2018 Pool C Update #1: First Look

Last year, these articles started in April. Why they started so late, I have no idea. This year, they are starting in the second to last week of March, which seems more appropriate. When NESCAC tennis starts up, that means it’s time to start the Pool C conversations. I think the reason why they are starting earlier this year is the fact that the NESCAC is actually playing the UAA this year in real matches, so we get more and more results! Always a good thing. I don’t have to wait for boring Amherst vs. Wesleyan NESCAC matches to start developing theories and scenarios for potential Pool C berths. Amherst vs. Wesleyan is not boring, by the way, I just don’t want to ever compliment the NE because D3NE is so overbearingly homerish about cold weather and things like the Patriots and Red Sox. Try having a best friend who roots for the most annoying teams, says things like “wicked” all the time, and also roots for Middlebury. It’s not pleasant. But, I deal with it, because I’d like to think I make the world a better place.

Anyways, I think I wrote 6 Pool C Updates last year. I will probably write the same amount this year, unless there is no drama/heavy drama, where I will write more or less. Of course, this blog is built on drama and sports-related gossip, so of course I want the drama. When you spend your days watching Arie on the Bachelor or other mind-numbing BS shows, you want drama. Pool C is literally always a conversation on this blog because of the general unfairness of the system towards DIII Tennis, specifically the “Big 3” Conferences (UAA, NESCAC, SCIAC). The NCAA is all about rules and uniformity, which means they all have to wear suit and tie when we go to work and get watched when they go to the bathroom to make sure they aren’t playing smartphone games on the toilet. Enough of the NCAA though, because we rise above our restrictions and provide great tennis for the DIII community every year no matter what.

If you are wondering how the tournament selection works, remember that I basically mapped it out for you in a previous article 2 years ago. That article is linked below for your viewing pleasure. Feel free to comment in this article if you have questions and I can answer the best I can.

http://www.division3tennis.com/ncaa-selection-work/

PLEASE BE ADVISED – THERE ARE 6 POOL C SPOTS AGAIN THIS YEAR, AND ONLY 1 POOL B SPOT. DON’T ASK ME ABOUT MATH I BLOG FOR A LIVING.

Now that you are familiar with the 6 Pool C spots that there are this year, who’s in the running for them? We’ve historically seen that the Pool C spots come from three conferences, barring any crazy stuff happening. Those conferences are the NESCAC, UAA, and SCIAC. I assume you’ve heard of them. In the below table, I’ve broken out for you the Pool C contenders at this time – complete with ITA Ranking, Power Ranking, Remaining Schedule, Notable Wins, and Notable Losses. Any matches against teams noted in the table are marked in different colors. Cool, right? I figured this would be a great way to break down the teams for you. I’ll give my thoughts after the table.

Where are we right now?

It’s quite self-explanatory right now actually. Wesleyan is the clear odd man out at this time, due to their losses against both Wash U and CMU, who have both lost to Bowdoin, Chicago, and Amherst. That’s 5 spots down right there, and the last one is reserved for Williams. Williams hype train is real right now and we will have a better idea of where they stand after today’s match against Chicago. It’s delayed, by the way.

Who’s a lock?

There are a few teams that I’m saying are a lock right now. Let it also be known that I currently have Emory and Middlebury winning their respective conference tournaments, which I know could obviously change. However, based on the power rankings, that is the assumption. Right now, I’d have to say that only Bowdoin is probably locked into a Pool C spot right now. They’ve beaten CMS, CMU, and Wash U – three major players from Pool C conferences. They do have a full NESCAC schedule to come, and in theory they’d probably have to lose to both Wesleyan and Tufts to be considered knocked out of the Pool C picture. Bowdoin is going to make the playoffs.

Who’s feeling good?

Right now, Amherst and Chicago are both feeling damn good about themselves. Chicago has a huge match today against Williams, but they have wins over both CMU and Wash U already. Amherst has wins over that same duo as well. When you have wins over the #5 and #6 spots in Pool C, you are sitting pretty. Again, both teams have their full schedules still to come – Wash U, GAC, Williams, UAA Tourney for Chicago and basically all the NESCAC for Amherst, but again, these teams basically just have to avoid 2 upsets the remainder of the way to be knocked out. Chicago’s match with Williams is especially important because they don’t want to give the NESCAC any indirect wins over them. This bodes the same for Williams.

Key Matches

So many matches, not enough time! There are way too many matches to say that only a few of them are important, but I will try and point out some very key ones here. In future Pool C articles, you’ll see some more pop up but wanted to take a overall view right now.

Chicago vs. Williams, today –

As I mentioned earlier, this is a bigtime match. The reason why is this is the only UAA/NESCAC duel that both of these teams have on the schedule. This provides the rest of the teams in both conferences a gateway to notch indirects over the other, or the other way around. With two teams that are both around the same place in Power Rankings, stay tuned for this heavyweight battle.

Amherst @ Wesleyan

This probably provides Wesleyan’s best chance at playing their way back into the Pool C graces of the NCAA. Hosting the Mammoths at home gives the Cardinals a good shot at a team that has looked impressive so far, but some are still doubting. A win against the Mammoths probably doesn’t get Wesleyan back into Pool C, but a win here combined with another (maybe at the NESCAC Tournament) should do the trick.

Williams @ CMS

This is a match that the Ephs could win, in theory, and really provide a big boost for the NESCAC. In Pool C, conferences move as a whole because there are only so many matches to play. If Williams wins this one, that’s a lot of indirect wins ripe for the taking.

Final Thoughts

We’re really, really early in the process of Pool C. But so much has happened and it was important to get some knowledge of who’s played who and who’s currently not looking so great. I’d also like to shoutout Pomona, Redlands, and Tufts, who I did not mention in this article but have outside shots at making NCAAs. Redlands is obviously embroiled in some other controversies, and Pomona has lost to two UAA powers already. All three of these teams are going to need a couple of big wins to get back in. Other than that, this picture is so far from final that these should be called initial thoughts. Any commenters care to give their opinion on what’s going to happen? Let me know. ASouth, OUT.