Numbers and notes for Day 1 at The Aud

I will be assisting the Free Press sports department - where I was once a proud staffer in a different lifetime - again the Barre Auditorium this year. My first assignment is Monday's D-II/D-IV doubleheader.

Good buddy Alex Abrami beat me to the punch with a preview on the Varsity Insider blog at 1:15 a.m., but not to be completely outdone I'm going to go a little second-level with my numbers to add some more depth to his first-rate, first-look.

After you fill up on his hearty note package, come back here for dessert.

Division IV - No. 1 Rochchester (21-1) vs. No. 5 Twinfield (15-7), 6:30 p.m.

This the 11th all-time playoff meeting for the two schools, with each team winning five times. This is the fifth time they have played in the semifinals, with each team winning twice. In their long playoff histories, the teams have amassed the same amount of playoff wins (Rochester is 52-40 and Twinfield is 52-37).

What do these numbers have to do with tonight's game? Nothing, but they are interesting to note. At least to me.

And because this blog is all about me, I'm going to indulge with more numbers and share their entire playoff history. Hey, I didn't say this stuff was going to be riveting, just informative.

1968 - Rochester 81, Twinfield 70 - Semis

1969 - Twinfield 69, Rochester 61 - Finals

1970 - Rochester 63, Twinfield 57 - Finals

1972 - Twinfield 67, Rochester 64 - Semis

1980 - Twinfield 79, Rochester 53 - Finals

1993 - Rochester 50, Twinfield 45 - Semis

1995 - Rochester 79, Twinfield 72 - Semis

1997 - Twinfield 62, Rochester 55 - Finals

1999 - Rochester 54, Twinfield 47 - Playdowns

2012 - Twinfield 63, Rochester 52 - Semis

In addition to the scoring information in Alex's blog, according to the Times Argus' Anna Grearson's Twitter timeline, David Codling scored 27 points in the Trojans' 58-37 playdown win over Craftsbury, leaving him 27 shy of 1,000. He then, according the Free Press report on the quarterfinal game, had 10 points in the 61-47 win over Danville. I'm no math major (or any major, for that matter) but that means he may need just 17 points tonight to reach the milestone.

While Twinfield has six more losses than Rochester this season - including one to the Rockets - a closer look reveals their record may not be a complete indicator as to their ability this season.

Of their seven losses, five are to teams in the Final Four and five of their losses are by four points or less, including the four-point loss to the Rockets.

Twinfield also fell to Rivendell by 3, Thetford by 4, Williamstown by 2 and 15, Rochester by 4, Oxbow by 3 ad Danville by 15.

The Trojans average 64.1 points per game and allow 50.7 points per game. They have scored as many as 94 and as few as 41 points in a game this season and have allowed a season-high of 75 and a season low of 36.

Twinfield is the two-time defending state champs, has a 10-game playoff win streak and is playing in its fourth straight Final Four. The Trojans are 11-6 in Division IV semifinals in their history have won nine state titles, including one in Division III.

Rochester is seeking its' first title since 1998 and is making its second straight Final Four appearance after a 13-year absence. The Rockets have won five state titles, three in Division IV, one in Division III and one in Division II, but none since a 61-60 win over Craftsbury back in 1993. The Rockets are 13-10 all-time in semifinal games.

The Rockets, riding a 14-game win streak, average 72.8 points per game and allow an average of 41.4. They scored a season high of 92 and a season low of 47 in their quarterfinal win over Blue Mountain. They have allowed a season high of 73, in their lone loss to undefeated D-III power Williamstown and have twice allowed just 27 points in a game this season.

Division II - No. 1 Vergennes (22-0) vs. No. 5 U-32 (16-6), 8:15 p.m.

Again, I urge you to read Alex's blog for some great scoring stats from this season and information about the regular-season game the teams played and then come back if you want some more minuntae to ponder.

Despite the fact the two schools have played practically of their playoff games in the Division II tournaments over the years, this is just the fourth all-time playoff meeting between the schools.

2000 - Vergennes 62, U-32 57 - Playdowns

1985 - Vergennes 66, U-32 53 - Quarterfinals

1976 - Vergennes 62, U-32 61 - Playdowns

Vergennes sports an all-time playoff record of 44-36, including a 2-2 mark in the Division III tournament. The Commodores are 7-9 in semifinal games in Division II (0-2 in D-III) and have won three state titles, with the last coming in 2001 (a 71-56 win over Lamoille). VUHS lost to MSJ in last year's state title game, 71-56. This is the Commodores' eighth Final Four in 13 years.

Vergennes is averaging 67.0 points scored and 44.8 points allowed this season with a season high of 87 points scored (against U-32) and a low of 47 in its quarterfinal win over Fair Haven. The Commodores have allowed as many as 64 points and as few as 29. They have played just six games in which they have won by less than 10 points and their closest margin of victory was six in their season-opener against CVU.

U-32 is 50-34 all-time in the playoffs, all in Division II. The Raiders are 9-8 in the semifinals and have won four titles, the last of which came in 2010 (a 52-43 win over MVU). This is U-32's seventh Final Four in 12 years.

U-32 is averaging 59.5 points per game and allowing 52.6. They have scored a high of 75 and a low of 42 and have allowed a high of 87 and a low of 35. The Raiders were 2-5 to start the season and are 14-1 since. They have played nine games decided by 10 or fewer points and are 7-2 in such games, including seven straight wins in that circumstance.