Quick plug before I start the article – W&L just came back from down 3-0 against NC Wesleyan to win their NCAA match 5-4 and probably get ranked in the nation. They did this without Michael Holt. Amazing. Fun fact, the only team in the past 15 years to lose TWO 3-0 leads in the tournament is… NC Wesleyan.
As if you haven’t gotten enough coverage already, I’m back for a quick Hopkins vs. CMU Preview. This region is 1 of 2 regions that will play their Sweet 16 match on Saturday (the other being CMS) and this is the region that you all were most looking forward to. Last time we put something up to voting, the popular vote was correct as Amherst upset Williams in the NESCAC tournament. This time around, we asked which was the most interesting region and you overwhelmingly picked the CMU region. I believe the reason why is because of this match that I am about to preview. Hopkins is a team that has been a national power for a very long time now and had probably the most disappointing regular season of any team I remember. However, they have flipped the script at the end of the season before and it seems like people are going back to the well. The people believe in Hopkins right now. I’m here to tell you if you’re right.
Hopkins vs. CMU Match by Match
Boxscore of previous match:
http://athletics.cmu.edu/sports/mten/2015-16/files/jhu-cmum.htm
One thing to note about this match is that I believe it was played Indoors. We’ve seen Hopkins throw in some great results indoors before, especially from their top two players. Remember when Buxbaum beat Warren Wood? That was indoors. In this match, Dubin trounced one of the best freshmen in the country (Levine) and I believe that was due to the indoor nature of this match. So first, let’s look at some weather.
https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/USPA1290:1:US
The match is set to begin at 2PM. That is basically when the rain is supposed to stop. This could be a great thing for CMU because they need that rain to stop so they can get on their outdoor courts. The Tartans are tough out there. So, this will be interesting to do from a match-by-match because it could really change some things. I’ll give you an Indoors score and an outdoors score for your viewing pleasure.
#1 Doubles: Levine/Arora (CMU) vs. Buxbaum/Dubin (Hopkins)
This is a match that basically depends where they play. I think the team of Levine/Arora is the better team and they have the results, but the Hopkins team took them out in a tiebreaker last time. No matter where this is played it is going to be close and with a lot of shot making. Hopkins has the experience in this one but I think CMU might actually have the better team. Ah, I can’t pick. CMU, 9-7 (Outdoors) OR Hopkins, 9-8 (Indoors)
#2 Doubles: Chen/Zheng (CMU) vs. Garcia/Walsh (Hopkins)
Another matchup that went 9-8 last time, this time in CMU’s favor. Chen/Zheng had a UAA to forget and they lost basically all their matches, but this is a team I am not ready to give up on. However, I love the fact that Walsh is playing #2 doubles and that makes me want to lean with them. Chen/Zheng have been way too inconsistent in terms of winning this year. Garcia, the senior, maybe shows his experience and takes over. Hopkins 8-5 (Outdoors) OR Hopkins 8-6 (Indoors)
#3 Doubles: Alla/Kumar (CMU) vs. Perez/Thygesen (Hopkins)
This is the only match that didn’t go to a tiebreaker last time but it was still 9-7 CMU. CMU has two seniors at the bottom of the lineup playing in their final NCAA Tournament against two inexperienced players. While the Hop team is talented, the seniors take my vote, indoors or out. CMU 8-6 (Outdoors) OR CMU 8-6 (Indoors)
#1 Singles: Alla (CMU) vs. Buxbaum (Hopkins)
This all depends on where they play. Indoors I like Buxbaum, outdoors I like Shek. I like Shek overall in the match and he has the better chance of “upsetting” Buxbaum if it does go inside, so don’t be surprised if that happens. I just feel like his indoors performance showed us a little something this year when he laid eggs at the tournament. We all know these guys are both shot makers and this should be a fireworks match. Call Katy Perry. CMU 6-4, 6-3 (Outdoors) OR Hopkins 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 (Indoors)
#2 Singles: Levine (CMU) vs. Dubin (Hopkins)
Last time out, Dubin wrecked Levine easily. I don’t know how this happened considering Dubin has had some bad results this year, but I assume his big game just came alive on that day. Do I think that will happen again? No. But anyways, Dubin is hoping for rain as well because this should be another case of Levine being the better all around player. Indoors, Dubin has the shot to upset Levine easily once again. CMU 6-4, 6-4 (Outdoors) OR CMU 7-6, 7-5 (Indoors)
#3 Singles: Downing (CMU) vs. Garcia (Hopkins)
Here’s where things start getting a bit simpler. Downing has steadily improved throughout the year and one of his best wins happened to be over Garcia last time out. Seriously, it was 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. That’s awesome. I think Downing is better since then, but hell this is going to be a great match. CMU has to feel like they lucked out with that one. This is going to be tight and I hope the freshman is ready to play. But either way, I might have to take the senior Garcia. Hopkins 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 (Outdoors) OR Hopkins 7-5, 7-5 (Indoors)
#4 Singles: Zheng (CMU) vs. Perez (Hopkins)
Time for the Tartans to flex their muscles. Zheng is just a rock solid competitor and this will be his second trip to NCAAs. Perez lost the first set today against Matt Miles and I simply haven’t believed in him all year. I love the game of Zheng and I think his attitude won’t let the moment get to him. Give me Zheng. CMU 6-2, 6-2 (either way).
#5 Singles: Arora (CMU) vs. Kang (Hopkins)
These two guys have been up and down this year and this is going to be a very important match for both of them. Arora has a lot of big match experience this year and his UAA really impressed me. He just took out a premiere player in Peter Leung and that momentum and confidence will carryover if CMU plays on their home courts. If it is inside, a bit trickier. Either way I love the freshman in this one. CMU 7-5, 6-2 (Outdoors) or CMU 6-4, 6-4 (Indoors).
#6 Singles: Kumar (CMU) vs. Walsh (Hopkins)
This might be the match to watch out of all of them. Walsh is sitting down at #6 singles winning like a beast but he has a senior to go up against this time out. Kumar had an impressive UAA but Walsh has been pretty much impressive wherever he’s played this year. My heart mind wants to go with Walsh, but my heart goes with Kumar. I love going with seniors at NCAAs. I’m going to stick to that. CMU might also get a nice little boost here from indoors as well. CMU 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 (Outdoors) OR CMU 6-4, 6-3 (Indoors)
If you tally all that up, you get these results.
CMU wins 7-2 Outdoors (wow did not expect that)
CMU wins 5-4 Indoors (that’s more like it)
I thought that my two matches would go either way depending on where they played. But, a part of me believes that CMU is not getting the respect they deserve after a locked in season. Give me the Tartans over the tank-and-tree candidate. ASouth OUT.
Congrats Hopkins but the UAA is way over rated!
Go Hop.