Extremely well reasoned. Bravo.

My first thought was like everyone else - Oh great. We play Mighigan at
home, then have to play the top team in the country. I've already made
two BIG assumptions.

While we all would like an "easy" draw, is there really such a thing in
this tournament. Don't think so. Not even the #16 team. Besides, if
you're going to BE the best, you have to BEAT the best. We've played
that way this year. We HAVE been the best this year. So my second
thought? OK. Drop the puck.

LET'S DO IT. GO BLUE!

Deron Treadwell wrote:

>Well, after what seems like forever, we will finally return to the ice
>at Yost Arena Saturday against the home Michigan Wolverines in the
>first round of the NCAA Tournament.
>
>I think the numbers bear out that Maine did get a raw deal, but as
>others have said you can't really say Maine doesn't deserve it.  It is
>a tough draw because if you get by Michigan, Colorado College likely
>awaits.
>
>Then again, should the NCAA Tournament be easy?
>
>Regardless, it is time to prepare for the NCAA Tournament.  Four games
>to decide the 2003 national champion.  Maine has a tough game playing
>against Michigan at home, but consider some of these points:
>
>- Maine may feel under "less" pressure to be away from home.  Being in
>hostile territory when not much is expected from you might be just the
>tonic this team needs.  When you consider just the opposite has been
>happening in the last 6 weeks.
>
>- Maine is probably as well prepared for this environment as anyone.
>They *almost* beat Minnesota in what was effectively a road environment
>with 20,000 people against them.  Yost Arena does not even seat 7000.
>It will be comparable to the Whittemore Center where Maine won this
>year, except a) the rink is "normal" sized and b) Michigan is not UNH.
>
>- Power of positive thinking... *if* Maine can beat Michigan in their
>own building, the sky really is the limit for this team.  Colorado
>College will pose a tough test in the next round, but Maine has played
>them once already and will derive more confidence from their win over
>Michigan than CC will after beating their clearly inferior opponenent.
>
>- Historically Maine does well vs. Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.
>Off the top of my head we've won the last 3 matchups with the Maize and
>Blue in the big dance. (93, 95, 00)
>
>- I think Maine might be able to catch Michigan by surprise too.
>Michigan is comfortable being at home and after seeing Maine fall on
>hard times, they might feel a tad over confident coming off their CCHA
>Tournament title.  Maine may have already started to prepare for
>Michigan as many have predicted Maine to play Michigan for weeks.
>
>Ok, enough of my thoughts for now.. need to save some for the rest of
>the week.
>
>What do you all think?
>
>---
>Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
>http://www.blackbears.net
>
>
>
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