MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

I do think you are ranking Wabash lower than they should be. They played IWU pretty tough, and could have beaten Hanover, and SHOULD have beaten Bethany (KS).

And lets not forget about the '"convinging" win the Little Giants had at Denison.

<Just a sidenote to all the Wabash supporters, that was said with a hint of sarcasm, hense the wink.>

Seriously, regarding ranking the conference as we get ready to dive into the meat of the conference schedule, the top 2 are far and away the tops of the conference.  As far as 3-5 (which I would consider Wabash, OWU and Earlham at this point), I really have no idea until they start to play each other.  Weslyan has been playing well up until their sorry performance against Wilmington.  Earlham has shown signs that they can compete against the good teams, but they have also shown signs of ineptness against lesser teams so they are still a BIG quesestion mark?  Wabash would be my early pick to finish 3rd because they seem to be the most consistent.  They have played quality opponents and have played quite well against a relatively tough schedule. 

As for how I would rank the conference top to bottom right now, it would go as follows:

1.    Wooster
1a.  Wittenberg
3.    Wabash
4.    OWU
5.    Earlham
6.    Allegheny
7.    Kenyon
8.    Denison
9.    Hiram
10.  Oberlin

I ranked Kenyon ahead of Denison because at least the Lords are showing some signs of life.  Until Denison proves to me something, I'm not convinced that they can recover from this freefall they are currently in.

[David Collinge]

Sheesh, Scots Fan, I think you forgot the "nanny nanny boo boo" at the end of your post. 

[ScotsFan]

You're right, Just forgort...

nannny nanny boo boo

[ScotsFan]

You know DC, the "roll eyes" smiley looks a lot like the Woody Allen pic from your avatar.

[Li'l Giant]

You know DC, the "roll eyes" smiley looks a lot like the Woody Allen pic from your avatar.

Just not goy enough. 

[ScotsFan]

Just not goy enough.

I suppose, in that context...

[smedindy]

Got nothing, really, but just wanted to make my 2,000 post in a friendly forum and away from the karma-killing OAC football dudes.

[earlhamalum]

THis is the day BillyPilgram and i have been waiting for.  Going to the game with 9 or so buddies from College and it could get a little crazy downtown on a wednesday.  1st of all I hope Earlham comes ready to play... I want the drinking to be a HAPPY Drinking... not a damn why did they play like crap or well they played hard.

I will not be getting home until late, but i'll be able to give my Opinion on the game and the quakers later tonight. 

GO LUCK EC

[DenisonFan]

You know, Witt played 10 players, and Russ and Borchers didn't play 30 minutes. OMG! The coach is WACK!!! 

I will assume that this is a weak attempt to defend the Denison gym class.  It looks more like Russ picked up his second foul with 7:30 to go in the first half.  So he MUST sit. 

Then he picks up his 4th with 7:45 in the second half.  LEAVE HIM IN???   NO.  So gosh, he MUST sit.   Rock Science???  I don't think so.

I don't think Witt pulled their starters and played 4 freshman and a sophomore when the game is close.

Nice try, but you can not compare the two.   Not even close!!

Congrats to Witt on a quality win for our conference.

And Yes, Ghiloni is a "Wack"

[smedindy]

Doesn't explain Borchers or the playing of 10 players, which happens all the time to other teams.

Denison may have issues but I really don't think it's the fact he's playing a lot of his roster, since the big guns are getting the minutes over the other role players.

I also find that it was telling his pattern against Wabash was different than the non-conference games or the games against Witt and Wooster, which leads to my theories on what he was doing.

I STILL think they'll be over .500 in the conference, just because I'm a stubborn fool.

[DenisonFan]

Smed:

I guess we can agree to disagree.  I would love the Big Red to put this behind them and come out strong after break.

I hope you are right.

Time will tell.

[johnworms]

Last week in the OAC forum, I predicted Otterbein to lose by 30 to John Carroll, and they nearly pulled off the upset against the Streaks. This week, I predict that the Cardinals will shock the nation and upset #3 Wittenberg in Springfield. Any thoughts?

[smedindy]

Beating anyone in Springfield is a tall order. It took a incredible shot for Wooster to do it, and I know Wooster, and Otterbein is no Wooster.

[wally_wabash]

You may want to predict Otterbein to lose by 40+.   

[David Collinge]

Beating anyone in Springfield is a tall order. It took a incredible shot for Wooster to do it, and I know Wooster, and Otterbein is no Wooster.

To paraphrase both Mr. Fendley and Sen. Bentsen, "John Worms, I went to Wooster.  I know Wooster.  Wooster is a friend of mine.  Otterbein, you're no Wooster."

Why do the most memorable lines belong to those who actually lost the election?

I don't anticipate that Witt will lose to Ott.  That's not the kind of game Witt loses.  When they lose, which is not often, it's usually a) to Wooster (once in a while), b) to an out-of-region opponent early in the season, c) to someone you'd never expect (like Denison last year), or d) to John Carroll in March.