Rivals, Top-20 Foes Battling for Early Edge in NCAC Race

Tom Port elevates for a three-point shot against Wittenberg in the 2004 NCAC Tournament title game in Springfield. Wooster won the game 100-71.

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A typical Wittenberg University-College of Wooster men’s basketball game brings out the best in each team while stirring up elevated emotional levels for each of its fan bases. Now, add in Wooster’s No. 1 ranking in D3hoops.com’s weekly national poll, a chance for the Scots to give coach Steve Moore his 400th victory at Wooster, and most importantly, the winner taking control of its own destiny, in terms of the pursuit for the North Coast Athletic Conference championship, and emotions will be at a fever pitch tonight.

While the Scots have the undefeated record (14-0) and higher ranking, recent history suggests 20th-ranked Wittenberg (12-2) may be considered the favorite. The Tigers have won seven of the last eight regular season contests between the two, taking control of the all-time series at 45-37.

Two of the key factors to watch in meeting No. 83 are tempo and rebounding. Wooster will likely look to push the ball up the floor, as it’s averaging an NCAC-best 81.9 points, while Wittenberg has been utilizing a smothering defense to slow down opponents. In fact, the Tigers are currently fourth in the nation in scoring defense (55.2 ppg), and have limited their opposition to 50 points or less six times, including in five of the last six games.

With the likes of 6-9 Daniel Russ and 6-8 Dane Borchers, Wittenberg is also one of the best rebounding teams in Div. III, currently ranking No. 2 with a +13.0 margin. The Scots, who have done well in that category (+9.4) as well, counter with 6-7 Matt Schlingman, 6-5 Blake Mealer, and 6-5 Tom Port among others.

Offensively, both squads offer their traditional balanced attacks. Port paces seven Wooster players who are averaging 7.0-plus points, as the junior wing is tossing in 15.6 himself. Schlingman joins Port in double figures (10.4 ppg), while the Tigers have three who fit that description – Russ (15.2 ppg), Borchers (14.9 ppg), and sharpshooter Andy Bucheit (11.1 ppg) – and three others between 5.8 and 7.8 points.

The bench is one area, where the Scots might have a slight edge. There isn’t much, if any, drop off when they go to reserves James Cooper (9.3 ppg), Tim Vandervaart (8.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Justin Bradley (7.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg), and Devin Fulk, who is coming off a career-high 14 points on Wednesday night. Kenny Brady (7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg), who appears to be on his way to recovering from an early season ankle injury, 3-point threat Kenny Molz, and brothers Billy and Brett Bowen are among the other key players Wittenberg head coach Bill Brown will turn to.