MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[David Collinge]

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

I didn't feel it was right to use the photo without attribution.  I took it from the Wooster website, where the photo was uncredited; but the site's general photography credit was to Matt.  If Matt was not the photographer, and you know who was, I wish you'd post it.  Why keep it a secret?

Another thing from the News-Sun article caught my eye;

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."

This isn't the first place I've seen reference made to Steve's not calling a timeout.  I wasn't keeping track personally, but based on Mike Breckinridge's call of the game on WQKT, I don't believe Wooster had any timeouts left to call.  To me, that makes the final play even more remarkable.  Here's Cooper with the ball, knowing that there will be no timeout to draw up a play, and Steve Moore telling the team to more or less stand back and let Coop do "whatever he wants."  I and others have mentioned that it was a no-lose situation (hit the shot and win or miss it and go OT), but that's not true.  With 20+ seconds left and the game entirely in Cooper's hands, any number of things could have gone wrong.  It seems to me that he kept his head, decided what his best option was (drive the lane), then correctly diagnosed that the defense would not allow that, adjusted, got an open look, and won the game. 

[fighting_scots]

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.)

Couldn't have said it better myself, smedindy--nothing more than Brown trying to justify a loss of both a player and a game with a less than "genuine" comment.  Interestingly, you've never heard Woo, or any other NCAC school for that matter, pull the "academic" card after losing to Witt--

So you're saying James Cooper couldn't get into Witt, and somehow snuck into Wooster.   Maybe it's time to contact certain people in Springfield about this nice piece of property I've got for sale in Florida

As Brandon Johnson told the Wooster paper--"People are more genuine here [at Woo]"--hmm  What would drive him to make a comment like that?  

It brings into focus why players like Brandon Johnson and James Cooper choose Woo over Witt.  And I for one am glad that Witt will see Cooper AT LEAST 5 more times in his career and Johnson 7.


Great game Sat--great rivalry--can't wait until Feb. 4th--

GO SCOTS!!!!

[David Collinge]

FWIW, the News-Sun article does not attribute the he-wasn't-admittable quote to Bill Brown; instead it is unnamed "administrators."  I both hope and believe that Bill Brown would not say something like that to the media.  Despite the rough time he sometimes gets in here, I believe he is a class act. 

[earlhamalum]

If I read much more about Wooster and Wittenberg I think I might consider myself an expert at a game i wasn't even at.      

BillyPilgram-  U alive out there?

Billy just sent in our tickets to the Depauw game on Dec 21st at Conseco looks like we will be rolling 7 deep.  I highly suggest anyone near by to make the trip to indy.

Second of all... what are you're out takes on Earlham Season so far... Seems to be a little rocky, but stable. 

Nice to see the starting backcourt for Earlham... Tyler Stewart and LeRon Henry  23 out of 37 from 3-POINT LAND.  That is an outstanding 62% from beyond the arc. 

I think it is time for Brandon Miller and Nick Welsh to Step it up going into the NCAC games. (and if they do lets hope Jewett,Henry, and Stewart keep doing what they are doing)

[ScotsFan]

FWIW, the News-Sun article does not attribute the he-wasn't-admittable quote to Bill Brown; instead it is unnamed "administrators." I both hope and believe that Bill Brown would not say something like that to the media. Despite the rough time he sometimes gets in here, I believe he is a class act.

DC,

I agree in that I highly doubt  Bill Brown was behind that rediculous statement regarding James Cooper pleading with the academic administrators of Wittenberg to let him attend.  I too find it laughable that is the excuse being given as to why Cooper didn't attend Witt?!  As if Witt's academic standards are now suddenly more strict than those of Wooster, because, heaven forbid, a star athlete would actually choose Wooster over Wittenberg!!!   And especially when that star player is from right there in Springfield! 

[oldtigerfan]

Thank you David Collinge!  I also think it is highly unlikely that Bill Brown was the souce for the News-Sun.  I was not trying to embarass James Cooper or insult Wooster's academic reputation.  All I was trying to do is to defend Bill Brown against those who claimed that he did not try to get James Cooper to attend Wittenberg.  It was a fantastic game in a series of fantastic games between two good schools and great coaches.  Why do people have to turn it into a personal attack on Bill Brown.  James Cooper is at Wooster not because Bill Brown failed; that is my only point in my recent post.

Bill Brown and Steve Moore are great coaches, good recruiters, and quality human beings.  Wittenberg wishes some players that go to Wooster would come to Witt; I assume Wooster would love to have some of Wittenberg's players.

Saturday's game was a very interesting matchup between a team with great post play and a team with great outside play.  Why not talk about that rather than try to run down coaches who deserve better.  Once again, thank you David Collinge and you other Wooster fans who stick to the game.  I enjoy reading what you have to say.

[kiltedbryan]

I do think that often rivalries extend beyond just the game, so I understand the desire to comment on matters such as how the papers covered it, etc.

I don't know who took the photo of Cooper that has come to define his shot- I'm a good friend of the student photographer who was at the game shooting pics for the college student newspaper, and he said that Matt Dilyard wasn't in a position where he could've taken that shot.  My friend guesses that it was The Daily Record photographer who shared the photo with our Sports Info Director.  I have not seen any atribution of the photo.

I think it goes without saying that Wooster and Wittenburg are going to recruit some of the same basketball players- Witt wins some, Woo wins some.

I also want to go on record, as a Wooster fan who was at the game, of giving credit to Coach Brown and his players for their conduct at the end of the game.  Russ in particular walked out into the court, weaving his way through some of the mob even, to reach Wooster players and congratulate them on a well-played game.  I hope the Wooster guys made sure to congratulate him, as well, for his top-quality performance.  Russ really impressed me as a class-act with that gesture at the end the game, especially since he must have felt dejected to lose after the quality effort he put in.

One thing more- when we get around to tournament time, here's to hoping that these two teams aren't placed in the same region as they were last year- having been to the final four with the Scots three years ago, I know the game I watched on Saturday was easily of a NCAA regional or Final Four caliber.  Seeding these two such that a matchup would happen in the first two rounds would be a mistake, and would lead to deserving teams being eliminated too early from the dance.

[DarkSide-D]

I'm sorry fellas.  I have been laughing my ass off ever since I read the post about Coop not gettin into Witt, and had to comment.  I think this is the first time ANYONE has ever claimed witt to be higher academically than Woo!  Amazing, especially since I know some people that went to Witt to play athletics who didn't make the cut for Woo.  Apparently Witt holds its bball program to higher standards than its other teams and/or rest of the student body.  I can't help but think there just may be some kind of truth behind the favorite Wooster Band chant, "It's all right, It's okay, You're gonna work for us someday!"

[goscots]

"One thing more- when we get around to tournament time, here's to hoping that these two teams aren't placed in the same region as they were last year- having been to the final four with the Scots three years ago, I know the game I watched on Saturday was easily of a NCAA regional or Final Four caliber.  Seeding these two such that a matchup would happen in the first two rounds would be a mistake, and would lead to deserving teams being eliminated too early from the dance. "

I have already been thinking about this. Why limit this arguement to Wooster and Wittenberg. Look at the latest poll, (IWU, Wooster, Witt, Albion, and Hope )all in the top eight. There is going to be second round killer matchup no matter how the NCAA positions these teams.

[sac]

.......  Seeding these two such that a matchup would happen in the first two rounds would be a mistake, and would lead to deserving teams being eliminated too early from the dance.

That NEVER happens in the Great Lakes Region.......nope  never!

Seeing Wooster/Albion in round 2 last year........then JCU, Calvin and Albion in the Sweet 16 all on one court.  Its ridiculous to even think there is more than one quality team in this region capable of reaching Salem.     

[billy_pilgrim]

Yes, Earlhamalum....I am alive, just arrived back from Evanston to visit the family for the holidays.

I've been out of touch with the Quakers of late...I haven't been able to listen, because Teamline won't work on my sister's computer. Thankfully, Al Gore's greatest innovation will stretch out from James Dean's grave through the corn fields to my parents' home. I never could have read about James Cooper's 22, 24, 26 or 74 foot shot without.

Wooster/Witt games tend to overshadow all else on the board (and for good reason), but the most interesting posts I've reviewed have been those about Denison. Oh my, a great deal can change in one year. With all the Big Red bashing, I'm surprised no one has mentioned what in my mind was the major problem for Denison (last year, and I'm assuming on into this season)....namely, they can't play a lick of defense. Until that ever gets resolved, they can play all 15 of their rotation at once and they still aren't going to compete with the upper tier of the league.

It's a little bit of a slow stretch ahead for Earlham with finals ending and a gaggle (isn't that four?) of non-conference games ahead, highlighted by the DePauw game at Conseco. I'm definitely looking forward to the Indy trip and I'm recommending BW3's between the game, rather than the customary owl infested spot. Remember....at least one fiancee will be present.

As for fretting about the play of individuals, I'm least worried about Brandon Miller. I'll take 18 and 11, like he had against Kenyon, every night. Plus, his numbers always seem to be up against conference opponents. I don't think Welsh like Tomisch Arena, as evidenced by his 2/11 on Saturday. Last season, he was ejected for a flagrant foul in the final minutes of Earlham's win there. Maybe he'll have better luck in Gambier next season.

Earlhamalum, what are you doing on the 19th? Any thoughts of heading to Richmond together to catch up and watch the game against Franklin?

[wooscotsfan]

New Top 25 D3Hoops poll is out this evening.

We have to give the Top 25 voters some credit because they did not penalize Witt for their close loss to Wooster. 

Top 5 teams are unchanged this week with Wooster at #2 and Witt still coming in at #3 in the poll.   Wooster received one #1 vote this week, Amherst also got one #1 vote and the remaining 23 #1 votes went to Illinois Wesleyan.

Wisconsin Stout, now 7-1 with their only loss to Wooster, moved up 10 spots to #12 in the poll.  Baldwin-Wallace, a future Wooster opponent at the Mose Hole tourney, moved up 3 spots to #18.

John Carroll is back in the Top 25 this week at #24 and the Blue Streaks are now 6-1.

[bigkrapper]

A few comments about the academics
-- The whole academic card, seriously amazing that a newspaper would write garbage like that.  Of course, i have little faith in most newspapers!  However, it is kind of convenient that the source is just a "university official."  Don't you think if you wanted to add credibility to your point/story you would want to have a named source, unless there was reason you couldn't be named (For example, Deepthroat)...HMMMMM it has gotta make you wonder though.  And let's be careful about the whole giving Coach Brown credit for being so respectful after the game.  He does have a bit of a track record of displaying a completely different behavior (rather disrespectful) to Wooster players, coaches, scorekeepers, and fans. 

[David Collinge]

We have to give the Top 25 voters some credit because they did not penalize Witt for their close loss to Wooster. 

I give the voters a lot of credit.  Witt acually slipped by about one position on the average ballot (-24 points), but they had a 50-point edge on #4 Amherst last week and the Lord Jeffs were not able to close the gap (now 6 points).  The average voter has Witt in the #4 position.  Wooster's gain was just 10 points, but there wasn't a lot of upside available.  The Scots are now a near-unanimous #2, appearing at that spot on at least 21 of the 25 ballots.

Another big gainer this week was Van Wie Classic invitee St. Thomas, who gained 62 points and are just 3 points off the bottom of the poll.  This gain was the result of their demolition of then-#11 Gustavus Adolphus, which lost a whopping 269 points and 16 places in the poll.

The Great Lakes Region now claims 4 of the top 8 positions, and has three conferences with two teams each in the top 25.  Not bad. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Great Lakes Region now claims 4 of the top 8 positions, and has three conferences with two teams each in the top 25.  Not bad. 

Don't go getting overly modest on us - the Great Lakes has 4 of the top 7!

And if the GL and Midwest get paired again, they have 6 of the top 8, and 11 in the top 25!