The season ‘ended’ about ten days ago. Feels like ten weeks. Besides watching past games on ESPN there is another release for basketball fanatics-simulation. Several news outlets are running NCAA tournament simulations. Here, it was decided to sim the Atlantic Ten Tournament using the 2020 bracket.
Used a table top game from Downey Sports. The company provides simulations in a number of sports (I prefer basketball but if you want a WWF or bullriding sim? Here you go. Came across the Indiana based company about a year ago and fell in love with its playing speed and accuracy.
Decided to use the Final Score College Basketball game for the simulation. The game is based on a team’s statistics. Each team has an offensive and defensive rating. You add the offense to the opposition defense for a number. Once you have a team’s number you roll the dice and check the corresponding chart. The dice roll and column corresponding to that offense minus defense total gives you the points for the half. Naturally each team has two rolls, one per half. There are charts allowing for overtime.
After the regular season Downey updates the ratings. So the 2020 version was released about two weeks ago. The game is fast moving, accurate and guards against one ‘favoring’ a certain team.
Home court rating can be factored in but would not be needed as the tournament would be on a neutral site. Strength of schedule can be included but is not needed in intra conference matchups.
There are no breakdowns in individual or team statistics. Only the half and final scores. Any other comments regarding the games are from yours truly attempting to determine what may have transpired. Out of all this you can ascertain, yours truly is…
- An Atlantic Ten fanatic
- Having a lot of time on my hands
- A table top game, specifically basketball, devotee.
- all of the above
If you choose ‘D’ you are right. Each day I played a seperate round corresponding to the A10 format. Here goes….
First round or affectionately known as the ‘Pillow Fight’
George Mason 74 Saint Joseph’s 64
Patriots raced to an 11 point halftime lead which essentially took the wind out of the Hawks’ sail. Still could see Ryan Daly dropping 30 in the Joe’s early exit.
George Washington 60 Fordham 57
As in real life, Rams had good defense and not as good offense. Contrary to reality the Colonials get the W over Fordham.
Second round:
VCU 76 UMass 64
Ram coach Mike Rhoades would have loved to bottle a performance like this as real VCU struggled mightily the past month.
St. Bonaventure 74 George Mason 51
Could see the Bonnies Jaren English dropping 25 while Osun Osunniyi (Double O) rim protects to anchor a tough Bona D.
Davidson 68 LaSalle 62
Shots didn’t drop for Davidson. Ashley Howard’s Explorers provided a tough test, dictated tempo but fell short.
Duquesne 79 GW 59
Dukes raced out to a 44-28 lead at intermission. Colonials could fashion any serious run in the final half.
Quarterfinals:
Dayton 69 VCU 57
VCU had a game under their belt. The rust was gone and they trailed by just 1 at the half. Final twenty minutes Dayton took care of business. Could see Obi Toppin silencing Marcus Santos-Silva, especially down the stretch.
St. Bonaventure 64 Saint Louis 63
Slower tempo game resulting in a knock ‘em down drag it out skirmish. Coach Mark Schmidt probably covered a few miles pacing the Bona sideline. Bonnies overcame a 6 point halftime deficit in a game where points were at a premium, to move to epitomize ‘survive and advance’.
Davidson 79 Richmond 78
In a close contest Davidson had just enough to hold off the higher seed Spider’s. Bob McKillopp’s group trailed by two at the half. Davidson got the transition game going in this one and had enough to advance.
Rhode Island 70 Duquesne 67
The Dukes’ run was ended by Rhody. The duo of Fats Russell and Cyril Langevine just too much for Duquesne.
Semifinals:
St. Bonaventure 73 Dayton 66
Bonnies came out hot racing to a 40-33 halftime lead. After the break they had to hold off a second half surge by the Flyers. Could imagine an exciting ‘Double O’-Obi matchup. Not to mention Kyle Lofton and Jalen Crutcher.
Davidson 79 Rhode Island 72
Two balanced halves allowed Davidson to put away URI. Classic, sound Bob McKillop basketball. Once again the Wildcats buried those treys when they were needed most.
Championship:
Davidson 81 St.Bonaventure 71
What is it about the brown and white that gets Jon Axel Gudmundsson and Kellen Grady’s eyes to light up? Bonnies entered the game allowing 60 points per game in the tournament. As a Bona alum, and former team manager, I often admitted Davidson was always a tough matchup for us. Evidently that extends from the court to table. Davidson dropped 41 the opening 20 minutes en route to an 11 point lead. Without individual scoring totals I’m sure Grady and Gudmundsson were finding nothing but net from downtown. Bonnies made a run the final 20 minutes. Not enough. Davidson cut down the nets.