Participants
1. #2 Randolph-Macon - mattwithanh
2. #4 Elmhurst - FW_kekionga
3. #11 Chestnut Hill - Benis
4. #25 Marietta - whitechoco
5. Linfield - qb4usf

Preview

Randolph-Macon - Following an Elite 8 appearance; Randolph-Macon comes into the invitational as one of the favorites, not only in this tournament, but to win the NT as well. Senior Michael Kissell looks to finish off his stellar career with a couple of championships. Matt has led this team as a constant contender and will be tested early and often in the tourney.

Elmhurst - Speaking of favorites; Elmhurst comes in with their super-class, stacked roster ready to take on their first challenge in the Dice Roll. Coming in as the favorite to win the Invitational and the NT (in my opinion) will come into test early. There are a ton of scoring threats on the roster starting with Nicolas Rhodes and Pete Brown. It will be tough matching up defensively and creating enough scoring opportunities to defeat Elmhurst.

Chestnut Hill - The defending Dice Roll Champion Griffins come into quite possibly the most stacked lineup of teams making a repeat task seem unlikely. The Griffins bring back a ton of talent from a team that was upset early in their postseason play. Ryan Hart comes back after a stellar season to lead the team in hopes of a back to back championship. Chestnut Hill has a ton of returning talent, but will have to come to play each and every night in order to compete for the championship.

Marietta - Following a disappointing final four finish (should have won it all); Marietta comes into the invitational looking for vengeance. This is a tough and tall task for a team that just lost 6 seniors and will way heavily on their four seniors. Mark Ables is about as solid as you can ask for when it comes to starting point guards. He will look to lead the team into many hostile environments and will have to come to play each and every single game in order to be able to compete with the top teams in the Invitational.

Linfiled - The Two-Time defending National Champions are in a ton of trouble as they are looking as the bottom feeder of the invitational. Given their past, the Wildcats are not used to be this heavy of an underdog. All four games will probably be tough and the Wildcats will be looking to pull a game or two out in hopes to see how they stack up to some of the best in the Country. Without any seniors; Linfield will be looking for team play to possibly pull out a game or two.

Great field this season guys! Pretty crazy when Linfield is expecting to win only 1 or 2 of these games.

should be fun!

#2 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (0-0) @ #4 Elmira Blue Jays (0-0) (+1) :

- The Invitational begins with a bang as the two favorites will face off on opening night in order to have a huge advantage towards the early season goals. The Yellow Jackets come into the game as the favorites, and with how tough both teams are; make this an almost impossible game to decide who the favorite should be. This will be a tight game and the winner will be in the driver seat the after tonight.

Prediction: Elmhurst by 5

Linfield Wildcats (0-0) @ Marietta Pioneers (0-0) (-1):

- After winning back to back National Champs, the Wildcats find themselves as the underdogs on opening night. This game will be a huge indicator where both teams stand as they are two of the younger teams in the invitational and a loss tonight all but seals elimination from the championship. Marietta will lean on Mark Ables to lead the Pioneers to a win, while Linfield will hope to create some turnovers and easy baskets. This game may be another close one.....

Prediction: Marietta by 8

Posted by Benis on 5/21/2017 9:36:00 PM (view original):
Great field this season guys! Pretty crazy when Linfield is expecting to win only 1 or 2 of these games.

should be fun!

Man this is a very, very tough field. Up there with season 1 as the toughest ever. I am excited to see how everyone else fares against each other though. Next season we will be back on top!!! ;)

I was thinking it - glad you said it. Thought I had a great chance to win it all last year. Anyway, this year just hoping to be competitive in this great Dice Roll field. As always, great job putting it together and running these updates. Loads of fun. Good luck to everyone.

Thank you very much qb, I love reading this kind of stuff and appreciate the effort in previewing and following the games. And this is definitely a tough group, I am just happy to have my team be invited to play!

And that game with Randolph Macon was tough. I was reading the PbP this morning and watching an 18 point lead dissolve to 2 points and thinking that was that. Well coached mattwithanh, your front court is beastly!

#4 Elmhurst Blue Jays (1-0) defeats #2 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (0-1) (-1): 84-76

- Opening night was about as exciting as one could imagine as the balanced scoring Blue Jays were able to hold off Michael Kissell led Yellow Jackets. Kissell scored 31 of the teams 76 and was almost enough to complete a comeback after finding themselves in an early hole. The Blue Jays were able to hold off and maintain the win; showing why they are the current #1 team in the land. Jaroslav Zabel (correct spelling) led Jays with 7 assists and even on a bad shooting night was able to be the necessary floor general to win this juggernaut of a game.

Play(s) of the game: After having a 6-0 run to increase their lead to 8, Elmhurst was giving their best effort in order to stop the Yellow Jackets' comeback. Kissell came down and tried to stop the momentum with a basket, but Nicolas Rhodes came right back with a 3-pointer to put the game essentially out of reach.

Player of the game: Jaroslav Zabel (SR.) 10 Pts, 3 Reb, 7 Ast and 2 Stl


Linfield Wildcats (1-0) defeats #25 Marietta Pioneers (0-1) (-1): 68-65

- Another game expected to close did not disappoint. Although not to the magnitude of the opener, both teams came in looking to put themselves in position to have a chance at the Dice Roll crown this year. This low scoring affair was due in part to the youth of the teams as well as solid defense being played all night. The difference of the night came directly from the free throw line with Linfield shooting over 70% and Marietta shooting just over 50%. Both teams will look to try and help themselves out tonight as it does not get any easier in the nights ahead.

Play(s) of the game: In a very climatic ending; neither team was able to capitalize when needed most. George Jacobs hit 2 big free throws with under 30 seconds left to put the game up to 3. Forcing Marietta in position to have to shoot a 3, which they were unable to hit.

Player of the game: Elton Worley (JR.) 16 Pts, 6 Reb and 4 Ast

Standings:

Team	Record	PF	PA	+/-
#1 Elmhurst	1-0	84	76	+8
#22 Linfield	1-0	68	65	+3
#6 Chestnut Hill	0-0	-	-	-
Marietta	0-1	65	68	-3
#11 Randolph-Macon	0-1	76	84	-8

Daily Leaders:

Player	Team	Points
Michael Kissell, C	Randolph-Macon	31
Elton Worley, SF	Linfield	16
Nicolas Rhodes, SG	Elmhurst	16
George Collins, SG	Linfield	15
Charles Stancil, SG	Marietta	12
Player	Team	Rebounds
Marty Leonard, C	Linfield	9
Roy Harvey, PF	Linfield	8
George Pina, C	Randolph-Macon	8
Michael Kissell, C	Randolph-Macon	8
Pete Brown, PF	Elmhurst	7
Player	Team	Assists
Jaroslav Zabel, PG	Elmhurst	7
Charles Stancil, SG	Marietta	5
Brian Kirchner, PG	Linfield	4
Elton Worley, SF	Linfield	4
Mark Ables, PG	Marietta	3
Player	Team	Steals
Steven Brown, PG	Linfield	3
Charles Stancil, SG	Marietta	3
William Depaz, PF	Elmhurst	2
Pete Brown, PF	Elmhurst	2
Predrag Zenner, SG	Elmhurst	2
Player	Team	Blocks
Darren Prather, C	Randolph-Macon	3
Juan Gonzalez, C	Elmhurst	3
Ryan Johnson, C	Linfield	2
Gustavo Bruno, C	Elmhurst	2
George Pina, C	Randolph-Macon	2

#6 Chestnut Hill Griffins (0-0) @ #22 Linfield Wildcats (1-0) (+4) :

- After picking on a young and less talented Mississippi team (sorry TJ); the Griffins find themselves in a completely diff.... who am I kidding? They find themselves playing in a very similar situation. The Wildcats are hoping that the Griffins are either looking ahead to the meat of their schedule or that they are intimidated by our recent success against benis' boys. If the Griffins come to play this game will not be as competitive as the spread would suggest. Both teams look to stay in the race for the title early in the Invitational.

Prediction: Chestnut Hill by 8

#11 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (0-1) @ Marietta Pioneers (0-1) (+7):

- With both teams on the losing end of opening night; both Randolph-Macon and Marietta look to rebound and possibly turn this Invitational around. The only difference is the Yellow Jackets lost to one of the top teams in the nation and the Pioneers gave one away to a young squad. You can never count out great coaching, but ultimately Micahel Kissell and the Yellow Jackets will be too much for the young Pioneers.

Prediction: Randolph-Macon by 12

Baltzell shoots a robust 0-7 from the FT line. Yikes.

GG qb

Ouch man, sad days when you have a player make DeAndre Jordan look desirable at the FT line.

#22 Linfield Wildcats (2-0) defeats #6 Chestnut Hill Griffins (0-1) (-4): 83-76

- Once again the Wildcats are able to pull off an upset, but not by anything they have done. So far in the invitational teams are shooting a miraculous 47% (22/47) from the free throw line. Making Linfield the only team in the Country (holding?) their opponents under 50% from the charity stripe this season. The Griffins had a few chances to make this game go their way, but we unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Senior captain Wilmer Baltzell shot a horrendous 0-7 from the line while staying productive everywhere else on the court.

Play(s) of the game: After back to back 3-pointers from Elton Worley (Linfield) and Ryan Hart (Chestnut Hill), the Wildcats finished the final 45 seconds shooting 7-8 from the free throw line while also holding the Griffins scoreless during that time.

Player of the game: Ryan Johnson (JR.) 18 Pts, 6 Reb and 1 Blk (13 min)


#11 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets (1-1) defeats Marietta Pioneers (0-2) (-12): 92-71

- As expected, Randolph-Macon was able to get their first win of the season by defeating a very young Pioneers squad. Marietta was able to keep it a game in the first half and were in striking distance, but a 47-31 second half showed the youth of the Pioneers. With both teams needing wins Randolph-Macon was able to help themselves if it comes down to a tiebreaker (see last year) by having a larger margin of victory. Michael Kissell once again led the way with 22, but was shot for shot with David Norris as he came to show he can compete with the best. The Yellow Jackets will look to close out the invitational on a high note having already played their toughest challenge. The Pioneers, on the other hand, will look to get a win tonight to keep themselves out of going win-less in the Invitational.

Play(s) of the game: With the game at 6 points with just over 15 min left in the game, Kissell drives the lane and is swatted across the face. He blindly throws up an underhand shot and hits the shot. Afterwards hitting the free throw to complete the 3-point play.

Player of the game: Michael Kissell (SR.) 22 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl and 2 Blk

Standings:

Team	Record	PF	PA	+/-
#15 Linfield	2-0	151	141	+10
#2 Elmhurst	1-0	84	76	+8
#6 Randolph-Macon	1-1	168	155	+13
#20 Chestnut Hill	0-1	76	83	-7
Marietta	0-2	136	160	-24

Daily Leaders:

Player	Team	Points
Michael Kissell, C	Randolph-Macon	22
David Norris, SF	Marietta	20
Ryan Johnson, C	Linfield	18
Ryan Hart, SG	Chestnut Hill	18
Wilmer Baltzell, PF	Chestnut Hill	18
Player	Team	Rebounds
William Loera, C	Chestnut Hill	11
Darren Prather, C	Randolph-Macon	10
Marty Leonard, C	Linfield	8
Michael Kissell, C	Randolph-Macon	8
Brandon Holiday, C	Chestnut Hill	7
Player	Team	Assists
Donald Alderson, PG	Randolph-Macon	6
Mark Ables, PG	Marietta	6
David Flowers, SG	Randolph-Macon	5
Charles Stancil, SG	Marietta	5
Clarence Smith, PG	Chestnut Hill	5
Player	Team	Steals
William Cole, SG	Linfield	3
Steven Brown, PG	Linfield	2
Gregory Denny, PG	Chestnut Hill	2
Roy Harvey, PF	Linfield	2
Ryan Hart, SG	Chesnut Hill	2
Player	Team	Blocks
Darren Prather, C	Randolph-Macon	2
Clarence Mahle, PF	Linfield	2
William Loera, C	Chestnut Hill	2
Brandon Holiday, C	Chestnut Hill	2
Wilmer Baltzell, PF	Chestnut Hill	2

#2 Elmhurst Blue Jays (1-0) @ #15 Linfield Wildcats (2-0) (+5) :

- The luck of the Wildcats is to run out tonight as they run into a team that is much too talented for them. After getting lucky with their first two games of the Invitational; the Wildcats find themselves at home against one of the top teams in the Country. The Blue Jays, coming off a win against a sim-coached opponent, are excited for their game against a team that has been getting hype lately (unranked - #15). As long as the Blue Jays do not crash on their way to Oregon, they will be in great shape to take control of their destiny for the remainder of the invitational.

Prediction: Elmhurst by 17

Marietta Pioneers (0-2) @ #20 Chestnut Hill Griffins (0-1) (-9):

- This will be the best chance remaining for both teams to get a win in this years Invitational as both teams still have to play Elmhurst and the Griffins also having Randolph-Macon in the near future. Marietta will look to turn their young season around and head back home with a confidence boost heading into their 'bye week' of the Dice Roll, while the Griffins can still win out and bring it down to the tie-breaker which is what gave them the win last season. Either way this will be an exciting game and should be closer than the spread initially indicates. Both coaches know how to win and will be looking to turn it around tonight. Home court could be the advantage tonight.

Prediction: Chestnut Hill by 2

#2 Elmhurst Blue Jays (2-0) Defeats #15 Linfield Wildcats (2-1) (+5) : 108-67

- With my worst loss ever as a 'coach' (that I can remember), the Wildcats drop to 2-1 in invitational play and have eliminated themselves from any shot at the crown. The Blue Jays however, are in a great position to finish on top. Free throws did not save the Wildcats this time as the Blue Jays would of had to go 3-41 to essentially make this an even ball game. The Blue Jays jumped on early and often and pounded the Wildcats in ever facet of the game. Elmhurst came out firing and did not let up as they wanted to let the 2x defending champs know that they were no longer the team to beat.

Play(s) of the game: With 7 min to go William Depaz takes the break-a-way and slams home and emphatic dunk. With the game up early and Elmhurst feeling good about their chances, Depaz went in for the 360 and slammed it home. Quieting the crowd for the remainder of the game.

Player of the game: Jaroslav Zabel (SR.) 23 Pts, 3 Reb 4 Ast and 2 Stl


#20 Chestnut Hill Griffins (1-1) defeats Marietta Pioneers (0-3) (-8): 63-53

- With an important game for both teams trying to get their first win in the invitational this season, the Griffins were able to use their home court advantage (still crappy FT shooting) to pull out the victory. The Griffins will need to create a couple of upsets in order for them to have a chance at the crown, but after the thumping that Elmhurst put on Linfield I do not see them getting upset anytime soon. Benis had Wilmer Baltzell in the gym after last game shooting free throws until his arms were dead....... and it payed off as he went 4-4 from the line last night, helping lead the Griffins to a much needed victory. As with most games, the Ast/TO margin was the key to victory for the Griffins.

Play(s) of the game: With the game at 6 points still with just over 2 minutes to go. Ice cold Hart came through in the clutch, hitting a 3-pointer ending the Pioneers hopes of a potential comeback.

Player of the game: Wilmer Baltzell (SR.) 16 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Ast and 2 Blk