It’s been two weeks since the last live coverage – the opening round at the Big East Tournament. A Wednesday evening doubleheader at The Garden. Within 24 hours COVID-19 dictated the season would be finished for all of us. Two weeks that feels like two months.
In the interim one of the roundball outlets is game simulations. A few news outlets have run simulated NCAA tournaments complete with brackets and all. Simulation basketball is something enjoyed during the season. Now, the activity as they say has ‘stepped up’from the court to table top.
Downey games based out of Indiana specializes in sport simulation. My favorite, naturally is, college basketball. Want WWF or Tractor Pulling? Downey is the right place.
Downey releases the team ratings, with assistance from Kenpom.com numbers, for the current campaign the week the regular season ends. Early March the 2020 ratings were available. In Fast Action College Basketball you simply add a team’s offensive rating to the opponent’s defense. Take the number and apply it to a corresponding column.on a chart. Roll the dice, and refer to the column to see how the total points. A team gets two rolls, one for each half. There is a separate chart for overtime.
There is a home court factor, not used for neutral sites. Strength of schedule is factored into the equation for non conference games. The three men’s divisions and NAIA are represented. Women’s Division I is as well. A selling point per Downey, is you could see how St. Louis College of Pharmacy would fare against Duke. No Cameron Crazies, this is a sim idea not real event.
The Downey simulation was used for the Big East Tournament. Each day a different round was played corresponding to the actual schedul. The game gives half and final scores without statistical breakdown. In the results, any insight regarding what might have played out comes from yours truly. From this it can be determined:
A. I have a lot of time on my hands
B. Definitely miss college basketball
C. Without question, I am a Big East fanatic
Truthfully, all of the above can apply.
The results as follows:
First round:
St. John’s 74, Georgetown 68
Red Storm led by one at the half. In a back and forth game St. John’s was able to wear the Hoyas down in the stretch with one last run.
DePaul 89, Xavier 80
Musketeers enjoyed a nine point halftime lead and appeared ready to move on to face Villanova in the quarterfinals. DePaul had other ideas. Dave Leitao’s Blue Demons put together an explosive 54 point second half to stun Xavier. Undoubtedly DePaul’s Charlie Moore played a big part in that about face the final twenty minutes.
Quarterfinals:
Creighton 83, St. John’s 70
In a very methodical way, Creighton built a seven point halftime lead. Mike Anderson’s Red Storm could not mount a serious challenge to the top seed and thus, was eliminated.
Butler 73, Providence 60
An upset here. Butler put together a strong second half to send Ed Cooley’s Friars home early and move on. Safe to say Alpha Diallo of PC and Butler’s Kamar Baldwin went at it on both ends of the floor-with Baldwin’s Bulldogs getting the best of the battle.
Villanova 79, DePaul 65
Blue Demons were within five at intermission. Jay Wright’s club utilized their big game experience, plus Colin Gillespie and Saddiq Bey, to end any possible upset.
Marquette 86, Seton Hall 82
Final game of the day was a shootout. The teams were tied at 36 at the half. Marquette had just enough down the stretch to pull out the upset. Another shootout of entertaining proportions most likely was the case. Marquette’s Markus Howard and Myles Powell of Seton Hall putting on a show.
Semifinals:
Creighton 80, Butler 71
Bluejays never trailed. Butler had Baldwin while Greg McDermott countered with a formidable, balanced backcourt of Ty-Shon Alexander and Marcus Zegarowski. Another strong performance for the top seed.
Marquette 83, Villanova 66
Once again it was Markus Howard leading the way. Marquette jumped out to a nine point halftime lead. Second half Villanova could make a comeback as Howard led with a combination of points and leadership.
Championship:
Creighton 77, Marquette 70
Steve Wojciechowski had his Golden Eagles on a roll. Markus Howard was a 5’11” dynamo leading the way. Once again it was consistency and balance winning out. Greg McDermott’s backcourt more than compensated for Howard’s exploits. Creighton led by a bucket at the half. They maintained and built on that lead the final twenty minutes, en route to cutting down the nets.
Not even going to try to name an All-Tournament team. Will say given Marquette’s surprising run to the finals, Markus Howard would have to be in line for some honor.
In reality, Downey deserves an accolade for providing college fans unlimited enjoyment.
