MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

The Chicago-Washington University definitely lives up to the throw out the record book cliche more than any other UAA rivalry. #LetsGoWashU

[WUPHF]

Rochester leads Emory 47-41 early in the second half.  Emory losing would negate my predictions but would be ideal for everyone else.

[WUPHF]

Rochester gets the win over Emory, 87-76 at home. Wow.

[WUPHF]

Washington University trails Chicago at the half, 47-34.

[jaybird44]

Headlines of the game:  Chicago 7-15 from 3, WashU 0-4; and Chicago has 12 POTs (points off turnovers) from 6 WashU turnovers, while WashU has 2 POTs from 5 Chicago turnovers.  Chicago almost pitching a perfect game in the POT ratio in the first half, getting 2 points for each Bears turnovers.

[jaybird44]

WashU cut the Chicago lead from 16 to 5 with 8:00 2nd half, but Chicago back to 10 with 6 left.

[jaybird44]

Chicago 88, WashU 80 FINAL

[WUPHF]

A few thoughts on the first weekend of league play...

As for the 88-80 win by UChicago over Washington University, I thought it was one of the best games I have seen by either team this season.  I still see the teams as even, but Chicago played a better on Saturday.

Last week I posted the three-point field goal percentages of the three of the five guards most likely to shoot from the perimeter.  Those guards went 1-14 from three point range. 

The forwards on the other hand...freshman Zach Munson had shot 1-5 from the perimeter coming in to the game, but went 2-3 on Saturday while Dominic Lavrie was 4-29 but went 3-4.  Munson played a strong 16 minutes coming in for Jacobsen who was on the bench in street clothes.

I did not mention the percentage for Justin Jackson because he had not been shooting a lot, but on Saturday, he went 3-3 from the perimeter and 4-4 overall in his first start of the season before going out early with a injury.  I really like Jackson as a player.

Washington University had yet another dismal effort from three point range going 3-13.  The Bears did shoot 53% from the field, but gave up a few too many second chances to Chicago who registered 14 offensive rebounds.

AS FOR THE REST OF THE LEAGUE...

Every losing team shot 20-25% from the perimeter including Emory who lost on the road at Rochester, NYU who lost at Brandeis and Case Western Reserve who lost at Carnegie Mellon.  Incidentally, I may be shooting 20-25% in my predictions this season...

In regards to Carnegie Mellon, senior Seth Henry had another big game and is quietly making a case for league player of the year honors.  He is currently second in the UAA in scoring (16.9), third in rebounds (8.9), and third in field goal percentage (63%)

So, the four winning teams hold serve as they say with the top 4 teams playing each other next weekend.

[WUPHF]

Just a quick look at the latest Massey Rankings and SOS: Rochester 26 (143), Chicago 37 (19), Emory 50 (110), Washington University 62 (33), Brandeis 102 (209), Carnegie Mellon 150 (66), Case Western Reserve (207), NYU 236 (322).

[WUPHF]

Looking ahead for the games this weekend, Emory will travel St. Louis on Friday and Chicago on Saturday looking to get the big road wins.  Emory is 0-1, but going 2-0 on the weekend would give the Eagles the early momentum.

Emory is out scoring every other team in the league by a margin.  Emory is scoring 91 points per game compared to 78 for Washington University and Chicago.  They are giving up more points though against an arguably weaker schedule.

They are the only team with five players averaging in double figures with Williams leading the league at 17 points per game.  As a team, they are not the best three point shooting team (only Washburn shoots over 40%), but everyone can knock them down.

Emory also leads the league in assists, tied with Chicago...  Stuck is second in the league in assists overall despite averaging 20 minutes a game.

Their primary scoring and rebounding options look like this:

Williams: 17 points, 4 rebounds
Davet: 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds
Rowley: 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds
Schner: 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds
Baitey: 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds

[WUPHF]

Expanding on the last post to include Rochester.

I have had my doubts about Rochester and they have mostly proved me wrong.  They will have two opportunities to prove me a wrong again this weekend as they travel to Chicago tonight and Washington University on Sunday (possibly through 6-9 inches of snow).

Not a lot to say otherwise, but a veteran team that plays very well together.

Their primary scoring and rebound options:

Clamage: 14 points, 7.1 rebounds
Wittig: 12.8 points, 47.1% from three-point ranges (and 4.0 apg)
Lundstrom: 8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds
Gamble: 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds
Benka: 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds
Algier: 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds
Mangan: 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds

[y_jack_lok]

Probably gonna be a sparse crowd for Wash U/Emory tonight. I had contemplated going earlier in the week, but will stay off the roads tonight. Other D3 StL games tomorrow are postponed. I assume Emory got in yesterday?

[uaaaficionado]

I have regrettably not been as active following so far this season, but with the turn of the new year and UAA play upon us, I'll stage a come back.

It was an exciting first week of UAA action and I'm looking forward to the games tonight. This league is always full of great match ups and there's a lot at stake for a number of teams this weekend. I'd say I'm most excited for this Rochester @ Chicago match up, but here are some of my thoughts on the games tonight.

Brandeis @ Carnegie Mellon
It's awesome seeing the turn around this Brandeis team has made under first year head coach Jean Bain. Though a bit inconsistent thus far, I think Corey Sherman is among the best in the league at scoring the ball. Brandeis dropped a Monday game to Amherst but started off their UAA season on the right foot with a win over NYU.

After a slow start, Carnegie has polished off 4 straight wins including their UAA opener against a tough Case rival. Seth Henry has been in and out of the lineup (anyone know the cause?) but put up a big stat line last week. I'm sure they're looking for a big game out of Zach Howarth tonight as well.

Both of these teams have got to be hungry for a 2-0 start - something I'm not sure we've seen much of out of either of these programs in a while. I think it will be a close one to the finish. Assuming Seth Henry is playing tonight, I think Carnegie Mellon protects their home court.

Prediction: Carnegie Mellon 75 Brandeis 70

NYU @ Case Western
A much improved defensive team since last season, NYU had a tough time scoring the ball in their UAA opening loss. With Ethan Feldman having only played one game this season, I think the team is still searching for a consistent perimeter threat on the offensive end. Dom Christiano has been fairly consistent this season inside.

Case dropped their opener at Carnegie after giving up 85 points. It doesn't seem like anyone has emerged as a consistent 20-point threat, but they do have a number of guys that can put the ball in the hole.

Case has dropped three games in a row, two of which have been at home. Against a team like NYU at home, this is a game they do not want to drop. Both teams are seeking to avoid an 0-2 UAA start. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this game, but I'm going to take NYU and a big game out of Christiano.

Prediction: NYU 83 Case Western 77

Emory @ WashU
Emory has really wow'd in their ability to score the ball. Romin Williams, Matt Davet, and a few other sophomores have really stepped up for them and are  far and away the most powerful offensive team in the UAA. As seen through their first game at Rochester, this young team still has some experience to gain playing on the road in the UAA.

Considering all that this team lost coming into the season, they've really been battle tested through their schedule. Nolan, Hardy, and Hunter are all gaining experience in a similar way to Emory's young team. Recent match ups @ Augie and @ Chicago are only helping with this.

The former UAA champion and runner-up are both coming off UAA opener losses. Starting league play 0-2 is far from the start either Zimmerman or Juckem would have forseen. This match up was the best in the league last season, and I'm certain it will be entertaining this year as well. In a close hard fought game, Emory's offense will just be too much for WashU.

Prediction: Emory 86 WashU 78

Rochester @ Chicago
The two unbeaten's I am most looking forward to watching.

Rochester opened UAA play with a gutsy win against Emory. The senior duo of Clamage and Wittig showed their senior experience and how they're two of the most efficient players in the league.

Chicago opened the UAA season with a hot shooting start - seven guys hit a total of 12 team 3's (Karras only accounted for one of these). Dominic Laravie has been on fire over the past two games of which he's averaged 22 points.

*To note, UAA teams with home court advantage went 4-0 in the first weekend. Chicago has home court this weekend and if they can find a way to continue the shooting ride, they may pull it out tonight. But I do think after beating the stat sheet stuffing Emory, Flockerzi will have Rochester well-equipped to guard this Chicago team for 40 minutes.

Prediction: Rochester 73 Chicago 65

Any thoughts before tip off in a few hours?

[WUPHF]

I assume Emory got in yesterday?

Yes, the trip to St. Louis is always the day prior. The game has been delayed as the officials were late getting to the Women's game.

[Gregory Sager]

Chicago 85
Rochester 80

Great game, with some big runs going both ways. The Maroons got the last run, as Noah Karras and Jordan Baum knocked down a bunch of big jumpers in the final there minutes to bring Chicago back from behind, while Cole Schmitz made some huge tough rebounds in traffic. Rochester, which got a lot of contributions from beyond the arc from players who normally don't shoot well from out there, undoubtedly missed Andrew Lundstrom down the stretch, as he got tossed from the game early in the second half after drawing his second technical.