Wash U vs. Case Western Preview (Men)

Well I am still coming down off the high of having a blog All-Star brunch with ASouth and the one and only Guru, but I have found some time tonight to post a quick preview of a big match that will be happening tomorrow. With all the crazy score lines that have come out recently, it’s hard to count anyone out so the match between the Wash U Bears and the Case Western Spartans could be a great one. While Wash U should have more than enough firepower to take down Case, the Spartans could lean on their studs to find the 5 points needed to get the win. Both have the recent similar opponent in Rochester where each won 7-2. The difference is Wash U sat three guys and Case played their whole lineup. Here is a match by match run down and my predictions:

1 Doubles: Putterman/Bush vs. Krimbill/Stuerke

One thing is for sure, this will be some high level doubles being played. The biggest question mark will be which Louie Stuerke will show up. If he is able to play to his capabilities in doubles, I actually think they are the better squad. If he struggles, Putterman and Bush will pick him a part. I was disappointed in the Wash U duo’s performance at Indoors, but this is a battle tested team that should be ready to play. Kimbill and Stuerke need to take advantage of Bush getting a little too aggressive at the net and leaving the alley open time and time again. The big question in my mind has to be if Case is too disciplined to take advantage of these openings. Case 9-8(4)

2 Doubles: Chu/Haugen vs. Drougas/Komarov

This is where Case starts to look over matched. It has been no secret that they have struggled at second and third dubs and Chu and Haugen are a great team. Komarov is newer to the lineup and starting to get his legs under him, but I don’t see this one being much trouble for the Bears. Chu plays a big game and his energy/noise will match if not exceed the Case team. Nothing is ever a sure thing in doubles, so it may only be a break separating the two, but I don’t see Case pulling this one off. Wash U 8-4

3 Doubles: Who Knows vs. Who Knows

Both teams have struggled mightily at the third doubles spot and have been trying to find the right combination to produce wins, but neither has been successful in finding that. I honestly don’t even know who I would throw out there at this point. Josh Cogan and John Carswell have yet to play together after playing all last season, but Carswell has been nothing short of terrible. Lately Parker Chang has been given a chance with different partners. For Case, the scenario isn’t much different. I am pretty sure every roster member has seen time in doubles so what combination gets a chance tomorrow is a guess. When you can’t guess the teams, you have to lean on who will have the most talent on the court. Wash U 8-6

1 Singles: John Carswell (maybe) vs. Chris Kimbill

Well I put John Carswell as a maybe because he currently is 0-6 on the year and hasn’t given us any reason to think he deserves to stay at the top spot. It blows my mind that he went undefeated last season and has yet to get a win this year. Kimbill is arguably the best player in the nation right now so if these two do match up, I don’t expect it to be close. I think Wash U would be smart to keep Carswell at the top spot through the weekend because it makes them stronger at 2. My prediction is based off this assumption and would be closer if Kimbill plays Putterman. Case 6-2, 6-2. 

2 Singles: Ross Putterman vs. Will Drougas

I really hope this match up happens because I think it will be a great one. Putterman is playing extremely well and Drougas is a legitimate top player that happens to play behind one of the best. Putterman has been close to unstoppable this season except for a loss to Emory’s Halpern in three sets. Drougas slipped up once against Geier, but that doesn’t take away the fact that he is really good. If Coach Follmer switches Putterman and Carswell, that is advantage Case because they would be favored at both spots. If Putterman stays at #2 for now, I have to give him a slight advantage over Drougas. Wash U 7-6, 6-3

3 Singles: Tyler Kratky vs. Viswajit Simhadri

Kratky was one of the best #5 players in the country last year. This year, he is an average #3 as he has close three set losses against good opponents. Simhadri has won me over as of late with his results. I was critical of him early on in the season, but going undefeated at Indoors is impressive. He can hit a forehand for a winner from anywhere on the court so that is something to watch for. Playing outdoors will give a bit of an advantage to Kratky’s style which hurts Vis a bit, but his firepower cannot go unnoticed. Case 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

4 Singles: Jeremy Bush vs. Louis Stuerke

The depth of Wash U’s singles players starts right here. They match up with any team in the country at 4-6 singles. Bush was a top #3 player last season and I honestly think he should still be playing there, but he is a virtual lock at #4. Stuerke started off slow and has had some better results, but still isn’t good enough to get big wins against top teams. Bush shouldn’t really have much trouble unless Stuerke is serving big and coming in every point to use his volleys. Wash U 6-2, 6-3

5 Singles: Johnny Wu vs. Tytus Chen

Johnny Wu is a perfect bottom of the lineup singles player. He is a baseliner with a lot of speed and great returns. His backhand is a bit ugly and that sometimes gets him in trouble, but he is quick enough to shade to the ad side to hit mostly forehands. Chen is a good player in his own right, but Wu should pose too much of a threat for this to be close. I will note, that Wu and Dughi had a marathon match at the fall ITA so I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Todd puts those two against one another again since they play such similar styles. Wash U 6-3, 6-3

6 Singles: Kevin Chu vs. Josh Dughi

Is Chu the best #6 in the country? He definitely is in the conversation so whomever he is playing, he should make short work of. Dughi would be a tough match up only if Chu is misfiring on his big serves and forehands. If he isn’t then it won’t be close. Dughi is a grinder and a virtual ball machine, but he hits little to no pace and every ball seems to come to the middle of the court. He will never beat himself, but can be easily beaten. Wash U 6-2, 6-2

So there you have it. If you are counting at home, my prediction gives Wash U the 6-3 victory. There are a lot of variables with possible lineup changes. I think Wash U should keep the lineup they have had in order to keep the potential match-ups the same. If they bump Carswell down, I have to give Case another point making this match even closer. I also could see Case playing Drougas and Komarov at three dubs in an effort to try and get 2 of the 3 since Wash U is so weak there. Coach Todd has already done that this season (unsuccessfully) so I wouldn’t put it past him for this match either. It should be a fun match to follow with more drama in California!