MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

If you're measuring the WIAC's teams by past seasons, the individual teams may be up or down by their own standards. But if you're measuring them by the general standard of D3 in 2025-26, the WIAC as a whole is its usual formidable self. A 60-20 (.750) non-conference record is nothing to sneeze at; Massey Ratings, which as I said earlier is not entirely using clean data (it's contaminated in the WIAC's case by listing two preseason scrimmages as games that count), has the WIAC just behind the UAA as the #2 conference in all of D3. If all continues according to form in non-conference play, and if the league doesn't cannibalize itself too badly in January and February, the WIAC would probably not only get two teams into the D3 tourney, it might even get three.

As for my own observations, I've seen all eight of the WIAC teams this season, either live or via streaming, not just the teams that North Park has played. But if you'd like me to use NPU as a yardstick, UW-La Crosse is clearly the best of the three, and I'd put UWSP ever so slightly ahead of UWEC (I think that the Pointers will have trouble with the perimeter quickness of the Blugolds' Renta and Scales, but UWSP has better balance and more weapons).

After UW-La Crosse I don't see a lot of separation between teams two thru six, although UWRF and UW-Stout clearly trail behind them. And all of that parity in the middle of the league might bring cannibalization into play, vis-a-vis postseason bids. But it's interesting how leagues often sort themselves out, even when they look extremely balanced in late December.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Massey tends to count games that count for one team, because the ranking covers all divisions.  It's an overall ranking, so it doesn't generally allow for half and half games.

[Greek Tragedy]

Eau Claire (11-0)
North Park seems to be the biggest "name" on the schedule thus far. They were picked 5th in the CCIW, but have started off 2-1, although they haven't played Carthage, IWU or Elmhurst yet.

The Blugolds have also beaten Concordia (WI), picked 1st in the NACC and North Central (MN), predicted to win the UMAC. They have a long layoff before opening conference play with back to back road games at Point and Platteville.

Whitewater (9-1)
The win at Hope probably qualifies as the biggest victory to date. The Dutchmen were picked 3rd in the MIAA. Elmhurst was also a good win for the Warhawks, picked 3rd in the CCIW.

Whitewater had a halftime lead vs ranked St. Thomas in St. Louis at the Wash U. tournament, but fell to the Celts for their only loss of the season. The Warhawks have a tricky game at Coe, who already beat Platteville, at the end of the year.

Stevens Point (9-1)
They had a great weekend in Texas, taking down Hardin-Simmons, a Sweet 16 last year and then a huge win over the host, Trinity (TX) the following night.

The loss to NPU still stings and that could come back to haunt them depending on their conference performance. They did beat MSOE, picked 2nd in the NACC, although without their stud Mason Dopirak and the preseason favorite in the UMAC, North Central (MN).I guess I can't discard the Millikin win either as they are 9-2 and 2-1 in the CCIW (they also beat Augustana, who just knocked off #8 Calvin and #3 La Crosse in the Dells). Point hosts Lakeland next Monday before getting into conference play.

La Crosse (8-1)
Opening weekend was impressive for the Eagles. They took care of ranked Hampden-Syndey and then dispatched the ranked hosts, Virginia Wesleyan. La Crosse was ranked higher, so I suppose they were favored to win those games.

It was probably less of a shock that they lost to Augustana after the Vikings topped #8 Calvin the previous night, but still a surprise, I'm sure. The Eagles did get by Concordia (WI) the previous night and also have a win over North Park in their back pocket. La Crosse is at the St. Norbert tournament at the end of the year where they'll tackle North Central (MN) and then either St. Olaf or the hosts.

Oshkosh (8-2)
The Titans had a nice win vs ranked Maryville (TN) to open the IWU tournament and then took the loss in a close battle with the hosts. They also have a win over Augustana, which probably looks even better after what the Vikings did in Wisconsin Dells.

What looked to big a huge game at Calvin turned into a laugher with the visitors getting blown out by 37. Oshkosh hosts Lawrence at the end of the year before starting conference play at Whitewater.

Platteville (6-3)
The Pioneers' biggest win is probably at preseason CCIW favorite, Carthage. They also have wins over Augustana and Dubuque, who is predicted to win the ARC.

Tough losses to Gustavus Adolphus and Coe will hurt, as well as their most recent setback at Hope. Platteville has a chance to right the ship at the Wooster tournament. They battle Hanover the first night and then take on Geneva or Wooster the next night.

River Falls (5-6)
The Falcons had a fun time in the sun in Florida coming home with two wins over SUNY-Maritime and Grove City. It's good to end on a high note as they have a huge layoff before starting conference play at La Crosse and at Stout.

Stout (3-6)
The defining nonconference moment will be the Blue Devils' huge win at ranked IWU. They take on Lawrence in the Oshkosh tournament next week. It was supposed to be a four-team tournament, but one dropped out, so Stout and Oshkosh take turns playing Lawrence.