Does a top ten team get upset this week-end?

[Mr. Ypsi]

They're not quite top ten, but #12 Calvin is probably the underdog playing at #19 Rose-Hulman.

[(509)Rat]

Maybe IWU? Based on their late season results and lack of offensive firepower.

Even with the bad performance against Augustana, I doubt anyone in the CCIW would say that IWU has a "lack of offensive firepower."  CCIW stats...

http://www.cciw.org/custompages/CCIW_Links/MBasketball/Stats/1213/CONFONLY.HTM?path=mbball

- PPG, 78.1 (1st)

- Scoring margin, +16.6 (1st)

- FG%, .494 (1st)

- 3-point%, .389 (1st)

- Assists per game, 16.3 (1st)


The Titans were the best offensive team in a very good league this year.   I don't think you can overreact to one bad game.

I stand semi-corrected. Their stats don't stand out as much when you look at the entire season (out of conference and the conference tourney). But like I said, we are all grasping at straws when it comes to justifying why one of these top teams might lose. Instead of offensive firepower I should have said dedicated scorer. Much like this year's Whitworth team, there is nobody averaging 15+ ppg (IWU doesnt even have a player averaging 12). That could very well be a positive. Or it could hurt in a tourney game where you don't have that one guy who WILL take over a game.

[Greek Tragedy]

I didn't say it would happen. Its possible Point could lose. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. Even you, frodo, has to admit they haven't looked impressive in the last 10 games, going 3-3 in the last 6?

[John Gleich]

Stevens Point.

Went 3-3 in last 6.

Nortwestern beat Wheaton and lead Whitewater at halftime in DePere, eventually losing by 10.

Reverse jinx attempt.

Stevens Point is not a top ten team as of the latest poll.  Reverse jinx attempt denied.

Beating Wheaton at home in December is a little different than winning at Point in March.

Beating Point at home for non conference foes is a very tall task. Point is 58-3 at home since 2000, with two NCAA tourney losses (Gus Adolphus '03 and Wash U '07) and a NC game vs Carroll in '09. They are also 92-8 at home under Coach Semling since he took over in '05

And GAC went on to lose in the title game (leading by 8 with 3 minutes to go)... and Wash U took 3rd, losing by 2 to Amherst, the eventual National Champion. Wash U would also win the next two National Champions. Those were two really good teams!

[WUPHF]

Much like this year's Whitworth team, there is nobody averaging 15+ ppg (IWU doesnt even have a player averaging 12).

If you are looking for Michael Taylor on the stat sheet, he is not there.  But the Titans have guys that can take over games.  Offense is usually not a problem.

[northb]

They're not quite top ten, but #12 Calvin is probably the underdog playing at #19 Rose-Hulman.

Ah, ha.  Wait, what?

[John Gleich]

I didn't say it would happen. Its possible Point could lose. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. Even you, frodo, has to admit they haven't looked impressive in the last 10 games, going 3-3 in the last 6?

But... Platteville provided terrible match-ups for UWSP. UWP's strengths were in directly aligned with Point's weaknesses.

Northwestern has won just 1 game where they scored less than 70, the win against Wheaton. In their 9 losses, 8 times they were held under 70, and the 9th time, they got run out of the gym by Buena Vista 94-73.

On the other hand, Point has held all but 3 opponents under 70 and 14 teams under 60 (including 3 under 50 and 1 under 40).

It's definitely going to be a contrast in styles.

Point averages just under 124 possessions per game (total, offensive and defensive) and Northwestern averages just over 141 per game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

They're not quite top ten, but #12 Calvin is probably the underdog playing at #19 Rose-Hulman.

Ah, ha.  Wait, what?

It's a judgement call, but I would say (usually) that #12 AT #19, #19 would be favored.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

They're not quite top ten, but #12 Calvin is probably the underdog playing at #19 Rose-Hulman.

Ah, ha.  Wait, what?

I'll be rooting for Rose and the HCAC, but I think I'd give an ever so slight edge to Calvin. Neither really played a difficult schedule (Rose split with Transy, Calvin lost to Wheaton) but for the most part both handled the business in front of them.
Does anyone know what the record is for least total points in a tournament game? It might be a first to 45 points will win kind of game. #1 defense (Rose) vs #6 defense (Calvin)

I mentioned earlier my choice of Williams as the most likely from the top 10 (even though I still think they'll win), but going down through the top 18 (since none of them play each other) I see #12 Calvin vs #19 RHIT as well as #13 RIC vs Hobart being the best opportunities for a high ranked team to lose and even those I think I'd give a slight edge to the higher ranked team.

[Charles]

Does any one know how the home team is chosen for the second and subsequent rounds?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Does any one know how the home team is chosen for the second and subsequent rounds?

The committee will have a conference call Sunday to decide hosts based on which advancing teams deserve it the most.  They'll use the same criteria they used to bracket and decide hosts for the first round.

They won't be moving match-ups, just choosing between the two teams for hosting duties.

[frodotwo]

I didn't say it would happen. Its possible Point could lose. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. Even you, frodo, has to admit they haven't looked impressive in the last 10 games, going 3-3 in the last 6?

Injuries, injuries, injuries.  I think that has taken a toll on them more than anything else. They have only 10 players in uniform, with only 8 seeing the floor. I think they have tired legs and that showed in those last 3 losses.

[John Gleich]

I didn't say it would happen. Its possible Point could lose. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. Even you, frodo, has to admit they haven't looked impressive in the last 10 games, going 3-3 in the last 6?

Injuries, injuries, injuries.  I think that has taken a toll on them more than anything else. They have only 10 players in uniform, with only 8 seeing the floor. I think they have tired legs and that showed in those last 3 losses.

But... the loss last Thursday could be a blessing in disguise. That means one fewer game that they had to grind out on Saturday, plus two more days of rest to get ready for tomorrow night.

For a team as road-weary as UWSP, this expanded schedule could REALLY play well into their hands.

If Point should knock off Northwestern, then they have a full week to get ready for either Calvin or Rose Hulman. That should allow plenty of time for guys who have been dinged up like Austin Ryf and Joe Ritchay to get healthy again.

[Charles]

Does any one know how the home team is chosen for the second and subsequent rounds?

The committee will have a conference call Sunday to decide hosts based on which advancing teams deserve it the most.  They'll use the same criteria they used to bracket and decide hosts for the first round.

They won't be moving match-ups, just choosing between the two teams for hosting duties.

deserve it the most?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Does any one know how the home team is chosen for the second and subsequent rounds?

The committee will have a conference call Sunday to decide hosts based on which advancing teams deserve it the most.  They'll use the same criteria they used to bracket and decide hosts for the first round.

They won't be moving match-ups, just choosing between the two teams for hosting duties.

deserve it the most?

Based on the selection criteria.  Basically the same way they decided who hosted the first round.  Mike DeWitt used that term on Hoopsville, so I just quoted him.  Deserve as in who put up the best resume given the selection criteria.