MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[WoosterFAN]

DC - Not in NOLA anymore.  The Navy moved me up I-55 to Memphis.  I have renters in my house down there, though.

Still many friends and nieghbors unaccounted for including the renters.

I am making the trip this week and I will be taking some pics for insurance and to see if I can find renters and others.

I will stay safe and protect myself from the houligans. 

WoosterFAN

[seinfeld]

I heard Brandon Mimes from John Carroll is not at JCU anymore. If this is true (I'm 99% sure), that is a huge blow for them. He was probably the leading candidate for Region Player of the Year.

[bishopsfan]

I also heard that Brandon Mimes is not coming back to JCU.  I also heard that he is transfering to Cleveland State.  From what I have seen, he has the athleticism to play there.  I am also not 100% sure of this information but I did hear it from a very reliable source.

[ScotsFan]

That's really going to hurt the Blue Steaks.  Mimes definately has the talent to play DI.

[Mr. Ypsi]

David and WoosterFAN,

Just heard the first news in a long time from NO that put a smile on my face - people are swearing that there WILL be Mardi Gras in 2006!  Admittedly a bit stripped down, but it WILL happen.

[David Collinge]

Chuck, there was really never any doubt about that.  In fact, I'm told that there are already street musicians back in the Vieux Carre.  Remember, the French Quarter remained relatively dry (because it is relatively high; rule of thumb: the closer to the River, the higher the land) so there's less damage there than pretty much anywhere else in the City.  But as long as there's anyone anywhere in the Quarter, there'll be a celebration for Carnival. 

Parades, however, are another question.  St. Charles Ave. (both generally above water and relatively affluent, not unrelated concepts) should be pretty much back to normal (perhaps sans streetcars) by February, so at least the Uptown parades should roll.  But I don't know about the Mid-City parade routes, and of course a lot of the parade materials were damaged or destroyed, including the Mardi Gras Indian costumes. 

It takes more than a hurricane and catastrophic flood to keep New Orleanians from celebrating Fat Tuesday! Lassiez les bon temps roulez!

[da_man]

Where's all my yeomen fans!!  Go Crismon and Gold

[wally_wabash]

I've just noticed Wabash's 05-06 schedule posted....

First the NCAC schedule...seems pretty favorable for Wabash.  In years past Wabash has been hit with the OWU/Woo/Witt gauntlet in some order.  They avoid that this season, although they do play Wooster and Witt in consecutive games in February.  Also, the Allegheny/Hiram games are in Indiana this season. 

The non-conference schedule is pretty familiar.  Games scheduled with Hanover, Depauw, and Franklin as well as the Tipoff Tournament and the Pete Thorn Invitational.  The Tipoff Tourney brings Alma, IWU, and UT-Dallas to C'ville.  We're well aware of IWU's pedigree, Alma was in the bottom half of the MIAA last season, and UT-Dallas is the team that made the improbable run through the ASC conference tournament to qualify for the NCAA tourney. 

The Pete Thorn brings in Marian, Olivet Nazarene, and Tri-State.  Tri-State finished at the bottom of the MIAA last year, Marian and Olivet Nazarene are NAIA schools that traditionally field pretty competitive teams.  Although...if Olivet Nazarene is playin the Pete Thorn, somebody should let them know...they don't seem to have it penciled in on their schedule. 

Wabash will also travel out to Colorado for a holiday tournament at Colorado College.  Wabash played in, and won, this tournament a couple of years ago.  Along with Wabash and Colorado College will be Philidelphia Biblical University and Bethany.  Bethany is an NAIA school out of Kansas that was runner-up in the national tournament in 2003. 

[smedindy]

I talked to the SID and he says there may be changes on the schedule regarding the Pete Thorn.

[Pat Coleman]

He sent them to me a few days ago. I just haven't had any chance to update the schedule, other than removing the Pete Thorn games.

[wally_wabash]

Hmmm...now there doesn't appear to be a Pete Thorn Invitational this year.  A home game against Tri-State has been scheduled for Dec. 9 and then a mystery opponent on Jan. 3.  That's a bummer. 

[Pat Coleman]

I believe that's Greenville.

I think there are too many schools putting together too many tournaments. So many schools want to play as many home games as they can without having to return them the next year, and not as many want to travel anymore.

I also think more coaches are getting wise to the whole concept of in-region games (finally) and I expect that any tournament that has a non-Division III team in it is going to have a harder time finding takers for an open spot than a tournament with only D-III teams.

[smedindy]

It's a shame, too, because the Pete Thorn (and it's predecesor the Cannonball Classic) have been played since the 70's. That is a traditional tourney and it's a shame it's gone this year.

[bishopsfan]

Wow...October 15th is finally upon us.  It is now time to officially start the best part of the year.  As a player I always looked forward to October 15th.  Every team has high hopes and dreams of bringing home the NCAC crown this year.  I am looking forward to an extremely competitive season this year in the NCAC.  Go Bishops!!!

[billy_pilgrim]

I think Earlham either had its first practice on Sunday night or last night, but here's some interesting scheduling news from Richmond.

Earlham will "play host to" DePauw at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Should be a nice treat for Earlham and DePauw players (coaches, fans, and maybe even broadcasters?). I believe EC played DePauw in Hinkle Fieldhouse a few years back, too.

Any other NCAC schools played at any interesting venues in past years?

http://www.earlham.edu/~awpe/content/sports/men/basketball/2005-06/pressreleases/conseco.html