So all the sectional tournaments have been played. There have been some upsets, some broken hearts, and some truly spectacular sectional showdowns. I love this time of year because we get to see who are the contenders and who are the pretenders. Here are some final sectional thoughts and some regional previews.
This was the best sectional tournament of the weekend and it lived up to the hype. Tufts and Harvard came into this tournament, one with success this year and one with experience in the series over the last few years. Tufts hasn't been to Nationals since 2004 and Harvard went in 2006. Tufts has been riding momentum since Vegas and while Harvard has the personnel to make it to Nationals this year, they have been a bit up and down. However, with Coach Josh McCarthy leading Red Line, I am not surprised that they edged past the E-Men this past weekend. Harvard has several club players and I am sure with the right regiment, they have peaked at the perfect time and will probably be the 1 or 2 seed going into Regionals. Tufts was not as dominant as I am sure they would have liked with close games against BC and MIT and a loss to Harvard who they beat two weeks ago. Regardless, this is series. All that matters it that you make the next round. They have things to think about and with the NE being the 2nd craziest region of the year (behind the NW), nothing is set in stone.
I think both Harvard and Tufts (like Williams and UMass) have an advantage that Brown and Dartmouth do not and that is a challenge at the sectional level. With close games before regionals teams can really figure out where they are weak and get an idea of what kind of mental preparation is still in order to win when it matters. I want Tufts to make it out of the NE and I hope their stellar coaching squad can get the right things up on the chalk board this week.
I think both Harvard and Tufts (like Williams and UMass) have an advantage that Brown and Dartmouth do not and that is a challenge at the sectional level. With close games before regionals teams can really figure out where they are weak and get an idea of what kind of mental preparation is still in order to win when it matters. I want Tufts to make it out of the NE and I hope their stellar coaching squad can get the right things up on the chalk board this week.
This was another great sectional tournament because it showcased two teams with historic teams in the series that have been relatively quiet throughout the season. Williams went to a soggy Santa Barbara and got rained out again at Terminus but when they finally got their chance in their region, they took it to the NE and won Yale Cup. UMass has been in a similar boat. They are routinely a powerhouse in the NE (despite not making nationals since 1988), and have had mixed results all year. However, pit these two foes against one another in a sectional barn burner and you'll see some fireworks. Williams won the first contest with a 11-9 victory, but games to 11 are bogus. I think UMass actually benefited from having Middlebury make it farther at Yale Cup because Zoo Disc was then relegated to a 2nd seed where they got to see their biggest challenge twice, winning in the encore game. Williams is still very much in the hunt for a Boulder berth. They came in wayy under the radar last year and took the 2nd spot to Columbus and 2008 could be the same thing.
UMass, on the other hand, has been in this position before, only to lose when it mattered. I have played for perennial choke teams and I can say that the only thing that can help UMass out in two weeks is to just execute. Forget emotion, forget history, the season, and just play your game.
UMass, on the other hand, has been in this position before, only to lose when it mattered. I have played for perennial choke teams and I can say that the only thing that can help UMass out in two weeks is to just execute. Forget emotion, forget history, the season, and just play your game.
These were the no surprise sections with 3 national contenders winning out. Michigan and Wisconsin played as they should with blowouts at basically every contest and they are each peaking perfectly. Hopefully Wisconsin's mental state is stable because they will need flawless offense to get past Florida next month. Likewise, Michigan has been outdoors for a little while and needs to get their wind game up to par. I am not sure what sort of weather awaits in Boulder because the biggest question is not wind but rather altitude and no team outside Mamabird will be accustomed to the low air pressure. But then again, it might not mean anything.
As for Carleton, I think they are in a position to make nationals, but they have yet to put together a performance that can challenge Wisconsin. A 13-10 win over Minnesota is a mixed bag. At first glance, some might think CUT should have won 13-8 or better but Minnesota is good this year. They made semis at Centex while CUT was playing in the finals of the 9-16 bracket. However, if Carleton wants to challenge the Hodags, they need to stomp these teams. I like that they got back on top of their section but with so much talent and NO coach, the physical AND mental preparation for regionals is something I don't think CUT has in them. Yes they will make nationals, but I think they go down fast and quiet in the finals. Hopefully they have the depth to win the backdoor game, something they have had to do several times the last few years.
This was a weird tourney. I figured Illinois and Notre Dame would go 1 and 2, which they did, but where the hell did North Park come from (check this)? I wanted to see Illinois and ND duke it out to see who was going to challenge Michigan next weekend, but that didn't happen. Instead North Park came out of nowhere, riding some serious pool play momentum into finals. After a marathon 17-16 DGP finals, I am sure they used up just about everything they had and got rocked 15-1 by ND. I suppose Illinois is still the biggest challenge for Magnum, but I am unsure what to make of these results. Hopefully one of these 3 teams makes a regional run worth mentioning, but maybe Ohio State will just come out and show why they should have been at Centex and that they belong at Nationals again. Either way, Great Lakes Regionals is going to be a great tournament not only because the competition is close but the 1 AND 2 team could have pool play wins Friday at Nationals.
Regionals Talk
First I want to say that Ryan put together a great write up already for each regional tournament but I have some thoughts to add.
This tournament will be good, but not great. Each team knows their respective place in this region and I don't see many upsets coming. Florida is easily #1 and their talent is only eclipsed by their consistency and like Wisconsin, I think they take this region without much trouble. Weather.com has temps in the 80's with little wind which is good for UNC because their depth could make Florida run more than they want. However, with enough time to prep, Brodie is probably back in the shape he wants after having mono, and Florida is ice cold when it comes to getting out of regionals the last 3 years and I think 2008 is more of the same.
The big story in this region will be UNC. They have had a great season with finals appearances at Centex and Queen City and quality wins over Michigan, NC State, UNC-W, and Georgia. They took the toughest section this year and with authority reserved for prison guards. On paper, they have all the pieces to make nationals but hey will have to go through NC State, UNC-W and Georgia to do so and I think this is a task Darkside is ready for. They slaughtered their sectional competition and Georgia is injury ridden and studs like Greg Swanson are going to need some divine healing to give JoJah a chance at getting back to the show. It also helps that UNC took 2nd in this region last year and every person on this team will have nerves of steel against these challengers.
Like AC regionals, this region will be the battle for 2nd. This region is very similar to the Southwest in the sense that 1 and 2 are relatively easily predicted, but there is a 3rd team waiting in the wings. Wisconsin has won the region the last few years and nothing short of Florida changing regions will change that. It seems like Wisconsin can win when they are prepared and confident. At Centex they had both but not at the same time. They looked past Michigan and were bullied by Florida, but neither situation will happen in Decorah.
Carleton is getting heat not only from above but from below. For years it has been CUT and the Hodags, but Minnesota is banging on the door. Carleton has been good at times this year as has Minnesota and despite CUT taking the section, both teams could make runs at Regionals. If I had to guess however, I think CUT takes out the Gray Ducks 15-11ish. CUT has been in this position many times and Minnesota has not. Carleton has veterans albeit short veterans, and they aren't going to crack under pressure. I see CUT being much more composed in a game to go situation than Minnesota simply because they have been there before and won several times.
I am really excited for this tournament. I have had a close eye on Michigan all year and I really want to see them back at Nationals. I see them taking this region but Ohio State has yet to have their chance at teams in their region. They have no sectional challenge and while Illinois, North Park and ND were beating the snot out of each other, Led Belly has been preparing and preparing. They made natties last year and their challenge then was Indiana who barely made regionals. In looking at these 4 or 5 teams, it looks like the region is Michigan's to lose and Illinois and Ohio State will meet at some point to see who will follow Magnum to Colorado. I really don't care which team makes it because both are playing good ultimate.
Ohio State has been to the show, but Illinois was there in 2004. This game will come down to fundamentals. When I saw Illinois play at Centex, it seemed like they had up and down focus. They took Florida to DGP with razor sharp offense and careful execution of each throw. However, some cavalier play allowed Minnesota to come back and beat them on DGP later that day. Ohio State did not have the luxury of playing at Centex and I am sure their experience and talent has allowed them to get to a 36-7 record. However, I wonder if they have learned enough tough lessons to beat out a confident Illinois team. I should also say that ND is ready and waiting and could catch either one of these teams sleeping and I am sure Michigan State wants to get back to nationals after missing the show in 2007.
Ohio State has been to the show, but Illinois was there in 2004. This game will come down to fundamentals. When I saw Illinois play at Centex, it seemed like they had up and down focus. They took Florida to DGP with razor sharp offense and careful execution of each throw. However, some cavalier play allowed Minnesota to come back and beat them on DGP later that day. Ohio State did not have the luxury of playing at Centex and I am sure their experience and talent has allowed them to get to a 36-7 record. However, I wonder if they have learned enough tough lessons to beat out a confident Illinois team. I should also say that ND is ready and waiting and could catch either one of these teams sleeping and I am sure Michigan State wants to get back to nationals after missing the show in 2007.
This is another great region. Pitt has been the front runner all year but has not won the region in the last few years. Their competition has bounced around and teams like Penn and Maryland want a chance to make it out of the region. However, I remember last year watching Cornell kick ass up until regionals. They shocked Pitt in semis and made the finals against Delaware. However, after losing to Side Show they had to face Pitt again and lighting did not strike twice. Likewise, with two teams like Penn and Maryland so close in talent, we might see a 1-1 situation. I would think that the team to win the first contest would NOT make nationals because trying to win after losing is harder than winning after winning. 2/3 games are a bitch but the better team will win. The only commentary I can add is that I saw Aman Nalavade (Penn) play this past weekend at Henelopen because he is trying out for Pike and that kid can play. Yikes, hopefully you have a squirrley as hell defender to shut that speed demon down.
This is probably the best regional tournament this year. Things like precedent and history should be tossed completely out the window. Teams like Oregon and Stanford have yet to live up to their historic roots and teams like UBC and Santa Cruz have won down the stretch. The match up between Santa Cruz and UBC is interesting. The Thunderbirds have experienced veterans and Santa Cruz has firey athletes. This game will come down to composure. Karlinsky likes the bombs and with downfield receivers like Russell Wynne, I can see why. However, silly turnovers will be eaten up by UBC like french fires and mayo in the Maple Nation. UBC offense is fluid and Santa Cruz has intense man D, a fantastic combo. Hopefully neither team gets caght by a Whitman or LPC team in their hopes of asserting themselves.
If things play to seed, the 2/3 game, like everywhere else, will suck for the finals loser. If its UCSC, playing a team like Stanford in a 2/3 game will blow, especially if they are close in the last game on Saturday. Stanford has been there before like when they took out UBC in 2006 after losing to Oregon. Santa Cruz has yet to get this close to Nationals in recent years and hopefully the hype that DLK has generated over the last 6 months has convinced his team mates that they CAN beat anyone in this region. I think UBC can take out anyone in a 2/3 situation. They are confident and experienced and unless they are playing in the Austin heat after 4 other pool play games, they should be ready for Oregon, Stanford, Cal or whoever makes it as far as Sunday afternoon. Their challenge will be to keep up with a fast Santa Cruz team. Considering they held onto Wisconsin as well as they did, I think this puts them in a good position. Their handling core is stellar and in watching their disc movement it is easy to see that every played is comfortable with the disc and every cutter is a viable deep threat. If they can find the holes, they will exploit mismatches all day on offense and take advantage of college mistakes and generate breaks.
I think Stanford has the best chance of anyother team outside Santa Cruz and UBC. They have better athletes than Oregon and despite their poor season, Sherwood and Ezra are a great 1-2. Tom James has yet to really fill the handler void that Mark has been stuck with but if Bloodthirsty has the depth they should when it REALLY matters, they have a shot.
If things play to seed, the 2/3 game, like everywhere else, will suck for the finals loser. If its UCSC, playing a team like Stanford in a 2/3 game will blow, especially if they are close in the last game on Saturday. Stanford has been there before like when they took out UBC in 2006 after losing to Oregon. Santa Cruz has yet to get this close to Nationals in recent years and hopefully the hype that DLK has generated over the last 6 months has convinced his team mates that they CAN beat anyone in this region. I think UBC can take out anyone in a 2/3 situation. They are confident and experienced and unless they are playing in the Austin heat after 4 other pool play games, they should be ready for Oregon, Stanford, Cal or whoever makes it as far as Sunday afternoon. Their challenge will be to keep up with a fast Santa Cruz team. Considering they held onto Wisconsin as well as they did, I think this puts them in a good position. Their handling core is stellar and in watching their disc movement it is easy to see that every played is comfortable with the disc and every cutter is a viable deep threat. If they can find the holes, they will exploit mismatches all day on offense and take advantage of college mistakes and generate breaks.
I think Stanford has the best chance of anyother team outside Santa Cruz and UBC. They have better athletes than Oregon and despite their poor season, Sherwood and Ezra are a great 1-2. Tom James has yet to really fill the handler void that Mark has been stuck with but if Bloodthirsty has the depth they should when it REALLY matters, they have a shot.
North Texas the 1 seed, wow, I never thought I would see the day. However, it just goes to show you what hunger and motivation can do for you against teams that think they have everything locked up. I think Texas is angry however and they will come out with guns blazing. Both of these teams could make nationals but I wouldn't be surprised if Texas went #1 and UNT #2.
In addition, Oklahoma is having a great year. They edged out Kansas and are as close to making nationals as they are going to get and it's their turn to leave it all on the field. I think their biggest threat is North Texas. Yes UNT is the 1 seed but I think Texas' experience gets them the region (sorry, prove me wrong) and I think their height and firepower will result in a good game against Oklahoma. Neither one is an under dog and both really want to make the show. This game will come down to, guess what, composure. Yes I say that word a lot, but it's the most important thing in this game. Athletic ability, speed, a great flick break, all that crap means nothing unless you can separate mind and body and just execute. I fear that UNT will blow out Oklahoma because they will have the experience of beating a team like Texas when it mattered and Oklahoma's biggest win is Kansas, a team that has not been as good as they were in 2007. They also got rocked by UNT 7-12 at Frostbite. Either way, I hope we see some new faces at nationals because a team that really earns that honor really brings it and I hope they get to Boulder and edge out more hyped teams.
In addition, Oklahoma is having a great year. They edged out Kansas and are as close to making nationals as they are going to get and it's their turn to leave it all on the field. I think their biggest threat is North Texas. Yes UNT is the 1 seed but I think Texas' experience gets them the region (sorry, prove me wrong) and I think their height and firepower will result in a good game against Oklahoma. Neither one is an under dog and both really want to make the show. This game will come down to, guess what, composure. Yes I say that word a lot, but it's the most important thing in this game. Athletic ability, speed, a great flick break, all that crap means nothing unless you can separate mind and body and just execute. I fear that UNT will blow out Oklahoma because they will have the experience of beating a team like Texas when it mattered and Oklahoma's biggest win is Kansas, a team that has not been as good as they were in 2007. They also got rocked by UNT 7-12 at Frostbite. Either way, I hope we see some new faces at nationals because a team that really earns that honor really brings it and I hope they get to Boulder and edge out more hyped teams.
I like how SW regionals has pool play Saturday unlike the Northwest and the South. Peripheral to format, the Bird stomps here. MB will come in ready and confident after their usual Sectional and Fools Fest romps. Catt Wilson will have this team prepared and their high flying talent in Jolian and Mac Taylor will be well supported by Wicus and Pebbles. I think the only way they go down is if Arizona can capitalize on MB's O-Line turnovers. Colorado will come at you with a great defensive D-line who will aim at 2-3 breaks to beat you but you could just as easily stay on serve because their D-line offense is ehh. The true test will be first half. When these two team played at Centex, MB started off 5-0 nothing and no team comes back from that. Arizona needs to stay close early and get a 1st half break. If they can do that, their offense is good enough to keep up with Colorado as the game wears on.
Despite the hope, I think Colorado takes the region. The last time they lost in the Regional finals was 2004 to Santa Barbara and Arizona is not as good as that Black Tide team. The game of the weekend will be the 2/3 with Claremont. I had some friends at SoCal sectionals and the consensus seems to be that Stout is unreal and Claremont has the tools to put a run together. However, it seems like Arizona has the same tools with players like Gafni and Kershner. If Arizona can get it together early, they'll take this game. They are 3-0 against Claremont this year and this game will be theirs to lose. However, if Claremont can catch a break here or there, momentum will be on their side and in a game-to-go where neither team has been, momentum is all you need. I don't care which one of these teams makes it because both will have earned it. The Southwest sucks and making it out of your section and getting past teams like UCSB and UCSD that have dominated for so long is awesome. Good luck to both of these teams and hopefully the results will reflect well on superb seasons by both teams.
Closing Thoughts
Like I have said before, 2008 has been awesome. Their have been so many great stories with Michigan and Arizona's rise to elite status and the continuation of the epic Blue Caller rivalry between Florida and Wisconsin. The completion of regionals will cap off a great season of teams trying to get to the show. Nationals will be icing on the cake for most teams that will be happy to just be there. Teams like UNC, Texas, UBC, Pitt, etc.. all know the chance of playing on Sunday is pretty small but in just making Nationals, they are given the opportunity to improve beyond the scope of 95% of other college programs. The bottom line to all the teams out there is that no matter what kind of a season you have, if you want to earn the hype, the gold standard is to make semis. Be in the final 4, thats all that matters. You do that and people will be watching you right out of the gate next year.
Good luck to everyone in the coming weeks, now is the time to put the strategy and emotion of 2008 away and just execute. Play your game and hopefully your preparation and effort will get you the W's you need to make nationals. If not, let the drinking start early.
just my thoughts
Good luck to everyone in the coming weeks, now is the time to put the strategy and emotion of 2008 away and just execute. Play your game and hopefully your preparation and effort will get you the W's you need to make nationals. If not, let the drinking start early.
just my thoughts
match diesel
