It’s tournament time. Here’s an outlook on this week’s action. In many cases, one of the semifinals features the two best teams in the tournament, IMHO.
Augsburg Tournament
When: November 22 & 23
Who: Augsburg (host), UW-Superior, Finlandia, Bethel
Outlook: It’s rare that a Thanksgiving Tournament is actually played on Thanksgiving. The winner of the Superior-Bethel semifinal should go on to take the title.
Primelink Great Northern Shootout
When: November 24 & 25
Who: Norwich (host), Middlebury, Plattsburgh, Potsdam
Outlook: This is the last year for Potsdam in what has become to premier in-season tournament in Division III. Middlebury and Norwich are favored to meet in the finals.
Babson Tournament
When: November 25 & 26
Who: Babson (host), Mass-Dartmouth, Geneseo, S. Maine
Outlook: There’s the possibility of a rematch between Geneseo and UMass-Dartmouth, which met in the NCAA Quarterfinals last season.
Bowdoin/Colby Faceoff Classic
When: November 25 & 26
Who: Bowdoin (host), Colby (host), Assumption, US Under 18 Team
Outlook: This isn’t a “tournament” since the matchups are predetermined (Bowdoin and Colby do not meet). Assumption will be the underdog with the other three squads having an equal shot of coming out on top.
PAL Stovepipe Tournament
When: November 25 & 26
Who: S. New Hampshire (host), Suffolk, Brockport, Plymouth State.
Outlook: All but Suffolk were in this tourney last year, with Plymouth State coming out on top via a shootout over Brockport. I like Brockport and S. New Hampshire to meet in the finals this season.
MSOE Tournament
When: November 25 & 26
Who: MSOE (host), UW-Stout, Neumann, Gustavus Adolphus
Outlook: Three of the four teams got votes in this week’s poll. I expect the winner of the Neumann-Stout semifinal to take the title.
Ben McCabe Tournament
When: November 25 & 26
Who: Amherst (host), Conn College, Trinity, Wesleyan
Outlook: Four NESCAC teams come together. I’m going with the winner of the Trinity-Wesleyan semi to win the tournament.
Skidmore Invitational
When: November 25
Who: Skidmore (host), Nichols, Cortland, Salve Regina
Outlook: I think the champ will come out of the Nichols-Cortland semifinal.
Check out the action if you can, and have a great holiday!
