MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

Hmmm....so Wabash would only have to go undefeated for about 15 years to catch up to Witt. 

[drt]

WooBoo,
I don't know about you, but I'll be long gone, thank God.....

[earlhamalum]

If I had to take a preseason guess on EC's biggest problem this year I would say it would have to be lack of depth on the bench.   Then again it isn't like that is the first time Depth has been a problem with the Quakers.

Leading the way is 5th year senior Markous Jewett, followed by fellow 1,000 point member LaRon Henry.  I have a feeling this will be a nice year for Soph. Guard Tristian Gregory.  Rounding out the top 6 is Junior PG Neil Collins, 6-9 Junior Center Nick Welsh and also challenging Nick at Center will be 6-8 Freshman Dereck Briggs.
Now if have not been able to watch Freshman Briggs play, but he is an athletic big man who likes to play above the rim.  So when EC comes to town I hope you'll be ready for a few rim-rockers.   Okay I just really wanted to say rim-rocker.

EC will be tipping off the season at University of Chicago vs. Depauw on Saturday...
GO QUAKERS wish I could be there.

[smedindy]

I would like to say that this upcoming tourney will give us a hint of how the LGs will be, but Mac's young teams have always evolved greatly during the season. I think it'll be a roller coaster ride where they may steal a game or two that they should lose, then somehow lose one they should win because of their youth.

Stephens, Zimmer and Simkus all need to come up huge, and hopefully the Earl of Rooks can run the show at the point, while getting the freshmen ready to contribute.

[ScotsFan]

Unless I see some documentation to the contrary, as far as I am concerned the top 3 is
1. Wittenberg 1537-613
2. Wooster 1421-739
3. Illinois Wesleyan 1420-793

I'll take that top 3 as well.  One number that I like to keep track of is more for the here and now and that is the top programs in the 2000's.  Wooster is starting to pull away in this category, at least according to their media guide.  According to the media guide, Wooster not only has the most wins among Division III with 180, it also has the best winning percentage, not only among Division III, but in all of the NCAA since 2000 at .865.  Now, if they could just get one of those National Championship banners to go along with all of these impressive numbers they've been putting up this century!  Hopefully, that will come this year!! 8)

[wally_wabash]

smeds-

What can you tell me about Chase Haltom?  He's starting tomorrow and comes with some pretty impressive honors (Hoosier Basketball Magazine top 40 from last year to name one).  Sounds like this kid can fill it up.  Should we expect big things from him?

[smedindy]

I never saw Mr. Haltom personally in HS as Crawfordsville dropped Cloverdale this past year.

However, his junior and senior years, Cloverdale went 36-9. Normally, the Clovers were a moribund program, winning 4 to 7 games a season.

I don't expect him to be Josh Estelle, but I think he'll be fine if he doesn't get rattled during his first shooting slump in college.

[wally_wabash]

Fair enough...it sounds like he could develop into the "go-to" guy that Wabash has lacked since DesJean graduated.  I love Mac's dedication to balance, but I think not having anybody on the floor be the guy who is going to take the critical shots has hurt us at times.  I'll remain cautiously optimistic that we may have found somebody to fill that role (if not this year then hopefully in the future). 

[smedindy]

We will find out soon enough! Can the kiddie corps back up the vets and surprise the NCAC? Stay tuned!

[WoosterFAN]

Whatever happened to the NCAC Pick 'em page?  It is that time of year and it kind of sneaked up on me.  I have only checked the WOO, WITT and OWU for opening weekend. 

Fri 17 NOV
Cabrini @ Wooster    WOOSTER (It will not be pretty in 1st half but 2nd half we'll see the kids)Swathmore vs. Wittenberg @ Haverford SWATHMORE  (Swathmore returns 5 starters and have some size, too.  Tough way for Witt to start, on the road vs experienced team.  2 leading scorers are 6'8" and 6'6" and they have senior experienced good PG.  But they will rebound on SAT)
D'Youville vs. Ohio Wesleyan  @ Penn State Behrend  OWU  (and it could get ugly)Earlham vs Depaw @ Univ of Chicago DEPAUW (sister's alma mater, Sorry Quakers)SAT 18 NOV
Wittenberg @ Haverford WITTENBERG (bounce back win)

Looking forward to another great year...Go SCOTS..Go NCAC!!

[wally_wabash]

In the past I have run the NCAC pick 'ems but am going to hand over the reins to anybody else who would like to do it.  Hoops season is a hectic time for me and I just haven't had the time to properly adminstrate the pick 'ems over the last couple of years.   

[WooMix]

No free audio for Wooster's game today.  Apparently they are doing high school football.  People please help with updates.  Thanks.

[Witt4ever]

Witt 57
Swarthmore 46

Tigers led by Dane Borchers and Billy Bowen with 12 pts each.

Not bad of a start considering that DJ Corbett, Tyler Howard and Dan McNeely did not return this year. If you recall, Tyler Howard was hurt at COW(concussion) last year and Corbett and McNeely said they were tired of playing basketball, their reason for not playing this year.

David Nowicki, freshman pt guard from Carmel, In. got significant playing time.

Also, Sam Gregory is finally getting a chance to play!!!!!!!!

[wooscotsfan]

At the Half:  Wooster 64  Cabrini 30

This game is over at the half.  Wooster is dropping three pointers like crazy.  The Scots shot 14 of 22 three pointers in the first half for 63%.

Scots are being led by Tom Port with 17 points, James Cooper with 16 points and Brandon Johnson with 8 points.

GO SCOTS!!

[wally_wabash]

Halftime in C'ville:

RHIT 28
Wabash 17

Not a pretty half either way.  Rose got hot at the end of the half...Wabash needs to get some shots to fall.