MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

IMO the biggest thing that Fuline brought to the program was his personality.  He is well liked and well respected by the HS coaches in NE Ohio from his time as their peer.  His players, current and former, seem to universally love him and his family.  That allows him to recruit at a higher level than the program had in the past.  It sounds silly, but he's brought heart and passion to the program and the players are drawn to it and respond to it.  A perfect example is seeing how the players emotionally interacted with not their coach, but his dad after they won the OAC title.  A lot of coaches preach that their program is like a family, but it seems like Fuline actually accomplishes it.  I hope he stays in Alliance for a long, long time because I couldn't be prouder of how he represents Mount. 

[Pat Coleman]

The host sites for the men's Sweet 16 have been released: https://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2020/bracket and game times: https://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2019-20/ncaa-tournament?date=2020-03-13 and https://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2019-20/ncaa-tournament?date=2020-03-14

[Dr. Acula]

That York game was a grind.  Early on watching it I thought Mount was going to win fairly easily just because York looked slow and unathletic by comparison, but York just kept battling back.  I didn't see anyone that could create their own shot.  But man do they work.  They defended well completely shutting down Gurley.  They ran ball screen after ball screen and executed their offense well.  They hit open 3's.  I was very impressed with Gordon.  He had a nice stroke.  In a lot of ways they reminded of an OAC team.  Nothing super flashy, but just a good, well coached team with several good players, but no dominant player.

Mount survived an off night from Gurley (0-9 although 3 or 4 of those were halfway down the cylinder and somehow came out) and Friga.  To his credit Friga shook off a slow start and hit some key shots down the stretch.  They only survived because Bower-Malone was unconscious shattering the single game scoring record with 53 (15-21 FG, 7-8 from 3).  His deep jumper has been a little inconsistent since he hurt his ankle, but he said in the postgame that his ankle finally felt good and he wasn't lying.  And getting 6 days to let it heal even more is great news for us Mount fans.  He's such a difference maker and every tick he gets closer to 100% is huge.

One last thought...you know it's win or go home time when you look at the minutes in the box score.  Other than Friga (27 min) the only other subs that played were Hill (limited to 6 min w 4 fouls) and Painter (4 min to give Bower-Malone a breather).  Carroll logged 33 min which I'm sure is his most of the season and responded with 9 pts and 13 reb.

I don't want this season to end because this team is just so much fun to watch.

   

[raiderpa]

I thought that Carroll's play was a key to the win.  Sure the big night from Bower-Malone was something, and the night before from Gurley was amazing, but against York's physical presence Carroll was terrific.
Hill got a couple ridiculous calls against him, especially when physical play was the name of the game, and it took him right out of the game.  Driving layup collisions resulted in no calls and rarely was contact or holding called.  Was a very rough game, which suited York for the most part.  I was glad to see that Mount adapted and did not back down.  This was as physical a contest as I have seen all year, and I saw every game.

[raiderpa]

Mount Union has announced a restricted attendance rule for the Wittenberg game, Friday.  Go to Mount Union Athletics website for details.

[Fifth and Putnam]

Mount Union has announced a restricted attendance rule for the Wittenberg game, Friday.  Go to Mount Union Athletics website for details.

Mount Union and Wittenberg will play Friday evening before a restricted crowd limited to "institutional personnel, student-athlete family members, credentialed media, radio crews, and official team party members."

There will not be a public sale.

[Dr. Acula]

Mark Emmert announced that all NCAA winter and spring championships are cancelled.  What a shame for this extraordinary group of seniors.  As a fan I'm upset.  I can't imagine the heartbreak in that locker room that their season is over. 

[bluestreak66]

Mark Emmert announced that all NCAA winter and spring championships are cancelled.  What a shame for this extraordinary group of seniors.  As a fan I'm upset.  I can't imagine the heartbreak in that locker room that their season is over.

I feel for the Mount team. They had a great season, and I think a good chance to win it all

[raiderpa]

What a true shame.  I feel for all athletes who practiced and trained for their seasons, especially the seniors.  Would the NCAA ever offer an extra year of eligibility to spring sport athletes?  Very doubtful. I feel terrible for Coach Fuline and the Purple Raider Men's basketball team.  I really thought they were headed to the final four, at least. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

What a true shame.  I feel for all athletes who practiced and trained for their seasons, especially the seniors.  Would the NCAA ever offer an extra year of eligibility to spring sport athletes?  Very doubtful. I feel terrible for Coach Fuline and the Purple Raider Men's basketball team.  I really thought they were headed to the final four, at least.

There are coaches pushing for a extra eligibility for winter athletes.  I think there's a strong chance the spring athletes get it.

[formerd3db]

What a true shame.  I feel for all athletes who practiced and trained for their seasons, especially the seniors.  Would the NCAA ever offer an extra year of eligibility to spring sport athletes?  Very doubtful. I feel terrible for Coach Fuline and the Purple Raider Men's basketball team.  I really thought they were headed to the final four, at least.

There are coaches pushing for a extra eligibility for winter athletes.  I think there's a strong chance the spring athletes get it.

I don't see it for the winter athletes as it has been too far into the season.  However, I could see if for the spring athletes as mentioned IF the NCAA would ever consider it, although I am doubtful that would happen.  Yet, sometimes, we certainly are surprised by the NCAA.

[Pat Coleman]

What a true shame.  I feel for all athletes who practiced and trained for their seasons, especially the seniors.  Would the NCAA ever offer an extra year of eligibility to spring sport athletes?  Very doubtful. I feel terrible for Coach Fuline and the Purple Raider Men's basketball team.  I really thought they were headed to the final four, at least.

There are coaches pushing for a extra eligibility for winter athletes.  I think there's a strong chance the spring athletes get it.

However, I could see if for the spring athletes as mentioned IF the NCAA would ever consider it, although I am doubtful that would happen.  Yet, sometimes, we certainly are surprised by the NCAA.

It's already been done.

[formerd3db]

What a true shame.  I feel for all athletes who practiced and trained for their seasons, especially the seniors.  Would the NCAA ever offer an extra year of eligibility to spring sport athletes?  Very doubtful. I feel terrible for Coach Fuline and the Purple Raider Men's basketball team.  I really thought they were headed to the final four, at least.

There are coaches pushing for a extra eligibility for winter athletes.  I think there's a strong chance the spring athletes get it.

However, I could see if for the spring athletes as mentioned IF the NCAA would ever consider it, although I am doubtful that would happen.  Yet, sometimes, we certainly are surprised by the NCAA.

It's already been done.

Well then, that is good. And as I said, sometimes the NCAA does surprise some of us.🙂 Thanks for the info/update, Pat.

[raiderpa]

I read on one news site that the NCAA may allow Conference Tournaments to resume in a week.  Is this fake?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I read on one news site that the NCAA may allow Conference Tournaments to resume in a week.  Is this fake?

NCAA doesn't decide what conferences and schools do ... they only decided that the spring championships (along with the ongoing winter ones) would not take place.

If schools feel it is okay to resume athletics and such and conferences decide to hold championships, they are welcome to do so. Unfortunately, they simply won't compete in NCAA championships.

Division III also announced that all spring athletes will get a year of eligibility 'back,' per se, for this spring season AND this semester won't count towards academic eligibility standards for spring sports athletes. That is even if teams restart later in the semester. With no national championship to play for and the fact most teams won't come close to any kind of substantial games played, it is a blanket ruling.