Watched Dave last night on Hoopsville and he does a great job, however I have to admit his opening interview and discussion about the Little East Conference left a lot to be desired.  The Little East Conference has always been a top conference in the country but for some reason people choose to ignore it.  I do realize the Northeast talk is all about the NESCAC and yes the teams at the top of that conference deserve credit.  I'm not even trying to say the top teams in the Little East are in their category year in and year out.  I AM saying the LEC is a player in the national scene.  They CONSISTENTLLY send teams to the tournament and you see them in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 year in and year out.  So to say they are just coming on the scene is an oversight.

Also, if you notice the LEC plays each team twice which is a very difficult task.  The teams in the NESCAC play ONCE and for those teams that choose to play an "out of conference" game for the second time in a season you see them splitting.  Look no further than Wesleyan.  They play Amherst, and Williams twice a year look and see how that is working out.  That's what happens in the LEC EVERY YEAR!

As for Keene State, the first player brought up was Derek D'Amours, who hasn't been with the team since January 1st!  That's the first guy you bring up to a coach when you have him on air?  A little homework on that one would have been good.  Also you chose to focus on a loss to Williams on DECEMBER 7th!  REALLY DECEMBER 7th? That's like an ENTIRE SEASON AGO!  Everyone knows teams come together and develop over the course of a season especially one as long as the basketball season. 

Why is it you didn't choose to focus on the fact that KSC has won 10-12 since Jan.1st, with 3 wins over top 25 teams (or they were at the time) and only 2 losses to WCONN who was also ranked nationally this season?  And oh by the way you could have focused on the MORE RECENT WIN over #1 Ranked Middlebury. 

But...if you need an explanation for the Williams game here it is:  GIVE THEM CREDIT they shot unbelievably  well from the floor ...think Villanova –Georgetown national championship if you can remember....ALSO THAT WAS A DIFFERENT KSC TEAM!  They lacked chemistry, and Rashad Wright did not play in the game.  Since they have put it together you can see they are a force.

I like the show and watch all the time but just though that segment lacked depth and research.

What a scene at West Conn yesterday. I have seen a lot of games over the years, in and out of this conference, with bad calls. However, can't remember a time when it was so obvious that the momentum in the game changed because of very poor officiating. Keene was in control of that game and for a stretch of about 5 or so minutes, had about 4 or 5 calls that completely changed where the game was going. NOT THAT WEST CONN STILL COULDN'T HAVE MADE A COMEBACK WITHOUT THEIR HELP. But if you watched you could see that after that stretch of the game, Keene didn't know what to do.

As far as that three pointer that was a two, if you get a chance to see the west conn broadcast or for entertainment purposes the Keene broadcast, can clearly see that call was badly blown. Bridter's shot might not have even been a high school 3 pointer, let a lone a college 3 with the extended line.

Hopefully this isn't something we are talking about come the end of the year. Hopefully both teams can move on (specially Keene) and try to put this one behind them because unfortunately there is nothing anyone can do. Let's hope the rest of the games are quality games decided by the extremely talented players in our league, and not the officiating, like what happened at O'Neil yesterday.

Mr. ypsi and everyone...

Much appreciated on how things are broken down and obviously it's a very difficult process. Definetly not shooting the messenger haha! Appreciate your efforts to brake it down for us. I think unfortunately for you, everyone is angry at the committee and it comes off like they are mad at you!

Judging by explanations I don't want to get ahead of myself and say something i shouldnt based on ignorance.

Here are two schedules and records. First is RIC. Second is Keene State. And I know they don't do this in the rankings, but Keene's one bad loss, against Williams on the road, was without two players in their regular rotation, one includes their 6'10" starting center. Maybe with a look at the schedules someone can offer me their opinion as to why RIC is so high, and Keene is so low.

RIC
   DATE            OPPONENT                       W/L    SCORE  ATTEND
   ------------    --------------------           ---    -----  ------
   11/15/11        CLARK                          W      70-52     525
   11/17/11     at Becker                         W      60-52     341
   11/19/11        LASELL                         W      72-69     274
   11/22/11     at Bridgewater State University   W      64-52     600
   11/27/11     at Brandeis                       W      61-50     125
   11/29/11        JOHNSON & WALES                W      89-62     703
  *12/03/11     at Plymouth State                 W      65-51     250
   12/06/11        SALVE REGINA                   W      69-55     353
   12/08/11        WPI                            W      57-47     332
  *12/10/11     at Eastern Connecticut              L    59-70     800
   01/05/12     at Wheaton (MA)                   W      71-53     147
  *01/07/12        UMASS BOSTON                   W      88-51     341
  *01/10/12        SOUTHERN MAINE                 W      73-40     235
  *01/14/12     at Keene State College              L    91-92     800
  *01/17/12        UMASS DARTMOUTH                W      61-57     311
  *01/21/12        PLYMOUTH STATE                 W      61-43     231
  *01/24/12     at Western Connecticut              L    87-93     345
  *01/28/12        EASTERN CONNECTICUT            W      66-48     341
   1/31/12      at Amherst College                  L    69-79     450
  *02/04/12     at UMass Boston                   W      75-51      89
  *02/07/12     at UMass Dartmouth                  L    68-73     650


KEENE STATE
DATE            OPPONENT                       W/L    SCORE  ATTEND
   ------------    --------------------           ---    -----  ------
   11/15/11     vs Colby-Sawyer                   W      87-73     275
   11/18/11        UNIV. NEW ENGLAND              W      87-51     711
   11/19/11        SAINT LAWRENCE                 W      75-54     930
   11/22/11     at MCLA                           W     103-75      50
   11/29/11     at Springfield College              L    79-85     542
  *12/03/11        UMASS DARTMOUTH                W      92-55     933
   12-07-11     at Williams College                 L    74-103    512
  *12/10/11     at UMass Boston                   W      89-65     576
   12/18/11     vs Mt. St. Vincent                W     106-99       -
   12/19/11     at Nova Southeastern                L    70-83     126
   01/05/12        LASELL COLLEGE                 W      90-62     275
  *1/7/12       at Southern Maine                 W      79-60     396
  *01/10/12        WESTERN CONN. STATE              L    87-94     623
  *01/14/12        RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE           W      92-91     800
  *01/17/12        PLYMOUTH STATE                 W      71-61    1112
  *01/21/12     at UMass Dartmouth                W      70-68     125
  *01/24/12     at Eastern Connecticut            W      64-56     800
  *01/28/12        UMASS BOSTON                   W      86-70    1144
   01/31/12        MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE             W      77-76    1995
   02/02/12     at Saint Josephs (VT)             W      84-83     133
  *02/04/12        SOUTHERN MAINE                 W      92-57    1511
  *02/07/12     at Plymouth State                 W      86-71     450

Mr. Y you are right in pointing out the criteria, but even following the criteria how does RIC end up higher than Keene, and E
East conn? Keene beat those two teams, has a better record, has played some tough opponents, and has wins equal too if not better than theres. What am I missing out on? They are number one in one of the toughest conferences around. It's very frustrating because I don't see any way that you can arrange the numbers and say that RIC is better than Keene, I just dont see it?

Not to mention West Conn who is also ahead, has lost to two teams with well below 500 records. If it is home wins vs. road wins that is making this big of a discrepency than they need to reavulate the criteria. Oh, Keene beat East Conn at their place, FYI.

I appreciate you approaching it objectively, not all of us do sometimes. But I must side with the Extender. However, we all learn in life you can't rely on others to give you want you want, you have to go take it. So Keene will just have to sweep out the rest of their schedule, which will be more than challenging in order to prove themselves. The rest of their schedule FYI, their opponents combine for a 49-14 record. Maybe that will be good enough. Probably not.

7express your absolutely right. What an absolute joke these regional rankings are. That's a crime that Albertus is in 12th, KEENE IS IN 8th? HOWWWWW? How are all three of the Little East teams ahead of Keene, who has won like 9 or 10 in a row, they beat East Conn and RIC. Western did beat Keene and unfortunately for them didn't show up for a couple of games and lost. There is no way. Oh and let's not forget that little minor game a week ago at Spaulding that Keene State won, against, wait who's that team again? Oh yeah, MIDDLEBURY. Terrible. Keene and West Conn are playing the best of all the Little East schools right now. And yet, RIC, who does have recognition because of the past couple of years, but has lost to both Keene and West Conn, gets ahead? Atleast you can say with Albertus, although I think they should be higher, that they play in a weeeeaak conference.

But Keene 8th? The Little East is a very very good conference, right behind the NESCAC regionally. How is the #1 team (By 2 games) 8th? Anywho, now that I have ranted, hopefully this lights a fire underneath the Owls for their remaining schedule because it is murderers row down the stretch. And now they have even more to prove to the BLIND squirrels ranking the regions.

Going to be a great game Saturday in Danbury with two really quality teams playing well right now!

Heck of a night in Keene tonight. Could see why Spaulding Gym is known as one of the best homecourts tonight. Few things from the game. One, even though the Game came down to the final possession, Keene could have won by 7 or 8 if they could have converted better at the free throw line. They must have missed 15 free throws or so, as well as having one of the nations best free throw shooter miss on the front end of a 1 & 1 to make it a 3 point game late.

Two, Rashad Wright was arguably the best player on the court for both teams. He had 3 monster jams inside, one in traffic. He was able to neutralize Ryan Sharry, and outplayed him in the post. Since his return to the lineup Keene has been a different team.

Unfortunate that RIC couldn't take down Amherst after leading early, and Dartmouth fell to Tufts in OT. Would have been a great night for the conference. Hopefully Eastern can take care of business tomorrow night.

Finally, I think it may be time to stop saying Keene may be a team to watch out for, and start calling them the best team in the conference, right now. We all know a lot can change come LEC tournament time. But over the past month, it's tough to say any team has played better.

Interesting day in the LEC yesterday with WCSU losing to USM and RIC beating ESCU.  Keene continued their win streak and are 1st in the LEC.  Also typical on the D3 round up the "jumble" in the LEC didn't mention KSC.  There is no "jumble" in the LEC, Keene is 1st by two games right now, that may change but for now that's where things stand.  If you really look at KSC, they have 4 losses, 1 game to a DII team, Williams, WCSU, were both ranked, and Springfield isn't a bad team.  They also have two recent wins vs. top 25 teams.  It should be an interesting game with Middlebury headed to Keene Tuesday night.  Keep in mind the LEC also plays twice, you notice the limited NESCAC schedule...they play once. 

Should be fun down the stretch....

Does anybody know where I can find a full schedule for the Harwich site? 

This is my first time on the CCC board.  yes, the coaches get to rate the officials.  I also know for fact the ECAC does take the ratings very seriously.  That's not to say the coaches can pick the officials they want but lets say they can voice their opinion and in some circumstances they can get the scheduler to change some assignments.

MeOak21, I know you better that,  you would never bash anybody.  I'm trying not to do the same. 

MeOak21, you were a good player in the LEC I think Boston is having the same problems they usually have.  I'm not an expert and have only seen them once.  I would hate to get into bashing someone's team since I don't know the entire story.  Just my thoughts.   

Pat...I know the NCAA produces a power rankings computer poll based on strenght of schedule.  I'm wondering if you have access to that information and that's what you're poll uses to determine strenght of schedule.  If you do have it I think it would be interesting if you posted that on the web site.

Thanks for the clarifaction Pat....I thought Hoops Fan was a voter.  My mistake.  I'm anxious to see how the season ends in the LEC...Lots could still happen.

MeOak21, I've seen UMB play and they are no push over.  For some reason they don't seem to be playing as well as a unit, but with Barros and Paniagua back I'd hate to be a team who has to play them in the tourney.  They are the ideal candidate to get hot, win three in a row, and win the Trouney. 

Huge rivalry game in the LEC this week...KSC v. PSU.  Forget the records on that one it'll be interesting to see how it goes.  KSC takes to the road after a big win at home vs. RIC.  They could be caught a little off guard. 

Pat, I'm just chatting here, I'm not upset.  I thought the point of having a discussion board is for people to espress their thoughts.   If you look at the posts you'll see this is a quote from one of the people on the board....

"If you look at KSC's and RIC's schedules then you have to admit that RIC has had some more impressive wins (vs. Iona and Tufts) to this point"

Which is why I brought it up. 

You will also see another post that reads....if KSC beats RIC will it knock them out of the top 25....the response was..."that's given" 

I'm just trying to stimulate some chatter and interest.  I would hope sprots fans have a thicker skin.  I'm not trying to offend anybody. 

Glad you got to that game Pat.  Here's something for consideration....

If RIC was getting ranked ahead of KSC becasue of their "strenght of schedule" then what does it say for KSC that the pounded RIC and their "strenght of schedule?"  Maybe KSC should stay in the top 25.  I have a bit of an issue that you wrote "it's a given" that if Keene beat RIC they would both be out of the Top 25.  I think you can't objectivly make a decision like that on a Wednesday morning.  I feel you have to let the week and games play out...then decide who's in and who's out.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying KSC MUST be ranked, I'm just saying you have to let them play the games then rank.  I feel after the beating they threw on #22 ranked RIC and....since it seems the Iona win is playing a part in the RIC "strenght of schedule"...then you must consider the good beating KSC threw on WPI in their scrimmage...Keene is legit to remain in the Top 25. 

Having said that a loss to ECONN does not help and I wouldn't blame voters for not putting them in ...but I do think it needs careful consideration.

Glad you got to the game and hope you had fun...Keene is a great atmosphere for a game. 

I'm guessing if Keene beats RIC that will knock both teams out of the top 25.  Just a guess.  I will say this.  I've seen all of the teams in the Little East play this year and I think the Conference is more talented this year than that have been in years past...from top to bottom. 

USM is really talent deprived but they did lose a boat load of ability for various reasons, and Plymouth is not as good as they have been in the past but...as you saw with the ECONN game they are good enough to beat anybody on any night. 

I have always felt the LEC doesn't get enough credit in the "strength of schedule" rating becasue the conference is tough and they do play each other twice.  It's not easy.