2012 Division III NCAA Tournament

[dahlby]

Hoops fan:

How closely did you listen to the second half? The game wasn't decided until  just over a minute to go, and even then it could have gone the other way. The winning margin is/was very misleading.

Titan Q:
CU may not be a dynasty in D3 basketball, but for a couple of days they will have the highest tourney winning percentage of any school at 100%. Yes, CU has played 1 D3 tourney game and won one.
(Smile, that is just a little Norweign humor). I too thought that you did a good post (if I could figure out how to give you a plus one karma, I would do it.

By the way, I started listening to some of IWU and other conference games this year. Tough conference and good talent. Good luck next year. A friend of mine's son was a senior on the Elmsford
team this year. Now, that is someone I really felt for. But, they were young and inexperienced.

[The Roop]

That's not exactly an epidemic situation there and we may be giving it more time than it warrants.

All I know is that I see less and less professional security staff at games these days. A student volunteer wearing a shirt that reads "Security" on the back does not a security guard make. If you have a big game coming and think it might be a problem, hire enough trained personnel to handle crowd control for the night. Not sure if this was the issue at CU or not but I can give them a pass here.

Additionally, the handshake requirement should be waived for lengthy celebrations and just let the other team head to the showers.

[hopefan]

Wash U does it in a proper way  -  the students 'storm' the end of the court... they wait for the players to shake the hands of the opponents, then the Wash U players have to go through the student Mob, getting their Backs pounded as the Wash U fight song is sung   -   both the good sportsmanship and the celebration are accomplished   -  good way to get it done.....

[Just Bill]

Rick Reilly chimed in today too, but I don't think he was referring to Chapman specifically:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4961547

[Titan Q]

What do you feel about a team mobbing their teammate who just hit the game-winning shot?

Emotion is part of the game.  When someone hits a buzzer beater or whatever, I'm all for his teammates jumping on him and celebrating...as long as the team collects itself quickly and shakes the opponents' hands.  I definitely am not suggesting that emotion like that be removed from the end of the game.

I think the storming the court thing is different, because that seems to be something the host school can actually control.  (Granted, in D3 it is not easy due to the proximity of the fans to the court.)

[AO]

What do you feel about a team mobbing their teammate who just hit the game-winning shot?

Emotion is part of the game.  When someone hits a buzzer beater or whatever, I'm all for his teammates jumping on him and celebrating...as long as the team collects itself quickly and shakes the opponents' hands.  I definitely am not suggesting that emotion like that be removed from the end of the game.

I think the storming the court thing is different, because that seems to be something the host school can actually control.  (Granted, in D3 it is not easy due to the proximity of the fans to the court.)

So what if the students want to storm the court?  No harm, no foul.  disrupting the post-game handshake line does not fall under the "harm" category.  Make fun of the  kids afterward if they were dumb, but don't try to police their behavior a certain way if the win doesn't fall under your criteria.

[altor]

I wouldn't be opposed if schools (or even the NCAA) adopted a "no storming the court" policy, and somehow enforced it.  All things considered, I just don't think the act supports the NCAA's sportsmanship philosophy (which they read before every tournament game).

Great post, especially about the "handshake aspect".  That must have been very awkward. +1!

Another reason to discourage storming the court/field...how often have you seen this happen because the crowd thinks the game is over when it's not?  Usually this is due to clock operator error, but sometimes a foul occurs as time expires and fans are so anxious to storm the surface that they don't hear the whistle or see the flag (Yes, I'm thinking football too).  Then they have to clear the playing surface and resume the game.

It's completely unfair to all involved.  I'm waiting for the NCAA and their member conferences to tell officials to start penalizing teams whose fans create the problem the first time.  When some school loses because the fans surrendered a technical foul or a 15-yard penalty, then we'll see it stop.

[oldchap]

I'm not sure if I should be amused or appalled by this lengthy conversation regarding the "storming of the court" at the end of the CMS - Chapman game. But in any case, here is my take on it:

Sportsmanship?? Look, these players are adults, not kindergartners. If their self-esteem is going to be crushed because they lost an important game and fans of the other team, at home, go down to the court to congratulate their players and celebrate, then I'm sorry to say but they are ill-prepared for what life has in store for them.

When the Chapman students came down to the court, there was not even the inkling of a taunt at the other team or at the CMS fans. All their energy was focused in hugging their team and celebrating this all important win. From the stands, it looked like a good natured, fun and joyful celebration.

You also have to understand the circumstances. As an Independent, Chapman doesn't get to play for the purpose of winning a Conference (which would also warrant the storming of a court in my opinion; doesn't the winning team cut the net in such circumstances, with all the fans watching? ). As an Independent, every game is for the single goal of winning so you have a chance to make it to the playoffs.  Nothing more.

It's been 32 years since Chapman won a playoff game. That was in Division II. This year marks the first time they make the playoffs as a D3 school, and they happen to win! In addition, Chapman has been bashed, trashed and abused by many on these boards and guess what?? The players know it, the fans know it, the entire coaching staff knows it. For the fan, it was the joy of finally being recognized, a way to tell the World of D3 basketball: "you see, we have gone through hell and back, but we are much better than most of you want to give us credit for and we are proud to be part of the Chapman family!" I don't want to use the word, because it may stir controversy, but in some ways, it was vindication.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I also can't believe it went on this long.  I don't think its unsportsmanlike, I just mentioned that the game didn't warrant it.  It seems like every d1 school is doing it nearly every game these days, so it's not unpopular or uncommon.  I guess I was just using this latest example to make a comment about how routine it's become, which is, in itself, probably a comment about how obsessed we are as a society with instant gratification.

I'd make the same comment if WashU wins sectionals and another trip to the final four on its home court and the fans rush the court.  (Reprieve for a buzzer beater, because those are just exciting, especially in a one and done situation - there's lots of leeway there.)

On a side note, perhaps I'm just out of touch, but maybe Chapman feels a lot more maligned or under-appreciated than they should.  Oxybob aside, I think most of us understand the challenges they have with geography and scheduling and don't begrudge them their excitement.

[Ralph Turner]

Wash U does it in a proper way  -  the students 'storm' the end of the court... they wait for the players to shake the hands of the opponents, then the Wash U players have to go through the student Mob, getting their Backs pounded as the Wash U fight song is sung   -   both the good sportsmanship and the celebration are accomplished   -  good way to get it done.....

When is the baby powder deployed?*



*Archived reference ... http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=6789.msg1172530#msg1172530

Great seats for uninterested reporters

Don't know one "reporter" who is at the Final Four who is uninterested. Whether its those following the teams there... the local broadcasters... those from CBS College Sports... or the staff at D3hoops.com... every person with a press pass seems interested in every aspect of the game.

Sure... I think the bleachers could be moved closer a bit... but that also means more powder from the Wash U fans will get on the court!

[The Roop]

I'd make the same comment if WashU wins sectionals and another trip to the final four on its home court and the fans rush the court. 

If St. Thomas comes out Wash U. won't host as it will add a flight. Look for Wheaton to host, in that scenario, if they get past UT-Dallas. UWSP would also be considered.

[KnightSlappy]

Point would host before Wheaton.

I know that the NCAA loves geography, but Wheaton hosting over St. Thomas, Wash U., and lets say Hope, would be a travesty.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Down go the Tommies - Anderson proves they belong.

[Greek Tragedy]

entertaining but sloppy first game in stevens point.  hope looked like they'd run away with it in the first half, up by 11, but norbs cuts it to 5 at the break.  norbs plays tough in the 2nd half to hold off the dutchmen.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Down go the Tommies - Anderson proves they belong.

Scoreboard has the Tommies winning by 2 - did the score get reversed?