MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

gobash83 · December 18, 2007, 09:20:57 PM

Wally,

Thanks for the online coverage. I was going to try and make it over for the game, but end of the year demands got in the way.

Was there any talk about this piece

http://www.journalreview.com/articles/2007/12/17/sports/01petty.txt

in the Journal Review? It seems as if the transition to a new basketball coach will be handled a bit differently than the change in football coach.

gobash83 · December 18, 2007, 09:24:37 PM

Here is a companion piece that has interviews with three former Wabash players (and, in my mind, three pretty good ones at that):

http://www.journalreview.com/articles/2007/12/17/sports/personality.txt

Li'l Giant · December 18, 2007, 09:41:24 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on December 18, 2007, 08:23:04 PMI just noticed the livestats put tonight's attendance at 483. In a related story, the game program lists Earl Rooks at 5'9".

And that's your post of the night, folks.

wally_wabash · December 19, 2007, 01:09:02 AM

Quote from: Li'l Giant on December 18, 2007, 09:41:24 PM
Quote from: wally_wabash on December 18, 2007, 08:23:04 PMI just noticed the livestats put tonight's attendance at 483. In a related story, the game program lists Earl Rooks at 5'9".

And that's your post of the night, folks.

I thought you'd like that, LG. You'll see just how funny that is in a couple of weeks when Wabash treks to your backyard for a little holiday hoops action.

Quote from: gobash83 on December 18, 2007, 09:20:57 PM
Wally,

Thanks for the online coverage. I was going to try and make it over for the game, but end of the year demands got in the way.

Was there any talk about this piece

http://www.journalreview.com/articles/2007/12/17/sports/01petty.txt

in the Journal Review? It seems as if the transition to a new basketball coach will be handled a bit differently than the change in football coach.

I didn't talk to anybody specifically about this, but I'm sure it will become a pretty big topic of conversation as this season ends. Whether it's this season or next, you can bet your mortgage that I'll be at Coach Petty's last game at Chadwick and I won't stop clapping for a long time after that final buzzer sounds. The man has been an instiution at Wabash for three decades and was easily my favorite interview when I was writing sports at The Bachelor. Certainly, nothing lasts forever and we'll all carry forward, but it's going to be sad to see Coach Petty go.

But enough with that until that day comes...Wabash has a pretty good team this year and I hope the focus can remain on the quality of ball that this team is playing. Based on what results I've seen out of the NCAC this season, I don't think a #2 seed in the conference tourney is out of the question. These kids get after it big time and I'm anxious to see how they amp it up when the conference season gets into full gear in January. I think we're in for one of the better hoops seasons we've seen out of Wabash in some time.

billy_pilgrim · December 19, 2007, 09:51:39 AM

The Quakers have found an eighth.

Justin Carter, who initally came to Earlham last year as a freshman before quitting and heading to a different school to be with a girlfriend (or something like that), has returned to the team and became eligible at the end of the first semester.

This isn't quite James Brady Keaton returning to the Quakers from a similar sabbatical back in the early part of the decade, but it should at least give Earlham one more player who can dribble.

Progress, progress.

gobash83 · December 19, 2007, 10:58:48 AM

Quote from: wally_wabash on December 19, 2007, 01:09:02 AM

I didn't talk to anybody specifically about this, but I'm sure it will become a pretty big topic of conversation as this season ends. Whether it's this season or next, you can bet your mortgage that I'll be at Coach Petty's last game at Chadwick and I won't stop clapping for a long time after that final buzzer sounds. The man has been an instiution at Wabash for three decades and was easily my favorite interview when I was writing sports at The Bachelor. Certainly, nothing lasts forever and we'll all carry forward, but it's going to be sad to see Coach Petty go.

But enough with that until that day comes...Wabash has a pretty good team this year and I hope the focus can remain on the quality of ball that this team is playing. Based on what results I've seen out of the NCAC this season, I don't think a #2 seed in the conference tourney is out of the question. These kids get after it big time and I'm anxious to see how they amp it up when the conference season gets into full gear in January. I think we're in for one of the better hoops seasons we've seen out of Wabash in some time.

Wally, I agree with your sentiments about Coach Petty completely. I covered the basketball team for WNDY back in the day and Coach was always fun to talk with, let alone intereview. He has represented Wabash well.

I also agree that this year's team looks pretty good. I saw the Marian game and my sense was that they play with an intensity that is rare. I look forward to seeing how the conference schedule plays out.

smedindy · December 19, 2007, 12:16:09 PM

Jason Mulligan took the job in Maine in part because he didn't want to wait for Mac. I'm sure he could be enticed back.

smedindy · December 19, 2007, 12:21:25 PM

Good to see Brock step up. He's going to be key, along with Smith and Haltom, if the NCAC concentrates on shutting down Zimmer. Whither Andy Root?

Good to see Earlham with an eighth.

wally_wabash · December 19, 2007, 01:42:46 PM

Quote from: smedindy on December 19, 2007, 12:21:25 PM
Good to see Brock step up. He's going to be key, along with Smith and Haltom, if the NCAC concentrates on shutting down Zimmer. Whither Andy Root?

Brock has been very good so far this year. I've seen three games and he's stood out in each one...strong, aggressive, and has a decent mid-range game to keep defenders honest.

Smith...I'm not sure Wabash can count on Wes for big points on a regular basis. He's good with the ball and slashing to the hoop, but he isn't finishing off plays well. He's getting a good number of free throw attempts, but I'd like to see him finish his drives a little more. He kind of reminds of Tabor (Chad), except Tabor finished. I'm guessing this will come as Wes gets an offseason on the strength program.

Haltom is very improved over last year. He's added penetration to his game whereas last year he was content to stand behind the line and chuck 3s. His dribble-drive is quicker than I would have guessed also...this improved play will be a must during NCAC play.

As for Root, I'm not sure exactly why his minutes are down. I'm guessing that it's a combination of Brock and Haltom good playing so well and that Petty seems to be giving Evan Arnold a look (Evan was the first man off the bench last night I believe). There just aren't enough minutes to go around right now.

David Collinge · December 19, 2007, 04:46:22 PM

DePauw upends Kenyon 77-66. Kodey (25) and Korey (18) Haddox combine for two-thirds of the Kenyon offense. Bryan Yelvington contributed 6 points and a team-best 7 boards, but fouled out with over 5 minutes to play. Frosh Brendan Coyne played a good number of minutes in the second half, marking his first varsity appearance. Kenyon allowed DPU to shoot 52% (something like 57% in the first half, building an 11-point lead) and was outrebounded by the Tigers 36-23.

Do the math: (offense mostly from two players) + (double-digit rebound deficiency) + (leading scorer fouls out early) + (opponent shoots >50%) = LOSS.

smedindy · December 19, 2007, 05:18:42 PM

I think that many on this board (yours truly included) overhyped the Lords. Won't be the first time, won't be the last.

David Collinge · December 19, 2007, 05:44:01 PM

Quote from: smedindy on December 19, 2007, 05:18:42 PM
I think that many on this board (yours truly included) overhyped the Lords. Won't be the first time, won't be the last.

Guilty as charged. But this is not a Pool C contender, so the only games that matter are the NCAC games...and they're 1-0 in those.

kiltedbryan · December 19, 2007, 06:11:29 PM

Also guilty as charged. I ranked Kenyon highest out of anyone (3rd) in the Pick-em conference standings tie-breaker. I did that half because I just wanted to see someone different compete for the top of the NCAC, and half because I thought Kenyon really was better this year. However, I'm not jumping off the bus just yet, especially because they still should be better than Denison, Oberlin, Hiram, and maybe Wittenberg. Plus they do already have a win against Wabash.

The question may be: can the Lords win any on the road in the NCAC. They have yet to win a true road game this year (1-1 on neutral floors).

ScotsFan · December 19, 2007, 08:57:21 PM

Wooster is up at the half on Benedictine to the tune of 43-28.

Wooster opened up the game scoring the 1st 15 points before Benedictine finally lit up the scoreboard. Wooster led by as many as 19 I believe, but Benedictine was able to make a run and cut the Scots' lead down to 11 (the closest they've come). Wooster then righted the ship and closed out the half to lead by 15.

The 2nd half is just now getting under way.

David Collinge · December 19, 2007, 09:10:42 PM

Wittenberg handles Otterbein with ease, disposing of them 87-73. Witt held a double-figure lead for the final 27 minutes of the game. Kevin Murray led the Tigers with 27 points on 9/12 shooting, including 3/5 from the arc. Four other Tigers scored in double figures--Barabino 17, Hill 11, Romero 11, and Gregory 10--as Witt hit 51.8% of their field goal attempts, including 8/17 from the arc. Witt improves to 3-5 and drops Ott to an un-Ott-like 1-8.