MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

ScotsFan,

I'm of the 'no harm, no foul' persuasion!

After 32 years of picking out numerical errors, I just can't help myself!

I enjoy your posts!

Mr. Ypsi,

Thanks.  I assumed as much referring to your 'no harm, no foul' comments.    Besides, your a fellow Michigan fan.  How could I be upset with a fellow Michigan man?

[Mr. Ypsi]

My fondest wish is that OSU wins by 3+ TDs.  Michigan wins by 3+ TDs. Wisconsin wins by however much it takes to finish 3rd.

Big Ten (Official Motto: So we can't count - you got a problem with that?! ) finishes 1,2,3!

I suppose the only thing better would be OSU-UF go to OT, UM win by 5TDs, UM gets a shared national title.

But I'll take anything that makes Urban Meyer say 'OOPS!'.

[woosterbooster]

Note to anyone travelling to Oberlin from the south: check the westbound Baltimore & Ohio freight schedules.  Enroute to the game I was delayed by a somewhat lengthy train, one whose front end was probably pulling into the Chicago stockyards as the caboose (do they still have those?) was clearing Wellington, Ohio.  Held me up for almost fifteen minutes.  On my way home, somewhere further south, I came across another freight, or perhaps the same one on a personal vindictive mission, that STOPPED on the tracks while crossing Route 58, perhaps the engineer having decided to take a short nap.  Ah, northern Ohio.

Both Wellington and Oberlin were beautifully decked out for the holiday season.  The game itself would have been better had the referees also gotten into the holiday spirit a bit early and not shown up.  They were horrible, even for the NCAC, for both teams.  Well, maybe not quite so bad for Oberlin.  Wake up NCAC, and find some guys that are halfway competent.

Oberlin is much improved.  They shoot the ball nicely, have some other players who can create offensively, and they play hard and physical, although maybe a little too much so.  If they had a little more size, they'd probably end up a .500 team, or better.  Even so, they'll give a few teams heck before it's over.

Congrats to Rachel Thompson, kid sister of former Wooster shooting guard Rob, who will shortly transfer from Cedarville to Akron to finish her studies enroute to becoming an F.B.I. chick.

[David Collinge]

Elsewhere,

Mt. Union 81, Hiram 54
Westminster 102, Allegheny 97
Washington & Jefferson 71, Denison 49

ick. 

And for pick'em interest:
UW-Stevens Point 75, UW-Whitewater 73.

[kiltedbryan]

Wooster has made a habit of going on some big runs in the 1st half of games this season.  They had a 19-0 run against Walsh.  They had a 15-2 run to close the 1st half against Gerogetown (KY).  They then had a run of 16-0 and eventually 22-2 last Saturday against Earlham.  And tonight they put together a 21-0 run on the Yeomen which they extended to the afore mentioned 31-4 run to close the half. 

Witt is going to have to seriously guard against Wooster's 'spurtability' if they want to have a chance to win on Saturday.  Witt has shown signs of being vulnerable to jumping out to big leads and letting teams back in the game late.  The Tigers can afford to do this against lesser opponents, but they can't afford it against a team like Wooster.

No worries on the numerics- I was just trying to clear it up in case anyone on the board wanted to know which way it was.  ScotsFan, I've also noted both of these trends that you mention.  I'm interested in the board's opinion on them.  Does Witt lack the "killer instinct" that would allow them to lock up sure wins (if so, do you think they can just borrow some of Lincoln's?    ) I know that the Witt broadcast was worried about how Witt has not been able to hold onto their leads.

For the Scots, is the "spurtability" more a function of clamping down on defense or of showing that offensive magic that was their hallmark last season?  I haven't seen either of these teams in person, yet, so I wonder what opinion(s) people who have seen the teams this year might have. 

Personally, I still think that Saturday's game should follow the trend of a rivalry matchup before anything else- that is to say, no pre-existing trends/stats will really matter when the ball hits the floor, because the players are in it for more than just a "W".

[goscots]

Definitely a game of spurts in the first half.  Wooster opens with a 10-2 lead, then Oberlin runs off 28-8 and then Wooster finishes with a 31-4 run. Even when Wooster was down 12 I knew they would come back.

The positives from this game to me are that Wooster continues to pass well to find the open man, their interior defense is much improved from last year, and their free throw shooting is exceptional at 85%+ (19-22 last night).

At the other end, 3-point shooting has been down since the AVW tournament (34-90) but I will take improved defense over reliance on the outside shot anytime.

As a final note - I agree with WB that the officials were not the best, but they didn't affect the outcome of the game.

[tigerup07]

Bad news for Witt faithful. Starting point guard Pat Denbow suffered a "really bad sprain" (quote from Denbow himself around 2:30 PM Wednesday) in his left ankle against Cedarville on Tuesday. He said he is likely to sit out practice Thursday and will try to join the team at practice Friday. My guess as a biology major (however unqualified I may be to make such a guess) is that he will not practice Friday and, even if he does, will not play Saturday against Wooster. Just glad it's not a break.

Most likely filling in will be freshman guard David Nowicki, a 5-8, 150 pound native of Carmel, Indiana, graduate of Westfield High School. He's shown flashes of talent such as cutting down low against Cedarville's big men, who were caught off guard, for a pass and an easy layup. Good court vision and he's quick. Josh and I are excited to see him get some significant time against Wooster and are confident he'll bring his A game.

Congrats Dane Borchers for NCAC player of the week honors.

[Gregory Sager]

Witt is going to have to seriously guard against Wooster's 'spurtability'

I would suggest butcher aprons and/or a tarpaulin, or perhaps just putting down some plastic bags on the floor will do. 

Both Wellington and Oberlin were beautifully decked out for the holiday season. 

They decorate this early for Non-Sectarian Winter Solstice Celebration in Oberlin? 

[bigkrapper]

I haven't posted in a while but was made aware by a good friend of mine that Rachel Thompson was transferring to Cedarville, and Wooster Booster mentioned her brother Rob. 

I remember when Rob laced up those high tops for the scots.  They were some fun teams to watch.  Just brought back some memories of cheering for the Scots when they had the likes of Ryan Gorman, John Ellenwood, Wooster Assistant Nate Gaubatz, Bryan Nelson, Matt Smtih.  Those were some exciting teams.  The won the best Mose Hole to date when defending champ (at the time) Calvin and Chicago came to Timken ranked 1 and 3 respectively.  Wooster won the tournament and ultimately received the school's first ever ranking.  Rob was lucky enough to have some great teammates and obviously great coaches.   ! 

Anyway, my nostalgic moment is up.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SCOTS!

[pennstghs]

yeah that is disappointing news to hear about denbow, and since our bench is already at a disadvantage will have to step up big time.

[TigerFan_1973]

Bad news for Witt faithful. Starting point guard Pat Denbow suffered a "really bad sprain" (quote from Denbow himself around 2:30 PM Wednesday) in his left ankle against Cedarville on Tuesday.

Thanks for the news.  I wondered how the injury would be when I heard he went down on Tuesday. (Stretch was working when he went down, but not for long  )

I have heard good things about  Nowicki on the broadcasts.  This would be a great opportunity for him.  By the way, when looking at the Tigers roster a while back, I noticed that they have two players from Carmel, Ind.  Do the Tigers have a connection there or is it just a coincidence?

I plan to be at the HPER Center Saturday.  The video feed will be great news for anyone who can't attend in person.

GO TIGERS!

[tigerup07]

By the way, when looking at the Tigers roster a while back, I noticed that they have two players from Carmel, Ind.  Do the Tigers have a connection there or is it just a coincidence?

Indiana is the most represented state on Witt's campus behind the Buckeye State. Witt has a strong academic and athletic recruiting presence in Indiana, the breakdown on the varsity men's basketball roster coming in at 9 Ohioans, 3 Hoosiers, one Kentuckian(?) and one guy from the State Up North.

David Nowicki is from Carmel and attended Westfield High, while sophomore Kevin Murray, who is also from Carmel, attended Carmel High. Wouldn't be surprised if Murray was one of the guys that Nowicki was paired with during recruitment visits, and chances are they played against one another in high school, but it's probably just coincidence. Perhaps the recruiter for that area is just damn good. Don't know the backstory though, so sorry I can't be more specific.

[TigerFan_1973]

I remember when Rob laced up those high tops for the scots. 

Speaking of Wooster and nostalgia:

I remember Steve Moore playing for the Tigers.
Go Witt!

TigerFan_1973

[TigerFan_1973]

I have my tickets for Saturday night. 

Who else is going to be there?

Go Tigers!

[woosterbooster]

I'll be there, along with about 2,500 Wooster fans.  Got room?