MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[D3 Poster]

JCU will be inteteresting to see what they have next year...losing all ? the transfer ins after this year?  Time to restock.

[w00lax]

Wooster up to #8 in D3 Poll and #9 in the Massey rankings with a game vs DePauw today and then a trip to Hawaii later in the week. Who in the NCAC do we see competing with Wooster for the AQ? Denison and Wabash?

[deiscanton]

My thoughts on Wooster win vs DII Hawaii Pacific--

1.)  I got to see the D3DataCast episode this morning.   I know Wooster counted this win and the game stats as an official win in their overall record and counted the game stats vs Hawaii Pacific as part of their official season stats, so it was fair to ask how this win would be treated on NPI if Hawaii Pacific were a D3 opponent and not a D2 opponent.

If Hawaii Pacific were in DIII, they would not be in the top 25. The Sharks would probably not be receiving votes, either.   However, the NPI of Hawaii Pacific would probably be over 53, so Wooster would get quality bonus win points for the win in the NPI, in my opinion.

However, since Hawaii Pacific is not a D3 opponent, Wooster does not get a boost in NPI for the win.

2.)  The game was overpriced at $26.99 a month for streaming video for all the games in the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.  Pass the Ball Live would have done D3 fans a better service by allowing FloSports to stream the game-- then, it would have been part of the FloCollege $19.95/month streaming package deal, and it may have made sense to bite the bullet for a month to watch the game.

3.)  For a fair streaming fee for this game, you have to know that Hawaii Pacific charges $10 for an in-person game ticket for each home basketball game.

For this game, the streaming price should have been no more than $4.99, 50% of the in person price to watch a Hawaii Pacific home game.   I would have paid that price to watch the Wooster vs Hawaii Pacific game, not the $26.99 that Pass the Ball Live was asking for. 

4.)  For Hawaii Pacific, it is a good opportunity to play another college basketball opponent from another area of the country, no matter what the division.   Hawaii Pacific is in the West Region of D2, and did not make the D2 tournament last year, nor are the Sharks ranked in the D2 Top 25 currently.   

The Sharks are restricted by NCAA D2 rules to play primarily West Region opponents in their regular season schedule.   They would not get a chance to play a D2 team from the Midwest unless they won both the PacWest title and made it to the Elite Eight by winning the D2 West Region Championship.

PS-- Hawaii Pacific would probably struggle against Quad 4 DI teams as well.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

JCU will be inteteresting to see what they have next year...losing all ? the transfer ins after this year?  Time to restock.

I have concerns. This coaching staff had a great first season with the talent brought in and developed by the former coach. They then struggled mightily for several years and showed no ability to identify, attract and retain top-notch high school talent. Two years ago, the HC's nephew transferred from a D1 school and several other D1 and D2 transfers joined him for what has been a very very good three-year run. Those guys, for the most part, are gone after this season. I question the ability to reload at any level.

[Dr. Acula]

I only learned about the uncle/nephew relationship this season.  I somehow was oblivious and missed that before.
 Previously I had thought maybe hitting the transfer portal hard was going to be Moran's MO but it sounds like that may have been a perfect storm as opposed to a long-term strategy.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yeah, there were a couple of interviews about it the last year or two.  I believe all or all but one of the transfers came to JCU, rather than being recruited, although I think most of them were recruited out of HS and went elsewhere.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

There is nothing wrong, especially at the division three level, in reminding student athletes who take a division one or division two scholarship, that they always have a place in your program if they want to return home. In fact, I think it is an excellent strategy at a school in a metropolitan area like John Carol. However, your life blood will still be recruiting high quality high school athletes right out of high school. He has failed to show an ability to do that.

[Dr. Acula]

For sure.  Mount benefitted from that when Gurley transferred to YSU then transferred back.  A coach would be foolish to not make sure good players know the door is always open.

Is the HS recruiting issue lack of landing high quality players or lack of developing kids once they're on campus?

[Onward on, John Carroll]

For sure.  Mount benefitted from that when Gurley transferred to YSU then transferred back.  A coach would be foolish to not make sure good players know the door is always open.

Is the HS recruiting issue lack of landing high quality players or lack of developing kids once they're on campus?

I'm not smart enough to know the answer to that question. While development is important, I think the raw talent is necessary to allow for any development to manifest itself in wins and quality teams. I just feel like other than the nephew and his buddies, the talent is less than what it was during the previous regime. But I could be wrong and I could be just grumpy!! Six wins in a row have been nice - admittedly.

[Little Giant 89]

Tom Bambrey would have been pleased.

https://sports.wabash.edu/news/2025/1/29/basketball-three-point-barrage-leads-wabash-to-season-sweep-of-depauw.aspx

[Little Giant 89]

Denison versus Wabash at Chadwick Court tonight for the number one spot in the North Coast!

Wabash Always Fights!

[Little Giant 89]

Final
Denison 53 Wabash 51