Congrats George Fox.

As a Wash. U. fan who was at the championship game, I was of course disappointed in the outcome but you did a great job and deserved the win.

When Wash. U. put together a 15-2 run in the second half, you maintained your composure and pulled through with the victory.

Props to your fans some of who drove 35 hours to watch your historic achievement. We'll be seeing you next year and hopefully the Bears get another shot at the Northwest Conference. We went 0-3 this year and only dropped two other games in the seasons.

Considering all the freshmen on your squad who played big roles, I can only imagine the recruiting power of your school. You'll be in the rankings for a long time.

Quote from: BruinFan on March 20, 2009, 09:19:11 PM

Quote from: deiscanton on March 20, 2009, 05:55:30 PM
I think the Bears will be the favorite tomorrow against either George Fox or TCNJ, although I think that George Fox will probably be the tougher matchup for the Bears should the Bruins win the second semifinal.

I'm just fine with you making Wash U the favorite. Deep down I think you want to guarantee a win. The Bears season didn't really get on track until after they lost at Whitworth and Whitman of the the Northwest Conference. I notice they use a different starting line up now. Wash U played very well today and I look forward to the final.  Go George Fox Bruins!

I would love to guarantee a win for Wash U but I saw George Fox playing today. A team that goes undefeated up till now is no pushover especially with such potent three point shooting. It'll be a battle and it will go down to the last possession. The roadtrip out west was a wake up call that the Bears have heard loud and clear. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Go Wash. U. Bears!

Quote from: Wydown Blvd. on March 16, 2009, 10:48:13 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on March 16, 2009, 03:25:37 PM
Next year, for the first time in awhile, (and this is projecting wayyyy ahead of course) it seems like there may actually be some parity among the brackets, given how decimated the top squads from the traditional power conferences in the midwest and west (WIAC, CCIW, Wash U., top Ohio teams, just an unusual concentration of truly stellar seniors, even by that group's high standards) generally will be by graduation. 

Correction to Nescac1's thoughts...WashU possibly only loses one senior in Tyler Nading (1st Team All-UAA) to graduation (not at all "an unusual concentration" for any team). Sean Wallis has a year of eligibility and is sticking around from what I have heard. They should be set-up to make another great run next year.

Sean Wallis still hasn't made a firm decision from what I've heard. But with Dylan Richter recovered from injury, Aaron Thompson (UAA Player of the Year), Cam Smith and all  the other guys, we'll be in a good position.

Quote from: sumfun on March 15, 2009, 10:23:59 AM
I think the match up with Amherst and Wash U should be a great one and the third UAA team in a row that the Jeffs will have to face.

Agreed. We'll see how the Lord Jeffs do versus the UAA champion this year. It's also interesting because on the men's side, Wash. U. beat Amherst last year for the championship. Fans on both sides who were there for that game will probably remember that.

Quote from: CCIWchamps on March 15, 2009, 10:54:28 PM
Congrats Wash U!  As a Wheaton fan I'm pulling for you to win in Salem.  I just hope you have a larger following than those boys in the fatigues on Saturday.  If they travel with you, teach them some class in their cheers and jeers.  Other than that, congrats on a great weekend in Wheaton.  Good luck next weekend!

Thanks for your well wishes. I was in Wheaton for the Sweet 16 game but not the Wash. U./St. Thomas game and I must say I really admired the spirit of Wheaton fans. When Wheaton took the lead with three minutes to go for the first time, the spectacle of an entire gym erupting into cheers and people leaping to their feet was amazing. I especially enjoyed the little kids in front of the stands trying to distract Wash. U. players when they were shooting free throws. When I first saw the line for tickets on Friday evening, I was shocked especially considering that Wheaton was on Spring Break. Several people even asked to buy a ticket off me.

I was also impressed after the game was over when both teams formed a circle on the court and prayed together. I don't know what would be the proper word to describe it but it was nice to see that things were left out on the court.  That was one memorable game and could have easily been played in Salem. I'm sure there will be a larger following for Salem especially if fan buses pull through. But students are faced with the tough choice between Salem for the men, Holland for the women and participating in Relay for Life.

Quote from: WashU33Fan on March 15, 2009, 01:29:02 AM
Glad I got to be in Wheaton to see the Bears clinch another trip to the final four in Salem.  AT's Dad's team won their district championship in overtime on Saturday afternoon and we were able to scurry down the turnpike to Chicago.  We missed the first 10 minutes of the first half but we were there for the Bear's big run.  Congrat Bears!  Tyler had a monster game, AT and Sean played really well. Cam Smith had a great defensive weekend.  GO BEARS!

I'm a little sad I missed it because I was at Wash. U. last year when they clinched their ticket to the Final Four. On the other hand, I did get to see the Wash. U. women clinch on the way back to St. Louis and their game went to the last second. Wash. U. in the Final Four for both men and women. I still can't believe it. GO BEARS!

John Carroll and Wheaton have both been eliminated. We'll see how the other hosts do tonight.

Good luck to the Judges. It would be nice to have two UAA teams in the Final Four. I'll be driving to the women's game today over at Illinois Wesleyan to see if the Bears can pull an upset.
I'm writing this from a motel outside of Wheaton as I watched the men's game last night. It's a tough choice with both Wash. U. teams playing tonight at the same time. 

Quote from: hopefan on March 14, 2009, 10:04:15 AM
   Wash U Wheaton     Great game, great atmosphere  -  first time I ever sat amongst the Wash U family - finally worked up the 'courage' to introduce myself to some people and was immediately taken in as one of the gang - really fun knowing which parents belong to which players - and the Wheaton crowd - any misgivings regarding the seating problems of last week were quickly erased - it was handled this weekend perfectly, and all the great impressions I had of Wheaton from my visits 15 years ago played out - wonderful crowd, even with many students on Spring break, and I especially loved how many young kids were there, painted up, cheering for Wheaton....  a packed house of really nice people.....  For whoever wins St T - Wash U, beware of the upset in Salem...  after seeing the quality last night, the winner will be a huge favorite in Salem.

I couldn't agree more. There was a fairly large number of Wheaton fans looking to scalp tickets despite it being Spring Break. I was very pleased with the Wash. U. turnout and could hear the chants of 'We are Wash. U.' Lots of parents and alumni out there.
The kids down near the baseline were fun as well taunting Wallis and Nading when they were at the line.  Props to Wheaton for putting up a great fight especially with that lay-up at the 3 minute mark for the lead. King Arena went crazy with Wheaton fans shooting to their feet and cheering their lungs out.  It's going to be a close game tonight as well so Go Bears!

Quote from: deiscanton on March 11, 2009, 04:15:00 AM
I just wanted to post here to say that my friend Mr. Robert C. Paul of Sharon, MA (Harvard '44-- college classmate of former Brandeis athletic director Nick Rodis) passed away as of Monday, March 9, 2009 at approx. 12:45 AM Eastern.  That corresponds to Adar 13, 5769 on the Hebrew calendar.   To me, Mr. Paul was most involved in my life as the one who drove me to Brandeis basketball games for the past few years and as the one who would give me Fig Newtons as my snack to fuel me up before the big games.  Mr. Paul was also known by many as the #1 women's soccer fan of Brandeis University, just as I am known by many as Brandeis's #1 basketball fan.   His obituary is printed in the Boston Globe for March 11, 2009.   I will deeply miss him and his companionship.

I would like to extend my condolences as well. He sounds like a wonderful person and an amazing fan. Good luck to the Judges against Muhlenberg.

Quote from: KorsairKILLAH on March 09, 2009, 07:52:18 AM
"No one had us beating them," Bridgewater State coach Joe Farroba told The Enterprise, in Brockton, Mass. "If you'd told me in October we'd be going to the Sweet 16, I'd have asked you what you were smoking."

this guy is the man.

Agreed. Too bad that destroyed my bracket but that's probably the best quote I've seen with regards to the tourney.

Quote from: scorekeeper on March 08, 2009, 04:08:07 PM
Hey UAA folks, I'm a St. Ben's fan here checking out the chatter on this board in preperation for the Sweet Sixteen matchup with Wash U.  CSB only faced Wash U one other time and that was 10 years ago in the National Championship game.  What do you suppose St. Ben's will be up against when they take on the Bears Friday? 

As for the Blazers they have had an outstanding season, especially after losing their leading scorer more than half way through the season to an ACL.  St. Ben's success is all about defense, defense, defense.  With a quick "4" in Ariel Tauer, a 6'4 post who can block shots and rebound and point guard who takes great care of the basketball it's a well balanced team with a lot of heart and determination. 

Human interest note: The two seniors (Tauer and point guard Nikki Carter) have played together since grade school. 

Hey Scorekeeper, I'm a Wash. U. fan. Wash. U. came off a week with no games and had some jitters in the first round against Capital. They seemed to have lost that by the Regional Final, nailing every other shot.

We'll be seeing some great basketball. I can't tell you anyone in particular because there is no lone superweapon. All I can say is that anyone can step up. That's Wash. U. basketball. Weapons wherever you go on offense and defense. I'm excited. Last year, we lost our leading scorer to an ACL so we know how that feels.

Congratulations and good luck to all the advancing UAA teams.

The Wash. U. game was too close for comfort. Sadly no video broadcast so I was repeatedly refreshing the live stats while watching the women's game.

AT's 26 points and closing three were huge. Nading was cold shooting 20%. I hope he sparks up tomorrow.

For WU fans and those interested in that pod, there will be live streaming video at

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/2009NCAASTL

Live audio at:

http://www.kwur.com/

Live stats at:

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/mensbball/LiveStats/xlive.htm

If you're into Twitter, there will be updates every few minutse:

http://twitter.com/studlifesports

Washington University Bears     
Rank in last d3hoops poll: 2       
University Athletic Association (UAA) Champion
23-2 Overall; 13-1 UAA; Home 9-1; Away 11-1  Neutral 3-0     
Head Coach – Mark Edwards (28th season) (Recorded 500th win against Chicago on 2-28)         

Key Wins         
11-22 Augustana (87-82 OT) 1-30 Brandeis  (80-75)
Record Against NCAA Tourney Teams – (5-1) W- Brandeis (twice) Carnegie Mellon (twice), Fontbonne L-Elmhurst

Starters         
12 Sean Wallis, Point Guard      6'2," Sr    10.3 PPG, 8.4 APG, 85.4 FT%, 36 STL
(Bob Cousy Award Finalist, 2nd in assists per game and 3rd in assist turnover ratio for DIII)
33 Aaron Thompson, Shooting Guard           6'4" Jr    17.8 PPG; 49 3PT%  (5th best in DIII)
5 Cameron Smith, Small Forward                   6'5", Jr    6 PPG; 4.4 RPG; 24 STL
21 Tyler Nading, Power Forward      6'7", Sr 13.3 PPG; 5.6 RPG
44 Zach Kelly, Center                      6'7", Jr     7.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG

Key Reserves         
10 Ross Kelley, Guard 6'1" Jr. 1.5 PPG, 1.6 APG
20 Dylan Richter, Guard  6'5" Fr. 4.1 PPG 2.7 RPG 1.5 APG
45 Alex Toth, Forward  6'6" Fr. 4.6 PPG 3.4 RPG
40 Caleb Knepper, Forward 6'6" So. 7.1 PPG 1.8 RPG
Statistics         
Points/Game: Wash. U. (79.8 ) Opponent (66.5)         
Rebounds/Game: Brandeis (34.6) Opponent (30.3)         
FG%:  Wash. U. (50.3) Opponent (43.0)    9th best in Division III     
3PT%: (40.0); FT% (74.8 )         

Notes         
-Wash. U. is the defending national champion.
-Wash. U. has been to the Final Four in both 2007 and 2008.
-Wash. U. leads Division III with a 1.66 Assist to Turnover ratio
-Sean Wallis is a preseason first team All American.
-Tyler Nading is a preseason second team All American.