2015 NCAA TOURNAMENT THREAD

[lastguyoffthebench]

St. Olaf is riding a 5 game shutout streak, can they keep it up vs Wheaton? 

Which giant is most likely to fall in the round of 16?

[SandyMac]

To me, it's someone in the East regional. 4 tremendously talented squads there.

Does MIT upset Oneonta at a neutral ground?
Can SLU get it done on Haverford's home pitch?

Should be two great games.

[Mr.Right]

I can only imagine how St.Olaf plays. Anyone seen them? I am guessing direct, athletic, physical and not a ton of technical and speedy players but a team that works hard. Kind of like a Midwest version of RPI. I want to actually amend that as RPI is not completely direct and they do have speed and some technical players.

[Mr.Right]

I think MIT or Bowdoin could of frustrated Oneonta. I do not see MIT being able to muster much on offense as Bowdoin defensively was very good for 98 minutes against MIT and Plattsburgh. Oneonta will be able to handle anything MIT has going forward BUT I think they will come out like they did against Brandeis and they frustrated a really good side at Brandeis. MIT is a turf team as is Oneonta. I know this was at the beginning of the year but Oneonta did not look as comfortable on grass at Williams and was basically shut down 2-0. I remember thinking to myself or out loud they were a shade of the 2014 team I saw in KC. Now maybe they had injuries or maybe just a bad day I do not know. MIT will need to have a real plan for this game and better be ready to play for 90. Honestly, I would have rather seen Bowdoin play this game as they are a better defensive team than MIT and have a better GK. They also have more attacking players than MIT. What they do not have is a Sean Bingham that has 20 goals. That is the difference and sometimes that is the only difference a team needs. I am not sure how organized MIT is under their 1st year Head Coach and that will be something to watch for on Saturday.

[KICKIN95]

I can only imagine how St.Olaf plays. Anyone seen them? I am guessing direct, athletic, physical and not a ton of technical and speedy players but a team that works hard. Kind of like a Midwest version of RPI.

You pretty much nailed it.

[Mr.Right]

Yea Brandeis was still in shock that RPI tied the game up with a minute to go and therefore did not look their best in OT. They looked demoralized and I thought they were going to cough up their season if the did not snap out of it fast. It is a complicated mindset when you just cough up a game you dominated in the 89th minute that is when RPI had their chance to find the winner but they had no sniffs at all. However, you are correct OT was fairly even and uneventful besides the goal. RPI needed to take advantage of that huge momentum switch after the goal but they did not

Having seen RPI play over the years, I find it uncanny how they are able to make games seem disjointed and messy. RPI are neither chippy nor super-physical, just disruptive.  Brandeis had the run of play (as did Stevens, as did many of the opponents over the past few years), yet RPI always seemed to get a foot in the way, or rush the shot just a bit, or force the odd error.  Its more than coincidence at this point -- RPI creates harried play, and its even more disruptive when you face it the first time or in tournament play.  Credit to Brandeis for getting through that first OT before their technical abilities finally overwhelmed RPI.   

I have to absolutely agree with this. Adding to everything you said they work Extremely hard and also always seem to have good GK'ing. Dewald obviously last year was superb but they always seem to find a great replacement right away. This kid against Brandeis made a couple nice saves to keep RPI close.

[Shooter McGavin]

St. Olaf is riding a 5 game shutout streak, can they keep it up vs Wheaton? 

Which giant is most likely to fall in the round of 16?

The Northeast Sectional arguably could have been the final 4 this year and has to be considered the toughest of the 4 sectionals. One of Brandeis or Trinity is going to lose this weekend so there is one giant that will be knocked out and if Lycoming can upset Amherst that would bust some brackets.

The Mid-Atlantic quadrant is probably next in line with the likes of Tufts(defending champs), Kenyon(#1 right now), F&M(top 15) and Calvin(undefeated) in the pod. All 4 are giants and this could also be a final 4 pod as well if the cards could have played out the right way. You will see 2 giants go home from this sectional regardless of who wins and loses.

Next up is without a doubt the East quadrant/sectional. Haverford and SLU is a highly anticipated match-up and Oneonta St looks to get back to the final 4 for the 2nd consecutive year. MIT is quietly dangerous and cannot be overlooked.

Last is the Central sectional. If Loras and Wheaton don't meet in the elite 8 then consider this a huge upset for whichever team(s) would prevail. If DePauw or St. Olaf win then cinderella is on their side.

[Part_Bart]

To me, it's someone in the East regional. 4 tremendously talented squads there.

Does MIT upset Oneonta at a neutral ground?
Can SLU get it done on Haverford's home pitch?

Should be two great games.

Have seen Oneonta and SLU play well, and poorly, this year. But, both playing very very well now.
If this was at another place, I'd say SLU would be a lock to win, but @Haverford, hmmm.
SLU loves a big grass pitch -- and especially width:  lots of one-on-one drives and neat motion off ball with smart play.
Should be a great match.

Re: Oneonta, well, MIT would have to really have a day of days.  Not out of the question, and Oneonta prefers turf (but so does MIT, right?).
Out of these four teams, I am more willing to say Oneonta gets through, though any one of them is able to get two games of greatness and move on.

[Dubuquer]

Weather is shaping up "nicely" for the Friday night games in the Rock Bowl. Rain, turning to snow with 3-5" of snow expected Friday night and game time temps in the low 30s and falling.  Saturday's matchup might be dry but with temps in the low 20s.  Classic upper midwest late November weather.  For all the talk about sending Trinity to the northeast they might be pretty glad to be playing in Massachusetts instead of Iowa this year.

[Mr.Right]

Low 20's? Are u sure? That is FRIGID

[Shooter McGavin]

D3Soccer Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,4,5,12------------------Avg. Rank=5.75

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,3,11,RV----------------Avg. Rank=11.75

East Sectional:
#7,8,19,20-----------------Avg. Rank=13.5

Central Sectional:
#17, RV, RV, NR-----------Avg. Rank=26.75 (Note that St. Olaf was given a ranking of 35)


NSCAA Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,3,6,15-----------------Avg. Rank=6.5

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,5,RV,NR---------------Avg. Rank=18 (Tufts NR=35th)

East Sectional:
#7,8,13,18----------------Avg. Rank=11.5

Central Sectional:
#11,12,NR,NR------------Avg. Rank=23.25(DePauw and St. Olaf=35th)

Total Average Ranking By Sectional:

Northeast=6.125
Mid-Atlantic=14.5
East=12.5
Central=25

[Saint of Old]

D3Soccer Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,4,5,12------------------Avg. Rank=5.75

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,3,11,RV----------------Avg. Rank=11.75

East Sectional:
#7,8,19,20-----------------Avg. Rank=13.5

Central Sectional:
#17, RV, RV, NR-----------Avg. Rank=26.75 (Note that St. Olaf was given a ranking of 35)


NSCAA Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,3,6,15-----------------Avg. Rank=6.5

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,5,RV,NR---------------Avg. Rank=18 (Tufts NR=35th)

East Sectional:
#7,8,13,18----------------Avg. Rank=11.5

Central Sectional:
#11,12,NR,NR------------Avg. Rank=23.25(DePauw and St. Olaf=35th)

Total Average Ranking By Sectional:

Northeast=6.125
Mid-Atlantic=14.5
East=12.5
Central=25

And a King shall rise from the East!

[CovensCorner]

D3Soccer Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,4,5,12------------------Avg. Rank=5.75

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,3,11,RV----------------Avg. Rank=11.75

East Sectional:
#7,8,19,20-----------------Avg. Rank=13.5

Central Sectional:
#17, RV, RV, NR-----------Avg. Rank=26.75 (Note that St. Olaf was given a ranking of 35)


NSCAA Rankings:

Northeast Sectional:
#2,3,6,15-----------------Avg. Rank=6.5

Mid-Atlantic Sectional:
#1,5,RV,NR---------------Avg. Rank=18 (Tufts NR=35th)

East Sectional:
#7,8,13,18----------------Avg. Rank=11.5

Central Sectional:
#11,12,NR,NR------------Avg. Rank=23.25(DePauw and St. Olaf=35th)

Total Average Ranking By Sectional:

Northeast=6.125
Mid-Atlantic=14.5
East=12.5
Central=25

And a King shall rise from the East!

Or live long enough to become the villian.

[Mid-Atlantic Fan]

Whoever comes out of the northeast I think has the best chance.

[PaulNewman]

These averages I have to say seem pretty meaningless.  The Mid-Atlantic average is dragged down by Tufts of all teams.

What other sectional had all 4 teams ranked #1 at some point in the season?