MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

When was the last time Hiram beat an OAC team much less B-W??

This isn't your same old Hiram either.  They swept Witt last season in NCAC play.  They finished 3rd in the NCAC last year and they returned 3 starters and 9 letterwinners from last year's squad. 

No disrespect to Hiram intended...it isn't the BW of old.  They look like quite a mess.

I wasn't taking it as disrespect.  I know that B-W is way down compared to where they were at the beginning of the decade.  I was just pointing out that losing to Hiram isn't quite as shocking as it was just a few short years ago.

[Dr. Acula]

Are we sure this isn't the same old Hiram?  MUC was up 17 at half and cruised to a 75-60 win over the Terriers.  And this IS the same old MUC.  On a high note, maybe at least a split with BW is in the cards this year.   

[David Collinge]

Hiram is nothing if not inconsistent.  Last year they dropped a stinkbomb at Franciscan, of all places; the Barons only won three other times, only one of which was a D3 game, and Massey rated it first or second on the list of unlikeliest results for all of D3.  Ah, well.  At least now you have something to be thankful for.   

[Dr. Acula]

True, true....I am thankful my Raiders won, DC.  I will remember that tomorrow!  It really is the little things.  Also, we may need to look into scheduling Franciscan.

[ScotsFan]

Are we sure this isn't the same old Hiram?  MUC was up 17 at half and cruised to a 75-60 win over the Terriers.  And this IS the same old MUC.  On a high note, maybe at least a split with BW is in the cards this year.   

Leave it to me to talk up Hiram and then look what they go and do...      

Happy Thanksgiving OAC posters! 

[JK]

If the early season results are any indication, it looks like my Crusaders may struggle this year.  I mean, you don't lose Nate Stahl and everyone else they did and get better, but I thought they had the personnel coming back to be decent.  A loss to Etta is a bad sign...

[Toph]

If the early season results are any indication, it looks like my Crusaders may struggle this year.  I mean, you don't lose Nate Stahl and everyone else they did and get better, but I thought they had the personnel coming back to be decent.  A loss to Etta is a bad sign...

JCU didn't look unbeatable Sunday.  I realize it was against a very good Wooster team, and JCU is still the heavy favorite in the conference, but...anything can happen.

[jcu_fan]

If the early season results are any indication, it looks like my Crusaders may struggle this year.  I mean, you don't lose Nate Stahl and everyone else they did and get better, but I thought they had the personnel coming back to be decent.  A loss to Etta is a bad sign...

JCU didn't look unbeatable Sunday.  I realize it was against a very good Wooster team, and JCU is still the heavy favorite in the conference, but...anything can happen.

Also, it's early in the year.  Hopefully, they'll fix that whole missing easy layups and foul shots problem quickly.

I wish I had the stats... I'd like to know if our 3-point percentage was higher than their shots-in-the-paint percentage, because I could swear it was. 

On the other hand, it's great to have a solid three point game... that could be the answer to the problem with our smaller size.  We haven't had what I'd call a knock-down three-point shooter since J. J. Richardson.  (Am I dating myself?)

[ScotsFan]

I wish I had the stats... I'd like to know if our 3-point percentage was higher than their shots-in-the-paint percentage, because I could swear it was. 

JCU only shot 33% from deep in the Wooster game.  While I don't have a breakdown of how many shots were missed inside the paint, JCU's shooting percentage on non-3-point shots was around 48%.

Box Score

[Toph]

If the early season results are any indication, it looks like my Crusaders may struggle this year.  I mean, you don't lose Nate Stahl and everyone else they did and get better, but I thought they had the personnel coming back to be decent.  A loss to Etta is a bad sign...

JCU didn't look unbeatable Sunday.  I realize it was against a very good Wooster team, and JCU is still the heavy favorite in the conference, but...anything can happen.

Also, it's early in the year.  Hopefully, they'll fix that whole missing easy layups and foul shots problem quickly.

I wish I had the stats... I'd like to know if our 3-point percentage was higher than their shots-in-the-paint percentage, because I could swear it was. 

On the other hand, it's great to have a solid three point game... that could be the answer to the problem with our smaller size.  We haven't had what I'd call a knock-down three-point shooter since J. J. Richardson.  (Am I dating myself?)

Historically, Mike Moran led teams haven't been very good free throw shooters as a whole.  I don't know that it's a huge point of emphasis in his practices, he's just as likely to end a practice with a half court shooting contest as a free throw shooting drill.  I don't knock it, because he's won 312 more games as a college head coach than I have. 

I don't know that a three point game will solve all the potential post problems.  Crozier plays bigger than his size, and he moves pretty well around the basket, but when they run into a team of significant size, it'll will cause match up problems on both sides of the floor.  Not to say they can't win despite the fact that no one is listed over 6'4", but they have an uphill battle if and when tournament time comes.

I agree with you, however, in your appreciation of the three point game.  It's nice to have a couple of guys who can really hit the deep ball. 

I don't know if you need to go as far back as J.J. Richardson.  In '02 the Streaks had a trio of guys who could nail it from deep.  Jason Pecjak (32-68, 47%), Chris Jaklich (61-162, 37%), and Jerry Angel (31-74, 42%).  You may recall that was the team that kind of came out of nowhere (picked to finish middle of the pack in the OAC) to make the NCAA tourney)  Angel went on to shoot 38% the following season on many more attempts.

[Dr. Acula]

And so it begins....Etta beats Cap in the OAC opener...then falls 63-60 at MUC tonight.  It's the 1st full week of OAC play and I'm already confused! 

p.s. Glad to see the Raiders pull out the W even with Pellerite not having a good night (5 pts).  They had 5 guys in double figures tonight so they're showing they have multiple options on that end of the floor.

[billy the kid]

Looks like the battle of Columbus on Saturday is gonna be for last place. The good news is they play each other twice, might be each others only hope for a win. When was the last time OC and Cap started the season a combined 0-8 ??

[ScotsFan]

Looks like the battle of Columbus on Saturday is gonna be for last place. The good news is they play each other twice, might be each others only hope for a win. When was the last time OC and Cap started the season a combined 0-8 ??

Ouch!  That's a very good question!  Looks like slim pickins in C'bus this year!

On the bright side, at least one of them will crack the win column on Saturday...     

[Toph]

JCU rolls, 96-73, leading by as many as 34 points over BW in Berea.  Didn't get a chance to see this one, but it's worth noting that BW struggled from three just like Wooster, shooting 4-21.  JCU shot 10-19 from three, and 60% overall.  4 Streaks in double figures.

[inthecrease]

And so it begins....Etta beats Cap in the OAC opener...then falls 63-60 at MUC tonight.  It's the 1st full week of OAC play and I'm already confused! 

p.s. Glad to see the Raiders pull out the W even with Pellerite not having a good night (5 pts).  They had 5 guys in double figures tonight so they're showing they have multiple options on that end of the floor.

Thats the big advantage of having sam king back. If Pellerite has a rough night, they have another option to help them score