bRACKETOLOGY

The Bracket

Round of 16 – Things of Note

  • The Southern States Athletic Conference leads the way with 3 teams (Loyola, Talladega, Faulkner) in the Round of 16.
  • The Crossroads League (Indiana Wesleyan, Grace), GPAC (Concordia, Jamestown) GSAC (Arizona Christian, William Jessup) and KCAC (Oklahoma Wesleyan, Bethel) are all leagues with multiple teams in the Round of 16.
  • Only 4 of the Top 15 highest scoring teams in the bracket moved to the Round of 16. While 7 of the Top 15 teams who held teams to the lowest points move on.
  • The Tournament’s leading scorer, Mason Walters, led Jamestown to the Round of 16. However, Ryan Batte (Thomas More), Jaylon Scott (Bethel) and Frankie Davidson (Grace) are the only ones inside the Top 20 individual scorers who remain.
  • 8 former DI teams and 7 former DII teams make up the field.
  • Only 3 times did a team score 100+ points in the first two rounds. Two of those came from Loyola.
  • 8-seed IU Kokomo is the lowest seeded team remaining.
  • 22 starters in the tournament are either a Freshman or Sophomore.
  • Only two teams who have all Seniors/FY starting Five; Talladega and IU Kokomo.
  • 8 Conference Player of the Year Winners in the field. (Highlighted below in Green)
  • National Title Game will be played on ESPN3 on Tuesday March 22nd at 7pm.

NHR – The Podcast Round of 16 Preview Show

Naismith Quadrant

Seeds

  1. Loyola
  2. Olivet Nazarene
  3. College of Idaho
  4. Faulkner
  5. Georgetown
  6. Ottawa (AZ)
  7. Grace
  8. Evangel
  9. Florida College
  10. Cumberlands (KY)
  11. UT Southern
  12. Huntington
  13. Florida Memorial
  14. Vanguard
  15. Lourdes
  16. Tougaloo

Round of 16 Matchups

Thursday 1pm: #3 College of Idaho vs #7 Grace

College of Idaho Probable Starters

Derek Wadsworth 5’11 JR – 5.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg

Ricardo Time 6’2 SR – 12.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.8apg – CCC Player of the Yr

Drew Wyman 6’5 FR – 11.6ppg, 4.6rpg,

Caden Handran 6’6 FR -3.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.2apg

Tyler Robinett 6’7 FR – 8.1ppg, 4.5rpg

Grace Probable Starters

Eddie Gill 6’1 JR – 5.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg

Jakob Gibbs 6’5 FR – 10.8ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg

Jake Wadding 6’5 FR -12.4ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.3apg

Frankie Davidson 6’7 SO – 18.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.2apg

Elijah Malone 6’9 FR – 13.9ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.9bpg

An interesting game from a style of play standpoint. Grace hasn’t seen a zone defense like the one CoI runs. CoI hasn’t seen a dominant big man like Elijah Malone. Going to be some interesting adjustments between both coaches in this one. Ricardo Time was the Cascade Player of the Year, he is a 5th year veteran who took advantage of the Covid year, and he is making the best of it. However, if you want to see some of the best youngsters in the NAIA, this is the game for you. Grace is loaded with young superstars. Frankie Davidson (Sophomore) is one of the best players in the NAIA. Elijah Malone (Freshman) one of the best Big Men in the NAIA. Jake Wadding (Freshman) Cade and Jakob Gibbs (Freshman). College of Idaho answers back with Drew Wyman (Freshman), Jake O’Neil (Freshman), Johnny Radford (Freshman) Tyler Robinett (Freshman), Cade Handran (Freshman). No matter what happens in this game, you can be sure that both of these teams are going to be really good for the foreseeable future.

Thursday 3pm: #1 Loyola vs #4 Faulkner

Loyola Probable Starters

#10 Brandon Davis – 6’1 SO – 15.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.3apg, 2.1spg

#22 Andrew Fava – 5’10 SR – 9.8ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.2apg

#03 Myles Burns 6’6 SR -14.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 4.1spg

#23 Zach Wrightsil 6’7 SR – 18.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.6apg, 2.0spg SSAC POY

#34 Terry Smith Jr – 6’5 SR – 8.7ppg, 5.1rpg

Faulkner Probable Starters

#5 Jalon Perry 6’2 SR – 17.6ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.5apg

#3 CJ Hines 6’1 FR – 17.3ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.8apg

#15 Daniel Garmendia 6’1 SO – 11.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg

#1 Trace Hill 6’3 JR – 11.2ppg, 6.54rpg, 2.7apg

#23 Isaiah Brooks 6’4 JR – 7.9ppg, 6.8rpg

Two teams from the same league who will meet up for the 3rd time this year. In their two meetings Faulkner is the only team to take down Loyola this year though as they beat the Wolf Pack by 19pts at home. Loyola did play that game without Myles Burns, but this is a very good Faulkner squad. Loyola did however, turn around two weeks later and beat them at home by 52. You expect this game to be closer, but Faulkner is going to need huge games from Freshman CJ Hines and Jalon Perry. They are going to have to not turn the ball over and I wouldn’t even be surprised if Faulkner slows the pace wayyy down in this one to try and keep Loyola out of rhythm. This is a Loyola squad that looks really poised for a National Championship. They are the favorites to win it all headed into Kansas City!

Cramer Quadrant

Seeds

  1. Arizona Christian
  2. Indiana Wesleyan
  3. William Jessup
  4. Saint Francis (IN)
  5. Bethel (KS)
  6. Hope International
  7. Southwestern (KS)
  8. Southeastern (FL)
  9. Xavier
  10. Indiana Tech
  11. Oregon Tech
  12. Briar Cliff
  13. Northwestern (IA)
  14. Warner
  15. Montreat
  16. Tougaloo

Round of 16 Matchups

Thursday 5pm: #1 Arizona Christian vs #5 Bethel (KS)

Arizona Christian Probable Starters

#1 Angelo Johnson 5’8 SR – 11.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.1apg, 1.8spg

#3 Micah Bradford 6’0 SR 5.9ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.8apg

#4 Dennis Flowers III 6’2 SO – 10.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg

#24 Bryce Davis 6’7 SR – 9.7ppg, 4.5rpg

#32 Robby Wilson 6’9 SR – 10.3ppg, 6.1rpg

Bethel (KS) Probable Starters

#3 Tavaughn Flowers 5’9 SR – 6.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.0apg

#13 Clifford Byrd II – 6’1 SR – 14.4ppg. 4.3rpg, 3.3apg

#30 Bryant Mocaby – 6’5 SR – 11.9ppg, 3.6rpg

#21 Jaylon Scott – 6’5 SR – 19.1ppg,11.3rpg, 5.7apg,2.6spg – KCAC POY

#33 Harper Jonas – 6’4 SO – 7.1ppg, 3.1rpg

Jaylon Scott of Bethel is a special player. He has taken this Bethel team to new heights and him and the Threshers are playing their best basketball right now. Standing in their way of advancing though is a tough and well coached Arizona Christian team led by Angelo Johnson and Robbie Wilson. Although, ACU has a very talented roster up and down the lineup. ACU has played in Kansas City before, so they won’t be any stranger to the environment. They also have Carroll transfer, Dennis Flowers III, who had a nice tournament last year for Carroll and is now making the trip to KC with ACU. This game features a lot of veteran players on both sides who don’t want their collegiate careers to end. Expect a battle in this one!

Thursday 7pm: #2 Indiana Wesleyan vs #3 William Jessup

Indiana Wesleyan Probable Starters

#13 Spencer Piercefield 6’0 JR -13.8ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.0apg

#23 Dan Largey 6’5 SR – 16.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.3apg

#15 Tim Adeukasi 6’6 JR – 11.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 2apg

#33 Michael Thompson III 6’5 GR – 9.9ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.9apg

#42 Seth Maxwell 7’0 SR – 18ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.6bpg – CL POY

William Jessup Probable Starters

#11 Myles Corey 6’0 FR – 14.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.6apg

#1 Jordan Adams 6”2 JR – 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg

#00 Cashemin Williams 6’3 JR – 18.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.5apg – GSAC POY

#24 Tarren Storey-Way 6’5 SR – 13.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.6apg

#20 Tim Strijaous 6’5 JR – 9.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.8apg

This game very much could be the highest scoring game of the Round of 16. Both teams play with good pace and have scorers up and down the lineup. This game is also a rematch from a game back in late December in which William Jessup knocked off Indiana Wesleyan. That was Jessup’s first game with Storey-Way back in the lineup and it most likely caught IWU off guard a little bit. We also get two Conference Player of the Year players going head to head in this one, although they play different positions you can be sure that both will be looking to lead their team to a big time victory in this one. Cash Williams, the GSAC POY, is an elite scorer and him and Myles Corey are quite the duo! They are going to have to figure out how to slow down 7’0 Seth Maxwell and the emergence of Spencer Piercefield, who has really blossomed as a player this season. IWU also has Dan Largey who can fill it up as well. Like we said, expect a lot of points to be scored in this one!

Liston Quadrant

  1. Oklahoma Wesleyan
  2. Thomas More
  3. Montana Tech
  4. USAO
  5. LSU Shreveport
  6. SAGU
  7. Stillman
  8. IU South Bend
  9. Kansas Wesleyan
  10. Union
  11. Central Methodist
  12. Missouri Baptist
  13. LSU Alexandria
  14. MACU
  15. Grand View
  16. Saint Katherine

Round of 16 Matchups

Friday 1pm: #1 Oklahoma Wesleyan vs #5 LSU Shreveport

OKWU Probable Starters

#3 Derrick Talton Jr 5’10 FR – 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg

#1 Austin Poling 6’0 SO – 5.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.8apg

#13 Kazden Ammons 6’1 JR – 4.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.7apg

#2 Brandon Bird 6’4 JR – 11.8ppg, 3.8rpg

#5 Jaden Lietzke 6’7 FR – 12.5ppg, 6.2rpg

Shreveport Probable Starters

#3 Leondre Washington 6’0 SR – 16.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.1apg, 1.3spg

#4 Royce Hunter 6’3 SR – 16.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.7apg

#15 Jeff Boyd 6’6 SR – 14.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.9apg

#5 Quentin Jones 6’8 JR – 8.1ppg, 4.7rpg

#23 Akeem White 6’7 SR – 12.5ppg, 7.0rpg

OWKU has been a Top 5 team for most of the season. Obviously the likes of Lietzke and Bird are the scoring threats of that 1st group of five, but it’s their second group of five, as you sub guys out, that keeps coming at you with more fire power. Kaleb Stokes was an All-American last year, the Sophomore comes off the bench now as the main weapon in the 2nd five. He averages 9.5ppg to lead that second group. Shreveport on the other hand, has just 8 players. They are a very talented 8, but 8 nonetheless. If Aakeem White and Quentin Jones can make things tough on Lietzke and OKWU’s other post threats, then they have the guards in Leondre Washington and Royce Hunter to contend with OKWU. If Jeff Boyd is hitting from the perimeter, Shreveport could be marching on to the Quarterfinals.

Friday 3pm: #2 Thomas More vs #6 SAGU

Thomas More Probable Starters

#14 Jacob Jones 5’9 FY – 9.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.1apg

#2 Luke Rudy 6’5 GR – 10.6ppg, 3.0rpg

#3 Reid Jolly 6’5 SO – 13.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.4apg

#24 Garren Bertsch 6’5 GR -8.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg

#1 Ryan Batte 6’6 JR – 21.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.8apg – MSC POY

SAGU Probable Starters

#13/25 Isaiah Boling 6’3 SR – 10.3ppg, 3.5ppg, 2.4apg

#10 Joshua Kashila 6’3 JR – 15.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5apg

#5 Nykolas Mason – 6’6 SR – 17.9ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.3apg

#14 Nathan Bailey 6’5 SR – 9.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg

#24 Joel Polius 6’8 SR – 9.7ppg, 7.7rpg

Outside of Loyola, these two teams may be the two favorites to win the National Title. SAGU was our preseason #1 team in the country, they have had a weird year with injuries and Covid issues. When push comes to shove though, this SAGU team is so talented, have been here before and HC, Delton Deal, is one of the best coaches in the NAIA. With all of that being said, this Thomas More team is so good themselves. Led by the Mid-South Conf Player of the Year, Ryan Batte, this is a veteran group, who is tough, smart and play well together. This has the making of being the best game in the Round of 16. Thomas More has done well with size all season, as their defense tends to be suffocating in the paint. However, Joel Polius is starting to return to form for SAGU and it is hard to double him with so many scorers around him. He was a 3rd team All-American last season. They also feature two former 1st Team All-American’s in Joshua Kashila and Nykolas Mason. They have the length and athleticism to give TMU fits, but they are going to have to know where Rudy and Jolly are on the outside and find a way to guard this intricate TMU offense. Something MSC teams have struggled to guard the past two seasons.

Duer Quadrant

  1. William Penn
  2. Talladega
  3. Carroll
  4. Marian
  5. Concordia (NE)
  6. Jamestown
  7. Cumberland (TN)
  8. IU Kokomo
  9. Dordt
  10. WVU Tech
  11. Lewis-Clark St
  12. IU Northwest
  13. Freed-Hardeman
  14. Mount Vernon Nazarene
  15. Washington Adventist
  16. Bellevue

Round of 16 Matchups

Friday 5pm: #2 Talladega vs #6 Jamestown

Talladega Probable Starters

#0 Cam Potts 6’1 SR – 8.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.6apg

#23 Jervay Green 6’3 SR – 9.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.3apg

#3 Darryl Baker 6’4 SR – 19.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.4apg

#35 Davion Thomas 6’9 SR – 6.7ppg, 3.8rpg

#34 Amir Yusuf 6’9 SR -7.0ppg, 6.3rpg

Jamestown Probable Starters

#0 Marc Kjos 5’10 JR – 11.2ppg

#1 Will Cordes 5’11 SO – 13.4ppg

#5 Cole Woodford 6’1 SO – 10.7ppg

#33 Mason Walters 6’9 JR – 24.5ppg, 11.6rpg, 2.0apg – GPAC POY

#24 John Argue 6’8 SO – 6.2ppg, 4.3rpg

In this matchup, we get the NAIA’s top defense (Dega) vs the NAIA’s leading scorer (Mason Walters). Jamestown lost to the Defending National Champions, Shawnee State in Kansas City last year and Mason Walters and Marc Kjos will look to make a deeper run this year. Kjos put on one of the tournaments most impressive shooting displays last year hitting 8 3’s in their Round of 16 win. They are going to need to hit shots again in this one as this Talladega defense can get suffocating at times. Walters is one of the best big men that Dega will see all year long, so it will be interesting to see the strategy Coach Wright and his staff implement in this one. Both teams play a double big system, something that is different then the other teams in the Round of 16. Cam Potts is one of the best PG’s in the NAIA, while he has shown the ability to score and hit big shots, he is so good at running the Dega offense and getting the ball to scorers in scoring spots. Scorers like Darryl Baker, who is a 2x All-American and one of the best scoring guards in the NAIA. This Dega team is a defensive minded squad that likes to control the tempo on both ends of the floor. Plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but this game should come down to Jamestown being able to manufacture easy points vs the Dega defense stopping one of the NAIA’s best players in Mason Walters!

Friday 7pm: #5 Concordia (NE) vs #8 IU Kokomo

CUNE Probable Starters

#14 AJ Watson 5’8 SO – 9.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.6apg

#5 Carter Kent 6’2 JR – 15.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.2apg

#10 Justin Wiersema 6’3 JR – 11.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg

#12 Noah Schutte 6’4 FR – 13.5ppg, 5.8rpg

#11 Gage Smith 6’6 JR – 13.9ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg

Kokomo Probable Starters

#10 Allante Harper 5’10 FY – 10.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.4apg

#3 Trequan Spivey 6’1 FY – 17.8ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.6apg

#13 Hunter White 6’3 SR -9.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.4apg

#15 Darian Porch 6’5 SR – 5.4ppg, 3.3rpg

#2 Desean Hampton 6’5 FY – 12.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.1apg – RSC POY

What a matchup we have here! CUNE has been red hot on their way to the Round of 16. While they have a really balanced attack, it’s Carter Kent, who is their biggest scoring threat. Kent has been so tough all season long in the GPAC and has carried that into two nice games in the opening rounds. Both of these two offenses are really tough to guard and both teams are similar in size. If Kokomo keeps shooting the ball as well as they did through the 1st two rounds, they will be tough for anyone to matchup with. Also watch out for their x-factor, Tayson Parker, who transferred in at semester, from Indiana Wesleyan. He is coming off a big time performance off the bench for Kokomo. The good news for Kokomo is that they are coming off of guarding two offenses that are high powered and were able to outscore both. River States Conference Player of the Year Desean Hampton and leading scorer, Trequan Spivey, lead a group of 5th year players who are looking to end their career with a National Title! Standing in their way is a CUNE group, who plays together like it’s their 5th year of playing with one another. Two teams who were maybe underdogs headed into this tournament but who are now serious threats for a Fab Four!

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