MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

Dr. Acula · February 18, 2010, 02:43:33 AM

Musky 66, MUC 48. Seriously? I thought MUC was coming along. This pretty much ends that thought. Wow.

ScotsFan · February 18, 2010, 10:16:36 AM

Talk about tough luck. Cap sufferred their 2nd straight one point loss last night to Wilma. And for the 2nd straight game, Cap had the ball with a chance to win the game and couldn't finish. From the recap on Cap's website, it seems as though there was a questionable no-call once again involving DJ Frazier.

With JCU's win last night, they clinched their 2nd straight OAC title as Wilma is 2 back with only one to play. The Blue Streaks host ONU in a game that could put JCU atop next week's regional rankings if they win.

sac · February 20, 2010, 10:02:01 PM

Capital 65 Mt. Union 58
John Carroll 109 Ohio Northern 83
Wilmington 73 Marietta 64
Heidelberg 86 Muskingum 82
Otterbein 67 Baldwin-Wallace 62

JCU 15-3
Wilmington 13-5
Capital 10-8
Ohio No 10-8
Bald-Wally 9-9
Heidelberg 9-9
Mount Union 9-9

I tried to figure out tie-breakers and pairings for the OAC tournament, but holy cow is it messed up. I think I'll just wait for the press release.

**Great run by Capital to get back into the top 5 after a tough start to the season.

David Collinge · February 20, 2010, 10:35:34 PM

Quote from: sac on February 20, 2010, 10:02:01 PM
I tried to figure out tie-breakers and pairings for the OAC tournament, but holy cow is it messed up. I think I'll just wait for the press release.

Here you go.

#8 Marietta (6-12) at #1 John Carroll (15-3)
#7 Mount Union (9-9) at #2 Wilmington (13-5)
#6 Baldwin-Wallace (9-9) at #3 Capital (10-8)
#5 Heidelberg (9-9) at #4 Ohio Northern (10-8)

Otterbein and Muskingum are left to wish that they could play in the ECAC.

albertjackson · February 21, 2010, 02:33:54 PM

For what its worth, IMO, no upsets this yr. in the OAC. Expecting JCU v Wilmington Final. The other teams just dont seem capable of stepping up. BW loses to Otterbein? ONU loses at home to B-W? Mt. to Muskie? Cap has come on strong and shown they can take both JCU & Wilmington to the wire, while the Berg has faded back in the pack. Guess we shall see. Anyone else - pleaz share ur predictions. Luv to read em. Best time of the yr!!

ScotsFan · February 21, 2010, 03:11:26 PM

I'm not willing to predict that there will be no upsets in the OAC tournament. Yes, JCU has been playing well and they've won 10 straight, but they haven't exactly been dominating. Of their 10 wins, 5 have been in single digits including a two point win over 'Etta and an OT win over Musky. They also benefited from a bad no call at the end of their game with Cap to escape that game with a one point win. So, they have shown some vulnerability to say the least. And Wilmington has won 3 in a row to finish out the regular season, but in their 10 games prior to that, they were only 5-5.

Are JCU and Wilmington the favorites to make the finals? Yes, but I just wouldn't put money on there being no upsets in an OAC tournament. Just my opinion though...

ste24vie · February 21, 2010, 07:22:22 PM

The key is .......JCU is clearly NOT the dominant team that the preseason polls predicted. They have home court advantage, which is a huge factor and TEAM WORK WITH NO GREAT PLAYERS.

jcu_fan · February 23, 2010, 02:35:17 PM

Quote from: ste24vie on February 21, 2010, 07:22:22 PM
The key is .......JCU is clearly NOT the dominant team that the preseason polls predicted. They have home court advantage, which is a huge factor and TEAM WORK WITH NO GREAT PLAYERS.

With 1300 points and counting for his career, I might label Rudy Kirbus a great player, especially considering he's on a team that splits minutes rather equally among 12 players.

ste24vie · February 24, 2010, 09:21:01 AM

I think Kirbus is a VERY GOOD player, maybe the coach is keeping him from all-america status with the shared playing time. I do know that Coach Reynolds at OC would play him til he couldnt breathe. Two coaches with different philosophies, one keeps em fresh and one plays em til they cant walk.....Whose seems to be working?

David Collinge · February 24, 2010, 09:28:32 PM

#1 JCU 86, #8 Marietta 75
#2 Wilmington 71, #7 Mount Union 60
#3 Capital 84, #6 B-WC 73
#5 Heidelberg 63, #4 Ohio Northern 61

Semifinals Friday at the DeCarlo Varsity Center:
#3 Capital vs. #2 Wilmington
#5 Heidelberg vs. #1 JCU

jcu_fan · February 24, 2010, 09:59:21 PM

Quote from: ste24vie on February 24, 2010, 09:21:01 AM
I think Kirbus is a VERY GOOD player, maybe the coach is keeping him from all-america status with the shared playing time. I do know that Coach Reynolds at OC would play him til he couldnt breathe. Two coaches with different philosophies, one keeps em fresh and one plays em til they cant walk.....Whose seems to be working?

Yeah, I love Moran's system. Not only does it let you play an up-tempo game all game, but it's perfect for getting experience for younger players.

As for Kirbus, I think he's under-appreciated. You're by no means the only person that doesn't buy in. But he's quietly sitting at #2 on the Streaks' all-decade scoring list, with a chance to pass Mimms if JCU goes deep enough this year. That includes the team that went to the final four.

Also, Rudy was DIII Hoop's pre-season first team All-American this year. So at least he's getting noticed by some folks. I agree, though, there's something about his style of play that brings him in under the radar.

ste24vie · February 25, 2010, 05:02:47 PM

OC losing the tie breaker to Marietta for 8th place wasnt such a bad thing. Another thrashing from JCU would be painful.

albertjackson · February 26, 2010, 09:04:35 AM

Normally I wouldnt count a 5 beating a 4 as an upset, but the Berg beating ONU is definitely an upset in my opinion. Not to take away anything from the Berg, but on paper they do not hve the talent the Polae Bears have. Coach Gholson is proving to be the Berg best coach since John Hill. I know Sheldon won a conference tournament his 6th and final yr. before returning to Berea, but he never won like Gholson is doing. Sheldon teams underachieved - take away last season in tiffin, and maybe a little bit of excuse his 5th season due to some injuries, but his teams always finished 6th and lower, with very good talent. Plus he didnt leave much on the roster when he departed. I think Coach Gholson deserves Coach of the year recognition along with Goodwin & Moran. Still saying JCU vs Wilmington.

David Collinge · February 26, 2010, 08:53:38 PM

Quote from: albertjackson on February 26, 2010, 09:04:35 AM
Normally I wouldnt count a 5 beating a 4 as an upset, but the Berg beating ONU is definitely an upset in my opinion.

If that's so, than so is this:
Heidelberg 104, John Carroll 97

Capital and Wilmington going to OT, tied at 64.
Capital absolutely goes to sleep on an inbounds pass under the Wilma hoop with just over a second left, and RJ Brown hits the wide open three to win the game for the Quakers, 75-72.

#2 Wilmington vs, #5 Heidelberg for all the OAC marbles tomorrow. Good seats still available!

albertjackson · February 26, 2010, 11:25:11 PM

Guess I should have known better than to say there wouldnt be an upset in the OAC Tourny. Down goes the Blue Streaks at home to the Princes. Well, at least my comments regarding Coach Gholson are proving valid. Not sure what to make of championship game.... Quakers better on paper, but the Berg on roll. Will Blue Streaks still make NCAA? Be a shame if they dont!, but then again.... u cant lose at home in semis.