2012 Division III NCAA Tournament

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Thanks pabegg, that makes sense. But I'm shocked that there are 7 teams seeded/ranked higher that CMU and B-W in that bracket.  I can see the following:

Miss Coll
Wooster
Hope
Calvin
Wittenberg

who else? I guess you'd add Bethany (CMU beat them) and Trinity Texas?

That's what we just said.  There may not be seven teams above them, but they got thrown into that regional because of geography.  They aren't going to Transy or Miss Coll and frankly, I'd rather be going to Wittenberg than to Hope.

[njlincolnlion]

Hoops Fan:

Point well taken regarding the possible Va. Wesleyan Lincoln matchup before a Possible Lincoln York game, if the seeds all hold true. 

I have to do some research on Va. Wesleyan and their schedule.  I know the Marlins played R-MC in the ODAC, and Lincoln played R-MC twice.  Lincoln blew away the Yellowjackets at home by 22 pts, and R-MC returned the favor at Ashland beating the Lions by 20.

I'm glad Lincoln not only made it to the big dance, but is hosting first and second round games.

                             GO LIONS [/color]

[pabegg]

Thanks pabegg, that makes sense. But I'm shocked that there are 7 teams seeded/ranked higher that CMU and B-W in that bracket.  I can see the following:

Miss Coll
Wooster
Hope
Calvin
Wittenberg

who else? I guess you'd add Bethany (CMU beat them) and Trinity Texas?

Trinity and Transylvania

[pabegg]

One thought on the West Region part of the bracket.

Was UW-Stout originally ranked ahead of St. Thomas, and then they were switched to avoid the Carleton-St. Thomas matchup? Or did St. Thomas really make up that many places in the regional ranking?

Also, UW-LaCrosse was in this mix as well, but was the only one close enough to Hope to move into that bracket?

[hugenerd]

I think B-W got screwed. Not so fast on them getting by the first week-end. They need to beat a tough CMU in round 1 (If CMU shots it well look out) then Wittenberg at Wittenberg the next night.  That gets them a shot at Calvin or Hope probably at Calvin or Hope.

Don't worry about Hope hosting all they way through.  Calvin gets then in round 2.

I was just looking at the BW and CMU websites and BW doesn't start anyone (or really play anyone) that is over 6'3" (with a 6'2", 2 6'0" and 5'11" guy), while CMU's shortest player starting on saturday was 6'2" (with 2 6'4" guys and 2 6'6" guys), CMU also has a couple of 6'8" guys who come off the bench.  It will be interesting to see if CMU can use their size to their advantage or if BW can stretch them out with their quickness.  Both teams seem to play at similar paces, both averaging in the mid-80s in points this season.  I think it will come down to outside shooting, if BW can knock down 3s, it will open up driving lanes for Davis.  If CMU can shut down the outside shooting of BW and shoot well themselves (while keeping their players out of foul trouble), I think they will have the advantage. Should be fun to watch, wish I could be there.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

There are a lot of interesting match-ups in terms of size.  Teams that rely on big post players vs teams that get by without them.  It will be interesting to see how they all pan out.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

One thought on the West Region part of the bracket.

Was UW-Stout originally ranked ahead of St. Thomas, and then they were switched to avoid the Carleton-St. Thomas matchup? Or did St. Thomas really make up that many places in the regional ranking?

Also, UW-LaCrosse was in this mix as well, but was the only one close enough to Hope to move into that bracket?

As far as I can tell from presumed rankings, Stout is the 6 and St Thomas-NCC are the 8-9.  That would make sense with what you're talking about.  That puts Carleton at the 11.  The committee for the most part, has given props to the tourney champ (the CCIW being the big exception).

[diehardfan]

The big travesty is going to be Hope getting to host all the way through.  A huge home court advantage.  I guess this is the NCAA's way of telling us that schools who build expensive new athletic facilities get all the perks.

[Not that there's anything wrong with that!]

Uhm... well... Hope could just be getting to host because they are good, and a high seed? 

[iwumichigander]

The big travesty is going to be Hope getting to host all the way through.  A huge home court advantage.  I guess this is the NCAA's way of telling us that schools who build expensive new athletic facilities get all the perks.

[Not that there's anything wrong with that!]

Uhm... well... Hope could just be getting to host because they are good, and a high seed? 

Uhm ... yeah .... and somebody is going to get this advantage otherwise all could be lost without a little ... Hope

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I just meant that by the numbers they are the #3, but I can't imagine them losing out to Witt for the sectional.  If its at Wittenberg, I think that makes it a little more even.  I just don't see Hope losing at home.  After all, they still haven't done it yet.

[NW Hope Fan]

Don't worry about Hope hosting all they way through.  Calvin gets then in round 2.

Hmmm??? I do not believe (nor will I ever... It is Hope /Calvin afterall) Hope will cruise through Calvin if they play Sat. Night, but in their 3 meetings Calvin has only lead for 1.4 seconds! Hope has outscored them 199-169, holding them to an average of 56.3/game. Calvin will have to play their best game of the year (better than H/C II), and Hope will have to play their worst. IMHO

[TheFence]

I may be a couple if Wisconsin Schools playing at Hope Saturday night.  Wouldn't that do wonders for the greatest rivalry in Division III.  You'd have all those crazy Hope fans joined by the Hope team on Lutheran's side and all the Calvin fans joined by thier team on the La Crosse side.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'd be worried about LaCrosse, if I were Calvin.  They have a good team and they've been playing well of late.  That 4th match-up of MIAA royalty isn't a done deal' although if Hope's not there, it would be the biggest upset of the tournament.

[njlincolnlion]

Looks like the prognosticators on the final four board are all picking Va. Wesleyan to represent their bracket in the Final Four.  I guess there is no love for York (who made it to the Final Four last year) or Lincoln.  I guess I'll have to call my Salisbury University contacts to see how they beat Va. Wesleyan and York (twice) to help the Lincoln out  .

There are sleeper teams every year, and I guess because this is Lincoln's first NCAA tournament, the Lions may be the sleeper since they don't have the history that some teams have.  Hopefully Kyle Myrick (D3 leading scorer and second in assists), Sami Wylie (top ten in 3 pt. scoring), and Darryl White (top ten in blocked shots) will have something to prove.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I'm picking too many other upsets to go with Lincoln.  Honestly, VA Wesleyan and Amherst were the only East teams I would have picked to beat Lincoln.  They just got the unlucky fortune of drawing them so early in the tournament.  Your only chance may be to hope Baruch or York(NY) get in so they have more reason to let Lincoln host the sectional.