Participants
1. #1 Randolph-Macon - mattwithanh
2. #3 Linfield - qb4usf
3. #6 Elmhurst - FW_kekionga
4. #14 Elmira - Shaf5576
5. #18 Marietta - whitechoco

Preview

Randolph-Macon - Following a National Championship appearance; Randolph-Macon returns to the invitational as the preseason favorite to get back to the Ship. Last season was highlighted by an upset of Elmhurst in the Elite 8 following a loss to them at the beginning of the season. Losing last invitational's player of the tourney, Michael Kissell, Randolph-Macon looks to find a solid team foundation as they do not have anyone of his caliber on roster this season.

Linfield - After winning 2 National Championships, the Wildcats followed with a very disappointing season tying the most losses they have had in a season in over 17 years. They were able to salvage some respect making it to the Sweet 16. The Wildcats went .500 last year in the invitational, but return everyone from last years team; including Elton Worley a preseason All-American. This is another team that has a chance to win the Invitational as well as making a huge NT run.

Elmhurst - Once again, Elmhurst comes in as one of the preseason favorites especially to repeat as the Dice Roll Champs. Following a disappointing finish in the NT (elite 8 isnt bad for the average team, but this team was unreal), Elmhurst will look to bounce back and pick right up where they left off. Elmhurst is unmatched when it comes to bigs, but they will be leaning on some young guns as their guards are not as deep. The youth shouldnt be overlooked as this team still has a chance to make some noise.

Elmira - Another very talented team rejoins the tourney after a short term absence, Elmira has the opportunity to definitely makes some noise and possibly win the Invitational. Following a disappointing season in the NT (second round) they are looking to start this season on a great note playing 4 of the top teams in the Country. Only 5 years removed from a National Championship, Shaf will have his boys ready each and every night. Bobby Morgan and Robert Soler will give Elmira more than enough offense to create problems for opposing defenses. This team will probably surprise a lot of teams this year.

Marietta - Coming in as the young team in the group (again)... Sorry I always do this to you whitey. Marietta will have their hands full as they look to flip their Dice Roll luck and have the same type of success as they are used to in the NT. One of the most respected and powerful teams for many many years in IBA, it is going to take one of the best coaching jobs by whitey to overcome the power of some of the teams that they will face this season. David Norris is one of the top players in the Country and we will see how he stacks up against some tough defensive competition.

#3 Linfield Wildcats (0-0) @ #6 Elmhurst Blue Jays (0-0) (PK) :

- The defending Dice Roll champs will take on the the Wildcats whom they dismantled last season. In a game that was by halftime; Elmhurst put possibly the biggest defeat in my career as the coach. This is a huge game for both teams as it will be as tough as ever for anyone to win every game in the invitational. Both teams need a big win as a loss here could come back and hurt them in the long run if it gets to a tiebreaker. Elmhurst has very talented bigs, but lack on the guards side and that may be the difference maker in this game. Looking for a revenge game the Wildcats may be able to win this tough road game.

Prediction: Linfield by 12

#18 Marietta Pioneers (0-0) @ #1 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (0-0) (-9):

- The defending runner up's in both last years Dice Roll and National Title, the #1 Yellow Jackets come into the game as quite a favorite. Both teams are ranked and have some firepower on each roster. In this game expect the youth of the Pioneers to create the difference in this game. Both teams return to the Invitational and will be looking to jump out to a great start to the season.

Prediction: Randolph-Macon by 17

You got your revenge qb4sf, That beatdown dropped me out of the top 25. Nicely done.

#3 Linfield Wildcats (1-0) Defeats #6 Elmhurst Blue Jays (0-1) (PK) : 82-57

- The surprise of the night was the way that the Linfield Wildcats were able to handle the Blue Jays so easily. This game was not expected to turn out the way that it did. After last year's dominating performance, the Blue Jays were unable to repeat and had a ton of problems holding on to the basketball. The primary reason is because of the youth that Elmhurst has. Linfield controlled the tempo all night as they were able to get the Blue Jays into foul trouble as well as create a ton of turnovers. Elmhurst did have a few guys perform last night as Miladen and Juan Gonzalez both shot 50% from the field and scored 12 points each.

Play(s) of the game: With the game down to 4 and only 13 minutes left in the game; George Jacob hits a tough baseline shot as he is fouled and finishes off the 3-point play. This was the start to a run that finished the game on a 39-18 run

Player of the game: Elton Worley (Sr.) 19 Pts (6-11) 1 Reb, 1 Ast

#1 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-0) Defeats #18 Marietta Pioneers (0-1) (+9): 78-68

- Marietta came out swinging against the #1 team in the country as they held their ground all game, but were unable to pull off the upset. Darren Prather (32 points) was able to lead his Yellow Jacket squad over the balanced scoring of the Pioneers. Randolph-Macon did not dominate as much as expected and the biggest difference in the game came from the free throw line where the Yellow Jackets were able to shoot over 20% better from the line. Marietta had a great game from David Norris as he was their floor general all night; putting his team in the best opportunity to consistently put points on the board.

Play(s) of the game: With the game down to a 6-point differential and 40 seconds left in the game, Marietta was bringing the ball up the court. Edward Thompson puts the pressure on the ball handler and strips the ball. This leads them on a fastbreak where he puts a perfect bounce pass through the defenders leg, setting up a Donald Alderson layup.

Player of the game: Darren Prather (Sr.) 32 Points (10-10 from the FT line), 12 Reb, 3 Blks

Standings:

Team	Record	PF	PA	+/-
#2 Linfield	1-0	82	57	+25
#1 Randolph-Macon	1-0	78	68	+10
#14 Elmira	0-0	-	-	-
Marietta	0-1	68	78	-10
Elmhurst	0-1	57	82	-25

Daily Leaders:

Player	Team	Points
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	32
Elton Worley	Linfield	19
Arthur Ortego	Randolph-Macon	16
Shannon Turner	Marietta	12
Juan Gonzalez	Elmhurst	12
Player	Team	Rebounds
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	12
John Jourdan	Marietta	8
Juan Gonzalez	Elmhurst	7
Gustavo Bruno	Elmhurst	7
Shannon Turner	Marietta	7
Player	Team	Assists
Steven Brown	Linfield	5
Donald Alderson	Randolph-Macon	5
David Norris	Marietta	4
George Collins	Linfield	4
Gale Edmondson	Marietta	3
Player	Team	Steals
Edward Thompson	Randolph-Macon	2
Steven Brown	Linfield	2
George Pina	Randolph-Macon	2
David Norris	Marietta	2
William Cole	Linfield	1
Player	Team	Blocks
Roy Harvey	Linfield	3
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	3
Marty Leonard	Linfield	2
George Pina	Randolph-Macon	2
John Jourdan	Marietta	2

#14 Elmira Soaring Eagles (0-0) @ #2 Linfield Wildcats (1-0) (-7) :

- Last time these two teams came together the Soaring Eagles came as a 1 point favorite and the Wildcats were able to pull off the 'upset.' Once again, with both teams ranked, the Soaring Eagles will fly across the country to take on the number two team in division 3. After a strong showing by the Wildcats last night, the team will look to continue their strong play against another powerhouse of a program. Elmira was off last night from the invitational and were able to pull out a win to begin the season. This will be their first big contest of the season and should shape out to be very telling where both teams stand. Linfield looks to be the first team to two wins this season, while Elmira looks to put themselves at the top of the standings with a road win. Home court may be the difference maker in this one.

Prediction: Linfield by 7

Marietta Pioneers (0-1) @ Elmhurst Blue Jays (0-1) (PK) :

- With both teams losing tough games on opening night (to #1 & #2 in the country) Marietta and Elmhurst will look to keep their invitational hopes alive as two losses all but seals their fates. This will be the Blue Jays final home game of the invitational and once again comes in with an even spread. Marietta, on the other hand, will be on the road once again and looking to pull off a tough win. If Marietta can pull this one off they will have their final two games at home where anything can happen. Look for this to be a tightly contested game as both teams are talented enough to make decent runs in the postseason. Both teams do have youth issues and they will be visible throughout the game. I think this game will be much closer than what many would looking at the rosters.

Prediction: Elmhurst by 1

#3 Linfield Wildcats (2-0) Defeats #14 Elmira Soaring Eagles (0-1) (+7) : 86-74

- For the second night in a row the Linfield Wildcats upend a ranked opponent by double digits. Holding a 1 point lead at the half, the Soaring Eagles were unable to maintain their small advantage as they were outscored 48-35 in the second half. Shooting was not the problem for Elmira, yet holding onto the ball seemed to be the explanation for the loss. While recording 10 assists throughout the game, the Soaring Eagles also had 22 turnovers; well over double the amount of assists produced. Scoring came a plenty for the slower paced game controlled by Elmira as both teams shot near or above 50% from the field all night. Roy Harvey led the scoring with 20. Elmira will follow this one up with a must win vs Elmhurst. Linfield will stay at home as they have the #1 vs #2 showdown tonight with the winner solely in the driver seat.

Play(s) of the game: In a little under a 2 min stretch leading up to the final minute. Linfield went on a 9-0 run to increase their lead from 5 to 14. The run ended as Steven Brown hit a dagger of a 3-pointer with just over a minute and a half left.

Player of the game: Elton Worley (Sr.) 17 Pts, 2 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl

Elmhurst Blue Jays (1-1) Defeats Marietta Pioneers (0-2) (PK): 77-67

- In a game that both teams desperately needed to win, Elmhurst was the one to come out victorious. Holding a healthy lead at the half, Elmhurst was able to coast through the second half to secure their first win of this young invitational. With the win, Elmhurst is not completely out of the running for the championship. On the other side, Marietta has been eliminated from contention for the 5th Dice Roll Invitational crown. Another solid game from David Norris (16 pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast) helped keep Marietta in the game once again, but the turnover bug hit Marietta as well as he had 5 of their 16 turnovers. Elmhurst saw a balanced scoring attack, with five guys scoring in double figures, lead them to the win last night. Elmhurst will have their hands full again as they face an Elmira team looking to get back into the race for the crown. Marietta will be off tonight from invitational play.

Play(s) of the game: After tying the game at 44 a piece, Elmhurst goes on a 7-0 run to put them back up 51-44. A lead they would not surrender again. Fransisco Molina had an emphatic dunk that sent the home crowd in a frenzy. Following that up with a huge 3-pointer from Oleg game the home team momentum that would carry them through the remainder of the game.

Player of the game: Miladen Jarzembowski (Sr.) 16 Points, 2 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl

Standings:

Team	Record	PF	PA	+/-
#2 Linfield	2-0	168	131	+37
#1 Randolph-Macon	1-0	78	68	+10
#19 Elmhurst	1-1	134	149	-15
Elmira	0-1	74	86	-12
Marietta	0-2	135	155	-20

Daily Leaders:

Player	Team	Points
Justin Casares	Marietta	22
Roy Harvey	Linfield	20
Elton Worley	Linfield	17
Miladen Jarzembowski	Elmhurst	16
David Norris	Marietta	16
Player	Team	Rebounds
Robert Soler	Elmira	8
Clarence Mahle	Linfield	7
David Norris	Marietta	7
George Morris	Elmira	6
Eugenio Gomez	Elmhurst	5
Player	Team	Assists
David Norris	Marietta	6
Elton Worley	Linfield	5
Gale Edmondson	Marietta	5
George Collins	Linfield	4
Brian Kirchner	Linfield	4
Player	Team	Steals
Brian Kirchner	Linfield	3
Steven Brown	Linfield	3
Miladen Jarzembowski	Elmhurst	3
David Norris	Marietta	3
Carl Thomas	Linfield	2
Player	Team	Blocks
Marty Leonard	Linfield	2
George Morris	Elmira	2
Michael Perry	Marietta	1
James Zelenski	Elmira	1
Clarence Mahle	Linfield	1

#1 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-0) @ #2 Linfield Wildcats (2-0) (-1) :

- In a game that could be a future match-up in the postseason, the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the country will go head to head early in this season. The winner will have sole possession of first place and put themselves in the driver seat for the remaining of the invitational, while the loser will have to hope for an upset on a later date. Matt and his Yellow Jackets have Linfield's number as they have won 4 of the 6 meetings against each other, including last seasons invitational match-up. Tempo will determine the winner of the game and with both teams having solid talent around, it is hard to tell which team will control the game. Maybe home court plays a role, but ultimately the athleticism of Linfield may overcome the scoring of Darren Prather and company.

Prediction: Linfield by 4

Elmhurst Blue Jays (1-1) @ Elmira Soaring Eagles (0-1) (+1) :

- Elmhurst helped out their chances with a big win last night over Marietta as Elmira lost on the road. Both teams can put themselves in the waiting game with a win tonight. The loser all but seals their fate in the invitational, while the winner still has a slight opportunity to slip into the winners circle if games go their way. Elmhurst does not like to have big spreads in any game, (PK, PK, -1) but have yet to have a game finish with a single digit outcome. It will be tough to decide a winner on this game and I think the home court for Elmira as well as the youth of the Blue Jays guards that Elmira pulls off the game in a closely contested and very competitive game.

Prediction: Elmira by 6

#2 Linfield Wildcats (3-0) Defeat #1 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-1) (+1) : 96-84

- In a game that was supposed to be possibly the most exciting game of the year, wasn't even the most exciting game of the Invitational, last night. The home team took an 8 point halftime lead and was able to slightly increase it to give them their third double digit win of the invitational against a ranked opponent. The win all but seals the Dice Roll championship to the Wildcats. If the Yellow Jackets goal was to shut down Elton Worley, they did a good job holding him to 3-9 shooting, but the rest of the team was able to rally around him and help carry the load. Darren Prather continued his successful campaign adding another 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Wildcats will finish the invitational tonight vs Marietta (0-2), while Randolph-Macon will continue their invitational hopes against Elmira (0-2).

Play(s) of the game: Roy Harvey, while being double-teamed, throws down an unbelievable dunk over two defenders. George Collins hits Harvey on the pick and roll with Harvey taking the double team spins right and slams down a massive two handed slam over the defenders.

Player of the game: Roy Harvey (Sr.) 21 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks

#19 Elmhurst Blue Jays (2-1) Defeat Elmira Soaring Eagles (0-2) (+1) : 68-65

- In the most exciting game in Dice Roll history, the Elmhurst Blue Jays upend the Soaring Eagles by 3. In the almost 50 games played in the history of the invitational, never has there been a buzzer beater in a game. The game constantly went back and forth with no visual of a team taking control of the game. Elmira held the lead most of the second half, but was never enough to make Elmhurst nervous. In a game of clutch shooting, the Blue Jays shot two huge 3-pointers in the final 22 seconds to give them the win. In a remarkable turnaround the game winning three came from a perimeter shooter with a 57 rating, much lower than the type of player you want taking that final shot. Elmhurst did all they could to keep their hopes alive, but a win by Linfield will not allow them a tie breaker as they lost the head to head on opening night. Elmira will look to turn their early season woes around tonight as they play Randolph-Macon.

Play(s) of the game: Any other play would not make any sense: Miladen Jarzembowski knocks in the halfcourt shot as time expires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Player of the game: Oleg Zamborsky (Sr.) 13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

good game, qb. I probably should have run slow tempo. Too man turnovers and couldn't draw enough fouls.

Standings:

Team	Record	PF	PA	+/-
#1 Linfield	3-0	264	215	+49
#16 Elmhurst	2-1	202	214	-12
#8 Randolph-Macon	1-1	162	164	-2
Elmira	0-2	139	154	-15
Marietta	0-2	135	155	-20

Daily Leaders:

Player	Team	Points
Roy Harvery	Linfield	21
Arthur Ortego	Randolph-Macon	20
Brian Kirchner	Linfield	16
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	16
Bobby Morgan	Elmira	15
Player	Team	Rebounds
Roy Harvey	Linfield	8
Jaroslav Wolski	Randolph-Macon	6
Robert Whitefield	Randolph-Macon	6
Clarence Mahle	Linfield	6
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	6
Player	Team	Assists
Oleg Zamborsky	Elmhurst	7
Steven Brown	Linfield	6
George Collins	Linfield	5
Robert Quinn	Elmira	4
Brian Kirchner	Linfield	4
Player	Team	Steals
Steven Brown	Linfield	3
William Cole	Linfield	2
Timothy Henderson	Linfield	2
Dominic Greco	Elmhurst	2
George Pina	Randolph-Macon	2
Player	Team	Blocks
Darren Prather	Randolph-Macon	3
George Jacob	Linfield	2
Robert Whitfield	Randolph-Macon	2
Roy Harvey	Linfield	2
Steven Taylor	Elmira	2

Posted by mattwithanh on 7/11/2017 9:26:00 PM (view original):
good game, qb. I probably should have run slow tempo. Too man turnovers and couldn't draw enough fouls.

I almost would have bet that you were going to run slow tempo. I am just glad to finally get one on you.

#1 Linfield Wildcats (3-0) @ Marietta Pioneers (0-2) (+17) :

- If only the game would be as easy as the spread suggests. Marietta has played very well against tough competition all season and this one wont be any different. While Linfield looks to seal their invitational run with a win tonight, the Pioneers are looking to continue off of their first win of the season last night out of invitational play. While this may look like a win on paper for the Wildcats, this is far from a gimme game. The Pioneers have had great play from David Norris all tourney long and that will not change tonight. A win by the Wildcats gives them their 2nd Dice Roll Championship, but a win by the Pioneers might be all they need to turn this early season around.

Prediction: Linfield by 12

#8 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-1) @ Elmira Soaring Eagles (0-2) (+9) :

- After devastating losses by each program last night, this match-up should showcase some of the best games from the countries top players. Look for Darren Prather and Bobby Morgan to come with everything they got. Hopefully this will be another nail bitter that can show us which team is ready to take that step towards being a powerhouse the rest of the season. Given the way that the Yellow Jackets have played all year (minus last night) it would be hard to go against the former #1 team in the country.

Prediction: Randolph-Macon by 8