Mid-December means relaxation for most, but for the men’s basketball team it meant grinding out a seven-game win streak.
The team has now compiled a record of 15-1 overall and 6-1 in conference, and is currently ranked No. 9 in the country by D3Hoops.com.
“Defensively we have been playing with great consistency and have been limiting teams’ field goal percentage against us,” coach Pat Miller said. “Offensively we’ve been efficient with our shot selection, but the calling card of this team has been its defensive intensity.”
The Warhawks lead the WIAC in scoring with 75.6 points per game, and are second in scoring defense allowing just 58.4 points per game.
In fact, since losing its only game of the season to UW-Stevens Point on Dec. 14, the team has won its last seven games by an average of 18.1 points.
Miller said that the main difference this season is that the team has found more consistency with its lineup, as newer players like sophomore Alex Merg and senior Chris Davis, have had a season to acclimate to the program.
“Last year I felt we were inconsistent defensively and Phil Negri was hurt all year,” Miller said. “This year, offensively, we’ve played better off of Chris because he does such a good job of scoring and passing the ball.”
Davis said he also thinks a year of experience in Miller’s system has paid off.
“Last year was my first year in this conference, which is very tough, and I wasn’t too comfortable playing on the road,” Davis said. “Also I’m in way better shape this year because I took a year off before coming into UW-Whitewater. I’m more focused this year and ready to play the best that I can every game for my last year.”
Davis leads the team in several statistical categories, most notably in scoring with 26.4 points per game and rebounds with 8.1 per game.
In addition to Davis’ improvement, junior Luke Knoble has been the surprise of the season for the `Hawks.
Last season Knoble averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebound and 9.5 minutes off of the bench. This season he’s averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 26.6 minutes as a starter.
“Coming into this season I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but we’ve been playing some great defense,” Knoble said. “There’s no ego with this team. Everyone is buying into what we’re doing and my confidence has been going up since my first start.”
Miller said he has been pleased with Knoble’s progress this season.
“Luke has made the jump from a part-time player to a full-time player and has exceeded our expectations,” Miller said.
The team has nine regular season games remaining. Six of them are on the road and they are all against WIAC opponents. The `Hawks travel to UW-Oshkosh tonight and to UW-Stout on Saturday.
