MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kiltedbryan]

1/5 NCAC Final Scores:
Kenyon 89  Hiram 74

That's a bit of a surprise.  Good win for the Lords.

[wooscotsfan]

Updated NCAC Standings with 1/5 Results:

1.  Wabash 5-0, 13-0
2.  Wooster 4-0, 13-0
2.  Wittenberg 4-0, 8-4
4.  Kenyon 2-2, 6-7
5.  Ohio Wesleyan 2-3, 6-8
6.  Hiram 1-3, 7-6
7.  Allegheny 1-4, 4-9
7.  Denison 1-4, 4-9
9.  Oberlin 0-4, 1-11

[smedindy]

I know it seems nitpicky after a 16 point win but I noticed in the box score that Sutherlin was 0-7 from the field. Hope it was just one of those nights. Glad he can have one of those nights and we can still win the game comfortably. But that is not going to be the case on Saturday. I can't wait.

He can be and will be streaky. He was in HS as well, as I recall.

[kiltedbryan]

I'm not sure if we've ever had two unbeaten NCAC teams meet this late in the season.  Congratulations in advance to both of these teams for their excellent starts!

The closest parallel that comes to mind is Wooster vs. Wittenberg in 2005-06.  Both teams were undefeated coming into their first meeting, in early December.  The Scots were 7-0 and the Tigers 6-0 coming into the contest, which the Scots won at home 86-83 on one of James Cooper's patented "stand/dribble around 35 feet from the hoop for all but 7 seconds of the shot clock, then lay down a couple hesitation dribbles, shimmy-shakes, take a fake step or two as if you're about to drive to the hoop, then calmly step back and drain a game-winning 23-footer."  A fond, fond front-row (literally!) memory for this fan.

Later that year #1 Wittenberg hosted #2 Wooster, with both teams at 19-1 coming in.  37-1 against all other opponents is a pretty darn good record, but so is 26-0.

Hopefully we see game worthy of its billing this weekend in Crawfordsville.

[GoRed]

This is great - and what it's all about:

http://www.d3sports.com/notables/2011/01/d3-athletes-graduate

[Mr. Ypsi]

This is great - and what it's all about:

http://www.d3sports.com/notables/2011/01/d3-athletes-graduate

One caution: although the article calls it a "representative sample", it also says it was the 115 (of 440+) schools who "voluntarily provided data".  That is NOT a representative sample; it is a self-selected sample.  And self-selected samples tend to be those who care the most or who will look the best.  MAYBE the results are accurate, but it is also possible (probable) that schools with higher athlete graduation rates were more likely to respond.

I wouldn't put any stock in this study until they actually have a representative sample.

[Pat Coleman]

Ypsi -- did you follow the link to the NCAA News story? I didn't include all of their numbers because I felt it would not be fair use, but they broke down the sample and how it compared to Division III as a whole.

	All DIII schools	Pilot schools
Number of schools	444	115
Private/public	80%/20%	82%/18%
Average enrollment	2,367	2,770
Percent admitted	63%	67%
Avg. sports sponsorship	17	17
Sponsors football	53%	55%
Proportion of athletes to undergraduate enrollment	21%	21%
Overall student body federal grad rate	65%	63%
Female student body federal grad rate	68%	67%
Male student body federal grad rate	62%	59%

[Mr. Ypsi]

No, I didn't follow the link, because the 'representativeness' on objective criteria doesn't address my point.  Basic human nature suggests the likelihood that schools with higher athlete graduation rates are more prone to voluntarily releasing that data than schools with poorer graduation rates.

As I said, the conclusion MAY be accurate; I just wouldn't put too much stock in a study based on voluntary release of graduation rates.

[Pat Coleman]

Basic human nature suggests the likelihood that schools with higher athlete graduation rates are more prone to voluntarily releasing that data than schools with poorer graduation rates.

Perhaps. Although the numbers cited above showed that the pilot schools had slightly lower overall graduation rates than the D-III average.

[bashbrother]

There is a pretty big game in conference tomorrow night.... board is awfully quiet.

Keys to the game?

I'll take a stab -

Wabash -

1. 3 point shooting percentage (Both offensively and defensively)
2. Disrupting Wooster's offensive rhythm
3. Eliminating Wooster's second chance points (offensive rebounds)
4. Less than 10 turnovers
5. Making the easy baskets (has been an issue in a couple of games)
6. Other scorers stepping up as they may focus defense on frustrating Wes.
7. Getting to the line and making them
8. Limiting Franks production
9.  Defensive spacing and intensity will be critical


Wooster -

1. Extending defense to reduce Wabash's perimeter shooting
2. Not giving Wes Smith penetration lanes
3. Pace of half court offense
4. Transition points (both offensively and defensively)
5. Taking Smith out of the game early
6. Ball movement to create open shots
7. Making the open 3's that will present themselves
8. Rebounding advantage
9. Free throws


Sure there are a bunch more

Not much room for error for the Little Giants in this one.  They will have to play their most complete game of the year to be successful.  I hope it is a battle at the Allen Center tomorrow night.

WAF!

[wabco]

Bashbrother

you forgot one more element:  Wabash fans.  Look for Chadwick to be full and rocking with college, alumni, and community support as well early reporting studentS.  I may be wrong but, from what I hear, expect it to be SRO

[bashbrother]

Fan support is a MUST!.... If I lived within 1,000 miles, I would be there  

But seriously, you're right, fans are what make home court advantage.... truly an advantage.... I hope this "Special" team gets a tremendous crowd tomorrow night.....they deserve it!   The game itself is worthy of any college basketball fan's attention... #1 vs. #7..... both undefeated this late in the year........May be awhile before Wabash fans get to see a basketball game of this magnitude again.

[imderekpoe]

.... I hope this "Special" team gets a tremendous crowd tomorrow night.....

My hope is that the Wabash faithful show up tomorrow NIGHT.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

.... I hope this "Special" team gets a tremendous crowd tomorrow night.....

My hope is that the Wabash faithful show up tomorrow NIGHT.

2 PM Eastern Time I think...

[cave2bens]

BB, Wabco, and other LG fans,

.... I hope this "Special" team gets a tremendous crowd tomorrow night.....

My hope is that the Wabash faithful show up tomorrow NIGHT.

The GAME is only at night, here in Suid Afrika - it's a 2:00PM tip-off!  Well played, IM - +k  

Sausage fingers, and DOBW Rode on by... darned red warnings!