Wash U has hosted a region as a one seed for many consecutive years and many times gets a pretty weak region where they coast through to the elite 8. This year is no different although Whitman is a significantly better opponent than Coe whom they got two years ago. While Whitman can definitely bring it together to make something happen, they will be stretched a bit in the semi finals and may not have the energy to surprise Wash U. Sewanee is the team that could potentially pull an upset in this region.
Wash U: Wash U came one match away from taking down Emory in the UAA championship match and we seem to forget that Jeremy Bush (#3 singles) was pulled from the lineup. Wash U will likely face Whitman in the final and should be more rested since they are at home and have a less menacing semi final round. Wash U is weakest at #3 doubles (although looked great at UAAs) and #1 singles, but Whitman is weaker at #3 dubs, though I do I see Malesovas beating Carswell if he gets a chance to finish. The murderer’s row of Putterman, Bush, Kratky, Wu, and Chu are going to be a huge mountain to climb for any opponent and even if Bush or anyone else is out of the lineup, Haugen is a great substitute. I like Wash U advancing rather easily and potentially could sweep dubs. Whitman needs 2 of 3 dubs to have a fighter’s chance to win the final, but even then I think they come up short.
Whitman: What a roller coaster of a season for Whitman. They opened up with an awesome Spring Break Walla Walla defeating three very good opponents (Tyler, UCSC, and Redlands) and then had a poor Stag Hen/Cali trip losing four matches to great teams (Trinity, Case, Kenyon, and Bowdoin). The bottom line is those four losses were to teams that are just better than Whitman so we probably were too hard on them here at the blog. It took some changes, but Whitman’s dubs look better at the top with the two seniors at #1. Malesovas is a good #1, Hewlin a better than most #2, and Locklear is back playing #3 after a rough middle of the season. The back half of the lineup is where Whitman will take out most of their opponents and Sewanee is no different. Whitman could make their semi final round go quickly, but I just have an inkling that Sewanee will make them sweat just a little particularly because Whitman is a long way from Walla Walla.
Sewanee: I don’t know if Sewanee has had injuries or just sits guys out a lot because many times you don’t see their full lineup out there competing. The good news is if they are all healthy, I really can see them causing some problems against Whitman. Sewanee’s top four players are great and Schober, Roddy, Jackson, and Winkler all are good enough to beat Whitman at those spots. Now I am not saying that will happen, but the potential is there. I think they will need to be ahead after doubles to pull the upset and with dubs that is very possible. Three dubs for Whitman has been a rocky road so I favor Sewanee there, but the top two spots I think Whitman edges them out. Malesovas and Schober could be a great match and might not finish since it will likely be decided before then. I see Sewanee getting a match or two in singles in the end, but fall short.
Carthage: I predicted the Carthage CCIW conference championship at the beginning of the year because Elmhurst graduated their whole team (#1-3) and Wheaton lost a former All-American. Carthage still had a great season beating some other regionally ranked teams throughout. What makes this team good is they are solid from 1 to 6. That will pose a big threat to Rose Hulman who also wins with solid depth, but not quite as good. I think Carthage should come out victorious, but might be pushed a bit. Wash U won’t have any trouble taking them out the following round.
Rose Hulman: Rose Hulman fighting engineers (no really) are making their first ever appearance in the tourney after knocking off Earlham in the HCAC final. This wasn’t a surprise as Earlham has had a huge decline, but that doesn’t take anything away from Rose Hulman as they still needed to take care of business. Carthage is a beatable foe, but Rose is strong where Carthage is stronger. It will be tough to overcome the talent difference at all 6 spots.
Predictions:
Carthage over Rose Hulman 5-2
Wash U over Carthage 5-0
Whitman over Sewanee 5-3
Wash U over Whitman 5-1 (D3West agrees)
Go Tigers!