MBB: University Athletic Association

[magicman]

Gregory Sager...magicman...Jacketfan2011.....

Great feedback!!  I guess we are all seeing/hearing the same things when UR is playing.  I can't imagine how hard it must be to play in a "hostile" environment when on the road.  I only wish I could have been at The Chicago game this past Friday.

Maybe they will get these not so good showings out of their systems and re-group before the season ends.  How do you all see them when it comes to the post-season?

Boomer,

I think they've got the talent to go deep into the post-season, however so much of Div.III tournament play depends on the luck of the draw. You are almost always playing a big game on somebody else's home court, unless you're lucky enough to get to host.  And lets face it, there are a number of teams from weak conferences that get their automatic bids and become fodder for one of the better NCAA teams. A perfect example was last year when St. John Fisher hosted the first round games in our region. UR played Plattsburgh St. in the first game Fri. night and we all remember the basket at the buzzer that gave Plattsburgh the win. Fisher then got to play a 4th place team from the Commonwealth Coast Conference that came in with a 17-12 record in a weak conference. Fisher had the game in hand by halftime and most of their starters were sitting comfortably on the bench for the rest of that mismatch. No matter who they played on Sat. night, UR or Plattsburgh, they were going to be the fresher team with home court advantage. Again, they were the lucky ones.

This year it's entirely possible that UR and Plattsburgh St. will meet up yet again in the NCAA's. I just hope that both teams are lucky and don't have to face each other until maybe the round of 16. Because I feel that they are both good enough to get that far, and one of them gets to the great 8. But if this year's luck is like last year's they'll probably meet in the 1st round on Fisher's court because they'll get lucky and win the Empire 8 tournament and be awarded the 1st round games again. 

[Marty Peretz]

Post-season matchups are only so much of an excuse. As the old adage goes, "to be the best, you've gotta [eventually] beat the best." If your goal is a national title, then it doesn't matter who you play or when you play them. All that matters is winning. I understand your frustration and wish that the rules were a bit more like the D1 tourney, but since they're not, there isnt much we can do about it. Not to mention that in most years, any team from upsate New York has it way easier than a team in the midwest. Think about it. Wash.U. had to beat a top 15 ( I think they were 11th at the time) team in Whitworth just to get out of the opening weekend last year. Then they had to travel 8 hours to Stevens Point to beat  no.1 Stevens Point in the sweet 16 and Hope in the elite eight.

[magicman]

Post-season matchups are only so much of an excuse. As the old adage goes, "to be the best, you've gotta [eventually] beat the best." If your goal is a national title, then it doesn't matter who you play or when you play them. All that matters is winning. I understand your frustration and wish that the rules were a bit more like the D1 tourney, but since they're not, there isnt much we can do about it. Not to mention that in most years, any team from upsate New York has it way easier than a team in the midwest. Think about it. Wash.U. had to beat a top 15 ( I think they were 11th at the time) team in Whitworth just to get out of the opening weekend last year. Then they had to travel 8 hours to Stevens Point to beat  no.1 Stevens Point in the sweet 16 and Hope in the elite eight.

Marty,
Good points.  Washington U. had a heck of a run last year. Just better or easier to beat the best on your home court rather than theirs.  Eventually if you are good enough and lucky enough you get to that neutral site. And I'm not really frustrated I've been around long enough to know the ins and outs of DIII hoops. I do believe that luck is part of the equation. Why just the other day Washington U. was lucky that last second shot by Chmielowiec rimmed out at the buzzer.  That could have just as easily been for a berth in the Final Four.

[walzy31]

I hear that Chmielowiec doesn't miss?

Do you think this is the year Rochester is finally awarded home court for the Sweet 16 / Elite 8? Or will they be sent packing to UMass Dartmouth or Amherst like the 2005 season when they finished 2nd?

I will agree with Marty's point about the degree of difficulty in reaching the final four based on which regional bracket you start in. Wash U played tough games every round. I will add that the toughest first round game last year was played between Brandeis and Trinity. The rest of the North East region was not packed with said national contenders.

[ILive4This]

I have refrained from talking about this on here, but since it is not public, I will state that Steve Deluca is officially out for the season. HOWEVER, he announced that he plans on applying for a medical hardship waiver (which he should get since he has appeared in well under the 20% minimum games, none of which were in the 2nd half of the season) AND should be back at Brandeis for the 2008-2009 season.

That means a line up of Deluca, Hollins, K. Olsen, Andre Roberson and _______ perhaps Christian Yemga will be ready to make a splash.

[pradam]

Yo, it is public.

DeLuca

So don't feel bad about discussing it.


Modified for formatting -- Thanks for the link.  +1, Ralph Turner

[Mr. Ypsi]

I think the 'not public' was a typo for 'now public', which is why he posted when he did.

[pradam]

Ahh, that would explain it.

My bad.

[pradam]

Although I will add that it would be nice for people to post links from where they hear new pieces of information, just for verification.

Sorry for the double post.  Carry on.

[Ralph Turner]

Halftime score: at CWRU 41, WashU 32!

Don't you just love conference games involving the bottom of the conference! 

[Ralph Turner]

Case by 5, 66-61; 2:34 left.  Case ball with 33 secs on the shot clock.
CWRU Hildebrand makes a 1&1.  68-63.
W -- Ruths lay up . Case 68-65 1:14 left.
C -- has the ball with 34 secs left and 33 on the shot clock. Possession arrow to Case as well.
C-- Hildebrand misses 2 FT's.
W -- Ruths at the line, makes both 0:19.3, Case 68-67
C -- Ruths steals the ball. Bear ball, 14.2 left and time out.

[Greek Tragedy]

Roch v Brandeis score anyway?

[Hugenerd]

Brandeis wins 68-64
CMU wins 68-60

Case up on Wash by 3 with the ball with about 30 seconds left

Not sure about Chicago-Emory

[Hugenerd]

Can you believe that turnover Ralph?

[Ralph Turner]

Hildebrand's missing the FT's really hurt!