MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

I understand that on paper that Wooster is in a prime position right now, but I think it is a little premature to be crowning them regular season champs. I think you can realistically build a case that they could lose any of the next five games they play. Three of the teams (Allegheny, Witt and OWU) gave Wooster all they could handle the first time through, and Wabash and Hiram are games on the road, where they lost and nearly lost, respectively, last year. Now, if I had to predict, I would say that Wooster loses Sunday at Wabash, and possibly drops a game to either Witt or OWU. But lets not forget that just two weeks ago Wooster struggled to beat Oberlin, and just one week ago scored just 26 points in the first half against Hiram. I want to see a couple of more complete games from Wooster before I think they have this wrapped up.

The reason I feel a little more comfortable today than I did a week ago is two-fold.  Not only does Wooster have to lose 3 of it's last 6, but the teams chasing Wooster also have to run the table.  If Wooster beats Allegheny tomorrow night, the Gators are done.  And even if Wooster were to lose at Wabash, Wabash still has to turn around and win road games at Witt (which they have never done at the HPER) and at OWU (who already beat the Lil Giants in C'ville).

So, I guess while it is possible that Wooster could lose 3 or more of their last 6 games, I find it very improbable.  Furthermore, I also find it very improbable that the teams chasing Wooster are going to suddenly win out.  I mean, Witt lost at home to Allegheny and OWU lost at Hiram just last Saturday.  Hardly ringing endorsements for teams that need to win out to have any chance at catching Wooster.

As far as Wooster having yet to convince you with their recent improved play, yes, Wooster did struggle to put away games against Oberlin and the EC, but I would say their play over the last 3 games, including Wittenberg, is about the best stretch of play this team has performed all season.  Seinfeld, you mentioned that Witt gave Wooster all they could handle which is true to an extent.  But you also have to remember that Wooster basically spotted Witt an 11 point lead early in that game.  From that point on, Wooster outscored Witt by 21 points the remainder of the game and that was in Springfield.

I do see what you mean as far as not being completely sold on Wooster just yet.  But at least they have played by far their best basketball of the season over their last 2 1/2 to even 3 games.  I too would like to still see more from the Scots, but at least they have given us a glimpse that they just might have turned the corner and are ready to finish off this season on a strong note.  Of course, Wooster will have another chance to prove themselves tomorrow night up on the hill when Allegheny comes to town.

[ScotsFan]

As for the NCAC Tournament, obviously having the home court advantage is ideal, but it hasn't necessarily translated into titles for Wooster. In fact, Wooster has hosted the last five conference tournaments, yet has only won two of them, and both of those wins (2007 & 2009) came against teams that were not the No. 2 seed.

Yes, Wooster has only won 2 of the last 5 conference tournaments they have hosted.  But, going back to the 2004 and 2005 tournaments, those were both 2 point losses to very good Wittenberg teams.  In fact, that 2005 Wittenberg team nearly won it all!  And Wooster has won 2 of the last 3 conference tournaments they have hosted and could make it 3 of 4 this season.

It sounds a little better when put in those perspectives...   

[seinfeld]

While I still believe Wooster has the regular season a little less locked up than other people do, I wanted to throw a little caution out there since no one seemed to want to do it, and as Go Red has pointed, I do nothing but complain. Lets just say I'm channeling Coach Moore, who would still think the conference was up in the air if he had Oberlin and Earlham at home for the last two games with a two-game lead.

[ScotsFan]

While I still believe Wooster has the regular season a little less locked up than other people do, I wanted to throw a little caution out there since no one seemed to want to do it, and as Go Red has pointed, I do nothing but complain. Lets just say I'm channeling Coach Moore, who would still think the conference was up in the air if he had Oberlin and Earlham at home for the last two games with a two-game lead.

LOL!    That is so true...

But, you could also say that Coach Moore's reluctance to take anything for granted is exactly why the Scots are so good at finishing off NCAC championships at this time of year.

[ScotsFan]

Wally,

I keep forgetting to ask, but wrt Wooster's game at Wabash this Sunday, will the Super Bowl have any impact on attendance for the game?  Seeing that Wabash is in the heart of Colts territory, I would think there would be quite a few Super Bowl parties going on that afternoon?

Maybe tipoff is early enough that it won't have much of a bearing at all.  Just something I was wondering about...

[imderekpoe]

Wally,

I keep forgetting to ask, but wrt Wooster's game at Wabash this Sunday, will the Super Bowl have any impact on attendance for the game?  Seeing that Wabash is in the heart of Colts territory, I would think there would be quite a few Super Bowl parties going on that afternoon?

Maybe tipoff is early enough that it won't have much of a bearing at all.  Just something I was wondering about...

The Super Bowl won't keep me away! 

[wally_wabash]

Wally,

I keep forgetting to ask, but wrt Wooster's game at Wabash this Sunday, will the Super Bowl have any impact on attendance for the game?  Seeing that Wabash is in the heart of Colts territory, I would think there would be quite a few Super Bowl parties going on that afternoon?

Maybe tipoff is early enough that it won't have much of a bearing at all.  Just something I was wondering about...

My guess is that it will.  Wabash played Denison (I think) on the same day as the Colts/Ravens game a few weeks ago.  The crowd was relatively light and about half of those that were there were wearing blue.  The level of hype around this weekend's football game is insane around here.  It's insane enough because the Colts are playing, but Drew Brees is also playing and I have vastly underestimated how much people here apparently care about his pro career.  There's a lot of "I want Indy to win, but I want Drew to have a good game too" stuff going on here (yes...people here are apparently on a first name basis with Drew Brees).  I'm actually very concerned about whether or not the general population of Lafayette can handle this game.  Colts!  Drew!!  Peyton!!!  AHHHH!!!  Heads might actually explode.  

I'll be missing the front end of my Super Bowl party to be at the game on Sunday, but then again I'm not a Colts honk.  I hope I'm wrong, but my guess is that most of the native Hoosiers (which is most of Wabash's student body) are going to be well into their own gatherings by Sunday afternoon.  

[David Collinge]

What is this "Super Bowl" of which you speak?

Super Wednesday's Super Slate:
Allegheny (7-3) at Wooster (10-0), 7:30pm -- Live everything (and the video is free this time) plus live alt.audio
Earlham (1-9) at Wabash (7-3), 7:30pm -- Live everything including Wally World
Hiram (6-4) at Denison (4-6), 7:30pm -- Live stats
Oberlin (1-9) at Kenyon (2-8), 7:30pm -- Live everything
Wittenberg (6-4) at OWU (6-4), 7:30pm -- Live everything including tweeting

[Gregory Sager]

It's insane enough because the Colts are playing, but Drew Brees is also playing and I have vastly underestimated how much people here apparently care about his pro career.  There's a lot of "I want Indy to win, but I want Drew to have a good game too" stuff going on here

I'm sure that the exact same phenomenon in reverse is occurring right now in the Big Easy, whose most beloved native son is going to be playing QB against the Saints next Sunday.

[ScotsFan]

I'm actually very concerned about whether or not the general population of Lafayette can handle this game.  Colts!  Drew!!  Peyton!!!  AHHHH!!!  Heads might actually explode.  

Too funny! 

I'll be missing the front end of my Super Bowl party to be at the game on Sunday, but then again I'm not a Colts honk.  I hope I'm wrong, but my guess is that most of the native Hoosiers (which is most of Wabash's student body) are going to be well into their own gatherings by Sunday afternoon. 

I figured you wouldn't miss out on the Wabash game as you're an Oregonian and probably aren't as invested in the Colts or the Brees mania that most native Hoosiers are... 

[wally_wabash]

I figured you wouldn't miss out on the Wabash game as you're an Oregonian and probably aren't as invested in the Colts or the Brees mania that most native Hoosiers are... 

That and it's the Wooster game.  I almost didn't make the trip down for the Wooster game last year (for reasons passing understanding...and I can't exactly remember).  I was definitely glad that I talked myself into going and seeing Wabash finally win one against the Scots at Chadwick.  It's a big time game.  If Wabash can get a win against Wooster, that'll be a game they gain on most of the rest of the league and in the chase for second place, that one game is crucial. 

[ScotsFan]

First NCAA Regional Rankings released today.  Pleasant surprise at the top IMO  :

Great Lakes Region

1. Wooster 15-3 
2. Wilmington (Ohio) 13-4 
3. Hope 8-2
4. Calvin 8-2
5. Penn State-Behrend 13-3
6. Thomas More 14-5

[ScotsFan]

Wooster is off to another GREAT start on both ends of the floor!

At the half:

Wooster - 46
Allegheny - 33

Wooster has led by as many as 16 so far in this one but Allegheny did manage to trim the lead to 10 before Josh Claytor got the kind bounce on a trey for the final margin at halftime.

Wooster is being led by Nate Balch with 12 points.  Ian Franks has 9 and Bryan Wickliffe has 8 to go along with 8 rebounds to lead Wooster.  Justin Hallowell is also 2-2 from deep for six points.  Allegheny is being led by, surprise surprise George Raftis with 9 points.

In another key matchup tonight, 23 seconds to halftime in Deleware:

Witt - 41
OWU - 36

Witt started this game 6-6 from downtown and currently have since gone 0-3.  Witt has led by as much as 16 so the Bishops have to be feeling good about where they are sitting!

[GoRed]

Halftime score at Livingston:  Hiram 31  Denison 15.  With the score tied Hiram 10 Dimonde 10 at the 13:57 mark, Steve Fleming decides it's time to go to the "rope-a-dope" to stop Hale and it works.  Hale goes 0-for-8 from the line and only makes one more bucket. 

I'm sure the braintrust will have the answer in the second half.  Eight is enough. 

[wooscotsfan]

As ScotsFan noted, it was good first half for Wooster as they shot 53% from the floor and held the Gators to only 41%.   Scots also outrebounded Allegheny 20 to 13 in the half.

Nathan Balch on 5 of 7 shooting is leading Wooster with 12 points while Ian Franks has 9 points and Bryan Wickliffe has chipped in 8 points, 8 boards.

George Raftis is leading the Gators with 9 points and Charlie Jaicks has added 6 points.