2015 NCAA TOURNAMENT THREAD

[Mr.Right]

Its not a big deal and it is better for fans as we can see more games because of the Friday games.

What was a problem was when Dave Brandt was taking advantage of the rule and scouting opponents on the Sunday after his pod was done. 10 years ago there was limited video so it was a massive advantage and complete manipulation of the rule. Finally, it caught up to him and I believe the NCAA told Messiah in 2008 no more and they started playing Saturday / Sunday. Not sure why the others are still allowed to though.

[Letthekidsplay59]

Its not a big deal and it is better for fans as we can see more games because of the Friday games.

What was a problem was when Dave Brandt was taking advantage of the rule and scouting opponents on the Sunday after his pod was done. 10 years ago there was limited video so it was a massive advantage and complete manipulation of the rule. Finally, it caught up to him and I believe the NCAA told Messiah in 2008 no more and they started playing Saturday / Sunday. Not sure why the others are still allowed to though.

While I acknowledge that this is probably in the minority, I've heard stories of professors who won't allow students to make special arrangements for exams and they've had to stay at school and miss the game.  The competitive advantage is a potential side-problem and it's good that Messiah isn't allowed to do that any more.

[jknezek]

It's written into the NCAA bylaws that the NCAA can schedule around religious observance days if notified that it causes a hardship. Somewhere in one of the handbooks. It is not specific to any single religion or any single school.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

Thomas I saw only once all season against Colby who they defeated. They are used to turf and night games. They are like a poor man's UMASS Boston. Some flair in midfield and up top but a total dysfunction in the back and in goal. Goalies are goalies though and all it takes is the GK to "have a good day" to frustrate Brandeis. Sometimes the more shots he sees the more confident he gets and that confidence can be contagious throughout the team. I remember them in 2012 in the NCAA's against Williams in Williamstown during the day and on grass against a SOLID Williams side. Williams out shot them 5:1 but were frustrated because they kind of played down to their level. This is a totally different Thomas side but I imagine they will look similar. The one thing I do remember is this Thomas side lacks SIZE and that stuck out to me when they played Colby.

I give you props, Mr.Right.  You have a quick mind.  "Poor man's UMass-Bos" is perfect.  I watched that same game Thomas vs Colby.

Thomas has another midfielder who seems to run the show as much or more than Ming:  Willie Clemons, a sophomore also from Bermuda.  Ming often pushes forward, and Clemons is the link from back to front.  He also scored two goals against Colby, including a late one to send the game to OT.  IMO Clemons is just as dangerous and talented as Ming.

[blooter442]

Thomas has another midfielder who seems to run the show as much or more than Ming:  Willie Clemons, a sophomore also from Bermuda.  Ming often pushes forward, and Clemons is the link from back to front.  He also scored two goals against Colby, including a late one to send the game to OT.  IMO Clemons is just as dangerous and talented as Ming.

You're right, Clemons is good as well. From what I can deduce, Thomas plays somewhat of a 4-4-2 with Clemons and Ming in the center. The two up top will be closely marked by the Brandeis CBs, but Brandeis' 4-3-3 could overwhelm Thomas in the center of the park, especially with a player like Ming who seems very good attacking-wise but not superb defensively, whereas each of Brandeis' three center mids are equally good going forward as well as defending. That said, I'm curious to see if Thomas sets up to park the bus or not - regardless of Ming et al the consensus is still that Brandeis is the superior side and will retain the ball much better than Thomas will, meaning that Thomas will be on the defensive a large portion of the game. But as Mr.Right said, the longer the game goes on the more confident Thomas could become, and if Ming is given space to do damage that could be trouble for the Judges. The good thing for Brandeis is they have speed at the back, so they can feel comfortable going forward and yet getting back in time to stop opportunities.

The more interesting matchup in that pod at least on paper is Stevens vs. RPI. I see a lot of people picking RPI and I think they're the superior side but Stevens is very good offensively and I think that could shade it.

[Shooter McGavin]

Washington and Lee's field looks atrocious

[Shooter McGavin]

Methodist dominating in the early stages of the game.

[PaulNewman]

Methodist dominating in the early stages of the game.

Darn, I knew I should have picked Methodist! 

Lastguy, are revisions allowed to Friday 5:00 haha??

[NJrexSoccer03]

Methodist dominating in the early stages of the game.

Shooter I agree about the field. But are we watching the same game? Methodist dominating?

[Shooter McGavin]

Methodist dominating in the early stages of the game.

Shooter I agree about the field. But are we watching the same game? Methodist dominating?

I didn't see the first 10 minutes but WL has 4 shots I have only seen the one golden chance they had a couple minutes ago. It's been all Methodist since I tuned in. W&L has only been in the offensive third once in the past 10 minutes.

Announcer just said WL had one hit the post. That was before I turned on the feed. What are your thoughts?

[Shooter McGavin]

Right mid for Methodist is scorching down that sideline (Harrison I believe). Just whipped in a nice ball. Could have been a goal. Personally Methodist looks better since I have started watching.

[NJrexSoccer03]

Methodist dominating in the early stages of the game.

Shooter I agree about the field. But are we watching the same game? Methodist dominating?

I didn't see the first 10 minutes but WL has 4 shots I have only seen the one golden chance they had a couple minutes ago. It's been all Methodist since I tuned in. W&L has only been in the offensive third once in the past 10 minutes.

I would agree with the last 5-7 in Methodist favor! The first part you missed was the opposite. W&L looked like they wanted to connect passes and this field is not going to allow it. Someone is going to lose this game on a bad bounce or miss kick. I really hope not though.

[jknezek]

W&L was pinning them back in the first 10 minutes or so. Methodist was lucky not to get tagged. Since then it's been a much more even battle. Although Methodist is 5-1 in fouls...

[NJrexSoccer03]

Right mid for Methodist is scorching down that sideline (Harrison I believe). Just whipped in a nice ball. Could have been a goal. Personally Methodist looks better since I have started watching.

This kid Harrison is going to give them fits. The left back is suspect with his feet and I can see Harrison picking his pocket and it looks like he won't be run down.

[jknezek]

And W&L just misses. I see what you're seeing, but most of this game is being played in a very beat up mid-field. I don't see much scorching but I do see a lot of falling down, bouncing passes, and lost possession.