MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[pbrooks3]

Appreciate the remarks, ScotsFan.  While at the Centre-Wooster game, I gained an understanding of the tremendous support COW has, particularly among the locals.  This is something to be proud of at the D3 level.  Most schools can't claim that kind of allegiance.  The Scots are a very good team, clearly the best team Centre saw this year.  Scot fans are rabid and love their team.  Not sure how intelligent they are however.  Heard one remark at the start of the 2nd half - "I don't think Centre will score again."  Must have been a tongue-in-cheek remark to irk the Centre faithful!

Anyway, Colonels' fans hope the Scots go a long way in the tourney.  Give up the fussing about venue; that's the fickleness of D3.

[pbrooks3]

Good blog - wooscotsfan! 

You're one Scot fan who recognizes good defense.  Centre played it well; Wooster played it better, and the Scots shot the ball at a high percentage.  Stats on the game were pretty even with one exception - shooting percentage.  17 point differential; about 17% percent difference in FG percentage.

[pbrooks3]

Looking for DPU.  Need to know what happened in St Louie?  DPU website doesn't tell us much about the deciding 3-pointer. 

[DPU3619]

Well, it probably shouldn't have ever been that close in the first place.  DePauw was down 7 with 1:54 left in regulation and finished on a 7-0 run.

Mike Moore had two FT's with :07 left in regulation, and made the first to tie it at 51, but missed the second.

Stephen Schott had the same scenario with :23 left in the extra session and made the first to tie it at 59, but missed the second.

Here's what I was told about the final seconds:

Schott missed the second free throw and Whitworth came down the floor and ran the clock down.  The story as it was told to me was that with a few seconds left, Whitworth momentarily lost the handle on the ball.  DePauw's guys went for it, Whitworth came up with it, and Bryan Williams was left all alone in the corner for the buzzer beater.

That's about a fourth hand account, however.  Might not be right at all.  DePauw struggled with what was described as a 3-2 zone.  In a related story, they attempted 36 (!) 3's.  Making 10 3's sure is nice, unless you shoot 36 of them.  I said DePauw needed to shoot well to win, 31% wasn't quite enough.

[frank_ezelle]

A little something different at the end of the season.  There's a story on the Millsaps website today about guard Lorenzo Bailey that really impresses me.  Sometimes we forget that these kids are good athletes but even better people.

Link to story:  http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/basketball-m/030507release.shtml

[pbrooks3]

The Lorenzo Bailey story is a good one.  Thank you Frank_Ezelle.

[frank_ezelle]

Thanks for that comment pbrooks3.  I met Lorenzo early in his freshman year when he was doing work study hours at the soccer games.  He is the type guy that everyone likes right from the start and he obviously is the type of guy who plans to make a difference in this world. 

People wonder why I spend so much time taking photos at Millsaps and promoting the athletes and this story is as good an answer as I can give--they are great young people and they deserve the support.  I'm sure that's true at every SCAC school.

[Josh Bowerman]

Thought this would be of interest to SCAC fans:


Oestreich Steps Down as Basketball Coach

SHERMAN – Austin College head men's basketball coach Chris Oestreich has announced that he has elected not to seek reappointment for next year.  Oestreich leaves the program after 12 seasons in which he accumulated a record of 125-175.

"After 12 fulfilling years in this position I feel it is time for a change," said Oestreich.  "This change will benefit myself, my family, and the men's basketball program.  This decision was made with much thought, council and support from my family and colleagues."

Over the course of his time at Austin College, Oestreich experienced much success and raised the programs level of competition.  His tenure was highlighted by a conference championship in the 1996-1997 season along with three second place finishes, and two third place finishes.  Oestreich was a two-time American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year, picking up that honor in the 1995-1996 season and again the following year.

"Chris has informed me of his decision to make this change at this time in his career and after a lengthy conversation, I accept it," said Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Tim Millerick.  "On behalf of many at Austin College, I want to thank him for the time he has committed to leading this program over the past 12 years.  He has worked tirelessly and shared his talents to advance the Austin College basketball program.  He is an outstanding recruiter and was able to bring in a number of good student-athletes to the basketball program.  When you look at Chris's entire body of work, there is much success to acknowledge."

Oestreich came to Austin College after having served as an assistant coach at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa during the 1994-1995 season, and also served as an assistant at Rockhurst University in Kansas City from 1991 through 1994.

"I want everyone to know that my time at Austin College will always have a fond place in my heart," said Oestreich.  "I feel very fortunate to have been here for so long.  Coaching 12 years and over 300 games has been a tremendous experience."

In addition to serving as head basketball coach, Oestreich was also served in an administrative capacity as the director of the Mason Athletic and Recreation Complex and taught various Exercise Science courses at Austin College.  Oestreich plans on continuing his coaching career after finishing his time at Austin College in May.

"I feel strongly that Chris is a good coach and has many good years left in him," said Millerick.  "I wish all the best with making this transition in his life."

"I am pleased with where I am leaving the program and that I could share in the success and growth of Austin College basketball," said Oestreich.  "I want to thank my family for their support, as well as Dr. Oscar Page, Tim Millerick, the faculty, staff, and especially my colleagues in the athletics department.  Most importantly I want to thank the student-athletes both current and past who have played for me.  The relationships I have built with those young men have a value that can never be measured."

[Ralph Turner]

If Winston Churchill were asked an opinion of Chris Oestreich, he might say

"Never in the field court of human basketball conflict was so much owed by so many to so few, er, to Mr Oestreich."

Coach Oestreich made the move to the SCAC, and I am certain that he thought that AC would increase its commitment to intercollegiate athletics.  He must have an incredible sense of disappointment that this is not occurring.

An outsider can only see this as a vote of "no confidence".

Coach Oestreich will land on his feet!  He is an excellent coach.

[frank_ezelle]

Congratulations to Edrick Montgomery of Millsaps on being named to the 2nd Team of the D3Hoops All-South Region Team:

http://www.d3hoops.com/all-region/07/southmen.htm

In other Millsaps news, there was a recent story in the Millsaps school newspaper about the possibility of Allen Odum not returning next year.  He graduates in May and it basically comes down to the cost of getting an MBA at Millsaps vs. some other educational opportunities that are available to him.  He is a big part of the Millsaps success so I hope things work out where he returns for his 4th year but I certainly understand his situation and wish him well in whatever path he follows.

[DPU3619]

No Nestheide? 

[Ralph Turner]

No Nestheide? 

Did his SID submit his name?
Did the SCAC SID's vote in sufficient number?
Were other non-SCAC as impressed with the performances as the SCAC people?

Just some thoughts.

[Pat Coleman]

Was the next guard on the voting list but was probably three ballots short.

[frank_ezelle]

Link to Millsaps story on Edrick and All-South teams (that's a nice photo at the top left--Millsaps must have a great photographer):

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/basketball-m/031407release.shtml

[d3scacfan]

Now that May 1 has come and gone, any word from the SCAC schools about their 2007 recruiting classes?