I was seriously considering posting an Endgame spoiler in the first line of this article to be the biggest douchebag outside of Thanos of all time, but I decided not to. D3NE was on board with it, but then eventually convinced me out of it. Just kidding guys, I’m not that mean. We’ll keep the intro short because we have things to get to. Here’s your Pool C/Bracketology update for the MEN’S side. 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!
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-5-spoiler-alert/
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/dogsofd3semifinals/
What Happened Since Last Time
Middlebury Wins the NESCAC
In a not so surprising but surprising turn of events, Middlebury won the NESCAC this past weekend and locked in a Pool A bid. To think they were a first round loss away from potentially not making it at all, they are now guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament and will most likely be the #3 seed overall, which you will see in a later bracketology.
Amherst 2nd, Wesleyan/Bowdoin Semifinalists
In a very predictable result, Bowdoin was able to beat Williams and make it to the semifinals of the NESCAC Tournament. This cements Bowdoin’s resume (in my mind, but I’m not that important) and Wesleyan and Amherst stay par the course. Just look at my trusty Pool C table god damnit.
My Thoughts
Well, all of you know what I think SHOULD happen Not because I am a sucker for an underdog story, but Brandeis has a win over Chicago, late season. Chicago literally just beat Wash U in the match after that. If Brandeis does not get in, I do not see any argument that they should be out of the tournament. It’s as simple as that. And trust me, I am a big supporter of the Wash U squad but I am here to be objective. Unfortunately, these are the decisions we have to make with not enough Pool C spots. But, Wash U fans, you are not deceased yet, as I am not the one who makes these decisions. So, take a look below because this is what’s going to happen.
WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR
Call me Prophet ASouth. With some help from some friends and sources, here is what I am about 90% sure is going to play out.
ASouth’s Prediction: Wash U makes the tournament, Brandeis misses out
Why do I say this? Other than the fact that this has happened before (see: 2012, Wash U makes it in over Bates for no good reason), Wash U has a very roundabout and very NCAA argument on why they should get in. If you look at the regional rankings, Wash U ranks #2 in the Central, because the Central is a much weaker region than the Northeast. Well, I am getting word that what the NCAA will do is COMPARE TEAMS DOWN THE REGIONAL RANKING LINE. What does that mean? First, Chicago gets compared against regional ranked #2 Amherst. Chicago makes it! Then, WASH U COMPARES AGAINST AMHERST. Guess who the only NE team that Wash U has beaten directly is? That’s right, it’s Amherst! Wash U makes it via direct Pool C win! Then, that leaves Brandeis at the bottom of the NE pecking order because they’ve lost to Bowdoin and Middlebury. Think that’s fair? No? Well, it isn’t. But I am telling you that I am almost positive that’s going to happen. So, let’s see what happens to Bracketology in both scenarios. I will continue to lead with the Brandeis scenario because I want that to happen.
Bracket #1 – Brandeis Makes It, Proves me Wrong (and Happy)
*indicates host site
Indicates team will be flying
- CMS*, Trinity TX, Whitman, UT-Dallas
- Emory, Sewanee, NC Wesleyan, W&L* (W&L can also host)
- Middlebury*, MIT, Stevens, Colby Sawyer, COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND, Yeshiva
- Chicago*, GAC, UW-Whitewater, Luther, St. Scholastica, Grinnell
- Amherst*, Skidmore, Wilkes, Messiah, Goucher, Cabrini
- Wesleyan, Johns Hopkins*, TCNJ, Grove City, Franciscan, John Carroll
- Bowdoin*, Brandeis, Nichols, Ramapo, UMass-Boston
- Kenyon*, Mary Washington, Kalamazoo, Augustana, Illinois Tech, Rose-Hulman
My Thoughts
-
- Note that I am aware that Trinity TX did not put in a bid to host (despite great courts). Come on, Coach McMindes!
- Note that I am fairly positive Chicago is hosting at least the Men’s region
This isn’t even my perfect bracket because Brandeis gets a #2 seed here and goes to Bowdoin. But, I am sure they wouldn’t complain because I pretty much know that the NCAA is not going to fly them anywhere to be a #1 seed. Unless they do, then I’m wrong and everyone’s happy. But, here Brandeis gets the chance of making the Elite 8 and playing in the NCAA Tournament, something we haven’t seen in a long time. That’s big.
Bracket #2 – Wash U Makes It
*indicates host site
Indicates team will be flying
- CMS*, Trinity TX, Whitman, UT-Dallas
- Emory, Sewanee, NC Wesleyan, W&L* (W&L can also host)
- Middlebury*, Johns Hopkins**, Stevens, Colby Sawyer, COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND, Yeshiva
- Chicago*, GAC, UW-Whitewater, Luther, St. Scholastica, Augustana
- Amherst*, Skidmore, Wilkes, Messiah, Goucher, Cabrini
- Wesleyan, Mary Washington*, TCNJ, Grove City, Franciscan, John Carroll
- Bowdoin*, MIT, Nichols, Ramapo, UMass-Boston
- Wash U*, Kenyon, Kalamazoo, Grinnell, Illinois Tech, Rose-Hulman
My Thoughts
Not only does Wash U get a bid here when they don’t necessarily deserve to be in over Brandeis, but they also get a host! With Kenyon being a strong #2 seed, we can send them down to Wash U and all the other teams as well as they are within 500 miles of Wash U. Consider the above the most likely scenario, and I am quite positive that some variation of this draw will come out. You can switch Mary Washington and Johns Hopkins if you please, but that wouldn’t make much sense given that UMW is the higher seed and should be playing Wesleyan. But, whatever happens, happens. Maybe Middlebury travels down to Johns Hopkins if they want to host just the Women’s regional up there. Don’t be surprised if both UMW and Hopkins host, but definitely one of the two.
FIN
People are waiting for this to come out and I’ve dragged my feet long enough. ASouth, OUT
To emphasize the absurdity of the NCAA using regional rankings as the basis for Pool C decisions…
Hypothetically, if Brandeis had beaten Wash U head-to-head during the regular season and the rest of the teams’ results were the same, the NCAA would still have given the bid to Wash U over Deis because Wash U would still be #2 in the Central and Deis would still be #5 in the NE. Heck, in theory Deis could have beaten Wash U 2-3 times and they’d still pick Wash U by this logic.
(Understood UAA seeds would have been different in this circumstance, etc., etc., but statement still stands).
Is it not disturbing that if Brandeis makes it and WashU doesn’t that Kenyon would be a #1 seed despite the fact that they are not even inside the top 10 and have no top 10 wins? In general the entire system needs to be changed since it’s pretty absurd that a top 10 team, Brandeis or WashU, aren’t able to make the tournament while plenty of non ranked and non title contending teams make it in.
Once again, Grinnell cannot go to Kenyon, over 500 miles. If Kenyon is hosting, Augustana has to go there and Grinnell to Chicago.
This is why we can’t have nice things!
In my defense I was writing at 12 midnight to get this article out for all of you and missed the change from last week (some copy paste lookovers) so cut me some slack please 🙂