MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[pbrooks3]

Guilford is a solid team with a great "in and out" game. I like this UT-Dallas team in a close one to reach the Final 4. Wonder what Ralph's and David's takes are on this one?

[Ralph Turner]

I am close to the vest on this one.   

It is on a neutral floor miles and miles away from home.

Coaches Butterfield and Palombo are best friends from their VWC days.  Either Dave McHugh or Chris Condit mentioned that Coach Butterfield was the first to congratulate Coach Palombo (big hug) after the win.

That has to be fun for both families.

In the spirit of pure amateur athletics, you want to play your best, go at one another as hard as you can, and then enjoy the spirit and fun of the experience of the game.

That being said, I throw out the first game's results.  That was a whole season ago and only three games and an exhibition into the PBS (post Ben Strong) era.

I don't think that the Capital game physically tasked too many UTD players.  Temaine Wright had to sit for critical minutes of the second half.  I am concerned about how much Tyler Sanborn has left in the gas tank.  I thought that UTD could run with JCU, but I also thought that the Capital matchup was the better "OAC long road trip matchup" for UTD, and I thought that Guilford would match better against JCU than they would versus Capital.

UTD has two gears.  Against ASC small fast up-tempo teams, they can take down the tempo to take those teams out of their games.  This year, UTD matched up well against the traditional strong post play team like UMHB.  UTD's uptempo is not a Grinnell or a E&H up-tempo, but the fast guards Wright, Lowery and Greene are as fine a trio as there are in the country. (Ernie Lowery is a grad student in Accounting and Infomration Management and CoSIDA District 6 All-Academic player.)  Dave Mchugh and Chris Condit commented how far out that UTD stretched their 1-3-1 zone last pm.

Guilford has more playoff experience, but I like UTD's chance.  You look for luck (when preparation meets opportunity), and good fortune to get the bracket draw that UTD did, I like UTD tonight.

UTD takes the ASC to the Final Four on a neutral court.

[David Collinge]

I think it will be a great game.  I could see either team winning, and either team will represent well in Salem. 

[David Collinge]

Anyone looking for my live courtside updates from tonight's UTD/Guilford game should tune their dials to the ASC In-Game Updates room.

[BUBeaverFan]

Best wishes to Jeff Coleman. He has had a great run with the Polar Bears. It will be a great opportunity for whoever steps in. 

[David Collinge]

WashU33Fan is referring to this bit of news:

Jeff Coleman Stepping Down

My best wishes to Coach Coleman as well.

[JK]

Nate Stahl is named Great Lakes region POY and Damon Goodwin COY by NABC.  Here is a link:

http://www.capital.edu/24615/

[bouncer1]

Any news or educated guesses about the possible replacement for Jeff Coleman at ONU ?? How about Jody May at Albion? He is a former player with head coaching experience.  I wonder if Tony Gholson regrets leaving last year for the Berg. Maybe he could have been in the running for the ONU job.  Do you think he would want to leave Berg after only one year to return to ONU?  Another former player with head coaching experience if that is what they are looking for. Northern is a great job and will generate a lot of interest. Anyone presently on the staff that would have a chance to get the job??

[David Collinge]

Any news or educated guesses about the possible replacement for Jeff Coleman at ONU ?? How about Jody May at Albion? He is a former player with head coaching experience.  I wonder if Tony Gholson regrets leaving last year for the Berg. Maybe he could have been in the running for the ONU job.  Do you think he would want to leave Berg after only one year to return to ONU?  Another former player with head coaching experience if that is what they are looking for. Northern is a great job and will generate a lot of interest. Anyone presently on the staff that would have a chance to get the job??

My understanding is that Mike Turner went to a lot of trouble to ensure that Jody May became his replacement at Albion.  I doubt he'd jump ship after just one year if that were the case.

[13wapiti]

Any word on who the finalists are for the new Polar Bear coach?

[onefan]

The search continues. The first group of applicants did not meet the President's standards.

[BUBeaverFan]

http://www-new.onu.edu/athletics/archive/john_rhodes_named_head_mens_basketball_coach_at_ohio_northern

[Dr. Acula]

I know it's summer time, but I didn't see this mentioned yet...

OC's Reynolds inducted into Ohio Basketball HOF

[Toph]

JCU ranked #2 in the d3hoops.com poll!   

[MUCheats]

JCU ranked #2 in the d3hoops.com poll!   

I think the top 11 scorers from last year's Sweet 16 squad are all returning, so expectations are going to be high.  It's going to be a fun season and one that I think could be something special for the Blue Streaks!