MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

Actually, I didn't see the consolation game because I was busy doing the PA for the Wabash playoff football game against Albion. I was told they played better, a bit, but we all thought UT-D would win because they played fairly well against Illinois Wesleyan.

I think Denison has a chance if they play well.

[woosterbooster]

This article on Tom Port's eligibility from the Wooster Daily Record:

http://www.the-daily-record.com/article.php?pathToFile=/articles//sports/&file=_sports2.txt&article=1&tD=

[smedindy]

Tonight Wabash begins its quasi-NBA-esque schedule stretch by playing host to Franklin. This should be a good test for both teams as they head toward conference play.

The Little Giants will play four games in eight days, hosting Greenville on the 3rd then next Friday and Saturday facing Allegheny and Hiram at home.

[CentralOH]

Anyone heard a Denison vs. Alma score from this afternoon in Cleveland?

[wally_wabash]

Is there any web audio for the Wabash/Franklin game tonight?  I'm having trouble connecting to the Wabash feed....

[smedindy]

Wabash beats Franklin 68-58. The Little Giants fell behind early in the game but roared back to take a 34-27 lead at the half, and led the Grizzlies by as much as 19 in the second half.

Nick Kane, who averages 21 a game for Franklin, left the game early with what looks to be a sprained ankle, so Wabash was able to capitalize on his absence.

Joseph had 17, while Lyttle had 10 points and 10 boards. Dustin Huff came off the bench for 7 points and 2 steals in his first action, while Ryan Stephens had seven rebounds in 15 minutes.

A good win, but the Little Giants were sloppy with the ball (21 turnovers), didn't shoot well from the line (5 of 9) and allowed Franklin 16 offensive rebounds.

[wally_wabash]

Finally...a final from Chadwick:

Franklin 58
Wabash 68

I didn't get any audio on this game so I don't know how it played out exactly.  From the boxscore, it looks like Wabash won this one with defense.  Franklin was limited to 37.7% shooting for the game while Wabash shot 53.7%...one of their better offensive efforts of the year.  Franklin had a 5-point lead in the first half, but a big Wabash run to end the half eliminated the lead.  Wabash's lead ballooned to 19 points in the second half.  Franklin got some garbage time buckets in the last two minutes to make the score respectable.  

It looks like Franklin's leading scorer, Nick Kane left with an injury (I'm assuming).  He only played the first three minutes of the game.

Wabash was led by Adonis Joseph's 17 points on 6-9 shooting.  Caleb Lyttle had 10 points to go with his 10 boards.  Zimmer and Michael Woods each added 9 points for the LGs.

A couple of things stand out from the boxscore...perhaps smeds can comment (I'm assuming you were there).  First, Coffey didn't start and only played five minutes.  Injury?  Coach's decision?  Second, Dustin Huff got his first minutes of the year and scored 7 points in 10 minutes on 3-4 shooting.  Does Huff look like a difference maker for Wabash during the stretch run?  

Very good win for Wabash, regardless of whether or not Franklin's top scorer was in the game.  Franklin is never an easy game.  Wabash's win streak runs to 6 games now.  Greenville comes to town on Tuesday and then the biannual weekend series at Chadwick with Allegheny and Hiram next weekend.  It's very possible that Wabash could be riding a 9-game win streak heading into a key game at OWU on 1/11.  

[David Collinge]

Denison 68
Alma 56
Press Release

Wooster 129
Thiel 80
Press Release (with the score reversed)

[smedindy]

Wally, I think I addressed a lot of what you wanted to know earlier, but Coffey was a coaches decision. He got a T in the first half and played little in the second. Zimmer started and Stephens played well.

[wally_wabash]

Thanks, smeds.  What was your impression of Huff?  He and Russell add a lot of much needed athleticism to Wabash's lineup.  Huff's first action had him 3-4 on FGs, 1-1 on 3 pointers, and two steals in just 10 minutes.  Does he look like a guy who can come in off the bench and fill it up? 

[smedindy]

Huff can light it up from outside, definitely.

Russell didn't look that good tonight - he looked like he was pressing and not playing a natural game - but he'll help for sure.

[smedindy]

Looks like when Denison is playing a winnable game they have a shorter rotation! 10 players saw the bulk of time tonight.

[wally_wabash]

Sweet.  That's what I was hoping to hear.  I think one real serious perimeter threat helps Wabash immensely.  I think with the way Wabash has played D all year and with the offense coming around a bit Wabash has an outside chance of throwing a monkey wrench into top of the conference.  Wooster and Witt are clearly the cream of this crop, but I think Wabash is capable of stealing a game against one or both of those teams. 

[smedindy]

I agree. Jimmy Owens is out a month with a foot injury he suffered at Denison, but when he gets back Wabash can go 13 deep to give varying looks to opposing teams. I think Witt can be had at Chadwick. Bwah-hah-hah! 

[ScotsFan]

Wooster took out their frustrations on poor Thiel in easy fashion tonight.  I would say that Thiel was basically in a no win situation after the game that transpired last night.  Had BW been on the short end last night, we would have been seeing the same results from them.  Thiel was the sacrificial lamb big time for this tournament.  Unfortunately, Lycoming had to throw a wrench into the tournament and threaten not to come unless they didn't have to play Wooster in the 1st round.  I guess they didn't like the fact that they might have to play in front of a big crowd, because they were obliged in that area for both games?!  I didn't stick around for the BW/Lycoming game, (which was won easily by BW) but, judging from the lack of attendance for the Wooster/Thiel game, I can imagine there were plenty of empty seats.  Obviously, for all intents and purposes, the finals of the Mose Hole Classic was played last night.

Now the Scots are off for yet another week before travelling to WashPA for the W&J Classic where they will be facing yet another stiff 1st round opponent in TCNJ.  They are one of several favorites to win the always tough NJAC.  It sure would be nice to get an easy game in the 1st round of these Classic tournaments, especially when they are coming off week long layoffs, but BW was coming off a layoff as well and TCNJ hasn't played a game since the 18th.  So the Scots can't really use that as an excuse.  TCNJ does play Ramapo on the 4th which is only 2 nights before their game with Wooster.  I don't know whether or not I would call a huge conference game 2 nights before another huge non-conference game an advantage or not?  We shall see.  In any case, this game is a chance to see a great intra-regional matchup pitting one of the GL Region's powers up  against one of the stronger teams from the Atlantic Region.  Hopefully Wooster can put in a good showing for the Great Lakes and back up what many would argue to be the toughest region in the country!  I would love to make the trek to WashPA to see this one in person.  I just doubt that my family obligations will allow it.  I will just have to be tuned in to Brek on the play by play I guess.