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| There are high hopes for the
UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team this
season. Photo by Jack McLaughlin, www. actionpointphoto.com, for UWSP |
As I sit down to write this first installment of my Around the Region assignment, the Wisconsin weather has flipped instantly from autumn to winter. And that’s typically how the basketball season arrives too.
One minute I’m standing outside on the sidelines of a football field and in the blink of an eye I’m courtside in a gymnasium.
This winter I’m looking forward to the challenge of covering Division III basketball teams in the West and Midwest Regions. While I’m new to D3hoops.com, I am not a stranger to Division III athletics. I am a graduate of a D-III institution and cover a regular D-III beat as part of my duties at the Daily Jefferson County Union. I’m excited to discover more about D-III programs through this column.
I got a feel for this type of beat covering the West Region for D3football.com this fall and I anticipate an intriguing basketball season over the next few months. There are countless stories out there, and I’ll do my best to tell as many as I can.
If you know a story that’s worth sharing, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I appreciate all suggestions and any feedback you, the reader, have for the column. The best ways to get in touch with me are listed below.
I thought to tip-off my first column I would share a couple of storylines that intrigue me. So without further ado, here are a few items that are on my radar.
Preseason All-Americans
Among the many talented players in the Region, a handful have garnered preseason All-America honors.
North Central (Ill.) senior Landon Gamble headlines the group, receiving first team honors. Wheaton (Ill.) Tyler Peters and UW-Platteville senior Chas Cross are second team picks.
Andrew Ziemnik of Illinois Wesleyan was placed on the third team, and Rose-Hulman guard Julian Strickland earned honorable mention.
On the women’s side, Carthage senior Stephanie Kuzmanic as a second team preseason All-American, and Bethel sophomore Rachel Parupsky was selected on the fourth team.
UW-Whitewater’s Kaitlyn Thill, Whitman’s Sarah Anderegg and St. Thomas’ Taylor Young are all honorable mention.
Where they rank
Four of the top-six nationally ranked men’s teams in the preseason Top 25 reside in the West and Midwest Regions.
The Illinois Wesleyan men, which received nine first place votes, are ranked No. 2 nationally. UW-Stevens Point and Wheaton (Ill.) each grabbed a first place vote and are ranked Nos. 4 and 5, respectively while North Central (Ill.) checks in at No. 6.
Whitworth is ranked No. 12, UW-Whitewater is ranked No. 13, St. Thomas comes in at No. 15 and St. Norbert is No. 24.
Augustana (63), UW-Stout (44) and Transylvania (15) are also receiving votes in the men’s poll.
UW-Whitewater, coming off a national runner-up finish, is the highest ranked women’s team from the region. The Warhawks are ranked No. 4 – one spot ahead of St. Thomas.
Whitman is No. 11 and Carthage ranks No. 12 while UW-Stevens Point, George Fox and Cornell round out the Top 25 at Nos. 23, 24 and 25, respectively.
Simpson (96), Illinois Wesleyan (72), Wheaton (2) and Chapman (2) are receiving votes in the women’s poll.
Early matchups
There are a few early season non-conference matchups circled on my calendar.
On Nov. 26 the No. 13 ranked UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team will take on No. 24 St. Norbert. Second-ranked Illinois Wesleyan will host No. 11 Washington U. on Dec. 7. And on Dec. 28, No. 4 UW-Stevens Point will square off with No. 12 Whitworth at the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas.
The fifth ranked St. Thomas women have a pair of early tests. The Tommies open the season at No. 11 Whitman on Nov. 15. Two games later St. Thomas will play at No. 23 UW-Stevens Point.
Also on Nov. 15 a battle of top-20 teams will take place when the No. 12 Carthage women’s squad takes on No. 16 Ohio Northern in North Manchester, Ind.
Coaching longevity
Jim Smith is beginning his 50th season at St. John’s. He enters the season with a record of 755-535, helping guide the Johnnies to 34 winning seasons since taking the helm in 1964.
On the women’s side Lauren Johnson is in her first season at Ripon. However, she is just the third head coach in the 39-year history of the Red Hawk women’s program.
Check in
Do you have a story idea for the Around the West column? Contact me about approaching milestones, broken records, break-out players or any other storylines in the West. Or just drop me a note and let me know what you like or don’t about the column. All ideas and feedback are welcome. Email me at josh.smith@d3sports.com or follow me on Twitter at @DU_Josh_Smith.
