Here are the final standings from season 66 for use in scheduling season 68 CVAC-Heartland Challenge games:

In season 68 even numbered Heartland teams will be at home and odd numbered teams will be on the road. I will wait until I get the invite lists for the 3 major preseason tourneys (Yarnell, Derby City Classic and Yam Jam) before we set final matchups 4 matchups, but here are the rankings for each conference:

Heartland:
1. St. Mary's TX
2. St. Edwards
3. OK Panhandle St.
4. Incarnate Word
5. Drury
6. Valdosta St.
7. N. Alabama
8. Lincoln
9. W. Alabama
10. W. Florida
11. Rockhurst
12. Montevallo

CVAC:
1. Limestone
2. Longwood
3. Queens U. NC
4. Coker
5. Pfeiffer
6. Lees-McRae
7. Belmont Abbey
8. Barton
9. Mount Olive
10. St. Andrews Pres
11. Erskine
12. Anderson

Based on the D2 dyansty rankings, St. Mary's TX and Longwood should both be in the Yarnell.  Don't know the fields for the Derby City Classic or Yam Jam yet.  Will set matchups once I've got all that.

Here are the matchups:

Game 5
Anderson @ Montevallo
Rockhurst @ Erskine

Game 6
St. Andrews Pres @ W. Florida
W. Alabama @ Mount Olive

Game 7
Barton @ Lincoln
N. Alabama @ Belmont Abbey

Game 8
Drury @ Pfeffer

Game 9
OK Panhandle St. @ Queens U NC

Game 10
Lees-McRae @ Valdosta St.
Coker @ Incarnate Word
Longwood @ St. Edwards
St. Mary's TX @ Limestone

Posted by mduncanhogs on 9/5/2013 3:20:00 PM (view original):
Here are the matchups:

Game 5
Anderson @ Montevallo
Rockhurst @ Erskine

Game 6
St. Andrews Pres @ W. Florida
W. Alabama @ Mount Olive

Game 7
Barton @ Lincoln
N. Alabama @ Belmont Abbey

Game 8
Drury @ Pfeffer

Game 9
OK Panhandle St. @ Queens U NC

Game 10
Lees-McRae @ Valdosta St.
Coker @ Incarnate Word
Longwood @ St. Edwards
St. Mary's TX @ Limestone

Both conferences all over the top 25. Preview to come.

Anderson (4-0) at Montevallo (3-1) - this one appears to be a mismatch on paper as aperi and the young Mont draw undefeated #12 Anderson coached by bscollier. Montevallo's lone loss was to #7 Columbus St while the 3 victories have been against opponents with a combined record of 1-11. Anderson's 12 upperclassmen have won each game by double digits. Anderson's top 5 scorers are all guards, led by Douglas Chambers' nearly 20 ppg. The Mont counters with Gregory Firth's 26.3 ppg.

Rockhurst (4-0) at Erskine (2-2): Rockhurst has averaged over 91 ppg against opponents. Erskine has ground out wins over two human opponents. Rockhurst has 8 upperclassmen versus 10 underclassmen for Erskine. Experience favored by 10.

Doing my best to gameplan for an upset an a Heartland win, but this doesn't look promising for the Mont. We're still a few seasons away.

Posted by davefilby on 11/10/2013 10:21:00 PM (view original):
Anderson (4-0) at Montevallo (3-1) - this one appears to be a mismatch on paper as aperi and the young Mont draw undefeated #12 Anderson coached by bscollier. Montevallo's lone loss was to #7 Columbus St while the 3 victories have been against opponents with a combined record of 1-11. Anderson's 12 upperclassmen have won each game by double digits. Anderson's top 5 scorers are all guards, led by Douglas Chambers' nearly 20 ppg. The Mont counters with Gregory Firth's 26.3 ppg.

Rockhurst (4-0) at Erskine (2-2): Rockhurst has averaged over 91 ppg against opponents. Erskine has ground out wins over two human opponents. Rockhurst has 8 upperclassmen versus 10 underclassmen for Erskine. Experience favored by 10.

Anderson 69, Montevallo 58 & Rockhurst 70, Erskine 63

Sorry, traveling today so quick updates. No surprises here. All tied up at one apiece. Back to regular schedule tomorrow night.

W Alabama 75, Mount Olive 66: This one looked to be a good matchup with Vegas favoring W Alabama by a bucket. Mount Olive's dynamic backcourt tandem of Murphy and Eaker provides punch whereas W Alabama relies on the inside-outside duo of Square and Carter. Each star did their part but this game was decided at the free throw line. W Alabama enjoyed an eleven point advantage at the charity stripe, partially curiosity of Mount Olive's Martin Hatfield fouling out in only 11 minutes.

Heartland 2, CVAC 1

Lincoln 73, Barton 70:  Lincoln jumped out to an early lead in this one and fought off a furious Barton comeback to win by 3.  Barton grabbed their first lead with 2:53 remaining on an Erik Forgey fadeaway.  Lincoln retook the lead on a Cameron Cormier jumper at 1:05, then held as three-point attempts were exchanged for free throws.  Cormier and Forgey led their teams with 15 and 12 points.  Barton shot 56.5% from the floor, held +11 edge in rebounding,  and still managed to come up just short. 

Belmont Abbey 78, N Alabama 64:  After a competitive first half, Belmont Abbey turned on the jets and never looked back in coasting to a 14 point victory.  4 of 5 N Alabama starters reached double digits, but couldn't hang with the 55% shooting from Belmont Abbey.  Jeffrey Williams led the way with 15 points for #9 Belmont Abbey. 

Heartland 3, CVAC 2.

Drury 82, Pfeiffer 76 (OT):  It's a shame someone had to lose this game, as Drury outscored Pfeiffer 11-5 in the extra time.  Pfeiffer trailed by 9 points with 0:50 left, but mounted an amazing flurry, drilling 5 three-pointers during the last 0:34 of regulation.  Pfeffier's starting backcourt of Terry & Sweeny fouled out during this stretch and the reserves couldn't continue the comeback in OT.  Drury's backcourt of Allie & Richardson combined for 41 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.  

Heartland 4, CVAC 2 

So it appears that St. Andrews Pres vs. W. Florida did not actually get played.... so we only have an 11 game challenge this year, correct?

With Queens win over Oklahoma Pan. St, it's now:  Heartland 4, CVAC 3.

Hard not to see a Heartland win this year with the serious firepower at the top with St. Mary's and St. Edwards.  I don't think Limestone stands a chance tonight vs. St. Mary's.

Posted by brianxavier on 11/15/2013 9:08:00 AM (view original):
So it appears that St. Andrews Pres vs. W. Florida did not actually get played.... so we only have an 11 game challenge this year, correct?

With Queens win over Oklahoma Pan. St, it's now:  Heartland 4, CVAC 3.

Hard not to see a Heartland win this year with the serious firepower at the top with St. Mary's and St. Edwards.  I don't think Limestone stands a chance tonight vs. St. Mary's.

Yes, I show 11 games too.

Queens (NC) 68, Oklahoma Panhandle 56:  Queens pulled off an impressive upset in their victory over previously unbeaten Oklahoma Panhandle.  Queens held OKPan to less than 40% shooting (35% if you take out Johnathan Howell's 15 points).  OKPan manged just two assists versus 17 turnovers.  Queens was efficient, shooting 54% and having 4 players in double figures.  Christopher Treadwell had 18 off the bench for victorious Queens.

Heartland 4, CVAC 3. 

3 of the top 5 teams play tonight, and 4 of the top 12.  First conference to 6 wins.

looks like an 11 game challenge - so no tie-breaker. I guess someone needs to upset either St. Eds or St. Marys for CVAC  to have a chance. We will give it our best.