MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[woosterbooster]

Sigma One, I think that we're actually pretty much on the same page.  Because I'm a Wooster fan, they are more often than not my example.  But I don't for a minute think that they're the only not-too-physical-but-very-skilled team that often gets the short end against the mugging teams.  There are quite a few Wooster-like teams out there that certainly suffer the same fate.

I just don't like the overly-physical play that some teams use as their motus-operandi.  John Carroll is a classic example.  They put the officials into a situation where they can't win.  It's either call all the fouls against John Carroll and have it appear to the casual fan that they're biased against them, or allow them to get away with it and have the game turn into a brawl.  Too many officials, in my opinion, choose the latter.  I think if they'd just stand up to these teams, for a matter of weeks, that they'd be forced to adjust their style of play.

This isn't just a DIII men's thing.  I watch a lot of DI women's basketball and have heard, time and again, the announcers and coaches rail against the overly physical play.  It's a detriment to the game when the skilled ballhandler or shooter can't exhibit his or her skills or help their team because they're constantly being held, hacked, or shoved.

[sigma one]

Wooster Booster:  we agree on the overly-physical play.  The officials have supervisors.  They are examined, graded on their performance.  Coaches have the chance to express opinions to the supervisors.  It must be that those supervisors have decided that the officials are doing at least a passable job; otherwise, they would not continue to work games in that league. 
     One could speculate that there are so few officials that leagues and supervisors are in a bind.  I don't know if this is so.  If it is true that "officially" supervisors and conferences ignore overly-physical play, then by definition it is not by today's standards overly-physical whatever you and I think.  You can tell I go back quite a ways.  The way I learned the game, played the game, understood (understand) the game is outdated I suppose.  I still have difficulty reconciling myself to the way players dribble (that's got to be palming), arrange their feet (that's got to be travelling), and are overcoached to the point that much of the creativity of the game I knew is lessened.   
    Either as a coaching strategy or as a flashpoint response to another team, physical play has been around forever. Bullies exist.  More physical teams sometimes win with their style of play. More skilled teams sometimes suffer while still winning.
     I love the game and its variety:  matchups make strange bedfellows. 

[smedindy]

There have been complaints about physical play since the game began. It's nothing new. The truth is that basketball has always had its physical teams and its finesse teams. Heck, they used to have fisticuffs in games without repercussions except fouls.

[sac]

Michigan's Law school put together a nice piece about OWU's Branch Rickey, worth your time.  Video starts about 1:15 in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSwM-rqv11s&feature=player_embedded#

[WAlum]

Fannelly is going to Wooster.

http://www.ohio.com/news/green-s-dan-fanelly-set-to-play-basketball-for-college-of-wooster-1.393625

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Ohio Wesleyan will be taking part in the 2nd Annual Hoopsville National Invitational Classic: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2013/06/hoopsville-classic-features-three-elite-eight-teams

[wooscotsfan]

Wooster's 2013-2014 schedule can be found here: http://www.woosterathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/schedule

There are only 7 non-conference games listed currently so it will be interesting to see if any get added before the schedule gets formally posted up on the website.

Al Van Wie Rotary Classic features Baldwin Wallace as the opening game and then either Spalding or Wheaton (IL) on the second night.  I would love to see the Scots play Wheaton which is traditionally one of the best CCIW teams.

Wooster has a tough road game at Marietta on 11/27 followed by their road trip to OWU on 12/4.

The Scots are making a trip to Phoenix, Arizona to play Westmont (CA), strong NAIA team, and Arizona Christian on 12/16-17.

The Wooster Mose Hole Classic is prescheduled with the Scots playing Thiel on 12/29 and Hanover (IN) on 12/30.  So, on paper this looks like a challenging non-conference schedule with B-W, Wheaton, Marietta, Westmont and Hanover as the top opponents. 

GO SCOTS!

[kenyonfan]

As I understand it, the NCAC has switched to a full round robin for basketball -- so 18 games, which only leaves 7 non-conference games.

[fantastic50]

As I understand it, the NCAC has switched to a full round robin for basketball -- so 18 games, which only leaves 7 non-conference games.

Yes, men's basketball will join women's basketball and field hockey as the only NCAC sports which currently play a double-round-robin schedule.  I'm not sure about the limit on regular-season games (or on whether exhibitions against D-I or Canadian teams and/or the  first-round conference tournament game count against that number).

[smedindy]

As I understand it, the NCAC has switched to a full round robin for basketball -- so 18 games, which only leaves 7 non-conference games.

Yes, men's basketball will join women's basketball and field hockey as the only NCAC sports which currently play a double-round-robin schedule.  I'm not sure about the limit on regular-season games (or on whether exhibitions against D-I or Canadian teams and/or the  first-round conference tournament game count against that number).

Don't worry, the NCAA will rule on it about...March or so! 

[smedindy]

Indiana Dabney? Oh, my...

[hopefan]

Indiana Dabney? Oh, my...

Seems like a great place to go if you're over 21, work full time, want evening classes, and want a degree in nursing or business....   AND want to play hoops!!!!

[woosterbooster]

It's really disappointing, on several levels, to see that Wooster is travelling to Phoenix to play two NAIA Christian schools.

[Pat Coleman]

It's really disappointing, on several levels, to see that Wooster is travelling to Phoenix to play two NAIA Christian schools.

Agreed. Out of character for Wooster, too.

[woosterbooster]

Pat, as this is probably the first time you've ever agreed with me, I gave you a karma point.  Welcome to the dark side.

Seriously, the rules are still the same, right?  These games are completely wasted as far as tournament credentials, aren't they?