The Big Dance

[blooter442]

Maybe Nutmeg can come out of hibernation and tell us 

Maybe the karma bargain isn't that compelling, since that's what Nutmeg is around for.

As for Tufts, I have to tip my cap to the video series.  Very creative, really well done, and I'm sure Shapiro doesn't mind the potential boost for recruiting.  Also very enjoyable to see the real human and college student authenticity that comes through of the players.

Fully agreed -- very well done. Fun to see behind the scenes on game day, and I really enjoyed the look at different players (and the interview with said player's fellow teammates, which are usually tongue-in-cheek).

[letsGOswans!]

I wonder when or if Shapiro will move on from Tufts. I reckon he could do a great job at some d1 programs.

[blooter442]

I wonder when or if Shapiro will move on from Tufts. I reckon he could do a great job at some d1 programs.

From what I heard, he thought D1 was somewhat of a grind, and has enjoyed D3 more (which makes sense particularly given the success he has had). He was an assistant at Georgetown and may decide to try his chops at head coach in D1, and I have no doubt he would be successful, but I could just as easily see him staying at Tufts for a long time. He has a unique appreciation for the NESCAC as a conference.

[PaulNewman]

I wonder when or if Shapiro will move on from Tufts. I reckon he could do a great job at some d1 programs.

From what I heard, he thought D1 was somewhat of a grind, and has enjoyed D3 more (which makes sense particularly given the success he has had). He was an assistant at Georgetown and may decide to try his chops at head coach in D1, and I have no doubt he would be successful, but I could just as easily see him staying at Tufts for a long time. He has a unique appreciation for the NESCAC as a conference.

Yes, as I commented in the other thread.  Assuming Tufts treats him right he just might stay.  Of course I don't know what these jobs pay, and how one affords to live and support a family in an area like Boston or any other expensive area.

[Mr.Right]

I said this after 2014 if Shapiro is going to go anywhere he MUST do it before he hits 50 years old..He has all the right experience being a successful D3 Coach and Player and D1 assistant at a very successful program. I doubt he is money hungry or he would have been gone earlier but Tufts used to be not known in Nescac to pay their coaches as well as other Nescac's. That maybe has changed with all the success Tufts athletic programs have had the past 5 years. IDK. D1 programs rarely hire someone in their mid 50's to get their program going. One exception is O'Leary at UMASS but he was VERY LUCKY to get that gig IMO and better plan on staying their until retirement because that will be the last gig he gets. Shapiro would be a fantastic fit at an Ivy where he would probably get paid about $75,000 plus another $40,000 with camps and clinics all summer. Some people do not want to deal with that grind though and as an Ivy league coach there is only so far you will go in the NCAA's. I was impressed with Columbia when I saw them a week ago and Dartmouth is always solid but when you start playing ACC schools and all their scholarship players you are cooked. I think he will stay for now but he might get itchy for another challenge as most people do.

[Mr.Right]

I wonder how Brandeis will prepare for the Final 4? Correct me if I am wrong D4 but a Coach would probably give the guys the Monday after the Elite 8 off and maybe practice Tuesday. So it might look like this

Monday(after elite 8)     Off
Tuesday                        Practice
Wed / Thurs / Fri           Off
Sat and Sun                  Practice
Mon                              Practice
Tues                             Practice Morning / Fly to NC
Wed / Thurs                  Should be allowed to Practice on Gamefield if not Practice elsewhere / plus a host of other NCAA commitments.

To me you want to get to the Final 4 site on that Tuesday night instead of flying out early Wednesday morning. Why? Because you do not want to get the guys up at 4am on Wednesday to get to the site and everyone will be tired and it might take a day to recover. Just does not make sense to me but with the site being in North Carolina this year it might be easier on East Coast teams to get flights rather than to San Antonio or KC. Also. the amount of commitments the teams have when they get to the Final 4 is not small. It is really hard to get a fully focused team training session when at the site IMO.

[Mr.Right]

We can go over the losses Brandeis will have this year but not until their season is done. Bloots would probably do a better job than I as I really have only seen Brandeis on the stream maybe 7 to 8 games. Just taking a quick glance though at their roster and if they are going to win it all THIS WOULD BE THE YEAR to do it. Margolis will bring in a solid Frosh class next season no question but Brandeis has a ton of Seniors this year that will be hard to replace. Just a list:

Woodhouse, Flahive, Berg, Hernandez, Vinson, Ocel, Miskin and Lynch...That is about 7-8 starters not to mention regular bench guys like Espiga and Ponte. That is an absolute load to lose...Not to mention all they have lost the past 2 years..Next year could be a bit of a rebuilding process...They did lose regulars like DePietto and Miskin to injury very early in the year. No idea what the injuries were but DePietto is a player I like and Miskin would have 1 more year of eligibility if he wants to use it. Always an interesting situation for a player.

[D3soccerwatcher]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

[PaulNewman]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

The best part here is that you are serious in a very humorless way and are sure that partisanship has not a lick to do with your predictable predictions.

Here's mine.

Brandeis would beat Chicago in the final.

Chicago would beat Messiah in the final.

Messiah would beat North Park in the final.

North Park would beat Brandeis in the final.

[firstplaceloser]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

i'm going to take a shot at this

Semi-Finals

Messiah 3 Brandeis 1

North Park 2 Chicago 1

Final:

Messiah 2 NP 1 (1OT)

Messiah is just too good in the final four that it is almost unfair. I think this will be one of the better final fours in the last 3-4 years

[Flying Weasel]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

i'm going to take a shot at this

Semi-Finals

Messiah 3 Brandeis 1

North Park 2 Chicago 1

Final:

Messiah 2 chicago 1

Messiah is just too good in the final four that it is almost unfair. I think this will be one of the better final fours in the last 3-4 years

How does Chicago get to play Messiah in the final if North Park beats them in the semifinal?

[firstplaceloser]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over chicago 2-1

i'm going to take a shot at this

Semi-Finals

Messiah 3 Brandeis 1

North Park 2 Chicago 1

Final:

Messiah 2 NP 1

Messiah is just too good in the final four that it is almost unfair. I think this will be one of the better final fours in the last 3-4 years

How does Chicago get to play Messiah in the final if North Park beats them in the semifinal?

whoops made a mistake

[Mr.Right]

With still about a week to go here are my thoughts so far on predictions:

Semi-Finals
Messiah over Brandeis  2-0
Chicago over North Park  2-1

Final:
Messiah over Chicago  2-1

I would be shocked if there is going to be 8 goals in 3 in games this weekend. I will say 5 goals would be more like it unless the North Park and Chicago game gets stretched. Nice work Bloots on your Final 4 preview...+k for your time and effort...I am waiting on the prediction game until I get a feel of what is going on in North Carolina behind the scenes lol..

[blooter442]

I would be shocked if there is going to be 8 goals in 3 in games this weekend. I will say 5 goals would be more like it unless the North Park and Chicago game gets stretched. Nice work Bloots on your Final 4 preview...+k for your time and effort...I am waiting on the prediction game until I get a feel of what is going on in North Carolina behind the scenes lol..

Much appreciated, as always, Mr.Right...just glad someone reads it! I can see this weekend be low-scoring...don't think we're going to have a 4-2 final like 2014!

[Wisco21]

I wonder how Brandeis will prepare for the Final 4? Correct me if I am wrong D4 but a Coach would probably give the guys the Monday after the Elite 8 off and maybe practice Tuesday. So it might look like this

Monday(after elite 8)     Off
Tuesday                        Practice
Wed / Thurs / Fri           Off
Sat and Sun                  Practice
Mon                              Practice
Tues                             Practice Morning / Fly to NC
Wed / Thurs                  Should be allowed to Practice on Gamefield if not Practice elsewhere / plus a host of other NCAA commitments.

To me you want to get to the Final 4 site on that Tuesday night instead of flying out early Wednesday morning. Why? Because you do not want to get the guys up at 4am on Wednesday to get to the site and everyone will be tired and it might take a day to recover. Just does not make sense to me but with the site being in North Carolina this year it might be easier on East Coast teams to get flights rather than to San Antonio or KC. Also. the amount of commitments the teams have when they get to the Final 4 is not small. It is really hard to get a fully focused team training session when at the site IMO.

I was always curious as to the itinerary during the week leading up to the final four, especially with that week starting on the tail end of Thanksgiving. When are players required to return from Thanksgiving break? Do teams stay in the same hotels? Is there a tight training schedule each team follows on the same training pitch? What off-the-field commitments are there?

Maybe with someone with more experience could share? Firstplaceloser? Mr.Right?