2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[Mr.Right]

My posts have nothing to do with Williams or Kenyon or whatever. I could care less about karma and all that. I gave Ryan a + for his argument with NCAC. First of all, Ryan does a lot for this site and his previews I enjoy immensely. He is a young guy and probably has a lot of other commitments to attend to but he gives his time to this site. I appreciate that more than anything. After reading his preview I see absolutely nothing wrong with the way it was presented. If anyone is more aware of the potential to be biased it would be Ryan or anyone for that matter writing about their school. I thought NCAC flew off the handle for no reason at all so I gave him a - karma. That is it I usually do not even mess with the karma unless someone makes a stupid post.

Honestly, the East is the weakest pod because CNU is a good team but to inconsistent. OWU I have seen on video 5 times this year and they are DOWN this year. Kenyon in my mind has been overrated all year. Their LOSS to Messiah last year makes everyone believe they are a stellar team. I do not think they can score goals. Whitworth is solid but not going to content for the 2014 title.

[Mr.Right]

enjoy the games tonight because that will be the best video quality of the 4.

[Homegrown Harry]

KICKIN, and that goes from the starting 10 field players to guys 1 to 8 or 9 off the bench.
Fast and deep.  As said in previous posts, it will depend on which Wartburg shows up.  They did look against U of Chicago who plays more possessnion type game similar to Wheaton.

[Mr.Right]

Looking at Kenyon's schedule this year it looks average at best. I would say the NCAC has 3 good teams including Kenyon and 2 or 3 avergae teams and the rest are soft. I think the league is top heavy and maybe the 7th best conference in the country. Kenyon played CMU which looks to be their best non league game and they were average at best. Their 2 NCAA games have not been great quality so this team has not played a VERY good team this year besides a "down" OWU. Plenty of question marks here

[PaulNewman]

Oh, Mr.Right, how I long for the days just a couple of short weeks ago when we were thick as thieves.

[Mr.Right]

Mr. Right's D3 Conference Rankings

1. Nescac
2. UAA
3. NJAC
4. Centennial
5. IIAC
6. Liberty League
7. MIAC
8. NCAC
9. Capital
10. Sunyac
11.MIAA
12.Newmac

[PaulNewman]

So Mr.Right, you've picked Amherst AND Brandeis to win their game.  Have you decided who you really think is going to win? And why?

[Mr.Right]

I never picked both teams. I said the winner of that game will win that pod. I am rooting for Brandeis and their style. Amherst like OWU is in the midst of their worst season since 2008 and ironically have their best chance of getting to the Final 4. Brandeis needs to limit fouls. Amherst is missing Bubba Van Wie and that will hurt them because he has the massive long throw. Bull has not been himself all year and besides Wirz their D was much better last year with Norton and Caslin sitting in front of the back 4. Saying all that I really think Amherst high pressure is going to bother Brandeis and the grass will neutralize Brandeis speed. Toss-up

[Mr.Right]

Ryan what is the scoop on Jay Martin? Any idea or rumor on how much longer he is going to go? If he wins it all this year do you think he hangs em up?

[PaulNewman]

You did explicitly pick Amherst and within an hour had changed your mind to Brandeis.  You even commented to the effect of "I know I just picked Amherst, but..."

You also picked Husson to beat Brandeis and insisted Brandeis wouldn't get out of the first weekend.

[Brother Flounder]

Mr. Right's D3 Conference Rankings

1. Nescac
2. UAA
3. NJAC
4. Centennial
5. IIAC
6. Liberty League
7. MIAC
8. NCAC
9. Capital
10. Sunyac
11.MIAA
12.Newmac

Pretty close...pretty close.....

[Mr.Right]

Like I have said before with the parity in D3 this year it is very hard to pick winners consistently. Which team is going to show up? which is team is going to lose concentration on set pieces or which player is going to be caught ball watching. These teams are so closely bunched that it comes down to simple mistakes sometimes. I picked Brandeis to not get out of the 1st and 2nd round because they were not playing their best before the tournament when I watched them. The Husson pick was basically a joke. I really did think Bowdoin or Brockport could beat them. Brandeis proved ON THEIR CARPET they are extremely tough to beat. Bowdoin had some chances and had they not given up that soft goal it was headed to PK's and I would have given Bowdoin the edge in PK's. So it was closer than most thought.

[Mr.Right]

You predict Amherst v Brandeis will be an instant classic. Any game involving Amherst might have some drama and some chippiness but the word "classic" to me means you could watch the game 10 times over. Amherst mucks up the game to much for me to watch them again in a game I have already seen.  SLU v Brandeis might have been a classic.

[PaulNewman]

I used instant classic as a little hyperbole to pump up anticipation of the game and while perhaps not pretty what I meant is that I think both teams will compete in a manner worthy of the moment and reflective of how much each team wants this.

[PaulNewman]

Mr R what is your assessment of F&M?