Quote from: GoldandBlueBU on February 28, 2025, 03:38:42 PMSo, how are the Gustavus playoff prospects looking after failing to make the MIAC championship?

They're barely hanging on to one of the last spots as of now, a couple mild upsets should be all it takes to knock them out.

Quote from: BDB on February 19, 2025, 04:28:09 PMRIP Northland College.

We hosted them in hoops last night, they had gotten the email their school was closing while they were on the bus. All things considered they were in good spirits. Tough days for small colleges.

Quote from: SpartyBlue on January 27, 2025, 11:20:14 AM

Quote from: SpartyBlue on January 23, 2025, 03:29:06 PM

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on December 16, 2024, 09:15:19 PMI think Gustavus could give them a run.  They don't play until very late in the season, but I think GAC is pretty darn good.

I watched Dubuque take apart Gustavus in person a few weeks ago.  It's only one game but...I didn't see anything special in GAC--they're an old team, physically strong, but they couldn't handle UD's speed at all, looked plodding offensively.  In their tour-de-American Rivers they also barely beat Coe and Central, both of whom are decent but not great, but 2 of 3 opponent victories inside the Massey 100.  I could be wrong, but was very unimpressed with GAC.

I'd love to get someone's take here.  GAC has been rolling since this loss, but against subpar competition.  I understand how road games can be fluky, just curious how much of a quality win this was for UD.  Fun fact: on 12/30 Dubuque loses to 373rd Massey ranked Blackburn....on 1/4 UD runs over 29th Massey ranked GAC--go figure.

I'd say it's definitely Dubuque's best win on the schedule. I don't see evidence that Gustavus is a top 25 team yet, but they've been consistent all year.

And yet, the Johnnies will continue to recruit 50 guys who could play at other D3s and will hardly sniff the field in Collegeville. It's a good problem to have.

Quote from: faunch on January 06, 2025, 07:14:42 PM

Quote from: BDB on January 06, 2025, 07:06:51 PMGo Bison.

Would like to see the Bobcats finally win one.

Horns up!

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 23, 2024, 11:47:10 PMSorry to be the bearer of bad news on that one. Bummed to be losing him from D-III but at least he is going to the highest level. I'd be sad if he were leaving us for even some place like NDSU.

NDSU would have crushed the Badgers this year.

Quote from: sfury on December 10, 2024, 06:31:40 PM

Quote from: GoldandBlueBU on December 10, 2024, 04:16:29 PMNice Jung article from Ruesse....  Ruesse - Jung - Strib

Didn't know much about Jung's story so really enjoyed that. What a stud.

Story mentions MN State Mankato. For those who haven't followed their postseason adventures, the Mavs are now in the national semis. THREE straight weeks they've come back from two scores down in the second half. I'm guessing that's never been done before in D2, D3 or FCS playoff history. First one against Augustana they scored twice in last two minutes and recovered an onside kick. And last week against Bemidji were down 23-14. Cut it to 23-21 in fourth and Bemidji had it inside the 5, looking to seal it. Fumbled, Mavs scooped it up and took it deep, scored few plays later. Then held off three Bemidji passes from the 4 yard line in the final 25 seconds to hold on 27-23. They definitely aren't as good as some of the great Mavs teams of the past decade but on a magical run.

With the youngest Jung going to Duluth that means both of my football coaching cousins and my main rival apparently have the Jung house on speed dial.

Assuming this is what Faunch meant to share

You don't need home games or easy games to win in the playoffs. The top 4 teams in the country find a way to win games in the tournament.

Quote from: BiggieSmalls on November 20, 2024, 12:25:22 PM

Quote from: repete on November 20, 2024, 10:59:58 AMGreat stuff. Lake Forest drops like a stone. That it gets a No. 2 seed is Exhibit 1 about the need to tweak.

Agreed. Lake Forest got very lucky this year to get in using current model. River Falls got the opposite treatment from current model.

Lake Forest is not going to get much benefit out of their "seed" but of course they didn't need the NPI to get in the field to begin with as they're an auto-bid.  They're getting a pretty tough matchup against Bethel or Coe and they're going to travel to whichever team wins. The #1 seed for the Johnnies isn't worth much either when geography still gives them the toughest region.

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on November 19, 2024, 11:07:46 PMThe guys at D3 Datacast did a really interesting analysis of what happens when you change the NPI weighting for strength of schedule and win percentage.

https://d3datacast.com/2024/11/19/changing-npi-dials-change-2024-d3-football-playoff-field/

You can get some things that you like by adjusting the dials, but kicking out #24 John Carroll out of the field and replacing them with 7-3 Muhlenberg doesn't make much sense. A good SOS that includes margin of victory like Massey etc., has John Carroll with a tougher schedule than Muhlenberg.

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on November 17, 2024, 10:26:22 PMYes, I'm counting on an upset. What's your early line?

I always defer to Massey for Northwestern games, but I'm sure we'll come out firing.

All I'm hearing from the group is you'd rather not see La Crosse in the 2nd round so you're all going to be big UNW fans Saturday.

We played at 11 last Saturday, worked out great.  Would be fun for every conference to play 1 game a week early that everybody else in the conference could follow while they wait for their game to start.

MIAC PICK-EMS
WEEK 11
MIAC CHAMPIONSHIP: 2pts
#24 Bethel (+7.5) @ #3 St. John's

Other games:1pt
Concordia @ Gustavus (+7.5)
Macalester (+7.5) @ St. Scholastica
Augsburg (+5.5) @ St. Olaf
Hamline (+20.5) @ Carleton
St. Thomas (+10.5) @ #25 Butler
#17 Linfield @ #16 Whitworth (EVEN)