MBB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Baldini]

Transylvania is a fun team to watch most of the time. Probably best when they play small ball and spread the floor, they put 4 shooters on the floor with Jefferson, who seems to have the ability to get to where he wants to on the floor. Press, play up tempo and make 3's. Exciting basketball.   

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin has their first 10 game win streak in 20 years after beating Earlham today.
Grizzlies maintain their 2 game lead on Hanover with Transylvania now 3rd.

[CatsFan2012]

Very excited for TU-Franklin game on Wednesday. Remember great TU games vs Franklin in late 2000's at Beck Center. Both programs have had their ups n downs since but good to see both doin well again. Franklin first in field goal % in conference and TU 2nd. TU 1st in points and Franklin tied for 2nd. Franklin 2nd in 3pt% and Transy 3rd. going to be a good battle

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

First Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-first

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2's Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[Baldini]

If Transylvania defeats Bluffton on Saturday, I believe they win the tie-breaker with Franklin and would be the #1 seed in the tournament due to their split with Hanover and Franklin going 0-2 against them.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

I believe we have
#1 Transylvania
#4 Bluffton vs #5 Anderson

#2 Franklin
#3 Hanover vs #6 Rose-Hulman

All games at Transylvania.

With Rose playing in the first round it means a Fri/Sat/Sun tournament I believe. Curious how it will work out since the Transy women also earned the 1 seed and would host. Going to be a lot of games and teams on Friday.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The Week 3 men's regional rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-third

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Here's the percentages to win against each other using Massey and all games at Transy...

Men	TU	FC	HC	BU	AU	RH
Transylvania	-	72%	61%	72%	77%	70%
Franklin	28%	-	38%	50%	56%	47%
Hanover	39%	62%	-	63%	68%	60%
Bluffton	28%	50%	37%	-	56%	47%
Anderson	23%	44%	32%	44%	-	41%
Rose-Hulman	30%	53%	40%	53%	59%	-

And the probabilities of winning each round

1	Transylvania	100%		74.20%		50.07%
4	Bluffton	56%		15.68%		6.98%
5	Anderson	44%		10.12%		3.94%
3	Hanover	60%		37.20%		17.00%
6	Rose-Hulman	40%		21.20%		7.75%
2	Franklin	100%		41.60%		14.26%

Transy the favorite since they're at home, but Massey thinks Franklin will struggle as they'd be slight underdogs to both Hanover or RHIT in the semifinals.

[Baldini]

Good stuff. The 2 slight underdogs won the games last night, should be a great day of basketball today in Lexington.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Lower seeded teams are 3-1 so far... and Transy was in a fight for 35 minutes against Anderson. #6 Rose-Hulman at #1 Transylvania tomorrow for the title.

[Baldini]

Transylvania draws UW-Oshkosh in the first round. To be the Champ, you need to beat the Champ. 

[Gregory Sager]

At least Transy won't have to face UWO in Kolf Arena. The Pioneers get a neutral venue instead, Gregory Arena in Merner Fieldhouse (aka "the airplane hangar") on the campus of North Central in the Chicago suburb of Naperville.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

At least Transy won't have to face UWO in Kolf Arena. The Pioneers get a neutral venue instead, Gregory Arena in Merner Fieldhouse (aka "the airplane hangar") on the campus of North Central in the Chicago suburb of Naperville.

HCAC team getting paired up with the defending champions from the WIAC in the first round... where have I heard that before

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Kerry Prather is retiring after 37 years as Franklin's HC with an overall record of 528-456. He was appointed president after being the active president since mid January. The school will renew it's search for a new president next year with hopes of appointing someone in the summer of 2022.  https://www.franklingrizzlies.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/releases/20200303i3f8p0
Franklin already will have a new football coach next season after Mike Leonard retired few months ago and now a new mens basketball coach.