The NCAC ended season 61 by sending two teams to the post season. Conference tournament champion Earlham lost in the first round of the NT and Wabash lost in the first round of the PI. It looks like there could be at least two teams get to the tournament again in 62. Grove City, Denison, Thiel and Wittenberg are poised to be strong SIM teams. If you are looking for a team look at the previews and you might find one. We are an active conference with an active coaches corner and would like to see some new coaches.. Take a look at what teams are available and join this conference.

 

 Earlham Quakers

Gaining a NT bid in his 4^th season at the helm of the Quakers,Conference Coach of the Year Ajsalman is got a lot of work to do. Losing three starters off of the 24-6 squad is going to be a hard bill to fill. He does still have first team all conference junior center Marc Chamberlain, 10.2 ppg 5.4 reb and senior small forward Albert Lute, 4.5 ppg 1.4 ast 3.9 reb. Lute and Chamberlain both will be looked on to carry the scoring lost to graduation. They will need to see immediate help from junior center/pf James Clemmons, 7.2 ppg 4.5 reb. If the Quakers can get a strong recruiting class to back up the team they could surprise a few teams next season.

 

Oberlin Yoeman

In his 55 seasons at Oberlin coach Warrior had one of his best teams. Going 20-7 and getting beat in the semifinals of the conference tournament by a tough Earlham team. He will be starting the season minus 31 points of production due to graduation. Senior Jason Perl PG, 6.6 ppg 3.1 ast will be back along with senior Jeffery Siros, 5.9 ppg 2.8 reb they will be asked to carry a bigger load this season. The Yoemen should be back to battle for the conference title but will need to get a good recruiting class.

 

 Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops

In 39 seasons coaching the Battling Bishops Coach Yanni has turned them into the most successful programs in the North Coast Conference. Suffering through a tough season 61 the Bishops look to be poised to make another conference championship run. Losing only two seniors and 20 ppg thru graduation the cupboard is already stocked. SG Gary Wetherby brings his 11.8 ppg back for his junior season along with freshman of the year award winner SG Norman Marcy and his 12.6 ppg 2.0 reb 1.8 assists. Also back is senior PG Jonathan Duet, 8.0 ppg 6.0 ast who should be able to get this team into scoring position. It looks like OWU will be battling for a post season birth next season.

 

Thiel Tomcats

Finishing the 61 season at 16-13 and only losing one player to graduation. A seven man junior class should bring poise and leadership for the next two seasons. The Tomcats will be showcasing juniors William Zordan, 10.7 ppg at SG and third team all conference SF James Conway, 13.1 ppg 5.4 reb. Also looking to have break out seasons are junior SF Keith Murray, 6.3 ppg 4.1 reb and junior SF David Lowe, 9.4 ppg 3.8 reb. Thiel looks like they will have a better season then the last. Look for them to upset some teams.

 

 Wittenberg Tigers

Breaking even at 14-14 in season 61 was better than most would have thought. Only losing one senior the Tigers will be lead by four seniors. Power forward Martin Saad leads the group. Coming of a junior season where he averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.9 rebounds. Another senior the Tigers will be looking for to have a big season is John Jordan. He had a good junior season were he averaged 7.0 ppg and 4.2 rebounds. Wittenberg could be a tough out in season 62. I would look for them to be fighting for a conference championship.

 

 Grove City Wolverines

Coming off a disappointing season 61 going 11-16 and losing in the opening round of the conference tourney. The Wolverines are looking to rebound and look to have the building blocks to do it. Returning four starters and leading scorers senior center Vincent Savino, 10.6 ppg 7.5 reb and first team all conference senior PG William Jarvis, 11.7 ppg 5.0 ast if they can get either junior John Porter, 7.2 ppg or second team all conference center Stephen Tolbert, 9.4 ppg 7.8 reb to be that go to third scorer watch out for them in the post season.

 

Wooster Fighting Scots

After another 3-24 campaign to match last seasons it’s hard to think that coach Joepa can get the ship righted this season. The Fighting Scots bring back the same starting five that was ineffective last season. There are some bright spots though. The two top scorers from last season are returning. Junior SG Eric Ferrier is back with his 11.6 ppg and junior PF Tom Jackson is back after averaging 10.2 ppg and 5.5 rebounds. Also returning are sophmore SG Mark Larson who averaged 10.1 ppg as a freshman could be that break thru player. There is some hope for the coming season.

 

Kenyon Lords

After a successful season 61 ending with a respectable 18-11 record the Kenyon Lords look to move back to the top of the conference. Returning only one starter from last season may not help. They will be looking for big seasons from third team all conference senior Trevor Lile, 12.1 ppg 4.0 rebounds and juniors Richard Kelley, 7.1 ppg and Thomas Beaubien , 8.1 ppg 3.1 rebounds. Things are looking like they are going in the right direction.

 

 Hiram Terriers

A 12-16 season was not what the Terriers had in mind when season 61 began. Season 62 will see a very young Hiram team looking to find its identity. The only senior is PF Richard Michael who averaged 7.8 ppg and pulled down 6.0 rebounds as a junior. He is expected to be the anchor on this team. Also back is junior PG Louis Reed who had a solid sophomore season averaging 8.8 ppg and 2.1 assists.  Another junior  expected to help this season is PF Raymond Wild who averaged 6.3 ppg and pulled down 4.3 rebounds. The Terriers aren’t expected to do much this season and look to finish in the middle of the pack.

 

Denison Big Red

After rolling through the non conference portion of last seasons schedule at 8-2. The Big Red couldn’t keep the momentum going and ended the season 13-14 and out of the post season for the third straight season. Returning every player from last years squad will help as will a six member senior class. The starting five will be led by the back court duo of seniors Troy Morano, 10.1 ppg 3.2 asst and Joseph Dyer, 10.8 ppg. The inside should be strong with seniors Matthew Evans, 8.4 ppg 7.7 reb and Clifton Carson, 8.8 ppg 6.4 rebounds. Denison  should be a strong contender for conference champions.

 

Allegheny Gators

The Gators never got it together in season 61 struggling to finish 9-18. This season brings promise. Losing only one to graduation they will be relying on one senior and seven juniors to get back on the winning side. Junior SG Jack Bongiorno, 12.1 ppg 2.0 reb 3.1 assists will be expected to continue where he left of in season 61. He will need senior C Marvin Wallick, 7.9 ppg 8.8 reb to continue to score and rebound. Junior SF John Block, 9.7 ppg is primed to make a big jump and become that key inside outside threat. Although there will be improvement the Gators will still be at the bottom of the standings.

 

Wabash Little Giants

Although they are losing two starters and a key reserve the Little Giants will be more than able to fight for another conference championship. Going 15-1 in conference and getting to the PI tourney was a great way to end a 20-10 season for 10^th season Coach Indyrider. The Little Giants will be loaded to start season 62 as the team to beat. Returning Conference Player of the Year senior PG Ryan Dicks, 15.6 ppg 4.0 assists will team up again with second team all conference SG Archie Bassett, 13.6 ppg 2.0 reb 2.4 assists to form a formidable back court. The front court will be manned by third team all conference junior C Jeffery Cota, 4.8 ppg 6.3 reb .

 

Preseason  Picks Season 62

1, Wabash

2. Ohio Wesleyan

3. Grove City

4. Oberlin

5. Earlham

6. Denison

7. Wittenberg

8. Thiel

9.Kenyon

10.Hiram

11.Allegheny

12.Wooster