CMS vs. Hopkins NCAA Preview

Welcome to the preview for the “Quarterfinal you are LEAST looking forward to.” I don’t say that to be mean, I just say that because it says that on the left side of the site.  While we may make mistakes in our articles, the left side of the site never lies.  Unless its D3NEW’s twitter.  Sometimes, she lies.  But a lot less than me, that’s for sure.  Anyways, even though this is the QF that people are least looking forward to, I am personally looking forward to it because I think it can be closer than people expect.  Hopkins has clearly decided to make some crazy lineup decisions, such as Buxbaum/Walsh at #2 doubles and Jensen Reiter at #4 and other weird things. I have to write three more of these match by match previews so let’s get to the meat – matchup predictions.

#1 Doubles – Dorn/Wood (CMS) vs. Dubin/Garcia (Hop)

An interesting move here for the Jays with Dubin/Garcia at the top spot and they escaped a close one last week against the Lords #1 team of Rosensteel/Geier.  While that team is a solid team, they are no Dorn/Wood.  The CMS #1 team has been a top team for the past two-three years and they have the chemistry that a Dubin/Garcia team probably will not be able to match.  I think Hopkins will come out fired up because they know they have to, but these veterans won’t fold for the Stags.  One break is all it takes, and the CMS combo will get that.  CMS 8-5.

#2 Doubles – Butts/Morkovine (CMS) vs. Buxbaum/Walsh (Hop)

This is the biggest match of the doubles set, mostly because it features a two-time former ITA champion team in Hopkins vs. the team that just won the Ojai.  I’ve never seen a #2 doubles match like this one and it will be a dandy to watch.  Buxbaum/Walsh need to find their game after struggling basically all year despite winning the Fall ITA.  They will seriously need it against a Butts/Mork team that is real solid from the ground and takes pride in their passing shots.  Hopkins has set their lineup in the hopes of stealing this one.  I don’t think they do, because CMS simply is on a mission. CMS 9-7

#3 Doubles – Marino/Hull (CMS) vs. Brown/Lim (Hop)

A senior duo at #3 doubles that has played together for the past three years?! Wow. The Tanner Brown/Lim combo is one of my favorites in the ASouth and nationally, and Hopkins will rely heavily on them to bring the energy they are looking for in the match.  I’m not sure if there is a live streaming, but if there is, the Mason, Ohio folks would do good to give this match some run.  There’s a cast of characters on the court.  Marino/Hull are obviously one of the best #3 teams in the country and they will give Hopkins their biggest challenge yet.  I have yet to doubt Tanner Brown in the NCAA and even though Erik Lim has been somewhat MIA this season, I am going with my boys to bring the fight and the energy. Hopkins 8-6.

#1 Singles – Warren Wood (CMS) vs. Michael Buxbaum (Hop)

This is a rematch from earlier this year at an indoor court, where MVP Buxbaum went straight lumberjack on Warren Wood.  While this one won’t be indoors (hopefully), I still think that Buxbaum might have the advantage.  It’s so hard to bring it every single time out there at #1 singles against this type of competition and Warren might be looking ahead a little if they go up in doubles. Buxbaum’s big game will give Wood some issues and there will be some points here where the two look like their real solid DI players.  Hopefully no DI player reads that and gets really mad.  Buxbaum’s win over Heerboth last week was very impressive and he did well to stave off one of the better #1s in the game.  I feel like he has been waiting for this match for a while now and I am going to take my guy. Hopkins 6-4, 7-5 (potentially not finished)

#2 Singles – Skyler Butts (CMS) vs. Ben Hwang (Hop)

This one is almost a no contest. As you saw from NE’s UTR article (very helpful btw), Hwang is the last ranked #2 singles player.  Meanwhile, Skyler Butts is the top #2 player in the country.  Hwang has lost to just about everyone this year and I doubt this one is where he starts turning it on.  This will be a tough way to go out for the senior Jay with the great career, but Skyler is probably going to run through this match easily. CMS 6-2, 6-1.

#3 Singles – Nik Marino (CMS) vs. Jeremy Dubin (Hop)

One might be able to say Dubin turned a corner last week when he took out Turlington of Kenyon pretty handily, but taking out Kenyon’s #3 is a lot different than taking out one of the best #3 players in the country.  Dubin has a big serve and is one of the more awkward players in DIII but normally is out there grinding.  Marino has the big shots and big attitude.  He’s definitely one of the more emotional guys on the Stags and I think he will show the world why CMS is feared right now. CMS 6-3, 6-0.

#4 Singles – Joe Dorn (CMS) vs. Jensen Reiter (Hop)

Hey Tristan, is having Joe Dorn at #4 singles a good thing? Why, yes it is! The UTR article showed that Reiter actually had the highest UTR of the #4 singles players, but that only came with 90% reliability.  I wish my college GPA had 90% reliability.  I’m cool with an A-, nah sayin? Either way, I don’t believe it.  Joe Dorn the senior is going to take all of the past CMS failures and internalize them to come out strong.  Expect big serves and Dorn moving the grinding Reiter all around the court until he can come away with a big shot.  Reiter will give it a good effort and it is amazing to see him back, but I’m not going to against Dorn at #4.  A certain CMS announcer told me it’s impossible for me to do that.  CMS 6-3, 6-4

#5 Singles – Daniel Morkovine (CMS) vs. Noah Joachim (Hop)

This will be one of those matches that probably won’t finish.  I think the match will be closer than what the UTR’s say they will be, because Noah Joachim is a very solid player who gives a lot of people trouble.  Mork is a gamer and I’m sure he doesn’t want to be pulled from the final so he will bring his A game this whole tournament.  He’s had his fair share of struggles within sets this year but he hasn’t really lost to anyone I would expect him to beat.  With an undefeated record against the #5’s in this tournament, you don’t go against the stats. CMS 7-6, 6-4 (unfinished probably)

#6 Singles – Glenn Hull (CMS) vs. Tanner Brown (Hop)

In an alternate dimension, this is a #1 singles match maybe one or two years ago. It’s amazing how both these players are playing this far down in the lineup.  Tanner beat Nik Marino last year playing the most lights out tennis I’ve seen him play.  He seems to reach another level in big matches and we should be wary that the senior will be going out with a bang.  Watch the kid grind Glenn Hull down and give CMS a run for their money if some other matches get close.  You will hear Brown’s signature “cmon” (you guys just have to hear it) multiple times in this match as he scraps against Hull.  Yea, I’m taking Hopkins here. Hopkins 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 (prob unfinished)

Overall Prediction – CMS defeats Hopkins 5-1 (#1, #2 doubles, #2-4 singles)

Okay! There’s your first match-by-match preview of the quarterfinal matches. Check back later on today as I continue to write all day and preview every one of these matches for you.  The things I do for love.  Hopefully, one of my other writers will help me out and pick up some slack.  Probably not though, because they are the bloggers.  We’re lazy right? We don’t even know who’s playing who! Jeez. Anyways, Hopkins can make this interesting by taking #2 and #3 doubles, because I think they have advantages at #1 and #6 singles.  Who knows, we saw a different gear from the Jays last week.  What if we see it again?  ASouth, OUT.