2011 Final Four

[John Gleich]

I'm gonna have to stick up for April on this one - I think Lawrence IS fully FF worthy...

I completely agree.  Lawrence led most of this game!  From 18:43 to go in the first half until 4:22 to go in the game, LU was leading, by as much as 15, and by 10, as late as 7:03.  Lawrence was in control of the game... and then IWU made their charge.  I saw IWU play in the first round, and they are a very capable team (obviously).  I've seen Lawrence play in the past, and they're capable, both on a talent level, and simply by the fact that they held a lead against a talented squad like IWU.

I think this game is very similar to the UWSP/Trinity game last year, and the UWSP/LU game two years go.  On those particular nights, neither team was going to let up... the game had to be grasped from the grip of defeat.  I think it's the sort of game that would be very even, if played 10 times.

I give Tharp lots of credit for preparing his players.  They shot 72% in the first half!  This is eerily similar to 2 years ago... LU shot 62% out in Tacoma, hitting 8 of 10 three point shots.

IWU has faced some tough tests.  This year's Final Four looks like it will be very entertaining!

[diehardfan]

Diehardfan -
Here are my guesses on your questions.
1) Given the NCAA's seeding tendencies, at least one team that has no business there will make the final four having beaten a series of overmatched opponents
2) At least one team now ranked in the top 5 will be there.
3) My guess is that the Ohio or Wisconsin conferences will also be represented. 
4)I think that 2 of the 4 will be Pool C teams.
Just my 2 cents.
C

1) possibly check
2) Week 8 Poll: #1 Wittenberg, #5 Illinois Wesleyan, check
3) Ohio, check, Wisconsin, nope (though it sure seemed likely)
4) IWU = C, check, and... hmm... it was only one this year. Interesting.

Not bad for guesses two months in advance!  

[diehardfan]

You gotta love the fact that the top three teams getting votes didn't even make the elite eight. 

Or not. 

[Coach C]

well it has been an interesting 2 weeks!

C

[Coach C]

Diehard -

Thanks for remembering!

C

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Amherst and VAWes only got one vote each.  They are the only two of my final four teams left, but sadly, I had both losing in the semis, so my bracket is already done.

[Greek Tragedy]

I'll agree with most of what augiedad has said.  But, Lawrence is definitely Final Four material.  They play great defense, solid motion-offense and are very patient, qualities that got Point two championships.  But, IWU is destined, IMO.

I do think the MWC as a whole is not very good.  The past couple of years it's been Lawrence and Carroll and Ripon to a lesser extent.  But, none of them has done major damage in the NCAA tourney and the LU/Carroll faithful can't complain about being in the Midwest/West regions and cry, "if only we were in the South/East or whatever regions.  Point had to come out of those regions, IWU had to do it this year, all on the road.  That's how great teams are measured.  Lawrence and Carroll are very good teams, but the MWC (with those two teams) still can't be compared to other "two-team" conferences that include Hope/Calvin, Wooster/Wittenberg or even Randolph-Macon/Hampden-Sydney (with a little Virginia Wesleyan in the mix  ) because they've had sustained success in the NCAA tourney, something that Lawrence and Carroll have not. 

I have all the respect for Lawrence (I've seen them half a dozen times in the last two years or so) and some for Carroll (only seen them once vs. IWU), but they have yet to get it done and that's why some posters don't think too highly of them or the MWC.

As for Tharp claiming they were the underdogs against IWU, that was just coach-speak. 

[woosterbooster]

Is there any chance that the semis might have webcast video via Teamline or some other source?  Anyone heard anything about this?

[Pat Coleman]

The national semifinals will have video broadcast using Penn Atlantic video and D3hoops.com audio. When I have link and details I'll post more about it.

[woosterbooster]

Pat, you're making it a tough choice as to the MVP vote.  diehardfan had the inside track, providing free cookies and possibly even free garments!  But here you come offering free semifinal video!  Now if somebody would just step up and offer free beer (delivered, of course) we'd have a horse race.

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks, though I'm simply the bearer of the good news -- and the commentary. Penn Atlantic is the bearer of the free video.

[mactitan]

I just wanted as many DIII fans as I could know that two DIII stars, Adam Dauksas of IWU, and Kyle Witucky of Wooster are finalists for the Bob Cousy Award.  The Cousy Award is given to college basketball's best point guard.  Among the other finalists are Dee Brown and Gerry McNamara, so this is quite an honor.  There is fan voting available at http://www.cousyaward.com.  You can vote everyday.

[diehardfan]

Pat, you're making it a tough choice as to the MVP vote.  diehardfan had the inside track, providing free cookies and possibly even free garments!  But here you come offering free semifinal video!  Now if somebody would just step up and offer free beer (delivered, of course) we'd have a horse race.

Oh come on, the guy is in charge of making the whole website function, and I just post random things and bake stuff. No contest! 

There was free beer coming from a Hope fan, but they didn't make it so I guess everyone loses on that one.  On the other hand, I don't really like beer, so I'm still good. 

[woosterbooster]

Oh come on, the guy is in charge of making the whole website function, and I just post random things and bake stuff. No contest!

Agreed.  Pat is not holding up his end at all, you get the MVP. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Oh come on, the guy is in charge of making the whole website function, and I just post random things and bake stuff. No contest!

Agreed.  Pat is not holding up his end at all, you get the MVP. 

Hmmm.  I haven't yet had the opportunity to try a dhf cookie  , but if they outweigh this entire website, them are S-O-O-O-M-E cookies!