MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

Not being from Indiana, I have never found Indiana high school basketball to be a terribly interesting subject.  Beyond that, it's been many, many years since I saw it, so I can't remember all the things that made me dislike it, but I do recall that the acting was terrible and the direction was ham-handed.

And I don't hate the "greatest film ever made," but we're not talking about Fanny och Alexander here, are we? 

Yawn.

David, as an NPU graduate I have had more than enough real-life experience with Swedes and their serotonin-reuptake issues, thankyouverymuch. Bergman films don't even let you numb yourself to Swedish angst in the accustomed manner, unless you can find a way to sneak alcohol into the theater.

Besides, any right-thinking person knows that the greatest film ever made is the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera.

[Gregory Sager]

I thought Major League was puerile. I loved the baseball stuff in Bull Durham, but I cast my baseball movie vote for Eight Men Out.

I feel the same way, Scott: Eight Men Out > Bull Durham > Major League. However, Major League isn't even close to being the worst baseball movie ever made. That would be Fear Strikes Out, the horrible biopic in which the incredibly unathletic Anthony Perkins swings and whiffs at trying to portray major-league outfielder Jimmy Piersall.

And I also second WooBoo's vote for Mattewan as John Sayles' best movie.

[Li'l Giant]

Not being from Indiana, I have never found Indiana high school basketball to be a terribly interesting subject.  Beyond that, it's been many, many years since I saw it, so I can't remember all the things that made me dislike it, but I do recall that the acting was terrible and the direction was ham-handed.

And I don't hate the "greatest film ever made," but we're not talking about Fanny och Alexander here, are we? 

Yawn.

David, as an NPU graduate I have had more than enough real-life experience with Swedes and their serotonin-reuptake issues, thankyouverymuch. Bergman films don't even let you numb yourself to Swedish angst in the accustomed manner, unless you can find a way to sneak alcohol into the theater.

Besides, any right-thinking person knows that the greatest film ever made is the Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera.

I've often wondered how honest people are with their opinion of the "greatest movie". Like  when someone is asked what they think the best movie ever is are they really going to say "Weekend at Bernie's"? Of course not. They throw out Citizen Kane or Casablanca because being honest with yourself and saying Wayne's World makes you look like a retard. Personally, I think the greatest movie ever is The Godfather.

[billy_pilgrim]

Worst baseball movie ever is Summer Catch with Freddie Prinze, Jr. Luckily, most of you are too old to know that one.........never thought being to old could really benefit you, eh?

As for best baseball movies, call it what you will, but Field of Dreams is the best. And Bull Durham is #2.

Basketball....there is no #2, #3 or #4....but #5 would be Blue Chips....which was partially filmed in Frankfort's Case Arena. Plus, Matt Nover had a leading role...and his acting is on par with anyone from films about a bunch of Swedish children.

[jscwittfan]

Interesting article in the New York Times today regarding the potential splitting up of Division III.  It's a pretty good read, including a quote from Allegheny's president (it could have taken the time to look up the new #1 before mentioning it, but we'll give them a pass on that one).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13ncaa.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

NOTE: You may have to login/create an account to read the story.  If you don't have an account, they are free.

[woosterbooster]

However, Major League isn't even close to being the worst baseball movie ever made. That would be Fear Strikes Out, the horrible biopic in which the incredibly unathletic Anthony Perkins swings and whiffs at trying to portray major-league outfielder Jimmy Piersall.

Fear Strikes Out was (and is) horrible, and disappointing, because Jimmy Piersall was my favorite player when I was a kid and he was with the Indians.  At the time, I didn't even know about his mental health issues, that only came a bit later when I read Fear Strikes Out. The movie itself was extremely poorly acted, even by the father Karl Malden. Anthony Hopkins was probably the most miscast actor ever given the Piersall role. I'm sure he had to be told which end of the bat to hold.

[pennstghs]

thanks jsc yeah that's been a subject of discussion- i dont think they should personally because then it could get difficult with scheduling and trying to determine "well they played a D3b team insteaad of an a team.

note to those of you going to the witt game tomorrow-the women's game is at 6 and is a "code red" event meaning that they encourage students to go and since that worked so well for a premier matchup against the Bishops last Wednesday and almost drew 1000 out, who knows how many will show up for the women's game......

yes i am being sarcastic

[David Collinge]

I've often wondered how honest people are with their opinion of the "greatest movie". Like  when someone is asked what they think the best movie ever is are they really going to say "Weekend at Bernie's"? Of course not. They throw out Citizen Kane or Casablanca because being honest with yourself and saying Wayne's World makes you look like a retard. Personally, I think the greatest movie ever is The Godfather.

I'm very honest, and very serious about it.  I devote a tremendous amount of time to my DVD collection, which now numbers well over 600 films (but does not include Weekend at Bernie's or Wayne's World, or for that matter The Godfather.)  After considerable thought, I think Fanny and Alexander is the greatest film ever made, as you can see from my top 20 list at YMDB.  I have enough respect for cinema and cinephiles that I'd never denigrate someone's opinion about film, even if I don't agree with it.  I may not have liked Hoosiers, Bull Durham, or Field of Dreams, but that doesn't mean they are bad or unlikeable films, and I wouldn't ridicule someone who admits they like these films.

For me, the worst baseball movie ever is probably The Pride of the Yankees, despite the luminous presence of the magnificent Teresa Wright.  I've never seen any of the sequels to Major League, but I'm given to understand that they'd be contenders for the title of Worst Baseball Movie.

And A Night at the Opera is not only not the greatest film of all time, it's not even the greatest Marx Bros. film.  That honor belongs to Duck Soup.  Hail, Freedonia! 

[WillieBrown]

Vegas odds of Wabash making the trip tomorrow
   Wabash comes to Springfield (-4200)
    Wabash cancels game (+5000)

If you don't know what that means.... dont bet on it

[pennstghs]

while Wabash may show up physically, whether they show up to play will be the question

[Li'l Giant]

I'm very honest, and very serious about it.

I didn't mean to imply you aren't. I just wonder if there are people out there who think some crappy movies are great and if they'd admit it.

while Wabash may show up physically, whether they show up to play will be the question

That has been the big question this year: which Wabash team shows up? I'm hoping the team that played against Wooster last weekend shows up. But it could just as easily be the team that played against Wooster a month ago.

[wally_wabash]

Quick aside, if you're ever passing through Iowa, go to Dyersville and visit the Field of Dreams.  It's an awesome time for any fan of the movie...there's nothing quite like having a catch on that diamond.

Wally, you ought to tell them about The Ball.

I'll snap a photo of The Ball and post it.  Unfortunately it won't be today as my camera is on loan and Mother Nature is busy dumping a foot or so of snow and blowing 40 mph winds...travel is a no no today. 

Wabash getting to Springfield tomorrow could be iffy.  My guess is they'll try if only because there really isn't any time to make up the game.  It might not be a bad idea to postpone until Thursday or Friday. 

[David Collinge]

Here's something I've never noticed before:

According to the NCAC website, the conference champions in basketball for the 2005-06 season were the Wooster men and Wittenberg women.  However, Wittenberg won the 2006 men's tournament, and Denison won the women's.  I was always under the impression, evidently mistaken, that the conference champion was the team that won the tournament, but it turns out that it is the regular season champion that earns the title.

I bet you all knew that all along, but I didn't.

[Li'l Giant]

Here's something I've never noticed before:

According to the NCAC website, the conference champions in basketball for the 2005-06 season were the Wooster men and Wittenberg women.  However, Wittenberg won the 2006 men's tournament, and Denison won the women's.  I was always under the impression, evidently mistaken, that the conference champion was the team that won the tournament, but it turns out that it is the regular season champion that earns the title.

I bet you all knew that all along, but I didn't.

Interesting you mention this. Earlier today I was looking at the hoops media guide for the D-I Southland Conference (there are local schools of interest for me, UT-San Antonio and Texas State) and they do the same thing. The official conference winner of record is the regular season champ not the tournament winner.

[David Collinge]

I know the MIAA (which, by the way, is the nation's oldest conference, dating back to 1888) does it this way, which is something I've expressed admiration for in the past.  It's always made the most sense to me to give the title and trophy to the team that performs the best over the course of the season, but give your automatic invitation to the national tournament to the team playing the best when the tournament begins.  I just didn't realize that we did it that way too.  Silly me!