Pool C Update #5 – SPOILER ALERT

ASouth, ASouth, ASouth. You’re telling me that you’re going to waste your time posting another Pool C article when there are other things going on? You’re going to take away from the amazingness that is #DogsofD3?! Yes, my readers, I am. I am the new jaded curmudgeon of this Blog now that AVZ has taken a back seat and continues to be the face of the Blog (is AVZ George R.R. Martin at this point? maybe) and I must stop all of you from having TOO much fun. We must look at facts as well.

As you all know, the NESCAC and SCIAC Tournaments are this weekend. While I am not expecting an upset by any means in the SCIAC, the NESCAC is going to be a doozy. There are many different scenarios that could happen this weekend, and they will all affect Pool C in some way. Below I will be outlining what every team is looking to do to solidify their grasp on a Pool C spot as well as taking you through who everyone else will be rooting for (Brandeis and Wash U, essentially). Before I move on, as we are approaching the end of the year. If you loved our coverage this year, please consider donating to the site, using the donation box at the top left hand side of the screen. We promise that money will be used to upgrade the site and help our writers out when needed as well. Thanks for your consideration! Either way, we love all of your monetary and non-monetary support!

WEEKLY POOL C PSA BELOW:

If you’re looking for NCAA Rules, but slightly outdated, please click the link in BLOGROLL to the top left of the site. While your arrow is hovering around there, feel free to press the Paypal Donation box too. I hear it brings good luck to all those who click on it.

Reminder: There are 5 Pool C Spots this year, with 2 Pool B spots.

Here is a link to my latest Pool C article, which is still a good representation of what’s been going on:

http://www.division3tennis.com/pool-c-update-4-endgame/

Here is a link to my latest bracketology, which is definitely a good representation of what’s going on:

http://www.division3tennis.com/bracketology-edition-2-impt-plz-read/

If you want to vote on Dogs and came to the wrong place, please go here:

http://www.division3tennis.com/dogs-of-d3-round-of-16/

What Happened Since Last Time

Emory def. Brandeis, 5-2

Brandeis was unable to pull off the full Cinderella story at UAAs, as they fell to Emory in the Championship match. Brandeis now enters the very crowded Pool C field hanging onto the last spot (or so we think). Dependent on how the NCAA views certain things, we know that at the very least, the Judges will strongly be considered.

Chicago def. Wash U 5-3

After a sweep in doubles, Chicago finished Wash U with two more singles wins to put another blemish on Wash U’s resume this year. This was a golden opportunity for Wash U to show that they still should be ahead of Brandeis and they unfortunately fell short against their UAA rival. This presents a few things

The Pool C Table

My Thoughts

So, you all know my thoughts from the previous Pool C article about where we stand. But, as this Pool C article is labeled Spoiler Alert, I am here to give you an idea of the scenarios that will be played out this weekend. We have the NESCAC Tournament, and here are the seeds:

1. Amherst
2. Wesleyan
3. Middlebury
4. Bowdoin
5. Williams
6. Tufts

This means in the first round, we will see Middlebury vs. Tufts and Bowdoin vs. Williams. Two very important matches as they will feature our last two NESCAC teams in. What are the implications for our first round matches?

Middlebury vs. Tufts

In the whole thick of things, this is actually a bad draw for Middlebury. The reason being is because it sets themselves up for potentially notching a really bad loss on their resume in the final weekend of the season. Tufts is a team that has played everyone tough, but has not beaten anyone as of yet. If Middlebury were to lose this match, it is VERY TOUGH to put them in over Wash U given that they have no top 5 wins, and a similar resume of top 20 wins to Wash U. They would also have that blemish of a loss to Tufts, while Wash U would have no losses to anyone below them. Add in the fact that Wash U has that geographical advantage and we are looking at potentially a playoff without Middlebury. However, if Middlebury wins, which they should, they cement their position in Pool C in my opinion. Their win against Brandeis earlier this year does them many favors and they add another quality win to their resume. This is a must win for Middlebury at this stage in the game.

Bowdoin vs. Williams

Funny that the team that got the lower seed (Bowdoin) will actually have the “better” draw in Williams. Losing to Williams is not the biggest deal in hte world for the Polar Bears, as Bowdoin has more than enough wins to get into Pool C. A loss to Williams isn’t that bad because they are ranked in the top 10 and everyone has beaten everyone at this point. So, if Bowdoin loses, their season is probably not over. What does that mean for Williams, though? Williams would add another top 10 win to their resume, putting them slightly ahead of Brandeis and definitely ahead of Wash U in terms of resume. However, there is a big problem – Williams lost to Chicago in March. This indirect to Brandeis is rough for the Ephs, and given that they’ve already lost to Bowdoin this year, it’s tough to put them ahead of either Brandeis or Bowdoin at this point. In my mind, Williams would need to win another round after this to cement their position in Pool C.

If Bowdoin were to win this match, we can say that Williams is fully out of Pool C and Bowdoin is in. Easy scenario there.

NESCAC SEMIS

Dependent on who makes it, these will really just be important matches for seeding purposes only. An Amherst/Bowdoin match would mean that both teams are already in the Big Dance. Same for the other side with a Wesleyan/Middlebury match. So, you can decipher from the above that Amherst and Wesleyan are virtual LOCKS into Pool C, no matter their result at NESCACs. Must feel great. They are simply playing for the likely #3 overall seed in NCAAs now. The only NESCAC semi to watch for in terms of Pool C stuff would be if Williams beats Bowdoin and plays Amherst. If they beat Amherst, I don’t see any way that they don’t get in over Brandeis or Wash U given their similar resumes. So, if you’re looking for Pool C drama, root for Williams. They’ll give it to ya.

Other Thoughts

People LOVE to ask me this question – “Who gets knocked out if (insert team that is out and won’t win the conference) wins the conference?” This means Pomona, Tufts, Caltech, and those of that sort. Well, using my trusty Pool C table, to me the last one in is Brandeis. So there’s your answer, all you herbs of the world. Keep asking me questions.

FIN

I hope you all enjoyed another Pool C entry from yours truly. I feel like half my articles this year are Pool C or Bracketology. I haven’t even written that many Bracketologies. Either way, remember to hop on the site and vote for your favorite dogs, because that’s super exciting as well. And with that, I leave you until the next time. ASouth, OUT.