MBB: Little East

[Pat Coleman]

I thought I did a good job of debunking the Iona thing. Also, the person who said KSC and RIC would BOTH drop out of the Top 25 isn't a voter and, frankly, isn't a very good poll predictor.

Sorry, Hoops Fan, it's true. You make blanket statements sometimes that puzzle me to no end. Why would it be a given that BOTH teams would drop out? I thought you'd learned something in your trips outside the CCC board, but I guess not.

[MeOak21]

Any UMass Boston fans around here who have something to say for themselves?? I know you might be keeping a low profile because of their poor performance so far this season. Some of you might have abandoned them altogether... (I'm hoping the 3OT win last night might have woken some of you up)

Anyway, I haven't gotten a chance to see them play this year and I am interested in what is going on with these guys. Is there any good reason, that I may be unaware of, that this team in underachieving so badly??

[PressBreaker]

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. 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I thought I did a good job of debunking the Iona thing. Also, the person who said KSC and RIC would BOTH drop out of the Top 25 isn't a voter and, frankly, isn't a very good poll predictor.

Sorry, Hoops Fan, it's true. You make blanket statements sometimes that puzzle me to no end. Why would it be a given that BOTH teams would drop out? I thought you'd learned something in your trips outside the CCC board, but I guess not.

No.  You're very right.  My logic in these sorts of things doesn't ever seem to match up with anyone else.  Quite frankly, I'm not sure why I said they'd both drop out.  I certainly wouldn't drop Keene.  Maybe I was just trying to stir up some much needed debate on this board.  I really don't know.

By the way, wasn't that last jab just a little too much?  I've got some think hide, but that one dug deep.  Speaking of blanket statements.

Thanks for the clarifaction Pat....I thought Hoops Fan was a voter. 

While I thank you for the (probably undeserved) respect.  If that ever happens, it spells the end of this site as a reputable journalistic organization.


Glad to see Keene win though.

[MeOak21]

Pressbreaker-  I am aware that UMass Boston has the talent and ability to win a streak of games and potentially steal the LEC title come tourney time. However, my question was more intended to examine WHY they have underachieved to this point. With maturing talent and added depth this year, as opposed to last year; to what can we attribute their poor record??

I agree that the PSU/KSC game could be a battle mainly because of the history these teams have with eachother.
But I have to ask this question. How can PSU possibly match up with the size and quickness of KSC?

I think this might be the most uneven matchup between these two teams that we have seen in the past 4-5 years. However, to PSU's credit, they have lost a bunch of close ones this year and if Keene gives the perimeter shooters good looks at the basket, it could be close.

[PressBreaker]

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.

[Pat Coleman]

Well, that rating (quality of wins) is pretty flawed. It doesn't take into account how the team's opponents got their record, etc. It's really basic. We do calculate it and post it as the season gets closer to Selection Sunday but we do not believe it is an accurate ranking one bit.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I wouldn't call the QOWI (Quality of Wins Index) a "power poll" per say as it only incorporates in-region games and it does not take into account the opponents of your opponents.  In other words, you would get more points in the QOWI for beating a 14-6 GNAC team than you would in beating a 13-7 NESCAC team.  It doesn't care that one team's losses are to Johnson State and SVU while the other team lost by 2 to Amherst and by 5 to Trinity.

The only thing the QOWI is used for is to assist the regional committees in making the regional ranking and for the selection of Pool B and Pool C teams for the tournament.

Pat may send those numbers out to the voters, but I doubt it and certainly it is not a main criteria for voters if they do have it.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

You beat me, Pat.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've found that the Massey ratings are more accurate, although the farther you are from the end of the regular season the less accurate they become, as with any other computer poll.


Be sure to use the ratings with MOV included, otherwise it's just silly.

[MeOak21]

I in no way intend to bash any team- just wanted to get an opinion on a teams struggles to this point. I appreciate your honest response.

[PressBreaker]

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

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah -- I don't send QOWI and I don't send Massey out either, actually. People can use whatever they like if they do their own research but we stick to the basic wins, losses, location, opponents' record.

[MeOak21]

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. 

Good call...

[MeOak21]

Pressbreaker- I know you were probably at the KSC/PSU game. What was the deal last night? Did Keene come out cold or was Plymouth just playing that much better than the Owls?

My media player isn't working so I haven't been able to listen to the games online...