MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[woosterbooster]

Outside of the Wooster area, Steve Moore's method of game preparation is little known.  Within the inner circle of his program, however, the coach's M.O. is legendary.  Moore, over the years, has adopted the Zen-like philosophy of St. John's football coach, John Gagliardi.  Gagliardi's teams, famously, avoid hitting in practice and rarely even wear pads.  Steve Moore has not only transposed this premise to his sport, but expanded on it.

Pregame work this week has developed, as always, in stages.  On Monday mornings, the staff begins the day by removing all the hoops in the gym.  The results of all shot attempts are then determined by the honor system.  If the shooter truly feels that he had a good look, was on-balance, and had a good release, points are recorded.  Tuesdays take it a step further; the backboards are now also among the missing.

Practices on Wednesdays are a throwback to the old "Shadowball" days of Negro League baseball.  The spheres themselves are locked away; all drills and competition are done using only imaginary Wilsons.  The focus of the players is now extraordinary; as is their integrity.  No officials are necessary; players call their own fouls.

On Thursdays before game day, all of the windows in Timken are covered with black shades.  The lights are off, and stay off.  In the pitch black room, the players sit around the center circle.  A single clap of the hands by Doug Cline indicates that the ball has been tossed to open the game.  Experienced observers, watching the synchronous expressions on the faces of the players, can follow the movement of the mystical ball through their collective minds.  In this exercise, only a single opponent has yet to score; an inadvertent sneeze by Justin Warnes allowed Wittenberg's Chris Sullivan to bury a lucky three.

Printed with permission of the COW basketball program. 

[Pat Coleman]

Had me going there for a bit...

[scottiedoug]

Nice try!

[smedindy]

Let me just say good luck to all NCAC entrants into the tournament. May you live on past this weekend!

(Even Wittenberg, though if it was DePauw I would have to reconsider my abject loyalty to the NCAC. Perhaps I'd just say "don't embarrass us when you lose" to DPU!  )

[ScotsFan]

Outside of the Wooster area, Steve Moore's method of game preparation is little known.  Within the inner circle of his program, however, the coach's M.O. is legendary.  Moore, over the years, has adopted the Zen-like philosophy of St. John's football coach, John Gagliardi.  Gagliardi's teams, famously, avoid hitting in practice and rarely even wear pads.  Steve Moore has not only transposed this premise to his sport, but expanded on it.

Pregame work this week has developed, as always, in stages.  On Monday mornings, the staff begins the day by removing all the hoops in the gym.  The results of all shot attempts are then determined by the honor system.  If the shooter truly feels that he had a good look, was on-balance, and had a good release, points are recorded.  Tuesdays take it a step further; the backboards are now also among the missing.

Practices on Wednesdays are a throwback to the old "Shadowball" days of Negro League baseball.  The spheres themselves are locked away; all drills and competition are done using only imaginary Wilsons.  The focus of the players is now extraordinary; as is their integrity.  No officials are necessary; players call their own fouls.

On Thursdays before game day, all of the windows in Timken are covered with black shades.  The lights are off, and stay off.  In the pitch black room, the players sit around the center circle.  A single clap of the hands by Doug Cline indicates that the ball has been tossed to open the game.  Experienced observers, watching the synchronous expressions on the faces of the players, can follow the movement of the mystical ball through their collective minds.  In this exercise, only a single opponent has yet to score; an inadvertent sneeze by Justin Warnes allowed Wittenberg's Chris Sullivan to bury a lucky three.

Printed with permission of the COW basketball program.

And here I thought they just played around with a Rubik's Cube during practice to get themselves ready...   

COW Men's Basketball and the Rubik's Cube

[kiltedbryan]

Good luck to all of the NCAC teams tomorrow in the Dance!

I'm rooting for some NCAC wins all over my bracket, which has the three teams collectively picking up 7 wins in the tournament. I'd love to see that start with a 3-0 day tomorrow.   

[ScotsFan]

I will echo those wishing good luck to the NCAC participants in the Dance starting tonight! 

[David Collinge]

Off to Timken in a few. Go (Wooster) Scots! Go Tigers! Go Bishops! and Go (Lady) Tigers! Let's have 4 wins tonight!

[GoRed]

OWU up 33-28 on Hobart at the half.  Up by nine, the Bishops let Hobart come back and tie at 28.  A quick bucket by Winters and Brady's first 3 pter of the day at the buzzer gave them the lead into the intermission.

[kiltedbryan]

If anyone's wondering, apparently the games at Transylvania have been delayed because of weather that moved through the area. Wittenberg-BSC now set to tip at 7:30.

[GoRed]

Final - Hobart 64  OWU 60.

[smedindy]

If anyone's wondering, apparently the games at Transylvania have been delayed because of weather that moved through the area. Wittenberg-BSC now set to tip at 7:30.

That weather was deadly. Lots of carnage in Southern Indiana, Kentucky and other states.

[smedindy]

Nuts. The late season gremlins that plagued OWU reared their head again.

[ScotsFan]

Final - Hobart 64  OWU 60.

So much for my thoughts on a favorable draw for the Bishops...   

[wooscotsfan]

Ohio Wesleyan threw away their game...literally in the last 47 seconds at the end of the game.   I watched the video.

OWU led 60 to 56 with 47 seconds left and they missed the front end of a 1&1 free throw that would have extended their lead.

After Hobart scored on its next possession to make it 60-58, OWU threw away the inbounds pass.  Hobart player was fouled, made first free throw and missed the second.  However, OWU let Hobart claim the rebound and they turned it into 2 more points for a 5 point trip down the floor!  It was Hobart 61-60 and Brady missed his next shot so OWU had to foul.  After Hobart made two free throws, there were 8 seconds left and Andy Winters panicked after crossing half court and threw up a wild shot/pass(?) that went out of bounds  So, OWU never even got off a reasonable three point shot to tie the game and Hobart nailed one more free throw for the final score.

I hate to say it but it was about the worst 47 seconds of basketball that I have seen a team play.