Jabbering JAG 129.9 (Then There Were Four)
It is almost time for us to crown a national champion. What an interesting and fun playoff we have had so far this season and it still isn't over yet! Let's take a look at each of our final four teams and how they got here.
TEAM STATISTICAL RANKS
Alabama A&M Bulldogs - GUESS Rank: 13....WIS Rank: 12....SOS Rank: 29.... Offense Rank: 16.... Defense Rank: 10
Drake Bulldogs - GUESS Rank: 1....WIS Rank: 11.... SOS Rank: 47.... Offense Rank: 5....
Defense Rank: 1
Eastern Kentucky Colonels - GUESS Rank: 2....WIS Rank: 1.... SOS Rank: 20.... Offense Rank: 2.... Defense Rank: 15
Lehigh Mountain Hawks - GUESS Rank: 5....WIS Rank: 10.... SOS Rank: 56.... Offense Rank: 4.... Defense Rank: 3
TEAM SEASON
Alabama A&M Bulldogs - A&M started the season off with 5 humans in non-conference and they needed to since it turns out they only played 2 humans in conference play. The Bulldogs racked up six straight wins before suffering their first loss. The loss came to Texas Southern, in a game where A&M saw a 14 point 4th quarter erased. Alabama A&M won their sim filled division and again met TSU. This game had the same result as the previous meeting as A&M lost by 11 points to finish 12-2 heading into playoffs.
Drake Bulldogs - Drake was the favorite all season for some. This team played 6 humans all season and 4 of those teams finished with double digit wins. Drake was rolling and tallied nine wins and looked unstoppable heading into the game vs San Diego. This game came as a bit of a surprise as Drake was taken to the woodshed on the road. Drake then rolled through three straight sims but that loss to San Diego prevented the Bulldogs from a conference title game appearance. Drake entered playoffs with a 12-1 record.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels - EKU is always an extremely tough team and this year looked to be no different. The Colonels played 8 human opponents this season including 6 playoff teams. EKU really only broke a sweat in one game this season and that was a close 4 point win at Northern Iowa. EKU needed a 24 point second half to overcome a 17 point third quarter deficit and hold on for the win. EKU then met EIU for a second this time in the conference championship and they outgunned the Panthers again to a conference title. EKU came into playoffs with a 14-0 record.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks - UL came in with a new coach fresh from DIA so no one really knew what to expect this season. Lehigh played 5 human opponents this season including three who finished the regular season ranked in the top 25. The Mountain Hawks started off conference play on the wrong foot as they suffered their first loss of the season in a close loss at Albany. UL then rolled through the rest of their conference schedule before getting a rematch with Albany in the conference title game. Lehigh was able to get sweet sweet revenge and avenge their loss. Lehigh came into playoffs with a 13-1 record.
ROAD THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS
Alabama A&M Bulldogs - A&M was the #3 seed in the South bracket. A&M had two fairly easy games to meet 8 seed TTech in the quarterfinals. Bama A&M was able to stave off a fourth quarter rally and hold on for a win. A&M is averaging 39 ppg and 21 ppg against through playoffs.
Drake Bulldogs - DU was the #3 seed in the East bracket. Two straight shutouts propelled Drake to a quarterfinal appearance. The Bulldogs faced one of their toughest tests yet as they met Texas State. The Bulldogs weren't going to be phased as they took a 19 point lead in the first half and never looked back. Drake is averaging 48 ppg and allowing just 3 ppg through playoffs.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels - EKU was the #1 overall seed and represents the North bracket. EKU didn't get much of a challenge until the quarterfinals where they had to scratch and claw their way to a 3 point win over Maine. EKU is averaging over 40 ppg in the playoffs and 20 ppg against.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks - UL came in as the #3 seed in the West bracket. A first round pitted them against a tough Younstown team. Over 500 yards of offense helped lift them to a 3 point win to face Portland State in the quarters. Lehigh used an 18 point fourth quarter performance to hold off the Vikings. UL is averaging 34 ppg and 23 ppg against throughout playoffs.
PREDICTIONS
Check out my final four predictions at http://challonge.com/WIS129
GL to ALL FOUR OF YOU!
