WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[hope1]

i think thomas and more will  host putt they have a 1200  gym they might hve to clear it out  or  like  200 tickets a team

[sac]

I've been thinking about the upcoming sectional that Hope will be in, and I'm predicting that Thomas More will be hosting.  Here's my reasoning (as I try to think like the NCAA - yikes)

If Thomas More hosts -  Both Hope (393) and Oglethorpe (454) are within the 500 mile driving distance, meaning a sinlge airplane ride (for the George Fox / Chapman winner).

If Hope hosts - only Thomas More is within driving distance - 2 teams have to fly

If Oglethorpe hosts - only Thomas More is within driving distance - 2 teams have to fly

If George Fox/Chapman host - 3 teams have to fly

Pat Coleman chose Oglethorpe over Hope in the Sectionals final, to get to the Final Four.  While this perplexed me somewhat when I first read it, last night's results have solidified my initial thought that Pat might be full of baloney with this prediction.

Hope out blocked (4-0), out rebounded (21-14), and out-scored #23 W&J in the paint (36-22) last night on their way to a relatively easy win on their home floor.  By contrast, OU eked out a 3-point win inside of the last minute, while 2 of their  starters played all 40 minutes against an unranked Maryville team, also on their home floor.

Hope has OU outsized (and deep into the bench), and with the numbers the Dutch put up last night (listed above), I just don't see OU coming out victorious in a week, regardless of where the NCAA decides to send them.

BTW, I'm not over-looking Baldwin-Wallace tonight.  But if you saw what I saw last night, you'd understand why I'm affording myself the luxury of looking ahead.  I understand that Hope--and for that matter OU--has 2 more games to win before this match-up is possible.  But these comments are based on the assumption that Pat was right that they will actually meet in the Elite Eight.  I'm sure Coach Mo and the Hope women will not look past the next game, any step of the way.

Sorry, Pat, but I just don't see eye-to-eye with you on this one.  OU just hasn't shown it yet.

GO HOPE!!

I would bet that prediction is based on two key factors. 

1. Oglethorpe was in the final four last year

2. Oglethorpe Thomas More will likely be hosting the sectional 

[sac]

#2 Hope vs #7 Thomas More
#5 Oglethorpe vs probably #3 George Fox

[pointlem]

FDF, your posts are great . . . but I think you haven't factored in all the financial considerations in your prediction of Thomas More's hosting based on one less air trip.  Hope has averaged about 1000 more fans at home than has Thomas More in each team's last couple home games, and has almost triple the capacity.  At an average $7 per ticket, you're likely talking $14,000 added revenue for the two days.  Then add to that the revenue from the saved cost of the Hope bus trip that wouldn't be taken and I wager you'll have much more than the cost of an Oglethorpe plane ride (20 people x $500 = $10,000, and the NCAA can probably do it for less than that on its group discount).

Moreover, if seeding and history count for nothing, then wouldn't there be an essential unfairness to Michigan colleges because of their boxed-in-by-Canada geography?  If losing only one game over two seasons can't merit a chance to host a sectional tournament, when one is supporting the NCAA by hosting the Final Four for two years, then what more would a Michigan team have to do?

Being an optimist, I predict that Hope will host next weekend's sectional. 

[WWWRHH]

The hardest 16 point victory that I can remember......but they are not supposed to be easy at this stage.  It looks like many ranked teams had closer games than they are accustomed to this eveing.  Dutch fans may be spoiled by frequent easy victories.

oldknight, as usual, your analysis of the game is very good.  I think I can shed some light on the coaching decisons in the first half.  First, Morehouse is going to use his rotation, to the greatest extent possible, if he can maintain any type of lead.  I think he believes he can use his superior depth to wear teams down.  His substitutions are much less dramatic this year than last when he basically substituted five at at time.  It generally works out, although it does produce some heart stopping moments. 

He has basically been using a three post rotation recently, so there is usually one starter (Knox or Snikkers) playing with four second unit players for extended minutes.

Coach Morehouse seems to hate having foul trouble influence coaching decisions and rotation in the second half.  Once a player gets two fouls they generally sit the rest of the first half.  This evening Snikkers and Cowen got there first two quickly.  (I thought the second one on Carrie was ticky tack at best.)  He did bring Carrie back for some scoring punch late in the half, but she seemed to have instructions to play conservative D.

You are right that the backup point is inexperienced.  However, the option is to either play Kopke even mins. than desired, move Greene to point or play one of his shooting guards at the 1 position.  I expect that the rotation will stay unchanged unless absolutely necessary.

Snikkers and Knox were not able to score like last night.  A big reason was the physical inside play of Baldwin Wallace which the refs permitted in the first half.  Knox had her usual strong offensive rebounding effort, could not get the put backs to fall and, unlike last night when she went to the line 5 times after an O rebound, she did not get a foul call.  It seemed that the refs made some adjustments at half time and a little less contact was permitted in the second half when Snikkers went to the line a few times.  Hope's posts still scored 38 points (Snikkers 15, Bruinsma 13, Knox 7, and Kutney 3.

The most troubling stat for me was BWs 44 -42 rebounding advantage.  Snikkers (9), Knox(12) & Greene (6) grabbed 27 and Geers and Kutney contributed 5 in limited time. The rest of the team needs to find a way to help grab some loose balls.

The good news is that even with a sub-par night in many respects, there were some real positives.  Tonight demostrated that the Dutch are not one dimensional. - they do not have to have 25 from Snikkers or a big night from Cowen to pull out a victory.  It was good to see Bruinsma (13 pts) and Greene (15 pts) end their mini scoring slumps.  The team also played some pretty good defense with 7 blocks and 12 steals.  The also had a 20 - 12 turnover advantage.

I am optimistic about the Thomas More game even though it will be on their home court.  (The lowest seeded team gets the game due to travel costs, but I guess it beats flying to Oregon.) 

I expect the Dutch to meet George Fox in the elite eight.  Although Olglethorpe is experieced and was in the final four last year, GFs coach has brought an almost totally inexperienced team this far and I would not under estimate his ability to pull off an upset.  With that said, I think Hope's experience, depth and size can bring them back to Holland in two weeks.

[BruinFan]

Moreover, if seeding and history count for nothing, then wouldn't there be an essential unfairness to Michigan colleges because of their boxed-in-by-Canada geography?  If losing only one game over two seasons can't merit a chance to host a sectional tournament, when one is supporting the NCAA by hosting the Final Four for two years, then what more would a Michigan team have to do?

Being an optimist, I predict that Hope will host next weekend's sectional. 

Pointlem, you make some good points about the finances.

The geography unfairness issue exists for other areas as well. I think that outside of Holland and the Hope alumni and friends community, that the rest of the D3 world would see giving Hope the opportunity to host all the way to the championship as an even greater injustice.

Does anyone know what time the NCAA will announce who is hosting the sectionals?
Best wishes to all of the teams that have advanced to round 3 next weekend.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Moreover, if seeding and history count for nothing, then wouldn't there be an essential unfairness to Michigan colleges because of their boxed-in-by-Canada geography?  If losing only one game over two seasons can't merit a chance to host a sectional tournament, when one is supporting the NCAA by hosting the Final Four for two years, then what more would a Michigan team have to do?

Being an optimist, I predict that Hope will host next weekend's sectional. 

Pointlem, you make some good points about the finances.

The geography unfairness issue exists for other areas as well. I think that outside of Holland and the Hope alumni and friends community, that the rest of the D3 world would see giving Hope the opportunity to host all the way to the championship as an even greater injustice.

Does anyone know what time the NCAA will announce who is hosting the sectionals?
Best wishes to all of the teams that have advanced to round 3 next weekend.

Good points.  The left coast and Texas teams basically NEVER host sectionals, due to the NCAA's extreme reluctance to pony-up for plane fare.  (HPU last year, and UPS for the men the year before, are the only exceptions I can think of.)  And Hope playing all six games at home (assuming they make it that far, which I think they will) would indeed raise some hackles around the d3 world.

[NW Hope Fan]

But if the finals were not being played in Holland it would be OK for Hope to host next week... That seems a bit "unfair" as well!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

All great points.  I can see a legitimate arguement for all 4 teams to think they should host, and I suspect whatever the decision, their will be unhappy fans for sure - I'm just glad I don't have to make it.  Were I forced to do so, I would throw out any consideration of costs and let the highest remaining seed (whoever that is) host.

[cmlundy]

Sectional to be hosted by Thomas More.  Reason being there is a star next to them on the Bracket.

[BlueZoneBruin]

Sectional to be hosted by Thomas More.  Reason being there is a star next to them on the Bracket.

Which bracket...haven't seen that yet...  Something tells me that a sectional in a 1200 capacity gym is gonna suck.

BlueZoneBruin

[hope1]

thats  nice  1100   gym   so like  300  a  team thats not a lot

[BruinFan]

Sectional to be hosted by Thomas More.  Reason being there is a star next to them on the Bracket.

cmlundy, please reference your bracket source. The only star I have found on the brackets were for first and second round host sites. I don't see any indications on the updated bracket by d3hoops for the teams that have advanced to the third round.

[BlueZoneBruin]

I didn't see any notation on the brackets on the NCAA site either.

BlueZoneBruin

[hope1]

11.00  am it was announced on the hope sports hot line tomas moore in ky