MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Onward on, John Carroll]

seems weird to reward JCU for losing to a much, much worse OAC team than Mount did, but I bet the Raiders would love to play JCU anywhere...except maybe Ravenna

I guess I'll cancel my dinner plans at Guido's and switch to Pizzazz or Polinori's.

[BillyRayJimBob]

Well, it's settled ... The OAC web site bracket lists JCU as the #1 seed.

But didn't the top eight teams used to make the bracket as opposed to just the six?

[Dr. Acula]

They keep messing with the format.  I swear last year everyone was in it because Mount played JCU and they finished last in the regular season.  But yes, before that it used to be the top 8.  I don't have an issue with a 6 team format.  That seems fair for a 10 team conference.  Plus it rewards the top 2 teams with a bye to the semis which seems like a nice prize for navigating an 18 game OAC schedule.  It worked out perfectly this year, but check back when someone gets a bye at 11-7 because there was a 3-way tie for 2nd or something.  I'll be complaining then!

[RaidersRGr8t]

OAC coaches voted for six teams because it helps strength of schedule.

[bluestreak66]

They keep messing with the format.  I swear last year everyone was in it because Mount played JCU and they finished last in the regular season.  But yes, before that it used to be the top 8.  I don't have an issue with a 6 team format.  That seems fair for a 10 team conference.  Plus it rewards the top 2 teams with a bye to the semis which seems like a nice prize for navigating an 18 game OAC schedule.  It worked out perfectly this year, but check back when someone gets a bye at 11-7 because there was a 3-way tie for 2nd or something.  I'll be complaining then!

We don't talk about last year 

[Dr. Acula]

OAC coaches voted for six teams because it helps strength of schedule.

Ahh, that makes sense.  Thanks for sharing that info.

[Pat Coleman]

They keep messing with the format.

A number of conferences put all of their teams in their conference tournament last year because COVID cancelations meant that not everyone played the same number of games.

[Dr. Acula]

Title game in Atown.  Mount cruises by Berg.  Up 13 at half and never in doubt in the 2nd half. Meanwhile in U Hts Etta storms back from down 20 to beat JCU 79-75.  The Pios outscored the Streaks 58-36 in the 2nd half.  I listened to the Etta radio feed at work and the excitement was flowing through the AirPods.

[Dr. Acula]

They keep messing with the format.

A number of conferences put all of their teams in their conference tournament last year because COVID cancelations meant that not everyone played the same number of games.

That makes sense.  Thanks, Pat.

[Dr. Acula]

Congrats to Coach Fuline and his guys on their 95-80 OAC tourney title!  His dudes were shot out of a cannon from the tip running out 9-0 and never looking back.  Etta took their 3rd timeout not even 7 minutes in after Newsom's 3rd triple made it 23-3.  The Pios never got closer than 14 the rest of the way. 

Parker was absolutely dominant winning tourney MVP.  31 pts (13-20 FG), 12 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk.  This was the best game I've seen Mansfield play.  He's been good all season, but he was phenomenal yesterday.  He scored 19 (6-7 FG, 6-6 FT), grabbed 7 boards and lead the team with 6 assists and 4 steals.  Newsom was huge especially early on scoring 11 points in the first 7 minutes of the game.  He finished with 19.

I would think this sets Mount up to host.

[BillyRayJimBob]

Congrats to Coach Fuline and his guys on their 95-80 OAC tourney title!  His dudes were shot out of a cannon from the tip running out 9-0 and never looking back.  Etta took their 3rd timeout not even 7 minutes in after Newsom's 3rd triple made it 23-3.  The Pios never got closer than 14 the rest of the way. 

Parker was absolutely dominant winning tourney MVP.  31 pts (13-20 FG), 12 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk.  This was the best game I've seen Mansfield play.  He's been good all season, but he was phenomenal yesterday.  He scored 19 (6-7 FG, 6-6 FT), grabbed 7 boards and lead the team with 6 assists and 4 steals.  Newsom was huge especially early on scoring 11 points in the first 7 minutes of the game.  He finished with 19.

I would think this sets Mount up to host.

Yes; I have been missing the play of CPJ, but Mansfield has been quite impressive in a starting role, and, in particular, yesterday's game.  I feel that he brings a leadership/calming presence.

[hsbsballcoach7]

Mounts defense really turned into energy on offense to get them out to a big lead. If they play like this, they'll be hard to beat for awhile. Can't play down to anyone, must keep the energy and watch the dumb lazy fouls. I'm good with aggressive fouls, but there were numerous times that someone got lazy and wouldn't get back or just grab someone. Can't complain much though bc it's tough to beat Marietta 3 times in a season. I'm hoping the Raiders host and win for awhile.

Individual shoutouts...Newsom got the team going at first with great defense, pressure that forced TOs and great shooting. Parker was aggressive to the basket and great at the rim. Mansfield made plays in every way on offense and defense. He would make a basket, created mismatches, great passes, steals, and calmed the offense when necessary. Gurley and Poole weren't relied on, but both played great defense, had nice assists and timely baskets. Hudson was nice of the bench, giving an offensive spark when Marietta made little runs.

[BillyRayJimBob]

Newsom got the team going at first with great defense, pressure that forced TOs and great shooting. Parker was aggressive to the basket and great at the rim. Mansfield made plays in every way on offense and defense. He would make a basket, created mismatches, great passes, steals, and calmed the offense when necessary. Gurley and Poole weren't relied on, but both played great defense, had nice assists and timely baskets. Hudson was nice of the bench, giving an offensive spark when Marietta made little runs.
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Wholeheartedly concur.

[D3fanboy]

not a bad draw for the Raiders, North Park is athletic as anyone.  But Mount should be heavily favored to get through the 8 team pod

[Dr. Acula]

Massey has Mount as a 12 pt favorite w an 82% win probability against Anderson.  All due respect that's obviously not a great hoops conference.  That's great but they did lose to Stevens who was nothing special last yr bc some kid was unconscious from 3.  So let's do Friday like Saturday against Etta and explode out of the gate.  Please.  I know nothing about Anderson but I'm very confident they have no one that can defend Parker so let's start there.