MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[WAlum]

Anyone have any Pre-season predictions?  I will go with:
1. Wooster
2. Witt
3. DePauw
4. Ohio Wesleyan
5. Wabash
6. Denison
7. Hiram
8. Allegheny
9. Kenyon
10. Oberlin

[David Collinge]

Five Minutes with Denison senior Mike Garabedian. Really good. His points about time management and the value of playing at the D3 level are spot-on.

[wooscotsfan]

Sporting News Division III Season Preview is out.  Top 10 teams picked are:
1. Virginia Wesleyan
2. Marietta (OH)
3. Augustana (IL)
4. Williams (MA)
5. St. Mary's (MD)
6. Rochester (NY)
7. Frankin & Marshall (PA)
8. Oswego State (NY)
9. Wisconsin-Stevens Point
10. Cabrini (PA)  --- Hard to believe after Wooster overwhelmed them last year in the NCAA tourney.

Wooster, Wittenberg and John Carroll are listed as Possible Breakthrough teams.

On the All-America teams, the only NCAC players are Clayton Black of Wittenberg and Justin Hallowell of Wooster and they are both on the Honorable Mention list.  No NCAC players on the First or Second Teams.

[nuscottsfan]

wooscotsfan, Googled "Sporting News Division III Season Preview" and couldn't find that info. Could you post a link please?
Thanks!

[Gregory Sager]

Sporting News Division III Season Preview is out.  Top 10 teams picked are:
1. Virginia Wesleyan
2. Marietta (OH)
3. Augustana (IL)
4. Williams (MA)
5. St. Mary's (MD)
6. Rochester (NY)
7. Frankin & Marshall (PA)
8. Oswego State (NY)
9. Wisconsin-Stevens Point
10. Cabrini (PA)  --- Hard to believe after Wooster overwhelmed them last year in the NCAA tourney.

What did you expect, vis-a-vis Cabrini? It's the Sporting News D3 preseason poll, which means that the expertise on display is minimal at best. They typically just look at last year's tourney teams, subtract the seniors, and make the picks from what's left. The only D3 preseason poll that shows any depth of knowledge of the division -- in other words, the only one that matters -- is the one put out by d3hoops.com.

[wooscotsfan]

wooscotsfan, Googled "Sporting News Division III Season Preview" and couldn't find that info. Could you post a link please?
Thanks!

There is no link because this a paid publication and not free info on the internet.  I bought this Sporting News issue because it also covers DI ball and I also follow the Ohio State Buckeyes which are picked #3 in this preview.

I have posted on D3Hoops for several years now and I fully understand the weakness of the Sporting News DIII preview.  The Cabrini comment was just my observation to indicate that there is limited credibility to this preview.

[imderekpoe]

Anyone have any Pre-season predictions?  I will go with:
1. Wooster
2. Witt
3. DePauw
4. Ohio Wesleyan
5. Wabash
6. Denison
7. Hiram
8. Allegheny
9. Kenyon
10. Oberlin

Its a little early, and its tough not knowing anything about recruits (outside of Wooster.)  But I think there will be jockeying between 3 different tiers of teams.  With Wooster and Wittenberg both losing a good portion of their scoring from last year maybe the league will be more competitive this season - but we've said that in the past with little variation for the last decade or so...

1. Wooster
2. Witt
Witt loses Hill and Sullivan. Wooster loses Franks, Balch, Wickliffe.  I've heard that the Scots have some good-looking recruits, but you never really know how those guys will develop and work into the system.  The early part of the season will be key to both teams.  Cooper and McKee will likely not be available or at least not in basketball condition by the Dec 7 game at Wooster, and the Tigers will be leaning heavily on Black in the early going.  The Scots will be trying to integrate at least 3 new starters into the lineup and could be relying very heavily on Hallowell until they figure out their rotation.  I'll go with Wooster if for no other reason than the guys on the end of the bench wearing suits.  I know that I'm biased toward Wooster, but its hard to believe that there are many coaching staffs better than Moore, Cline and Martin.
3.  OWU.  They were a good, young team last year and have an excellent coach.  If Wooster and Witt don't get things together early I think they could challenge for the title.  We'll get a good look at them early against Anderson and Defiance in Wooster.  They do have the misfortune of not drawing either Witt or Wooster until January when both should be rounded into mid-season form.

4 & 5 - Indiana.  I don't know much about DePauw except that it looks like they lost just about everyone from last year's team.  Wabash lost Wes Smith and Coach Petty, but they've got a good core left and should be pretty competitive.

6-10 - The rest.  I haven't looked too deeply at the rest of the league.  I'd probably rank Denison and Hiram at the top (of the bottom) and Oberlin bringing up the rear.

[woosterbooster]

I'll go with Wooster if for no other reason than the guys on the end of the bench wearing suits.

You're picking Wooster because of Tom Love?  He's a good trainer, but...  Oh.  You meant the guys at the other end of the bench. 

[imderekpoe]

Wooster's posted schedule has been updated with the December trip to the Puerto Rico Classic.

Dec 19 vs St. Mary's (MD)
Dec 20 at Sacred Heart, PR

http://www.woosterathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/schedule

[wooscotsfan]

imderekpoe - thanks for the update on Wooster's schedule.

I don't know much about the University of Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico but St. Mary's (MD) is a quality D3 program.  St. Mary's has been to the Sweet Sixteen in 3 of the last 4 years.  Last season, St. Mary's made it to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tourney.  The Seahawks should give the Scots a very competitive game before the holiday break.

[wooscotsfan]

I heard Wooster was showing interest in a kid from Akron Hoban, Evan Pannel, but I don't know what transpired. I haven't heard where he might be going. Does anybody know? I understand he is very good, a fine man, and an  :)excellent student.

With some internet sleuthing, here is information on some Wooster recruits:

Evan Pannell will be attending Wooster next year per Akron Hoban's website.  Evan Pannell is a 6'1" quick guard that led Akron Hoban this past season at 20.2 ppg.  Pannell was selected All District 1st Team and was also a Division II, All-Ohio Special Mention player.  Evan's best high school game this past season was 38 points and 13 rebounds vs. Lake Catholic.

Kendal Sherrod 6'4" was a leader on Columbus Bishop Hartley's Division II team that finished 22-2 and reached the State Final Four.  Sherrod averaged 11.4 ppg on a balanced squad and he was All District 3rd Team.

Dylan Roe 6'2" Michigan Class A All-State Mention.  Averaged over 20 PPG (previously posted)

T.J. Bretz 6'5" from West Carrollton High.  He averaged 11.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg this past season.

Jalen Goodwin 6'0" guard from Lakota East HS.  Averaged 8.8 ppg and was 2nd Team Greater Miami Conference

I have also heard some rumblings that Wooster may get a transfer from Tusculum College (TN) and a player from Bowling Green High School (OH) though I have not confirmed any specific names yet.

The rumblings were correct and the Tusculum transfer is Kenny DeBoer 6'5" who played for Westerville North HS.  DeBoer averaged 12.3 ppg as a senior in high school and was an All Central District Division I Honorable Mention selection.  DeBoer was also recognized on the 2009-2010 Academic All-Ohio Division I team.

The player from Bowling Green High School is Xavier Brown 5'11"  Xavier Brown averaged 16.5 ppg and was a Northwest District Division I 3rd Team selection.

I have a paper copy of a Wooster preseason roster and will post it later tonight when I have time to type in all 24 names.

[wooscotsfan]

Here are the 24 players on the Wooster preseason roster:

Sr.  Mike Evans  Forward 6'4"
Sr.  Matt Fegan  Guard 6'1"
Sr.  Justin Hallowell  Forward 6'7"
Sr.  Gideon Mabeny  Center 7'0"
Sr.  Justin Warnes  Guard 6'3"
Jr.  Josh Claytor  Forward 6'6"
Jr.  Jake Mays  Center 6'8"
So.  Ryan Snyder  Guard 6'0"
So.  Scott Purcell  Forward 6'2"
So.  Jimmy Orie  Guard 6'2"
So.  Sam Runner  Forward 6'8"
So.  Doug Thorpe  Guard 5'9"
So.  Jack Counahan  Guard 5'11"
So.  Sam Schopler  Forward 6'3"
Fr.  Evan Pannell  Guard 6'1"  Akron Hoban HS
Fr.  Xavier Brown  Guard 5'11"  Bowling Green HS
Fr.  Kenny DeBoer  Forward 6'5"  Westerville North HS
Fr.  Dylan Roe  Guard 6'1"  Traverse City HS (MI)
Fr.  Kendal Sherrod  Forward 6'4"  Columbus Bishop Hartley HS
Fr.  T.J. Bretz  Forward 6'5"  West Carrollton HS
Fr.  Jon West  Forward 6'4"  Quaker Valley HS (PA)
Fr.  Zach Baker  Guard 6'1"  Milford HS
Fr.  Jalen Goodwin  Guard 6'0"  Lakota East HS
Fr.  Amadou Bah  Forward 6'6"  McNair HS (GA)

A few thoughts...interesting that Gideon Mabeny is back on the team as a Senior.  With 12 players returning who got some minutes last year, it will be difficult for any of the 10 freshmen to earn varsity playing time.

Of the freshmen, the best on paper look to be Evan Pannell, Xavier Brown and Dylan Roe if their scoring average is important.  As Wooster fans know, Coach Moore also emphasizes strong defense and it is not clear yet which freshmen will best meet that requirement.

Justin Hallowell will need to be Wooster's clutch scorer this year and hopefully some of the sophomores (Ryan Snyder?) will contribute more points.  Justin Warnes will continue to be the defensive stopper - still amazed at the job he did on Michael Taylor of Whitworth who was the D3 Player of the Year.   Sam Runner may be the 2nd big man off the bench this season getting some of the minutes available now with Wickliffe's graduation.  John Thompson is no longer on the roster even though he was on the recent Ireland trip but I don't have an explanation.

Likely Starters:  Justin Hallowell, Josh Claytor, Mike Evans, Matt Fegan, Justin Warnes

The roster also lists a new assistant coach:  Bryan Wickliffe (replacing Vandervaart who is not listed)

[fantastic50]

Tim Vandervaart is now a graduate assistant men's soccer coach at Walsh University.

[woosterbooster]

Here are the 24 players on the Wooster preseason roster:

Sr.  Mike Evans  Forward 6'4"
Sr.  Matt Fegan  Guard 6'1"
Sr.  Justin Hallowell  Forward 6'7"
Sr.  Gideon Mabeny  Center 7'0"
Sr.  Justin Warnes  Guard 6'3"
Jr.  Josh Claytor  Forward 6'6"
Jr.  Jake Mays  Center 6'8"
So.  Ryan Snyder  Guard 6'0"
So.  Scott Purcell  Forward 6'2"
So.  Jimmy Orie  Guard 6'2"
So.  Sam Runner  Forward 6'8"
So.  Doug Thorpe  Guard 5'9"
So.  Jack Counahan  Guard 5'11"
So.  Sam Schopler  Forward 6'3"
Fr.  Evan Pannell  Guard 6'1"  Akron Hoban HS
Fr.  Xavier Brown  Guard 5'11"  Bowling Green HS
Fr.  Kenny DeBoer  Forward 6'5"  Westerville North HS
Fr.  Dylan Roe  Guard 6'1"  Traverse City HS (MI)
Fr.  Kendal Sherrod  Forward 6'4"  Columbus Bishop Hartley HS
Fr.  T.J. Bretz  Forward 6'5"  West Carrollton HS
Fr.  Jon West  Forward 6'4"  Quaker Valley HS (PA)
Fr.  Zach Baker  Guard 6'1"  Milford HS
Fr.  Jalen Goodwin  Guard 6'0"  Lakota East HS
Fr.  Amadou Bah  Forward 6'6"  McNair HS (GA)

A few thoughts...interesting that Gideon Mabeny is back on the team as a Senior.  With 12 players returning who got some minutes last year, it will be difficult for any of the 10 freshmen to earn varsity playing time.

Of the freshmen, the best on paper look to be Evan Pannell, Xavier Brown and Dylan Roe if their scoring average is important.  As Wooster fans know, Coach Moore also emphasizes strong defense and it is not clear yet which freshmen will best meet that requirement.

Justin Hallowell will need to be Wooster's clutch scorer this year and hopefully some of the sophomores (Ryan Snyder?) will contribute more points.  Justin Warnes will continue to be the defensive stopper - still amazed at the job he did on Michael Taylor of Whitworth who was the D3 Player of the Year.   Sam Runner may be the 2nd big man off the bench this season getting some of the minutes available now with Wickliffe's graduation.  John Thompson is no longer on the roster even though he was on the recent Ireland trip but I don't have an explanation.

Likely Starters:  Justin Hallowell, Josh Claytor, Mike Evans, Matt Fegan, Justin Warnes

The roster also lists a new assistant coach:  Bryan Wickliffe (replacing Vandervaart who is not listed)

That's amazing, and cool, that Mabeny is back on the team this season.  It begs the question as to why he chose not to play last year?

I'm not so sure I see Evans or Warnes as starters.  Evans has had much opportunity to improve since his freshman year and I've not seen it.  He offers little except a nice outside shooting touch; he's been a mediocre rebounder and poor defender.  He's not, either, someone that can help with the ballhandling chores under pressure.  Jake Mays may get this spot, making the Scots a little tougher inside.  Or, possibly, Scott Purcell.

Warnes made tremendous strides last season, becoming a premier defensive stopper.  He now understands the system, and even showed flashes of skill on offense.  But with he and Fegan on the court at the same time, you have no penetrators and a duo that isn't that strong against the full court press.  While I think Warnes should, and will, get more minutes this year, I think a lot of those will be at the three spot.  Heck, maybe he should start there, now that I think about it.

Thorpe, Fegan, Warnes, Claytor, Hallowell.  Thorpe more on the point than Fegan, where he can drive and dish.  Fegan as more of a spot-up shooter.  Mays, Snyder, and maybe Purcell off the bench.  Plus, of course, any freshmen that are ready to make the jump.  And, Mabeny still intrigues me, especially in a zone defense.

[ScotsFan]

Here are the 24 players on the Wooster preseason roster:

Sr.  Mike Evans  Forward 6'4"
Sr.  Matt Fegan  Guard 6'1"
Sr.  Justin Hallowell  Forward 6'7"
Sr.  Gideon Mabeny  Center 7'0"
Sr.  Justin Warnes  Guard 6'3"
Jr.  Josh Claytor  Forward 6'6"
Jr.  Jake Mays  Center 6'8"
So.  Ryan Snyder  Guard 6'0"
So.  Scott Purcell  Forward 6'2"
So.  Jimmy Orie  Guard 6'2"
So.  Sam Runner  Forward 6'8"
So.  Doug Thorpe  Guard 5'9"
So.  Jack Counahan  Guard 5'11"
So.  Sam Schopler  Forward 6'3"
Fr.  Evan Pannell  Guard 6'1"  Akron Hoban HS
Fr.  Xavier Brown  Guard 5'11"  Bowling Green HS
Fr.  Kenny DeBoer  Forward 6'5"  Westerville North HS
Fr.  Dylan Roe  Guard 6'1"  Traverse City HS (MI)
Fr.  Kendal Sherrod  Forward 6'4"  Columbus Bishop Hartley HS
Fr.  T.J. Bretz  Forward 6'5"  West Carrollton HS
Fr.  Jon West  Forward 6'4"  Quaker Valley HS (PA)
Fr.  Zach Baker  Guard 6'1"  Milford HS
Fr.  Jalen Goodwin  Guard 6'0"  Lakota East HS
Fr.  Amadou Bah  Forward 6'6"  McNair HS (GA)

A few thoughts...interesting that Gideon Mabeny is back on the team as a Senior.  With 12 players returning who got some minutes last year, it will be difficult for any of the 10 freshmen to earn varsity playing time.

Of the freshmen, the best on paper look to be Evan Pannell, Xavier Brown and Dylan Roe if their scoring average is important.  As Wooster fans know, Coach Moore also emphasizes strong defense and it is not clear yet which freshmen will best meet that requirement.

Justin Hallowell will need to be Wooster's clutch scorer this year and hopefully some of the sophomores (Ryan Snyder?) will contribute more points.  Justin Warnes will continue to be the defensive stopper - still amazed at the job he did on Michael Taylor of Whitworth who was the D3 Player of the Year.   Sam Runner may be the 2nd big man off the bench this season getting some of the minutes available now with Wickliffe's graduation.  John Thompson is no longer on the roster even though he was on the recent Ireland trip but I don't have an explanation.

Likely Starters:  Justin Hallowell, Josh Claytor, Mike Evans, Matt Fegan, Justin Warnes

The roster also lists a new assistant coach:  Bryan Wickliffe (replacing Vandervaart who is not listed)

Thanks for the roster wsf.  I agree with you and WooBoo that it's nice to see Mabeny's name back on the roster.  I'm also curious as to why he chose not to play last season.

I also agree with you about Hallowell needing to be that clutch scorer.  He is Wooster's top returning point scorer by a wide margin as he averaged nearly 12 ppg and Matt Fegan was the next closest returning player at nearly 6 ppg.  So, IMO, Wooster is going to have to have a lot of newbies step up into scoring roles.  I'd like to see Matt Fegan get his shooting touch as well.  He's capable of averaging double figures if he can regain his shooting touch he displayed over his first 2 years at Wooster.  It will be interesting to see how some of last year's highly touted recruits step up as they are asked to contribute more as well. 

As for the preseason predictions, Wooster lost a TON of offensive production from last year's team.  They have to find a way to replace the 40 ppg from the 3 senior starters off of last year's team.  And those being asked to fill the void are all relatively unproven for the most part.  Due to this, I can't pick them as the preseason favorite.  I'd have to give the nod to either Witt or OWU at this point.  Furthermore, I know nothing about DePauw at the moment and I have to question how Wabash will fair without Wes, if I didn't drop 20+ on you it's because I was ill, Smith. 

Should be a fun year with what I would consider a wide open race at this point.  Can't wait for the hoops season to start!