MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

At the end of last season, I made a prediction as to how the teams would finish this season based entirely on anticipated returning players.  The teams have one game left so this could look different, but so far...

Having detailed all that, here is how I believe the UAA teams will finish in 2017-2018:

Washington University, UAA Champions
Chicago
Rochester
Case Western Reserve
Emory
Carngie Mellon
NYU
Brandeis

Current UAA standings...

Washington University (13-0)
Emory (11-2)
Chicago (8-5)
Rochester (7-6)
Case Western Reserve (6-7)
NYU (3-10)
Brandeis (2-11)
Carnegie Mellon (2-11)

Emory is graduating four players from a very nice senior class, but they needed that freshmen class to defy my expectations.  Carnegie Mellon both had a couple of upsets in the making, but could not get the wins. 

[deiscanton]

Actually, WashU wrapped this up on Friday, right? Two game lead with two to play and a sweep of Emory to break the tie-breaker?

The conference awards co-championships in the case of a tie.  The tiebreaker only determines who gets the automatic bid.  Washington University is guaranteed to finish one game ahead of Emory with the win today.

In 2012-2013, the conference actually had a three-way tie with Washington University winning the tiebreaker.

In the event that the UAA has co-champions, each co-champion gets a plaque (trophy) from the Association for their trophy room.  The tiebreaker only determines the AQ.

[deiscanton]

Next Saturday at Chicago--

The Chicago women and the Wash U men will both attempt to finish UAA play with perfect 14-0 records.  If both teams win, it will be only the second time in UAA history that a men's and women's basketball team both finished undefeated in UAA play in the same season.

In the 1999-2000 season,  the Chicago men and the Wash U women both finished 15-0 in UAA play.  Johns Hopkins was still in the UAA but only played a single round robin in basketball and was not eligible for the UAA title.

[deiscanton]

UAA Rookie update

Games through Feb. 18

Overall

Scoring

1.). Romin Williams, Emory-- 15.8 ppg, 27.6 points per 40.
2.). Jack Nolan, Wash U-- 11.5 ppg, 21.6 points per 40
3.). Ignas Masiulionis, Case-- 11.4 ppg, 20.5 points per 40
4.). Lawrence Sabir, Brandeis-- 10.5 ppg, 15.3 points per 40
5.). Chandler Jones, Brandeis-- 8.8 ppg, 12.5 points per 40

Rebounding

1.). Chandler Jones, Brandeis-- 4.8 RPG
2.). Lawrence Sabir, Brandeis-- 3.9 RPG
3.). Bobby Hawkinson, NYU-- 3.6 RPG
4.). Matt Davet, Emory-- 3.2 RPG
5.). Akim Sanni, Brandeis-- 3.0 RPG

Assists

1.). Lawrence Sabir, Brandeis-- 4.3 APG
2.). Romin Williams, Emory-- 2.6 APG
3.). Zach Watson, Carnegie Mellon-- 2.0 APG
4.). Antonio Ionadi, Case-- 1.9 APG
4.). Chandler Jones, Brandeis-- 1.9 APG

Steals

1.). Romin Williams, Emory-- 1.2 spg
1.). Lawrence Sabir, Brandeis-- 1.2 spg
3.). Chandler Jones, Brandeis-- 1.1 spg

Blocks

No rookie with 1 or more blocks per game.

Honorable mention-- Bobby Hawkinson, NYU-- 13 blocks in 23 games played.

[deiscanton]

Congrats to Jacob Wittig of Rochester, who was named the UAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week for the weekend of Feb. 16-18.

[deiscanton]

Wash U game preview-- Matchday 14

No. 2 Wash U Closes Out UAA Play Saturday at Chicago

[mck99]

Weekly Interview with WashU MBB head coach Mark Edwards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oE5DONQ8cM&t=11s

[WUPHF]

I just happened to be thinking about the Washington University-Chicago series.

This series has had its share of drama over the past several years including upset wins and wins that had serious post-season implications. 

Then there was the goal-tending incident from last season which is worth a second look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnNzXacimY. 

Here is the more recent series record:

2017-2018
Washington University (H) 79-78

2016-2017
Washington University (R) 70-68, Chicago (R) 81-74

2015-2016
Chicago 70-68 (R), Washington University (R) 67-54

2014-2015
Chicago (H) 63-43, Washington University (H) 94-67

2013-2014
Washington University (H) 80-69, Washington University (R), 86-73

2012-2013
Chicago (H) 68-60, Washington University (H) 72-54

2011-2012
Washington University (H) 79-72, Washington University (R) 73-60

2010-2011
Chicago (H) 79-77, Chicago (R) 74-67

2009-2010
Washington University (H) 64-60, Washington University (R) 64-60

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The NCAA men's basketball regional advisory committees released their third set of rankings, and as expected, the Atlantic Region was among those getting shuffled. Here's the full list: http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[deiscanton]

Congrats to these student athletes on earning COSIDA Academic All-District® Basketball Honors this season:

Jacob Wittig, Rochester
Jake Knupp, Wash U.

UAA Press release:

Six UAA Student Athletes Named to COSIDA Academic All-District® Basketball Team

[deiscanton]

Through this week, I have been compiling my picks for the 2017-18 All Association Team.

I am planning to post my picks for the 2017-18 UAA All Association Men's Basketball Team Saturday evening, between 7 to 8 PM Eastern time-- the Saturday UAA play should be done by then.

[WUPHF]

Emory defeats Rochester on the road, 77-61.  The Eagles finish the regular season 21-4, 12-2.  Rochester, on the other hand, ends their season with a 16-9, 7-7 record.

[WUPHF]

Wow, Brandeis has doubled-up NYU early in the second half.  Shoot 61% (22-36) and 8-10 from the perimeter and you can beat most teams on most days.

[WUPHF]

Chicago leads Washington University at the half, 42-37.

The Bears went on a run before Chicago went on a run of their own to end the half.  The difference has come at the free-throw line.  Foul trouble could be a problem for Washington University.

[deiscanton]

Final--

Chicago 86, #2 Wash U 77

Wash U finishes at 13-1 in UAA play.

1999-2000 still the only season in which both a men's and women's basketball team finished undefeated in UAA play in the same season.