University of Georgia Athletics
NCAA Tennis Bracket Release Still Brings Jitters
April 28, 2015 | Women's Tennis
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
ATHENS, Ga. -- There's anxiousness and excitement in the air around the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in the hours before the NCAA men's and women's tennis tournament brackets are releases, but no major angst or discomfort.
The Bulldogs, the men and women are ranked No. 7 in the most recent ITA national rankings, are surely in their respective fields of 64 teams with at-large bids. There's not even much concern over where the perennial national powers will play their first- and second-round matches. If it's anywhere but the Magill Complex, there's your upset.
Manuel Diaz is in his 27th season as Georgia's head coach and starting with 1984, when he was a young assistant under Magill, the Bulldogs have been to the NCAA tournament every year. Nineteen times in the past 30 years, Georgia has reached the semifinals or better in the tournament, winning four national titles.
Despite all that, tournament time brings some jitters.
"It's an exciting time -- not only exciting, it's something you approach with some apprehension," said Diaz, whose Bulldogs were SEC regular season co-champions. "There's a whole lot of components to winning and one is obviously what your draw is. You prepare for the worst because you're probably going to get it. It's never going to be easy."
The Georgia men and women will find out what their tournament paths look like this afternoon when the NCAA releases the brackets. You can watch the selection show online (http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule), starting with the women's bracket at 5 p.m. and the men's at 5:30.
On Wednesday, after 6 p.m., the NCAA will release the men's and women's singles and doubles draws, which will also feature several Bulldogs.
Like Diaz, Wallace is no stranger to the tournament. He's in his 30th season coaching the women's team, which he has led to a pair of national titles and at least the second round of the NCAA tournament every year since 1987. But every year is different and every team is different, so this time of year always feels a bit different.
"We were sitting there brainstorming (Monday) morning about where we were going to be seeding, who we were going to play and what part of the bracket we're going to be in. That's always fun. It gets a little nerve-wracking, but it's definitely exciting. This is your postseason and the NCAA tournament, so it's going to be fun."
Diaz said he doesn't play the speculation game much.
"Even when you think you've got it figured out, you don't really know what the heck's going to take place," he said with a laugh.
Both Georgia teams are coming off disappointing losses in the finals of their SEC tournaments. The men fell 4-2 to host Texas A&M on April 19, in a match that swung back the Aggies' way following a long rain delay with just two singles matches remaining. The women got behind 3-0 to Vanderbilt at South Carolina, only to rally and draw even at 3-3. The final match went the Commodores' way for a 4-3 victory.
Both coaches said the time off between the end of the conference tournament and the start of NCAA tournament play next weekend is valuable. Players can put the losses behind them, players can rest and get healthy, and teams can regroup for the big push to end the season.
John Frierson is a staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Hall of Fame at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. You can follow him on Twitter: @TheFrierson and @ITAHallofFame.