MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

That does sound like a good time. My Greek wife does want to go back for our 20th, but that's a few years off. Not sure if I have the funds to do that NEXT year. I was working on the Texas trip to see the Dawgs play. That's a lot closer to my budget.

[ChickenHoops]

I also am almost positive I have found out who Coach Dernbach was talking about when he said there was another player enrolling at UWSP next semester that they are still waiting on clearance from the NCAA for.  That would be former Kewaskum/Kishwaukee CC/D2 Quincy 6'6" F Joshua Bocher.  Bocher had some impressive stats for 2 years while playing at Kishwaukee CC.  He also looked to be firmly in the rotation for D2 Quincy.  I have attached his bio from Quincy if you'd like to see his stats at his previous stops for yourself.

https://quhawks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joshua-bocher/8523

Whitewater must not have been able to get him enrolled. Likely a one and done with three years in. 

[Greek Tragedy]

https://stoutbluedevils.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

https://blugolds.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

https://uwrfsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

https://athletics.uwsp.edu/sports/mens-basketball/schedule

https://uwlathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

https://uwoshkoshtitans.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

https://uwwsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule/2025-26

Platteville

[ChickenHoops]

Went to Stevens Point today to pick up some chicken feed....no really....as Amazon shipped it to the wrong address.  I drove through campus and I saw this gaggle of men who appeared to have above average height.  One was nearly 7' it appears.

I now predict Dernbach plays for a natty this year, especially after working out with a G League team.

[Greek Tragedy]

Not sure if it was mentioned previously, but Point picked up a transfer from Quincy. 6'6" forward Joshua Bocher. He's a Kewaskum native and also previously attended Kishaukee CC, where he put up some solid numbers. He will have one year of eligibility left.

https://quhawks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joshua-bocher/8523

[PauldingLightUP]

Ethan Hurlburt of Durand-Arkansaw has switched from Stout basketball to Eau Claire football. He is listed as WR for the Blugolds. He did not play in their first game.

Ethan's brother Gunnar is a lineman for the Blugolds, which likely promoted the change.

[PauldingLightUP]

Jay Dalton of Fond du Lac has transferred back to UW-Oshkosh from UW-Whitewater.

[tomt4525]

UWSP will be taking a team trip next August to Greece.

I believe I read somewhere that only returning players go on these international trips, but if it also includes incoming freshman and transfers...that should aid their recruiting efforts this season.

[John Gleich]

UWSP will be taking a team trip next August to Greece.

I believe I read somewhere that only returning players go on these international trips, but if it also includes incoming freshman and transfers...that should aid their recruiting efforts this season.

This is UWSP's first trip like this in at least 25 years (unless I'm just forgetting!) - I'm not sure if the program has ever done a trip like this.  We didn't during my four years.

Which other WIAC schools have done similar off-season trips?  I remember seeing some press about them, but I can't remember who/when that happened.

I like this for the tangible perks (the team gets to play together, additional practice/coaching time, and it can be a boon to recruiting), but there are also intangibles - the team spending time together and growing closer/more cohesive!

[tomt4525]

UWSP will be taking a team trip next August to Greece.

I believe I read somewhere that only returning players go on these international trips, but if it also includes incoming freshman and transfers...that should aid their recruiting efforts this season.

This is UWSP's first trip like this in at least 25 years (unless I'm just forgetting!) - I'm not sure if the program has ever done a trip like this.  We didn't during my four years.

Which other WIAC schools have done similar off-season trips?  I remember seeing some press about them, but I can't remember who/when that happened.

I like this for the tangible perks (the team gets to play together, additional practice/coaching time, and it can be a boon to recruiting), but there are also intangibles - the team spending time together and growing closer/more cohesive!

I know of Platteville and Oshkosh recently taking foreign trips, not sure on others.

[ChickenHoops]

I heard of two trips that Oshkosh has taken as a regional player on their team from the Wausau area told me about it.  I can't recall where but Paris and Greece are in my recall.  One was right after they won the title (was that 2018 or 2019?) and one more recently. Parents and fans can join these trips and they played (I think) 3 games against some good and some bad teams in the host markets.

Benefit is they can practice a defined amount before the trip without violation, something Point ought to be careful with in light of their past indiscretions.

This warm stretch has the chickens worn down, need to keep them cool and watered which is a full time job.  I have second shift starting 5 pm to 1 am.

[Greek Tragedy]

https://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2025/9/23/mens-basketball-uwsp-to-induct-2010-national-champs-into-athletics-hall-of-fame-on-jan-9.aspx

2010 champs inducted Jan. 10. Students won't even be back.

Be interesting if Bob Semling is invited and if he even comes. Wouldn't say their departure was on good terms.

[GusD]

UWSP will be taking a team trip next August to Greece.

I believe I read somewhere that only returning players go on these international trips, but if it also includes incoming freshman and transfers...that should aid their recruiting efforts this season.

This is UWSP's first trip like this in at least 25 years (unless I'm just forgetting!) - I'm not sure if the program has ever done a trip like this.  We didn't during my four years.

Which other WIAC schools have done similar off-season trips?  I remember seeing some press about them, but I can't remember who/when that happened.

I like this for the tangible perks (the team gets to play together, additional practice/coaching time, and it can be a boon to recruiting), but there are also intangibles - the team spending time together and growing closer/more cohesive!

I know of Plattville and Oshkosh recently taking foreign trips, not sure on others.

1. An institution can take a team on a foreign trip in a given sport once every four years.
2. An NCAA D3 basketball team is allowed to have a maximum of 10 practice days before a foreign trip. All practices must occur within the 20 calendar days immediately prior to the departure date. The practice days do not have to be consecutive. Only student athletes who will be on the foreign trip are permitted to attend the 10 days of practice.
3. Student athletes must have been eligible in the previous academic year or be enrolled, full-time and eligible for the upcoming academic year.
4. I believe incoming freshman who are enrolled and eligible for the upcoming year can go on the foreign trip. However, they cannot play in any games not yet having actually attended classes at their school. A particular school may have a policy of not permitting incoming freshmen to take part in foreign trips.
5. A transfer student may be eligible to participate in a foreign trip before attending classes at the new D3 school provided they were academically eligible to transfer, meet the academic eligibility requirements at their new school, and are not restricted by an NCAA transfer window at the time. Again, I believe an individual school may have a policy against permitting transfer students to play in summer trip games before actually starting classes at the new school.

Two of the biggest advantages of these foreign trips are the extra 10 days of practice time before the season actually begins and, most importantly, the team bonding and cultural experiences that take place over the course of the trip.
D3 usually emphasizes a well-rounded student athlete, and these trips align with that philosophy by providing unique and diverse, cultural experiences. They can also make a program stand out and help attract potential recruits.

[tomt4525]

https://athletics.uwsp.edu/news/2025/9/23/mens-basketball-uwsp-to-induct-2010-national-champs-into-athletics-hall-of-fame-on-jan-9.aspx

2010 champs inducted Jan. 10. Students won't even be back.

Be interesting if Bob Semling is invited and if he even comes. Wouldn't say their departure was on good terms.

I would say it's extremely likely that Coach Semling will be offered an invite.  I would also say it's even more likely that Semling will turn that invite down.

[Pat Coleman]

UWSP will be taking a team trip next August to Greece.

I believe I read somewhere that only returning players go on these international trips, but if it also includes incoming freshman and transfers...that should aid their recruiting efforts this season.

This is UWSP's first trip like this in at least 25 years (unless I'm just forgetting!) - I'm not sure if the program has ever done a trip like this.  We didn't during my four years.

Which other WIAC schools have done similar off-season trips?  I remember seeing some press about them, but I can't remember who/when that happened.

I like this for the tangible perks (the team gets to play together, additional practice/coaching time, and it can be a boon to recruiting), but there are also intangibles - the team spending time together and growing closer/more cohesive!

I know of Plattville and Oshkosh recently taking foreign trips, not sure on others.

1. An institution can take a team on a foreign trip in a given sport once every four years.
2. An NCAA D3 basketball team is allowed to have a maximum of 10 practice days before a foreign trip. All practices must occur within the 20 calendar days immediately prior to the departure date. The practice days do not have to be consecutive. Only student athletes who will be on the foreign trip are permitted to attend the 10 days of practice.
3. Student athletes must have been eligible in the previous academic year or be enrolled, full-time and eligible for the upcoming academic year.
4. I believe incoming freshman who are enrolled and eligible for the upcoming year can go on the foreign trip. However, they cannot play in any games not yet having actually attended classes at their school. A particular school may have a policy of not permitting incoming freshmen to take part in foreign trips.
5. A transfer student may be eligible to participate in a foreign trip before attending classes at the new D3 school provided they were academically eligible to transfer, meet the academic eligibility requirements at their new school, and are not restricted by an NCAA transfer window at the time. Again, I believe an individual school may have a policy against permitting transfer students to play in summer trip games before actually starting classes at the new school.

Two of the biggest advantages of these foreign trips are the extra 10 days of practice time before the season actually begins and, most importantly, the team bonding and cultural experiences that take place over the course of the trip.
D3 usually emphasizes a well-rounded student athlete, and these trips align with that philosophy by providing unique and diverse, cultural experiences. They can also make a program stand out and help attract potential recruits.

It is once every three years.