2014 NCAA Tournament

[Pat Coleman]

Wow that was something

UTD 78 Whitworth 77 on buzzer beating 3,  tentatively will be reviewed

Review over... UT-Dallas gets the win. What a finish

For those who haven't seen video of this shot:
http://www.d3hoops.com/buzzerbeaters/2013-14/index

[y_jack_lok]

I thought Wilmington's press was very good and gave Wash U a lot of trouble getting the ball in-bounds or past mid-court many times. [...]

There were some Calvin folks (I think a couple of players included) sitting in front of me who kept shaking their heads in amazement at some of the plays Wash U made.

I could not disagree more on the quality of the Wilimington press.  Washington University rarely struggles with the press and the turnovers mostly poor passes inside.

The Calvin players must have had fun giving it back to Washington tonight.  The Knights could not miss.  And, their defense was tremendous tonight, bolstered by a let them play approach to officiating.  Congratulations to Calvin!

Well, yes, Wash U did manage to get the ball past mid court just under10 seconds every time, but not without having to work pretty hard to do so. I realize a press is most effective if it actually results in turnovers, but I still think Wilmington's press was good and it successfully cut time off the shot clock for Wash U. Wilmington just wasn't good enough defensively once Wash U got into the half court.

All this is moot now since Wash U got beat last night.

[GnacBballFan]

Pat, are their archives of the games anywhere of the past two days? As an albertus fan I was at the games but would like to view the game. I know our Gnac title video was avl after the game was done. Also I would like to watch Williams. Thanks in advance

[WUPHF]

Well, yes, Wash U did manage to get the ball past mid court just under10 seconds every time, but not without having to work pretty hard to do so. I realize a press is most effective if it actually results in turnovers, but I still think Wilmington's press was good and it successfully cut time off the shot clock for Wash U. Wilmington just wasn't good enough defensively once Wash U got into the half court.

All this is moot now since Wash U got beat last night.

I guess the point was moot the moment the game had been decided.  Honestly, I am not sure Wilmington had the horses to run the press as much as they did.  The looked tired in the second half.  I think the 60 or so points (on 67 percent shooting) in the second half and the above average assists statistics speaks for itself.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Pat, are their archives of the games anywhere of the past two days? As an albertus fan I was at the games but would like to view the game. I know our Gnac title video was avl after the game was done. Also I would like to watch Williams. Thanks in advance

Technically archives of NCAA tournament games are not available. According to the media guidelines, these can't be available as archives due to regulations with NCAA/Turner Sports/CBS Sports/whomever... yes, to cut off the next question, we are aware that schools have games available online, but I have not seen anything in any documentation that actually allows this. We aren't going to make games we helped produce available so if it does come up in question we aren't to blame or going against the guidelines.

[GnacBballFan]

Ok thanks

[Gregory Sager]

Bottom left: Illinois Wesleyan.  Due to Dickinson winning @ Wooster they were guaranteed to fly out west, and with Wash U losing to Calvin, IWU can stay at the Shirk another weekend.  Would've been a lot more difficult had IWU & Wash U both won.  Still think it would've been at IWU in that case, however.

I think it would've been at Wash U. The Bears were ranked #1 in the Midwest Region throughout the ranking process, and I can't imagine that they would've lost that status in the secret final ranking, since they kept winning right through the end of the regular season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I don't have it solid... but Wash U didn't lose #1 from everything I have been told.

[Titan Q]

Wash U was clearly the #1 seed in the Midwest heading into the tournament.  I don't think there is any doubt the sectional would have been in St. Louis had the Bears won.

[bopol]

Any thoughts on the Williams bracket?  I feel like the obvious favorites for the other 3 are the hosts, but that one - I really think any of the four teams could come out of it.

Williams - Got dropped by Amherst three times and lost the first game of the year by 1.  Otherwise, perfect year.  Wins vs. Springfield, Bowdoin, Middlebury (2x).  But none against what I would consider top 25 teams and I don't know if they'll run this group.

Albertus Magnus, P. I. - Lost only 1 D3 games (St Joseph), beat SUNY Purchase twice, WPI.  Williams will be their biggest test.

Va Wesleyan - Have beaten good teams (Emory, Wesley, Guilford), but lost to Mary Washington, Randolph Macon, Chris Newport) and a few of lesser quality.  Seem to be hitting their stride.

Mary Washington - Beat Va. Wesleyan, Springfield, St. Mary (2x), split with Chris Newport and lost twice to Wesley. 

Personally, I'm going Mary Washington over Va. Wesleyan and Albertus Magnus over Williams and then MW to win the group.

[toad22]

The Williams bracket could be a revelation. Having now seen a bunch of clips of Albertus in action, it will take a great game from Williams to beat them. Williams is getting better as the season moves to its' close, but Albertus appears to be at least a cut above Williams, or any other D3 I've seen, in terms of athleticism, and individual play. I don't know how good a team they are, but if they are well coached, they could get to the final four, and maybe even win it all.

Virginia Wesleyan and Mary Washington are good teams, but good in the same way as Williams is good. Those three teams are a toss up. Albertus may be a true Cinderella, that might be a very special team. I haven't seen enough of them to have a firm opinion yet, but it will be worth watching closely.

[7express]

I think whoever wins the Albertus/Williams game ends up winning that half.  Va Wes is playing on a neutral court and has been so inconsistent this year.  They have been playing well the last couple weeks though, so maybe Woodmere & the seniors turned on the switch.  MW started the season well, but slid at the end in February there, before rebounding and winning the CAC tournament.  Williams has 1 loss to a team not named Amherst this year.....which was on the opening night of the season, and Albertus only has 2 losses, 1 of which was by 3 to a division 1 team.  Those to me look like the 2 best teams.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I thought Magnus was good this year, but I still haven't seen them play games against good teams (because I haven't seen the games, not because they don't exist).  I think Mary Washington is playing very strong to end the season.  Williams has been less than impressive.

I think Albertus - Mary Washington for the elite eight.

I'd love to get down there, but 2.5 hours might be pushing it.

[dcahill44]

If everyone could take some time to VOTE FOR BRAD FORD NAZARETH for the D3 All Star game. he is one of my best friends and he really deserves this honor. Here is the link http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2014/03/nabc-all-star-voting

[marlinpg10]

I like My VWC Marlins to come out of that pod. They are hitting their stride now. They are back to full strength. were missing 2 starters in the double OT loss earlier this year to mary washington. DJ Woodmore is truly a special player. I look for them to beat Mary wash and Williams to win and VWC play against williams for the 3rd time in 4 years in the sweet 16. 3rd Time will be the charm for the marlins. Lets Go VWC!!!