Central Weekend Preview: March 9th

This weekend, there are several matches to note and watch for. A few of them will be all-Central battles and I will give my insight on probable scenarios and outcomes. Some different teams will be meeting with some very different stakes as well as a new rivalry that is just growing its roots. On with the show…

#29 Chicago at Depauw-

The tables have turned from earlier this season. Depauw sat ranked and Chicago just outside. With Depauw’s tough schedule to start they have fallen outside the top 30. On the other hand, Chicago’s schedule has given them a chance to build a nice resume that was enough to put them in the 29 spot. The Maroons have been improving match by match and they will really need to play well to hold off the Tigers on Depauw’s home courts.

I really think home court advantage is key here. Depauw has an awesome indoor facility and they can really bring out the rowdy Fraternity crowds to big matches. This will be huge for doubles especially. Normally, I would say Depauw has the clear advantage in doubles, but the fact they only got 1/9 all weekend against Wash U, Case, and Whitewater I’m not too sure the advantage is as black and white as you might normally expect. The Maroons have played around with their combos, but it seems they are pretty well set now. I’m going to assume, for simplicities sake, that all the doubles stay the same for both teams. I think the edge goes to Depauw at 1 doubles. Miles/Kopecky need this match and I think they will finally click and take out Bhargava/Karandikar. Two doubles I gotta go with Depauw. As long as Moss is back, him and Garlock are the heart and soul of the Tigers. They will have their hands full with Sabada/Ravella who may very well be Chicago’s best tandem. In the end, I like the senior leaders on their home courts maybe in a breaker. Three to me is a huge toss-up. Neither team has proven themselves and honestly I have no idea who Chicago throws out there. Kahn/Vannatta are a huge serving team and indoors this should help them. Although, whoever Chicago puts out there will probably be pretty darn good returners and I think Chicago takes this one. 2-1 DPU after dubs.

Singles is where I see some clear favorites. Miles has really struggled to start off the year. After qualifying last year for NCAA’s in the 8 spot he has not been able to show any reason to think he can do it again. On the other hand, Sabada has played well for Chicago. He has some very solid wins including a win over Rothstein of Kzoo 0 and 1, who beat Drougas of Case, who beat Miles last weekend… Sabada in 2 close sets. Bhargava and Kopecky are both tough 2’s and seem to matchup pretty evenly. In the end, I think Bhargava will be a bit more steady than Kopecky, Chicago at 2. The battle of the young guys at 3 should be interesting but Crawford looks to be playing a bit better than Kaczkowski at this point. ‘Roons at 3. If, and this is a big if, I were the great Coach Riggle, I would put Garlock at 4 (he’s on a roll right now), Moss at 5 (MIA for Case and WW matches), and Bruynseels (really struggling) at 6. This gives them the best shot to win this match because they need all three spots to win the match in my opinion. Golovin is a tough 4, and if Bruynseels is still there I think he loses. Moss wins either way at 5, but that will be a good match. Although Abrams has some wins this year, I really don’t trust him and I think Bruynseels has a great shot. I’d take whoever plays 6 for the Tigers. That makes it 5-4 Tigers depending on lineup change…but! I gotta make a real prediction so I’m going with the home team with something to prove, Los Tigres (it’s Latino night in the NBA) 5-4.

#30 Earlham vs. #29 Chicago-

I never would have guessed I would be writing a serious preview about this match a couple years ago, much less this season. However, Earlham has put together a decent resume after their big win over Denison. This is another big task if they hope to solidify their ranking (especially with the MIT win today). Chicago is a bigger animal than Denison for a couple reasons. One, Chicago is more talented, and two, they are stronger where Earlham is strong. This is disconcerting news for the newly ranked bunch of Earlham…To the analysis.

Doubles is going to be huge for Earlham if they hope to stand a chance. Baratashevich/Ventura-Cruess have been up and down thus far, but the 1 doubles combination (whoever it may be this time around) certainly isn’t much better. I think Earlham squeaks it out there. Two, I give the heavy edge to Chicago as Denison made quick work of Richter/Locklear of Earlham in their meeting. Only to follow with a significant loss to Chicago, hence ‘Roons at 2. Three is really going to be big for momentum. The 3 team for Earlham has been perfect thus far and Chicago has been a rotating door. I think Earlham takes that in a tight one, 2-1 Ham after dubs.

If Earlham wants to pull off another big upset they will need a huge performance out of singles. Baratashevich’s only loss this year happens to be to Barghava (2)…interesting coincidence. I think Sabada plays very similarly to Barghava and see this match… I think Barat takes it. At 2 Locklear has looked tough, but so has Barghava. This is also poised for a great matchup. Locklear is my pick here. Maisley has gotten through unscathed thus far and I don’t think it happens here. I think he takes 6. I’m pickin’ the Roons to take 3, 4, and 5 singles fairly comfortably. I just think Crawford, Golovin, and Zhang are going to be a little too talented, and I see the most vulnerability for ‘Ham there. I think I’m being pretty fair on the Earlham side, and I still don’t see them pulling this one out. I’m gonna call 5-4 Chicago but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Maroons can get out early this could be fairly routine. Having said that, Earlham’s proven me wrong once before…

#30 Earlham at Depauw-

Ohhhhhhhh boyyyyyyyy. Since I’ve already talked about both squads in depth this one won’t be quite as long, but that does not mean I don’t think this match will be as good as the others.. Depauw better be salivating at the thought of this match. This is exactly the scenario they would want in a match like this. Nothing (really) for them to lose, their at home, the pressure is on Earlham, and the Tigers will be better rested than their foes. As I said in the previous preview, I think this match is another matchup nightmare for Earlham. Depauw can counter Earlham nicely, but this should still be a fun one.

Well I’ve said it before, but man, these two 1 doubles teams are the epitome of up-and-down tandems. Both have the capability of playing great and both have looked poor at times. I’m figuring Miles/Kopecky will wake up for this one, but I think Baratashevich/Venture-Cruess will be the victors 9-7. Once again, two doubles is heavily favored towards Depauw’s Garlock/Moss over Richter/Locklear. Tigers at 2 by a break. Threes should be a good match but I can’t pick against the streaking team of Earlham. 2-1 Earlham once again after dubs.

Could it happen twice in one day? I really think it will come down to 3 singles. 1 and 2 have to be notched in Earlham’s favor. This is where Earlham puts forth their best chances to win, and Miles and Kopecky are just too hot and cold. 4, 5, and 6 all should be pretty routine wins for Depauw as at this point I think everyone understands my thoughts on these positions for both teams. Although, 6 singles might be the swing match for Earlham, if there is one. There it is…4 all and 3 singles is in a third set (I can dream can’t I?). I don’t know if I truly believe the freshman can pull through for the Tigers in this situation, but on his home courts I’m going with Kaczkowski. 5-4 Depauw in a dandy. Sorry Earlham. You guys are gonna have to prove it to me this weekend before I can really believe.

#28 Whitewater at #21 Gustavus

I can only imagine both these teams had this match circled right when they saw the schedule. This has turned into a nice little rivalry as these two teams faced off twice last year. Whitewater won the first meeting (neutral site) 5-4, and GAC won the second, and more important of the two (at UWW) , 5-1. Both teams have improved from last year via newcomers, and/or player development. Both are dangerous teams right now and this is sure to be a match that seals this newfound rivalry’s fate for good…

These two programs have been known for their doubles prowess, however, Gustavus has really looked better than the ‘Hawks this semester. We all know how tough the Gusties are in their bubble, especially in doubles, and they have the benefit of playing inside in this one. 1 doubles for the Hawks is a new tandem and I’m not really sure what to make of them yet. But what I do know is, Smith-Dennis/Donkena are a great team and Osborne/Shklyar will need to play lights out to win this one. GAC at 1. Two doubles pits Balkin/Bayliss of WW against Johnson/Leisner of GAC. If everyone remembers the incident between Hops and GAC at indoors will also know the Gusties were playing very well at this spot. But, it really looks like 2 has been the toughest team for the Hawks and I think they take this one in a close one. Three will be much of the same. I’m going to go with MacGibbon/Entwistle over McGlashen/Humphreys but that one will surely have some fireworks. 2-1 Gusties after doubles.

Singles is really where I see the most improvement from Whitewater since last year. Their depth has drastically improved and will be key for them if they hope to pull off this upset. Having a point in their pocket after doubles should prove crucial when it’s all said and done. Shklyar is coming off a great weekend and his confidence has to be high. Smith-Dennis, on the other hand, not so much. It was a tough indoors for Smith-Dennis and although people probably don’t know Shklyar yet, this match might give you some insight. The rivalry at 2 is great. Balkin and Donkena have seen each other many times between both singles and doubles and it’s really a back-and-forth matchup. Both look to be playing great tennis, but Donkena was huge at indoors and I gotta figure he will keep it up. Chu at 3 seems to have McGlashen’s number and I think he’s the favorite there. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that one go 3 sets though. Humphreys still looks to be the Hawks best position and with Leisner hopping in from “nowhere” (not really), I think he wins this one with a break in each set. MacGibbon and Osborne met last year and Osborne got him in a good match. MacGibbon has played well lately, and so has Osborne…Osborne in 2 tight sets. I think it comes down to 5 singles where Entwistle and Bayliss matchup very evenly. I’m going to take Bayliss in a 3rd set pulling off the upset 5-4 for the Warhawks. Honestly, this match should be fantastic and I would never underestimate the effect of the bubble…but I am….ahhhhhhh.

Note: I didn’t intend on having all 5-4 decisions, it’s just how I played it out in my head. Really, it’s my way of saying all of these matches can go either way. Should be very interesting…My thoughts after completion!