Bumblin' B's

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The second week Regional Rankings have been released: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[Greek Tragedy]

I think it's time to bring this up. There is a Pool B spot available this year. Who's going to take it? (Data taken from Matt Snyder)

Likely candidate appears to be:
Gwynedd Mercy (16-8 AEC) .667/.490/0-2

A few teams in the ballpark:
Marywood (15-8 AEC; 14-8 vs D3) .636/.460/0-0
Thomas More (15-8 ACAA; 10-7 vs D3) .588/.488/1-3
Wesley (12-11 AEC; 11-10 vs D3) .524/.527/0-2

And just to include teams who aren't in the AEC for comparison:
Alfred St (13-10 ACAA; 8-8 vs D3) .500/.463/0-2
UC-Santa Cruz (14-11 Ind; 7-10 vs D3) .412/.468/0-1

Interesting that none of these teams would sniff a Pool C bid, which makes me kind of think they're wasting a NCAA bid on a team that isn't really worthy?

[fantastic50]

Conferences without enough eligible teams to secure a Pool A berth tend to be weak, and the same is true for independents, so a Pool B berth usually goes to a weak team. However, I don't think that Pool B teams are any arrange than lower ranking conference champs. Pool B does fit with the D3 philosophy of tourney access.

[Ralph Turner]

Conferences without enough eligible teams to secure a Pool A berth tend to be weak, and the same is true for independents, so a Pool B berth usually goes to a weak team. However, I don't think that Pool B teams are any arrange than lower ranking conference champs. Pool B does fit with the D3 philosophy of tourney access.

+1!.  I agree.

Pool B is where teams and conferences get their start.  Pool B used to have many quality teams before all of the conferences started moving to Pool A. In baseball, there are several quality Pool B programs, e.g., WIAC, UAA, formerly Chapman before they joined the SCIAC.

If you want to talk about a conference that has been a real incubator for D3 programs, it would be the NEAC.

Go back and look at the programs who have been in the NEAC over the last 20 years.

You can see that the schools have gotten started there, have had success in building successful programs that provide opportunities for student athletes, and have moved onto other conferences as mission-vision goals have been re-assessed by the institution.

The worst Pool C team usually ranks out at about 60th percentile of the Pool As.

Sometimes, there are surprises when schools from really deep regions get picked and go far.

In the 2018 baseball championships, UT-Tyler from the ASC was eliminated in the first weekend of the ASC post-season tourney, basically a tie for 3rd.  They packed up their gear on May 6th and went home. Many thought that they were the last Pool C picked. They get shipped to the Central Region where they beat strong programs in Aurora, Franklin,  UWW, Webster, and Rhodes to go 6-1 and win to the regional.

They beat Texas Lutheran, the West Region Champ, in the Finals of the Nationals.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Much of what has been said could stand for my place.

When a Pool A scenario exists where automatic bids are available for those in conferences that qualify, there has to be some way for those who are either unable to find a conference home or have created a conference for themselves have some kind of access as well ... before being thrown in the heap with everyone else.

I am fine with the Pool B option in DIII. It lives up to what this division (and really the NCAA has a whole) represents. Why tell those schools there is no hope at all of ever making the tournament(s)... unless you go insane and schedule like Thomas More women?

[Greek Tragedy]

I completely understand the philosophy and all that, giving everyone the chance. But why not be that Thomas More and have a difficult schedule? I'm not trying to poo poo the little guy, but it seems we're just giving this group different guidelines.

Also, I understand the AEC is a new conference, but it consists of established D3 programs coming from other conferences that were eligible for AQs. I find it strange they are thrown into Pool B status. It reminds me of when the NIIC and the LMC combined and formed the now NACC. Lakeland comes into the conference tournament as the #6 seed and beats the top three seeds on the road to win the conference tournament. No AQ though.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Because not everyone can afford to send their teams around the country ... or have a coach interested in even trying to pull it off. Look at the difference in the schedules of the two Thomas More teams for that example.

And one isn't going to dictate to another school how they are to spend their money. Schools (should) understand the landscape and plan accordingly. If they don't plan well enough (and I have a few schools that I know are surprised the Pool B situation was closer than they imagined a year ago), their mistake will be revealed.

The reason for a two-year waiting period is so that schools can't form random conferences just to get AQs and then disband them or leave for something else. It forces schools and conferences to be "real" and not temporary in the division. That is fair as well. Membership isn't going to hand out AQs to any conference that wants to form overnight for the hell of it. If you want an AQ, there needs to be a level of commitment and forward thinking on the overall plan. Not just a "hey, here's a way we can get into the tournament for next season."

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The third public NCAA Division III regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2019/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

There are just days left in the regular season and conference tournaments are in full throat. And those vying to get into the NCAA Tournament are already sitting on the proverbial "bubble."

There are two ways to keep dancing in March, either win the conference automatic qualifier (i.e. tournament in most cases) or hope one's resume is good enough to be selected. However, with upsets in conference tournaments come some nervous times for those needing the at-large avenue.

Some teams are already on the bubble, but are they in trouble?

On Thursday's Hoopsville, Dave brings in guests who either have already lost or may need to win. We also enjoy the thrill of victory. And hear from a coach in charge of off-season workouts and practices at her institution. What goes into such a job as most teams start to make the transition to next season.

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Thursday's show can be seen LIVE starting at 7:00 p.m. ET right here: http://bit.ly/2NhkfYn (or via Facebook Live and Periscope simulcasts).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to dave.mchugh@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options to the right.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- Cameron Hill, Trinity (Texas) women's coach
- Kristin Karat, Cedar Crest women's coach & Assistant Director for Athletic Performance (WBCA Center Court)
- Jeff Brown, Middlebury men's coach

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts, choose your favorite avenue to listen and/or subscribe via the the following four avenues (click on the images when necessary):
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville




Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

This is it! The regular season is over. The conference titles have been handed out and 86 teams know they will be playing next week in the NCAA Division III men's and women's Championship Tournaments!

However, 42 slots need to be filled. Which programs have best positioned themselves to selected to play for a national title?

It is the biggest show of the year. Bubble teams watch anxiously. Rivals watch wondering if their rivals will make the event. Others watch because ... this is one of the best nights of the entire season.

Tune in a special episode of Hoopsville where we will make our mock selections of who will be in and who will be left out of the DIII national tournaments. Our teams of experts will make the picks using the same criteria the national committees consider.

Plus, hear, one last time before the brackets are announced, from the national committee chairs who discuss how this year's rankings and process have worked out. And hear from some teams who have already punched their tickets to the tournaments - many for the first time in program history!

Hoopsville is presented by D3hoops.com and airs from the WBCA/NABC Studio. Sunday's special will hit the air at 6:00 p.m. ET right here: http://bit.ly/2XuWjWa (or via Facebook Live or Periscope simulcasts).

If you have questions about Division III basketball, feel free to send them and we will answer them on a the show. Email them to dave.mchugh@d3sports.com or use any of the social media options below.

Guests Schedule (order subject to change):
- John Alesi, Baruch men's coach
- Sam Atkinson, Men's National Committee Chair (Gallaudet Associate Director for Communications)
- Russ Phillips, Alfred men's coach
- Bill Curley, Emerson men's coach
- Karin Harvey, Women's National Committee Chair (Montclair State women's coach)
- Rayne Reber, Rosemont women's coach
- Lyle Jones, Bethany Lutheran women's coach

Men's Mock Selections Team:
- Ryan Scott, D3hoops.com
- Bob Quillman, IWUHoops.com
- Michael Blaine, Medaille men's coach

Women's Mock Selections Team:
- Gordon Mann, D3hoops.com
- BJ Spigelmyer, DeSales Sports Information Director
- James Wagner, CSAC Assistant Commissioner

If you enjoy the show via the podcasts, choose your favorite avenue to listen and/or subscribe via the the following four avenues (click on the images when necessary):
SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/hoopsville




Don't forget you can always interact with us:
Website: www.d3hoopsville.com
Twitter: @d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hoopsville
Email: hoopsville@d3hoops.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/d3hoopsville

[KnightSlappy]

Gwynedd Mercy is the Pool B, right? We're all in agreement?

[fantastic50]

I would be shocked if anyone else got it.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Gwynedd Mercy 73 Plattsburgh St 65

Pool B still alive

[mailsy]

Gwynedd Mercy 73 Plattsburgh St 65

Pool B still alive

What's the furthest a pool B team has gone in the tourney?

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Gwynedd Mercy 73 Plattsburgh St 65

Pool B still alive

What's the furthest a pool B team has gone in the tourney?

Maryville was independent and the perennial Pool B entry for a long time.  I'm sure they made the second weekend at least once.