On Friday, NYU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are set to return to the Division III NCAA Tournament. The women enter as the defending champions and the No. 1 overall seed, while the men compete away as at-large underdogs.
The first round of the women’s March Madness tournament will be hosted by the Violets in the Paulson Center. Messiah University and the State University of New York, Cortland face off at 5:15 p.m., and the home team will take to the court at 7:45 p.m. to face the University of Maine-Farmington. The winners of Friday’s games will advance to the second round, tipping off at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.
The men’s team will open the tournament in Middletown, CT, where NYU plays Gettysburg College on Friday. If the Violets advance, they’ll meet either Lehman College or host Wesleyan University in Saturday’s second round matchup.
Ahead of this weekend’s games, our staff has made a few predictions.
Disclaimer: These predictions are just for fun and are not to be taken seriously. WSN is, in fact, not liable for any of the events that transpire in the games cited below.
Kiran Komanduri, Sports Editor
Women’s basketball vs. Maine-Farmington: W, 93-52
Women’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 84-60
What these players and coaches have done this year has been nothing short of monumental. Even with rookies starting almost every game and a mountain of pressure on top of the nation’s No. 1 team, they’ve shown that they have the grit and talent needed to outlast any opponent in their way. With some of the best players in the UAA at its disposal and an unshakeable defense, this team has put in everything it has to make some incredible comeback runs and close out games as tight as one point. I have no doubt in my mind that they’ll cut right through the first and second rounds, no matter who they’re up against.
With their one-game-at-a-time mentality, the Violets put up yet another perfect regular season, and that’s all the NCAA tournament is: 1-0, each night, until all the pieces come together for another run at the championship trophy. Anything can happen in March, sure, but getting past this powerhouse of a team — on its home court, no less — with the momentum it’s been carrying throughout the season? It’s pretty hard to imagine.
Men’s basketball vs. Gettysburg: W, 78-69
Men’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 62-61
The men’s team went through a bit of a rough patch as the season came to a close, losing its last three games before Senior Day, but March’s new set of opponents gives the Violets the opportunity for a fresh start. Both NYU and Gettysburg are sitting with similar records heading into the tournament and are on the road for the first round. It’s anyone’s game, but the team has a solid roster — and I’m sure this senior class won’t take their last few times on the court lightly.
As for NYU’s second round opponent, Wesleyan is my pick to advance over Lehman. With a 9-1 conference record and wins against several top-10 opponents — including No. 1 Trinity College back in January — Wesleyan will make NYU put up a fight for entry into the Sweet 16. But I’d never count out the Violets, and I hope that their high from the last home game can give this team the fire it needs to get to the next level. Whichever way it goes, I know I’ll be on the edge of my seat if we see this matchup in the second round.
Emily Barbire, Deputy Sports Editor
Women’s basketball vs. Maine-Farmington: W, 93-65
Women’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 72-52
As a member of NYU’s athletics community, it has been so inspiring to watch this team break records over the past two years. I have absolute faith that these players will dominate their competition.
Men’s basketball vs. Gettysburg: W, 62-47
Men’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 55-50
While the Violets are facing tough competition, I think the fire we’ve seen from the men all season will continue to show throughout March Madness, and that they’ll take home the W in both games.
Sherry Chen, Deputy Sports Editor
Women’s basketball vs. Maine-Farmington: W, 95-71
Women’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 87-48
Although this year’s team isn’t as complete as the last — and is winning some games with scores a bit too close for comfort — I have no doubt that NYU will cut through the first two rounds with no less than a 20-point margin. Farmington currently has a 21-7 record. While I really want to say that the Violets will snag even bigger victories, the Beavers have comfortably won their last few games, while NYU beat the University of Chicago last month by a mere five points.
The second round results will be about the same, regardless of whether the team plays Messiah or Cortland. Both opponents are currently 23-4, and even though Messiah is on a 13-game win streak, Cortland went further in the NCAAs last season and lost in the second round to then-No. 2 Bowdoin College. Regardless of who makes it to the next round, the Violets will no doubt continue its win streak.
Men’s basketball vs. Gettysburg: W, 72-69
Men’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 53-49
NYU and Gettysburg are in similar standings going into the tournament, but I’m hoping that the Violets ride the success of their Senior Day win against Brandeis University. Still, both teams are on the road, and anything could happen.
Wesleyan and Lehman are currently both 21-6, so my bets are on the latter’s 15-game win streak carrying the team to the next round. Lehman’s 14-0 conference record is also making an argument against Wesleyan’s 9-1, despite several wins against challenging conference opponents. The second round will be challenging for the Violets, no doubt, but I believe that they can come out on top in the end.
John Bush, Deputy Magazine Editor
Women’s basketball vs. Maine-Farmington: W, 88-55
Women’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: W, 67-45
In 2010, voice of a generation and lyrical auteur DJ Khaled released the anthem “All I Do Is Win.” Sixteen years later, the Violets have turned those wise words into a new reality for NYU hoops. Their position as the greatest team in our school’s proud tradition is accepted as a reality around campus — and we must cast pity on those who find themselves in the Violets’ way come March Madness.
Farmington is up first, and will not have the firepower to match the high-flying Violet offense. In the second round, head coach Meg Barber’s famed defense will suffocate either Wesleyan or Lehman’s offenses.
Men’s basketball vs. Gettysburg: W, 75-67
Men’s basketball vs. winner of semifinal: L, 63-65
While men’s basketball at NYU could be described as the forgotten younger sibling, you should never count out lil’ bro. Led by a senior core, a high-strung coach and a boundless joy for the game they play, what the Violets lack in ranking, they undoubtedly make up for in sauce. I’m hoping for the best, and preparing for a buzzer beater to conclude a fun season.
Contact Emily Barbire, John Bush, Sherry Chen and Kiran Komanduri at [email protected].