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Games of the Week
I like the concept of BracketBuster games. And in some cases -- Siena-Butler being the case in point -- the games are as big or bigger than key conference matchups.
But BracketBusters are a little like Interleague Play in baseball. Yankees-Mets gets everyone fired up, but Royals-Pirates doesn't exactly do the same. By the same token, for every Siena-Butler there's a a UNH-Loyola or a Marist-UC Irvine -- games that are essentially glorified exhibitions.
So while I would never lobby for eliminating BracketBuster games, they aren't completely harmless. One negative is clear -- they make it harder to compose a list of five meaningful games. Then again, at least this list -- and BracketBuster Saturday -- has Siena-Butler.
My five MAAC games of the week:
5. Rider at Saint Peter's, tonight, 7 p.m., MAAC TV
Both teams need this game, but Rider needs it more. A loss would put the Broncs at 7-9 with a likely loss against Siena next on the schedule. If Rider is 7-10 coming into its regular season finale against Canisius, the loser of that game will almost certainly be in the play-in round.
4. Fairfield at Manhattan, tonight, 7 p.m.
I'm extremely curious to see how the Jaspers look coming off of an impressive win at Iona. A win here would give Manhattan some real momentum down the stretch after it looked like its season was going into a tailspin. As for the Stags, a win would make it three out of four, and 11 league wins with two home games left on the schedule.
3. William & Mary at Iona, Friday, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Nothing would give the Gaels a bigger jolt than an impressive win on national TV against one of mid-major hoops' most pleasant surprises. The Tribe, a perennial CAA doormat, is two games out of first place in the conference and poised for an improbable postseason bid -- maybe even one in the Big Dance. People across the country will take notice of the result.
2. Saint Peter's at Loyola, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Even after losing yesterday to Iona, the Hounds mostly control their own destiny in their quest to avoid the play-in round. Their final three games are at home and all are winnable. This one poses the biggest challenge, but if Loyola wins, that will leave only home games against Canisius and Manhattan on the schedule, with sixth place remaining a distinct possibility.
1. Siena at Butler, Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPN2
Given the overwhelmingly strong chances the Saints have to win the MAAC tournament, all the NCAA at-large talk is overblown. What isn't overblown, though, is the impact this game could have on potential NCAA seeding. The Saints took a major hit in the polls after losing to Niagara, but could make up that ground and then some -- with voters and, potentially, with the tournament committee -- with an upset in Indianapolis.
But BracketBusters are a little like Interleague Play in baseball. Yankees-Mets gets everyone fired up, but Royals-Pirates doesn't exactly do the same. By the same token, for every Siena-Butler there's a a UNH-Loyola or a Marist-UC Irvine -- games that are essentially glorified exhibitions.
So while I would never lobby for eliminating BracketBuster games, they aren't completely harmless. One negative is clear -- they make it harder to compose a list of five meaningful games. Then again, at least this list -- and BracketBuster Saturday -- has Siena-Butler.
My five MAAC games of the week:
5. Rider at Saint Peter's, tonight, 7 p.m., MAAC TV
Both teams need this game, but Rider needs it more. A loss would put the Broncs at 7-9 with a likely loss against Siena next on the schedule. If Rider is 7-10 coming into its regular season finale against Canisius, the loser of that game will almost certainly be in the play-in round.
4. Fairfield at Manhattan, tonight, 7 p.m.
I'm extremely curious to see how the Jaspers look coming off of an impressive win at Iona. A win here would give Manhattan some real momentum down the stretch after it looked like its season was going into a tailspin. As for the Stags, a win would make it three out of four, and 11 league wins with two home games left on the schedule.
3. William & Mary at Iona, Friday, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Nothing would give the Gaels a bigger jolt than an impressive win on national TV against one of mid-major hoops' most pleasant surprises. The Tribe, a perennial CAA doormat, is two games out of first place in the conference and poised for an improbable postseason bid -- maybe even one in the Big Dance. People across the country will take notice of the result.
2. Saint Peter's at Loyola, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Even after losing yesterday to Iona, the Hounds mostly control their own destiny in their quest to avoid the play-in round. Their final three games are at home and all are winnable. This one poses the biggest challenge, but if Loyola wins, that will leave only home games against Canisius and Manhattan on the schedule, with sixth place remaining a distinct possibility.
1. Siena at Butler, Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPN2
Given the overwhelmingly strong chances the Saints have to win the MAAC tournament, all the NCAA at-large talk is overblown. What isn't overblown, though, is the impact this game could have on potential NCAA seeding. The Saints took a major hit in the polls after losing to Niagara, but could make up that ground and then some -- with voters and, potentially, with the tournament committee -- with an upset in Indianapolis.
posted by Ben Doody at
1:54 PM
3 Comments:
hey ben are you in jersey city tonight?
Siena will get pounded at Butler just like they got pounded at Northern iowa....and for that matter, just like they did at Niagara (a .500 team).
Anon,
Was in Jersey City. Unfortunately, was unable to do a live chat because the Yant doesn't have wireless, but the gamer is up and I'll post some more postgame quotes later.
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