2015 NCAA Tournament

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So, we're going to have Macon, Point, Babson, and Augustana all hosting (likely).  They'll have to fly Emory and E Texas Baptist to Point and they'll have to fly Marietta and Mt. Union to Augustana.  Should be fun.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

So, we're going to have Macon, Point, Babson, and Augustana all hosting (likely).  They'll have to fly Emory and E Texas Baptist to Point and they'll have to fly Marietta and Mt. Union to Augustana.  Should be fun.

Ironically enough, there are still teams in each bracket who can drive to Salem.  If you're the NCAA, you're rooting for anybody but St. John Fisher in one bracket, Emory, Hopkins, or either of the Ohio schools.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Two flights from or to Ohio whether Marietta or Augie hosts.  Since Augie got a bye, I assume they probably were seeded higher than Marietta, but do we know that for sure?

[kiltedbryan]

Two flights from or to Ohio whether Marietta or Augie hosts.  Since Augie got a bye, I assume they probably were seeded higher than Marietta, but do we know that for sure?

Actually pretty sure that Mount Union ended up the GL#1 in the final rankings and would've been in line to host over Marietta if DePauw had won.

Regardless, Augustana clearly the "higher" #1 and I'd be extremely surprised if next week's sectional isn't in Rock Island.

[Ralph Turner]

Cinderella game is ETBU versus Northwestern MN.

BIG contrast in styles of play!

ETBU speed will be interesting to see against the standard midwestern style of NW's game.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Considering not only their (and their conference's) history but WHO they beat, can anyone think of a more unlikely Sweet Sixteen team than Northwestern?  (Oh, and they owe SNC a 'thank you' card for totally draining Elmhurst! )

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Some interesting looks:

The Atlantic Region is completely out of the tournament now.  East is represented by 1 team, NE by 3, MA by 2, GL by 2, South by 4, Central by 2, and West by 2.

The NESCAC, ODAC, Centennial, and OAC all have two teams remaining.  Five other teams come from consistent multi-bid conferences (power of near power conferences): Augustana (CCIW), St. Olaf (MIAC), Babson (NEWMAC), Point (WIAC), and Emory (UAA).

[Ralph Turner]

Considering not only their (and their conference's) history but WHO they beat, can anyone think of a more unlikely Sweet Sixteen team than Northwestern?  (Oh, and they owe SNC a 'thank you' card for totally draining Elmhurst! )

The ETBU-Northwestern game looks like no better than a #14 vs #16 (or #16 vs #14) but I am not sure whom I would rank #15  of the Sweet 16.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Considering not only their (and their conference's) history but WHO they beat, can anyone think of a more unlikely Sweet Sixteen team than Northwestern?  (Oh, and they owe SNC a 'thank you' card for totally draining Elmhurst! )

The ETBU-Northwestern game looks like no better than a #14 vs #16 (or #16 vs #14) but I am not sure whom I would rank #15  of the Sweet 16.   

Conceivably Bates, but I think they are probably #15 v #16!  Congratulations to ETBU, but beating Hendrix and CMS is not exactly beating St. Thomas and Elmhurst.  I think it is likely ETBU will make the Elite Eight, but then be decimated by UWSP or Emory.  But his year, who knows?!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Dickinson beats Albertus Magnus with a last second basket 74-72. After Big Vic hits a basket to tie the game for Albertus with 11 seconds to go, the Red Devils come down and take a 3 pointer with 5 seconds left that is partially blocked by Sledge. It ends up in Ted Hinnenkamps hands right near the basket and he lays it in at the buzzer. Tough way to go down for the Falcons as it looked like it was headed to overtime when Sledge got his hand on the 3 point attempt.

Honestly, that wasn't a partial block... that was a 5-9 guy in Sledge who fully blocked that shot ... it didn't go but a foot out of the shooter's hand before it was heading straight up because of the physics put on the ball by the block. That block was impressive... but then Cox snuck a hand in as Sledge came down with the ball and popped it loose right into the waiting hands of Hinnenkamp who told me glanced at the clock and then turned and laid it in. Unbelievable finish!

Here is the interview afterward with Hinnenkamp: http://youtu.be/f-kH57b3vcc
Here is the final sequence of plays: http://youtu.be/EFEaRIoBRF0

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Augustana defeats Depauw 68-66.  Depauw has the ball and a chance to win with the score tied at 66 and 14 seconds left. They turn it over with 7 seconds left without getting a shot off and foul Jawan Slaughter with 5 seconds remaining. He makes both free throws and Depauw goes the length of the court but their shot sticks in the crotch of the basket and backboard to end the game.

That... is simply unbelievable. Watched it live and couldn't take it!

[David Collinge]

So, we're going to have Macon, Point, Babson, and Augustana all hosting (likely).  They'll have to fly [...] Mt. Union to Augustana.  Should be fun.

A few years ago, Wooster was sent (by bus) to Augustana for a first-round game. Ergo Mount must be very, very close to the 500 mile threshold.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

So, we're going to have Macon, Point, Babson, and Augustana all hosting (likely).  They'll have to fly [...] Mt. Union to Augustana.  Should be fun.

A few years ago, Wooster was sent (by bus) to Augustana for a first-round game. Ergo Mount must be very, very close to the 500 mile threshold.

The NCAA calculator says Mount is 551 miles to Augustana... but it also says Wooster is 501.

[Greek Tragedy]

So just for fun, would someone smarter than me like to rank the last 16?

Maybe grouping of 4.

Stevens Point - 2
St. Olaf - 3
Randolph Macon -5
Babson -6

Augustana - 7
Marietta -8
Mount Union - 9
Virginia Wesleyan - 10

Emory - 11
John's Hopkins - 14
ETBU - 15
Dickinson - 20

St. John Fisher - 32
Bates - 30
Trinity - 41
Northwestern - 98

These are Massey ratings. Interesting that all the UMAC schools are listed as independent.  Whats up with that?

I think the top 4 is closer to:

Augustana
RMC
Stevens Point
Emory

Bottom 4

Trinity
ETBU
Bates
Northwestern

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

So, we're going to have Macon, Point, Babson, and Augustana all hosting (likely).  They'll have to fly [...] Mt. Union to Augustana.  Should be fun.

A few years ago, Wooster was sent (by bus) to Augustana for a first-round game. Ergo Mount must be very, very close to the 500 mile threshold.

Well Mount Union in WBB decided to take a bus to the final four several years ago and Dickinson MBB last year went by bus to Wheaton... that isn't the determining factor and usually that is up to the school. The NCAA's mileage rule just dictates whether they have to change things to keep the costs down. If it is on paper as a flight... it is considered a flight... because they won't know if a bus will be used until after they make a decision on hosting.