A quick look at every first-round game, so you can impress your friends by having the bare minimum knowledge about the MCLA Tournament.
1 Michigan v. 16 Lindenwood
The Wolverines have been the MCLA overlord for four straight years now, with 1 loss in their last 75 outings. Lindenwood has been making the transition to an NCAA Division-2 team, and earned the GRLC’s automatic bid by winning the conference playoffs against Illinois. There’s a reason this is the 1/16 game, and Michigan is the heavy favorite – though Wolverine defenseman Harry Freid this is the best 16-seed of the past 4 years.
2 Colorado State v. 15 Minnesota-Duluth
Colorado State is the closest thing in the MCLA to Michigan, at least this season. They earned the RMLC auto-bid by exacting revenge on previous #2 BYU in the conference playoffs. Minnesota-Duluth is a traditional power in a serious down year. However, they managed to snag the UMLL automatic bid and have a chance at gaining some serious redemption for their 7-7 record this year.
3 BYU v. 14 UC-Santa Barbara
Brigham Young is the first at-large bid we’ve seen in the top half of the draw, as they lost to Colorado State in the RMLC final. UCSB managed to snag the final at-large bid in the field, coming out of an SLC that boasts #4 Chapman and #5 Arizona State. They were tested this year – including to their limits in a shutout embarrassment at Michigan – and won’t back down from the challenge. Still, BYU is expected to get a relatively easy win.
4 Chapman v. 13 Texas
This is the first truly interesting matchup to me. Chapman has been a power over the last few years, but they’re now without superstar (and cult of personality) Connor Martin. Texas went undefeated this year, but really only played one elite(-ish) opponent in Florida State. A win against the Panthers would be very validating for them.
5 Arizona State v 12 Buffalo
Arizona State spent much of the year #1 in Laxpower’s computer rankings – even after losing to Michigan. Despite losing 4 times, they hold onto that #2 spot. Buffalo, on the other hand, wasn’t going to make the MCLA tournament without earning the PCLL automatic bid. They’re seeded ahead of undefeated Texas(!), and have been in “win or go home” mode for a couple games now.
6 Michigan State v 11 Florida State
Florida State, like Texas, had an exception regular season, but didn’t play a tough non-conference schedule (aside from the Texas loss) and were punished for it in seeding. Michigan State played a who’s-who of teams – most of them a day after Michigan took them on – and even got a couple upsets and near-upsets. Both teams have a lot of motivation in this one. Florida State is trying to earn some respect for the Southeast, while Michigan State wants to get their foot in the door as the new boss of the midwest after Michigan leaves the MCLA.
7 Colorado v 10 Boston College
The Buffs earned an at-large bid out of the RMLC, while Boston College’s regular season was good enough to save their skins after being upset by Buffalo in the PCLL tournament. I do not like this matchup. These teams played merely 2 weeks ago, with Colorado coming out victorious on the road in overtime. There are a few new factors at play, since this will be a de facto home game for Colorado, while Boston College has the revenge factor.
8 Oregon v. 9 Cal Poly
Another regular season rematch. Oregon won 7-6 at home on April 10th. The Ducks rebounded from a rough start to the season by rebounding to an 11-6 record, while the Mustangs played to an 11-5 record this year. The teams were the automatic qualifiers out of the PNCLL and WCLL, respectively.