FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[GRIZ_BACKER]

So, I spent the last two hours looking at this new projected bracket (partially because perhaps I may have come across as overly critical of the first projection two days ago -- though that was never my intention).  This version seems a bit more balanced overall.  By shifting NCC and FC into the STU bracket and WC and the Eagles to the UWW bracket, it serves to slightly "lighten the load" in the north (average D3 ranking based on last week's poll drops from 12th to 17th and average regional ranking drops from an insane 4.125 to 5.125) while enhancing the "strength" of the west (average D3 ranking based on last week's poll increases from 20th to 16th), which is in more in line with what I would expect/hope for.  Additionally, by shifting Rowan into the MU bracket and Muhlenberg out, there is a slight slight slight increase in the overall quality of competition for the Purple Raiders.  A couple of the first round games in the UWW and STU brackets stick out to me -- Trine at Wittenberg and Bethel at Wartburg could be excellent matchups.  Additionally, there are clearly games which present an opportunity for a lower seed to pull a first round upset (though I won't say which games present the best opportunity at this point).  

Pat, this projection is more in line with what this second-stringer would expect/hope for later today.  I only have one suggestion for the projected bracket though -- perhaps you could switch DePauw and FC.  That way, the cannon-blasting, fun-loving, tail-gaiting fans from Southern Indiana could visit the Thunder/Crusaders on the WC campus -- a clash of two different worlds, so to speak.  

Franklin is an 8 according to Pat (both his final and his first bracket).  Behind 8-2 Wabash?? 

[Stagg Again!!]

Franklin is an 8 according to Pat (both his final and his first bracket).  Behind 8-2 Wabash??  

Griz -- welcome back to the CCIW board.  Perhaps the seeding has to do with the huge SOS advantage Wabash had over FC (Lil' Giants = .555 to Griz = .428 going into week 11).  Or, it could have been Wabash's two wins over regionally ranked teams (DePauw by a huge margin yesterday and UChicago on 9/25).  Or, to paraphrase Pat Coleman, sometimes who you lose to counts as much as who you defeat.  Wabash lost to #9 Wittenberg and a respected Wash. U team, while FC lost to CC, who is sitting in fifth place in the CCIW and who NCC defeated 43-8, WC defeated 31-24, and regionally IWU defeated 49-42.  I'm not uncomfortable with the seeding, especially given the fact that the Eagles were moved off to the UWW bracket to play (IMO) the number one seed in the tournament.

[Stagg Again!!]

While the final score may not have indicated it, my hats are off to the NCC coaches for their classy roster moves in Naperville yesterday -- no Crackel, Antonacci, Tassio, Wenger, Garza, Hayes, Sulo, etc., and very little of any of the other regular starters.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

Franklin is an 8 according to Pat (both his final and his first bracket).  Behind 8-2 Wabash??  

Griz -- welcome back to the CCIW board.  Perhaps the seeding has to do with the huge SOS advantage Wabash had over FC (Lil' Giants = .555 to Griz = .428 going into week 11).  Or, it could have been Wabash's two wins over regionally ranked teams (DePauw by a huge margin yesterday and UChicago on 9/25).  Or, to paraphrase Pat Coleman, sometimes who you lose to counts as much as who you defeat.  Wabash lost to #9 Wittenberg and a respected Wash. U team, while FC lost to CC, who is sitting in fifth place in the CCIW and who NCC defeated 43-8, WC defeated 31-24, and regionally IWU defeated 49-42.  I'm not uncomfortable with the seeding, especially given the fact that the Eagles were moved off to the UWW bracket to play (IMO) the number one seed in the tournament.

arguments can be made either way I guess.  One can question whether DePauw is really any good (weak schedule) and Witt hasn't truly wowed anyone lately on the road.  Carthage is in fifth place due to power at top of CCIW. Carthage would win 30-40 percent of the conferences.  I am not fully buying that a loss to Carthage is a bad loss on labor weekend when Bash loses at Washington (is that a good loss?)  Statistics are like a bikini.  what they reveal is interesting and what they conceal is vital

[usee]

Griz- I agree with you. Carthage is better than many teams in the field. While I don't think Depauw is nearly as bad as they played yesterday I think Franklin is better than many people think and would be a tough 1st round draw. Wabash, if they get in, would certainly be the 32nd team in the field but where they play may have a lot more to do with how the geography falls in each bracket than it does with seeding (although seeding is to be considered along with proximity). So I think Pat's bracket likely has Franklin seeded ahead of Wabash but to make the pairings work he has Wabash as a 6 seed in the UWW bracket (they are definitely ahead of Benedictine and Depauw don't you think?). Franklin is the #7 seed in the St Thomas bracket (can't put them ahead of Bethel or Cal Lu can you?). If you want to swap Franklin and Wabash in their brackets I think it works too.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

I think FC is a solid 6 or 7. 8 seeds IMO are for those teams from horrid conferences or won the conference on a fluke. i.e like the 15 and 16 seeds in the NCAA basketball tourney.  I understand there are some travel and other hurdles but Bash could be sent to the West as an 8 or Depauw as easily as FC.  I think FC should get a game with Witt, ONU, or Trine.  it would be interesting to poll the coaches on who they would rather face Bash or FC.

[usee]

Right now Pat has Bash as a 6 seed and Franklin as a 7 in different brackets. Switching the two appears to be no problem so why don't you just ask him and see where that gets you! 

I agree Franklin is probably a 6 seed or a 7 in a stronger bracket. Tough to slot them ahead of an undefeated Trine or Witt or teams like Wheaton and ONU who's only loss are to #1 seeds. Same in the West. You can't seed them ahead of any of the other teams so they get a 7 seed.

[ncc_fan]

'Bash @ NCC in round 1 would be fun.  There are a lot of Wabash alumni in the Chicago area.  Benedetti-Wehrli stadium would be rocking sea of red!

[Pat Coleman]

Franklin is an 8 according to Pat (both his final and his first bracket).  Behind 8-2 Wabash?? 

Actually, Backer, Franklin is a 7 in the final bracket.

[usee]

'Bash @ NCC in round 1 would be fun.  There are a lot of Wabash alumni in the Chicago area.  Benedetti-Wehrli stadium would be rocking sea of red!

The "Red Bowl". disgusting

[shepherd]

With all the talk of the wild turkey offense.  No thats not it - the untame cougar offense.  Still not it.  Oh the wildcat offense.  Thats it.  Wheaton was running the
Thundercat offense against Millikin.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFmKRAXLKC8&feature=related

[usee]

NCC v St Norbert and then winner of ONU v Witt. NCC #1 seed over UWW but in same bracket. That game will be in Naperville though

Wheaton #2 seed in st Thomas bracket and faces coe then winner of wart burg v bethel

[ncc58]

The WIAC board will be on fire!

DePauw a #3 seed, after losing 47-0???

[MasterJedi]

NCC got its Number 1 Seed, but also a most likely very pissed UWW.  Have fun with that! 

[skunks_sidekick]

Yah.....NCC deserves a #1 over UWW.....what a JOKE!  That is a travesty.........