MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

WOW!!  Marietta (preseason #17) whupped preseason #2 CNU by 24, now whups preseason #7 Wooster by 29.  I'd certainly expect them to jump into the top 5; wonder if they will get some #1 votes?

These sort of results are why when I started the Fan Poll, we didn't begin voting until January!  Preseason polls make for fun speculation, but they bear only a fun-house mirror resemblance to reality.  The correlation between the preseason and final d3hoops.com polls is WAY above zero, but not real close to perfection.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

WOW!!  Marietta (preseason #17) whupped preseason #2 CNU by 24, now whups preseason #7 Wooster by 29.  I'd certainly expect them to jump into the top 5; wonder if they will get some #1 votes?

These sort of results are why when I started the Fan Poll, we didn't begin voting until January!  Preseason polls make for fun speculation, but they bear only a fun-house mirror resemblance to reality.  The correlation between the preseason and final d3hoops.com polls is WAY above zero, but not real close to perfection.

I mentioned it in my first ATN column, but I keep being reminded of my interview with CNU's John Krikorian last year.  I talked about how most of his production would be back this season and asked about expectations.  Obviously, as a good coach, he was focused on last year, but he did say, effectively, "You just don't know how chemistry will shake out from one year to the next.  Seniors are leaders, whether they play a lot or not and without them, it's a different team."

We can analyze all we want on paper, but having some real games really helps to judge a team's performance.  I like to prioritize floor results against strong opponents in my voting, so I'm certainly considering Marietta - I already had them #9 anyway.

[woolax]

Wooster looks to rebound from defeat at Marietta vs St John's Fisher, people's thoughts on this match-up?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wooster looks to rebound from defeat at Marietta vs St John's Fisher, people's thoughts on this match-up?

SJF has been subpar this year.  Wooster should win.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Wooster looks to rebound from defeat at Marietta vs St John's Fisher, people's thoughts on this match-up?

SJF has been subpar this year.  Wooster should win.

That isn't how people in the East Region have read SJF this season. Many have liked what they have seen. And considering this game is close in the final minutes, I think those opinions may have something to them.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wooster looks to rebound from defeat at Marietta vs St John's Fisher, people's thoughts on this match-up?

SJF has been subpar this year.  Wooster should win.

That isn't how people in the East Region have read SJF this season. Many have liked what they have seen. And considering this game is close in the final minutes, I think those opinions may have something to them.

I realized later that "subpar" was not the right word.  I meant to say they're probably not yet the kind of team we remember being tough in the tournament in the last decade.  Not that they're a bad team.  I think the result today was about what I expected.

[woolax]

Denison continues mastery over Wooster, wins 65-59 at Timken. Thoughts?

[bufordscot]

Denison continues mastery over Wooster, wins 65-59 at Timken. Thoughts?

Can't speak to the Denison problem but it's clear that the Scots need some inside help. As hard as he tries Fanelly can't carry the post offense all by himself.  On the outside Milt Davis needs to be more assertive.  And where is Mitch Balser?  Haven't heard.  I didn't see the game however my question is; who guarded Speelman?   He scores 25 and Baptiste and Bullock only have 3 fouls between them.  Have to put a body on someone that talented; even at the cost of a few fouls.   

Just my thoughts and nobody has ever given me a penny for them.

[Pops33]

The only two Scots that could make a basket in the second half were Fanelly & Williams.  Fanelly & Williams were 11-18 in the second half, but the rest of the team was 3-18 during that period.  They need someone else to consistently step up and help the team out.

[smedindy]

The young Little Giants came close to the upset, losing to Wooster 66-62.

Wooster may be overrated a tad.

[wally_wabash]

The young Little Giants came close to the upset, losing to Wooster 66-62.

Wooster may be overrated a tad.

I feel like we've been saying "young Little Giants" for maybe one year too many.  I know there are good players there and I know Brum can coach 'em up, but I'm ready for Wabash to have experience and compete for a league championship and a tournament spot.  20 years is a long time to go between tournament games, so the LGs are due. 

Hiram also got Wooster this week, so the Scots have some soul searching to do.  They'll get it figured out and be good before this thing is done, but yeah.  We're not seeing peak Wooster at the moment. 

[smedindy]

The young Little Giants came close to the upset, losing to Wooster 66-62.

Wooster may be overrated a tad.

I feel like we've been saying "young Little Giants" for maybe one year too many.  I know there are good players there and I know Brum can coach 'em up, but I'm ready for Wabash to have experience and compete for a league championship and a tournament spot.  20 years is a long time to go between tournament games, so the LGs are due. 

Hiram also got Wooster this week, so the Scots have some soul searching to do.  They'll get it figured out and be good before this thing is done, but yeah.  We're not seeing peak Wooster at the moment.

Hopefully this group of LG's will stick around and shine in the next two years. I think they have the talent.

[smedindy]

I wish we had regular Denison posters. This has been a pretty solid year for them athletically.

They won the All-Sports trophy last year and had a solid football year and made the NCAA tournament in women's soccer.

Now, their men's hoops teams are undefeated. Their women have a 2-1 record in the NCAC and looks like they played a murderer's row in non-conference (three ranked teams).

[ScotsFan]

I wish we had regular Denison posters. This has been a pretty solid year for them athletically.

They won the All-Sports trophy last year and had a solid football year and made the NCAA tournament in women's soccer.

Now, their men's hoops teams are undefeated. Their women have a 2-1 record in the NCAC and looks like they played a murderer's row in non-conference (three ranked teams).

Is there a shifting in the balance of power in the NCAC?  The Big Red are #16 in the latest D3hoops Top 25 and they are the lone NCAC rep in the poll.

[GoRed]

I wish we had regular Denison posters. This has been a pretty solid year for them athletically.

We have entered into another dimension from which we are unable to communicate.   

Enjoying it, though, and hope we can stay here!