MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

Washington University defeats Case Western Reserve, 102-97 in a game that was not that close until the Spartans battled back against the Washington bench.

[iwumichigander]

Can we get a third poster to say that Noah Karras was known around Chicagoland?

Sorry, WUH, but I was typing my report when your second post came out that made it clear that your original question was rhetorical.

My eye sight not so good - Did you write report or retort

[WUPHF]

Sorry, WUH, but I was typing my report when your second post came out that made it clear that your original question was rhetorical.

No worries...I'll refrain from that style from now on.

[WUPHF]

Bregman has discovered his greatest value...using his senior savvy to maneuver into mid-range areas unoccupied by defenders.  His defense has been pretty good, too.

I do not know Michael Bregman personally, but I love the story.  He could have easily quit the two years ago after the devastating knee injury.  He could have quit the game last season after realizing he was not ready to return.  But he is back! 

One thing that I would add is that it sure seems as though his leadership has been crucial to the success of this team.  Bregman is the one talking to the other guys as they reset the defense and he is often the one bringing the team together whenever the game appears to be at risk.

[WUPHF]

Three weekends left on the season...a quick look at the standings and a few thoughts...the attendant Massey Ratings in parenthesis.

9-0 Washington University (No. 8)
8-1 Rochester (No. 7)
__________
5-4 Emory (No. 82)
5-4 Carnegie Mellon (No. 143)
4-5 Chicago (No. 86)
__________
3-6 Brandeis (No. 208)
2-7 NYU (No. 308)
0-9 Case Western Reserve (No. 279)

At this point in the season, this is effectively a two team race for the title.  There is no point in discussing the possibility that Emory and Carnegie Mellon could challenge Washington University and Rochester. 

The two divisions paradigm did not hold up...I would argue that we have three divisions with Emory, Carnegie Mellon and Chicago comprising the second tier.

Three weekends left:

WEEKEND NO. 6 MAY DECIDE THE CONFERENCE with Emory and Rochester traveling to Washington University and Chicago.  The Rochester vs. Washington University game on Sunday, February 12 at 11:00 am.  If both Washington University and Rochester win on Friday night, that Sunday broadcast could be one of the most watched UAA games ever.

Weekend No. 7 has Washington University and Chicago on the road at Brandeis and NYU with Rochester and Emory serving as hosts to Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve.

Weekend No. 8 has Washington University and Emory at home against Chicago and Rochester...possibly for all the UAA marbles.  It may be time to dust off the tiebreaker scenarios.

[WUPHF]

Ross Udine got some D3Hoops.com love over the weekend being named one of the ten more elite point guards.  The article is can be found here: http://d3hoops.com/columns/around-the-nation/2016-17/ten-more-point-guards

The NYU junior is in his third season as the starting point guard for the Violets and has certainly had a great career thus far, earning the UAA rookie of the year and a honorable mention as a freshman and a UAA honorable mention as a sophomore.

Ross Udine is a great point guard, but I would need to be convinced that he is elite by UAA standards.  Here are a few of the stats that one might use to judge a point guard, through the first half of non-conference action:

Assists Per Game

Whit Rapp, Emory 8.8
Kevin Kucera, Washington 5.9
Tyler Howard, Chicago 5.2
Javier Alvarez, CWRU 4.8
Jacob Wittig, Rochester (NY) 4.3
Robinson Vilmont, Brandeis 4.1
Ross Udine, NYU 3.9

Assists to Turnover Ratio

Whit Rapp, Emory 4.05
Jake Knupp, Washington 3.93
Jacob Wittig, Rochester (NY) 3.08
Kevin Kucera, Washington 2.59
Jordan Baum, Chicago 2.38
Robinson Vilmont, Brandeis 2.19
Sam Borst-Smith, Rochester (NY) 1.96
Tyler Howard, Chicago 1.90

Total Assists

Whit Rapp, Emory 158
Kevin Kucera, Washington 106
Tyler Howard, Chicago 93
Javier Alvarez, CWRU 86
Jacob Wittig, Rochester (NY) 77
Robinson Vilmont, Brandeis 70

As a disclaimer, the list also does not reflect the latest NYU stats.  And, NYU has played one less game than everyone else.  But even if you add in the stats from the last four games, Udine moves in to sixth for total assists with 73.  Maybe he moves in to fifth with the non-conference game they have coming up.

It is certainly hard to make a judgement based entirely on statisticsm especially considering the variety of seasons he has experienced.  Last year, for example, Udine had the UAA player of the year and another player of the year-quality center to feed.  This year he has a Joe Timmes and a host of freshmen.  In both seasons, he has turned the ball over more than several other point guards.

I know we could talk more about his scoring (16 ppg this season) and the intangibles, but does the scoring, defense, leadership and so fourth set him apart in the league?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Just to be clear- those ten were picked from a list of names submitted by readers.  I picked Ross specifically because of the leadership he has to provide on a team full of freshman.  His nominator made a pretty compelling case.

The whole problem with these columns is that there are 400 PGs who play very well and are worthy of recognition.

[WUPHF]

Thanks for the clarification...

The article was was a good excuse to take another look at the UAA point guards.

[WUPHF]

I know that the regional rankings are out, but I am too focused on the weekend to think about that. 

Washington University and Chicago will host Emory and Rochester on Friday with both games tipping off at 8:00 pm CST, so the players will not know much about where they stand until the game is over.

Washington University defeated Emory on the road in a game in which the Bears never trailed.  The Eagles did make a late run to make it interesting though the Bears could have finished off Emory early had they shot a little better from the free throw line. 

Washington University held Emory to their second lowest scoring of the season in Atlanta. Keys for Washington University include defense and rebounding, but they also need respectable free throw and three point shooting percentages.
__________

Rochester defeated Chicago at home in a game that the Maroons led for almost 24 minutes between the first and second half.  Rochester finally passed Chicago with just two minutes left in that game to get the win thanks largely to Sam Borst-Smith scored 38 points in that game.

Video and Live Stats:

Emory vs. Washington University
http://bearsports.wustl.edu/sports/mbkb/2016-17/schedule

Rochester vs. Chicago
http://athletics.uchicago.edu/sports/mbkb/2016-17/schedule

[WUPHF]

A cool fact about Coach Edwards and his overall coaching record from the weekend preview:

EDWARDS APPROACHING TOP-10 – Head coach Mark Edwards is in his 36th season on the Danforth Campus, and is 11th on the all-time NCAA Division III wins list with a 659-286 (.697) mark. He is one win from tying Glenn Van Wieren for 10th on the list.

9. Dennie Bridges - Illinois Wesleyan - 666-320 (.675)
10. Glenn Van Wieren - Hope - 660-219 (.751)
11. Mark Edwards - WashU - 659-286 (.697)

[WUPHF]

As Washington University and Rochester look to winning the UAA, it may be noted that this weekend is going to provide a great opportunity to prepare for the postseason. 

In both cases, the teams must prepare for two big games against tournament quality teams with high stakes.

Massey Rating predictions for the two most important games tonight:

Washington University over Emory, 83-73 (83% chance of win)
Rochester over Chicago, 79-74 (68% chance of win)
__________

I am going to give the poll feature a try for my first time ever.  If you are reading this, please vote.  I'll start with the games tonight and if people vote, I'll add another one tonight.

[WUPHF]

OK, the poll is open.  Please vote otherwise I will be all 

[Smitty Oom]

Personally I am hoping for Rochester vs. Wash rematch to be a one loss team vs. undefeated conference team.

[WUPHF]

If I were a neutral fan, I would prefer that too, but for tonight, I am a Maroon.

I went back to find a few videos of Sam Borst-Smith that I posted a few years ago and happened upon this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp9gYwdGrfM&t=162s

This video is definitely worth watching for anyone who plans to watch the game on Sunday, but is not all that familiar with the pre-season All American.

[WUPHF]

Washington University destroys Emory, 94-65, thanks to a monster second half in which the Bears outscored the Eagles, 53-26.

The Bears were able to run out to a 12 point lead after the first quarter, but the Eagles battled back and trailed by two at the half.  The second half was all Washington University...  The Bears struggled a little to defend the Emory screens in the first half, but no problems in the second.

Washington University had 5 guys in double figures including a game high 21 points from Andrew Sanders.  Kevin Kucera and David Schmelter nearly earned double-doubles.  The Bears finished with 21 assists and 49 rebounds (+18).

The Bears end the evening with a two-game lead on Rochester in advance of the Sunday match-up as Rochester falls on the road to Chicago.

__________

Case Western Reserve gets their first win against New York University, 84-81 after trailing at the half.  Spartan freshman Regan Mohler shoots for 24 points.

__________

Carnegie Mellon defeats Brandeis, 78-64 and is third behind Washington University and Rochester at 6-4.