BRACKETOLOGY

The Bracket

NAIA Quarterfinal Breakdown

  • Conferences Represented
    • CCC: College of Idaho
    • GPAC: Concordia (NE)
    • GSAC (2): Arizona Christian, William Jessup
    • KCAC: Oklahoma Wesleyan
    • MSC: Thomas More
    • SSAC (2): Loyola, Talladega
  • If you need to catch yourself up you can read the Day 1 Recap and Day 2 Recap stories directly from the NAIA.
  • In case you missed our tweet yesterday, this is the first time since the early 2000’s, in which there was not a Crossroads League team represented in the NAIA Quarterfinals. Now, this is just the 2nd year of 1 division, so more teams and different tournament format, BUT quite the run by the CL.
  • While we are one division, it is fun to look at the old divisions. This year we have 5 former DI programs and 3 former DII programs that make up the 8 QF teams.
  • Oddly enough, that is the exact same amount last year as well. With 3 former DI’s making the Fab Four.
  • Concordia is the highest remaining seed (5) remaining.
  • They are also the only team outside of the NAIA Top 10 in the final rankings to make it to the Round of 8.
  • There are always exceptions to the rule, but the first games for teams, as a whole, were not great shooting performances inside Muni. Most teams were way below their season average and only three teams shoot above 35% from 3. We had 4 teams who shot below 20% from 3 in the Round of 16. Shooting usually does get better inside Muni though for the Quarterfinal rounds.

Naismith Bracket

Seeds

  1. Loyola
  2. Olivet Nazarene
  3. College of Idaho
  4. Faulkner
  5. Georgetown
  6. Ottawa (AZ)
  7. Grace
  8. Evangel
  9. Florida College
  10. Cumberlands (KY)
  11. UT Southern
  12. Huntington
  13. Florida Memorial
  14. Vanguard
  15. Lourdes
  16. Tougaloo

Quarterfinal Matchup

11am – #3 College of Idaho vs #1 Loyola

College of Idaho Probable Starters

Derek Wadsworth 5’11 JR – 5.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg

Ricardo Time 6’2 SR – 12.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.8apg – CCC Player of the Yr

Drew Wyman 6’5 FR – 11.6ppg, 4.6rpg,

Caden Handran 6’6 FR -3.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.2apg

Tyler Robinett 6’7 FR – 8.1ppg, 4.5rpg

Loyola Probable Starters

#10 Brandon Davis – 6’1 SO – 15.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.3apg, 2.1spg

#22 Andrew Fava – 5’10 SR – 9.8ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.2apg

#03 Myles Burns 6’6 SR -14.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 4.1spg

#23 Zach Wrightsil 6’7 SR – 18.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.6apg, 2.0spg SSAC POY

#34 Terry Smith Jr – 6’5 SR – 8.7ppg, 5.1rpg

Two teams that generally are just better at what they do then you are at what you do. The two best two things Loyola does is turn teams over and push the tempo. College of Idaho on the other hand, doesn’t turn it over a ton and is so good at controlling the pace of games. Something will have to give in this one. If the Yotes can handle the 1-3-1 pressure of Loyola and not get sped up, they will give themselves a shot in this one. That is easier said then done though as this Loyola team is long and athletic. Expect this game to also be a complete war on the glass as well as both teams rebound really well. The Yote Defense is also going to have to try and figure out a way to slow down the Wolf Pack dynamic duo of Myles Burns and Zach Wrightsil. The two have continued to put up big numbers game in and game out throughout the tournament. This game is going to come down to who can control the tempo. If it’s a slower paced game, then advantage College of Idaho. If the game gets sped up, then Loyola will win this one.

Cramer Bracket

Seeds

  1. Arizona Christian
  2. Indiana Wesleyan
  3. William Jessup
  4. Saint Francis (IN)
  5. Bethel (KS)
  6. Hope International
  7. Southwestern (KS)
  8. Southeastern (FL)
  9. Xavier
  10. Indiana Tech
  11. Oregon Tech
  12. Briar Cliff
  13. Northwestern (IA)
  14. Warner
  15. Montreat
  16. Tougaloo

Quarterfinal Matchup

1pm: #1 Arizona Christian vs #3 William Jessup

Arizona Christian Probable Starters

#1 Angelo Johnson 5’8 SR – 11.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.1apg, 1.8spg

#3 Micah Bradford 6’0 SR 5.9ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.8apg

#4 Dennis Flowers III 6’2 SO – 10.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg

#24 Bryce Davis 6’7 SR – 9.7ppg, 4.5rpg

#32 Robby Wilson 6’9 SR – 10.3ppg, 6.1rpg

William Jessup Probable Starters

#11 Myles Corey 6’0 FR – 14.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.6apg

#1 Jordan Adams 6”2 JR – 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg

#00 Cashemin Williams 6’3 JR – 18.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.5apg – GSAC POY

#24 Tarren Storey-Way 6’5 SR – 13.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.6apg

#20 Tim Strijaous 6’5 JR – 9.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg

It is really unfortunate that the two best teams, from one of the best leagues in the NAIA, have to face each other this early, but here we are. Arizona holds a 2-0 season record over William Jessup, but these two GSAC squads have been inside the Top 10 almost all season. Round 3 between these two should be another good one. Both teams are pretty evenly matched when you break down the numbers. Arizona Christian is the bigger team and is better defensively, but William Jessup has the GSAC Player of the Year in Cash Williams. An award, that ACU’s All-American PG, Angelo Johnson, could have won as well. There is plenty of talent on the floor for this one as Jessup also trots out stud Freshman, Myles Corey, and their Senior staple, Tarren Storey-Way. ACU counters with Dennis Flowers III, Micah Bradford and Robby Wilson. There will be no secrets between these two very well coached teams. You can expect a great game and this one coming down to who can make enough plays late in the game to will their team to the Fab Four!

Liston Quadrant

  1. Oklahoma Wesleyan
  2. Thomas More
  3. Montana Tech
  4. USAO
  5. LSU Shreveport
  6. SAGU
  7. Stillman
  8. IU South Bend
  9. Kansas Wesleyan
  10. Union
  11. Central Methodist
  12. Missouri Baptist
  13. LSU Alexandria
  14. MACU
  15. Grand View
  16. Saint Katherine

Round of 16 Matchup

5pm: #1 Oklahoma Wesleyan vs #2 Thomas More

OKWU Probable Starters

#3 Derrick Talton Jr 5’10 FR – 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg

#1 Austin Poling 6’0 SO – 5.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.8apg

#13 Kazden Ammons 6’1 JR – 4.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.7apg

#2 Brandon Bird 6’4 JR – 11.8ppg, 3.8rpg

#5 Jaden Lietzke 6’7 FR – 12.5ppg, 6.2rpg

Thomas More Probable Starters

#14 Jacob Jones 5’9 FY – 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.1apg

#2 Luke Rudy 6’5 GR – 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg

#3 Reid Jolly 6’5 SO – 13.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.4apg

#24 Garren Bertsch 6’5 GR -8.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg

#1 Ryan Batte 6’6 JR – 21.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.8apg – MSC POY

This OKWU team really looked the part yesterday against Shreveport. They are really good defensively and one of the best teams in the NAIA in FG% defense. They have a tough offense to scout on 1 day’s rest here with Thomas More. Thomas More also looked the part yesterday in their blow out win against a talented SAGU squad. Hopefully Reid Jolly, who went down late in yesterdays game with an injury, is able to go today. While Ryan Batte is a stud, Jolly opens their offense up with his ability to score from inside and out. Even if he can’t go, Batte is a serious contender for National Player of the Year. He had his skillset on full display yesterday in their win over SAGU. He is so good on both ends of the floor. I imagine they will start him on Jaden Lietzke, OKWU’s stud Freshman big man, today. This OKWU team just runs so deep. They play 5 in and 5 out on their subs and don’t miss a beat. It will be interesting to see how TWU decides to play this one. They got a big time shooting performance by Luke Rudy yesterday. If they get a second big time shooting performance today, they will be tough to beat. These are two teams who are capable of opening up games form the perimeter. This game may come down to who hits enough shots from the outside.

Duer Quadrant

  1. William Penn
  2. Talladega
  3. Carroll
  4. Marian
  5. Concordia (NE)
  6. Jamestown
  7. Cumberland (TN)
  8. IU Kokomo
  9. Dordt
  10. WVU Tech
  11. Lewis-Clark St
  12. IU Northwest
  13. Freed-Hardeman
  14. Mount Vernon Nazarene
  15. Washington Adventist
  16. Bellevue

Quarterfinal Matchup

7pm: #2 Talladega vs #5 Concordia (NE)

Talladega Probable Starters

#0 Cam Potts 6’1 SR – 8.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg

#23 Jervay Green 6’3 SR – 9.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg

#3 Darryl Baker 6’4 SR – 19.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.4apg

#35 Davion Thomas 6’9 SR – 6.7ppg, 3.8rpg

#34 Amir Yusuf 6’9 SR -7.0ppg, 6.3rpg

CUNE Probable Starters

#14 AJ Watson 5’8 SO – 9.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.6apg

#5 Carter Kent 6’2 JR – 15.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.2apg

#10 Justin Wiersema 6’3 JR – 11.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg

#12 Noah Schutte 6’4 FR – 13.5ppg, 5.8rpg

#11 Gage Smith 6’6 JR – 13.9ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg

Two tough and physical teams in this one. Dega has the size advantage and is the best defensive team remaining in the tournament. CUNE’s offense is tough to prep for off of a 1 day scout. It will be interesting to see how Coach Wright and staff decide to counter the five out style with their two 6’9 guys in the rotation. Carter Kent and CUNE held off a tough and pesky IU Kokomo team last night to reach the QF’s. They hit enough 3’s to hold off Kokomo last night, but didn’t shoot like their normal selves going 7-22 for 31.8%. The good thing for the Bulldogs is that they are able to manufacture easy buckets even when they aren’t shooting great. Today they will need to do that because this Dega defense is really good. If they can get stops off the short scout, they will be able to win this game. For CUNE, the key for them is to limit turnovers and get easy buckets. The key for Dega is to limit CUNE’s runs and keep them off the glass. One of the most intriguing games of the day with the contrast in style of play!

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