Tomorrow, the six NCAA Regional Competitions will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan), Athens, Georgia (University of Georgia), Iowa City, Iowa (University of Iowa), Minneapolis, Minnesota (University of Minnesota), Salt Lake City, Utah (University of Utah), and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (University of Alabama). I'm going to look at each competition and hi-light some routines and what to watch!
Ann Arbor Regional
Teams Competing
1. Auburn University
2. University of Michigan
3. Stanford University
4. Eastern Michigan University
5. Penn State University
6. University of New Hampshire
Fans have taken to calling the Ann Arbor Regional the "Death Regional" because it will be a fight to the death between Auburn, Michigan, and Stanford.
While Stanford is the number three seed, it would be foolish to count them out. They have a history of looking messy during the year, but turning it on in April. Michigan has had an impressive start to the season, but fizzled out ever so slightly, but still managed to pull out a win two weeks ago at the B1G 10 Championships. They are also competing at home, and the home field advantage in NCAA is always a significant factor. They have a very young team, with a freshman standout in Olivia Karas. The main storyline with the Wolverines is if they can over come their youth and hit when the pressure is on. The senior class at Auburn, which was awarded their first number one seed in school history, is responsible for breaking more records than one can count at Auburn. Auburn made the super-6 a year ago and it is hard to imagine a scenario that they do not make it to Fort Worth, however their ticket is not yet punched.
For all of these teams, they need to hit if they want to make it to Fort Worth.
Athens Regional
Teams Competing
1. LSU
2. University of Georgia
3. Oregon State University
4. University of Arizona
5. George Washington University
6. Michigan State University
This regional will be an intense three team race. Like most of the regionals, it is clear to see which teams have a legitimate chance at punching a ticket to Fort Worth, and you also know it will be very heartbreakingly close. LSU has the mathematical advantage, however they have already lost to Georgia in Athens this year. Oregon State is always a strong team, yet can never close it out in the post season. If they are able to hit in Athens this weekend, they will make it a very interesting meet. However, I am predicting that the top two seeds will advance.
Iowa City Regional
Teams Competing
1. University of Oklahoma
2. University of Nebraska
3. University of Arkansas
4. University of Iowa
5. Kent State University
6. Central Michigan University
This is one of the only regionals that look cut and dry. If everyone hits, Oklahoma and Nebraska will advanced. Obviously, that is easier said than done, but that is how I expect it to go down in Iowa.
Oklahoma looks stronger than ever, and will be using this meet as practice. The 2014 Co-Champions should have no problem qualifying to Nationals, even if they count a fall, which is something they have not done this year. Nebraska has had some rough meets this year, but have turned it around and secured a second seed here. Contrary to that, Arkansas started off strong, beating Alabama this year. However, the long season has taken it's toll on Arkansas and have slowed down considerably. They would need to have a great meet and Nebraska would have to falter for Arkansas to qualify.
Minneapolis Regional
Teams Competing
1. University of Florida
2. University of Denver
3. University of Minnesota
4. University of Missouri
5. Ohio State University
6. Brigham-Young University
This regional is looking to be a close match between two teams for the second qualifying spot. The overall two seed and three-time national championships Florida Gators are looking strong off of their SEC Championship win and will easily qualify to nationals. Their focus is turned to nationals, and can have an "okay" day and still qualify to nationals. The other two teams in contention do not have that luxury. The University of Denver is ranked the highest they have ever been, and the Gophers have had a great season as well, beating powerhouses such as Michigan and Nebraska en route to a B1G 10 Regular Season title. Both teams need to be on top of their games to qualify, but if both schools come out of the gates swinging, I predict the second spot will go to Denver.
Salt Lake City Regional
Teams Competing
1. University of Utah
2. University of California, Los Angeles
3. University of Washington
4. Southern Utah University
5. University of Illinois
6. Utah State University
Half of the teams that will be competing at the Huntsman Center this year hail from Utah, and it is expected that half of the teams moving on call the mountains their home. This is a relatively cut and dry meet, much like Iowa City. Utah and UCLA are in a league of their own among the other teams competing in Salt Lake City. The two teams met just two weeks ago at the Pac 12 Championships, which saw the Bruins come out on top. The real story here is not who will advance, but in what ranking. If both teams hit, I expect that the Utes will beat UCLA this weekend.
Tuscaloosa Regional
Teams Competing
1. University of Alabama
2. California, Berkeley
3. Boise State
4. University of Kentucky
5. University of West Virginia
6. Bowling Green State University
The front runner in this regional is clearly the University of Alabama. UA will be competing in front of a home crowd, in a familiar arena, and is currently the third best team in the country. It will take a complete meltdown as well as for two teams to have the meet of their life in order to miss a berth to nationals.
That realistically leaves three teams fighting for one spot. Cal, Berkeley will have to fight off an surging, undefeated Boise State team, who has had the season of their lives. This Boise State team is currently ranked 15th, which is their highest in school history. In comparison, Cal is ranked 10th, so an upset would not be a big stretch. Cal will also have to contend with Kentucky, who has underperformed all season. They are ranked lower than they are capable, and could give Cal a run for their money with a great meet, but they will have to perform better than they have all season.
No comments:
Post a Comment