Tonight is the eve of the most exciting day in ultimate to date this year. The semis have been played across the country and tomorrow will showcase the 1s and 2s across 7 of 8 regions and we'll get to see who makes the show and who gets a head start on a year's worth of preparation.
Hats off to Georgia. My loyalty to them has been up and down all year but in beating UNC they have shown themselves to be a better team today then they were last year. Last year, they struggled to get out the region and had to take the 3rd bid (which they themselves earned). However, they took it to Darkside today with a convincing 15-12 win. I'd like to think that their chances of making nationals are significantly better than I thought, but this is still regionals and they haven't won anything yet. Tomorrow they will go against Florida, the #1 team in the country and a squad Georgia has not beaten in some time. Tomorrow's competition will be all about mental toughness. A win against the gators is going to be tough and the true test will be Georgia's ability to win the backdoor game. They will probably face UNC again and, like I have said before, beating a team twice is REALLY tough. A 15-12 win is big but it's not like a 15-8 win. Tomorrow, both teams will be fighting for the last spot out of the AC. Everything will be left on the field and I wonder if Georgia has the depth. This is an exciting time and I hope we see more fireworks tomorrow in Statesbro.
The game that has been branded on everyone's calendar is set for tomorrow, Wisconsin vs Carleton. All Wisconsin cares about is winning the Central Region. Winning nationals is nice, but winning the region is what these kids train for. They hate CUT and this game matters more to baby blue than any other game, save maybe Florida. However, a DGP semis is not something Wisconsin was expecting. I have no idea where the hell Iowa came from, but wow, this is confidence you can't buy. It is awesome that Iowa ended their day with this game because playing after a DGP loss sucks ass. However, they have the knowledge that they took the former champs to the brink of a game to go situation. This game result is good for both teams. Wisconsin knows they're not impervious, even in their own region and Iowa knows that their offense can handle the most intense D in the country. However, with as many close calls as Wisconsin has had the last few times out, I think this goes to show you the value of a coach. Muffin suggested this in his Centex writeup and I wonder if things will change in the next year.
As far as Carleton goes they look as good as they need to be. Centex and Stanford were not kind to them but with as much ultimate knowledge as these kids have with as many alums drooling to drop constructive help, they should be as good as they can be. I think their game plan should revolve around taking advantage of Wisconsin's aggression both on O and D. Put up great fakes to get Wisconsin to bite, opening up break side strikes and on D they have to take advantage of Wisconsin's throw-a-ways. They will give you chances, but Carleton must make intelligent choices. I think a coach would help in these situations but I'm sure getting a stable veteran to hang out in Northfield, Minnesota is a tough pull.
In any event, I really hope Carleton gets their shot at Wisconsin. Michigan, Pitt, UBC, Arizona and now Iowa have beaten or have been close to beating Wisconsin and I hope Carleton can break into this club. Wisconsin will be focused but I hope their Saturday night talk is not negative. Getting down on yourself is not a way to win in a situation like this. They won and thats all that matters. Their preparation has been unparalleled and all they need to do is focus. Hold onto the disc and your defense will get you the breaks you need. Wisconsin has been all over CUT these last few years but the 2006 Final was close and this year could be more of the same. Regardless, this could be the best regional final of the weekend or the 7th best of tomorrow, it all depends on Carleton. These young kids are going to play the game of their life, I just hope their leadership can set the example their young legs need.
This region has gone as I expected with Michigan on top so far. However, Notre Dame, Illinois and Ohio State all look good. I think Michigan takes out Illinois in the Finals tomorrow but the semis of the back door bracket will feature the 3/4 teams in this region (OSU and ND) with no clear favorite and the 2/3 game with Illinois will be anyone's game. I am curious about Ohio State because they have yet to play Illinois this year and they both have solid claims to #2 in the region. Good luck to Michigan in the finals. Purcell deserves the regional title and I want to see them take this region. However, among the other 3, any team could come out on top and I really hope we see some fireworks. Ultimate is the best when teams play above their expectations and all three have that opportunity tomorrow. I hope the winners of the first round save enough to win in a game to go situation. It's gonna come down the wire and I'm sure they wouldn't have it any other way.
Yikes, who had these results pegged? Not me. Pitt was supposed to be the #2 guaranteed team to make nationals but hype means jack shit if you can't get it done. This seems to be Pitt's problem. They have the talent, but winning the region is something they struggle with. Peripheral to Pitt, go Delaware. I dunno where the hell Side Show has been all year and I suppose things like peaking at the right time can come into play here. Maryland has been consistent this year with a finals appearance at Hellfish and quality wins over Wesleyan, Penn and Delaware at sectionals. That 15-11 win means a lot more now, but Delaware won the region last year and Maryland has yet to make the show. I think the loser of this game is in deep shit because Pitt is going to come out hot tomorrow and I wouldn't be surprised if they took the 2nd spot.
As crazy as the NW has been this year, things have gone to seed for the most part, hats off to the TDs. From what I hear, Santa Cruz has looked awesome. Karlinsky's hucks are as good as they need to be and with guys like Russell Wynne, I am not surprised. I also love seeing a truly committed captain lead his team. Muffin seems to be the heart of Wisconsin, Kurt Gibson for Florida, Sherwood for Stanford, Purcell for Michigan, Kershner for Arizona, etc... However, DLK seems to be a different breed. He draws a lot of attention but he's modest. Good shit but don't fuck it up.
Regardless, Santa Cruz is going to get one hell of an opponent in UBC. Stanford's young legs are strong and fast but their mental game is not as sharp as the Thunderbirds. These 5th years know what they are doing and I think they can handle speed. They also don't have to play anyone before Santa Cruz so they are going to be as fresh as they need to be. I think they aim for Santa Cruz's favorite weapon, their hucks. If they can put pressure on Santa Cruz and get hucks to float or go out of bounds, they'll have the chances they need. Their D is also going to be as good as it gets Sunday morning and even if they go down to Santa Cruz I think they can handle Stanford, Oregon, Whitman or Cal, teams that don't have the experience or depth to beat the birds. Seeing that Santa Cruz took out Stanford with authority I think they are also in good shape to make the show and I do hope they do. There's nothing like a new face at nationals.
Texas Sectional finals part 2. I like the strength of UNT so far. They are big, bad and fearless. They have swept through their competition and are as close to taking the South as they ever have been. Texas on other hand, has been here before. They took it last year and the year before and yeah, they have the experience and UNT does not. I think TUFF is ready for this game. They have had the memory of a UNT loss for 2 weeks and hopefully they will have the offensive composure to take advantage of UNT's inexperience. Franchise needs to put this game on his shoulders because he will be the most talented give and go player on the field. If he gets the touches, Texas' offense should roll. However, UNT will test Texas' composure. They're tall and fast and like the deep game and will try and take the wind out of TUFF's sails. If they can get rolling, they may have the ability to lead the whole game, but Texas' depth and focus could give them the boost to avenge their sectional woes.
Yep, it's Colorado and Arizona. Back at Vegas folks, like myself, wondered if Sunburn was the real deal. Could they keep it up all year? And they did. They have played as well as anyone could have hoped this year and getting to nationals is there for the taking. They may have gone down 5-0 to Colorado and lost at Centex, but Arizona has a team of veterans that have seen the best in the country. TiV, Stanford, Centex, the gambit has featured Sunburn all year and they have all the pieces. Their front 7 will be able to score on Colorado's D-line especially considering that Gafni and Kershner play great D themselves if they lose the disc.
However, like I said last week, this is MB's house. San Diego, Santa Barbara, Colorado, wherever regionals is, Colorado has won. Their hype will get the respect of any opponent and all they need to do is play their offense. Pebbles and Wicus are having great years and Mac and Jolian are the play makers they need. Martin runs a great D line and even if he doesn't generate the D himself, he takes pressure off his team mates because their matchups are easier. They also have the luxury of playing with no pressure on them. Their game is their game, nothing new, nothing exciting, just play the way you have in practice. Arizona will have to play the game of all of their careers to get past Colorado under these circumstances. I remember in 2003 when I watched my A team play in the same situation. We had never been to natties and Arizona has yet to break their cherry. I wish them luck but I also wish them legs. Keep it together, think about that game to go. Claremont, Santa Barbara or whoever else will take advantage of any weakness and I hope they don't go down like they did at Centex, losing twice, once they lost once.
Yeah Dartmouth pwned as usual.
Closing thoughts
Tomorrow will be a great day for some and a bad day for more. I think Florida, Wisconsin and maybe Colorado are basically shoe ins. They bring a confidence no other team has in their respective regions and I think at the college level, this is a force that is tough to dodge.
I am really impressed with Delaware and Georgia. They are both teams that have been at Natties consistently over the last few years and despite less than stellar seasons, they showed up when it matters. I think both are in danger of a 1-1 situation because both Pitt and UNC are ready for redemption.
I think the two best finals will be the Northwest and the Central. UBC vs Santa Cruz is going to be a great game with UBC's precision and Santa Cruz's speed. Wisconsin is ready for this game and despite mental slip ups at varying times of the year, they will be ready. Carleton however is loaded with talent and have the potential to play as good a disc as any team that has raised the pulses of the hodags.
I would like to say that it's just a game. Win or lose, players need to remember why they first started playing ultimate in the first place. However, with as much commitment as it takes to win at this level, one cannot win without investing an over abundance of time, energy and emotion. Good luck to everyone out there. I look forward to seeing the winners next month and to those that are not as successful, remember that there are hundreds of teams that don't get to play tomorrow.
just my thoughts
match diesel
1 comments:
Pitt goes through the back door once again. Man, don't we just love the back door. At least we're not the receiver.
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