Oshkosh’s NCAA Draw

The NCAA could have been much harsher on Oshkosh. The opener against Platteville is a good thing. I didn’t think the NCAA would put two WIAC teams in an opener, especially a fourth meeting between UWO and PV.

Looks like UWO’s regular-season win at La Crosse saved the Titans from playing Calvin in the first round. Not that I think Calvin is any better than Platteville. It’s just that the unknown factors are taken out of the equation. I would imagine UWO knows PV better than any other team in the nation and vice versa. And to be able to immediately get revenge on Platteville has to factor in as another positive.

Wash U instead of Whitewater could go either way. The unknown comes into play, but if I’m a Titan, I would rather face Wash U than Whitewater. At least in my eyes, that’s another good draw. Not that this matters all that much, but Wash U lost its last match to Emory in 5. UWO swept Emory last month.

If everything holds in the bottom half of the bracket, Carthage would stand between Oshkosh and nationals. I didn’t see the season opener in which Carthage beat Oshkosh in 4, but everyone I’ve talked to since that match seemed confident about any potential rematches.

In my eyes, the Midwest is the toughest regional, even with Whitewater gone to the Central. I think any of the top five teams can win the Carthage throwdown this weekend. I don’t think you can say that about any of the other regionals.

In that way it’s a tough draw for UWO. But it could have been worse. As long the Titans take it one point at a time, they have as good of a chance to win it as anyone. But there will be no more predictions from this dude.

-Ricky Nelson

~ by uwoshvball on November 5, 2007.