The 2002-03 edition of the Wittenberg Tigers is much different than those of past years. Some faces and names remain the same, but many new contributors are seeing action during games and helping the Tigers to the top of the heap - the same place those previous editions have found themselves.
Just past the midway point of the season, the Tigers, ranked No. 23 in the just released d3hoops.com national poll, are in prime position for another quality stretch run. Standing with an 11-3 overall record and a mark of 6-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, Wittenberg is perched atop the conference standings with archrival Wooster. The perennial powerhouses are just one game ahead of Ohio Wesleyan and Wabash in what appears to be developing into an outstanding four-team race for the title that the Tigers have claimed outright each of the last two years. Since the last report in mid-December, Wittenberg lost to Ohio Athletic Conference power Ohio Northern on the Polar Bears' home court 82-62, but have reeled off six consecutive victories, including the last five in conference play, since then. The last non-conference victory came on Dec. 30 at Case Western Reserve, a 72-57 decision made possible by a career-high 24 points from sophomore forward Andy Bucheit (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle).
The five NCAC wins have all been by at least nine points, including a crucial road win over Ohio Wesleyan last Wednesday. On Jan. 4, the Tigers trounced Oberlin at home by a final of 101-43. That game was tied 11-11 before Wittenberg went on a stunning 42-point run that stretched nearly 10 minutes on the clock. On Jan. 8, the victim was Kenyon by a final of 81-66 as senior forward/center B.J. Harris (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins) poured 20 points. On Jan. 11, Hiram was defeated at the HPER Center by a final of 93-75 as senior forward Kevin Longley (Vandalia, Ohio/Butler) tallied a season-high 17 points.
Last week was a big one for the Tigers as they claimed a pair of road victories to set up this week's games against contenders Wabash at home and Wooster on the road. On Wednesday, Wittenberg handed Ohio Wesleyan its only NCAC loss to date, a 73-64 setback made possible by Harris' first double-double of the 2002-03 season and 53 percent shooting as a team from the field. Then on Saturday, the Tigers' inside power paid dividends once again as Denison was felled 70-48. Wittenberg broke open a close game in the first half by riding the hot hand of Longley and freshman center Daniel Russ (Louisville, Ky./Trinity), who each finished with 15 points.
Next up is the date with Wabash, which will be broadcast by Time Warner Cable at 11 p.m. Wednesday and 10 p.m. on Saturday in the Dayton/Springfield area. Subscribers are encouraged to check their local listings for the channel in their area. Then on Saturday, the Tigers travel to Wooster for their annual showdown with the Fighting Scots, who check in at No. 9 in the nation in the latest poll.
Roundup: Tigers Looking Strong
Posted: Jan 21, 2003