MBB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[smedindy]

To be honest, since they went to the SCAC and we went to the NCAC, we hadn't played Rose that much.

According to the Wabsh site, they'd played twice 2004 and 2006.

I'd say that's not that much...

[pennstghs]

Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Ryan Maurer did a good job, but unless you were in the stands watching the gamer, you can't get a sense of how demoralizing a loss this is. Witt was up 51-41 with 8 minutes to play. And of course ended up losing 59-57.

A couple of observations from the game:

1 – This was really an ugly game to watch all around. As alluded to earlier, both teams shot very poorly from the field, ONU shooting more efficiently from the free throw line. The refs were generally terrible, which means that don't worry NCAC fans we have something to complain about all year. A couple terrible offensive foul calls on Romero
took him out of the game and attributed to his only playing 13 minutes. Very undisciplined and uncharacteristically poor offensive play from Wittenberg as well. It seemed like they didn't have a good flow or sense of what they were trying to do on offense and couldn't finish short shots as well.

2- This was one of those games that might come back to haunt you later on in the year.

3 – Our post play struggled as well. Our 3 true post players (Gregory, Snyder, and Beck) combined for only 13 points. I don't include Barabino in this as he is not your traditional low post presence. It just seems that the inexperience has caused mental lapses and we cannot adjust.

4- DC I completely agree with you now. ONU is NOT that good of a team and along with Capital a very down Wittenberg team lost by a combined 6 points. I think Wittenberg is going to be a formidable team as the season goes on, but they are def. going through some growing pains.

I don't think I've seen a more stunned crowd and myself being demoralized quite like that in some time. Honestly, I don't even know how to explain how we lost that game.

Also, where are all the Wooster supporters-attendance on the boards seems lacking so far.....

[David Collinge]

Also, where are all the Wooster supporters-attendance on the boards seems lacking so far.....

Now that's a complaint I never thought I'd see...especially from a Wittenberg paritsan!

You've got to admire Witt's devotion to the tough in-region scheduling, even if it is giving them fits early on this season.  Next up for the Tigers is Transylvania in Lexington, and the Pioneers are off to a very slow start.  This could be a good in-region road win for Witt, if they're not caught looking ahead at Cedarville.

[pennstghs]

that is the one strength this witt team does have, i don't think they will look past ANYONE this year. the target is on their backs

[David Collinge]

Observation:  There's 2:23 left in the game, and Wash U. leads Earlham by 30.  Earlham has played just 7 players to this point.  What's going on in Richmond, roster-wise?

[David Collinge]

It sounds like we might have some dodgy weather this evening throughout NCAC-land.  Anyone who is out driving in it please take caution and leave some extra time.  I'm thinking particularly of Wooster fans headed to Cedarville, Witt fans on their way to Lexington, and Denison fans headed to Cleveland, all night games.  (I figure the Earlham fans planning to attend the game in St. Louis tonight are already there.)

[NCAC4Life]

Capital defested OWU today in front of a full house 70-68. Exciting game with a great crowd and CSN broadcasting the game. Both teams are very good. DC, not sure what you saw in Capital but I saw an aggressive scrappy defensive team with size and the ablity to shoot the three ball today. OWU shot poorly from the line and was outrebounded but overall was pretty good. Both teams will be factors in their respective league races.

[David Collinge]

DC, not sure what you saw in Capital but I saw an aggressive scrappy defensive team with size and the ablity to shoot the three ball today.

I'd agree with that.  I wouldn't use this language to describe the 18th-best team in the country, not the overwhelming favorite in a tough league like the OAC, though.  Factor in the race, sure.

Kenyon bested Wabash in the NCAC opener this afternoon, 67-66.  This was a thriller from start to finish.  A bit sloppy, and very physical (especially the battles between Andrew Zimmer and Dave Knapke), but a great game to watch.  I may post more on this game later; right now I'm trying to do too many other things!

Elsewhere, Adrian topped Oberlin, 85-54.

[David Collinge]

Now that the NCAC season is underway, I can reveal the results of the Posters' Poll on the conference race.  Perhaps not suprisingly, Wooster is the unanimous choice of all 14 voters to win the regular season title.  However, the posters think the #2 slot is up for grabs.  Here's the tally:

1. Wooster (14)...140
2. Ohio Wesleyan...114
3. Wittenberg...109
4. Wabash...104
5. Allegheny...78
6. Kenyon...77
7. Hiram...46
8. Oberlin...44
9. Earlham...39
10. Denison...19

Here's where the voters slotted these teams:
Wooster...#1 by everyone
Ohio Wesleyan...high #2 (9 votes), low #6 (1 vote)
Wittenberg...high #2 (3), low #5 (1)
Wabash...high #2 (2), low #6 (1)
Allegheny...high #4 (1), low #7 (1)
Kenyon...high #3 (1), low #8 (1)
Hiram...high #6 (3), low #9 (4)
Oberlin...high #7 (6), low #10 (2)
Earlham...high #3 (1), low #10 (2)
Denison...high #8 (1), low #10 (10)

[smedindy]

Earlham has played only 7 players all season. #8 and #9 got their first minute against Wash U.

[woosterbooster]

I suspect, had the Pollsters had the benefit of waiting until your December 1st deadline, that they'd have placed Oberlin two spots south, in their usual spot.

[smedindy]

Nah, I still think Denison is worse than Oberlin.

[smedindy]

DC -

I see where Wabash had the lead by 4 with 3:30 left. What happened? Did Kenyon turn up the defense?

[David Collinge]

Final score in from Lexington:  Transylvania 50, Wittenberg 45.  No details yet.

DC -

I see where Wabash had the lead by 4 with 3:30 left. What happened? Did Kenyon turn up the defense?

There were no "turning points" in this game, at least none that stand out in my mind.  It was just a series of punches, some of which landed, others which missed.  My recollection was that down the stretch Kenyon, particularly the Brothers Haddox, was able to penetrate and get their shots to drop, whereas Wabash's shots from inside and out would not fall when it counted.  The end-game sequence, as I recall it, was that Wabash was forced into some low-percentage shots.  Kenyon's Korey Haddox grabbed a rebound and was fouled with :25 left and a one-point lead, but he missed both free throws (overall KC was 9/19 from the stripe).  However, Wabash was unable to get a good look, and Chase Haltom threw up a prayer with about :02 left, which was rebounded by Dave Jolson to seal the win.  Andrew Zimmer led all scorers with 17 to go along with 10 boards, but he got away with a lot all day long.  Gary Simkus added 16, and rookie Wes Smith, far and away the best athlete at the KAC not wearing a swimsuit, had 13 and 9.  Kenyon got 30 from the Haddoxes (Kodey 16, Korey 14) and a double-double (12/10) from Dave Knapke.   Box score.

[ScotsFan]

The Scots started the freshman Wickliffe tonight over Melick.  Melick did come in first off the bench in the big man rotation.  I don't know if I missed it, but what exactly is the deal with Elam?  I had read in the DR last week that he is close to returning from an injury.  What exactly is the injury?