MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[seinfeld]

I know a lot of teams would like this problem, but Wooster seems to be going back and forth between really small classes (two players last year) to frankly too big of a class this year. The tricky part will be keeping some of the freshmen happy who are good enough to be playing right away somewhere else this year until they can get on the court next year.

I know nothing about any of these guys other than what's on paper, but this video clip of Doug Thorpe certainly makes him look like a real player. He is small, but looked pretty darn polished in this game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwAlMaoMQSw

[ScotsFan]

I know nothing about any of these guys other than what's on paper, but this video clip of Doug Thorpe certainly makes him look like a real player. He is small, but looked pretty darn polished in this game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwAlMaoMQSw

Is he #24?

EDIT:  NM, saw the notes on the video that gave Thorpe's number.

Reminds me a bit of Antwyan Reynolds.  Kid can stroke it!

[wally_wabash]

Wabash has also posted a roster for 2010-2011.  While I can't make any informed comments about the freshmen, there is one new name on the roster that stood out: AJ Sutherlin.  Sutherlin is a transfer from Earlham where he was an HM NCAC performer last season...it seems that AJ has found a new circle of friends over in C'ville and will be a welcome addition to the squad this year.   

[GoRed]

AJ will make Wabash a lot tougher, but I see the Scots walking away with things this year.  It will be interesting to see how Wooster works some of the new recruits into the system to keep them happy over the long term.  That will be there biggest challenge.

As far as my previous post about Denison's assistant coaching position, it looks like it's confirmed - David Muchnik has joined the Merchant Marine Academy: 

http//www.kpmariners.com/ssp/mbskt-coaches?id=137

With three solid assistants, I wouldn't think the Big Red willl worry about filling the spot.

[David Collinge]

Preseason love:  Wooster 6th place, Wittenberg 6 points.

[fantastic50]

I know a lot of teams would like this problem, but Wooster seems to be going back and forth between really small classes (two players last year) to frankly too big of a class this year.

You could have been describing the situation of the college as a whole.  Wooster brought in two disappointingly-small freshman classes of around 480, then had almost 630 this fall, leading to a different set of challenges.  This led to a staffing change at a very senior level; the new VP dealing with admissions (among other things) had been very successful in a similar position at another NCAC school, before coming southwest to Wooster.

Given that there are no athletic scholarships, I suspect that the same financial & institutional issues that caused Wooster's overall entering enrollments to fluctuate had effects on Coach Moore's recruiting classes.  It is my understanding that there are about two dozen young men in the program this fall, so there may not be as much bouncing back and forth between the varsity and JV teams as in previous seasons.

[seinfeld]

Following up on what fantastic50 said, it makes the really small recruiting class that the football team had this year even more puzzling. Wooster has one of the biggest classes in history, basketball and baseball have enough freshmen to field entire teams and then some, and football struggles to get 30 kids (less now). And it wasn't like they didn't need players. With a big senior class that graduated last year, Wooster had just over 50 players returning for this year. And for the first time ever, football had a turf field (along with a rec center in two years) to use in recruiting.

Back to basketball, Wooster plays Ohio U. in an exhibition Sunday. With so many guys returning, I'm not sure we'll learn too much, other than who comes off the bench, particularly in the backcourt.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/ohio-m-baskbl-sched.html

[ScotsFan]

Back to basketball, Wooster plays Ohio U. in an exhibition Sunday. With so many guys returning, I'm not sure we'll learn too much, other than who comes off the bench, particularly in the backcourt.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/ohio-m-baskbl-sched.html

Looks like, at the very least, we will be able to follow this game on Gametracker. 

[wooscotsfan]

Exhibition Game at the Half:  Ohio University 38  Wooster 16

Scots were in the game early as the Division I Bobcats only led 16-12 before they went on a 19-0 run to take complete control on their home floor.

Wooster starting 5 was Franks, Balch, Hallowell, Wickliffe and Fegan.  Three freshmen who played in the first half were Scott Purcell, Doug Thorpe and Jimmy Orie.  Jake Mays and Josh Claytor logged some minutes along with Justin Warnes. 

[wooscotsfan]

Exhibition Final:  D1 Ohio University 86  Wooster 50

Scots played better offensively in the 2nd half of this road game.  Nathan Balch led Wooster with 13 points.  Mike Evans and frosh Jack Counahan each added 5 points in the 2nd half off the bench as the next highest scorers.  18 guys played in this game for the Scots.

Scott Purcell, Ryan Snyder, Jimmy Orie, Jack Counahan and Doug Thorpe were the freshmen who logged the most minutes in the game.

First regular season game is November 17th vs. Cincinnati Christian.

[imderekpoe]

The Scots were certainly no match for OU's size, quickness and strength.  However, I was disappointed when they all but gave up on defense when OU started to pull away.  I never expected that they would be close - OU's got a pretty good team - but the effort that they put forth in the last 2/3 of the 1st half was not acceptable.

I've now seen the Scots play an inter-squad scrimmage and this week's exhibition.  So far, seems like Balch is the most consistent shooter along with Fegan.  And Franks hasn't lost anything from last year.  Wyckliffe has played pretty well both times as well.  Hollowell doesn't seem to have regained his touch from 3-pt land, but he also seems to know that and is driving and posting up a bit more.  Mays looked a little better today that he did last week and last year.  I'm still not real excited about Justin Warnes being the first non-big off the bench.  Purcell could be take over that role if he develops.  FWIW, Purcell and Thorpe were the first newcomers off the bench.

[ScotsFan]

Thanks for the scrimmage updates derek.

I agree with you about Warnes.  While he does an adequate job on the defensive end of the floor, he just seems like an offensive liablity to me.  Opposing teams don't really need to focus on him as a threat to score at all when he is in the game.  It would be nice to see one of the freshmen step up and surpass Warnes on the depth chart.

Too bad about Hallowell and not finding his range.  But at least it is good to hear and he is adapting his game as a result. 

You mentioned Mays has looked improved.  If you don't mind me asking, how has Josh Claytor been looking so far?

[imderekpoe]

Thanks for the scrimmage updates derek.

I agree with you about Warnes.  While he does an adequate job on the defensive end of the floor, he just seems like an offensive liablity to me.  Opposing teams don't really need to focus on him as a threat to score at all when he is in the game.  It would be nice to see one of the freshmen step up and surpass Warnes on the depth chart.

Too bad about Hallowell and not finding his range.  But at least it is good to hear and he is adapting his game as a result. 

You mentioned Mays has looked improved.  If you don't mind me asking, how has Josh Claytor been looking so far?

I thought that Claytor has looked strong on the boards, but still isn't quite as comfortable on offense under the basket yet.  It seems to me that both Claytor and Mays sometimes think too much when they get the ball down low.  When they just take it to the hoop they have better results.  I also think that Claytor is too willing to shoot from downtown.  He's a decent shot from out there, but not so great that I wouldn't rather have him under the basket and let Balch, Fegan, Franks, or Hallowell take the 3.

On Hallowell, it seems to me like his rhythm is off most of the time.  The couple 3's that he's made in the scrimmages have looked great and you almost knew they were going to go down before he even released the ball.  The other times he's rushing or not set right or something - in any case it doesn't look the same.  I still think that in order for this team to make a long run in March they need him to get back his form from 2 years ago.

[pennstghs]

Wittenberg scrimmage vs Mount St. Josephs' tonight. I won't be in attendance but anyone that has any insight?

[GoRed]

Size and experience should win out over speed in this game.  Witt can shoot from the outside too.  MSJ may keep it close for a while, but I can see at least a 10 point Witt win.