Top 25 talk

[ac08]

Fair enough. But I must testify that it's amazing how many laws of physics are broken on his great days...

his sophomore year during the pioneer valley tournament, he threw a full court, double bounce pass to casanocha with some crazy english through a forest of feet... that remains one of the most spectacular throws i've seen him make

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Olson threw one pass from the top of the key to the baseline... past several bodies that was unreal in the game against Ursinus. I know he is capable of that.

But there was one pass in the first half where he took a dribble to the baseline and then made a behind the back bounce pass to a teammate sitting about ten feet from him for the 3 pointer. It was a nice pass... it looked pretty... it resulted in three points... but it was completely unnecessary.

[sac]

Yeah but it was fun to watch.

He's one of the few PG's out there where you have to be alert at all times because you never know when or how the ball might be coming your way.  I enjoyed watching him play.

[La Verdad]

But there was one pass in the first half where he took a dribble to the baseline and then made a behind the back bounce pass to a teammate sitting about ten feet from him for the 3 pointer. It was a nice pass... it looked pretty... it resulted in three points... but it was completely unnecessary.

I could be thinking of a different pass, but I believe you are referring to a pass he made directly in front of the Ursinus crowd, possibly to Baskauskas.  If that is in fact the pass you are talking about, then I think saying it was completely unnecessary is a little off.  The dribble creates a little more space for the shooter, and the behind the back pass was the most efficient way to get him the ball (based off my recollection of their spacing at the time). 
Passing is a subtle art, to master it one must have (among other things) spectacular vision and a knack for creating the necessary angle to deliver the pass.  Olson's vision is second to none, but what really separates him from the pack is his ability to create angles (I've never seen anyone use their eyes better than him).

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

That was the pass I was refering to... and it happened directly in front of me (I could have reached out and... never mind ). I did "smile" after the comment, though. I do realize it created space, which I commented on during the broadcast. I also know that it certainly looked like it was the easiest way to get the ball to Baskauskas, but at the same time its a bit cavalier (sp?). You can still make that pass with a two hand bounce pass or chest pass. I have played this game and no matter how good you are, going behind the back with a bounce pass is a gutsy way to make a simple pass.

[La Verdad]

Fair enough.  For a player of Olson's skill and experience that type of pass is pretty simple.  Perhaps more cavalier than his passes were his shots.  I swear he pulled up from the Salem logo located somewhere by the scorers table.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

In the semi-final game I do remember a shot about that deep! I also remember him stopping on a fast break and hitting a three-pointer early in the second half of the championship game. Maybe not the best choices... but he did hit a few!

[walzy31]

Fair enough.  For a player of Olson's skill and experience that type of pass is pretty simple.  Perhaps more cavalier than his passes were his shots.  I swear he pulled up from the Salem logo located somewhere by the scorers table.

That bounce pass was the most memorable pass for me that weekend. I've already told anyone who wasn't in Salem but is an Amherst fan about it (and the triple-double...and ruths and thompson). There are numerous other gem passes in Olson's career I got to see and hopefully will not forget anytime soon.


Pat,

Two trivia questions arose late Saturday night when the Jets and Sharks met up in the foot bridge and a game of checkers almost broke out...

1) How many triple-doubles have there been in the history of the D3 final four? (how about all divisions?)
2) If you aggregate all four margins for the weekend (15, 15, 22 and 26), was it the most lopsided four games in D3 final four history? If not, where does it rank?

[Ralph Turner]

...
Pat,


2) If you aggregate all four margins for the weekend (15, 15, 22 and 26), was it the most lopsided four games in D3 final four history? If not, where does it rank?

The archives have all of those playoffs for your research.  (This is a great website!) 

[Pat Coleman]

I wouldn't put the third-place game in any real comparison -- depending on how the teams treat it it can be just a brutal mismatch.

But if you include it, this is probably the worst combo. Hard to beat a 53 and a 29, no matter how close the other two are. (1991)

Championship
Wisconsin-Platteville 81, Franklin & Marshall 74

Third Place
Otterbein 113, Ramapo 84

National Semifinals
Franklin & Marshall 109, Ramapo 56
Wisconsin-Platteville 96, Otterbein 94

[Pat Coleman]

Next year is fairly uncompetitive as well:

Championship
Calvin 62, Rochester 49

Third Place
Wisconsin-Platteville 72, Jersey City State 61

National Semifinals
Rochester 61, Wisconsin-Platteville 48
Calvin 81, Jersey City State 40

[walzy31]

Thanks.
Wow. 41 and 53 point losses in the final four.

[sac]

Its not being suggested that this final four was "uncompetitive" is it? 

[Mr. Ypsi]

walzy31,

Not a FF game, but in 1996 IWU led Roanoke (the #1 seed in the sectional, held at Roanoke) by 70-20 with 1 second left in the first half (a buzzer-beater from half-court cut it to a 47 point lead).  The starters didn't play a minute of the second half, cutting the final margin to 116-88.

Strange things can happen, even against worthy opponents!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Its not being suggested that this final four was "uncompetitive" is it? 

The games against Ursinus - probably yes (but missing an AA can mess up a team!)

The other games were quite competitive most of the way, despite what the final scores would suggest.