2008 Woodie Awards
Jaspers to Participate in ESPN's Bracket Buster
EDUARDO GUERRERO
Issue date: 9/22/04 Section: Sports
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Once again being favored to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and make to yet another National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance this upcoming season, the Jaspers have been selected for the second consecutive season to participate in one of ESPN's Bracket Buster games. The game will be played on February 19th of next year with their opponent yet to be determined.
The purpose of these Bracket Buster games is to separate the top mid-major schools when it comes down to selection time in March. Years before, a large number of mid-major schools with more than impressive records had trouble getting selected to the NCAA Tournament because of the lack of exposure or play against other top schools. In the Bracket Buster, teams with good records and wins against other top mid major schools in other conferences have a better chance to make the Tournament than teams with near perfect records but no wins against any top quality opponents. Last season, the Jaspers played the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in one installment of ESPN's Bracket Buster. The Jaspers won that game last year 83-76, helping their overall record and staking their claim for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin-Milwaukee will play the Jaspers again this year, this time at Draddy Gymnasium and not as a Bracket Buster.
This season, the Jaspers are the favorites to repeat a win in the MAAC and go back on to the NCAA Tournament. With the season yet to start, however, and no one knowing what can happen between now and February, the Jaspers are not locked to compete in the game. If for whatever reason the Jaspers have a mediocre record and do not seem likely to reach the NCAA, their Bracket Buster game could be replaced. Another negative for the Jaspers is not knowing who their opponent will be for that game. They will learn that later in the season as the top mid-major teams start distancing themselves in their respective conference.
The purpose of these Bracket Buster games is to separate the top mid-major schools when it comes down to selection time in March. Years before, a large number of mid-major schools with more than impressive records had trouble getting selected to the NCAA Tournament because of the lack of exposure or play against other top schools. In the Bracket Buster, teams with good records and wins against other top mid major schools in other conferences have a better chance to make the Tournament than teams with near perfect records but no wins against any top quality opponents. Last season, the Jaspers played the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in one installment of ESPN's Bracket Buster. The Jaspers won that game last year 83-76, helping their overall record and staking their claim for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin-Milwaukee will play the Jaspers again this year, this time at Draddy Gymnasium and not as a Bracket Buster.
This season, the Jaspers are the favorites to repeat a win in the MAAC and go back on to the NCAA Tournament. With the season yet to start, however, and no one knowing what can happen between now and February, the Jaspers are not locked to compete in the game. If for whatever reason the Jaspers have a mediocre record and do not seem likely to reach the NCAA, their Bracket Buster game could be replaced. Another negative for the Jaspers is not knowing who their opponent will be for that game. They will learn that later in the season as the top mid-major teams start distancing themselves in their respective conference.