MBB: University Athletic Association

y_jack_lok · October 29, 2019, 10:29:17 AM

^^^ What's your take on Wash U's #7 ranking? Too high, too low, just right? If you were doing a top 25 where would you put the Bears?

WUPHF · October 29, 2019, 11:13:16 AM

Thanks for asking.

The No. 7 ranking seems too high, but as a fan, my judgement is clouded by emotion and so I am not sure.

I do think Emory will be a Top 10 team all season long and a potential Final Four team. And as you will see from a future post, I am not sure if Emory is better than Washington University. So maybe I agree with the ranking.

I do remember thinking that No. 20 was too low to start 2016-2017, but the class of 2018 will always be among my favorite WUSTL players.

BobbyBasketball · October 29, 2019, 02:07:00 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on October 29, 2019, 09:56:34 AM
The pre-season rankings are out and Emory and Washington University are listed at No. 6 and No. 7.

The last time the Bears emerged from a rebuild season, they came in at No. 20 in the pre-season rankings.

Rochester received 5 votes...not sure that they will be the close to the Top 25.

I have Rochester moving from second in the league last season to eighth this season. Is that possible? I am counting on teams 3-8 being better in the aggregate and I do not know what to make of the Yellowjackets this season. I hope they prove me wrong.

Interestingly, Brandeis received 1 vote...the Brandeis team that finished 14-11 (7-7) last season and went 1-5 against the top three teams in the league. Brandeis did lose their leading scorer and a key starter in Sherman and Workman and their combined 21 points and 9 rebounds per game. But, the junior class is strong and let's see about the rest.

I think other than Wash U and Emory, the league is wide open. Could see almost any order of 3-8 although I would think Brandeis and possibly Rochester or Chicago would be closer to the top of that range. But that is why they play the games. Expect the unexpected. Lots of new faces can change dynamics quickly.

WUPHF · October 29, 2019, 02:42:40 PM

Quote from: BobbyBasketball on October 29, 2019, 02:07:00 PM
I think other than Wash U and Emory, the league is wide open. Could see almost any order of 3-8 although I would think Brandeis and possibly Rochester or Chicago would be closer to the top of that range. But that is why they play the games. Expect the unexpected. Lots of new faces can change dynamics quickly.

I think that is exactly right.

I think new faces will be one of the big story lines of the year.

I keep thinking about Rochester. They have a great program and a great coach, but so many young players. I have to think this will be a one-year rebuild season, but who knows?

Chicago has three of the best players in the league. They only need a few more players to emerge as a threat.

Keep posting!

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 08:28:08 PM

Missouri State leads Washington University, 25-19 with 6:26 in the first. Bears playing well but the other Bears are converting the three-pointers.

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 08:34:12 PM

Bears playing a quasi-scrimmage line-up. I like that. Bears trail by 3 with 3 minutes left.

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 08:44:08 PM

Bears trail the other Bears at the half, 36-34. Hardy would be a scholarship player on this team. #maybe

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 09:24:53 PM

Bears trail by 15 with 7:41 left.

Looks like Hunter is not going to play tonight.

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 09:30:59 PM

Bears getting good looks but struggling to convert. 70-51.

WUPHF · October 30, 2019, 09:44:16 PM

Bears fall to the other Bears, 76-59.

WUPHF · October 31, 2019, 04:25:34 PM

I am thinking about the game last night.

Definitely lots of positives, especially when evaluating the first half.

I did mistakenly say that Washington University was the only team with a pre-season exhibition. I thought Chicago had DePaul after the start of the season, but that game is scheduled for next week Wednesday.

BobbyBasketball · November 07, 2019, 10:54:53 PM

Well the regular season is here! The openers ...

Brandeis plays at WPI Friday night.
Carnegie Mellon hosts Allegheny on Tuesday night
Case opens up at home with its tournament by playing Central (IA) Friday night and on Saturday against winner/loser of Centre/Greenville.
Chicago opens on Sunday at Millikin
Emory opens on Saturday afternoon at Guilford.
NYU hosts Oberlin on Saturday
Rochester opens at SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday.
Wash U opens on Sunday at Illinois College

WUPHF · November 08, 2019, 09:14:58 AM

Thanks for that! I have had almost no time to think about Division III basketball this week, but that changes this weekend. Looking forward to watching the games on Sunday. Unfortunately, I'll miss the Friday-Saturday games.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · November 08, 2019, 09:16:33 AM

Brandeis - WPI should be a great one. Both teams have some under the radar buzz this year and it'll be a good early showcase for each of them.

WUPHF · November 10, 2019, 07:19:05 PM

Washington University over Illinois College, 85-76.

Hardy and Nolan each shot for 23 points. Nester finished with 17. The Blueboys made it a game thanks in part to hot perimeter shooting.

In other games...

Chicago defeated Millikin 85-75 on the road thanks to a 25 point effort by Cole Schmitz. The Maroons needed a newcomer to step up and they may have found him in freshman Bryce Hopkins who had his second double figure scoring effort. They probably will need 1-2 more to be competitive in the league.

Case Western defeated Central and Centre to win their Bill Sudeck Tournament championship. I am going to say that these are pretty good wins for a team that may surprise people this season...

Emory defeated Guilford, 89-67 in the first of two match-ups between the two ranked teams. This result should not be a surprise to anyone at this point.

The UAA had two losses on the weekend...

NYU lost to Oberlin in a game they should have won and Brandeis scored a mere 46 points in a 55-46 points in a game against Worchester Polytechnic. The offensive stats for the Judges: 36% / 23% / 56%.