WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WilsonHoops]

Saw that a few more WIAC teams have their schedules out there, UWSP, UWRF, UWW, and UWL.  Some of the interesting games are both UWSP and UWW playing Illinois Weslayan, 3rd in D3 last year, and UWW also playing the Badgers their first game of the season.  One interesting scheduling thing I see for UWRF is they play Simpson from the IIAC, a team that made it to the 2nd round of the NCAA's, twice in the first month of the season.

[WilsonHoops]

Well, practices start in a little over a week, anyone heard of any interesting roster moves?  I was in the Dells in August watching that tournament with UWSP, UWW, UWSup, UWLax, UWRF, and UWEC in it and saw a lot of good basketball.  Seems like UWW had their whole roster there but seemed a little weak in the post.  With Dana gone, after Kumerow there wasn't much depth.  Also, I heard UWLax is getting a D1 transfer, anyone heard that, know who that is?

[WilsonHoops]

Some of the WIAC teams are getting rosters up, here's what is out there so far:

http://athletics.uwstout.edu/roster.aspx?path=wcbball
http://www.uwsuper.edu/athletics/womens/basketball/roster.cfm
http://athletics.uwsp.edu/roster.aspx?path=wbball&
http://www.uwwsports.com/roster.aspx?path=wbball&;

[The Champ]

I happened to look at the UW Stout page today because I wanted to check when the "Basketball Bash" kickoff was.

In reviewing the new Stout roster - I don't think there is any doubt which team will have the youngest team in the WIAC.

Kind of got me nervous when I looked at all those Freshman...

Like most years, you feel the loss of your Seniors.  Trish V was the only starter though, and will surely be missed!  The other 3 Sr's had their roles, and were great to have on the team.

I took the time to analyze what is returning though - and started to feel a little better.

Stout had 4 players with over 200 points last year, Schoeder, Rawdon and Windt return (#2, #3 and #4).

Stout returns all 4 of their top 3 point shooters from last year, Windt, Schoeder, Daleiden and Hanley.

3 of the top 4 rebounders return - Hanley, Schoeder, Daleiden.

And Stout returns their #1, 3 and 4 "ballhawks" (steals) with Windt, Rawdon and Schoeder.

What Stout doesn't return is any double digit shot blockers.  Either Rawdon will have to assume that role, or one of the new players - there are 3 recruits that are 6' or taller.

Will be looking forward to the "Bash" for a chance to meet the new members of the squad.  There are a lot of young women that have a real opportunity to earn a lot of playing time as a Freshman!

[WilsonHoops]

Here are the official predictions from the SID's, seems to me like they have LAX pretty high for a team losing all 5 starters:

2011-12 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors

  2010-11 Record
1.  UW-Stevens Point (6) 27-3 overall, 16-0 WIAC
2.  UW-Whitewater (2) 21-7, 12-4
3.  UW-River Falls (1) 16-11, 7-9
4.  UW-Eau Claire 15-11, 9-7
5.  UW-La Crosse 20-8, 12-4
6.  UW-Stout 10-15, 5-11
7.  UW-Oshkosh 12-14, 7-9
8.  UW-Superior 8-17, 2-14
9.  UW-Platteville 6-19, 2-14
(  )--First-Place Votes   

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS tip things off tonight with an exhibition against the BADGERS at the Kohl Center.  While at least one poster has voiced the belief that we could beat them I don't hold out much hope of that.  Hopefully we'll be able to be competitive and keep the score differential reasonable.  But I expect we'll come out on the short end.  Regardless it's a great experience for the team and something they'll remember long after their playing days are over. 

[billys]

WW turning them over tonight! 19 TO's for the Badgers in the first 24+ minutes.

Obviously it was WW's turn in the rotation for the WIAC. Considering the team they have this year, the Badgers might have gotten two of the non-D1 teams in the state they wouldn't want in the exhibition schedule.

[cubs]

Anyone with a Whitewater score?

[BoBo]

Anyone with a Whitewater score?

64-53 Badgers 2:47 remaining

[BoBo]

70-54 Badgers FINAL

[badgerwarhawk]

The WARHAWKS were a tad sluggish initially but got hot and took a 17-10 lead after about six minutes had elaspsed.  However the BADGERS clamped down and went on 20-0 run that really was the deciding factor in the game.  After that we got within 10 points at the half, 38-28.  We did manage to get to within six, 46-40, with about 13 minutes to play in the second half and had chances to cut the lead down even more but couldn't hit shots and had a couple untimely turnovers.  The sixteen point spread was the BADGERS biggest lead.  As was to be expected they were a little bigger and deeper than we were.

There were some bright spots though.  Kaitlyn Thill had 15 points and Mary Merg 14.  Chantel Burg had 7 rebounds and we had 14 offensive rebounds.  Our full court pressure was pretty effective as the BADGERS had 30 turnovers, 15 of which were steals (Thill, 5).  We could have made a better game of it if we could have shot better (16 of 57 for 28%).  The officiating didn't help us any.  It seemed like every touch was a foul and the BADGERS made more free throws than we attempted. 

All in all I didn't think it was a half bad showing by our ladies and I'm anxious to see what we can do in the WIAC this year.  Also our fans made a good showing for themselves.  There was a large contingency seated immediately behind our bench and in the Nicholas Center suite.  I was hoping the score differential would be lower but considering everything we didn't look all that bad. 

[badgerwarhawk]

There could be several reasons and/or combinations of them.  Some wondered if Thill would be ready to play at the beginning of the season due to her surgery so saving some wear and tear on her knee might have been in the mix.  It's also possible that Coach C wanted to get a better look at some players as she figures what role they will play as the season progresses.  This was a game that meant nothing really and an excellent opportunity to do that.  Lastly our style of play requires frequent substitution to keep players fresh so playing a lot of players and even the starters having fewer minutes that might otherwise be the case is relatively typical of the team.  Thill averaged 22.5 minutes a game last year, last night she played 27.  I suppose there are other reasons which haven't crossed my mind that may be relevant too. 

[Just Bill]

Heard about the passing of Lou Pitt, one of the WIAC's top women's basketball officials for many years. He worked the 1991 NCAA D-I title game between Tennessee and Virginia before coming home later in his career to work the local scene. One of the great characters of the WIAC. He'll be missed.

[badgerwarhawk]

Sad to learn of Lou's passing.  He was one of a kind. 

[bulk19]

Ladies, start your engines... let's drop the puck, er, batter up!

Whatever! 

Eight teams tip off tonight with non-conference games... lone exception are the Pointers...