MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

That quote must have really made an impression on you gatorgrl?

Just wanted to echo the accolades being thrown Cooper's way.  He is just flat out a pleasure to watch.  Some of the moves he makes and the shots that follow make you just shake your head and smile and wonder how in the world he does that!  I can't imagine what the guys trying to guard him are thinking.  In listening to the Coach Moore Show before the game last night, Moore was implying that OWU might try to focus more attention defensively on James now that Port isn't on the floor.  Well, maybe they will try again next time, because whatever OWU did last night didn't work!  I too, was very impressed with what I saw from Marty Bidwell.  He made some real nice moves and showed signs that he can be a pretty good scoring threat.  These extra minutes that he's going to get over the next couple of weeks in Port's absense could prove to be real valuable come tournament time.  Not only is his experience level going to increase, but his confidence level will increase dramitically!

Overall, I was very impressed with how Wooster played last night.  I would say that they seemed more focused from the opening tip than any other game this year.  They looked like a team on a mission.  Yes, OWU was able to keep the score close, but, as someone pointed out a couple of pages ago, this game never seemed in doubt. 

OWU shot the ball extremely well.  The made a bunch of mid-range jumpers with hands in their faces and quite a few long range threes.  I didn't expect them to keep that up, but they did.  If that's their normal accuracy, I can see how they can be a pretty tough opponent.

I doubt OWU shoots the ball as well as they did last night or their record would be much better.  On the season they are only shooting 36% from 3-pt range, and last night they shot 50%.  They shot better from 3-pt range than they did at the charity stripe?!  This game sort of reminded me of when a close game turns into a 10-15 point final margin of victory because of ft's at the end.  You describe it as being closer than the final score indicates.  Well, IMO, last night's game was not as close as the final score indicated.

[imderekpoe]

This game sort of reminded me of when a close game turns into a 10-15 point final margin of victory because of ft's at the end.  You describe it as being closer than the final score indicates.  Well, IMO, last night's game was not as close as the final score indicated.

I couldn't agree more.  Although OWU was usually within 3 or 4 posessions the last few minutes of the game I never had any feeling that this one might slip away.  I don't know if it was because the Scots seemed to be able to score at will, or maybe just the fact that they've been in that situation many times, but I wasn't too concerned.  However, if OWU shoots like that down in Delaware next month, it might be a different story.

[ScotsFan]

Forgot to add that I am very relieved to hear that Port's injury turns out to not be as severe.  I think I can live with 2-3 weeks as opposed to 4-6 weeks.  His right wrist didn't seem to be too bad from what I could tell.  He didn't have it taped or anything.  I thought it was funny towards the end of the game when Chojnacki dove into the Wooster bench, the Wooster coaches were helping out wiping up the floor and Port helped out as well.  After he was done, he was getting high fives from the bench for his effort on the clean-up crew!   He still got on the court one way or another last night!

[Li'l Giant]

I rest my case.

We're going to hold you to that. 

[CentralOH]

Another win for the Big Red - that's 6 out of 7.  Denison is showing that when they play teams with similar levels of talent, they can compete.  They're also starting to develop a little confidence as a group.

It's also been fun to watch Steve Koecheler's continued development - he did a really nice job of defending the post and was active around the basket yesterday.  I have to believe that his improved play is a result of experienced gained early in the year.  Izzo contributed nicely yesterday with 13 and 7, and the two Shea's were solid.  That's the kind of balance that Denison is going to need the rest of the way - and again, is return on the experience they picked up at the start of the season.

Much improved ball movement (compared to November and December) resulted in better looks from the perimeter and 8 of 14 from three - 57%.

Wednesday evening is going to be a tough one, but it would be great to see the Big Red surprise Earlham to keep things going...

[DenisonFan]

I totally agree Central.  They had an extremely balanced attach.

I thought Izzo played a terrific game.  He also had 6 assists to go along with his 13 and 7.

I am not sure I am too crazy about Hodgkinson shooting 3's.  :-)  Next he will want to bring the ball up the floor.

[pennstghs]

well i know you all have been awaiting my point of view. i believe i did address that allegheny would have potential to pull off the upset-as i have seen this before-its as if allegheny is witt's upset waiting to happen every single year no matter what. witt showed that they have the caliber to pull through in close games, so a tough road environment shouldn't be too devastating. the allegheny students appeared to be roucous but i checked the attendance expecting a big crowd-700??? come on i know there really isnt that much to do in meadville.

big 2 weeks ahead for witt- vs wabash wednesday night in which should be a good game. then at denison, at earlham, and vs wooster-i cant wait

[woosterbooster]

Somewhere, either on this forum or at the Wooster-OWU game, there was talk about Kenyon having a new athletic facility.  Word is that it will be open and in use for the first time Wednesday night (6 PM) when Wooster comes to Gambier.

So, I checked out the Kenyon website.  The new facility, which is all-purpose including not only a basketball/volleyball arena but a pool, tennis courts, and an indoor track capable of handling meets, looks spectacular (although the seating capacity for basketball/volleyball is only 1,500, which isn't much at all).

However, a side note saddened me.  I found out that their old fieldhouse, in which I had coached teams in a few volleyball tournaments, has been demolished.  That place was old as dirt (built maybe in the twenties or thirties?), but that was the beauty of it.  Poorly lit, full of girders and odd corners, it just reeked of history and charm.  I suppose they really didn't need it anymore, but I'll miss it.

[smedindy]

Penn -

623 is over their average by about 200 or so. And if they were raucous, then alls the better.

Many D-3 programs would die for 600 people at their games!

[pennstghs]

yeah i guess i did underestimate the presence, even with witt's sometimes slacker crowds-we do turn out a huge amount compared to other schools

[DarkSide-D]

WooBoo,

Yeah, some of us have been talking about Kenyon's new facility, both on the bball page and the football pages.  Being from Gambier myself, I can tell you it is a pretty impressive complex.  They also revamped their football field (field turf) and added a new press box to the football stadium.

http://www1.kenyon.edu/athletic_images/05%20KAC%20Photos/Jan.%2016/index.htm

For those of you who are interested, here is a link to some pics of the complex.  As a Woo alum, it pains me that Kenyon will have the best sports facility in the conference.  I wish Wooster was the proud owner of this bad boy (of course, woo would have to have a larger gym  ).  Kenyon is fortunate to have this building, I hope it pays off and brings a turn around to kenyon athletics, and brings more compitition to the conf.

[wally_wabash]

Kenyon's facility looks mighty impressive.  From what I can tell in the pictures, it's right up there with the Allen Center/Knowling Fieldhouse at Wabash. 

[WooMix]

A while ago, somebody asked the following question:

If Wittenberg were to win its next game against Wooster, and both teams won all of their others, giving them each one loss in conference play, where would the tournament be held?

I asked the question to  NCAC Assistant Director, Keri Alexander Luchowski, and the response was:

They would each host a quarterfinal game, depending upon how the tiebreakers worked out.  The highest remaining seed after the quarterfinals would then host the semis and championship game.

I hope this helps.

[imderekpoe]

A while ago, somebody asked the following question:

If Wittenberg were to win its next game against Wooster, and both teams won all of their others, giving them each one loss in conference play, where would the tournament be held?

I asked the question to NCAC Assistant Director, Keri Alexander Luchowski, and the response was:

They would each host a quarterfinal game, depending upon how the tiebreakers worked out. The highest remaining seed after the quarterfinals would then host the semis and championship game.

I hope this helps.

I'm pretty sure that the tiebreakers are as follows, but I may be missing one or two:

1)  Head-to-head record
2)  Comparitive record of conference losses
3)  Coin toss with winner getting to pick either #1 seed or hosting rights if both #1 and #2 make it to the semis.

[earlhamalum]

Well I guess it pains me to say, but Congrast to Cooper for POW.  I'd just have to say Brandon Miller had the wrong uniform on this week, because I know if it said Wooster on it he would of been POW.  (and everyone's arguement would be there is more to basketball then scoring) *don't ask Kobe!
Big two games for Earlham this week.  The Big Red @ home and Wooster on the road!