2014 NCAA Tournament

[Greek Tragedy]

I haven't compared participants to final pre-tourney polls, but this is looking (on paper) like the best FF since 2006.  Usually there is at least one 'weakest link'; that year the four games (there was still a consolation game then) were ALL decided by 4 or fewer points (and the 4-point margin was IWU over Amherst in the consolation game, so never more than 3 points in the games they still play). 

IWU would still like a game against Wittenberg for 2nd; better yet a re-match with VaWes for first in 2006!  

There are no Cinderellas in this FF, and a solid case could be made for any of the teams taking home the hardware.  (Perhaps the weakest case would be for Williams, who has already lost three times to Amherst (whom they play in the semi), but Williams has been on fire in the tourney.)

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

[Greek Tragedy]

Whitewater's bench consists of basically Cody Odegaard. He has played 22, 30, 24 and 16 minutes. The next guy, Steve Egan, has played 18, 10, 8 and 9 minutes. I think Egan is out there just to make sure there are 5 guys on the floor. He's 4-9 from the field in 4 tourney games.

[Gregory Sager]

I haven't compared participants to final pre-tourney polls, but this is looking (on paper) like the best FF since 2006.  Usually there is at least one 'weakest link'; that year the four games (there was still a consolation game then) were ALL decided by 4 or fewer points (and the 4-point margin was IWU over Amherst in the consolation game, so never more than 3 points in the games they still play). 

IWU would still like a game against Wittenberg for 2nd; better yet a re-match with VaWes for first in 2006!  

There are no Cinderellas in this FF, and a solid case could be made for any of the teams taking home the hardware.  (Perhaps the weakest case would be for Williams, who has already lost three times to Amherst (whom they play in the semi), but Williams has been on fire in the tourney.)

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

[gordonmann]

I nominate TGHIJGSTO to be inscribed on The Belt^TM. Sort of like the Latin phrases they put on seals and crests.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Tonight on Hoopsville we will recap the sectional weekend of basketball action and start previewing the championship weekend in Salem, Vir. and Stevens Point, Wis. Here are the guests you will hear from tonight:

- Williams head coach Mike Maker and senior center Mike Mayer
- Illinois Wesleyan head coach Ron Rose
- UW-Whitewater siblings Alex and Mary Merg
- Tufts senior forward Liz Moynihan

Pat Coleman will also join us to talk about what he saw this weekend and the tournament so far and we will announce the All-Region teams!

Show starts at 7 PM ET and will run until about 9:00 tonight.

You can tune in here: www.d3hoops.com/hoopsville/archives/2013-14/mar16

Don't forget you can ask us or our guests questions via social media:
- Twitter (@d3hoopsville and #Hoopsville)
- Facebook (www.facebook.com/Hoopsville)
- Email (hoopsville@d3hoops.com)

Thanks and enjoy the show!

[nescac1]

I posted this on the NESCAC board, but thought I'd share here as well:

The parallels between Friday and the last Salem meeting for Amherst and Williams, exactly one decade ago, are positively eerie.  Consider:

-- In 2004, Williams was defending its national championship, as Amherst is this go-around.
-- Williams had recently earned a second-straight NESCAC championship with a victory over Amherst in the title game.  Once again, the reverse holds true this year.
-- Williams was led by an all-American senior point guard who had a ton of hype prior to enrolling, and won NESCAC ROY prior to setting loads of school records during his career.  Again, ditto.
-- Amherst had reached the Elite 8 the prior year, just like Williams did last year.
-- A WIAC team was in the other half of the Final Four bracket.

Kinda weird.  I just hope that this time, the underdog prevails! 

[Greek Tragedy]

I posted this on the NESCAC board, but thought I'd share here as well:

The parallels between Friday and the last Salem meeting for Amherst and Williams, exactly one decade ago, are positively eerie.  Consider:

-- In 2004, Williams was defending its national championship, as Amherst is this go-around.
-- Williams had recently earned a second-straight NESCAC championship with a victory over Amherst in the title game.  Once again, the reverse holds true this year.
-- Williams was led by an all-American senior point guard who had a ton of hype prior to enrolling, and won NESCAC ROY prior to setting loads of school records during his career.  Again, ditto.
-- Amherst had reached the Elite 8 the prior year, just like Williams did last year.
-- A WIAC team was in the other half of the Final Four bracket.

Kinda weird.  I just hope that this time, the underdog prevails!

And once again, the WIAC team will take home the Bronze and Walnut!!

[Greek Tragedy]

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

Your response was worth the post. LOL  I know you like the term "preseason" too.     

[Pat Coleman]

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

Your response was worth the post. LOL  I know you like the term "preseason" too.     

Hey, it IS really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season. I mean, how many games do you have to win in order to even get the fourth meeting?

[Ralph Turner]

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

Your response was worth the post. LOL  I know you like the term "preseason" too.     

Hey, it IS really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season. I mean, how many games do you have to win in order to even get the fourth meeting?

My first thought was what is the record between Hope and Calvin in the 4th game of the season.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

Your response was worth the post. LOL  I know you like the term "preseason" too.     

Hey, it IS really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season. I mean, how many games do you have to win in order to even get the fourth meeting?

My first thought was what is the record between Hope and Calvin in the 4th game of the season.

My first thought was whether or not two teams have ever played FIVE games in one season?  (Plausible scenario: a pre-conference tourney somewhere, two conference games, conference tourney, national tourney.)

[sac]

Hope and Calvin played 5 times in 2007

2007 Hope 76, Calvin 54--GR Hall of Fame Tournament
2007 Hope 65, Calvin 62--MIAA
2007 Calvin 77, Hope 71--MIAA
2007 Calvin 78, Hope 76--MIAA Tournament
2007 Hope 80, Calvin 64--NCAA 2nd round

The home team didn't win any of these games, last game at Aurora.

4 times in 1981, 2006, 2010

1981 Calvin 85, Hope 66 --tournament in Iowa I think
1981 Hope 70, Calvin68-ot --MIAA
1981 Calvin 67, Hope 57  --MIAA
1981 Calvin 69, Hope 67  --play-off for NCAA bid, played in Middleville, Mich.

2006 Hope 73, Calvin 55 --MIAA
2006 Calvin 59, Hope 58 --MIAA
2006 Hope 68, Calvin 55 --MIAA Tournament
2006 Hope 70, Calvin 67 --NCAA 2nd Round

2010 Hope 79, Calvin 76 --GR Hall of Fame
2010 Calvin 85, Hope 74 --MIAA
2010 Hope 67, Calvin 64 --MIAA
2010 Hope 87, Calvin 74 --MIAA Tournament

Not that anyone asked but I think it diminishes the rivalry.  If that's really even possible.

[John Gleich]

Whitewater's bench consists of basically Cody Odegaard. He has played 22, 30, 24 and 16 minutes. The next guy, Steve Egan, has played 18, 10, 8 and 9 minutes. I think Egan is out there just to make sure there are 5 guys on the floor. He's 4-9 from the field in 4 tourney games.

I think that Egan may be WW's secret weapon... he scored 8 straight points off the bench in the UWSP/UWW game at Whitewater to help WW get to their halftime lead (that SP proceeded to eliminate in the first two minutes of the second half, thanks in part to a technical foul on UWW).

He's nowhere as physical as Whitewater's front line guys... but he's crafty around the basket and could provide a spark.

[Pat Coleman]

Well, you know what Gregory Sager likes to say, "It's really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season...." or something like that, right? TGHIJGSTO!!!

Are you seriopus?

Your response was worth the post. LOL  I know you like the term "preseason" too.     

Hey, it IS really hard to beat an opponent four times in one season. I mean, how many games do you have to win in order to even get the fourth meeting?

My first thought was what is the record between Hope and Calvin in the 4th game of the season.

My first thought was whether or not two teams have ever played FIVE games in one season?  (Plausible scenario: a pre-conference tourney somewhere, two conference games, conference tourney, national tourney.)

Really short memory, Mr. Y!

[Titan Q]

Here is a look at the rotations for the Final Four teams...

http://www.iwuhoops.com/SalemRotations.html