The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh men’s and women’s basketball teams are both playing extremely well, combining for a 18-1 record early in the 2018-2019 season. The strong and successful play by both Titan programs has not gone unnoticed around the nation as each team is currently ranked in its respective Top-25 polls.
The men’s basketball team is currently ranked sixth in the d3hoops.com Top 25 and boasts a 8-1 overall mark. The women’s team currently sits at 19th and is a perfect 9-0 on the year.
And making it even better? UWO itself is only one of four Division III schools to have both of its basketball teams currently ranked.
Seventh-year women’s basketball head coach Brad Fischer credits staff within the athletics department for the Titans’ success.
“We have a lot of people in this department who truly support one another and help make each other better. A rising tide lifts all boats, right?,” Fischer said. “I think for our coaches and players to be surrounded by other successful programs and student-athletes, it helps raise our level of commitment and our drive to represent UW Oshkosh at the highest level possible.”
Interim head men’s basketball coach Matt Lewis echoes Fisher’s sentiments.
“It is an exciting time to be a member of UW Oshkosh and UW Oshkosh Athletics,” Lewis said. “Our men’s and women’s basketball programs have experienced a lot of success the past few years, along with many other programs in our department. There is energy and excitement around each one of our programs, and we can’t wait to see what the others can accomplish.”
Close-knit programs on and off the court
Members of the women’s basketball team (top middle) attend the 2018 NCAA Div. III Men’s Basketball National Championship game in Virginia to support the Titan men’s basketball team.
It isn’t hard to see how close-knit the two programs are. Whenever possible, players support each others’ games by cheering in the stands. They also share well wishes and congratulations on social media. Stop by the administrative suites in Kolf Sports Center, and you’ll likely catch Fischer and Lewis bouncing ideas off each other.
“We have been really fortunate to be teamed with a men’s program that is truly supportive of women’s basketball,” Fischer said. “I don’t believe what we have here is the norm. Between Coach Juckem previously and now Coach Lewis, we have been tremendous allies in helping each other strive to be the absolute best.”
Lewis believes the support of both Fischer and his student-athletes have, without a doubt, helped the men’s program get to where it is today.
“The support of one another has definitely helped our program,” Lewis said. “Brad is a great coach and someone I can turn to for advice on many things. His program has been very supportive of ours since he stepped on campus six years ago. They are genuinely excited when our team does well, and we are for them.”
That excitement was evident this past Friday night as members of the women’s basketball team—despite having to catch a flight early the next morning for Miami—headed to Appleton to cheer on the men’s team against Lawrence University.
“Our guys were fired up to have them at the game,” Lewis said.
Lots of season still ahead
The Titan men’s basketball program reached new heights a season ago, playing in the NCAA Division III National Championship game for the first time in school history, and expectations continue to run high for this season.
Lewis and his players understand that expectations are natural coming off a great season last year, but they are taking it day by day.
“We are focusing on each day, rather than worrying about living up to the expectations,” Lewis said. “Our mantra for the year is ‘Today.’ Simply put, let’s enjoy each and every day. Improve each and every day. Compete each and every day. If we can do that, we will enjoy the season.”
The Titan women’s basketball team narrowly missed out on a fifth-straight NCAA Tournament bid a season ago, after falling by three points in the WIAC Championship game. This year’s team is young; boasting 13 underclassmen in a squad of 20. But Fischer believes ‘when the light bulb clicks on, we have an extremely high ceiling’.
“We’ve played a couple really good teams that have helped us as a measuring stick on where we are at,” he said. “The biggest thing I hope we can learn is that wins and success don’t just happen. It’s important for our new players to know that if they want to legitimately chase a championship, they will need to work harder than they’ve worked at any point in their careers.”
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