MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bishopsfan]

Wow looks like a great game saturday night!!! That is one game that I have never seen and desperately want to be in attendence for sometime.  I really wanted to give my two cents on the Denison situation.  I have seen Denison this year and have one big obersvation.  One, as a team Denison is extremely unathletic.  Ghiloni is probably trying to combat his team's overall lack of athleticism by running a different offense.  The game has changed.  A team that does not have any great athlete can not win.  Look at Otterbein in the OAC this year.  They run an old style offense but do not have the athletes that are needed to be successfull this year.    In order for Denison to get to where all the Denison fans would like to be they might want to recruit a higher caliber of athlete. 

[oldtigerfan]

Just to set the record strait, Bill Brown recruited James Cooper very strongly.  As the Springfield News-Sun noted on Sunday, Wittenberg's academic administrators determined that James did not meet Wittenberg's academic standards.  Apparently, Wooster's academic adminstrators felt that he met their standards.  In any event, the issue was not Bill Brown's interest in James or effort to get James to Wittenberg.

[blindwatchmaker]

Here's that Article from the Springfield Paper

Cooper sinks Witt


WOOSTER — Two years ago, South High School graduate James Cooper literally pleaded with Wittenberg officials to let him attend the university and play basketball for the Tigers, but was ultimately denied because, according to administrators, he failed to meet admission standards.
As fate would have it, Cooper was then accepted at the College of Wooster and now starts for the Scots.
Saturday night at Timken Gym in front of 3,319, Cooper got his revenge, denying the No. 3 Tigers' their seven-straight win and a seat atop the North Coast Athletic Conference by sinking a 28-foot 3-pointer with 4 seconds left to give No. 2 Wooster an 86-83 victory.
"Oh yeah, it's the biggest shot of my career," said Cooper, who prolonged the Scots' season-long winning streak, which now stands at eight, including a 4-0 mark in the NCAC. "It makes it a whole lot bigger (because it came against Wittenberg). I can't even explain it to you."
After Witt's senior post Dan Russ tied the game at 83-83 with 22.4 left, Wooster coach Steve Moore decided not to call a timeout, but held one finger while Cooper had the ball.
"He has the authority to do whatever he wants to," Moore said. "Yeah, that is a lot of responsibility to give a sophomore, but we have total confidence in what James can do with the ball."
Cooper waived off a pick and looked as if he was going to penetrate, but pulled up from 28-feet and flushed it. Wittenberg coach Bill Brown looked toward the ceiling, not believing the odds of Cooper hitting the shot.
"You wouldn't expect to shoot that shot with the score tied and you only need two and both teams are in the double bonus," Brown said. "Conventional thinking would be to drive it for a foul, or challenge the officials for a foul. It was only a good shot because it went in."
The Tigers (6-1, 1-1 NCAC) had a chance to tie when the inbounds pass from senior wing Kenny Brady found freshman Gregg Hill, whose shot hit off the backboard and off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
As the students rushed the floor to hoist Cooper on their shoulders, Moore stood near the scorers' table, stunned at what just happened.
"When you have James one on one, it's hard to stop him," Moore said. "I would have liked to see the shot a little closer, but he made it, so it doesn't matter."
Prior to the shot, Wooster's biggest moment of the game was clawing back from a 20-6 first-half deficit to trail 41-40 at halftime against a Tigers team that was allowing an average of 53.5 points in their previous six games.
"That was huge for us, but we had too many turnovers," Moore said. "I would say six of our seven (total) turnovers came there in the first five minutes of the game."
Meanwhile, Witt was not hiding its strategy of exposing Wooster's smaller post players and Russ was having a field day, finishing with 33 points and seven rebounds, the second-best scoring output of his career.
The Tigers also wore out the foul line, making 22 of 23 free throws — two off the school record of 24 of 25 set in 1954 against Hiram — and shot 51 percent from the floor.
Wooster was 15 of 21 from the foul line, but the difference last night came at the 3-point line.
Wooster made 11 of 27 (40.7 percent), while Wittenberg attempted 11, making three (27.3 percent). Brown said he knew the Scots, who have now attempted 195 threes on the season, were going to shoot from outside and thought his defense did an OK job of limiting their output.
"We did a good job, well a modest job, of containing their 3-point shooters," Brown said. "They were going to get their opportunities and they did."
Cooper finished with 21 points, trumped by teammate Tom Port's 25 points. Witt senior post Dane Borchers followed Russ with 16 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and Tyler Howard came off the bench to score 10 points.
The Tigers also outrebounded the Scots 37-28, but turned the ball over 15 times and had Brady and Borchers in foul trouble for most of the game.
"The place that really affected us was taking Dane out of the game," Brown said. "It really impacted us a lot. He had 16 points, so not to have them out there when we wanted to was big.
"We had our chances to win it. I don't put it down just to this, but there were two loose balls in the last two minutes that we did not come up with."
Reach Lucas Sullivan at
lsullivan@coxohio.com
WITTENBERG (83) — Denbow 1-2 0-0 2, Brady 3-9 3-4 9, Borchers 4-5 8-8 16, Russ 13-24 7-7 33, Hill 2-5 0-0 4, Bowen 1-2 2-2 5, Howard 3-4 2-2 10, Hemenway 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 29-56 22-23 83.
WOOSTER (86) — Witucky 1-6 0-2 3, Cooper 9-18 1-2 21, Van Horn 1-3 5-5 8, Port 7-15 6-6 25, Vandervaart 4-6 2-2 10, Johnson 4-7 1-2 9, Fulk 2-5 2-4 6, Will 2-4 0-2 4. Totals: 30-64 15-21 86.
Halftime: Witt 41-40. 3-pointers: Witt 3 (Bowen 1, Howard 2); Woo 11 (Witucky 1, Van Horn 1, Cooper 2, Port 5, Fulk 2). Rebounds: Witt 37 (Borchers 11); Woo 28 (Vandervaart, Will 5). Assists: Witt 10 (Denbow, Steffes, Hill 2); Woo 16 (Vandervaart 5). Turnovers: Witt 15, Woo 7. Shooting: Witt 51.8, Woo 46.9. Attendance: 3,319.

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[ScotsFan]

Just to set the record strait, Bill Brown recruited James Cooper very strongly. As the Springfield News-Sun noted on Sunday, Wittenberg's academic administrators determined that James did not meet Wittenberg's academic standards. Apparently, Wooster's academic adminstrators felt that he met their standards. In any event, the issue was not Bill Brown's interest in James or effort to get James to Wittenberg.

OK so the record is straight.  Even though it sounds as if Witt was Cooper's #1 choice, wouldn't that make his desire to beat Witt all the more intense?  From the sounds of it, Witt's administrators slighted Cooper and Wooster gave him a chance.  That sounds like some pretty strong motivation for James to prove himself on and off the court to stick it right back at Witt.

And as for that quote of Bill Brown being taken out of context? 

The complete quote is as follows, as reported in the News-Sun:

"You wouldn't expect  to shoot that shot with the score tied and you only need two and both teams are in the double bonus," Brown said. "Conventionally thinking would be to drive it for a foul, or challenge the officials for a foul. It was only a good shot because it went in".

With the way the officials were calling that game, I wouldn't want to count on them calling anything if in fact Cooper would have tried to drive and draw a foul call.  Not to mention Russ and Borchers were just waiting for Cooper to come in so they could reject the shot, which they had already done on more than one occasion in that game.  Also, as was noted earlier, I don't feel it was that bad of a shot because the score was tied.  Had it not gone in, the game was going to OT.  If Wooster were trailing by one or two points, then maybe I wouldn't have been so high on the shot selection.  But that wasn't the case.  Bottom line is that Bowen was giving Cooper the shot, as evidenced by the picture, and Cooper took it, bad shot or not.

[DenisonFan]

I just want to add my two cents to what everyone else has said about the Big Red.

I was at the Bluffton game and the Denison players look like they don't even want to be there.  There is no enthusiasm,  I have seen more smiles at a funeral.  What happened to this team??  Who cut our their heart??  From where I sat there is no pulse on this team.

They loose one starter from last year and they look like they have never played the game.

What kind of offense is Ghiloni trying to run??  He has guys running into each other.  They have 17 turnovers in the first half.  They play like deer in your headlights.  They are totally clueless.  It was hard to watch.

What is Hodgkinson doing on the top of the key???  And now they don't start Hern.  Can someone please explain the logic behind that move.

Then he plays EVERYONE.  He has guys on the floor at the same time that CAN NOT SCORE!!  I am very confused.  Is this gym class 101?

I was very excited for this season given the fine finish they had last year but they played the same Bluffton team they lost to by 4 points last year and this year they get blown out. 

I don't profess to know how to coach a team but I sure as heck would not have Hodgkinson on the perimeter shooting threes.  Get him under the basket and give him the ball. 

Teams don't have to worry about the Big Red.  They arel already defeated.

Wabash by 40!!  That is not meant as a joke.  That is fact.

[woosterbooster]

I only saw the shot once, live, but I don't believe it was a 28-footer.  I'd guess it was more like 24 or 25.  And, he was basically wide open, the defender having backed off to guard against a penetration attempt.  The old chastity belt defense.

I'd bet that Cooper (or any very good outside shooter) would make that shot no worse than 1 in 3, and probably closer to 40 or 45 per cent of the time, given the open look that he had.  I'll take that any time under the tie game circumstance for the following reasons:

1. On a miss, there was enough time left for a possible offensive followup, aided by the increased chance of a long rebound due to the long shot.

2. Also on a miss, Wittenberg would have had to clear a very clean rebound, very quickly, to even throw up a bad shot for the win.

3. With the make, Wittenberg could only hope for a tie, unless a Wooster player had been silly enough to foul a three-point attempt.

Plus, going to the hoop in the final seconds is a very risky procedure.  Most referees seem to shrink from the idea of calling even legitimate fouls at that point, adhering to the ridiculous adages of "let them play" or "let the players determine the outcome".  The rules of the game should not change due to the amount of time on the clock, but in my experience they all too often do.  Probably better to take the open shot if it's offered to you.

[David Collinge]

Here's that Article from the Springfield Paper

Cooper sinks Witt


WOOSTER — Two years ago, South High School graduate James Cooper literally pleaded with Wittenberg officials to let him attend the university and play basketball for the Tigers, but was ultimately denied because, according to administrators, he failed to meet admission standards.
As fate would have it, Cooper was then accepted at the College of Wooster and now starts for the Scots.
Saturday night at Timken Gym in front of 3,319, Cooper got his revenge, denying the No. 3 Tigers' their seven-straight win and a seat atop the North Coast Athletic Conference by sinking a 28-foot 3-pointer with 4 seconds left to give No. 2 Wooster an 86-83 victory.

First, I think that first sentence stinks.  Whether James Cooper's application met Wittenberg's lofty admissions standards  is irrelevant to the analysis of the game.  It's just a cheap way to play the academic card, and it's bush league.

Second, now the shot is 28 feet?  It just keeps getting longer and longer.  Maybe Greg Sager's comment --

DC, the unexpected is not necessarily the good. After all, he could've shot it from midcourt, too. That would've been unexpected.

-- will turn out to be right after all. 

[woosterbooster]

First, I think that first sentence stinks.  Whether James Cooper's application met Wittenberg's lofty admissions standards   is irrelevant to the analysis of the game.  It's just a cheap way to play the academic card, and it's bush league.

Agreed, 100%.  I was going to comment on that in my last post, but forgot.

[hoopsfan1111]

WOOSTER — Two years ago, South High School graduate James Cooper literally pleaded with Wittenberg officials to let him attend the university and play basketball for the Tigers, but was ultimately denied because, according to administrators, he failed to meet admission standards.

"Literally pleaded with"...according to who??? Bill Brown?? It sure does look better for Coach Brown if he lost such a great person and basketball player like Coop to Wooster because of "academics/admissions" rather than any fault on his part.  Maybe Cooper did actually WANT to attend Wooster. I am not really sure what this has to do with this Wooster/Witt game anyway, and in my personal opinion it was in poor taste for the paper to print it.  The issue is that Witt didn't get Cooper, too bad for them Lucky for Woo    The reasons why are not important, especially when it might come down to something personal like grades, etc.

[blindwatchmaker]

Wonder if the Daily record caught wind of Springfield article as they have a recruiting blurb on Brandon Johnson that states:

"A graduate from Groveport Madison High in the Columbus area, Johnson was heavily recruited by both the Scots and Tigers.  He not only burned Wittenberg on Saturday night, but during the recruiting process as well. 'Wooster has more genuine people' he said.  'There's a great tradition here. I just like it better'."

Daily Record- page C4, 12-12-2005

[blindwatchmaker]

I know its early in the season but I wonder what Wooster's SOSI would be compared to some of the other top 10 teams.  The likes of Oberlin and Westminster, along with potential future games with Suny Maritime and W&J won't help.  The Stout game along with Witt, and future games against BW and College of NJ will... any thoughts?

[smedindy]

I never, ever, would have thought Witt would play the academic card over Wooster or anyone else in the NCAC!

(I think it's ludicrious to play the academic card amongst the NCAC itself - it's not like the schools admit anything with a pulse and a jump shot.)

[sac]

(I think it's ludicrious to play the academic card amongst the NCAC itself - it's not like the schools admit anything with a pulse and a jump shot.)

Certainly not at Oberlin! 

[woolax]

   "Bill Brown recruited James Cooper very strongly.  As the Springfield News-Sun noted on Sunday, Wittenberg's academic administrators determined that James did not meet Wittenberg's academic standards. " Bill Brown's comment sounds like sour grapes and was bush league as others have pointed out.
   In the US News rankings of America's Best Colleges The College of Wooster comes in at #68 in the First Tier behind Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, and Wabash in the NCAC. Wittenberg isn't ranked. They do not  recieve a ranking until the Third Tier.

[waterboy]

I disappear for a day and look at all the fun I miss.

Nice article by the Springfield paper.  Is there seriously a paper that reports the facts?  What a joke!  What are the chances that reporter has any idea what he's talking about in reference to Coop "pleading" to be let into Witt?  And I thought the Daily Record was bad.

Sorry, DC, but the picture of Coop's trey was not courtesy of Matt Dilyard either, just to let you know.

I think it was actually a good shot and it caught everyone by surprise, which was a good thing.  Witt's defense had no time to react, because everyone in the gym thought he was going to drive it.  BTW, I'm sure all the Wooster fans can vouch that Coop has pulled up before from deep when he had a one-on-one opportunity and nailed the shot.  He did it against Wis.-Stout shortly before the first half ended I believe.

One last thing, the NCAC Player of the Week came out, and lo and behold, neither Woo nor Witt gets the nod.  Hiram's T.C. Spencer gets it for 33 points on 14-of-19 shooting from the floor in a loss to Bluffton and a win over Oberlin.  Huh?

Russ goes for 44 points on 18-of-32 shooting in a win over Cedarville and a loss to Woo and he doesn't get it?

Coop connects on the game-winner against Witt and hits for 36 points on 15-of-28 shooting in the Scots two wins and he doesn't get it?

And finally, Matt Majzlik paces Allegheny with 46 points on 22-of-39 shooting and 20 boards in a win over Westminster and a loss to OWU and he doesn't get it?

I'm all about sharing and the like, but what's the point in having an award when the most deserving people don't have a shot at receving it?