MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

I'm guessing Lawrence may get a first round bye, then host the Wed/Thurs winner at Appleton.  If things go as planned (as far as LU is concerned), I'm anticipating an outcry if and when it's announced LU doesn't host a sectional for that very reason, capacity.  They'll probably look at it as a possible WIAC team not getting a first round bye, yet hosting a sectional...but, that's neither here or there at this time. 

[titan2000]

Maybe Lawrence could host a game at the Kolf Center in Oshkosh--they won't be needing it and besides, they can charge a little rent to LU or the NCAA. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Maybe Lawrence could host a game at the Kolf Center in Oshkosh--they won't be needing it and besides, they can charge a little rent to LU or the NCAA. 

Too bad the host institution has to have the event on campus!

[John Gleich]

Stout takes a 16-0 lead and leads by as much as 19 (22-3) but Point fights back and takes the lead in the second half, but Stout gets it done in the end and hold Point off 78-70.

[John Gleich]

Jeremy Manchester hits a jumper with .4 seconds left to beat the La Crosse Eagles in Whitewater 72-70

[John Gleich]

Gordon College from Boston and York (PA) both lose tonight with 22-3 records... so they'll snap up a couple of Pool C bids.  That's 2 down, 16 C's to go.  Hopefully, at the very least, the loser of Saturday night's game will get a bid, along with the winner.

[uww4ever]

Great game at UWW tonight, hats off to La Crosse, really played tough on us and didn't back down, Werner took some hard hits, and Homen hit a three with 18 seconds left but left us with time for Manchester to hold, then drive on Conigliaro and spot up from the charity stripe and can it.

Section A was full of drunks, i was not one of them.  My girl doesn't like basketball so my 6'7" distinguished ass had to cheer them on myself.  She is still in school and makes about as much noice as everyone there, i hope that all changes for showdown saturday with the nonemacher, farmer, and the rest of Stout.

DR (Fred), if you make it down for the game, let me know.  Jagermeister on me (if you have chosen to forget, this is your best post player ever in 10th grade Chuck, signing off).

GO HAWKS

ps-should be even tougher Saturday night, i'm afraid of taller people then me but if Freund and Toellner are as tough as they were on Werner and the other LC bigs, i think we will be fine.

[Greek Tragedy]

Good luck to Whitewater and Stout on Saturday.  I'm actually pulling for a Whitewater win since I believe Stout has a Pool C bid locked up, being they were the #1 ranked team in our region.  Whitewater, on the other hand, will have trouble getting a bid if they lose on Saturday.  Platteville swept Point during the season and Point prevailed in the 3rd meeting.  Point swept Stout during the season and Stout pulled out the win in the 3rd meeting...Stout swept Whitewater during the regular season...you see a pattern? 

More on Point tomorrow.

[John Gleich]

With Point's loss tonight, their NCAA record 18 game post-season winning streak is snapped.

Absolute great effort by the Pointers tonight.  Stout rattled off 16 straight points to start the game, and after a bucket and a free throw, Stout hit two shots to make it 22-3.  Point battled back from that point on and cut the lead to 13 at the half.  They then played some great defense and actually took the lead at 57-55 and 59-57, with about 5 minute remaining.

Stout hit a free throw then scored off of a rebound and lead 60-59.  Krull returned to the line himself and nailed 2 throws, but this would be Stevens Point's last lead.  Chaisson knocked down two free-throws on the ensuing possession, and both teams traded possessions.  Beamish took a jumper that barely rimmed out, and off of a timeout, Chandler came off a screen and hit a huge 3, with 1:29 to go in the game, giving Stout a 4 point lead.  Bauer took a tough shot on the other end, and when that rimmed out, Point tried to trap the rebounder, but the ball got free and Farmer got a dunk on the other end, extending the lead to 6... and that was pretty much all she wrote.  Point took a 3 and missed, and then Stout hit 11 out of 12 free throws to seal the victory.

It should be a good battle in Whitewater on Saturday... as usual, both of these teams DESERVE a bid... this year they might actually both get it as well!

There's been a fair amount of discussion about how the WIAC is down this season... but I think it's safe to say that Whitewater and Stout both would gladly enjoy proving that sentiment incorrect by making strong runs into the NCAA tournament.

I think the battles tonight in Menominee and Whitewater showed that there's still a lot of fight in the WIAC and that these teams know how to battle.

[John Gleich]

you see a pattern? 

The only problem with that is the fact that Whitewater completed the sweep of La Crosse tonight.   

Speaking of LaX... how about the job that Coach Koelbl did with his team this year?  They were MUCH improved and showed that they are right there with the best teams in the conference.

[fredfalcon]

uww4ever--how could I forget? I wont be in WW bcuz I'll be in Wash., D.C. for a week starting tomorrow.

Whoever asked where Ernie Wms. hit the ten threes, it was in WW.

[stoutguy]

There will be plenty of time to talk about WW and Stout in the next few days, but I would like to focus on the job that two other guys did this year.  First of all, Ken Koelbl.  This guy was amazing.  You talk about turning a program around, you start with him.  What a shame that they will not be playing next week.  The same is true for Point.  As a media guy now and formerly a coach, I understand and appreciate how easy it is to show your good side when you win.  The real test comes when you don't.  Bob Semling is a class act in every respect.  My conversation with him last night following that amazing basketball game tells his story very well.  I predict that the Stevens Point tradition in men's basketball is alive and well.  I am reminded of a conversation I had last week with Jack Bennett.  We were talking about what it takes to have a dominant team in the WIAC like the EC's, and Platteville's and recently the Points.  Jack's comment was that it will be more difficult now because of so many great coaches and players in this conference.  But one of the things that makes that domination work is surrounding yourself with competent people.  Jack had Bob Semling and Ken Koelbl.  Now there is a great start to that dominating program.

[stoutguy]

And speaking of coaches, the one guy I would love to see join our conference in the next few year's is LU's John Tharp.  Now, he would add some flavor to our group.  He is fun to watch and he coaches his tail off.  What do you think Titan2000?  Ready to give him up and let him battle the big boys?  Regarding you and your karma points which are now approaching negative 2000, I hope you are not still getting flack about those "rats".  After all, it was TVD, not you, who started that "rat" stuff. 

[Greek Tragedy]

If I get ambitious, I may travel south on 43 and head to Whitewater tomorrow.  Is it advisable to get a ticket or two ahead of time?  Should I talk to my people (i.e., a poster from Whitewater) to get me a couple?

By the way, women's game of Point at Stout is at 3 pm and Stout at Whitewater is at 7 pm, according to the WIAC website.

[uww4ever]

Fred, it was 10 years ago that you led me and our group of rag tag scrubs to the best 0-10 record in RF history .  Hard to believe that time flys by so fast.

Got my ticket to Stout/WW version 3.  I believe it will be a classic game, especially w/ WW playing with passion like they did last night.  In your face defense, cluth shots.  Stout will play the same way I'm sure, I will try to be standing the entire game, but some of those students would rather talk on there cell phones then to cheer on Chester, Freund and the rest.

GO HAWKS