Cedarville U. teams adapting to Division II play

Men’s, women’s coaches say they enjoy challenge of tougher schedules.

HANDOUT Kirk Martin

HANDOUT Pat Estepp

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By David Jablonski, Staff Writer 11:20 PM Tuesday, January 10, 2012

CEDARVILLE — Pat Estepp and Kirk Martin, the Cedarville University men’s and women’s basketball coaches, respectively, combined to win almost 80 percent of their games in their first 13 seasons — 10 for Martin and three for Estep.

Both are finding that astounding number hard to sustain in their first full seasons in NCAA Division II play, but they are enjoying the challenge that comes with the tougher competition.

“Our schedule has been insane,” said Estepp, whose men’s team improved to 8-6 with an overtime victory at Malone on Saturday. “It’s not just that we’re playing D-II schools. We’re playing really good D-II schools.

“Part of that was by design. We’ve been so successful at the NAIA level. I wanted to see what teams were like at the D-II level. I felt like the university needed to see as well. It’s been good for me, and it’s been good for the guys.”

The Yellow Jackets lost to No. 2 Kentucky Wesleyan and No. 7 Southern Indiana in back-to-back games in December.

They even stepped up to Division I for an evening, throwing a scare into Nevada before losing 71-61 on Dec. 28.

While this season has helped Estepp figure out where his program stands, he’s also learning the differences between NCAA D-II and NAIA D-II.

“Probably the most evident thing is the depth,” he said. “There’s just better depth. That’s probably because you have more scholarship money. Guys are just bigger and more athletic — not necessarily in the post, but the guards are bigger and quicker.”

The women’s team started strong, winning six of its first seven games. It has since lost five of seven games, falling to 8-6 with an 89-69 loss to Ashland on Tuesday.

“My schedule doesn’t compare in difficulty to Pat’s,” said Martin, who is 277-74 in his 11th season. “But my schedule has been extremely tough compared to what we’ve done in the past.

“What has really caught me off guard is how enjoyable this challenge has been. You get a little bit older, and you think you know a lot. But there have been a lot of things that have caught me off guard as to what the quality of D-II is all about.”

While Martin doesn’t want to knock NAIA basketball, there is a big difference between it and NCAA D-II basketball.

“We tend to play in maybe a little nicer facilities on a more regular basis,” he said. “There seems to be a more professional atmosphere as to the delivery of the game. There are consistent stats at time-outs. There’s music. The staffs are larger. The preparation for you is better. I’ve enjoyed it. This is what college athletics is all about.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or David.Jablonski@coxinc.com.

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