Like predicting especially when my alma mater did not make it. Maybe next year Ka Makani. The new 8 team format should make for an exciting tournament starting on Thursday. This is how one man see's it playing out.
#1 Roosevelt vs. Pahoa: Don't know how any Division II team can match up with the Rough Riders' speed and aggressiveness on the perimeter and Pale in the middle. The Dragons don't have the overall perimeter play but they might be able to match Pale inside with the athletes like Ekau and Byrd. The key will be Pahoa's sometimes shaky guard play allowing the Dragons to play through Ekau. Which ever inside guy, Pale or Ekau, can stay out of foul trouble longer will win. Winner of this game has a very easy road into the Championship game. ROOSEVELT 46-40.
#4 University vs. Kapaa - Will this be the year the ILH's seeded champion will finally make it to the semi's, I think so. University benefits from a rule that the unseeded league champ, in this case from the KIF, will play the lowest "seeded" team. This rule needs to be modified. UNIVERSITY by 52-45.
#2 Seabury Hall vs. Academy of the Pacific - Neither team goes deep into their bench, Seabury plays 8, AOP just their starters. Both teams have size and scorers. Seabury Hall returns all their starters from a team that won last year's consolation championship. Seabury is the better team. SEABURY 58-46.
#3 St. Joseph's vs. Kailua - Now the seeding committee, whether on purpose or not, seeded the BIIF champ #3. This prevents an all BIIF and OIA semifinal. Let's be honest, those are the 4 best teams in the Division II playoffs. But be as it may, we have the makings of a epic quarterfinal match up. Kailua is big and physical, St. Joe's skilled and fundamental. It should be fun to watch Fairman vs. DeCorte, Lau vs. Andrade. This is almost too close to call. ST.JOSEPH 70-67 in double overtime.