2012 Division III NCAA Tournament

[Mr. Ypsi]

We're going to see four incredible games Saturday night.  These teams are all playing well; it's going to be a strong final four.

Unless it is 8 so-so teams compared with many previous years.  I'm agnostic on strength, but I do think it will be exciting - I see no obvious blowouts.  Coast Guard and Wheaton MAY come back to earth, but I somehow think they will be there right to the end.

As the sole d3 fanatic in my household, I'm committed to hosting a large party here tomorrow evening - but I'm intending to take a number of "bathroom" breaks during the games!

[fpc85]

   Good Luck Brandeis, they may destroy Amherst.  For being the #1 ranked team, Amherst had all it wanted to get from The Stockton team.  Stockton spotted them 17 points at the start of the game on 5-5 from the 3pt area.  When Stockton started playing defense they held their own.   

Or not....Stockton is a good team. I anticipate a great game.

[Rhodes Scholar]

Here's how Massey ranked the Elite Eight teams going into the tournament using MOV:

Amherst  #2
Brandeis  #5
Ursinus  #7
Hope  #8
Millsaps  #11
Wash U  #19
Coast Guard  #24
Wheaton  #29

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Rhoades - is that based on the end of the year schedule, or incorporating the games those teams have played in the tournament. The rankings look high for some teams, so I suspect their games in the tournament are being counted... which of course would raise those rankings some.

[Pat Coleman]

Massey has continued to update his ratings during the tournament -- not sure which those are.

[fcnews]

Millsapa was #1 going into yesterdays games. MOV is ridiculous, most coaches call off the dogs when a victory is in hand. Why reward (or penalize) a school for not trying to embarrass an opposing team. This isn't DI football.

[Greek Tragedy]

Unless it is 8 so-so teams compared with many previous years.  I'm agnostic on strength, but I do think it will be exciting - I see no obvious blowouts.  Coast Guard and Wheaton MAY come back to earth, but I somehow think they will be there right to the end.

As the sole d3 fanatic in my household, I'm committed to hosting a large party here tomorrow evening - but I'm intending to take a number of "bathroom" breaks during the games!

You have a laptop with wireless internet set up in the bathroom now? 

I know this is the men's site, but since we're talking 4 great games and all.  The women have two undefeateds going against each other (#1 vs. #2) and 29-3 (?) Whitewater women hosting defending champion DePauw (somewhere around 29-3 as well).  Not real sure about the other two.

[pradam]

Observations from press row @ Brandeis/Plattsburgh State:

The difference in the game was when Meehan went to a 1-2-2 zone late in the second half in order to stop Williams' penetration.  Plattsburgh had been running the high p/r on practically every play before that, and Williams was scoring at will inside.  When Meehan made the switch, it confused Plattsburgh, and it forced Williams to give the ball up to other guys who hadn't been in rhythm, since Williams was dominating the ball so much.

The other key was Plattsburgh's odd insistence of ducking under every Brandeis screen and roll, allowing guys like Coppens and Roberson free looks from three.  You don't beat Brandeis by letting them shoot from three; you beat them by trapping those plays.  That's how Olson hit his big three; his defender went under the screen, and he had a free look at the rim.

[howardjp]

Observations from press row @ Brandeis/Plattsburgh State:

The difference in the game was when Meehan went to a 1-2-2 zone late in the second half in order to stop Williams' penetration.  Plattsburgh had been running the high p/r on practically every play before that, and Williams was scoring at will inside.  When Meehan made the switch, it confused Plattsburgh, and it forced Williams to give the ball up to other guys who hadn't been in rhythm, since Williams was dominating the ball so much.

The other key was Plattsburgh's odd insistence of ducking under every Brandeis screen and roll, allowing guys like Coppens and Roberson free looks from three.  You don't beat Brandeis by letting them shoot from three; you beat them by trapping those plays.  That's how Olson hit his big three; his defender went under the screen, and he had a free look at the rim.

Thanks for the insight from one of your ancient Justice predecessors, did you stay over in Plattsburgh or shuttle back and forth?

[pradam]

We're in the Holiday Inn up here, which is probably not going to be so great for our bottom line, but we're not missing this opportunity.

[Rhodes Scholar]

Rhoades - is that based on the end of the year schedule, or incorporating the games those teams have played in the tournament. The rankings look high for some teams, so I suspect their games in the tournament are being counted... which of course would raise those rankings some.

I'm pretty sure these rankings did not include any tournament games, but I'm not certain. I'll see if I can verify the matter later on.

[theBroadcaster]

WBRS is here in Plattsburgh to bring you tonight's Elite Eight rematch between Brandeis and Amherst at 7PM.  You can listen live online at www.wbrs.org, with pregame coverage starting around 6:45.

[fcnews]

Massey has rankings through March 12th.

[eazye1334]

The Cinderella run for the Coast Guard Academy comes to an end, but certainly not without a fight. Ursinus takes it 82-76 in overtime. Grant Johnson of CGA had 21 in the first half, but was held to just 5 in the second half. Ursinus moves on to take on Amherst in Salem.

[njachoopsfan]

Well it was an interesting weekend.  I was at the Plattsburgh Region and Amherst can shoot the lights out from three point range.   Some of those shots were from 5-10 feet behind the arc.  I can't remember the last time I saw a team that shot the three that well.  They have 7 players that can shoot the three. 

The D-III page has been updated so cast your vote on who you think will win the 2008 Men's Basketball Championship at www.tobannounced.com.   

Great Job by the D3hoops radio team this weekend.  I listened to all of the games on Saturday and the coverage was excellent !   I look forward to next week.