Tournament Based on 5/2/07 Poll

[nhoskins]

It would be diappointing if UMD and BC had to play eachother in the first round. Im sure both teams would like a crack at the WCLL and RMCL teams in an effort to disprove the theory that the teams from lesser conferences can't hack it in the playoffs.

Be careful what you ask for...you just might get it.

Trainer Dan, if you haven't figured it out these two teams WANT a shot at some of the major conference teams. I am not saying they will get it until the second round and I am not saying who will win (the game will decided that) but I don't believe for one second that they are scared or nervous about an WCLL or RMCL team. The teams would rather have that shot and lose then not get the shot at all.

Those two teams had a shot at some of the major conference teams. They lost. Why would Nationals be any different? The teams in the best conferences just get better because they are forced to play the best teams in conference, not to mention most travel. That's why I like a team from a "strong" conference later in the season than I do a team from a "weak" conference. The majority of the poll voters do too, both BYU and CSU are above Oregon (who beat them both), so the assumption is that those teams got a lot better than the Oregon team who stomped them (in CSU's case, BYU was close). In a rematch now, no way UMD loses by a goal to either CSU or BYU...

Best of luck to UMD in getting past their first round opponent. I'd like to see them prove me wrong against a WCLL or RMLC team, but Oregon's gotta be the only non-RMLC/WCLL team with a legit shot at the final four, particularly with Michigan having not shown too much yet.

[OldRamAlum83]

Based on what I saw last year as a spectator at many of the games in Plano. Depth, consistency and the Goalie play were very big in the outcome. The one day of HEAT may have come into play a bit too. The teams that were road tested seemed to play better and appeared to ready for every game they played. The heat here in North Texas could be the X-factor and if there are a string of HOT days depth will play an even bigger part. Additionally the other X-factor this year appears to be the year for MATCH-UPs. There just seem to be teams that match-up well against other teams well even if they aren't the better team. (Ask the Dallas Mavericks how important this can be).

[WestCoastLax15]

It would just be a shame for the Arizona schools to play each other in the first round instead of testing the "are you ready for the heat?" theory...

[Timbalaned]

It would just be a shame for the Arizona schools to play each other in the first round instead of testing the "are you ready for the heat?" theory...

Yeah we found that out the hard way last year against U of A

[CP18]

I concur. I remember they also had a sick team back when they had Pike(?) at attack. I think they gave CSU a run for their money in St. Louis that year. That Texas A&M team was much better.

They came and played us when I was still coaching at BU. Unbelievable ability to score goals. They could turn the game momentum on a dime.

You guys are right on about that team, it was the 2003 team that went up to play BU, and took CSU to the wire in the quarters that year in St. Louis. I seem to remember that team slightly, hmmmm, I may have been a senior wearing #18 that year, hahahah.

Anyways, in comparison with the 03 team, and the 07 team, from a guy that played, I see a lot of 03 in them. Either way, it will make for hopefully an exciting #1 v #16 matchup.

[DG]

Wow, those matchups could get interesting.
1. BYU v 16. TAMU
Gotta pick BYU here no questions.

Why? From what I've seen this year, an upset of this magnitude would not surprise me. Although it's a very tall order, if BYU doesn't show up, A&M might sneak past them. Ask Colorado.

BYU knows only too well what an upset at the Nationals is like. Remember two years ago when Florida State shocked everyone? If I remember correctly they seeded 3rd against FSU as 13th.

That was 2005. BYU was seeded #1, and FSU was seeded #9. FSU won 11-10.

[Oduck]

Some food for thought: The RMLC championship is this weekend, how could the results change the top 3, or even the top 6, if Colorado makes a strong showing? If CSU does not win the RMLC does anybody see Oregon taking the number 2 spot? Or if CSU does win maybe clinching the number 1? This weekend could create some interesting changes...

[gobblerlax05]

its bracketologye ! the real stuff is on saturday!

[LaxC21]

I think what CP18 was trying to say about the current A&M team vs. the teams of '02 (Pike) & '03 (Dunn), is that, as a whole, this team is more talented from top to bottom. However, they are not juniors and seniors like the '02 & '03 teams and there is only one guy on this team that has even experienced the national tournament.

I have to say, that I am very dissapointed to see A&M potentially (probably) matched up with BYU. I personally think that is the worst draw for the A&M squad. If A&M was seeded potentially 1 or 2 seeds higher, they would have a great opportunity to make a run to the 2nd or 3rd round. But, that is what is great about the tournament...the opprotunity to prove that you are better than what people think.

I have enjoyed seeing the league evolve and I am excited about the opportunity for other teams (i.e. Oregon, FSU, Lindenwood, UMD) to climb into the top 7 and have an opportunity to represent their conference in the final 4 or championship.