WBB: Landmark Conference

[saratoga]

First off...

Congratulations to all the Lady Royals, their coaches, parents & everyone associated with the program.

Last night had about 5 different plots emerge but in the end, the no quit Lady Royals came back from about as dead in the water any team could be and found their second wind just in time.

Maine 1....I think just about every element (defense, poor shot selection, missed open shots, more defense, unforced turnovers, unnecessary fouls, trying to play too perfect, and the sheer physicality of the game) all played into both teams playing the way they did.

I mean Tufts had no problem dropping 75 on Bowdoin 2 weeks ago at Bowdoin in the NESCAC championship so they obviously can score the ball & win in a hostile environment.

Additionally, both Tufts & Scranton have had numerous games they've won scoring in the 70's & 80's all season so I don't think both teams both forgot how to shoot on the same night.

Just one of those games where defense set the tone early then that set off a cascade of other events that brought us to the multiple games within the game that played out before us.

As Al McGuire would say, I'll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day....especially when that ugly win gets you to a Final Four!

[saratoga]

Upon Further Review.....

The more I look at last nights game, the more it looks like Scranton took a page out of the Amherst playbook on playing Tufts.

In their two games against Amherst, the Jumbo's lost 50-40 (pretty close to last nights final) and won, 47-46 (also pretty darn close).

Amherst will continually make the extra pass in order to have a link in the defensive chain break down which is what the Royals also do.

In addition, they both use the full shot clock on numerous possessions which also slows the game down but will run when the opportunity presents itself.

However, playing that deliberate style on offensive coupled with a very serious defense also seems to have benefits in another area which played out last night.

Back on Feb. 23rd. in the game Tufts won 47-46, they also went 4 minutes without scoring to open the fourth quarter & only scored 2 points in the first 6 plus minutes of the 4th. & they were at the foul line.

So last nights offensive malfunction by Tufts was not unchartered territory for them as pretty much the same thing happened against Amherst in a very similar game plan.

Although Tufts won that game on a last second field goal, not scoring for periods of 6 & 8 minutes will eventually catch up to you.

Could just be coincidence between the Royal & Mammoth game plans but it sure seems Tufts has been much more comfortable in free flowing games and appears to have been taken a little out of their comfort zone with slow, methodical & physical games....which is exactly what last nights was.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The final fours are set! Eight of the best men's and women's teams remain to battle it out for two national titles. On the women's side, many of those expected to make it to Salem. On the men's side, none of the top four powers will be in Fort Wayne.

Sunday on Hoopsville, Dave takes a look at both a record breaking performance on the men's side and chats with the four teams dancing on the women's side. (Due to the extensive coverage in Fort Wayne at the men's championship weekend, Sunday's show will have more women's coverage than men's.) How one man put up 62-points in a game and has already shattered the single-tournament scoring record. And how the four hosts on the women's side survived their weekends to advance.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Sunday's show can be seen LIVE starting at 7:00 p.m. ET right here: http://bit.ly/2NRnPZi (or via Facebook Live and Periscope simulcasts).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to dave.mchugh@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options below.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Aston Francis, Wheaton (Ill.) senior guard
- Jeff Hans, No. 1 Thomas More women's coach
- Adrienne Schibles, No. 3 Bowdoin women's coach
- Ruth Sinn, No. 2 St. Thomas women's coach
- Bridgette Mann, No. 9 Scranton senior guard
- Carey Harveycutter, City of Salem (Vir.)

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts, choose your favorite avenue to listen and/or subscribe via the the following four avenues (click on the images when necessary):
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville




Don't forget you can always interact with us:
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[Rofrog]

Saratoga: u headed down to Salem?I think they forgot to turn camera off after the game(if you watch the video it was on way after the gym cleaned out lol) Favorite word from the broadcast (WOW) that was just to funny.But again congratulation to all the Lady Royals and coaching staff and we will be there rooting you on go Royals(Lady).

[Swish3]

Congratulations to the Lady Royals from this CNU fan...a disappointing outcome for me, but a great game...good luck in Salem!

[ronk]

 Lady Royals 4-0 vs sweet 16 teams this season, 2-0 vs elite 8, all at home. Next, neutral court vs #1 in the country, Thomas More. I judge the team is up to the challenge.
The last time the Lady Royals were in a Final 4 in VA(2005), they lost to Randolph-Macon in which the X factor was a 2nd semester D1 transfer(sister of the current R-M men's coach)coming off the bench and scoring double figures. Will there be an X factor Friday?

[saratoga]

The irony of reading certain takes that the Scranton/Tufts game was an abomination to women's basketball or both teams don't know how to shoot or score can be summed up by reading the write-up of the 2017 National Championship game.

But before you do & before you sell Tufts & Scranton as imitations of the real deal, consider Tufts went out & won arguably the best conference in America, the NESCAC. They didn't do ok, they didn't do pretty good...they won the title and the won it on Bowdoin's home court.

You talk about the great teams of Amherst & Bowdoin...they took care of both.

Scranton, what can you say?

They just keep on winning.

Lose an All-American for 15/16 games, no problem. The margin of victory may not be huge but a win is a win.

New coach & 4 straight conference titles & 4 deep runs into the tournament.

And, when all was said & done on Saturday, it was the Lady Royals taking down the NESCAC champs.

The kids on both these teams are coached well & all they do is find a way to win.

Which brings me back to people saying there is something horrific with a low scoring game.

The D3 National Championship game just 2 years ago featured Amherst & you guessed it...Tufts.

The final score in this championship contest?

Amherst 52/Tufts 29.

The Jumbo's only shot 3 of 19 in the first half yet the story line was not that neither of these schools know how to shoot or score or play the game.

No, the story line for this game was "Amherst's stifling defense".

Sorry, when you win 28 games & the NESCAC championship, you know how to play the game.

And, when you win 4 straight conference titles, 29 games & counting and produce the last 2 Middle Atlantic Region Player's of the Year, you too know how to play the game.

Let's give these kids credit for the tough game it was and beyond some missed shots, maybe, just maybe, it was nothing more than "stifling defense".

[NEPAFAN]

So how does David slay Goliath on Friday evening ?

[saratoga]

Hire Tanya Harding.

[saratoga]

I all seriousness, I guess Thomas Moore is simply going to have to find a way to slow down Bridget.

[Rofrog]

Agreed 100% Toga,I was so surprised how some of the announcers referred to these young ladies as girls (I for one thought the house was coming down )Lol.

[Rofrog]

Nepafan,Ronk you guys headed to Salem,Va? My uncle hasnt missed a final four yet( men or women)  I have seen 7 women ,one mens that is loyal fans and had no kids that played on the team!!!!Hopefully my son will!!!!

[ronk]

 Yes, I'm planning on going; been to 2, the first men's and the other women's that was in VA(2005).

[amh63]

ronk....if Amherst had won it's sectional, I would have joined you in Salem.  Alas, will await another season....next year when the three Amherst starters are seniors....maybe....all of your " recruit list" players

[ronk]

Amh63,
  Of the NESCAC teams in the tourney, the Amherst women did have the toughest road to the Final 4. They will have help from a 4th(incoming frosh from northern VA). Next year, I'm hoping to have to choose between the men's and women's Final 4 for Scranton.