MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kiltedbryan]

I think besides myself the reason the boards are quiet is 1-DCollinge is out and 2-Wabash fans don't want to admit that this game is a HUGE game for them and in the long run although its a must win really for both teams, a loss by Wabash would be more detrimental to them than a loss by Wittenberg.

And Wooster fans don't want to remind themselves of the fact that they needed a last-second Ian Franks three-pointer to defeat Allegheny...after also struggling to overcome a Larry Farmer-less Denison...and with Wittenberg looming as well on Saturday.

But, that said, I see the Scots playing well and defending home court tomorrow.  Since the game where the Gators took the Scots to the wire, the Gators have turned in generally unimpressive results: outside of beating Kenyon at home, they have lost Hiram, OWU and Wabash (x2), all by 18+ margins.

Briscoe and Ness seem to give them some points and rebounding inside, but as a team they have been out-rebounded by about 6 per contest, and I'm not sure if those two can match the athleticism of Hallowell and Wickliffe.  With the Scots routinely exploiting rebounding margins in their favor this year, I don't see any major advantage here for the Gators.  And from the outside, the Scots are clearly (as usual) the better shooting team.

I think the Scots will make extra sure tomorrow that they don't have any early lulls in concentration and I expect they'll seek to build a comfortable cushion early in this one, if possible.

[ScotsFan]

At Wooster is more often than not a sure loss for Wabash.

Not necessarily.  While Wabash hasn't made a habit of beating Wooster since joining the NCAC, of their 3 total wins vs. Wooster since joining the NCAC, 2 of those 3 wins were at Timken.

[wally_wabash]

I think besides myself the reason the boards are quiet is 1-DCollinge is out and 2-Wabash fans don't want to admit that this game is a HUGE game for them and in the long run although its a must win really for both teams, a loss by Wabash would be more detrimental to them than a loss by Wittenberg.

It's a league game and all league games are huge games.  There's still too many games left to worry about what happens if Wabash wins or loses.  I just want to see Wabash play a good game against a good team on the road and hope the score falls in Wabash's favor as it did last year.  Looking forward to watching tomorrow night. 

[WAlum]

I think besides myself the reason the boards are quiet is 1-DCollinge is out and 2-Wabash fans don't want to admit that this game is a HUGE game for them and in the long run although its a must win really for both teams, a loss by Wabash would be more detrimental to them than a loss by Wittenberg.

It's a league game and all league games are huge games.  There's still too many games left to worry about what happens if Wabash wins or loses.  I just want to see Wabash play a good game against a good team on the road and hope the score falls in Wabash's favor as it did last year.  Looking forward to watching tomorrow night. 

Great point. tonight is one more night in league play.  Huge game but so is every game the rest of the way.  W's wlll battle each other but 1 slip up versus a lower team could be the difference.  HIram can be really good and has the ability to knock off a team.

[wally_wabash]

It just doesn't feel like a gameday unless this post hits the board....

Wednesday's slate:

Allegheny at Wooster, 7:30 pm -- video, audio, and live stats
Capital at Denison, 7:30 pm -- audio and live stats
Hiram at Kenyon, 7:30 pm -- audio, video, live stats
Oberlin @ OWU, ~8:00 pm -- video; live stats-- Game 2 of a W/M doubleheader
Wabash @ Wittenberg, ~8:00 pm-- video, audio, and live stats; auido (Wabash) -- Follows Denison/Witt women's game

NCAC non-con record stands at 43-36 (not double-checked for accuracy).

[WAlum]

well done wally!

[wally_wabash]

Blast!  Something has come up and I won't be able to watch tonight's game at the PES.  Will be tracking the live stats though.  How did D-III fans get by before live stats and smartphones?  It seems unfathomable...even having lived in the time of the technological abyss, I'm not sure how we managed. 

Will be looking forward to first hand impressions from penns later tonight.  WAF!

[David Collinge]

It just doesn't feel like a gameday unless this post hits the board....

Wednesday's slate:

Allegheny at Wooster, 7:30 pm -- video, audio, and live stats
Capital at Denison, 7:30 pm -- audio and live stats
Hiram at Kenyon, 7:30 pm -- audio, video, live stats
Oberlin @ OWU, ~8:00 pm -- video; live stats-- Game 2 of a W/M doubleheader
Wabash @ Wittenberg, ~8:00 pm-- video, audio, and live stats; auido (Wabash) -- Follows Denison/Witt women's game

NCAC non-con record stands at 43-36 (not double-checked for accuracy).

Thanks.  That Capital/Denison game is the last non-conference game on our slate for this season.  And yes, 43-36 is accurate.

[David Collinge]

Bump:

Current NCAC Standings with 1/15 Results:

1. Wooster 7-0, 16-0
2. Wittenberg 6-0, 11-4
3. Wabash 6-1, 14-1
4. Ohio Wesleyan 4-3, 8-8
5. Kenyon 3-4, 7-9
6. Hiram 2-5, 8-8
7. Allegheny 2-6, 5-11
7. Denison 2-6, 5-11
9. Oberlin 0-7, 1-15

[wally_wabash]

Thanks.  That Capital/Denison game is the last non-conference game on our slate for this season.  And yes, 43-36 is accurate.

I think there is one more...Allegheny shows a 2/16 game against PSU-Behrend. 

[pennstghs]

Wally, no problem!!!

Also, I called into a local radio show tonight to make a pub for Wittenberg to get some notice for all sports, not just basketbal in the overall Dayton area. The hosts made a good point and said for people to notice, you must give them a reason to notice. Well hopefully tonight gives people that reason.

[David Collinge]

Thanks.  That Capital/Denison game is the last non-conference game on our slate for this season.  And yes, 43-36 is accurate.

I think there is one more...Allegheny shows a 2/16 game against PSU-Behrend. 

Thanks again, I overlooked that one--by not expecting to find a non-con in Feb.!

[David Collinge]

Halftime scores:
Kenyon 38, Hiram 28
Capital 29, Denison 25
Wooster 43, Allegheny 25

[wooscotsfan]

Wooster had balanced scoring in the first half with points coming from Nathan Balch 7, Ryan Snyder 7, Ian Franks 6, Matt Fegan 6 and Josh Claytor 5.  11 players logged time for the Scots in the half.

Wooster hit 6 three pointers in the half and outrebounded Allegheny 26 to 17 in the half.

[kiltedbryan]

Capital 29, Denison 25

The Big Red is having trouble keeping Capital in range, as the "Cru" starts the second half on a 14-3 run.