By Ryan Scott
D3hoops.com

Last year at this time Randolph-Macon was preparing to host the second weekend of the NCAA tournament; this year they’re hosting what might be the only truly postseason game we’re going to get in Division III. D3hoops.com No. 2 Trine (17-0), the undefeated MIAA champs, travels from Indiana to Virginia to take on the No. 1 ranked Yellowjackets (11-0), similarly undefeated ODAC titlists.

While it’s not the ideal scenario for crowning a champion (St. Thomas and CCIW champion, Illinois Wesleyan, might have something to say about it – not to mention Yeshiva, currently riding a 36-game win streak), it is the game we have. In a season of positive tests and travel restrictions, that we have it is a miracle in itself.

• Game time: 2:30 p.m. EDT, Sunday, March 13
• Watch No. 1 vs. No. 2 online
• Follow along with live stats

Earlier this year, Trine head coach, Brooks Miller, laid a game like this out as a goal, “if we’re deserving,” he said. “We’re pretty confident our administration will enable us to compete against the best teams that are available to compete.”

“If we’re deserving,” he reiterated – and the players have held up their end of the bargain, coming from behind to beat a talented and motivated Albion squad in the conference championship game. While many schools expressed similar intentions for rewarding deserving squads, all the pieces have come together to make it a reality for Trine.

When, and if (there is still testing to pass, after all) they take the floor on Sunday, the Thunder will face almost a mirror image. Both team prioritize defense and taking care of the ball when they have it. Randolph-Macon ranks No. 7 in scoring margin; Trine ranks No. 8. Randolph-Macon ranks 57th in scoring offense; Trine is 58th.

Randolph-Macon has struggled a little more with consistency this season when compared to last, but they remain one of the most disciplined teams in the nation, 17th in turnover margin, at plus four per game. Trine, though, is fourth overall at nearly plus ten. The real distinction may come on the boards, where Trine gets out-rebounded by opponents and Randolph-Macon dominates.

There’s also the experience factor. RMC brings back its top six scorers from last season, when they were among a select group of national title contenders. Trine graduated four starters and Nick Bowman, the team’s leading scorer, played less than 10 minutes per game in 2019-20. Trine hasn’t exactly come out of nowhere, but none of them have really played in a game of this magnitude.

While both teams can score, viewers should expect highlight performances on defense. Miles Mallory, the ODAC’s 2019-20 Rookie of the Year plays like a veteran for Randolph-Macon. He’s an athletic 6-5, with tremendous body control, which helps with shot blocking and makes him an out-sized rebounder.

Trine reserve, Emmanuel Megnanglo, was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, over a couple of players on his own team. He’ll lead a Trine contingent with size on their side and a nose for the ball – securing more than ten steals per game.

Half of those steals come courtesy of Bowman, the MIAA Player of the Year. He’ll be in the featured matchup, along with Randolph-Macon’s All-American, Buzz Anthony.  While the ODAC has not yet released their postseason awards, Anthony is already a two time defending conference POY and one of the smoothest guards in the country. He averages six assists per game, despite sharing ball-handling duties with Josh Talbert.

There are a lot of names to know and watch between the two squads, but both Trine and RMC find strength in numbers. Eight Thunder players average double digit minutes; that number jumps to eleven for the Yellowjackets. Trine relies a little more heavily on Bowman, Brent Cox, and Bryce Williams to put points on the board, but Randolph-Macon scoring can literally come from anywhere. Neither team will sacrifice much on defense when the benches enter the game.

Randolph-Macon will certainly be the favorite Sunday – besides the experience and rebounding already mentioned, they’ll be on their home court and shoot 40% from three as a team – Trine is no slouch and certainly a worthy opponent for this clash of Titans.

Trine enters the game on an eight-day layoff, their conference tournament having ended last week.  Randolph-Macon gets just two days to recover from a hard-fought ODAC title victory over a very strong Lynchburg squad. Due to regular season cancellations that lead to a seeding quirk, they also had to play the entire tournament on the road; they haven’t played a home game since February.

It may not the be the March basketball we’d hoped for, but it’s more March basketball than we feared we’d get just a few weeks ago – and it’s a game worthy of all the hype we can muster. Fingers crossed for negative tests and a great game on Sunday!