just my 2 cents worth ... Whitewater is an outstanding team ... yes, I know a blowout win over the Blugolds doesn't necessarily confirm that, but they are playing extremely solid BB right now. Young ...All-WIAC last year ... is much better this year. KJ is a beast ..and Hearn is a surprise. Look out the rest of the way if the 'Hawks can keep it up.

The "old barn" will probably be around a bit longer. A new facility is listed in the University's "Master Plan" for the next 20 years, but so far, the only construction is the new Student Center and a new Education building (which has removed all of the parking spaces behind Zorn!). But, hey, they did get a new shot clock! Also, there is a new lighting system which (I'm not making this up) makes the lights go out if there is no motion in a few minutes. I've seen it happen during a practice. If it ever happens during a game, it'll mean the "Motion Offense" is NOT working!

UW-EC snapped its four-game skid Saturday with a 64-59 win over Ashford, a pretty good NAIA school (under former Blugold assistant Oliver Drake.) There will be no WIAC title for Matt Siverling in his first year at EC, but Jordan Peterson and Andy Kleist (playing center at 6'5") will battle you for 40 minutes. And "Sweet Lew" Mau will be a very good player in this league before too long.

UW-EC loses to North Park, IL, 54-52, after leading by 18 in first half. Defense was solid .. offense ?
Jordan Peterson had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Blugolds (1-1) play Concordia (WI) this afternoon in the Gabe Miller Tip-Off Tournament. Concordia already has two WIAC "notches" on their belt, with W's at La Crosse Tuesday and at Platteville last night.

Kyle Green will energize the UW-EC Mens' BB program. I am very excited about the hire. Scott Kilgallon and the Search committee did a great job!

Last night's Stout-EC game was an intense, typical Blugold-Blue Devil battle. It's too bad it was played in front of such a sparse crowd.

Northwestern, MN wins Eau Claire Holiday Classic, beating EC in the finals, 69-58. Amadou Fofana had 15 in the 1st half ...just 2 in the second half as NW doubled him every time. Northwestern is a very disciplined team that spreads you out and, if they shoot well, plays solid b-ball. UW-EC still a work in progress. Addition of Jordan Peterson (Eleva-Strum/Winona State) next semester and Spencer Tollefson (EC Memorial/Northern Michigan) next year ... announced this week.

or this guy! :

(although he's no Admiral Akbar!)

Stout guy - I don't know if it was clever Fredfalcon sarcasm or just the fact that he only knows the radio gurus who buy him a beer!

UWRF - I appreciate your perspective ... and for the record, I agree with you and Senor Falcon ... Ruh is a very good player, but did look tentative at times Wednesday night.

Also, the 3-0 start is tough to research. After some 2 a.m. digging, I do know that the only times since 1963 that they could have done it are the following years:  1975-76 and 1976-77 (7-9 both years); 1982-83 (they were 10-6); and 1985-86,  '86-'87 or '87-'88.

I just wanted to offer belated kudos to UW-RF. They took EC completely out of their offense. Fofana had hit 24 of his last 27 shots until this game. TG tried to find a combination that would work, but there wasn't one, at least on this night. It's even more remarkable that the Falcons did it with only a limited contribution from Koonkaew ...and without Guerin.

Fredfalcon ... you've probably seen 2 or 3 more WIAC games than I have, and I agree that RF fans should reign in their enthusiasm (especially the drunken ones that tried to start a fight with the Blugolds after the game). But this Falcon team is certainly playing well right now.

I'm not "drinking the Kool-Aid" necessarily, but someone should point out that MSOE has won 14 of their last 15 games and has won three straight versus WIAC opponents.

Just Bill: 
As to why coaches (particularily D-III coaches) do this now, I have no idea. I think they are just following the practice of the big-timers, so they can convey the image that they are also big-timers. I don't really get it either.

I think you nailed it, Just Bill. But the funny thing is, I don't think the fans at Zorn (or Kolf, or anyplace else) even notice!!

Can anyone explain to me why coaches are more and more often staying in the locker room and then "making an entrance" just before tipoff? What can they do in the locker room at that point to better prepare their team to win?

EC did a lot of things well vs La Crosse ... especially rebounding and sharing the ball .... four guys in double digits ..Marcus  Ruh with 23. Ruh vs. Mane was great to watch ... Mane had 28 despite tremendous defense. Mane showed he can drive when you take away the outside.. had only one 3-pter. Chery was tough in the first half, but got into foul trouble in the 2nd half. Eagles don't have enough weapons besides those two, at least in this one.

Fofana's size 20's were put to good use... 19 pts, 7 rebounds. Ivan Franklin and Craggs were also in double digits. Blugolds led from wire-to-wire.

EC @ RF should be interesting Wed. it always is!