This season’s field has 5 combined titles, just at D2 Naismith. We have 5 of the teams that were in the pre-season top 20. In the first 5 seasons of the Classic, 3 participants won the NT, including last season. While we have generally had teams in the tournament for the first time in over the first 5 seasons with a couple of exceptions, this seasons field has 5 teams returning to the tournament.
Tiffin – In a self-proclaimed rebuild year (I swear), #1 Tiffin represents the newly dominant North American Athletic Association. Entering his 15th season at Tiffin, BergPride has turned the program into one of the top schools in Naismith, going to the title game 4 times in the last 8 seasons, winning 2 titles. BP also has Tiffin ranked #2 in the dynasty rankings, not far behind the 1-spot. Four times in the last six years, Tiffin has won 30 or more games. Six times in the last nine seasons, Tiffin has finished the season ranked in the top 5. This is their second appearance in the Classic and they will be one of the favorites here and later this season in the NT.
S. Illinois, Edwardsville – Representing the elite GLV Conference, S Illinois, Edwardsville, entering the season at #5, is also making their second appearance in the Classic. This will be the 24th season at Edwardsville for bhbum, who after stints at other schools, including D1 Iowa, has collected over 1400 wins in Naismith. In addition to winning the title in season 94, Edwardsville has made it to five F4’s in the last dozen seasons. Additionally, in the a very tough GLV conference, bhbum’s squad has turned it on in recent seasons winning 5 of 6 CT’s. As always, a bhbum team is always a threat to win a tournament like the Classic or make another F4 run and this season is no different.
San Francisco St. – Also participating in the Blue Earth Classic for the second time (some of you Cal CAA folks should check your site mail by the way), San Francisco St enters the season with a top 10 team that has won at least 20 games in 5 of the last 6 seasons, three of which resulted in S16 appearances. Currently bandit13 is nearing 900 victories in Naismith. After stints at D3 Averett in which he reached the title game and D2 Eckerd, bandit is now entering his 32nd season at San Francisco St. on a team that has been on the rise in the competitive Cal CAA, where they won the CT 3 seasons ago and look to add another this season, as well as a deep NT run.
Texas A&M, Kingsville – Making their first appearance in the Classic and hailing from the Lone Star Conference, kevodaphenom’s team enters the season ranked #16 and poised to threaten the veterans of the Classic as this season’s lone first-time participant. Having coached at Kingsville 8 full seasons, kevodaphenom has reached the NT the last 6 seasons and has made it as far as the S16 in three of those seasons. During those seasons, Kingsville has averaged 26 wins and has won the Heartland CT the last three seasons. Outside of Naismith, kevodaphenom has won the HD titles. Despite a couple of early season losses to tough teams, look for Kingsville to be a contender in the Classic and go further in the NT than they ever have in their history (S16 under kevodaphenom is the longest NT run in school history).
West Georgia – One of the participants in the inaugural Blue Earth Classic in which they went 4-1 against a very tough field of former NT champs, arfy’s West Georgia squad returns with a ranked, but certainly underrated team, starting the season at #20. With titles in seasons 100 & 104, you might think West Ga and their 9 upperclassmen are on track for another this season. While having 2 titles in Naismith, Arfy has been one of the better coaches across worlds and divisions in HD, collecting 14 titles overall. With 16 complete seasons under his belt, West Ga has now been to 13 straight NT’s, all of which have been 24-win seasons, and all but one season ended with West Georgia ranked. Eight of those seasons finished with West Ga in the top 10.
St. Augustana – Representing the host North Central Conference, coachcjinatl also is participating in the Blue Earth Classic for the second time. Augustana has embraced the sleeper/underdog role in this tournament, as sometimes hosts are inclined to do. Coachcjinatl a few seasons back returned from an extended break from HD and has an NT title from his earlier stint. Now with 15 seasons under his belt, St. Augustana is challenging other programs in the tough North Central and has begun making the NT with some regularity, 2 of the last 3 seasons. In addition, 4 seasons ago St. Augustana won the PI.
ROUND ONE
#24 S Illinois Edwardsville -8 (0-0) @ Augustana (0-0)
#1 Tiffin (0-0) -10 @ #21 West Ga (0-0)
#12 San Francisco St (0-0) -3 @ Texas A&M, Kingsville (0-0)
1/9/2019 9:24 PM (edited)