FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

I don't know why the SCIAC would duck Linfield. We haven't won our league in 2 years. So what's the big deal? Next year will be a battle for AQ with Whitworth being all upset with their non-playoff bid.

Linfield is VERY young next year. I think we lost 20+ seniors but maybe the next batch will be REALLY GOOD!

Whitworth shouldn't feel that bad though, a couple years ago we beat them, tied with them and PLU for the league title and WE got left home. Oh well...what do you do? 

[RFB]

I would love to see Redlands and Linfield play each other again. Hopefully it's in the cards sometime in the future. I'm still shocked that Whitworth was left out. They have a really good team.

[MonroviaCat]

The Rats certainly got screwed as did the entire West Coast (IMO).  I don't mean any disrespect to Redlands but having to go to St. Johns for the first Round is a rough deal.  The fact that Whitworth got left out just goes to show that the 'criteria' for selecting teams is just a for show.    Wow....sucks.  The only bright side I can see is that the NWC's playoff record can't be harmed.  Sheesh.....I guess I'm a bit shocked like the rest of you.  Well, it was a nice season---can't wait for next year.

[RFB]

The Rats certainly got screwed as did the entire West Coast (IMO).  I don't mean any disrespect to Redlands but having to go to St. Johns for the first Round is a rough deal.  The fact that Whitworth got left out just goes to show that the 'criteria' for selecting teams is just a for show.    Wow....sucks.  The only bright side I can see is that the NWC's playoff record can't be harmed.  Sheesh.....I guess I'm a bit shocked like the rest of you.  Well, it was a nice season---can't wait for next year.

I agree. St. Johns should be coming out to Redlands with their loss yesterday.

[speedybigboy]

I would love to see Redlands and Linfield play each other again. Hopefully it's in the cards sometime in the future. I'm still shocked that Whitworth was left out. They have a really good team.

SHOCKED, is probably the right word.  A one loss team with their only loss to a team in the playoffs.  Conference champs from a conference that has 2 different National Champs since joining d3.  

Are they being penalized because of having to fly to the game?  

[Pirat]

Great run Rats.  Thanks for the season.

I doubt that their out of D3 game had anything to do with them not getting in.  When you play over half of your D3 regional schedule against teams with a winning percentage of 23%, it pretty much kills your OWP and it appears this year the committee put a lot of emphasis on their new way to determine SOS.

[Pirate Pride]

stunned

[George Thompson]

I just sent the following email off to the NCAA, specifically,   wburrow@ncaa.org
I suggest many NWC fans write similar protests.    That is the only way we will get heard.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCAA Selection Committee,

You really dishonored the Northwest Conference.   You left out our league champion, Whitworth, from this year's playoffs.  My observations:

1. The NWC is one tough league.  2 national champions in the last 8 years.  Plus many more at the NAIA level.

2. Whitworth is one fine program and would beat 1/2 of the teams you selected.

3.  You have a MAJOR bias for east coast teams and are prejudiced against West Coast teams. 

4.  You punish NWC teams for losing games to good NCAA II and NAIA teams.  You do not understand how difficult it is for us to play NCAA III teams without paying enormous travel costs.

Whitworth got hosed by you.  It was absolutely unfair!


George Thompson
A Linfield fan

[DutchFan2004]

I tend to agree that Whitworth got hosed for not getting in ahead of UWEC. 

[MonroviaCat]

3.  You have a MAJOR bias for east coast teams and are prejudiced against West Coast teams. 

And the East cost teams have proven that they can't keep up with the West coast teams in recent years......

[speedybigboy]

I just sent the following email off to the NCAA, specifically,   wburrow@ncaa.org
I suggest many NWC fans write similar protests.    That is the only way we will get heard.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCAA Selection Committee,

You really dishonored the Northwest Conference.   You left out our league champion, Whitworth, from this year's playoffs.  My observations:

1. The NWC is one tough league.  2 national champions in the last 8 years.  Plus many more at the NAIA level.

2. Whitworth is one fine program and would beat 1/2 of the teams you selected.

3.  You have a MAJOR bias for east coast teams and are prejudiced against West Coast teams. 

4.  You punish NWC teams for losing games to good NCAA II and NAIA teams.  You do not understand how difficult it is for us to play NCAA III teams without paying enormous travel costs.

Whitworth got hosed by you.  It was absolutely unfair!


George Thompson
A Linfield fan

well said, but you're tilting at windmills

[pineconefan]

Wow,

I had to look at the list three times before the reality set in.  Then the reality of what really happened set in.

Somehow Eau Claire jumped over Whitworth in the final week of the regional standings.  What did Eau Claire do in that final week that Whitworth didn't do?  They beat Wisconsin Stout by one more point than the Pirates did.  

I really don't think the committee wanted to set the precident of giving a Pool C spot to one of the Pool B teams, so they looked for every reason to keep the Pirates out.

[downtown48]

I would love to see Redlands and Linfield play each other again. Hopefully it's in the cards sometime in the future.

All Maynard has to do is say yes and it won't cost him a thing...

[speedybigboy]

Wow,

I had to look at the list three times before the reality set in.  Then the reality of what really happened set in.

Somehow Eau Claire jumped over Whitworth in the final week of the regional standings.  What did Eau Claire do in that final week that Whitworth didn't do?  They beat Wisconsin Stout by one more point than the Pirates did.  

I really don't think the committee wanted to set the precident of giving a Pool C spot to one of the Pool B teams, so they looked for every reason to keep the Pirates out.

you got hosed, reasons don't matter!  but at least there is a playoff with most of the deserving teams in.

[wildcat11]

Stunned...really stunned.  It a real slap in the face to the entire NWC that the Rats were left out in the cold.  I'm telling you that if Whitworth would have won that APU game they would be in the dance.  Good year Rats and I am sorry that your group of seniors are getting done like this.  It's crap.  Thankfully we don't have to worry about this next season.

Also the Dawgs were hosed by having to go out to SJU.  It should be the other way around.  BTW...I think this match up is very good for Redlands.  The Dawgs defense is going to cause major issues for the SJU offense.  That is going to be a fun one to follow. 

RFB, thanks for saying the SCIAC is ducking Linfield.  I already know what we won't be seeing any SCIAC schools in the near feature but I think we might have found a d3 to play non-conference but my lips are sealed.