Poll: Final 4 surprise teams

[VT-Alum-NOVA]

of late, CNU has varied its full court press to be less zone and more man press.  this is just to reduce time on shot clock and make starters work (and fatigue them).  this has also reduced number of open 3pt looks by opponents.
The matchup problems against CNU is not only its starting 5 but how many minutes its next 5 play.
Finally, scoring tends to be who ever has the hot hand.  although Fan is really good, before C2C championship game, she was really off for last 3 games before that (avg only 4 ppg in those 3 games).  the slack was picked up by another starter and bench. 
To beat them, you MUST limit them to less than 70.  the four "close" games had CNU around 70. Gettysburg (70-67), @Mary Wash (68-61), @Salibury (63-57), UCSC (74-70).

[Flying Dutch Fan]

True, but Trine wouldn't see CNU until the title game.

Whitman, Amherst and Tufts are in the CNU bracket. My sense is they are all pretty good with the ball.

Having watched those three they do have 14-15 turnovers a game, but the vast majority come when they are trying to get an entry pass to the post. And those types of turnovers don't typically lead to fast breaks. Does not mean a CNU (or Hope) won't get their turnovers with quick hands and aggressiveness, just that they won't get easy points off them. CNU gets fast break points and open threes from disorganized transition defense, those should be far and few between if someone wants to beat them.

Because Hope can create points out of a half court set. For someone to beat Hope the team will have to minimize giving up transition points, shoot efficiently from three point range and maintain poise if you are ahead in the 4th quarter as Hope ratchets up the pressure. And then make your free throws.

The interesting thing about Hope is that they do generate a fair number of fast breaks out of post turnovers.  Olivia Voskuil (6-3 four time DPOY in the MIAA) is great at the low post steal (or block) and then hitting teammates out on the run for easy baskets. 

[Roundball999]

True, but Trine wouldn't see CNU until the title game.

Whitman, Amherst and Tufts are in the CNU bracket. My sense is they are all pretty good with the ball.

Having watched those three they do have 14-15 turnovers a game, but the vast majority come when they are trying to get an entry pass to the post. And those types of turnovers don't typically lead to fast breaks. Does not mean a CNU (or Hope) won't get their turnovers with quick hands and aggressiveness, just that they won't get easy points off them. CNU gets fast break points and open threes from disorganized transition defense, those should be far and few between if someone wants to beat them.

Because Hope can create points out of a half court set. For someone to beat Hope the team will have to minimize giving up transition points, shoot efficiently from three point range and maintain poise if you are ahead in the 4th quarter as Hope ratchets up the pressure. And then make your free throws.

The interesting thing about Hope is that they do generate a fair number of fast breaks out of post turnovers.  Olivia Voskuil (6-3 four time DPOY in the MIAA) is great at the low post steal (or block) and then hitting teammates out on the run for easy baskets. 

... or taking it all the way herself.  She has that kind of speed and handles.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Not to spoil any reveals later on today, but I picked Trinity (TX) as my surprise Final Four team.  I think they can handle the ball well enough to battle CNU and I think they can stand toe to toe defensively with Tufts or Amherst.  The travel might be a difficult consideration, and maybe they won't make it, but I do think they're a tough out for any team they play in this tournament.

[MrMaus]

of late, CNU has varied its full court press to be less zone and more man press.  this is just to reduce time on shot clock and make starters work (and fatigue them).  this has also reduced number of open 3pt looks by opponents.
The matchup problems against CNU is not only its starting 5 but how many minutes its next 5 play.
Finally, scoring tends to be who ever has the hot hand.  although Fan is really good, before C2C championship game, she was really off for last 3 games before that (avg only 4 ppg in those 3 games).  the slack was picked up by another starter and bench. 
To beat them, you MUST limit them to less than 70.  the four "close" games had CNU around 70. Gettysburg (70-67), @Mary Wash (68-61), @Salibury (63-57), UCSC (74-70).

The problem with CNU is their best win is against the team we were debating as the 20th team in Pool C. Tufts beat UCSC 75-47, so offensively equivalent to CNU but 23 points better on defense. CNU has very talented and athletic players but they have not played a top 16 team yet and now they will need to win 4 in a row against that level of competition. Not saying they can't we won't get to see until the second weekend.

[scottiedawg]

Not to spoil any reveals later on today, but I picked Trinity (TX) as my surprise Final Four team.  I think they can handle the ball well enough to battle CNU and I think they can stand toe to toe defensively with Tufts or Amherst.  The travel might be a difficult consideration, and maybe they won't make it, but I do think they're a tough out for any team they play in this tournament.

They could be the classic (super low SOS but actually good). Low SOS doesn't mean a team is bad. Just means we may not know. I watched Trinity in a handful of games and it was largely them turning over hapless opponents. They looked good, but was hard to get a barometer.

[saratoga]

In a devious sort of way, it would be interesting to see Trinity/Amherst as Trinity has a former Mammoth staring for them.
Also noticed former Lady Royal & Salisbury Head Coach Kelly Baskow has her team sent to the Gettysburg pod where she spent several years as an Asst. Coach.
Planned or pure circumstance? 

[7express]

I have an Amherst/Whitewater projected semifinal matchup on that side of the bracket.  I guess that could be surprising, maybe??

[VT-Alum-NOVA]

of late, CNU has varied its full court press to be less zone and more man press.  this is just to reduce time on shot clock and make starters work (and fatigue them).  this has also reduced number of open 3pt looks by opponents.
The matchup problems against CNU is not only its starting 5 but how many minutes its next 5 play.
Finally, scoring tends to be who ever has the hot hand.  although Fan is really good, before C2C championship game, she was really off for last 3 games before that (avg only 4 ppg in those 3 games).  the slack was picked up by another starter and bench. 
To beat them, you MUST limit them to less than 70.  the four "close" games had CNU around 70. Gettysburg (70-67), @Mary Wash (68-61), @Salibury (63-57), UCSC (74-70).

The problem with CNU is their best win is against the team we were debating as the 20th team in Pool C. Tufts beat UCSC 75-47, so offensively equivalent to CNU but 23 points better on defense. CNU has very talented and athletic players but they have not played a top 16 team yet and now they will need to win 4 in a row against that level of competition. Not saying they can't we won't get to see until the second weekend.

best win is Gettysburg was best win, then Salisbury 2X (according to NCAA selection committee), then UCSC.

[Augie2020]

Best game yesterday Springfield vs Ithaca! Great Game by both teams.

[gordonmann]

That was a great game. Great atmosphere and big plays by both teams in the final minute.

I was wrong about Springfield. They are legit.

[Augie2020]

That was a great game. Great atmosphere and big plays by both teams in the final minute.

I was wrong about Springfield. They are legit.

What a difference them Students made at that end of the basket!That girl that made that shot was smooth as butter!