Jerusalem Bracket

Jerusalem Bracket
#1 Seed: 16th Century AD (Bye)

Coach: Charles V
(s) Torquato Tasso
(s) Erasmus of Rotterdam
(s) John Calvin
(s) Martin Luther
(s) Niccolo Machiavelli
John of the Cross
Francisco Suarez
Michel de Montaigne
Ludovico Ariosto

The champions of the competitive Modern Conference bring top talent to every position, but the star of stars is Martin Luther, who leads them in scoring and rebounding. An unstoppable physical presence around the basket, Luther plays with an anger and urgency that is unmatched by any other player in the tournament. Although this passion fuels his play on the court, his fiery personality has led to an inordinate amount of technicals and some tense confrontations in the locker room, especially with Erasmus. If Charles V can keep his star on the floor and in the team concept, this squad is the obvious favorite to win it all. If not, there are plenty of players who can step up in his place, but an upset is hardly out of the question.

#4 Seed: 3rd Century AD (vs #5)

Coach: Diocletian
(s) Tertullian
(s) Origen
(s) Plotinus
(s) Clement of Alexandria
(s) Iamblichus
Porphyry
Cyprian
Diogenes Laertius
Dio Cassius

A deceptively athletic team, the 3rd Century looks gets most of its offense from Plotinus and Origen. Although he is known primarily for his ability to throw down the alley-oop, Plotinus has also proven himself quite effective when he goes to work in the post, and nobody turns a broken play into a score better than Origen. If either of these talented players gets into foul trouble, however, it can be a long night for this team.

#5 Seed: 9th Century AD (vs #4)
Coach: Charlemagne
(s) The Beowulf Poet
(s) Einhard
(s) John Scotus Eriugena
(s) Walafrid Strabo
(s) Rabanus Maurus
Lupus Servetus
Otfrid of Weissenberg
Ebbo
Paschasius Radbertus

Although they may not have the same talent as others, this team is perhaps the most cohesive unit in the tournament, since all the stars came from the same area, and many grew up playing together. The big question mark for this team is how well they can fare against the more talented teams, since they piled up most of their conference wins against illiterate barbarians. All in all, this is a team that is capable of scaring the higher seeds; don’t be surprised to see them get the upset. At the same time don’t be surprised to see them utterly dominated.


#3 Seed: 1st Century AD (vs #6)

Coach: Vespasian
(s) Martial
(s) Lucan
(s) Philo Judaeus
(s) Seneca
(s) Quintilian
Josephus
Statius
Petronius
Pliny the Elder

A talented team that has struggled all season to find consistency. Some days Philo is their best player, some days Seneca. If Lucan’s shots are falling he is capable of scoring in bunches. Their defense has been spotty, and they lack anyone who can really play above the rim. Nevertheless, a wealth of playmakers makes them a challenge for any team and Vespasian is a solid coach.



#6 Seed: 15th Century AD (vs #3)

Coach: Lorenzo the Magnificent
(s) Lorenzo Valla
(s) Pico della Mirandola
(s) Gabriel Biel
(s) Nicolas of Cusa
(s) Jan Hus
Marsilio Ficino
Thomas Malory
Leon Battista Alberti

Here is another team that excels in the front court and looks to play a slow methodical game. As long as the offense runs through Hus and Biel down low and they stay true to their defensive roots this is a solid team. Unfortunately Pico della Mirandola and Lorenzo Valla are prone to over-dribbling and taking bad shots. In the end, the success or failure of this team lies in the hands of their Humanist guards: if they act primarily as ball distributors, and get the Scholastics involved, this team can pull off the upset, but if they are convinced that they can win the game all on their own, it’ll be a long night for the 15th Century.


#2 Seed: 4th Century AD (Bye)

Coach: Constantine
(s) Ambrose
(s) John Chrysostom
(s) Basil the Great
(s) Athanasius
(s) Gregory of Nazianzen
Gregory of Nyssa
Ammianus Marcellinus
Arius
Early Augustine

The Fathers of the Church come into the tournament having won 9 of their last 10, and Constantine has them playing together like no one else in the field, despite some early season friction between Arius and his more Nicene teammates. Their crisp passing and aggressive defense give them a chance in any game, although several of their players (especially Athanasius) are prone to foul trouble. If they continue their current play, however, this is a team that could go far.