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.

[ChickenHoops]

Dad delivered the new truck this morning.....but it wasn't an F-150 but a Toyota Tacoma with a nice tonneau cover.  So I will be traveling to WIAC games in style this year.

[ChickenHoops]

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.

Neil Young has a great live album at Massey. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6EA057F2A714493A

[Greek Tragedy]

Point started out hot, 22-5. Now it's 30-29. Yikes.

45-39 at the half.

[Mitch Hall]

Eagles lead 2 and 9 North Central 46 to 42 at the half. The Blugolds beat North Central by 43.

[Mitch Hall]

Eagles stepping up. 76 to 51 at the 9 minute mark.

[Mitch Hall]

Eagles drop a second half bomb on North Central, winning 101 to 68. La Crosse looked like a title contender after the break.

[John Gleich]

Point started out hot, 22-5. Now it's 30-29. Yikes.

45-39 at the half.

SP won pretty confortably 87-70.

[Kirbmania]

After building some momentum last night with a 20+ point win over a team with a 6-3 record, today Platteville has to hit a last second bucket to win by 2 over a team with a sub .500 record. 
Some observations of this Platteville team now that non-conference play is complete........they did not play their two bigs much together, they have been a pretty good rebounding team, they have trouble finding offense a lot, they struggle mightily with defense and will never play zone, they have not been a great free throw shooting team especially down the stretch. Consistency just not there with this Platteville team.  Will be a very interesting conference season, 4 days til it begins!

[Mitch Hall]

Eagles lead St. Norbert 63 to 46 with 11:53 to go. Looking good.

[Mitch Hall]

Eagles win easily 84 to 58. I am ready for WIAC play.

[Greek Tragedy]

Point started out hot, 22-5. Now it's 30-29. Yikes.

45-39 at the half.

SP won pretty confortably 87-70.

Yes, they did end up winning pretty comfortably. It was concerning that Point came out of the gates on fire, being up 17, and then letting Lakeland actually take the lead at 31-30. Point weathered their own storm to finish off the half outscoring the Muskies 15-8. Lakeland scored the first point of the 2nd half, but Point took control for good with a 17-3 run to put them up 20 five minutes into the 2nd half. However, no lead is safe. They've blown big leads before, but not this time. The lead got down to 13 but it grew to 23 before Dernbach cleared the bench. Seth Miron lead Point with 21 and 5. Krohn had 13 and 7. Butler finished with 12 points. Their FT shooting was abysmal.

I can't believe conference play starts this weekend!

[Greek Tragedy]

Saturday Jan. 3
Platteville (8-3) at Stout (3-7): Platteville won by 30 last time up to Menomonie.
River Falls (5-6) at La Crosse (10-1): Easy wins for the Eagles last year.
Eau Claire (11-0) at Stevens Point (10-1): Eau Claire swept Stevens Point last year.
Oshkosh (9-2) at Whitewater (9-2): Split season series last year by a total of eight points.