So that’s it. Done for another year.

And while we’re thankful for the rest after an incredibly full four weeks, we know that once we’re fresh we’ll be winsomely looking at the schedules, wishing we had some place to go this weekend.

Perhaps we can stave off the post postseason blahs by sharing some of our thoughts on the 2005-2006 campaign.

Here are my two-cents (plink, plink)…

– Mmm…crow: Since I was in Springfield for those festivities, please allow me to publicly eat my crow here regarding Virginia Wesleyan’s run.

Last week on Hoopsville Dave McHugh asked me how I felt about the Mid Atlantic and Atlantic regions’ showing in the tournament. Pretty good provided Virginia Wesleyan doesn’t get skunked by IWU, I said.

In my mind the Marlins validated more than themselves with their incredible run. They gave other teams outside the touted Great Lakes region and CCIW a reason to feel good about 2005-2006.

Consider that Virginia Wesleyan’s smallest margin of victory in this run was a one-point come-from-behind victory over Lincoln (Mid-Atlantic). Or that SUNY-Farmingdale (Atlantic) went down to Virginia Beach on short rest and gave the Marlins all they could handle.

That certainly says something about the Marlins who thrived under pressure. As Pat Coleman commented on the message board, Ton Ton Balenga is Mr. March and the finned champs were incredibly clutch.

But seeing Virginia Wesleyan topple the CCIW’s best and one of the elite Great Lakes teams made me realize the difference between the best teams there and everywhere else was not as stark as thought. Amherst (Northeast) pushed Wittenberg to the end. Wooster got dumped by upstart Transylvania. The CCIW’s other tournament teams lost to west reps St. Thomas and Puget Sound.

I still think the CCIW was the toughest conference to win and the Great Lakes Region was the deepest. But, in retrospect, Virginia Wes’ run showed that the rest of the country was much more than also-rans.

– The Flying Dutchwoman: Bria Ebels’ run through the women’s side was something to behold. She zipped past opposing guards like they were stuck in mud. Her three-point range gave the Flying Dutch a big lead early against Wash U and put the game away against Southern Maine. And she was a fantastic rebounder.

How good? With a lot of talented rebounders at his disposal, Coach Brian Morehouse put 5-foot-7 Ebels down low to rebound opponents’ missed free throws. The first time I noticed it I thought it was a mistake. It caught the eye of a couple veteran coaches at Springfield too. Then I saw her leap up and snatch the ball away from the taller forwards. It was like something out of the Matrix.

Three separate observers told me how impressed they were with Ebels play, comparing her to Division I talent and the fastest guards Division III has tried to glimpse as they blow past you to the rim.

Hope’s strength was in its balance. But Bria was the cornerstone of that championship castle.

– Indelible images: A few images that will comfort me during the slow summer days ahead. Steve King Senior (Calvin College alum) proudly screaming “That’s my son” to the crowd after Steve Junior’s shot put Messiah in the NCAA tournament.

Morehouse wrapping Ebels in a bear hug and carrying her to the end of the bench as she left the court one last time.

The animated expressions and inspired play of Lincoln’s Kyle Myrick and Southern Maine’s Ashley Marble – two players whose joy for the game shone brightly on Division III’s biggest stage.

And I’m sure you have your own memories, whichever teams you follow.

So what were they?

Blog from the men’s championship starts here…VaWes and Wittenberg being introduced right now.

There doesn’t appear to be a listing for our broadcast on NCAAsports.com (at least for the moment)

For those who want to listen to the consolation and title game coverage

http://www.broadcastmonsters.com/d3football/d3basketball031806-4.asx

Those who want to watch the video of the consolation game can follow the same link they followed yesterday

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Alright, well, our bloggers (and scoreboard operators) fell down on the job on this one so I’ll try to pick up the pieces.

I’ve never seen a team shoot 60% and lose. And let’s be honest, Illinois Wesleyan played well. While some of my colleagues were predicting a blowout, I was more or less on the record as predicting IWU 81, VWC 68. I thought it would be a ballgame. Not for all 40 minutes, but a ballgame. My last words on Hoopsville were a reminder of a previous year in which two underdog “eastern” teams were taking on two favored “western” teams. For the uninitiated, the eastern regions are the Northeast, East, Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic; the western regions are the South, Great Lakes, Midwest and South. And to be honest, the three “power” regions don’t really want to have the South lumped with them. But tonight was the champion of a weak-sister region (sorry, folks, last title was 1975!) knocking off a power region and a power conference.

For the curious, my thought on the other game was Wittenberg 58, Amherst 54.

Wittenberg weathered the storm, as Amherst hit its first seven three-pointers of the second half but couldn’t hold off the Tigers, who rallied to win 64-60. At 4 a.m., not sure I can remember anything about the game that doesn’t involve Borchers and Russ. I’m sure I’ll be seeing them in my sleep tonight, if I ever get any.

And remember, the poll held true. No. 3 Wittenberg def. No. 4 Amherst and No. 7 Virginia Wesleyan beat No. 11 Illinois Wesleyan.

Welcome from Blake Arena in Springfield, Mass.

I figured I’d start today’s thread a little early since a) I’m here after a 6.5 drive from Philadelphia and b) it makes me look official so the players and coaches aren’t suspicious (shh!).

A few tourists entered the Arena in front of me looking for the original Basketball Hall of Fame. They won’t have to look far since it shares the same facility. As you probably know if you’re on this site, Springfield is the birthplace of basketball. Dr. James Naismith introduced the game in a YMCA gymnasium based here in Springfield. Incidentally Dr. James Naismith wasn’t a Springfield native, or even a native born American for that matter. He was born in Ontario, Canada. Viva Steve Nash, eh.

I chatted briefly with NCAA Assistant Director of Championships Donnie Wagner who said last night’s banquet at the modern Hall of Fame was a hit. Four of the five 25th Anniversary honorees were able to attend and the final one — Laurie Trow Kelly whose Northern Arizona Lumberjacks open the Division I tournament tomorrow against Baylor — sent a nice videotaped message.

At the moment Scranton is on the floor practicing, filling the vacancy left by Hope. Coach Morehouse instructed his Flying Dutch to pack up and leave quickly, minutes before the Lady Royals took the floor. There was an awkward moment as one team left and their opponent-to-be entered. Sort of like when you forget somone’s birthday and then see them the next day.

We’ll keep you posted as time allows with pregame beginning at 3 PM.