Marietta College Pioneers vs. Otterbein Cardinals
Wednesday – January 25 – 7:00 pm
Fenton Court at Ban Johnson Arena
It’s Time to Wake the Sleeping Giant Inside “The BanJo!”
January 25, by C. Jay Prescher
Last year, the Marietta College men’s basketball team didn’t sneak up on anyone. From the seasons’ opening tip-off, the Pioneer Navy Blue was a viable National Championship contender. Despite falling just shy of their ultimate goal, the 2021-2022 Pioneers established a new benchmark for success. Pioneer fans will never forget that storybook season.
A new season brought a few new faces and a new beginning. Understandably, there have been some bumps along the way. But after an up-and-down first couple of months, Marietta is coming off a thorough dismantling of the Ohio Northern Polar Bears on Saturday. It was the most complete team performance of the 2022-2023 season. The Navy Blue combined a smothering defense with timely offense to take a 78-58 win over ONU.
While a 10th victory, a win that evened the Pioneers’ OAC record at 5-5, might not seem terribly significant, it could be. Saturday’s win pulled Marietta even with tonight’s opponent. The Pioneers and the Otterbein Cardinals sit tied, smack dab in the middle of the conference standings. Wednesday night’s critical OAC battle matches two teams hoping to chart very similar paths to realize possible post-season aspirations.
Both emerged from recent four-game losing streaks. Marietta’s impressive 20-point win over ONU snapped an uncharacteristic slump. The Cardinals have won their last two games after a four-game slide. There’s a lot on the line tonight.
It’s actually rather simple. By playing up to their abilities, the Pioneers can finish the regular season and head into the OAC tournament with no worse than the 4th seed. Otterbein has their eye on that same 4th spot. The number four seed will host a quarterfinal game.
That would mean at least one OAC tournament home game at “The BanJo.” But in all honesty, witnessing the recent lack of energy inside the “haloed walls of Ban Johnson Arena,” will it truly be an advantage? It needs to be! That’s the whole purpose of this article.
There isn’t a player’s name mentioned here. Both teams are going to leave it all out on the court. They will give the best effort they possibly can tonight. Both coaching staffs will devise game strategies, and each team will make adjustments as the game unfolds.
But what will the proud Pioneer faithful bring; those dedicated fans who pack themselves inside Fenton Court? Will “The BanJo” once again be the most imposing home court advantage in NCAA Division III basketball? To date, during the 2022-23 Pioneer home schedule, it has not been.
Sure, missed shots, poor on-court decisions that lead to turnovers, and blown defensive assignments are frustrating for players and fans alike. Nevertheless, the historically rabid level of enthusiasm inside “The BanJo” has been mysteriously absent. There have been “library-like moments.” Too many!
“The BanJo” has NOT been the formidable force for opposing teams that it has long been regarded. Ban Johnson Arena truly is the “Mecca of Division III Basketball.” Talented young men and dedicated coaches have been vital in establishing that level of excellence.
But the Pioneer basketball fans have been instrumental as well. Every clap, cheer, yell, or stomping foot has helped Coach Jon Vanderwal build Marietta into a formidable DIII hoops program. Thus far this season, the Marietta men have played their hearts out.
They’ve fallen short 7 times. But the Pioneer fans have come up short as well. At times, “The BanJo Advantage” has been all but nonexistent. This is a young team steadily building towards greatness. They need the unbridled support of the PioNation now more than ever.
The 2022-23 Pioneer basketball season is far from over. The sky’s still the limit for this team. The talent is obvious. How far they go towards achieving their goals will depend on how hard they prepare and how well they execute in each game. Every game is important now.
That means every remaining home game is crucial. Marietta College has the greatest fans in the country. Surprisingly, we haven’t lived up to that lofty reputation; yet. But “I Got a Feeling” tonight’s going to be different. It’s time to wake the sleeping giant inside “The BanJo!”
The Word Jester is not employed by Marietta College, and is not affiliated with the Ohio Athletic Conference or D3 Hoops.com
The opinions expressed in this article are the exclusive viewpoints of the author.
They do not reflect the points of view, policies, or principles of any outside agency or organization.
