MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[David Collinge]

The winner of the flip gets the choice of the #1 seed or hosting the semi's and finals.  This year that might be a tough call, as there appears to be a big drop between the #3 and #4 seeds.

I dunno; the prospective #3 didn't do so well tonight!   

[imderekpoe]

The winner of the flip gets the choice of the #1 seed or hosting the semi's and finals.  This year that might be a tough call, as there appears to be a big drop between the #3 and #4 seeds.

I dunno; the prospective #3 didn't do so well tonight!  

Good point!  Looks like OWU might be falling back to the pack a bit. 

[David Collinge]

Not really much to say about the game at Timken tonight.  Wooster came out absolutely on fire offensively and defensively, got out to a quick two touchdown lead, and the game was all but over by the 10:00 mark of the 1st half.  The next 22 minutes saw pretty much both teams just going through the motions (although Bidwell's missed dunk gave a bit of a chuckle,) and then the last 8 minutes or so was the JV game.  That was the only interesting part for me. 

Here was the Wooster frosh rotation:
1st half, Melick came in for Will.  The next time Will came out, he was replaced by Elam.  Geitgey also played in the first.  These three seem to be firmly on the varsity now, as none of them even dressed for the JV game against LCCC last week, and Melick seems to have the edge on Elam (although I thought Will played better tonight.)
2nd half, same as above, then these three came in together at one of those "rolling timeouts" that Steve Moore likes to use when he's clearing the bench.  The next sub into the game, to my surprise (and delight) was Jake Johnson (along with Fulk), in to play the 3.  Then Molz replaced Fulk, and a bit later Tenenini came in for one of the big frosh.  Finally, Hershberger and Battista came in together for the last two minutes.  I think Geitgey was on the floor the whole last 8 minutes, suggesting (to me at least) that he's the point guard in waiting.  This rotation also suggests (to me) that Tenenini has moved up ahead of Hershberger (he was already ahead of Battista, as far as I could tell) to be the fourth big man. 

[imderekpoe]

Current NCAC Standings thru 1/31 results:

Wooster 11-0 (18-2)
Wittenberg 9-2 (17-3)
Ohio Wesleyan 7-4 (13-7)
Wabash 5-6 (8-12)
Earlham 5-6 (7-13)
Hiram 5-6 (6-14)
Kenyon 4-7 (8-12)
Oberlin 3-8 (4-16)
Denison 2-9 (3-16)

Don't forget the Gators at 4-7 (8-11).

That fourth place spot is really up for grabs, with an outside chance that someone could challenge OWU for #3.

[David Collinge]

I was told by someone close to the Wooster program that Witt was offered a presale allotment of tickets and declined for logistical reasons.  In the past, Wooster has also declined similar offers from Witt, although obviously not earlier this season.  I don't know what goes into the decision-making process, and I haven't verified this information with anyone from Witt's program, but that's what I was told tonight.

I now have verified this with Wittenberg.  This is a more complicated decision than I think many of us realize, and I hope everyone will agree that their school's generally overworked athletics staff does all that they can do within their logistical bounds, and they deserve our praise and thanks.  Just my opinion, of course.

[WoosterFAN]

OK - Can someone explain the NCAC to me.  Man, I have been following this league since 1986 and this is driving me crazy!!

How in the world does OWU lose @ home to Wabash in a critical game.
I know...I know Wabash always fights but come on!! OWU is supposed to be the up and coming rival to WITT and Wooster. 2 time 1st team ALL-NCAC Senior Forward, does not win??  You shoot 29% in your own gym to a team that has let other teams score 70 @ .434??

And Hiram coming up short should not surprise but I would love some consistency in the league right now.  No one knows from night to night what is going to happen.  This should make the NCAC tourney very very interested.  But still only 3 teams over .500!!

[tigerup07]

Quote from: David Collinge on Yesterday at 10:34:57 pm
I was told by someone close to the Wooster program that Witt was offered a presale allotment of tickets and declined for logistical reasons.  In the past, Wooster has also declined similar offers from Witt, although obviously not earlier this season.  I don't know what goes into the decision-making process, and I haven't verified this information with anyone from Witt's program, but that's what I was told tonight.


I now have verified this with Wittenberg.  This is a more complicated decision than I think many of us realize, and I hope everyone will agree that their school's generally overworked athletics staff does all that they can do within their logistical bounds, and they deserve our praise and thanks.  Just my opinion, of course.

Thanks for updating us. I know I had no idea that it was more complicated than just saying "here are some tickets". And yes, the Witt Athletic Staff is way overworked. For how much money they sink into sports every year and how much the administration is concerned about it, the students don't get as into it as I think they should, and the staff does way more work than their positions call for. Ryan Maurer is the SID at Witt and he is also the Director of News Services and Sports Information. Normally those are two full time jobs in their own right and he's doing both. Albeit he does a fantastic job but still.

[smedindy]

WooFan - It's a down year overall, but a lot of teams are young. And young teams can elate you or drive you to liver damage...

[TigerFan_1973]

Quote from: David Collinge on Yesterday at 10:34:57 pm
II now have verified this with Wittenberg.  This is a more complicated decision than I think many of us realize, and I hope everyone will agree that their school's generally overworked athletics staff does all that they can do within their logistical bounds, and they deserve our praise and thanks.  Just my opinion, of course.

Can you enlighten us on what the complications are?  I see some logistical issues for ticket sales without computers (with physical tickets, you have to get the unsold ones back to the home team in time to be sold.)  However, it seems like bringing the unsold ones back on the team bus in time for the JV game would solve that.

I have been somewhat surprised that the Witt students don't follow sports like they used to.  I was at the Witt bookstore prior to the Wooster game this year and got a blank stare when I asked a couple of students if they were going to the game.

The good thing about that is that many people go to NCAC schools for reasons other than sports and could care less.  (I am sure it's also that way at other schools, but in D1, there is a lot more of the tail wagging the dog.)

I see that Wooster will have Saturday's game on video.  I hope I can get a "seat."

Also, the game will be on the Wittenberg Tiger Worldwide radio network. 

TigerFan_1973

[pennstghs]

A few thoughts guys........

First-that is kind of surprising but possibly chancy of the Witt Athletic Dpt. to not take presale tickets. If this was as highly anticipated as previous games have been then maybe circumstances have changed. To counter that decision Witt is offering a student bus, but who knows how popular that could be......

Second-which brings me to my second point, i have been disappointed with the turnout at Witt games because thye are missing out on a good brand of basketball. Maybe next Wed. vs OWU will have a good turnout.

Third - Saturday i think we've hit the point hard on the fact that Witt's chances depend on how much they can take advantage of the low post. Previous years have shown that if we can handle ourselves down low and rack up points-that usually neutralizes the game and keeps it close, but with Witt's recent 3 point outburst that may give Wooster something else to think about the next few days.

fourth - wow what the heck happened to my NCAC pick em-i hopped on the hiram and denison bandwagons and was thrown off to the horses-who was it who said they didnt think oberlin would win another game?

lastly - hope to see some of you there on Saturday-ill have my red t-shirt and rally towel like always. have a good day all

[David Collinge]

Quote from: David Collinge on Yesterday at 10:34:57 pm
II now have verified this with Wittenberg.  This is a more complicated decision than I think many of us realize, and I hope everyone will agree that their school's generally overworked athletics staff does all that they can do within their logistical bounds, and they deserve our praise and thanks.  Just my opinion, of course.

Can you enlighten us on what the complications are? 

No, I'm sorry, I can't.  Both of the people who spoke with me did so in confidence.   

[TigerFan_1973]

Ryan Maurer is the SID at Witt and he is also the Director of University Communications. Normally those are two full time jobs in their own right and he's doing both. Albeit he does a fantastic job but still.

Ryan does a great job for Witt.  If you look at all the sports he keeps up with as well as general university communications, it's a huge job.  Yet I am always pleased when I look at the quality of the info on the Witt site.  There is a lot of history on the site that is interesting to look through if you have time.

I went up to the Witt-Woo game  in Springfield a couple of years ago (I believe it was an NCAA game or the NCAC tournament, it was either the third or fourth time they had played that year).  The Athletic Director was taking tickets at the door!  That's a guy who will do what needs to be done. At a small school, you wear a lot of hats. 

Witt has always done a first class job at staging events.  They have hosted a number of NCAA regional-type (quarterfinal, etc.) games.  In Div. 3, the NCAA is looking for places that can get a crowd there and do a good job, while not spending too much money.

TF_1973

[David Collinge]

Witt has always done a first class job at staging events.  They have hosted a number of NCAA regional-type (quarterfinal, etc.) games. 

In fact, Witt has been the host school for the D3 Final Four four times, from 1989-1992.

[ScotsFan]

fourth - wow what the heck happened to my NCAC pick em-i hopped on the hiram and denison bandwagons and was thrown off to the horses-who was it who said they didnt think oberlin would win another game?

That would be me.    I was just basing my opinion on  the way Oberlin's been playing of late.  Coming into last night's game, Oberlin had lost 12 of 13.  This  included a 4 game losing streak coming into last night's game in which they were being outscored by more than 20 points per game.   I should have known better than to pick Denison though!  

[woosterbooster]

Outside of the Wooster high school girls, Denison is the worst team that I've seen this season.  That includes all of the NCAC, all of Wooster's other home opponents, NAIA school Walsh, and 19 girls high school teams at the Classic in the Country at Hiland.  I'd pick Oberlin over them even on a neutral court, but probably not at Denison.

Wait a minute, I haven't seen the Wooster high school girls this year.  That makes Denison the worst, bar none.

PS to CR - C'mon, Craig, I know who you'll be rooting for on Saturday. That's ok, Chuck, Roger, and I won't hold it against you, after all, it's your alma mater.  Besides, Roger said that years ago you were a pretty decent shot.