MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[pbrooks3]

Don't guess Dan Priest was  bargaining to have annual matchups with DePauw when he left Hendrix for Kenyon, but that will happen when the Tigers start play in the NCAC! I can't say I am surprised with DPU moving to the North Coast Athletic Conference - this has been strongly rumored for the last few years.  This puts DePauw in a solid conference with other regionally strong academic schools - a whole lot less travel.  I am not sure how the Tiger faithful feel about this as the NCAC is probably considered an athletic step-up for a team that has enjoyed much success in the SCAC.  I'll be curious to see whether this signals other changes to come in the SCAC.  Centre and DePauw have developed quite a basketball rivalry - wonder whether these 2 teams will schedule annual out-of-conference tilts with one another.

[Pat Coleman]

It wouldn't be a step up in women's basketball. It would be harder to win the league in men's basketball but top to bottom the competition is tougher in the SCAC.

[DPU3619]

  NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH DEPAUW'S DECISION TO LEAVE THE SCAC.

Alright, I'll bite on this.  Why? 

I mean, I guess I see the point from somebody that only cares about men's basketball, but there are so many other positives.

[brave heart]

Well I believe the same advantages hold true for all the Depauw athletes though I do look at it through the eyes of a men's basketball fan.Part of the draw to Depauw for basketball players is the travel schedule.Granted it is a large conference,but it resembles a D1 travel schedule and this is quite appealing to these young prospective college athletes.San Antonio,Austin,Memphis,Colorado Springs vs Kenyon,Wittenburg,Wooster....I think you probably get it.It was used as a recruiting point esp with those players choosing between Wabash and Depauw.The travel savings will be significant,but I think nearly across the board the competition will be lower.Now I will bite what advantages do you see in the NACA across the board?

[DPU3619]

I loved the travel as much as the next guy, but if you come to a school because of the towns they go to, you're doing it wrong.  You go to DePauw to play basketball because you like DePauw.  You go to DePauw to play basketball because you want to play for Bill Fenlon and his offensive system.  You go because you want to be greek, you want one of DePauw's majors that are the best in the land, or you want to live in one of those cool duplexes.  You go there instead of Wabash because you don't want to go to an all-boys school.  Also, winning 20 games a year while Wabash wins 14 or 15 would certainly help me make up my mind, too.

We went through this on the football board a couple days ago, too.  My thought is this - I LOVE Memphis.  My favorite trip every year.  San Antonio is great.  Those kids will miss the riverwalk or going to the CNN Tower in Atlanta and so on.  But, how many recruits do you NOT get because they don't want all that travel?  How many recruits do you think DePauw gains in a given class that come SOLELY for the travel?  Can you say definitively that one is more than the other?  I don't think I can say that's the case.  I don't buy that not having the travel angle kills recruiting.  This men's basketball program is strong enough to recruit regardless of that.

Plus, how many Ohio recruits do you gain from showing up at Denison, Kenyon, Witt, Woo, & OWU?  DePauw had 2 Ohio recruits in the last decade.  One quit after his freshman year and the other is Dan Gifford, whose brother also went to DePauw.  Maybe Ohio isn't a basketball hotbed, but Wittenberg and Wooster are sure doing something right.  I would mind taking some kids away from them, I can tell you that.

[brave heart]

Point taken,but I didnt say travel or the schedule was everything.I didnt say it would kill recruiting,but when the coach uses it to seal the deal it must mean something...

[etg]

(El Tea Gray---re: Trinity Tiger Basketball additions for 2010-2011 season.)


Please see the Team Website Blog for Tiger Basketball for the 5 additions for 2010-2011.
"Wow."

                                                           

[Ron Boerger]

Just stumbled across this myself.   For those who can't find the blog: 

http://trinitymbball.blogspot.com/

Good- looking crew with some height and skills ... nice to see three kids 6'6" or taller in this class. 

[hasanova]

On my way back to NC after attending the inauguration of new Millsaps President Pearigen today. Got my first look at the campus. I'd heard descriptions of the basketball FieldHouse, but it's more clear when you see its inside in person!  Hope the Majors have a good season.   

[tarheelfan]

University of Dallas is joining the SCAC as of 2011-12.  They will move in to the SCAC West while Millsaps will move to the East.
http://www.scacsports.com/news/dallas_joins_scac

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity has updated their roster .... looks like they have recruited some size this year with no fewer than six frosh listed at 6'6" or taller.    Could bode well for the future.   

[pbrooks3]

B-Ball is just about upon us in the SCAC - how do you feel about your particular team?

Looking forward to seeing Centre and its mix of new players with the veterans. Colonels will definitely miss the consistent play of the graduated Danny Noll. Coach Mason has improved his guard play for the 2010-11 season with his incoming freshmen class.

Hope to catch a pair of Centre games in a GA tournament prior to Thanksgiving. Go Colonels!

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity has now posted their 2010-11 preview.  Assistant coach Burt says "it's one of the stronger recruiting groups we've had in recent years" which should help the team deal with the loss of five seniors (three starters).  

[Ron Boerger]

SCAC preseason poll is out.  

Coaches think the power is going to be in the East again this year, with no first place votes for a team from the West.  Centre (just barely) and Trinity are picked to win their respective divisions, with the Colonels given the nod - by one point - over Birmingham-Southern.    Trinity is the choice by a large margin to win the West but would have placed fourth in the East if placed there.  

[pbrooks3]

.  

Coaches think the power is going to be in the East again this year, with no first place votes for a team from the West.  Centre (just barely) and Trinity are picked to win their respective divisions, with the Colonels given the nod - by one point - over Birmingham-Southern.    Trinity is the choice by a large margin to win the West but would have placed fourth in the East if placed there.  

I think that's probably a fair assessment. I do think BSU could be the team in the east this year.  Centre should also be good.  Coach Mason has a lot of young players and a solid group of experienced guys. Not certain there's a true go-to guy like some of the past Centre teams.  Shooting was a problem last season, and it's hard to believe it won't pick up some this year.