 3-point oriented or 'slasher' oriented (as well as guards vs. 'bigs' oriented), but there is also a heavy component due to officiating.  Are MIAC and WIAC refs pretty much separate pools?

My guess would be separate pools, but that's just a guess.