MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[jscwittfan]

Another classic tonight, and congrats to Witt on another conference title!

I only listened to the game on the radio (watched bits and pieces of the video broadcast, but Scott Leo was about 30 seconds ahead of the video, so I mainly relied just on him - way to go, partner!), so I can't offer much insight other than what has already been posted, but man was I sweating bullets at the end!

However, I will throw this into the mix - something I find to be a pretty fun stat.  Over the past 3 seasons in the Witt-Wooster match-up, the road team is 7-2!  Home court advantage has been completely thrown out the window in this series.  You think it has something to do with wanting to go in and quiet a hostile crowd?  That's just one of the many things that makes this rivalry so great.

Either way, best of luck to each team in the postseason, and here's to hoping Witt can get at least one more home game in here . . .

[David Collinge]

Here's how I see the final regional rankings, assuming I have recalculated the QoWI correctly:

1. Wittenberg (20-3, QoWI 10.652)
2. Hope (17-2, 10.211)
3. Baldwin-Wallace (22-4, 10.077)
4. Wooster (21-3, 10.042)
5. Carnegie Mellon (15-4, 10.474)
6. Calvin (13-2, 9.750)
---------------------------
7. Lake Erie (18-4, 9.682)
8. Bethany (20-4, 9.417)
9. Ohio Northern (17-6, 9.130)
10. Albion (12-4, 9.125)

Pool C candidates shown in boldface; Pool B candidate shown in italics.

[billy_pilgrim]

and a fine weekend of basketball concludes


Congratulations to Wittenberg and POY Daniel Russ (yea, I said it) and Borchers (coming up huge against the big boys) and anyone else associated with the Tigers.

Earlhamalum and I didn't stick around all day for this one, but we did have a great time last night at the semis.

Listened to the game tonight and here are the thoughts I pulled through Scott Leo's broadcast. Witt is so good defensively....and with just enough scoring, they are going to be a very, very tough out. Wooster never quits. They come at you in waves, something only teams like Witt are to offset in this league. I was surprised that Wooster had the dry stretch early in the second, especially in Timken. Just more credit to Witt's defense.

Just a final thought on Wooster/Earlham III from last night. Wooster really punished Earlham and the Quakers lack of depth by running at every opportunity. They are as good at getting from defense to offense as any team I've ever seen at any level. Glad to see Earlham didn't back down after a rough start like last year. Early, Earlham just couldn't get anything to go down and LaRon Henry was a non-factor in the first half. However, instead of going into a shell and losing by 30+, Miller and Jewett gutted out great efforts and Henry came alive. But again, Cooper (who will be NCAC POY the next two years) and the rest of the Scots always came up with a clutch play to keep the margin at 6 or 7.

Look forward to following both of the W's in the tourney...and while there's still not parity, this was a good year for the league as teams 3-5 really challenged the big boys.

[David Collinge]

Just a final thought on Wooster/Earlham III from last night. Wooster really punished Earlham and the Quakers lack of depth by running at every opportunity.

I should point out that Steve Moore said in the pregame show yesterday that that was part of the game plan.  IIRC, he noted that Henry, Jewett, and especially Miller pulled big minutes on Tuesday against Wabash, and he thought if Wooster ran, ran, and ran some more it would wear down the starters and expose the short bench.  I guess it worked.

I hope you guys had a good weekend in COW-town.

[oldwittfan]

Why would someone feel a need to turn Dan Russ's honest statement of believe in his team into a shot at Bill Brown.  Thanks to the rest of you Wooster fans for congratulating Wittenberg.  These two teams are so evenly matched, so good and so contrasting in style, that they make being a fan fun, don't they.  

I say Dan Russ is player of the year, and it is great that Dane Borchers has decided to come back next year. Thank you to both teams for pushing each other to great play.

[smedindy]

What did Artie wear??

[billy_pilgrim]

By the way, an article to pass along from Friday's Indy Star....

I've mentioned the strange saga of Bronson Lickliter's college basketball career and it finally got a little press.....

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060224/SPORTS06/602240456/-1/ARCHIVE


I had mentioned earlier in the year the story of Lickliter to the Richmond Pal-Item's sports editor, but no press. I would have mentioned the idea earlier to the Indy Star, but I just found out I lost out on a highly competitive internship at the Star. If things keep going this way, I might find myself back at Earlham in the M.A.T. program and beg for my old spot on the end of the bench back. Bronson, you're an inspiration...............and a whole lot of other things.

[pennstghs]

now i know everyone has awaited my thoughts on the game. a late night return from wooster has kept me from posting till now, well along with a little celebrating

WHAT A GAME!!!!! these two teams put the meaning of championship game to full force. no one can criticize these teams for lack of effort as there were numerous bodies laying across the court all night. A nice turnout from both teams, as i think Witt's student body kept their presence felt throughout the night. Obviously our plan was to get the ball low often and if Wooster did finally collapse and double down dish it out for a 3.

In all actuality the game should have been over earlier, but thankfully Witt's missed free throws didn't come back to bite us. As the clock read .2 seconds i was playing out the scenario of the refs adding more time for Cooper to launch a 3. Witt did a tremendous job of guarding the perimeter all night, minus the last 2 minutes, and holding wooster below their season average attributes that to our defense

as for the tournament i think witt has rightfully earned the right to be the number one seed in the great lakes region. 2 losses to another top 5 team and one road upset shouldnt hurt them too bad, plus a conference title to go along with it.

i see witt hosting with hope, b-w, carnegie mellon, and calvin traveling to Springfield, but i wouldnt be surprised to see Hope host as they ahve the perfectly new facilities to accommodate the onslaught of fans that would be in attendance

[imderekpoe]

What did Artie wear??

As expected, Artie was wearing the red...

WooScotsFan - I just realized that you may not know that I had changed my user name and e-mail address!  This is me (formerly CMHScots!)  Hope that we get a chance to meet up again next weekend in Wooster! 

[ScotsFan]

I just wanted to add my congratulations to Wittenberg on a fine performance in winning the NCAC Tournament Championship last night.  Their 2 MVP's really stepped it up in a big way last night, especially in the 2nd half. 

As for my thoughts on the game, I thougt that the run that Witt made right out of the gates to start the 2nd half was the turning point IMO.  Also, Witt was finally able to dictate tempo which also went in their favor.  If Wooster wants to point at one key stat, I would say their poor performance at the charity stripe would have to jump out at them.  Witt missed their fair share of ft's as well, but most of their misses came at the end of the game when they were trying to let Wooster almost complete the miracle comeback.  Wooster's misses were coming at key stages when makes could have pulled them to within a point or two or even tie.  I kept thinking during the game, if Wooster were to lose, they lost the game at the line which is what happened.

Not to take anything away from Witt, because they came out with their best defensive effort by far against Wooster this season, especially their perimeter defesne.  Wooster was still getting open looks, but they were also rushing their shots on those open looks, especially Port.  In the end, it was nothing short of what is expected when these 2 rivals hook up.  A game where every possession matters and it comes down to the last one.  Well worth the $8 admission!

Now we have to wait and see what the NCAA (non)brain trust decide to do.  Do they do the right thing and separate the W's so that we could have the possibility of Witt/Woo IV in Salem?  Not likely, but there is always hope I guess.  Good luck to both Wittenberg and Wooster regardless of how bad the selection committee screws the pairings up again.  Represent the NCAC well in the 2nd season!!!

One more thing:

Why would someone feel a need to turn Dan Russ's honest statement of believe in his team into a shot at Bill Brown. 

It wasn't a shot a Bill Brown.  It was meant as a compliment.  I have noticed in the past that Coach Brown seems to use reverse psychology very well, especially prior to games with Wooster.  Man, could you be more touchy when it comes to Coach Brown?  It's like you interprit anything anyone says about the man in a negative way?

[dren]

i see witt hosting with hope, b-w, carnegie mellon, and calvin traveling to Springfield, but i wouldnt be surprised to see Hope host as they ahve the perfectly new facilities to accommodate the onslaught of fans that would be in attendance

I think you are going to see alot of movement to and from the great lakes...
also have to figure in Bethany who is a Great Lakes Pool B lock and Lake Erie who is a Great Lakes Pool A from AMCC.

Seeing Witt, Hope, BUU, CM and Calvin opening together in a region would be bad for D3 for basketball.  If they are going to do that they might as well bring in Woo and admit one of those 6 directly to the final 4.

[ScotsFan]

hope won tonight  63  to 44 over calvin  i dont think hope will get the 1 seed  i think witt will   or baldin wallace what do you think

Thanks for the women's final.  The Hope men also beat Calvin 68-55.

[zosobob]

WOW! What a game last night!

The Scots had plenty of chances, but couldn't convert on easy baskets and free throws.

Hats off to Witt and some great D.

Hopefully the Scots can get out of their funk, or their season will be over quickly.

It'll be interesting to see where they'll be playing.

[zosobob]

I forgot to comment on Witt/Woo IV.

That would be great to see in Salem.

And it would be great for Div. III Basketball to have this rivalry meet at its premier event.

[pennstghs]

another point from the game last night-what a display of passion for both teams by both fan bases-the witt fans and wooster fans for the most part displayed class an support of their team. it would have been disappointing for the fans to ruin the game but the roar of timken in the final minute of the game is what college basketball is all about.

the only cheers worth complaining about are the "he's a dealer" cheer directed at dan russ, with which the witt fans replyed with "MVP"
also the "he's from springfield" cheer for cooper was followed up with "ACT's" with a playful jab-no we are not discussing this topic any longer lol

great job by both teams and hopefully we will get the chance to meet again later on down the road and avoid early close losses