The end of the year and the beginning of the next means another round of Division III holiday tournaments. All the action takes place in the East, with MSOE and St. Mary’s making the trip for a couple of out-of-region games.
Here’s a look at the various tournaments, including a rating of the strength of the field, based on winning percentage:
Assumption Holiday Tournament
When: December 28 & 29
Who: Assumption (host), Manhattanville, Becker, SUNY Canton
Strength of Field: .544
Outlook: Canton adds a twist to this tournament, which has a pre-established schedule. The host Greyhounds and Becker will play Canton and Manhattanville, SUNY Canton was a junior college powerhouse, but is now a club program after the school became four-year college. Assumption beat Canton 3-2 earlier this season. I think Manhattanville will be the only team to come out with a pair of wins this weekend.
Codfish Bowl
When: December 28 & 29
Who: Mass-Boston (host), Johnson & Wales, S. New Hampshire, Suffolk
Strength of Field: .369
Outlook: The oldest Division III tournament (45 years and counting) should go to the host Beacons, which I’m picking to beat Suffolk in the finals.
Cardinal Classic
When January 1 & 2
Who: Plattsburgh (host), Castleton, Trinity, Skidmore
Strength of Field: .603
Outlook: The Cardinals should take this one, although I think Trinity will give them a game in the finals.
Times-Argus Invitational
When: January 1 & 2
Who: Norwich (host), Curry, New England, Potsdam
Strength of Field: .706
Outlook: The Norwichh-Curry game should be a dandy, with the two teams coming in undefeated with identical 7-0-1 records. I like the winner to beat Potsdam in the finals.
Middlebury Holiday Classic
When: January 2 & 3
Who: Middlebury (host), Babson, Salve Regina, S. Maine
Strength of Field: .406
Outlook: I think it will be the battle of the Beaney brothers in the finals with the host Panthers coming out on top.
St. Michael’s Holiday Tournament
When: January 2 & 3
Who: St. Michael’s (host), Morrisville, Wentworth, Hamilton
Strength of Field: .485
Outlook: This is another pre-determined field, with St. Mike’s and Hamilton playing Wentworth and Morrisville, I think Wentworth will win both its games.
Oswego Pathfinder Classic
When: January 2 @ 3
Who: Oswego (host), Conn College, Elmira, MSOE
Strength of Field: .663
Outlook: Baring an upset, this is going to feature an Elmira-Oswego final, and these two teams always play an entertaining game.
Nichols New Year’s Tournament
When: January 2 & 3
Who: Nichols (host), St. Mary’s, Lebanon Valley, Wesleyan
Strength of Field: .235
Outlook: Four struggling teams are involved. I’m picking the host Bison, the only team over .500, over Wesleyan in the finals.
