FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Also, for good measure, 500 mile radius from Mount Union. Easy to see why they keep getting shipped 'East.' Almost the entire region is drivable. And it alleviates the backlog of good teams in the 'North' and 'West.'

Looking at this list and the RR. Assuming teams hold serve, I think we're heading towards Linfield as the 'West' #1, UST shipped out to be the 'North' #1 and Mount again shipped 'East.'

If UWW and Mount are kept in the same region, it would look like they'd need to keep Mount in the 'North.' Or be willing to fly UWW out to someone in the east or vice versa. But if you keep Mount in the North, so that the purple powers have to go through each other before the semis, you also make it hard to distribute the #1 seeds equitably.

[wally_wabash]

That's really useful, hazzben, thank you.  As jk points out, it's not perfect, but it gives you a decent idea of which teams can be clustered together. 

Obviously, Oshkosh's eastward reach is impacted by having to drive around a lake, so they aren't quite as flexible as the circle might indicate.  But still, that's a really useful tool for people trying to break themselves of the NSEW bracket configurations.  Teams from all sorts of regions can be mixed and matched and not have to fly around. 

[Just Bill]

Here's the official NCAA TES Mileage calculator for those interested: https://web1.ncaa.org/TES/exec/miles

[retagent]

That's really useful, hazzben, thank you.  As jk points out, it's not perfect, but it gives you a decent idea of which teams can be clustered together. 

Obviously, Oshkosh's eastward reach is impacted by having to drive around a lake, so they aren't quite as flexible as the circle might indicate.  But still, that's a really useful tool for people trying to break themselves of the NSEW bracket configurations.  Teams from all sorts of regions can be mixed and matched and not have to fly around. 

They could always take the Ferry.

[gbpuckfan]

SNC isn't in Duluth, however. 

Not that I want this, of course, but the MWC school could be Monmouth - given the title game on Nov. 14. Just something to consider...

[emma17]

Casting aside the regional rankings, which don't actually rank based on likely outcomes of games, who would you select as top 4 seeds?
If the selections were done today, who would you pick for Pool B and C?

[jknezek]

Casting aside the regional rankings, which don't actually rank based on likely outcomes of games, who would you select as top 4 seeds?
If the selections were done today, who would you pick for Pool B and C?

Need more information. Do we still have the 1 flight first round constraint or is this pie in the sky, money doesn't matter kind of thing?

[02 Warhawk]

Here's my vote on who gets the #1 and #2 in each region when the brackets are released:

East: 1. Mount 2. Johns Hopkins
South: 1. Wesley 2. Hardin Simmons
North: 1. St. Thomas 2. Wheaton
West: 1. Linfield 2. UWO

All though, I can see UWO being #1 based on SOS. But I think Linfield is the better team. There's many different ways the committee can go with the North and West.

Casting aside the regional rankings, which don't actually rank based on likely outcomes of games, who would you select as top 4 seeds?
If the selections were done today, who would you pick for Pool B and C?

[wally_wabash]

Here's my vote on who gets the #1 and #2 in each region when the brackets are released:

East: 1. Mount 2. Johns Hopkins
South: 1. Wesley 2. Hardin Simmons
North: 1. St. Thomas 2. Wheaton
West: 1. Linfield 2. UWO

All though, I can see UWO being #1 based on SOS. But I think Linfield is the better team. There's many different ways the committee can go with the North and West.

These would be my four #1 seeds as well, however you'd have to do some gymnastics to move Linfield past UWO.  I think this will happen before next Sunday. 

[hazzben]

SNC isn't in Duluth, however. 

Not that I want this, of course, but the MWC school could be Monmouth - given the title game on Nov. 14. Just something to consider...

Good catch. I must have pasted the CSS link for St. Norbert on that one.

And should Monmouth get the auto bid, there are even more possibilities.

[hazzben]

Here's my vote on who gets the #1 and #2 in each region when the brackets are released:

East: 1. Mount 2. Johns Hopkins
South: 1. Wesley 2. Hardin Simmons
North: 1. St. Thomas 2. Wheaton
West: 1. Linfield 2. UWO

All though, I can see UWO being #1 based on SOS. But I think Linfield is the better team. There's many different ways the committee can go with the North and West.

These would be my four #1 seeds as well, however you'd have to do some gymnastics to move Linfield past UWO.  I think this will happen before next Sunday.

Barring upsets, I think that would be a pretty sound way to build the brackets. If they did this, I could certainly see them arranging things so that whichever region had UWW as a Pool C (West or North) would also be set to face off with Mount's region in the semis. Not saying they have to do this, but if there was ever a year where they could do it, without unduly penalizing Mount or UWW, this would be the year.

[d-train]

Guys: money talks. They are instructed to limit flights and will likely pair up the 'island' teams. Thus, look for the Texas Hardins and Linfield (with Whitworth or the SCIAC champ) to be a foursome. 

[emma17]

Casting aside the regional rankings, which don't actually rank based on likely outcomes of games, who would you select as top 4 seeds?
If the selections were done today, who would you pick for Pool B and C?

Need more information. Do we still have the 1 flight first round constraint or is this pie in the sky, money doesn't matter kind of thing?

I should have clarified. There are other boards here where you guys are doing a great job based upon current rules. This is just guys hanging out w some pitchers of beer (man I miss those days) and taking turns with their own projections- no limitations as currently imposed.

Starting w the top 4 I agree with Mt, Linfield and St. Thomas. I struggle w Wesley as a #1 seed, but I also struggle w UWO as a #1 seed. At the end of the day though, I'd pick UWO to beat Wesley. I'd also pick Wheaton to beat Wesley. If Wheaton's #1 QB was playing, I'd probably pick Wheaton. As I don't think that's the case, UWO is my fourth #1.

[d-train]

- no limitations as currently imposed.

Okay then, I withdraw my comment a few posts above. (But in reality, the committee will always look to save money by limiting flights.)

[bleedpurple]

I'm still in favor of having the playoff field steup and prevent UWW/UMU from meeting in Salem...rather than the committee doing it.

One way to think about it, and I'm not sure it will happen, but UWO already has. The committee didn't lose the game this year.

True, but UWW has lost games during the regular season in the past and was still kept opposite of Mount.

But I guess if there ever was a year Mount and UWW would meet before the Stagg....it would be this year.

Can't think of a more fun way to bring it home than at Oshkosh in Round 2, Mount in Round 3, Wesley in Round 4, and Linfield or UMHB in the Stagg Bowl.