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Ohio State Men's Tennis (2014/2019/2024 ITA Indoor National Champs, 17 Straight B1G Titles)

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gracelhink said:
Gators have a strong, young team. Erratic results but very talented.
Wake Forest is scratching their collective heads asking who makes the call and how Florida deserved the #3 seed in the tourney.
One quarter final bracket has Buckeyes vs 3 ACC teams. The other pits Florida vs 3 big 12 Texas teams.
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Not gonna lie. That mystified me as well. I think Texas win this. Just happy to be here. Now it is all the roulette wheel of pairings, as much luck as skill.
 
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One of the most insightful college Tennis bloggers is Bobby Knight of College Tennis Today.
He is usually very accurate in his predictions of matches:
His College Tennis Today preview of the Quarterfinals includes this head to head comparison of OSU vs. UNC and an upset prediction:
Projected Singles Lineup compared with ITA ranking, Player name, UTR, season W-L record
1. 2 JJ Wolf Ohio State, 14.76, 26-1. vs. 19 WIlliam Blumberg UNC 14.38, 7-5.
2. 26 John McNally Ohio State 13.63, 20-3. vs. 39 Benjamin Sigouin UNC 14.14, 14-5.
3. 60 Kyle Seelig Ohio State, 13.56, 17-5. vs. 110 Josh Peck UNC 13.49, 14-7.
4. 111 Martin Joyce Ohio State, 13.45, 21-6. vs. 116 Brian Cernoch UNC, 13.59, 15-6.
5. Alex Kobelt Ohio State, 13.53, 20-2. vs. Bo Boyden UNC 13.50, 20-3.
6. Hunter Tubert Ohio State, 13.33, 18-5. vs. Simon Soendergaard UNC 13.24, 8-3.

Prediction & Thoughts: This should be an excellent match with Ohio State banking on doubles, Wolf, Seelig, and probably Tubert while UNC is probably thinking that doubles, Sigouin, Cernoch, and Boyden are its ticket but also hoping that Blumberg can replicate his performance against Wolf during the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Singles Tournament. There seem to be more paths to victory for Ohio State but I'm going to take North Carolina in an upset - North Carolina 4-3
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I understand Bobby's rationale,
Buckeyes have several factors working against them, they are a northern team, played primarily an indoor venue season, they are considered a "power" team that is most effective on fast surfaces, and they have developed strong doubles, only dropped 2 dubs this year.
At the NCAA they will experience an outdoor venue with prediction of wind, heat, 90 degrees in the afternoon, and much Slower courts.
The singles matchups slightly favor OSU at #1, 3, and 6. UNC is favored at #2 and 4.
UNC will be fired up for the dubs point, because the winner will have the huge edge, i.e. Loser will need to win 4 of the singles.
I will boldly predict against Bobby Knight that the Bucks will take the dubs, Wolf gets a win at #1, and the seniors will come through at #4, and #6.
Bucks win 4-2!
 
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LitlBuck said:
Do not underestimate Kobelt at #5. Has the heart of a tiger. I believe this match is being overlooked.
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No disrespect intended to Alex. He has compiled an incredible year, has a huge will to improve, and is possibly the Most improved Player in 2019 on the roster.
I spoke with his father a couple weeks ago, who said the talent has always been there, but success this year is connected to his opportunity to play.
Alex' singles performance at 20-2 is off the charts! His contributions with Seelig in doubles have also carried the team.
The #5 singles line Kobelt (20-2)vs. Boyden, UNC (20-3) is possibly the closest to even for UTR and record.
Just a guess, that the outdoor venue and slow court surface will probably hurt Alex' game more than others due to his high risk, high reward shot making and power serve.
 
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