MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Well, that wasn't a great start.  Mount was blown out by William Patterson today 100-78.  DeAllen Jackson DNP so obviously that hurts big time. Defense was not good giving up 100 on 55% shooting.  They also had 17 turnovers and got out rebounded 45-32.  Positives were 3 point shooting (43.5%) and Kukura (22 and 10 in 20 min).

[Dr. Acula]

Mount beat Potsdam St. 70-56 yesterday to split their NJ trip.  In addition to DeAllen Jackson being out I also noticed that Kyle Scelza hasn't played yet either.  They could use his perimeter shooting down the road so I hope he's just dinged up currently. 

The Raiders have Penn St. Beaver at home Wednesday and then they're off to IL to play NCC and Chicago Fri/Sat in Naperville.  Hopefully they can build off yesterday and come home 4-1.

[AndOne]

I have heard that Mt. Union's DeAllen Jackson hasn't played yet, possibly due to a broken foot.
Also that Kyle Scelza, who also hasn't played, might have the same injury.
Can anyone confirm, and is there any idea as to when either player might be able to play? Thanks.

[Dr. Acula]

Watched the first half from Naperville.  Down 42-27. It's William Patterson part 2.  Mount looks putrid.  10 turnovers to NCC's 3.  Getting absolutely killed by offensive rebounds again (10-2).  Can't shoot the 3 ball at all (1-9).  Careless passes, stupid fouls (they swiped at a steal under their own freaking hoop with 0.2 seconds in the half to give NCC free throws).  Ruffin got whistled for two very iffy offensive fouls within the first few minutes so he spent most of the half sitting.  Hopefully they wake up at halftime.

[Dr. Acula]

17-3 on offensive rebounds currently.  BAD.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount bounced back from the NCC loss by beating #17 Chicago 74-58 yesterday.  Kukura followed up his career best 33 against NCC with 19 against Chicago.  He definitely isn't afraid to shoot as a soph on a senior heavy team.  Through 5 games this team has been wildly inconsistent.  They really need Ruffin to stay out of foul trouble as he was cuffed to the bench again yesterday.  Without him out there they just can't keep opponents off the offensive glass (they got killed again yesterday). 

[Dr. Acula]

Damn, Mount dropped from #7 to out of the top 25.  They need to start off OAC play tonight with a win over BW (4-1). 

[Dr. Acula]

Kuhn drops 51 tonight for BW, but it's not enough.  Mount wins 110-109 in 2 OT.  BW had a chance to tie it down 110-107 after a full court baseball pass was caught and laid in with a foul called.  The FT was missed to end the game.  Kukura paced Mount with 33 while Jacubec scored 27 and Ruffin added 25 and 12.

[sac]

Mount really needed that or their post-season chances might have been circling the drain already. 

[Dr. Acula]

I think they're just trying to tread water until Jackson is healthy.  He's arguably the best player in the OAC so it's obviously a huge blow to be without him.  For example, the guy playing in place of Jackson last night had 5 pts, 3 assists and 1 rebound in 36 minutes.  And while no DeAllen Jackson, the absence of Scelza hurts too.  He's a solid perimeter player who has been on the floor during crunch time in a lot of big games.   

What troubles me so far is the poor defense.  That needs cleaned up.  The bright spots have been Jake Jacubec stepping right in and playing well at the point and obviously JJ Kukura emerging as a legit go to scorer as a sophomore (20.3 PPG).  Kukura is also their 2nd leading rebounder (7.5 RPG) as the 6th man (and a guard).  If he can cut down on his turnovers and improve the shot selection just a little bit he can be special. 

[Dr. Acula]

Mount notches a 68-62 win at Cap this afternoon to move to 5-2, 2-0.  Always good to get a road win.  Jacubec and Kukura paced the offense again today.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount picks up the midweek road win at ONU 79-71.  It sounds like a broken record, but Kukura had 24 and 11 to lead the way.  It looks like Shull, who had been starting in place of the injured Jackson, did not play last night.  Freshman Andrew Francesconi started in Shull's place.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There are many teams right now asking everyone, have you noticed us? Big wins, great starts, record beginnings. Tonight on Hoopsville, Dave talks to those who are off to tremendous starts which may not have been noticed... yet.

Hoopsville hits the air at 7pm ET - tune in here: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2015-16/dec10

Guests include (in order):
- Mike Moran, No. 11 John Carroll men's coach
- Greg Curley, Juniata men's coach
- Margaret White, Ursinus women's coach
- Cindy Holbrook, UW-River Falls women's coach
- Tim Grosz, Northwestern (Minn.) men's coach

This is the last Thursday edition of Hoopsville before the holiday break (also due to D3football.com coverage of Gagliardi Trophy and Stagg Bowl next week). The Thursday edition of the show will return January 7, 2016.

Don't forget you can always interact with us:
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AND our podcast as been approved for iTunes!!! Just search for it or follow it via this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopsville/id1059517087

[Dr. Acula]

Mount led wire-to-wire against Ott yesterday winning 92-82.  Looking at the box score I can't say I like the percentages the Cards put up.  Definitely not the finest defensive effort.  The Raiders now don't play an OAC game until 1/6 against Berg.  They don't play a game period until 12/28 in FL.  The first "big" game is the 1/16 match up with JCU.  Looking at the schedule Mount should be 7-0 in OAC play going into that game. 

[Onward on, John Carroll]

D3hoops.com Top Ten battle between Marietta and John Carroll on Saturday in University Heights.  Should be a good one as I think all of the games between Mount, Etta and JCU will be this season.