MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

Hypersensitive, Smeds? Its not like Wabash had zero free throws in a postseason game or anything.

As for the use of  "hypersensitive" to describe Wooster fans, I didn't see any "hypersensitive" behavior from Wabash fans during and after the football playoffs after several OAC fans made some negative comments towards Capital's playoff win over Wabash???

Of course, I'm sure that they have some sort of spin to explain that away as well???

I think it was DC that accurately made that comparison at the beginning of this season.

And, I've, on more than one occassion, made mention to Wally that there is the same tendency to bluster (Wooster) and goad (the rest of us) on the hoops board as there is with Wabash and the rest of the league on the football board.

But the "well, they do it, too" defense isn't very persuasive. And I don't recall anyone prior to this breaking out f-bombs and "a-holes" on the board in the 6+ years I've posted in NCAC rooms.

[smedindy]

Scotsfan -

The Capital fans were gracious and really were supportive of Wabash. We liked them. The normal OAC meatheads were saying Wabash didn't deserve a #1 seed, mainly because their beloved Purple didn't get it. So we called them out for that, and I backed up with some data on #1 seeds throughout time and space.

Totally different my friend. Totally different.

[smedindy]

DC -

The 'torches' comment was that I was afraid the call for 'suspension' or 'ejection' was going to lead to another lynch mob against a player that committed a foul similar to one that I've seen many a time in my 20+ years of covering hoops (much less watch - but when you cover a game you tend to be neutral).

And since the play was fairly accurately described, at first, I thought it was germaine to compare to other situations that I have seen. I mean, we're not talking an Artest-level of foul here. Just an ill-thought out push.

[David Collinge]

Hypersensitive, Smeds? Its not like Wabash had zero free throws in a postseason game or anything.

As for the use of  "hypersensitive" to describe Wooster fans, I didn't see any "hypersensitive" behavior from Wabash fans during and after the football playoffs after several OAC fans made some negative comments towards Capital's playoff win over Wabash???

Of course, I'm sure that they have some sort of spin to explain that away as well???

I think it was DC that accurately made that comparison at the beginning of this season.

Whu'd I do?  If you mean I have seen and commented on similarities between the Wabash-dominated football board and the Wooster-dominated basketball board, that's probably true; I don't recall doing so, but I have had that thought.  But I had dropped out of the football board (which I frankly find intolerable) long before the playoffs, so maybe you're thinking of someone else? 

DC -

The 'torches' comment was that I was afraid the call for 'suspension' or 'ejection' was going to lead to another lynch mob against a player that committed a foul similar to one that I've seen many a time in my 20+ years of covering hoops (much less watch - but when you cover a game you tend to be neutral).

And since the play was fairly accurately described, at first, I thought it was germaine to compare to other situations that I have seen. I mean, we're not talking an Artest-level of foul here. Just an ill-thought out push.

In this context, especially when nothing worse than ejection had been suggested at that point, I think the terms "torches" and "lynch mob" are unhelpful bits of hyperbole.  Them's fightin' words!  Just my opinion. 

Anyway, everyone is entitled to their opinion.  I just wish we'd all stand down from our Fail Safe points and return to the negotiation table.  Wooster fans who were there thought it was a dirty play, and have said so; some others think it might not have been as dirty as all that, and have said so.  Let's at least agree to disagree and move on before everyone loses the respect of everyone else. 

On the bright side, at least someone's finally talking about Kenyon in here! 

[Li'l Giant]

DC, I seem to recall a conversation where you pointed out that there is a tendency for this board to be Wooster v. everyone else as the football board is Wabash v. everybody else. It was in the context of trying to be welcoming of other schools fans into the board.

I could very well be mistaken as to whether it was you or if that is even the proper context.

I certainly don't mean to put words in your mouth.

[smedindy]

I remember a comment like that too, DC. And the football board isn't that bad, really, as long as the riff-raff is kept on a leash.

I was also calling back to the comment I made after the Hiram game, where I also used that phrase. I guess callbacks don't work as well here as they do in sketch comedy. Sigh...

[ScotsFan]

Scotsfan -

The Capital fans were gracious and really were supportive of Wabash. We liked them. The normal OAC meatheads were saying Wabash didn't deserve a #1 seed, mainly because their beloved Purple didn't get it. So we called them out for that, and I backed up with some data on #1 seeds throughout time and space.

Totally different my friend. Totally different.

I was referring to some of the comments made after the Cap/MUC game in the OAC room where it was inferred that Cap played down to Wabash and that, had they played as hard as they did vs. MUC, they would have blown Wabash out?!  Ring any bells???  That seemed to get the Wabash nation up in arms if I do recall.  Not so different my friend...

And Lil Giant, I'm not trying to be persuasive.  I'm just saying that Wooster fans aren't the only "hypersensitive" fans on this board.  I'm not condoning the use of 4 letter adjectives, but, as you said, if this was the 1st time you can recall it happening in the NCAC rooms, it doesn't really make it indicative of us all now does it so I guess you could say it isn't very persuasive???

[Li'l Giant]

I guess callbacks don't work as well here as they do in sketch comedy. Sigh...

I'm going to guess you're a fan of the Kids in the Hall...

[Pat Coleman]

Geez, people, stop and take a breath. I don't have any smiting authority left for anyone in here. But I'll be back to re-read Wooster Booster in 18 hours, that's for sure.

That performance is unacceptable, WooBoo.

[hoopsfan1111]

While I don't in any way think WooBoo should have reacted the way he did (it was WAY out of line), I can understand why he was upset.  Someone made a good point when they said that many people come to this board and post about games that they have attended without people questioning what happened at the game and the analysis. 

It was his opinion about the foul (along with many others who said they saw the same thing)--maybe eventually it was a little over the top in description, but that doesn't mean it was wrong...lately it seems that anytime a Wooster poster has any kind of complaint or says one wrong word everyone else is jumping down their throats...lets just take it easy and all relax a bit (this includes some Wooster fans too!!!).  This board is supposed to be a fun place to talk about our favorite teams!

Also, maybe what some people are calling hypersensitive is really just having an intense passion and support and team-spirit...instead of calling people hypersensitive why not take a second and reflect on how you would feel if there had been a bunch of intentional fouls against your OWN favorite team and a star player had been hurt recently, you might react and be upset...it is easy to see how that could happen.

To whoever asked if Wooster fans would call for one our own to be ejected from the game for committing a foul like those in question (sorry I can't remember who posted it, maybe jscwittfan??) I would have to say, that we probably wouldn't have to worry about that, because I doubt Coach Moore would stand for that type of play from his team.  As a Wooster fan who as seen at least 17 years of Woo vs. Witt games and Woo vs. Whoever else games... Woo (and I would include Witt, and many other teams in the NCAC) just wouldn't commit absolutely blantant fouls like that (has it happened once or twice in the past years, oh possibly, but never one to stand out in my mind)...some programs/kids just don't do that kind of thing. (In saying that I am not pointing any fingers and accusing any one program of committing intentional fouls on purpose all the time, I am just saying some teams do it, some teams don't)

And finally, Sac, there wasn't a need to make a comment like that about the game from last year...putting a wink behind it doesn't make it funny, it was a painful and controversial loss...I doubt you would be joking about it now if it had been your team who had been on the losing end of that game, a game which I don't need to remind you could have EASILY gone the other way. 

All that being said, hopefully we can all move on...lets talk about this weekend...how will Woo do against EC without Port?  Any other thoughts on this weekends games? 

[blindwatchmaker]

Wow!  There has been a flurry of activity since I last checked the board.

Couple of things that I thought about while reading....

Let me preface this by saying I was NOT in attendance at either the Hiram or Kenyon games so I can't speak of the actual fouls.  I will say this though, I have to agree with some of the posters (too many posts to quote from!)  that hard fouls are a part of the game.  But I see them falling into maybe three categories- 1.)  Where the defensive player actually has a good chance at the ball; 2.)  The gray area in between where one may or may not have a chance and 3.) Where there is no chance at ALL to make a good defensive play besides fouling.

I feel in the later two categories if you're going to foul someone, a player should make the effort to help himself and the other player land.  That's called good sportsmanship and should be part of the game.

There's a huge difference between shoving someone while they are up in the air and grabbing them/preventing the shot and making sure you and they land as safely as possible (at least prevent a fall as much as you can for both players). You see this all time with a lot of fouls.  The defensive players helps break the fall then helps the other player up.  It's when a player fouls with no real chance for the ball and doesn't even try to prevent a potential injury that grates me.  Injuries are part of the game, but lets try and make it as safe as we can so the players get to play not sit on bench and watch.

Also- you have to wonder when it's worth the foul.  Is it better to give up an easy bucket sans foul for 2 points, or should the person foul with the chance the ball could go in anyway, add a FT and maybe give the ball back to the other team (potential 5-6 points).  Just some thoughts...

Back to up coming games.  I think the Woo/Earlham match up should be a good one.  Woo def. needs to step up to deal with the athleticism of the Earlham players. 

In terms of scheduling, o see Witt having a little harder second half in the NCAC (as compared to Woo who has some more home games) with away games at Denison, Earlham, Wabash and OWU. 

The race for 3-4th seed in the tourney is heating up to... haven't looked at all the schedules but who do you think are the front runners based on the games left to play?

[sac]

Clearly, some people need to freakin lighten up a bit.  My goodness.

Apologize for ruffling any feathers, something that appears to be extremely easy.

The fact that this whole conversation takes up nearly 5 pages and is still going on..........well uh yeah. (no winky smiley faces here)

[smedindy]

This weekend seems to have a game that is a foregone conclusion (Wabash at Oberlin - though I'd better shut up about that lest I eat some words), a couple that are most likely (OWU over Hiram and Witt over Denison on the road), a game that could be intriguing due to Port's injury (Wooster over Earlham) and a good battle for 7th place (Gheny at Kenyon).

If all goes according to plan, then the middle of the conference will be:

OWU 7-3
Earlham 6-4
Wabash 6-4
Denison 5-5

OWU has a tough schedule with four road games (Wabash, Gheny, Earlham, Oberlin) and Wooster and Witt at home. I'm going to peg them at 2-4 for that stretch.

Earlham has four home games (Witt, Kenyon, OWU, Oberlin) and two road games  (Wabash, Denison).  I'll say 4-2 with the revenge factor against Dension.

Wabash has four home games (OWU, Denison, Earlham and Witt) and two road games (Wooster, Kenyon). I'll say 4-2.

Denison has three home (Oberlin, Gheny, Earlham) and three away (Wabash, Kenyon, Hiram). They could go 4-2 even with a loss to Earlham.

That would leave Earlham and Wabash with 10 wins and OWU and Denison with nine wins.

Of course, a lot could happen, for sure, but it looks like the 3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5 games in the tourney will be quite competitive.

[Kramer]

billy_pilgrim,
In Denison Fan's defense, I think he was just joking about the "thug" comment.  It certainly was a compliment by the Earlham coach referring to Denison playing physical defense.  I must say that result surprised me somewhat (being on their home floor, althogh it happend last year as well).  I am curious about Earlham, I wasn't at the game.  Do you think Earlham was looking ahead to Wooster?  They seem to have so much talent, but seem inconsistent.  Is a lack of a deep bench part of the inconsistency?

[ScotsFan]

Clearly, some people need to freakin lighten up a bit.  My goodness.

Apologize for ruffling any feathers, something that appears to be extremely easy.

The fact that this whole conversation takes up nearly 5 pages and is still going on..........well uh yeah. (no winky smiley faces here)

Sorry we don't have the always not so hilarious SupersSweetness HOF or male cheerleaders to talk about like on the MIAA board.  Or how about some Ketchup and Mustard if you please?  Here's my brand of choice: