FB: Northwest Conference

[speedybigboy]

speedybigboy,Appreciate your answering, and I concur with the lack of enthusiasm for what Edgar Allen Poe called "the clamor and the clangor of the bells" in his famous poem.

Whoa, quoting poetry, you lost me there.   

At lease both our teams get a chance in the first round to avenge an early season loss. 

[speedybigboy]

I enjoy statistics, however insignificant they might once the ball is the ball is kicked off. For an interesting and just for fun statistical and objective view of the each bracket, let us take a look at the difficulty rating of each playoff bracket based on 1) the average regional ranking (most recent) of each team in each bracket and 2) the average national ranking (most recent) of each team in each bracket. So, based on this objective (and fun) take on the brackets, who has the toughest bracket? Note: I think SOS would be a fun assessment as well but I did not pursue this statistic.

Based on the average regional ranking (non-ranked teams received a 12 score), the most difficult bracket is (in descending order with the least challenging at the bottom):

1)   Mt. Union (average regional ranking of teams in the bracket = 3.75) Toughest
2)   MHB (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 5.60)
3)   WW/Linfield (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 6.75)
4)   Bethel (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 7.25) Easiest

Based on the average national ranking (non-ranked teams received a 30 score), the most difficult bracket is (in descending order with the least challenging at the bottom:

1)   Bethel (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 19) Toughest
2)   WW/Linfield (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 20)
Tie:
3)   MHB ((average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 20)
4)   Mt. Union (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 21) Easiest

Bottom-line: The brackets are pretty even. So, let's have fun and Go Cats all the way to Salem in 13.

Being a statistics hound myself I find your first category irrelevant. (no offense to you).  SOMEONE has to be ranked in the top 10 of each Region.  During this process there is no comparison of these teams to other Regions, so to use that to compare regions seems to be rife with problems.

Go Lutes.  Party like its 1999.

[bleedpurple]

My wish for Platteville vs PLU will just have to be in the Stagg Bowl.

I hope you are a young man. That Stagg won't be for awhile. 

[speedybigboy]

My wish for Platteville vs PLU will just have to be in the Stagg Bowl.

I hope you are a young man. That Stagg won't be for awhile. 

Nope, not young, gotta dream Big!  My brother played for Platteville in the early 80's, I for PLU.

[swede]

As our chances of playing you NWC guys in this years' playoffs are not very propitious, this Bulldog just wanted to wish NWC all the best to show the rest of D3 that West Coasters still have "The Right Stuff". 

Thanks Hemi, I know it doesn't look good for Redlands but I will be pulling for the upset. 

[dawgcat]

Hey Speedy

Sometimes it is OK just to have some fun  If it wasn't fun, we wouldn't play the game. Since you are a numbers guy yourself, I am sure you will understand. Thanks for the feedback. I look to the CATS to take care of the numbers on Saturday. Regardless, you and I will have had fun being a part of the process. Enjoy!

[Wildcat'64]

Lute Week II.....not much else motivation needed to get up for an important game.  Looking at the pairings this has to be one of the top games in the country this coming Saturday....Go Cats...One Game At A Time!

[bleedpurple]

My wish for Platteville vs PLU will just have to be in the Stagg Bowl.

I hope you are a young man. That Stagg won't be for awhile. 

Nope, not young, gotta dream Big!  My brother played for Platteville in the early 80's, I for PLU.

Cool. My dad was inducted into the UW-P Hall of Fame. He played for them forever ago. He's 93! UW-P has always treated him with great respect and kindness. They are my second favorite WIAC team because of it!

[Wildcat'64]

In analyzing the DIII playoff brackets here are some interesting observations:

• Of the TOP 25 Poll....only 17 teams out of 26 positions made the playoffs.
  The Sweet 16 will end up with 13 Top 25 teams
  Of the Top 25 teams only 3 games will feature Top 25 teams....Linfield (2) vs. PLU (13), John Carrol (9) vs. St. John Fisher (25) and John Hopkins (10 vs. Wesley (15).....Looks like Linfield is the Game of the Week of Top 25 teams.

[hazzben]

I enjoy statistics, however insignificant they might once the ball is the ball is kicked off. For an interesting and just for fun statistical and objective view of the each bracket, let us take a look at the difficulty rating of each playoff bracket based on 1) the average regional ranking (most recent) of each team in each bracket and 2) the average national ranking (most recent) of each team in each bracket. So, based on this objective (and fun) take on the brackets, who has the toughest bracket? Note: I think SOS would be a fun assessment as well but I did not pursue this statistic.

Based on the average regional ranking (non-ranked teams received a 12 score), the most difficult bracket is (in descending order with the least challenging at the bottom):

1)   Mt. Union (average regional ranking of teams in the bracket = 3.75) Toughest
2)   MHB (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 5.60)
3)   WW/Linfield (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 6.75)
4)   Bethel (average regional ranking of  teams in the bracket = 7.25) Easiest

Based on the average national ranking (non-ranked teams received a 30 score), the most difficult bracket is (in descending order with the least challenging at the bottom:

1)   Bethel (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 19) Toughest
2)   WW/Linfield (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 20)
Tie:
3)   MHB ((average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 20)
4)   Mt. Union (average national ranking of teams in the bracket = 21) Easiest

Bottom-line: The brackets are pretty even. So, let's have fun and Go Cats all the way to Salem in 13.

The first analysis assumes each region is of equal strength. Personally, I think the 6 or 7 team in the West or North would beat most of the teams in the East.

It also assumes you know how the secret final ballot came out. We just don't know that, even though it would be great if we did.

But yes, I think the brackets are fairly even.

[Hemingway13]

As our chances of playing you NWC guys in this years' playoffs are not very propitious, this Bulldog just wanted to wish NWC all the best to show the rest of D3 that West Coasters still have "The Right Stuff". 

Thanks Hemi, I know it doesn't look good for Redlands but I will be pulling for the upset. 

Cheers, Swede!


I'm real pleased for this bunch of Bulldogs to have earned the honor of enjoying the D3 playoff experience.

[bluenote]

Being a statistics hound myself I find your first category irrelevant. (no offense to you).  SOMEONE has to be ranked in the top 10 of each Region.  During this process there is no comparison of these teams to other Regions, so to use that to compare regions seems to be rife with problems.

Go Wildcats!.  Party like its 2004.

I was thinking the same thing!   

[Tuxguy]

O.K. Before I get off track I want to say congratulations to the Cats and the Lutes and I look forward
to this Saturdays Match up.

  Well, I think the NCAA has forgotten who they represent......College athletes. By sending PLU to Linfield this week
did they (NCAA) really save money?  We won't really know until week 2 and week 3 are done I guess. They kind of control who wins or who has the best chance to win in most case's with this type of matching teams together. ( behind those closed doors I can see them now...a smoke in one hand and a scotch in the other, sooo what patsy do we put against Mount this year?)  I'm just kidding!! But.........
I'm thinking the business side of the playoffs has clouded the minds of many. This should be about the students, the student athletes that have a chance to learn a few of life's lessons, and experience some things that without sports might not have happened for these young men. By sending a team from another part of the country to McMinnville and the Catdome you bring a group of people to a part of the country many have never seen before and many will never have the chance to get back to ever again. (I understand it's a zip in and out trip, but still you see something) The host school benefits as well by having these visitors share things with them. It's a give and take that you can't put a $ amount on. This is College sports, and yes I know it is a business, but It can be more and I think many have forgotten that. as always IMHO
I'm just happy the Cat's are playing this week and I have the chance to watch them play.

Go Cats!
Leave no doubt!!
One game at a time!!!

[desertcat1]

speedybigboy,Appreciate your answering, and I concur with the lack of enthusiasm for what Edgar Allen Poe called "the clamor and the clangor of the bells" in his famous poem.

Whoa, quoting poetry, you lost me there.   

At lease both our teams get a chance in the first round to avenge an early season loss. 

c'mon   big boy ,, BOTH teams     don't the dogs go to UMHB?     no way no how..

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Lets Dance
Leave no Doubt !!

GHC out