For one team, this is the 22nd consecutive trip to the national
quarterfinals. For another team, wearing similar colors, it’s
the first in a row but the eighth appearance in nine years.
In fact, if the Elite Eight looks like a lineup of the usual suspects, there’s a reason why: They are.
D3sports.com deputy managing editor Gordon Mann did a little digging and detailed exactly how usual this group of eight is. Over the past eight years, this is the rule, not the exception: 53 of the 64 spots in the round of eight can be summed up by a simple set of predetermined categories.
The lineup
Mount Unionaka Purple Raidersaka "The Original Purple Power"Last known residence: Alliance, Ohio Known associates: John Carroll, Heidelberg
|
Why they're the rule: With 22 consecutive
trips, the Purple Raiders have incredible staying power. This year
they've done it with a different Kehres as head coach and an almost
entirely different starting lineup. |
By Dan Poel, d3photography.com |
UW-Whitewateraka Warhawksaka "No. 1-A"Last known residence: Whitewater, Wis. Known associates: UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh
|
Why they're the
rule: The Warhawks played in seven straight Stagg
Bowls and won four of them. 'Nuff said. The exception: Last year was a disaster, by Purple Power standards, at 7-3. This year the Warhawks have been firing on all cylinders on defense and have had enough offense to get them this far. |
By Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
UMHBaka Cruaka Best Program
|
Why they're the
rule: They've been to the quarters seven times in
eight years. Previously they won at Mount Union, reached Stagg, and
last year nearly beat Mount Union again. The exception: 2009, when UMHB lost at another Usual Suspect, Linfield, in the second round. |
By Andrew Zavoina, d3photography.com |
Wesleyaka Wolverinesaka Still Striving for SalemLast known residence: Dover, Del. Known associates: Salisbury, UMHB, whoever will play them.
|
Why they're the
rule: The Wolverines have appeared in the quarters
seven times in eight seasons. They have played in several
semifinals in that span as well but have always lost to
UW-Whitewater or Mount Union in that round. The exception: In 2008, Wesley lost in the second round to another Suspect: UMHB. |
Wesley athletics photo |
Bethelaka Royalsaka Last MIAC Team StandingLast known residence: Arden Hills, Minn. Known associates: St. Thomas, St. John's, Wartburg
|
Why they're the
rule: Seven of the past eight years there has been an
MIAC team in the Elite Eight, and in 2010, there were two. Bethel,
St. Thomas and St. John's have all played that role. The exception: In 2008, St. John's was bounced in the first round, but it was by a Suspect: Whitewater. |
By Caleb Williams, d3photography.com |
Linfieldaka Wildcatsaka We're Still HereLast known residence: McMinnville, Ore. Known associates: Pacific Lutheran, Cal Lutheran
|
Why they're the
rule: The Wildcats have actually only been to the
quarterfinals three times in this span, but it is three times in
the past five years and often their exit has been at the hands of
another Usual Suspect. The exceptions: Most notably, the three years from 2006-08 in which Linfield didn't even qualify for the playoffs. |
By Rusty Rae for D3sports.com |
North Centralaka Cardinalsaka The Wild CardLast known residence: Naperville, Ill. Known associates: Wheaton, Illinois Wesleyan
|
Why they're the
rule: There's usually a random North or West team
who's fairly competitive left out there, depending on how the
bracket is constructed. Twice that's been North Central, once
Wheaton, once Capital, once UW-Oshkosh. Oshkosh advanced to the
semifinals and Capital gave Mount Union an epic battle in 2006. The exceptions: Several for North Central, obviously, including a year they missed the playoffs and others with losses to non-Suspects. |
By Eric Kelley, d3photography.com |
St. John Fisheraka Cardinalsaka East UnderdogLast known residence: Pittsford, N.Y. Known associates: Ithaca, Salisbury
|
Why they're the
rule: There is always one East Region team in the
round of eight, sometimes two depending on the makeup of the
bracket. Often that team gets crushed in this round as well. This
year, St. John Fisher is the only East team remaining. The exceptions: East teams that have not gotten crushed in the quarters the past eight years number just one: St. John Fisher 2006. They beat fellow East team Rowan 31-0 then lost in a competitive semifinal at Mount Union. |
By Eric Kelley, d3photography.com |
Anyone with information to spill ... rather, share on any of these eight suspects who are still at large is invited to share them below in the comments.